Author: Sam Allcock

Winnipeg, MB — The University of Winnipeg will host the 57th Algonquian Conference this fall, bringing together scholars, students, cultural workers, and community members from across North America to share research and celebrate the diversity of Algonquian languages and cultures. Scheduled for October 17–19, the event is expected to draw up to 200 participants from Canada, the United States, and beyond. Organizers say the gathering will feature both in-person and online presentations, along with workshops, roundtables, panels, and a special cabaret-style evening showcasing Indigenous performance and language. A Gathering of Shared Knowledge The Algonquian Conference has long served as an international…

Temiskaming Shores, ON — Ontario is moving to solidify its position as a global leader in the electric vehicle (EV) supply chain with a $100 million investment from Electra Battery Materials to build North America’s first battery-grade cobalt refinery in Temiskaming Shores. The new facility, backed by $17.5 million from the province’s Invest Ontario Fund, represents a significant step in Canada’s push to expand domestic critical mineral processing capacity and reduce reliance on offshore supply. Strengthening Supply Chains Amid Tariffs The project comes at a time when the province is grappling with U.S. tariffs and broader economic uncertainty. Officials say the…

CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. — Work is officially underway on a major project aimed at easing healthcare access and addressing workforce shortages in northern Vancouver Island, as community leaders gathered this week to break ground on the Just Like Home Lodge and Healthcare Workforce Housing initiative. On September 10, the Strathcona Regional District (SRD), together with the Campbell River Hospital Foundation and Seymour Pacific Homes, marked the start of construction with a ceremony held on the traditional unceded territory of the Ligʷiłdax̌ʷ people. The milestone event opened with a ground blessing led by Shawn Decaire, hereditary chief of the We Wai…

Despite a recent spate of project delays and cancellations, the International Energy Agency (IEA) says low-emissions hydrogen production remains on track for significant growth through 2030—though momentum has slowed from the surge of announcements seen earlier in the decade. The findings were published Friday in the IEA’s 2025 edition of the Global Hydrogen Review, the agency’s annual analysis of developments across the sector. The report offers a detailed snapshot of how hydrogen markets are evolving, with a particular emphasis on emerging low-emissions technologies. Demand Rises, but Supply Still Fossil-Based Worldwide demand for hydrogen reached nearly 100 million tonnes in 2024,…

Mactier, Ont. — The Ontario government is committing $3.2 million to two major community projects aimed at expanding access to sport and recreation, including the construction of Canada’s first purpose-built goalball court. The funding, part of the province’s $200 million Community Sport and Recreation Infrastructure Fund (CSRIF), will also support upgrades to the Métis Nation of Ontario’s Children and Youth Camp in Burk’s Falls. The investment, announced Thursday by the Ministry of Sport, is intended to boost local economies, protect jobs and promote healthy, active living. Officials emphasized the projects’ significance not only for infrastructure but also for inclusion and…

Toronto —  The Office of the Chief Coroner has confirmed that an inquest will be held into the 2020 death of Matthew Rice, a 29-year-old man who died in hospital following an encounter with Ontario Provincial Police officers. The announcement was made Thursday by Dr. Kenneth Peckham, Regional Supervising Coroner for the Central Region, Central West Office. Under Ontario’s Coroners Act, an inquest is mandatory in cases involving deaths that occur in police custody or during police interactions. The upcoming proceedings will examine the events leading to Rice’s death and consider whether systemic changes could prevent similar tragedies in the…

Montreal —  Scientists at McGill University’s Montreal Neurological Institute-Hospital (The Neuro) and the University Medical Center Göttingen have uncovered new insights into how the brain relies on objects to determine direction, findings that could inform future research into Alzheimer’s disease and other disorientation-related conditions. The study, published today in Science, reveals that visual landmarks play a more active role in the brain’s navigation system than previously understood. By demonstrating how objects can tune the brain’s “internal compass,” researchers say the discovery reshapes the scientific understanding of spatial orientation. The Experiment Using ultrasound imaging to measure brain activity, scientists studied mice…

Toronto — The Ontario government is significantly expanding its annual Level Up! career fairs this fall, aiming to connect more than 50,000 students, educators and jobseekers with career opportunities in the skilled trades. The program, which showcases trades such as electricians, boilermakers, heavy equipment operators and automotive service technicians, is part of the province’s broader effort to address looming labour shortages and build a resilient workforce. The 2025 edition of the fairs will span 29 days across 12 communities — an increase from 21 days last year — and feature more than 200 interactive exhibitors. Events will include open house…

PRINCE ALBERT, Sask. — A notoriously dangerous downtown intersection has undergone significant safety improvements, with the City of Prince Albert completing upgrades at 22nd Street and 1st Avenue West in an effort to reduce collisions, injuries, and property damage. The project, which introduces a redesigned median and new pedestrian ramps, was fully funded through the support of Saskatchewan Government Insurance (SGI), a long-time partner in the city’s road safety initiatives. Addressing a High-Risk Location The decision to target this intersection followed a comprehensive traffic safety review of multiple city roadways. Between 2013 and 2022, 22nd Street and 1st Avenue West…

OTTAWA — Ontario’s long-term care capacity has taken a major step forward with the official opening of Extendicare Crossing Bridge, a newly constructed facility in Ottawa that will provide 256 modern beds for residents in need of care. The announcement, made September 10, 2025, underscores the government’s commitment to strengthening long-term care through expanded capacity, modernized infrastructure, and improved quality of life for seniors across the province. Expanding Access in Ottawa “The opening of Extendicare Crossing Bridge marks a significant milestone in our government’s plan to protect residents and increase access to world-class health care across the province, including here…