CAMPBELL RIVER, B.C. — A major milestone in local healthcare infrastructure will be reached this month when community leaders, healthcare advocates and corporate partners gather for the official groundbreaking of the Just Like Home (JLH) Lodge, a new facility set to support patients and families travelling for medical care. The Strathcona Regional District (SRD), in partnership with the Campbell River Hospital Foundation and Seymour Pacific Homes, announced that the Start of Construction Ceremony will take place on Wednesday, September 10, 2025, at 3:00 p.m. at the lodge’s future site, located at 565 2nd Avenue, behind Yucalta Lodge. The event will…
Author: Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock
Sam Allcock is a business correspondent for Wire Service Canada, reporting on corporate developments, market trends, and economic news with clarity and accuracy. With over a decade of experience in journalism, he has covered stories ranging from financial results and trade agreements to emerging innovations, offering readers both local insight and global context. Known for his balanced and engaging reporting style, Sam is committed to delivering reliable, relevant, and timely business news that helps audiences make informed decisions.
MANITOULIN ISLAND, Ont. — The Ontario government is committing $180,000 to projects aimed at restoring and protecting waterways on Manitoulin Island, part of the Lake Huron watershed. Officials say the investment will help improve water quality, strengthen fish habitats and biodiversity, and support both environmental and economic resilience in the region. The funding is being directed to the Manitoulin Streams Improvement Association, a local non-profit that has led habitat restoration and stewardship initiatives for more than two decades. The group will use the support to rehabilitate streams and rivers across the island, focusing on both ecological health and community engagement.…
MONTREAL, QC — A new publishing force is emerging in the video game industry, as Gambit Digital officially launches in Montreal. Founded by a mix of studio heads and veteran publishing executives, the company aims to bring together the flexibility of independent creators with the reach and expertise of global publishers. Gambit Digital is positioned as part of Montreal’s Indie Asylum, a collaborative ecosystem that connects more than 200 developers across 18 studios. By extending that cooperative model into publishing, the company says it will give developers the tools, strategic support, and commercial pathways needed to compete in a crowded…
PENTICTON, B.C. — Music fans in the South Okanagan will not have to miss out on singer-songwriter Jordan Hart’s much-anticipated Penticton concert. After the sudden closure of the Dream Café earlier this month, Tempest Theatre has stepped forward to ensure the show will go ahead, offering audiences a chance to hear Hart live on September 18. Hart, acclaimed for his powerful vocals and evocative songwriting, is currently touring the country with his Optimist Acoustic Tour, which has earned praise for its emotional intimacy and stripped-down presentation. He was originally scheduled to perform at the Dream Café, a venue long regarded…
TORONTO, Ontario has launched the country’s first-ever systematic screening program for abdominal aortic aneurysms (AAA), a condition that often goes unnoticed until it becomes life-threatening. Officials say the program could save lives through earlier detection and treatment, reducing the risk of sudden ruptures and emergency surgeries. The Ontario Abdominal Aortic Aneurysm Screening Program (OAAASP) will begin inviting residents turning 65 to undergo ultrasound testing, marking what the province calls a historic first in Canadian health care. By spring 2026, eligibility will extend to all Ontarians between the ages of 65 and 80, with plans underway to allow self-referral directly to…
Ontario Breaks Ground on 224-Bed Long-Term Care Home in Peterborough Peterborough, ON — Ontario has officially broken ground on a new long-term care facility in Peterborough, part of the provincial government’s broader plan to expand capacity and improve quality of care across the sector. The project, called peopleCare Peterborough, will add 224 modern long-term care beds to the community once construction is complete. The home, expected to open its doors in 2027, is part of Trent University’s Seniors Village and is designed to create a more resident-focused model of care. “Our government is improving long-term care by building more homes,…
COURTRIGHT, Ont. —The Ontario government has broken ground on the St. Clair Transmission Line, a $64-kilometre project officials say will secure energy supplies, fuel economic growth and support job creation across Southwestern Ontario. The double-circuit 230-kilovolt line, to be built by Hydro One, will link Lambton County with the Municipality of Chatham-Kent. The project includes expanding the Chatham Switching Station, upgrading the Lambton Transformer Station, and converting Wallaceburg’s Transformer Station to 230 kV. Completion is scheduled for 2028. “Southwestern Ontario is thriving, and reliable energy is essential to keep that momentum going,” said Stephen Lecce, Minister of Energy and Mines.…
WINNIPEG – The University of Winnipeg has received a $5 million gift from the Mastercard Foundation to expand educational opportunities for Indigenous students, marking a significant investment in reconciliation-focused learning and research. Announced September 9, the funding is part of a broader $235 million commitment by the Mastercard Foundation to 30 organizations across Canada. The initiative recognizes institutions with proven track records in supporting Indigenous youth, strong accountability to Indigenous communities, and innovative programming designed to align with Indigenous priorities. National Commitment to Indigenous Education Jennifer Brennan, Senior Director of Canada Programs at the Mastercard Foundation, said the decision to…
VANCOUVER — The BC Civil Liberties Association (BCCLA) has launched a campaign to push back against the growing use of Canada’s notwithstanding clause, calling it a “dangerous tool” that undermines fundamental rights guaranteed in the Charter of Rights and Freedoms. The campaign, branded We’re not(with)standing for this: Charter Rights are ours to protect!, includes a nine-minute educational video titled What the heck is the notwithstanding clause? and a public pledge asking Canadians to oppose the clause’s use in provincial legislation. Raising Awareness Through Education The notwithstanding clause, formally known as section 33 of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms, grants…
TORONTO — The federal and Ontario governments are investing up to $4.77 million in research and innovation projects aimed at bolstering the province’s agri-food sector, as farmers face growing economic pressure from U.S. tariffs. The joint funding, announced Monday, will support 48 projects and 20 companies through the Ontario Agri-Food Research Initiative (OAFRI). Backed by the five-year, $3.5-billion Sustainable Canadian Agricultural Partnership (Sustainable CAP), the initiative is designed to help producers and agribusinesses adopt new technologies, commercialize innovations, and remain competitive in a volatile trade environment. Federal and Provincial Ministers Stress Innovation “It takes innovation to build a successful agri-food…