Author: Sophie Mitchell

Colorado-Based Festival Returns for Third Year With National and Regional Heavy Metal Acts Denver’s only dedicated power metal festival, Mile High Power Fest (MHPF), will return on Aug. 15, 2026, with organizers announcing a lineup featuring established touring acts alongside emerging regional bands as the event continues to expand its footprint within North America’s heavy metal scene. The festival, organized by Denver-based BiteSize Productions, will once again take place at The Oriental Theater and marks the third edition of the event. Organizers said the festival remains focused on supporting underground music communities while attracting broader audiences to the western United…

New report examines lives lost, evolving risks and the need for coordinated action across B.C.’s Fraser Health region SURREY, B.C. — A decade after British Columbia declared toxic drug poisonings a public health emergency, Fraser Health has released a new report reflecting on the scale of the crisis, the progress made in prevention and treatment, and the significant challenges that remain across the region. The report, issued by Fraser Health’s Chief Medical Health Officer, outlines how the health authority’s response has evolved since 2016 and examines the social, economic and systemic factors that continue to drive toxic drug poisonings and…

Province Backs Transit-Oriented Development Expected to Deliver 1,700 Rental Homes Near Scarborough GO Station Building Ontario Fund Partnership Revives Previously Stalled Scarborough Junction Project The Ontario government is investing up to $178 million through the Building Ontario Fund (BOF) to support the construction of approximately 1,700 new rental homes in Scarborough, including a target of 340 affordable units with below-market rents. Announced by the Ministry of Finance on June 3, the investment will help advance the Scarborough Junction project, a large-scale transit-connected community planned on underused land near the Scarborough GO Station. The broader development is expected to eventually include…

SRD NEWS Announces Live Viewing Events for First Four Games of NHL Championship Series Carolina Hurricanes and Vegas Golden Knights Set for High-Stakes Stanley Cup Final Residents and hockey fans in the Strathcona Regional District will have an opportunity to gather and watch the 2026 Stanley Cup Finals together as Strathcona Gardens prepares to host a series of live public viewing events throughout June. The special event series, organized by SRD NEWS at Strathcona Gardens, will feature live broadcasts of the opening four games of the Stanley Cup Finals between Rod Brind Amour’s Carolina Hurricanes and the Vegas Golden Knights.…

Geraldton Main Street Reconstruction Marks Major Step in Province’s Critical Minerals and Infrastructure Strategy The Ontario government has officially broken ground on a major infrastructure project in Greenstone that it says will serve as a gateway to the Ring of Fire and support the province’s broader ambitions to become a global leader in critical minerals development. Greg Rickford, Minister of Indigenous Affairs and First Nations Economic Reconciliation and Minister Responsible for Ring of Fire Economic and Community Partnerships, joined First Nation leaders, municipal officials and industry representatives on June 2 to mark the start of the Geraldton Main Street Rehabilitation…

Province Invests $4 Million to Increase Access to Experiential Learning Programs in High Schools The Ontario government is investing $4 million to expand access to experiential learning opportunities designed to help high school students build leadership skills, gain practical experience and prepare for in-demand careers. Announced by the Ministry of Education on June 2, the funding will support new partnerships with The Duke of Edinburgh’s International Award – Canada and The King’s Trust Canada during the 2026-27 school year. The initiative aims to provide students with opportunities outside the traditional classroom setting to strengthen employability skills, community engagement and personal…

Toronto Venues Aim to Raise $50,000 to Support Emerging Canadian Talent The Corporation of Massey Hall and Roy Thomson Hall has launched a new fundraising campaign aimed at strengthening artist development opportunities for emerging Canadian musicians through Toronto’s Allied Music Centre. Announced Monday, the campaign seeks to raise $50,000 to provide artists with access to professional recording facilities, mentorship programs, and collaborative creative spaces. The initiative is part of the organization’s broader effort to support Canadian performers at various stages of their careers and reinforce the country’s music ecosystem. Located in downtown Toronto, Allied Music Centre serves as a creative…

Toronto country-rock artist builds momentum following high-profile Ontario performances Toronto-based country-rock artist Bree Taylor has released her new single “More,” adding fresh momentum to a breakout year that has already included a 2026 CMAOntario Songwriter of the Year nomination and a pair of high-profile performances alongside U.S. country-rock band Lakeview. The single arrives following Taylor’s May concert run, where she served as direct support for Lakeview during two consecutive appearances in Ontario. The performances included a May 15 show at Toronto’s Horseshoe Tavern and a May 16 appearance at Thunder Valley Semi Races 2026 in Nipissing, Ont. “More” is the…

Ontario Roots Trio Expands Its Sound With String-Led Ballad and International Collaboration Ontario-based Blues-Americana-Country trio The Sling Sisters have released a new single, “The Reason,” marking a stylistic shift for the group as it continues to build momentum following the release of its debut album earlier this year. The Cambridge and Toronto-based act, known for its harmony-driven blend of Blues, Americana and Alt-Country, launched the single alongside the announcement of an extensive 2026 touring schedule across Ontario and Quebec. The release follows the band’s January 2026 debut album What I Hope to Find, which introduced the trio to wider Canadian…

New federal-provincial initiative ties infrastructure funding to municipal reductions in development charges OTTAWA — The Ontario government and the federal government have officially opened applications for a new multi-billion-dollar program aimed at reducing housing construction costs and accelerating homebuilding across the province. The Development Charge Reduction Program (DCRP), announced Sunday, will provide up to $8.8 billion in federal and provincial infrastructure funding over the next decade to municipalities that significantly reduce development charges on residential construction projects. The initiative forms part of the Canada-Ontario Partnership to Build, unveiled earlier this year, and is intended to lower upfront building costs while…