Author: Sophie Mitchell

Self-Funded Album ‘I’ve Been Here Before’ Marks Arrival of Emerging Toronto Band TORONTO — Toronto indie rock trio Phantasia has released “King Of All My Dreams,” the debut single from its newly launched album I’ve Been Here Before, a project the band says reflects nearly two years of live performance, songwriting refinement, and independent production work. The song, written by vocalist and guitarist Ethan Flynn nearly nine years ago, serves as the opening track and lead single for the album, now available on major streaming platforms. For the band — made up of Flynn, bassist Mario Prifti, and drummer Michael…

Nova Scotia singer-songwriter says new national findings reflect realities many artists have faced for years Award-winning musician and psychology graduate has spent a decade advocating for mental health awareness in the industry MAHONE BAY, N.S. — A landmark national study examining mental health in Canada’s music industry is drawing renewed attention to the pressures faced by artists and industry professionals, with Nova Scotia singer-songwriter Jon Mullane emerging as one of the voices connecting the findings to lived experience. The newly released “Soundcheck: Mental Health in the Canadian Music Industry” study found that 94 per cent of music professionals consider mental…

Lead Track From ‘Uncle Trent and Friends – Legacy Deluxe’ Honours Family, Culture and Musical Heritage Cowessess First Nation singer-songwriter (Uncle) Trent Agecoutay has released a deeply personal new single titled “The Foundation,” marking what the artist describes as one of the most meaningful recordings of his career. The track, released from Surrey, British Columbia, serves as the lead single from Uncle Trent and Friends – Legacy Deluxe, an expanded edition of the acclaimed album created alongside his brother Bryce Agecoutay to honour the musical legacy of their late father, Jim Agecoutay. “The Foundation” carries emotional significance beyond its role…

Coalition Accuses Commissioner Mark Rowley of Making “False and Defamatory” Claims About Protest Routes The Palestine Coalition has launched a formal complaint against Metropolitan Police Commissioner Mark Rowley, accusing him of making “false and defamatory” statements linking pro-Palestinian demonstrations to antisemitism. The complaint, submitted to the Mayor’s Office for Police and Crime (MOPAC), follows media interviews given by Commissioner Rowley on 1 May in which he alleged organisers of Palestinian solidarity marches had attempted to route demonstrations near synagogues in London. The dispute adds further tension to an already highly charged political and policing environment in the United Kingdom ahead…

Ontario government backs grassroots initiatives aimed at increasing participation and retention among young female athletes Funding to support nearly 3,500 girls through community-based sport and recreation programming The Ontario government is investing $480,000 in Canadian Women & Sport’s The Next Play Program as part of a broader effort to expand access to affordable and inclusive sport opportunities for girls across the province. The funding, announced Monday in Etobicoke by the Ministry of Sport, is expected to support nearly 3,500 girls and young women through community sport and recreation initiatives delivered by 65 organizations across 39 municipalities in the Greater Toronto…

Coastal Fire Centre and Local Authorities Enforce Region-Wide Restrictions Campfires, Backyard Fires and Beach Fires Prohibited Starting May 7 (Campbell River, BC) — Residents and visitors across the Strathcona Regional District (SRD) will face a complete prohibition on open burning beginning Thursday, as provincial and local fire authorities move to reduce wildfire risks ahead of the summer season. The Coastal Fire Centre announced that all open burning activities across the region will be banned effective noon on May 7, 2026. Local fire service areas throughout the district are simultaneously implementing their own full open burning restrictions, creating a coordinated region-wide…

Ontario Moves Forward With HST Rebate Legislation for New Homebuyers Province says tax relief could spur housing construction, jobs and economic growth The Ontario government has introduced legislation aimed at implementing its promised harmonized sales tax (HST) relief program for eligible new homes, a move the province says could lower costs for buyers while stimulating housing construction and economic activity. The proposed HST Relief Implementation Act (Residential Property Rebates), 2026 was tabled on Monday by the Ministry of Finance. The legislation is intended to support Ontario’s plan to remove the 13 per cent HST from most new homes in partnership…

Cambridge and Waterloo Regional Police Service finalize two agreements aimed at improving coordination, response times and community safety CAMBRIDGE, Ont. — The City of Cambridge and the Waterloo Regional Police Service (WRPS) are moving ahead with two new public safety agreements designed to strengthen coordination between municipal and police services, improve response times and support crime prevention efforts across the city. The agreements include the creation of a shared by-law dispatch service and the implementation of Closed Communication Television (CCTV) systems in selected public areas, according to a joint announcement from the city and WRPS. City officials said the initiatives…

Province aims to connect over 60,000 students and jobseekers with in-demand careers TORONTO — The Ontario government is ramping up efforts to address a growing labour shortage in the skilled trades sector by launching its annual Level Up! career fairs for a fifth consecutive year, with plans to reach more than 60,000 participants across the province in 2026. Announced in Toronto, the initiative is part of a broader strategy to build a workforce capable of supporting the province’s ambitious infrastructure agenda. The multi-day events, scheduled in 12 communities between September and December, will feature hands-on exhibits, employer interactions and training…

FOIA action intensifies scrutiny of pesticide regulation loophole SALEM, Oregon — The Center for Food Safety (CFS) has filed a lawsuit against the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA), seeking the release of documents related to pesticide-treated seeds used in ethanol production, escalating a long-running dispute over regulatory oversight of neonicotinoid insecticides. The legal action, filed under the Freedom of Information Act (FOIA), aims to compel the EPA to disclose records concerning the use and disposal of seeds treated with neonicotinoids — specifically acetamiprid, clothianidin, imidacloprid and thiamethoxam. CFS argues the agency has failed to meet statutory deadlines after an initial…