Author: Sophie Mitchell

Niagara College Becomes First Post-Secondary Institution to Join Ontario Corps WELLAND, Ont. — The Ontario government is expanding its emergency preparedness network by welcoming Niagara College as the newest partner in Ontario Corps, a provincial initiative designed to strengthen community response efforts before, during and after emergencies. The partnership marks a significant milestone for Ontario Corps, with Niagara College becoming the first post-secondary institution to join the growing network of organizations and volunteers that can be mobilized to support communities facing disasters and emergency situations. The announcement, made by the Ministry of Emergency Preparedness and Response on July 13, underscores…

Two-day festival returns to Armstrong on July 17–18 with Rivers of Nihil, Dying Fetus, Into Eternity and more Armstrong MetalFest is set to return to British Columbia’s Okanagan Valley this weekend, with organizers preparing to welcome metal fans from across Canada and the United States for what is being billed as the festival’s most powerful lineup to date. Now in its 16th year, the annual event will take place July 17–18 at Hassen Arena in Armstrong, B.C., featuring co-headliners Rivers of Nihil and Dying Fetus alongside a roster of established and emerging acts from across North America. Organizers say the…

Building Faster Fund Allocation Supports New Housing and Infrastructure Growth The Ontario government has awarded the City of Greater Sudbury nearly $1.3 million through the latest round of the Building Faster Fund after the municipality exceeded its provincially assigned housing target in 2025, underscoring the province’s ongoing effort to accelerate housing construction and support community growth. The funding announcement, made by the Ministry of Municipal Affairs and Housing, provides Greater Sudbury with $1,296,053 through the program’s third round. The city earned the funding after recording 433 housing starts in 2025, surpassing its annual housing target by 14 per cent. Provincial…

City exceeds 80% of provincial housing target, unlocking funding for homes and infrastructure RICHMOND HILL, Ont. — The Ontario government has awarded the City of Richmond Hill more than $5.9 million through the latest round of the Building Faster Fund after the municipality surpassed 80 per cent of its provincially assigned housing target in 2025. The funding, totalling $5,941,440, is part of Ontario’s efforts to accelerate housing construction and support infrastructure projects in fast-growing communities. Richmond Hill qualified for the funding after breaking ground on 2,228 new homes in 2025, representing 83 per cent of its annual housing target. The…

Country Star Tyler Joe Miller to Make Musicfest Debut on July 15 PETERBOROUGH, Ont. — Peterborough Musicfest is set to welcome two acclaimed Canadian artists this week, with country singer Tyler Joe Miller making his festival debut on Wednesday, July 15, followed by award-winning singer-songwriter Julian Taylor headlining the annual Woven Stories celebration on Saturday, July 18. The performances continue the festival’s 2026 summer season, bringing nationally recognized talent to the Fred Anderson Stage while maintaining the event’s longstanding tradition of offering free live music to the public. Tyler Joe Miller, one of Canada’s most successful contemporary country artists, will…

Nigeria Becomes Latest IEA Association Country Nigeria has taken a significant step onto the global energy stage after member governments of the International Energy Agency (IEA) unanimously agreed to admit the country as an Association nation, strengthening cooperation with Africa’s largest economy and most populous country. The move marks a major development in international energy governance and reflects Nigeria’s growing influence across global energy markets. With a population exceeding 240 million and substantial oil and natural gas resources, Nigeria plays a critical role in both African and global energy supply chains. The country is also emerging as one of Africa’s…

Calgary Paralympian earns first World Triathlon Para Series podium of 2026 season HAMBURG, Germany — Canadian para triathlete Stefan Daniel returned to the international podium on Sunday, capturing a silver medal at the World Triathlon Para Series event in Hamburg and marking his first podium finish of the 2026 season. The 29-year-old Calgary athlete delivered a composed performance in the men’s PTS5 classification, navigating a challenging race that featured a 750-metre swim, a technical 20-kilometre cycling course through Hamburg’s historic streets, and a five-kilometre run. Daniel crossed the finish line in 57 minutes 52 seconds, finishing second behind Germany’s Martin…

Veteran Toronto punk band highlights songwriting growth on latest advance track from Born To Break Even TORONTO — Toronto punk-rock outfit Doghouse Rose has released “It Gets Worse,” the second advance single from its forthcoming album Born To Break Even, offering listeners a glimpse into what the band describes as its most emotionally expansive and mature project to date. The single became publicly available on July 10, ahead of the July 31 release of Born To Break Even through Canadian independent label Stomp Records. While the album’s title track showcased the group’s longstanding skate-punk influences, “It Gets Worse” shifts the…

Major construction milestone supports thousands of jobs and expands regional transit connectivity TORONTO — Construction of the Eglinton Crosstown West Extension has reached a significant new phase, with major excavation now underway at four underground stations along the future light rail transit corridor. The development marks another milestone in Ontario’s broader transit expansion strategy, which aims to improve mobility across the Greater Toronto Area (GTA), reduce congestion and support economic growth. The province said construction activity along the extension is currently supporting approximately 4,600 workers annually. Once completed, the project is expected to provide faster transit connections between Toronto and…

Building Faster Fund rewards city after surpassing provincial housing goals by 26 per cent Kingston is receiving $3.2 million from the Ontario government after exceeding its provincially assigned housing target, marking another milestone in the province’s broader effort to accelerate home construction and address housing demand. The funding, announced Friday through the third round of Ontario’s Building Faster Fund, recognizes municipalities that achieve at least 80 per cent of their annual housing targets. Kingston qualified after recording 1,011 housing starts in 2025, surpassing its provincial target by 26 per cent. Provincial officials say the funding will support additional housing development…