Author: Sophie Mitchell

Province introduces new funding streams focused on leadership opportunities and economic independence The Ontario government is investing $11 million over two years through a newly launched Women’s Economic Leadership and Legacy (WELL) Fund aimed at helping more women enter high-demand industries while also providing support for survivors of human trafficking seeking financial independence and long-term stability. Announced Tuesday in Newmarket, the initiative will provide funding for projects that support women pursuing careers in sectors such as clean energy, construction and technology, while also expanding education, employment and recovery supports for survivors of trafficking. According to the province, the WELL Fund…

Napanee Battery Energy Storage System to Support Grid Reliability and Peak Demand The Ontario government has completed one of Canada’s largest battery energy storage facilities, marking a significant milestone in the province’s long-term strategy to strengthen electricity reliability, support economic growth and expand clean energy infrastructure. Announced Tuesday by Ontario Minister of Energy and Mines Stephen Lecce, the Napanee Battery Energy Storage System (BESS) has officially entered commercial operation approximately five weeks ahead of schedule and within its $600-million budget. Located in Napanee, Ontario, the 250-megawatt facility is capable of supplying electricity to as many as 250,000 homes for up…

Province aims to boost tourism, hospitality and local business activity during global soccer tournament TORONTO — The Ontario government will temporarily allow licensed bars and restaurants across the province to serve alcohol until 4 a.m. during the FIFA World Cup 2026™, a move aimed at supporting tourism, hospitality businesses and workers as Canada hosts part of the international tournament next summer. The extended service hours will apply from June 11 to July 19, 2026, according to an announcement released Tuesday by the Ministry of the Attorney General. Ontario’s standard last call for alcohol service is currently 2 a.m. The province…

Environmental Group Claims Pacific Seafood Violated Clean Water Act at Quilcene Bay Facility Hatchery operations allegedly discharged excess wastewater and heat into sensitive marine habitat QUILCENE, Wash. — Environmental advocacy organization Center for Food Safety has announced plans to sue two Pacific Seafood-affiliated companies over alleged violations of the U.S. Clean Water Act tied to shellfish hatchery operations in Washington State. The proposed legal action targets Dulcich, Incorporated and Pacific Shellfish—Quilcene, LLC, collectively referred to by the group as Pacific Seafood. According to the notice of intent filed by the organization, the companies allegedly discharged wastewater and excess heat beyond…

“New Beginnings” and “Don’t Break My Heart” Mark First Release Through New Sun Music Ottawa-based singer-songwriter Alicia Kayley is making her commercial debut with the release of two singles, “New Beginnings” and “Don’t Break My Heart,” through New Sun Music, the Nashville-linked label founded by Grammy-nominated artist Crystal Shawanda. The simultaneous release positions Kayley as one of the emerging Indigenous voices in Canada’s contemporary Pop/R&B and Blues/Soul landscape. Dubbed the “Indigenous Adele” by the Ottawa Citizen, the Algonquin and Tahltan Nation artist is entering the national music market with a project designed to showcase both emotional depth and commercial crossover…

Toronto dinosaur-metal band expands global reach with debut full-length album featuring major names from the rock and metal world TORONTO — Toronto-based music project Howdytoons, which has amassed more than 1.5 billion YouTube streams and over 50 million Spotify plays through its dinosaur-themed rock catalogue, has released “Smilodon,” the lead single from its debut full-length album, Megafauna Metal. The release marks a major milestone for the Canadian band, which has evolved from a niche children’s music experiment into an internationally streamed heavy metal project supported by prominent musicians from the global rock scene. Written by Mike Whitla and his son…

Wolf Parade songwriter returns with a piano-driven record shaped by life on Vancouver Island Canadian indie rock songwriter Spencer Krug is set to release his new solo album Same Fangs on May 15, 2026, marking another chapter in a career that has quietly helped define the outer edges of modern indie music for more than two decades. Issued through Pronounced Kroog, the album arrives as renewed attention gathers around Krug’s catalogue following the resurgence of Wolf Parade’s “I’ll Believe in Anything” through Netflix’s Heated Rivalry. The renewed exposure has introduced a younger audience to a body of work spanning Wolf…

Upcoming album Second To None set for release June 19, 2026 Toronto indie rock band The Get Alongs is expanding its sound ahead of the release of its sophomore album Second To None, with the launch of its latest single, “Sunday Afternoon,” released publicly on May 15, 2026. The track serves as the second advance release from the forthcoming album, due out June 19, 2026 through Having Fun and We Are Busy Bodies. At just over two minutes long, the song marks a stylistic shift for the Toronto four-piece, moving away from the rawer edge of earlier material and toward…

Community and environmental groups say updated rules still fall short of safeguarding waterways and rural residents PORTLAND, Ore. — Oregon regulators have finalized a long-delayed permit governing hundreds of factory farms across the state, drawing criticism from environmental and community organizations that argue the updated rules still fail to adequately protect waterways and rural communities from agricultural pollution. The finalized National Pollutant Discharge Elimination System (NPDES) permit for Concentrated Animal Feeding Operations (CAFOs), issued by the Oregon Department of Agriculture and the Oregon Department of Environmental Quality, establishes pollution control requirements for factory farms over the next five years. The…

Inquest to Begin June 1 in Thunder Bay The Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General has announced a new date for the inquest into the death of Kevin Mamakwa, a 27-year-old member of Kingfisher Lake First Nation who died while in custody at the Thunder Bay Jail in 2020. Dr. Kevin Miller, Regional Supervising Coroner for the North Region’s Thunder Bay Office, confirmed that the inquest will begin at 9:30 a.m. on Monday, June 1, 2026, at 189 Red River Road in Thunder Bay. The proceedings will be overseen by Dr. Michael Wilson, who will serve as the presiding officer.…