Author: Sophie Mitchell

Teesri Duniya Theatre opens milestone season with Anosh Irani’s Behind the Moon Montreal production examines sacrifice, identity and the elusive promise of a better life Montreal’s Teesri Duniya Theatre is launching its 45th season with a production that places immigrant experiences at the forefront, blending humour, emotional depth and subtle magical elements to explore the meaning of a “better life.” Running from April 3 to April 19 at Rangshala in Cité-des-Hospitalières, Behind the Moon is written by award-winning playwright and novelist Anosh Irani and directed by Chelsea Dab Hilke. The production anchors the company’s “Season of the Migrant,” a thematic…

Viral educator reframes urban weeds as resilient survivors in a human-altered world Joey Santore, the outspoken creator behind the viral educational channel Crime Pays but Botany Doesn’t, is bringing his unconventional take on plant ecology to print with the release of his debut book, Concrete Botany: The Ecology of Plants in the Age of Human Disturbance (Quarto, April 7). Known for his blunt delivery and deep botanical knowledge, Santore has built a global following by challenging conventional ideas about plants—particularly those dismissed as weeds. In his new book, he expands that message, positioning urban and disturbed environments as critical ecosystems…

New children’s book brings personal testimony and historical insight to young readers A forthcoming children’s book aims to bring one of history’s darkest chapters into sharper focus for younger audiences through a deeply personal lens. A Time to Hide by Marion Seidemann Fredman, set for publication in March 2026 by The Collective Book Studio, presents a Holocaust survival story grounded in lived experience, historical documentation, and visual storytelling. Targeted primarily at readers aged 9 to 12, the book is positioned as both an educational resource and a narrative of resilience, with broader appeal for families, educators, and general readers seeking…

Tim Button’s Are You Speedy Targets Growing Market for Interactive Toddler Books A new interactive board book aimed at toddlers and preschoolers is set to hit shelves this spring, offering a blend of playful storytelling and hands-on engagement that reflects a broader trend in early childhood publishing. Are You Speedy (The Collective Book Studio/May 12, 2026), written by Tim Button and illustrated by Ana Larrañaga, introduces young readers to a lively cast of construction vehicles while incorporating tactile and participatory elements designed to enhance early learning. The release adds to an expanding portfolio of interactive board books that publishers are…

Recognition Highlights Workplace Excellence Across the Region SAINT JOHN — The Financial and Consumer Services Commission of New Brunswick has been named one of Atlantic Canada’s Top Employers for 2026, a distinction awarded by Mediacorp Canada Inc. as part of its annual Canada’s Top 100 Employers competition. The designation recognizes organizations across New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador that demonstrate leadership in creating exceptional workplaces and fostering strong organizational cultures. CEO Credits Employees for Achievement Commission CEO Kevin Hoyt attributed the recognition to the organization’s workforce and shared sense of purpose. “This achievement speaks not…

First-of-its-kind public-private initiative aims to expand affordable housing supply TORONTO — The Ontario government is committing $300 million to support the conversion of approximately 2,200 condominium units into long-term rental housing across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), marking a significant intervention in one of Canada’s tightest housing markets. The investment, delivered through the Building Ontario Fund (BOF) in partnership with High Art Capital, is designed to unlock stalled housing inventory while expanding access to affordable rental units. Of the total units, roughly 550 will be designated as affordable housing, with rents set at least 25 per cent below market rates…

Streaming platform bets on bestselling Canadian-inspired romance to drive summer viewership Prime Video has released its first look at Every Year After, an upcoming romantic drama series based on Carley Fortune’s bestselling novel Every Summer After, as the streaming service continues to expand its slate of globally distributed original content. The eight-episode series is set to debut June 10, with all episodes launching simultaneously across more than 240 countries and territories. The release strategy underscores Prime Video’s ongoing emphasis on binge-ready programming and international reach, particularly for adaptations of commercially successful literary properties. A nostalgic story anchored in a Canadian…

Prime Video is set to expand its global streaming slate with the April 15 release of Balls Up, a comedy feature directed by Academy Award winner Peter Farrelly. The film will debut exclusively on Prime Video, positioning itself as a high-energy addition to the platform’s growing portfolio of original films aimed at international audiences. The 104-minute, R-rated production blends sports, satire, and slapstick humour, following two marketing executives whose ambitious campaign spirals into chaos on the world stage. A risky pitch at the centre of the story At the core of Balls Up is a provocative marketing concept tied to…

Province plans legislation to assume City of Toronto’s role and accelerate modernization of key regional hub Expansion aimed at boosting capacity, jobs and competition in Ontario’s aviation sector TORONTO — The Ontario government is moving to take a more direct role in the expansion and modernization of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, tabling plans to assume the City of Toronto’s position in the airport’s governing agreement and acquire city-owned lands as part of a broader strategy to increase aviation capacity and economic growth. The move, announced Monday by Premier Doug Ford, is expected to form part of legislation to be…

Ministry of the Solicitor General Confirms Delay on Scheduled Proceedings Further Details to Be Released as Available The inquest into the death of Raymond Alliman, originally scheduled to begin on March 23, 2026, has been postponed, according to an announcement from Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General. The delay was ordered by the presiding officer, though no specific reason for the postponement has been publicly disclosed. In a brief statement issued on the day the proceedings were set to commence, officials confirmed that the inquest would not proceed as planned. The ministry indicated that additional information regarding the revised schedule…