Author: Sophie Mitchell

Province expands integrated care network with $550M investment in 28 HART Hubs New St. Catharines facility aims to improve access to treatment, housing and support services ST. CATHARINES, Ont. — The Ontario government has opened a new Homelessness and Addiction Recovery Treatment (HART) Hub in St. Catharines, marking a significant step in its broader plan to expand mental health and addictions services while enhancing community safety. The new hub is part of a nearly $550 million provincial investment to establish 28 HART Hubs across Ontario. The initiative is designed to provide more coordinated, community-based care for individuals experiencing homelessness, mental…

Retroactive payments and municipal workforce drive majority of increases TORONTO — The Treasury Board Secretariat has released its annual public sector salary disclosure, revealing continued growth in the number of employees earning $100,000 or more across Ontario’s broader public sector in 2025. In a statement issued Friday, Caroline Mulroney, President of the Treasury Board, outlined key factors behind the year-over-year increase, including retroactive payments and negotiated wage adjustments. “Today, the Ontario government released the salaries of Ontario Public Service and broader public sector employees who were paid $100,000 or more in 2025. Retroactive payments, collective bargaining outcomes and an additional…

Startup Targets Informal Labour Market with Digital Platform Nairobi, Kenya & Dubai, UAE — March 27, 2026 — A new mobile-first employment platform is aiming to reshape how young people in Kenya access work, as Tich App joins the EquityPilot program run by FasterCapital. The partnership comes at a critical moment for Kenya’s labour market, where youth unemployment remains a persistent challenge. Individuals aged 15 to 34 account for roughly 35% of the country’s population, yet face the highest barriers to stable employment—particularly in rapidly growing urban centres such as Nairobi, Mombasa, Kisumu, Nakuru and Eldoret. Millions of young people…

Ontario coroner’s office to examine circumstances surrounding 2021 hospital death Proceedings set to begin March 30, expected to hear from 22 witnesses over 13 days An inquest into the death of Heather Ashley Winterstein, a 24-year-old who died following a hospital visit in 2021, is set to begin later this month, Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner announced Friday. In a statement released by the Ministry of the Solicitor General, Dr. Karen Schiff, Regional Supervising Coroner for the West Region in Hamilton, confirmed that proceedings will commence at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, March 30, 2026. The inquest will be presided…

Government Positions Plan as Shield Against Economic Uncertainty TORONTO — The Ontario government has released its 2026 budget, outlining a strategy aimed at strengthening economic resilience, boosting investment and easing financial pressures on households and businesses amid ongoing global uncertainty. Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy tabled the fiscal plan Thursday, framing it as a pragmatic response to external pressures such as tariffs and slowing economic growth. The budget, titled A Plan to Protect Ontario, emphasizes tax relief, infrastructure investment and targeted spending in key sectors. “Ontario is navigating economic challenges with a pragmatic and prudent fiscal plan,” said Minister Bethlenfalvy. “To…

Spanish-language adaptation of Isabel Allende novel set to debut April 29 Prime Video has released the official trailer for The House of the Spirits, marking the first Spanish-language television adaptation of Isabel Allende’s internationally acclaimed novel. The eight-episode drama will premiere globally on April 29, with the first three episodes available at launch and subsequent episodes rolling out weekly through May 13. The series will stream exclusively on Prime Video across more than 240 countries and territories, underscoring the platform’s continued investment in international and multilingual content aimed at broad global audiences. Multi-generational saga anchored in political and social upheaval…

Florida’s underground metal festival opens final call for global submissions ahead of April 1 deadline With just days remaining before the submission window closes, organizers of Tampa Death Fest are making a final push for bands to apply for performance slots at the 2026 edition of the long-running extreme metal festival. Set to return September 4 and 5 at the Brass Mug in Tampa Bay, the event is currently accepting electronic press kit (EPK) submissions from extreme-metal acts worldwide. The April 1 deadline marks the final opportunity for bands to secure a place in what has become a notable fixture…

The two most important things in any camping are the location and the tent. When planning a trip, travelers usually try to pick the most attractive and scenic location to get a pleasant camping experience and enjoy nature. At the same time, the tent is an essential factor that largely affects the comfort of your camping. Today, you can find a variety of types of tents designed for different conditions and seasons in sports stores. The choice is so wide that it can sometimes be difficult to decide which type of shelter is best for you. Usually, the more we…

Evidence for Democracy Examines Growing Role of Artificial Intelligence in Policymaking OTTAWA — A new report from Evidence for Democracy is raising questions about transparency and accountability as artificial intelligence tools become increasingly embedded in Canada’s federal public service. Titled “AI and Democracy: Navigating Trust, Truth, and Technology in Policymaking”, the report provides what the organization describes as the first comprehensive overview of how AI systems are being deployed across federal departments and agencies, and the potential implications for democratic governance. The findings suggest that while AI adoption is accelerating within government operations, oversight and public engagement have not kept…

Regional Winners to Compete at Astoria Pub on March 28 VANCOUVER — Four emerging metal acts from across British Columbia are set to compete in the BC semi-final of the Wacken Metal Battle Canada 2026, as the international band competition advances toward its national stage. The event, presented by The Invisible Orange, will take place March 28 at Astoria Pub in Vancouver. Following a series of regional rounds, four bands—Circle of Titans, Crüzer, Dead After Dark, and Empalement—have secured their spots in the BC semi-final, representing Metro Vancouver, the BC Interior, and Vancouver Island. Metro Vancouver Acts Bring Diverse Metal…