Author: Sophie Mitchell

Province’s $3.4 Billion Primary Care Action Plan Aims to Connect Every Ontarian to a Family Doctor by 2029 HAMILTON, Ontario — The Ontario government is continuing its push to improve access to primary health care with new investments in Hamilton, as part of its $3.4 billion Primary Care Action Plan designed to connect every resident in the province to a family doctor or primary care team by 2029. During a visit to the Hamilton Family Health Team on Tuesday, Deputy Premier and Minister of Health Sylvia Jones highlighted the progress being made through the province’s ongoing investment in expanding access…

Five-year, $75,000 partnership supports Cambridge’s Play it Forward fundraising campaign CAMBRIDGE, Ont. — Field 4 at the Cambridge Soccer Complex will officially be known as Aecon Field after Cambridge City Council approved a five-year, $75,000 sponsorship agreement with Aecon Group Inc., strengthening a public-private partnership aimed at supporting local recreation infrastructure. The sponsorship will contribute to the City’s Play it Forward fundraising campaign for the Fountain Street Soccer Complex. According to the City, the additional revenue will help offset tax-supported debenture expenses related to the development of the facility and future field enhancements. The agreement also grants naming rights for…

Ontario has joined eight other provinces in signing a landmark agreement that allows direct-to-consumer (DTC) sales of alcoholic beverages across participating jurisdictions, a move aimed at reducing internal trade barriers, expanding market opportunities for producers and increasing consumer choice across Canada. The agreement, announced Tuesday in Charlottetown, Prince Edward Island, was signed by Premier Doug Ford alongside the premiers of British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and Newfoundland and Labrador. Co-led by Ontario and Saskatchewan, the initiative builds on commitments outlined in the 2025 Memorandum of Understanding on direct-to-consumer alcohol sales and forms part…

Canadian rock veteran Bif Naked has unveiled her latest single, “Lift Me Up,” reuniting with longtime collaborator Ezra Cipes as the singer continues a busy year of new music, live performances and career milestones. The new release was written by Bif Naked and Cipes, with production handled by Cipes alongside Peter Karroll. The collaboration brings together two artists whose creative partnership spans nearly two decades and arrives as Bif tours in support of both her award-winning documentary and her 2025 studio album, Champion. New Single Reunites Longtime Creative Partners “Lift Me Up” marks the latest chapter in the enduring musical…

Ontario Songwriter Turns Personal Adversity into a New Music Career with First Official Release NIAGARA-ON-THE-LAKE, Ont. — Niagara-on-the-Lake musician Ryan Bissell has released his debut single, “Get Up Get Ready,” introducing listeners to an alt-folk rock sound shaped by years of unrealized songwriting and a life-changing personal experience. Produced by Paul Gigliotti and released independently through Bissell’s own label, the track marks the beginning of a growing catalogue that emerged under extraordinary circumstances. The release signals the arrival of a songwriter whose creative journey took an unconventional path. Although Bissell has played guitar and sung since childhood, he spent decades…

Self-produced release marks the first preview of Ophelie Quraishi’s debut album, arriving October 16 Ottawa-based indie rock and dream pop artist Eau the Music has unveiled “In This Silence,” the lead single from her forthcoming debut album, ‘Light in the Dark,’ scheduled for release on October 16. The project represents a significant milestone for songwriter, producer and multi-instrumentalist Ophelie Quraishi, who independently wrote, produced and mixed the music while teaching herself the instruments used throughout the record. The new single introduces listeners to an album rooted in themes of grief, personal transformation and self-discovery. Entirely created by Quraishi, “In This…

JUNO-winning Indigenous artist releases first single from upcoming Homesick Indian Blues while announcing performances across Canada JUNO Award-winning singer-songwriter Crystal Shawanda has released a new interpretation of “Come Unto Me,” marking the first single from her forthcoming album Homesick Indian Blues. Available now on streaming platforms, the recording serves as both a musical milestone and a personal tribute to the late Raul Malo, the celebrated frontman of The Mavericks, whose encouragement played an important role in Shawanda’s early career. The release coincides with the announcement of an extensive Canadian tour that will take the Wiikwemkoong First Nation artist to audiences…

Ontario Folk Act Announces ‘Lanterns in the Mist’ Tour Across Eastern Canada Ahead of Fall 2026 Album Release COBOURG, Ont. — Cobourg-based indie Celtic folk duo Lo & the High Road has launched a Kickstarter campaign to finance the vinyl and CD production of its upcoming sophomore album, Standing Stones, while simultaneously embarking on a summer tour across Ontario, Quebec and Atlantic Canada. The crowdfunding initiative is designed to help bring the physical edition of the album to market ahead of its planned release in early fall 2026. It also gives supporters an opportunity to pre-order the record and contribute…

Hourly Service Implemented on West Flat and East Hill Routes as Core Express Remains Suspended Prince Albert Transit has introduced temporary service adjustments for Tuesday, July 21, 2026, affecting several key bus routes across the city. The revised schedule includes hourly operations for the West Flat and East Hill routes, while the Core Express service has been temporarily suspended. The changes are intended to provide continued public transit access while accommodating current operational requirements. Transit officials have advised passengers to review the temporary timetable before travelling, as additional updates may be issued if conditions change. West Flat and East Hill…

Industry Groups Say Tariff Move Aims to Address Long-Running Concerns Over Canada’s Dairy Import Rules The U.S. dairy industry has welcomed the White House’s decision to impose a 50% tariff on dairy imports from Canada, describing the move as a significant step toward addressing long-standing trade concerns under the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA). The White House announced that it is invoking Section 338 of the Tariff Act of 1930 to introduce the tariff measure, stating that the action is intended to “hold Canada accountable for its retaliation and discrimination.” The decision is aimed at defending the market access rights that…