Author: Sophie Mitchell

Province adds Peterborough-area programs as part of $14M investment PETERBOROUGH, Ont. — The Ontario government is expanding its flagship tuition support program for health-care students, extending eligibility to two nursing programs in the Peterborough region as part of a broader effort to address workforce shortages and improve access to care. The province announced Tuesday that students enrolled in nursing programs at Trent University and Sir Sandford Fleming College will now qualify for the Ontario Learn and Stay Grant (OLSG), beginning in the Fall 2026 term. Backed by a $14-million investment, the expansion will allow up to 1,500 students to have…

“You-th Speak Up” Initiative Aims to Amplify Youth Voices The City of Prince Albert is partnering with The Students’ Commission to host a youth-focused engagement event aimed at gathering input from young residents on community priorities and future development. The event, titled You-th Speak Up, will take place on May 7, 2026, at Gateway Mall and is designed to provide a platform for youth aged 12 to 25 to share their perspectives. Municipal leaders say the initiative reflects a growing emphasis across Canadian cities on incorporating youth feedback into policy planning and community development strategies. A Platform for Youth Input…

Lead Single Signals Sharper Direction Ahead of Lose My Grip Release Toronto-based punk rock trio Among Legends has released “H/A/C/K,” the lead single from its upcoming full-length album Lose My Grip, set for release July 10, 2026. The track debuted publicly on May 1 and marks the band’s first major release since its 2022 debut album, positioning the group for continued growth within Canada’s independent music sector. The new single reflects a more focused and aggressive sound, while maintaining the melodic foundation that has defined the band’s presence in the Canadian punk scene. A Sound Shaped by Touring and Evolution…

New Release Signals Evolution for Longtime Indie Act Austin-based synth-punk band Drakulas is set to release its third full-length album, Midnight City, on May 1, 2026, marking a significant return after several years away. The record, issued through Dirtnap Records in North America and Wild Honey Records in Europe and the U.K., reflects both a continuation and an evolution of the group’s distinctive blend of punk energy and electronic influences. The release positions Drakulas within a broader resurgence of genre-blending indie acts gaining traction across North America, including in Canada, where audiences have increasingly embraced experimental rock and synth-driven sounds.…

Community leaders, nonprofit supporters, and local businesses are set to gather in Ottawa this spring for a youth-focused fundraising event aimed at expanding access to free programs for children and teens. BGC Ottawa’s annual Morning Social returns May 14, highlighting the organization’s efforts to support young people through mentorship, education, and community engagement. A Community Event Centered on Youth Opportunity The Morning Social, hosted at BGC Ottawa’s Taggart Parkes Family Clubhouse, is designed to feel less like a formal fundraiser and more like a community gathering. Organizers say the event blends networking, storytelling, and shared commitment to youth development. The…

Toronto Expansion to Create Jobs and Boost Province’s Innovation Economy TORONTO — The Ontario government says a $294 million investment by Sanofi to expand its Artificial Intelligence Centre of Excellence (AI CoE) in Toronto will strengthen the province’s position as a global leader in life sciences and artificial intelligence, while creating new high-skilled jobs. The expansion is expected to generate 50 new positions, adding to an existing workforce of more than 150 employees at the company’s AI-focused research hub. The investment underscores Ontario’s ongoing efforts to attract multinational companies and scale its innovation economy amid intensifying global competition for talent…

Halifax Orchestra Partners with JUNO-Winning Duo for Season Finale HALIFAX/KJIPUKTUK, N.S. — Symphony Nova Scotia is set to close its 2025/26 season with a high-profile collaboration, bringing together orchestral performance and contemporary pop in a one-night-only concert featuring Neon Dreams. Scheduled for May 8 at the Rebecca Cohn Auditorium in Halifax, the finale concert marks the first time the regional orchestra has partnered with the JUNO Award-winning duo, underscoring a broader trend among Canadian arts organizations to expand audiences through cross-genre programming. The performance will be conducted by Daniel Bartholomew-Poyser, who will lead the orchestra alongside the Halifax-based act known…

Full Emergency Coverage Resumes in Mission, B.C. SURREY, B.C. — Full emergency services have resumed at Mission Memorial Hospital, with 24/7 coverage reinstated as of 8:00 a.m. Monday, marking a return to normal operations following recent service disruptions tied to physician staffing shortages. In a statement released by Fraser Health, officials confirmed that the hospital’s Emergency Department is now fully operational, restoring continuous access to urgent care for residents in the Mission community and surrounding areas. The resumption of services comes amid ongoing efforts to stabilize staffing levels, particularly among emergency physicians, a challenge that has affected multiple health-care facilities…

Proposed legislation would expand enforcement powers and target drug production networks TORONTO — The Ontario government is preparing new legislative measures aimed at curbing illegal drug use on public transit and disrupting the production of illicit substances, as part of a broader push to enhance community safety across the province. The proposed changes, announced Monday by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, would grant additional enforcement authority to transit special constables while introducing stricter penalties for individuals involved in illegal drug manufacturing and distribution. “Protecting Ontario means making sure people feel safe when they use public transit,” said Michael Kerzner,…

Funding targets training, equipment and rapid deployment through Ontario Corps network TORONTO — The Government of Ontario is investing more than $6.5 million to strengthen emergency preparedness and response capabilities across the province, directing funds to 13 partner organizations within Ontario Corps as part of a broader strategy to improve disaster readiness. The funding, announced Monday by Jill Dunlop, will support the acquisition of equipment, operational supplies and specialized training to ensure faster and more coordinated responses to emergencies ranging from floods to wildfires. “We are delivering on our plan to protect Ontario by bringing together Ontario Corps partners, skilled…