Author: Sophie Mitchell

Study backed by ScotiaRISE outlines long-term economic, health and social gains tied to public housing infrastructure investment TORONTO — June 1, 2026 A new economic analysis commissioned by the GTHA Community Housing Collaborative suggests that large-scale investment in public housing infrastructure across the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area (GTHA) could generate more than $102 billion in combined economic and social value over the next 25 years. The report, titled Public Housing Dividend Report, was prepared by the Canadian Centre for Economic Analysis (CANCEA) with support from Scotiabank through its ScotiaRISE initiative. The study presents what organizers describe as the first…

Fraser Health cites physician staffing shortages behind overnight closure Emergency-trained nurses to remain on site during interruption Fraser Health has announced a temporary overnight service interruption at the Emergency Department of Mission Memorial Hospital, citing ongoing physician staffing challenges affecting the facility. The interruption is scheduled to begin Sunday, May 31 at 5:00 p.m. and continue until Monday, June 1 at 8:00 a.m. According to Fraser Health, the early start time was chosen to allow physicians currently on shift sufficient time to assess and treat patients already in the emergency department before their scheduled departure at 11:00 p.m. Despite the…

Irish writer and disability rights advocate leaves behind a legacy of activism, literature and community service Richard “Rex” Lee, the Irish author, activist and longtime advocate for people with disabilities, is being remembered for a life defined by resilience, public service and compassion following his death earlier this year at the age of 85. Lee, whose work spanned literature, advocacy and community engagement, died on Jan. 9, 2025. A memorial article published by The Manuscript Publisher on May 23, 2026, paid tribute to his personal achievements and lifelong commitment to helping others despite living with cerebral palsy from birth. The…

Award-Winning Canadian Musical to Arrive at EA Rawlinson Centre Broadway North Theatre Company has announced that its 2026 summer feature production will be Come From Away, the internationally acclaimed Canadian musical inspired by the true events that unfolded in Gander, Newfoundland, following the September 11 attacks. Sponsored by The Malcolm Jenkins Family Foundation, the production will bring the celebrated story of compassion, resilience, and community to the stage of the EA Rawlinson Centre as audiences mark the 25th anniversary of 9/11. Originally developed by Canadian writers Irene Sankoff and David Hein, Come From Away tells the story of how the…

City Encourages Residents to Reduce Emissions Through Public Transportation The City of Prince Albert will offer free public transit services on Wednesday, June 3, as part of its participation in Clean Air Day celebrations across Canada. The initiative is intended to encourage residents to consider environmentally friendly transportation alternatives while raising awareness about the importance of improving air quality in local communities. All regular transit services will be free for the day, including Access Transit services for eligible users. “Residents are encouraged to ride the bus for free on Wednesday to help reduce air pollution and support environmentally friendly transportation…

Province backs increased Indigenous equity stake in critical Northern Ontario energy infrastructure project THUNDER BAY — The Ontario government is supporting a major expansion of First Nations ownership in the East-West Tie (EWT) Transmission Line, a move provincial officials say will strengthen Indigenous participation in energy infrastructure while supporting long-term economic growth across Northern Ontario. Through Ontario’s Indigenous Opportunities Financing Program (IOFP), the province is providing a provincial guarantee of up to $75 million to support Bamkushwada LP’s increase in ownership from 3.5 per cent to 20 per cent in the transmission line project. The financing is backed by a…

New album arrives May 29, 2026, blending indie rock, orchestral pop and classic songwriting influences Chicago songwriter and multi-instrumentalist MV Wells is stepping into a new creative chapter with the release of Le Dauphin, a debut solo album that combines orchestral pop arrangements, indie rock textures and classic melodic songwriting into a polished yet unconventional collection of songs. Scheduled for release on May 29, 2026, the album marks a stylistic shift for Wells, who has spent the past decade embedded in Chicago’s independent music scene through projects including NE-HI and Spun Out. While those bands leaned into scrappier guitar-driven sounds…

Alberta Heavy Rock Band Builds Momentum Toward Self-Titled Album Launch in August 2026 Edmonton-based heavy rock band Famous Strangers has released its latest single, “Ghosts of Men,” offering fans another preview of the group’s forthcoming self-titled debut album scheduled for release on August 21, 2026. The track arrives as the band continues to build momentum following a series of singles and music videos released throughout 2024 and 2025. Co-produced with Phil Anderson, mixed by Joel Wanasek, and mastered by Maor Appelbaum, the album represents the band’s first full-length studio project after years of development within Alberta’s rock scene. “Ghosts of…

Proposed expansion aims to protect Oak Ridges Moraine lands while supporting tourism and recreation growth The Ontario government is moving forward with plans to expand Uxbridge Urban Provincial Park by 23 acres as part of a broader effort to preserve environmentally significant lands and improve access to outdoor recreation in fast-growing communities across the Greater Toronto Area. The proposed addition, announced Thursday by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, would add approximately 23 acres of land — roughly the size of 12 Canadian football fields — to the park’s northern boundary. Provincial officials say the expansion would help…

Prime Video confirms Mika Abdalla and Stephen Kalyn as the central couple in the next chapter of the hit college drama Prime Video has confirmed that Season Two of its breakout young adult drama Off Campus will centre on the evolving romance between Allie Hayes and Dean Di Laurentis, as the streaming platform looks to build on the strong global performance of the series’ debut season. Returning cast members Mika Abdalla and Stephen Kalyn will take leading roles in the upcoming season, reprising their characters after their storyline was introduced during the first season of the adaptation based on Elle…