Author: Sophie Mitchell

Cobourg, Ont.-based Celtic folk duo Lo & The High Road has released “Salem,” a new single inspired by the Salem Witch Trials and the final words attributed to those who were accused and executed. The track appears on the duo’s sophomore album, Standing Stones, scheduled for release Oct. 2. Written by Lauren Halász and Colin McMahon, “Salem” marks a shift from the fantasy and folklore that have frequently shaped the duo’s songwriting. Instead, the musicians draw on documented history to examine fear, persecution and the consequences of targeting marginalized groups. Sarah Good’s Final Words Inspire “Salem” Halász said the song…

TORONTO — Ontario Premier Doug Ford has reshuffled his cabinet as his government prepares for a prolonged period of trade tensions with the United States, positioning economic competitiveness, investment and emerging technologies at the centre of its strategy. The changes, announced September 10, come as the province says it is seeking to protect Ontario workers and businesses from U.S. tariffs and other trade measures while strengthening the economy’s ability to withstand future disruptions. Ford Says Ontario Is Preparing for a Longer Trade Fight Ford framed the cabinet changes around the province’s economic response to U.S. President Donald Trump’s trade policies…

Ontario is expanding postsecondary training capacity with funding for 40,000 new seats at publicly assisted colleges and universities, targeting programs linked to some of the province’s most pressing workforce needs. The latest allocation forms part of a $1.7-billion provincial commitment to fund more than 70,000 additional postsecondary seats, with a focus on science, technology, engineering and mathematics (STEM), health care, education and skilled trades. Students can begin enrolling in some of the newly funded spaces during the fall 2026 academic year. Ontario Targets Skills Shortages With Major Seat Expansion The province said the initiative represents its largest expansion of funded…

Ontario is widening access to two major business-support programs as the province prepares for another round of U.S. tariffs and import restrictions targeting Canadian goods, a move aimed at protecting jobs, maintaining business liquidity and reducing dependence on U.S.-based supply chains. The provincial government said the expanded eligibility under the Protect Ontario Financing Program (POFP) and Ontario Together Trade Fund (OTTF) will provide additional financial support to businesses affected by escalating cross-border trade measures. Ontario Responds to New U.S. Tariffs and Import Restrictions The announcement follows measures outlined by the U.S. government on September 8 targeting Canadian exports. According to…

Prince Albert residents will have an opportunity to safely clear hazardous household products from their homes as the city prepares to hold its annual Household Hazardous Waste Day. The event will take place on September 12, 2026, from 9 a.m. to 3 p.m. at the Municipal Service Centre, located at 11, 38th Street East. Organized by the City of Prince Albert’s Sanitation Division, the collection day provides residents with a dedicated option for disposing of potentially dangerous materials that should not be placed in regular household garbage. Household Hazardous Waste Requires Special Handling Household hazardous waste can include common products…

Ottawa’s Capital Punishment Festival has announced the first wave of performers for its 2026 edition, with The Creepshow, The Damn Truth and Beyond Creation among the Canadian acts scheduled to appear as the event expands across four venues in the city’s ByWard Market. The four-night festival will run from November 26 to 29 and feature a mix of metal, punk, hardcore, rock, rap and other underground genres. Presented by Chord Productions and supported by Ottawa Tourism, organizers say the 2026 edition will be the festival’s largest to date. Capital Punishment Festival Expands Across Four Ottawa Venues Performances will be staged…

Guelph, Ontario-based singer-songwriter Trina Chakrabarti has released “Take A Stance,” a stripped-down protest song that moves away from the mythology and metaphor of her earlier work in favor of a direct message about anger, solidarity and collective responsibility. The new single marks a shift from Chakrabarti’s 2024 debut EP, Underworld, which used mythological imagery to explore personal trauma. This time, the Canadian musician says she wanted the words themselves to remain at the center of the recording. “I wanted this song to be more stripped down, and really have the lyrics shine,” Chakrabarti says. “Just like I want to embrace…

Thailand-based Canadian musician Mager BooBoo, the solo project of Ottawa expatriate Robert Bachtell Eastland, has released “Monkey See Donkey Do,” the second single from his upcoming debut album, Oops!. The track uses humor, animal imagery and a heavy rock backdrop to examine conformity and the influence of social conditioning. The new release follows “Dumb,” a song that transformed everyday clumsiness into an offbeat rock anthem. This time, Eastland turns his attention to a broader question: how much of a person’s identity is genuinely individual, and how much is shaped by family, society and established systems? “Who are we really,” Eastland…

Richmond Hill, Ont., musician Katie Dauson is putting romance at the centre of her latest release, “Fresh Sugar,” a country-rock love ballad inspired by the sudden realization that someone has become an essential part of your life. Released through Frog & Bog Records, the new single combines Dauson’s rock, country and roots influences while highlighting the hands-on approach she takes to her independent music career. The Ontario artist wrote, composed and performed the song, played rhythm guitar and designed its artwork. “Fresh Sugar” Takes Shape From an Unexpected Moment The idea for “Fresh Sugar” arrived unexpectedly while Dauson was listening…

Prime Video is preparing to introduce Love of Your Life, a new romantic drama starring Margaret Qualley, Aaron Pierre, Patrick Schwarzenegger, Gabriel Basso and Catherine Keener, with the film scheduled to make its Toronto International Film Festival premiere on September 13, 2026. Directed by Rachel Morrison, the film will reach a wider international audience one month later, streaming globally on Prime Video beginning October 14. The release positions the production for a high-profile festival debut in Canada before moving directly to the streaming market. Margaret Qualley Leads Story of Love, Loss and Self-Discovery Love of Your Life centres on Maya,…