Author: Sophie Mitchell

TORONTO — Ontario has named 30 new recipients of its highest civilian honour, recognizing leaders across business, public service, arts and other sectors whose contributions have helped shape the province’s economic and social landscape. The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario and Chancellor of the Order of Ontario, announced the 2025 appointments Monday, highlighting a diverse group that includes prominent business executives, cultural leaders and community builders. “The 2025 Order of Ontario appointees represent the very best of our province,” said Dumont. “Through their exceptional dedication and achievements, they have made profound contributions that have touched lives across Ontario…

OTTAWA — Ottawa hard rock band The Space Between is aiming to accelerate its rise in Canada’s rock sector with the release of its latest single, “Weapon of Choice,” a key milestone ahead of the group’s forthcoming album Dying Sun and a strategic step in expanding its commercial and creative footprint. The female-fronted group, formed in 2022, has positioned the single as both a creative statement and a signal of its long-term ambitions in a competitive domestic and international rock market. The track was recorded at Noble Street Studios in collaboration with producer Brian Moncarz, whose previous credits include established…

TORONTO — Independent Canadian soul artist Paula Letang is aiming to build on her international chart momentum with the release of her latest single, “Giving You More,” a self-produced track that highlights her evolving creative direction and reinforces her position in the modern soul market. Released Friday through Mazouk Music Productions, the single blends classic soul influences with contemporary production, reflecting both Letang’s Caribbean roots and Canadian upbringing. Co-written with Kwanele Sifunda, also known as Khwezi, the song explores emotional vulnerability and personal growth in relationships — themes that resonate with a broad listener base. “Giving You More” captures what…

TORONTO — Canadian blues musician Steve Marriner has earned a 2026 nomination for Blues Album of the Year at the JUNO Awards for his latest solo release, Hear My Heart, capping a year of commercial success and reinforcing his position as one of the country’s most influential blues artists. Released through Cordova Bay Records, the album reached No. 1 on the Roots Music Report Canada Album Chart and ranked among the Top 10 at CKUA radio. It also finished as the most-played album of 2025 on Canada’s Big Blues Chart, underscoring both its audience reach and industry traction. The nomination…

CORTINA D’AMPEZZO, Italy — Canadian bobsleigh pilot Melissa Lotholz delivered a career-best Olympic performance Monday, finishing sixth in the women’s monobob at the Cortina Sliding Centre, a result that underscores both her personal progression and Canada’s continued competitiveness in sliding sports. The 33-year-old Alberta native posted a combined time of 3:59.24 over four runs on the technically demanding 1,445-metre track in the Italian Dolomites. Competing in her first Olympic monobob event during her third Winter Games appearance, Lotholz climbed steadily from 14th after her opening run to secure her strongest Olympic finish in any discipline. Her performance comes amid growing…

The City of Prince Albert says swimming lessons will return this spring at the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre, marking a key step in rebuilding aquatic programming as staffing capacity gradually expands at one of the community’s primary recreation facilities. In a public announcement, the city said a full slate of lessons will be offered beginning this season, with programs designed to serve a wide range of participants, from beginners to more advanced swimmers. “A variety of lesson options will be available to support swimmers of all ages and skill levels. Programs will focus on water safety, skill development, and…

TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford is encouraging residents to reconnect with loved ones and support local businesses as the province marks Family Day, highlighting both the social and economic importance of the mid-winter holiday. In a statement released Monday by the Premier’s Office, Ford framed the February holiday as an opportunity for Ontarians to strengthen personal ties while contributing to their local economies during a typically slower retail period. “Today, as family and friends across Ontario take time to enjoy this Family Day holiday, I encourage everyone across the province to take the opportunity to reconnect with loved ones…

Canada’s Abigail Strate Blown into 11th in Big Hill Ski Jumping at Olympic Games PREDAZZO, Italy — Canadian ski jumper Abigail Strate’s bid for a second Olympic medal was undone by unpredictable wind conditions, leaving the Calgary athlete in 11th place in the women’s large hill final at the 2026 Winter Games. The 24-year-old, competing in her second Olympics, posted a combined score of 243.6 points from jumps of 117 and 131.5 metres. The result matched her 11th-place finish from the normal hill event earlier in the Games but fell short of her medal ambitions after a promising start in…

CORTINA, Italy — Canada’s skeleton team delivered a performance defined as much by experience and mentorship as by results this week, with veteran Jane Channell and Olympic rookie Hallie Clarke finishing outside medal contention in a demanding four-run Olympic race that underscored the unforgiving margins of elite sliding sport. Channell, competing in her third Olympic Games, finished 18th with a combined time of 3:52.96, while Clarke, 21, placed 19th in 3:53.02 at the technically challenging 1,445-metre track in Cortina d’Ampezzo. The competition, staged amid the dramatic peaks of the Dolomites, rewarded consistency across four heats — something both Canadians struggled…

ANTHOLZ-ANTERSELVA, Italy — Canada will have four biathletes competing in upcoming Olympic pursuit races after Adam Runnalls led a trio of Canadian men and Benita Peiffer delivered a career-best performance in sprint competition at the Olympic Winter Games. Runnalls, a 27-year-old from Calgary, set the pace for Canada in the men’s 10-kilometre sprint, finishing 31st with a time of 25:02.5. His result, built on a combination of efficient skiing and accurate shooting, secured his position among the top 60 athletes who advance to the 12.5-kilometre pursuit race. “The skis were great today. I did my first lap with Zach (Connelly).…