Author: Sophie Mitchell

Vancouver heavy metal band offers fans an inside look at the creation of its sixth studio album while preparing for an extensive national tour and major festival appearances A Darker and More Personal Chapter for Iron Kingdom VANCOUVER — Canadian traditional heavy metal band Iron Kingdom has released a new behind-the-scenes mini-documentary that takes fans inside the creation of its latest album, Shadows and Dust, which debuted on June 6, 2026. The short film provides an intimate look at the Vancouver-based group’s songwriting and recording process, showcasing how the band developed what members describe as one of their most emotionally…

Veteran Montreal artist returns to Galerie ERGA with a collection reflecting on change, memory and selfhood Montreal visual artist Bob Venafro is set to unveil his latest solo exhibition, About Time, at Galerie ERGA, presenting a new body of work that examines the relationship between landscape, identity and the passage of time through richly textured oil paintings. Running from June 30 to July 5, the exhibition marks Venafro’s sixth solo presentation at the Montreal gallery and showcases a series of forest and seascape works created using his distinctive palette knife technique. The exhibition’s vernissage will take place on July 2…

Williams Treaties First Nations to Invest $700 Million in Landmark Nuclear Development CLARINGTON, Ont. — Ontario has reached a historic agreement with the Williams Treaties First Nations (WTFN), securing a $700 million investment in the Darlington New Nuclear Project (DNNP) and establishing the first Indigenous equity partnership in a nuclear energy project in Canadian history. The investment marks a major milestone in the province’s efforts to expand clean electricity generation while advancing economic reconciliation with Indigenous communities. The partnership will see the Williams Treaties First Nations become full equity participants in the Darlington project, which is developing the G7’s first…

Award recipients recognized for strengthening communities through service, leadership and advocacy TORONTO — The Ontario government has recognized 18 exceptional seniors with the 2025 Ontario Senior Achievement Award, celebrating their outstanding contributions to communities across the province and beyond. The annual award honours seniors who, after the age of 65, have made significant and lasting contributions through volunteerism, community leadership, public service, charitable fundraising and humanitarian efforts. This year’s recipients were recognized during a ceremony at Queen’s Park on June 22, hosted by the Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, and Raymond Cho, Minister for Seniors and Accessibility. The…

Funding through Building Faster Fund recognizes municipality’s housing growth and infrastructure planning efforts CHATHAM-KENT, Ont. — The Ontario government has awarded the Municipality of Chatham-Kent $440,000 through the third round of the Building Faster Fund after the community significantly exceeded its provincially assigned housing target in 2025. The funding is being provided to municipalities that achieve at least 80 per cent of their annual housing targets and is intended to support infrastructure projects that facilitate housing development and accommodate population growth. Chatham-Kent’s performance stood out among participating municipalities, with 577 housing starts recorded in 2025—representing 525 per cent of its…

Industry Leaders Gather to Advance Nuclear Growth, Workforce Development and Supply Chain Opportunities CAMBRIDGE, Ontario — The City of Cambridge brought together nearly 200 leaders from Ontario’s nuclear sector on June 22 for the 2026 Nuclear Summit, an event aimed at strengthening collaboration across industry, government, education and skilled trades as the province accelerates its nuclear energy expansion. Hosted by Mayor Jan Liggett and the City of Cambridge under the theme “Rise to the Occasion,” the summit highlighted the city’s growing role in Ontario’s nuclear ecosystem. Participants included industry executives, government officials, skilled trades representatives and post-secondary institutions focused on…

Funding through Futurpreneur expected to support nearly 1,000 entrepreneurs and create more than 3,800 future jobs TORONTO — The Ontario government is expanding its support for young entrepreneurs with a new $6 million investment in Futurpreneur, a national non-profit organization that provides financing, mentorship and business development resources to aspiring business owners. The funding, announced by the Ministry of Economic Development, Job Creation and Trade, is expected to help nearly 1,000 entrepreneurs between the ages of 18 and 39 start, acquire or expand businesses across the province. The government says the initiative will support the creation of more than 3,800…

Two-Day Festival in Millet to Feature Riot City, The Convalescence, Squidhammer and More Than Two Dozen Performers Western Canada’s underground metal scene is preparing for one of its signature summer events as Decimate Metalfest (DMF) returns to the Millet Agriplex Arena in Millet, Alberta, on June 26 and 27, 2026. The all-ages festival is expected to draw music fans, artists and performers from across Canada and the United States for a weekend celebrating heavy music, independent arts and community engagement. What began as a grassroots gathering for metal enthusiasts has evolved into a multi-day cultural event that combines live music,…

Innovative Stroke Care Helps Maple Ridge Resident Recover and Reduce Future Risk A Maple Ridge man who suffered a stroke at just 37 years old is sharing his experience as physicians at Royal Columbian Hospital highlight the role of advanced technology and innovative treatment in reducing the risk of future strokes among younger patients. Collin Smith vividly remembers the morning his life changed. “It was last fall and I was warming up our car while my wife buckled our daughter into her car seat,” says the 37-year-old Maple Ridge resident. “My fingers started going numb and my face felt like…

Funding Supports 15 Ducks Unlimited Canada Projects Across the Lake Ontario Watershed GRAND VALLEY, Ont. — The Ontario government is investing $3.1 million in wetland restoration and enhancement projects across the Lake Ontario watershed as part of its broader strategy to strengthen flood protection, improve water quality and increase climate resilience in communities across the province. The funding, announced by the Ministry of the Environment, Conservation and Parks, will support 15 projects led by Ducks Unlimited Canada (DUC). The projects are expected to restore and enhance 136 acres of wetlands in locations including Ajax, Hastings County and Kingston. The investment…