Author: Sophie Mitchell

Construction has begun on a long-planned bridge across the Berens River in northwestern Ontario, a project provincial and federal officials say will improve supply chains, create jobs and unlock economic opportunities for several remote First Nations. The Ontario government, alongside Pikangikum First Nation, the Whitefeather Forest Community Resource Management Authority and the federal government, has entered the construction phase of a permanent bridge that will connect Pikangikum First Nation to year-round road access for the first time. The project is also expected to improve winter road connections for six additional remote communities north of Red Lake and eliminate the need…

WASHINGTON — Farmers and environmental organizations have launched a new legal challenge against the Environmental Protection Agency, arguing its latest approval of the controversial herbicide dicamba ignores court rulings, scientific evidence and the interests of growers harmed by chemical drift. The lawsuit, filed Friday in federal court by a coalition that includes the National Family Farm Coalition, the Center for Biological Diversity, the Center for Food Safety and Pesticide Action & Agroecology Network, challenges the EPA’s decision to re-register dicamba for use on genetically engineered soybeans and cotton. The decision marks the latest chapter in a years-long dispute over dicamba,…

An inquest will be held into the death of Evan Freeman, a 22-year-old man who died in 2019 following an interaction with police in Kingston, Ontario, the provincial government announced Monday. In a news release issued Feb. 23, the Ministry of the Solicitor General said the proceeding has been formally called by Dr. Armita Rahmani, Regional Supervising Coroner for the East Region based in Kingston. “Dr. Armita Rahmani, Regional Supervising Coroner, East Region, Kingston Office, has announced that an inquest will be held into the death of Evan Freeman.” Freeman died on Sept. 12, 2019, the same day as his…

The Loud As Hell Open Air Festival will return to Drumheller, Alta., from July 31 to Aug. 2, 2026, with a lineup organizers say reinforces its position as a cornerstone of Canada’s extreme-music economy and a growing draw for tourism in the province’s Badlands. Now entering its 14th edition, the outdoor heavy-metal gathering combines live music with camping, performance art and on-site vendors, attracting fans from across Canada and abroad. Set at the Dinosaurs Down Stampede grounds, the festival contributes to the local visitor economy through accommodation bookings, food and beverage sales, and related spending in the region. Festival organizers…

PARIS — Global energy ministers and corporate leaders gathered in Paris for the International Energy Agency’s 2026 Ministerial Meeting, underscoring the organization’s expanding influence in shaping international energy security, supply chains and innovation at a time of rising demand and geopolitical uncertainty. The two-day summit brought together officials from 54 countries — including about 40 ministers — and executives representing companies with a combined market capitalization of $14 trillion, highlighting the scale of public- and private-sector coordination required to navigate a rapidly evolving global energy system. Hosted in France, the meeting also featured a video address from French President Emmanuel…

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — Public transit service in Prince Albert remains partially disrupted following recent snowfall, forcing route modifications, reduced stops and the temporary suspension of one key express service, as municipal officials balance operational continuity with safety concerns. According to a service update issued Feb. 23 by the City, Prince Albert Transit is continuing to operate under modified conditions due to snow accumulation and deteriorating road conditions that have made some areas difficult for buses to safely access. The adjustments affect scheduling frequency, stop availability and route coverage, reflecting the operational challenges municipalities across Western Canada often face during…

TORONTO — The Ontario government is using Human Trafficking Awareness Day to underscore a sweeping $345-million investment and a cross-government strategy aimed at combating what it describes as one of the province’s most damaging and persistent crimes. In a joint statement released Sunday, Michael Parsa, Ontario’s Minister of Children, Community and Social Services, alongside Solicitor General Michael Kerzner and Transportation Minister Prabmeet Sarkaria, said the province is expanding enforcement, prevention and survivor support initiatives as part of its Anti-Human Trafficking Strategy. The statement, issued by the Ministry of Children, Community and Social Services, emphasized both the human and economic toll…

VANCOUVER — Canadian indie rock band SLIP~ons are set to release their second EP, Overtime, on Feb. 20, 2026, marking the latest chapter for a group whose members bring decades of experience from some of the country’s most influential alternative music acts. The Vancouver-based four-piece, led by former Doughboys frontman Brock Pytel and longtime Sarah McLachlan bassist Brian Minato, is releasing the project through independent label Scamindy. The record builds on the band’s earlier momentum in Canada and abroad, positioning SLIP~ons to deepen their presence in a competitive independent music sector that continues to rely heavily on touring, streaming and…

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — The City of Prince Albert has lifted its snow route parking ban following several days of intensive clearing operations prompted by a major winter storm that blanketed the northern Saskatchewan city with roughly 35 centimetres of snow. The municipality said the ban, which took effect at 4 p.m. on Thursday, Feb. 19, has now been rescinded, allowing residents to resume parking on designated emergency routes. The move marks a transition in the city’s snow-clearing efforts as crews shift their focus to other critical transportation corridors and prepare for additional cleanup in the downtown core. City officials…

An inquest into the 2019 death of Jennifer Fellinger, a 31-year-old woman who died after being transferred from a correctional facility in Milton, Ont., is set to begin March 2, 2026, Ontario’s Office of the Chief Coroner announced Thursday. Dr. Karen Schiff, regional supervising coroner for the West Region in Hamilton, confirmed the proceedings will start at 9:00 a.m. and will be conducted by video conference, allowing members of the public to observe online. “Dr. Karen Schiff, Regional Supervising Coroner, West Region, Hamilton Office, announced today that a date has been scheduled for the inquest into the death of Jennifer…