Author: Sophie Mitchell

Dairy groups urge U.S. officials to address alleged export loopholes during USMCA review process Two major U.S. dairy industry organizations are renewing pressure on American trade officials to challenge Canadian dairy trade practices after a newly released federal report highlighted concerns over Canada’s nonfat milk solids pricing and export system. The National Milk Producers Federation (NMPF) and the U.S. Dairy Export Council (USDEC) issued a joint statement Thursday citing findings from a U.S. International Trade Commission (USITC) Section 332 report titled Nonfat Milk Solids: Competitive Conditions for the United States and Major Foreign Suppliers. The report examined competitive conditions surrounding…

Vancouver Celtic punk veterans prepare first full-length release since Fat Wreck Chords closure Canadian Celtic punk band The Real McKenzies are returning with a new studio album this week, marking a significant moment for the long-running Vancouver group as they navigate a changing punk rock landscape following the closure of influential independent label Fat Wreck Chords. The band’s new LP, On Yer Bike, is scheduled for release May 29 through Montreal-based Stomp Records. The 13-track record represents the group’s first full-length album since the end of its association with Fat Wreck Chords, the iconic punk label founded by NOFX frontman…

Federal government announces nationwide celebrations centred on music, culture and community participation The federal government has unveiled the official programming for Canada Day 2026, with celebrations set to feature nationally broadcast concerts, cultural performances and public participation initiatives aimed at showcasing Canadian identity from coast to coast to coast. The announcement was made Thursday in Ottawa by the Honourable Marc Miller, Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture and Minister responsible for Official Languages, as organizers outlined a full day of events scheduled for July 1 in the nation’s capital and communities across the country. “Through art, music and our traditions,…

Streaming platform unveils first wave of talent for immersive fandom experience focused on young adult franchises Prime Video is deepening its investment in young adult entertainment with the launch of Obsessed Fest, a large-scale immersive fan event designed to connect audiences directly with the stars, creators and franchises behind some of the streaming platform’s most prominent YA titles. The company this week revealed the first wave of talent expected to appear at the inaugural event, which will take place June 27 at nya Studios in Los Angeles. The one-day experience is positioned as a centerpiece of Prime Video’s broader “Obsession…

Prime Video unveils broad June lineup aimed at entertainment and sports audiences Prime Video is set to expand its summer programming lineup in June 2026 with a mix of original films, returning television series, young adult dramas, international content and live sports coverage, as streaming platforms continue competing for subscriber engagement in an increasingly crowded market. The Amazon-owned streaming service announced a broad slate of programming scheduled throughout June, highlighting returning fan favourites such as The Legend of Vox Machina and Clarkson’s Farm, alongside new original films including Shelter, World Breaker, Over Your Dead Body and Driver’s Ed. The platform…

Funding to Modernize Skilled Trades Facilities and Prepare Workers for Growing Infrastructure Demand The Ontario government is investing nearly $1.75 million in apprenticeship training projects across the Greater Toronto Area as part of a broader effort to strengthen the province’s skilled trades workforce and support future infrastructure development. The funding, announced Thursday by the Ministry of Labour, Immigration, Training and Skills Development, will support six projects through the province’s Apprenticeship Capital Grant program. The initiative is designed to modernize training facilities, expand hands-on learning opportunities and equip apprentices with access to industry-standard technology and equipment. The investment comes as Ontario…

Province Targets 43,000 New Jobs Through Long-Term Defence and Manufacturing Growth Plan The Ontario government has unveiled the framework for its first-ever Ontario Defence Industrial Strategy (ODIS), a 10-year plan aimed at expanding the province’s defence sector, strengthening domestic supply chains and positioning Ontario as a key contributor to allied defence and security initiatives. The announcement was made Thursday at CANSEC in Ottawa, one of the world’s leading defence and security trade shows hosted by the Canadian Association of Defence and Security Industries. The provincial government says the strategy is designed to capitalize on growing global defence spending while leveraging…

New 112-Page Resource Explains Complaint Processes, Human Rights Claims and Civil Lawsuits Following Police Harm The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) has released a new public legal resource aimed at helping people in British Columbia better understand their options for seeking accountability after harmful interactions with police. The organization announced the launch of its Pathways to Police Accountability Toolkit on Thursday in Vancouver, on the traditional territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (Musqueam), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (Squamish) and səlilwətaɬ (Tsleil-Waututh) Nations. The 112-page publication is designed to provide accessible information about the different pathways available to individuals seeking justice following police misconduct or harm,…

New $6-Million Facility Brings Specialized Minimally Invasive Treatments Closer to Home for Fraser Valley Residents Patients across British Columbia’s Fraser Valley will have improved access to advanced minimally invasive medical procedures following the opening of a newly modernized interventional radiology suite at Abbotsford Regional Hospital and Cancer Centre. The upgraded facility, supported through a $6-million investment involving provincial funding, regional support and community donations, is designed to expand access to specialized diagnostic and treatment services closer to home while reducing the need for patients to travel outside the region for care. “This new interventional radiology suite brings advanced, specialized care…

Streaming Platform Releases First Teaser Trailer for Six-Part Mystery Series BritBox has announced that its upcoming original drama Agatha Christie’s Tommy & Tuppence will premiere on Sept. 15 in Canada and the United States, marking the launch of the first contemporary English-language television adaptation based on the famed detective duo created by Agatha Christie. The streaming platform also released the first teaser trailer for the six-part series, which stars Antonia Thomas, Josh Dylan and Academy Award-nominated actress Imelda Staunton. “Today, BritBox announced Agatha Christie’s Tommy & Tuppence will premiere September 15th in the U.S. and Canada and released a new…