Author: Sophie Mitchell

Ontario is investing nearly $1.2 million in a major wetland restoration project in Brampton aimed at reducing flood risks, improving stormwater management and strengthening natural habitats as the city continues to grow. The provincial funding will support the Heart Lake Road Wetlands Connectivity Project, led by the City of Brampton in partnership with the Toronto and Region Conservation Authority (TRCA). The initiative will restore and enhance approximately 25 acres, or 10 hectares, of wetlands within the Heart Lake Wetlands Complex and Spring Creek area. The investment forms part of Ontario’s broader $9.6-million commitment through the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program, which…

The City of Prince Albert is significantly expanding its aquatic programming for fall 2026, offering approximately 1,750 spaces in swimming lessons, leadership programs and lifeguard certification courses at the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre. Running from September through December, the expanded schedule represents the largest selection of swimming lessons and aquatic certification courses the city has offered at the facility. Municipal officials say the increase is designed to respond to sustained community demand while improving access to swimming and water-safety education for residents of different ages and skill levels. Prince Albert Responds to Demand for More Swimming Lessons The expansion…

The Ontario government is investing more than $6 million in skilled trades training and apprenticeship infrastructure across Hamilton, funding eight local organizations as the province looks to address growing labour demand in construction, manufacturing and other industrial sectors. The funding is expected to help nearly 200 jobseekers access training for in-demand careers while upgrading facilities and equipment used by apprentices. The investments are being delivered through the Pre-Apprenticeship Training Program, Apprenticeship Capital Grant and Skills Development Fund Capital Stream. “Creating more opportunity in the skilled trades starts with giving workers the training and experience employers are looking for,” said David…

PETERBOROUGH, ON — The arena-rock catalogues of Styx and Bon Jovi will take centre stage at Del Crary Park on Saturday, August 15, as Peterborough Musicfest welcomes Crystal Faith for a free evening concert featuring some of the genre’s most recognizable songs. Crystal Faith: The Best of Styx and Bon Jovi will take the Fred Anderson Stage at 8 p.m. for a 90-minute performance designed to recreate the sound and arrangements associated with the two influential rock bands. The five-piece tribute act performs the material in its original keys and aims to reproduce the arrangements note-for-note, giving audiences an opportunity…

PETERBOROUGH, Ont. — Four prominent figures in Canadian alternative rock will share the stage in Peterborough as Trans-Canada Highwaymen headline Peterborough Musicfest, bringing together decades of homegrown music in a free waterfront concert. The supergroup features Steven Page, co-founder and former lead singer of Barenaked Ladies; Chris Murphy of Sloan; Moe Berg of The Pursuit of Happiness; and Craig Northey of Odds. The band is scheduled to take the Fred Anderson Stage at Del Crary Park at 8 p.m. on Wednesday, August 12. The appearance brings together musicians whose work played a significant role in Canadian radio and alternative rock…

Prime Video has released the official trailer for Drawn Together, an international original romantic thriller starring Ester Expósito and Hugo Diego García. The film, adapted from bestselling author Mercedes Ron’s Enfrentados duology, is scheduled to premiere exclusively on Prime Video on September 9 in more than 240 countries and territories, including Canada. The upcoming release represents the latest collaboration between Prime Video and Ron, whose novels have become a growing source of streaming adaptations. Drawn Together is the first instalment of the two-part Enfrentados adaptation, which also includes Drawn Apart. Drawn Together Adapts Mercedes Ron’s Enfrentados Duology The film is…

Toronto rock band Wine Lips is continuing the rollout of its forthcoming album TV Dinner with “If You Don’t Know,” a psych-punk and garage-rock single that pairs the group’s familiar distorted intensity with a more reflective look at burnout, detachment and the passage of time. The track is the second single from TV Dinner, which is scheduled for release on Aug. 28 through Stomp Records. It follows lead single “Projector” and offers another indication of how the Toronto group is refining its sound after years of touring and building an international audience. “If You Don’t Know” Pushes Wine Lips Into…

Canadian singer-songwriter Crystal Shawanda has released a new rendition of The Mavericks’ “Come Unto Me,” using the first single from her forthcoming album, Homesick Indian Blues, to pay tribute to the late Raul Malo and acknowledge the role his early encouragement played in her career. The JUNO Award-winning artist, who was born and raised in Wiikwemkoong First Nation on Manitoulin Island, has built a career spanning country and blues music. Her version of “Come Unto Me” connects those musical influences with a personal story dating back to her early years performing in Nashville. Raul Malo’s Early Support Left a Lasting…

BC Civil Liberties Association Calls for Action Following Findings on Police Response A coroner’s inquest into the death of Haida Elder Jimmie Johannesson has concluded with renewed scrutiny over how police respond to wellness checks involving people experiencing mental health crises. The findings have prompted Johannesson’s sister, Ruby Marks, and the BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) to call for government action on recommendations aimed at improving police practices and reducing risks during similar situations. The inquest, held on the unceded territories of the xʷməθkʷəy̓əm, Sḵwx̱wú7mesh, and səlilwətaɬ Nations in Vancouver, examined the circumstances surrounding the April 8, 2022, death of…

Pacific Northwest artist returns with deeply personal LP blending alt-country, folk-rock and singer-songwriter traditions Tacoma-based songwriter Kye Alfred Hillig is set to release his latest album, “Widowmaker Express,” on August 5, 2026, delivering a deeply reflective collection that examines heartbreak, mortality, faith and the search for meaning after moments of personal crisis. Drawing inspiration from the atmosphere of the Pacific Northwest, the album captures the emotional landscape of Tacoma through themes of uncertainty, resilience and human connection. Produced by longtime collaborator Daniel G. Harmann, the record combines elements of alt-country, folk-rock and singer-songwriter music to create an intimate yet cinematic…