Author: Sam Allcock

TORONTO –  Massey Hall has announced that acclaimed American singer and pianist Sarah McCoy will perform at the Allied Music Centre Theatre on Saturday, November 1, 2025, marking a highly anticipated stop in her international performance schedule. With a reputation for raw intensity and a sound that straddles blues, alternative soul, and electronica, McCoy has quickly carved out a space as one of today’s most distinctive musical voices. Born in the United States but now based in France, she has won critical praise for her two studio albums, Blood Siren (Blue Note, 2019) and High Priestess (2023). Her collaborations with…

Winnipeg, MB — A growing conflict over land access in eastern Manitoba is raising alarm across the province’s billion-dollar outdoor tourism industry, as Manitoba Lodges and Outfitters Association (MLOA) calls on the provincial government to urgently resolve a blockade set up by Bloodvein First Nation. On August 23, Bloodvein First Nation leaders publicly announced the establishment of a blockade near their community, east of Lake Winnipeg. At the announcement, representatives said “No Trespassing” signs had been erected throughout what they describe as their “territory,” and declared that licensed hunters, anglers, and trappers would not be allowed to enter the area.…

Paris — Brazil has formally requested to join the International Energy Agency (IEA) as a full member, marking a significant shift in global energy governance and further cementing the country’s role as a key player in international energy markets. The request was delivered in Paris on Tuesday by Ambassador Sarquis J.B. Sarquis to IEA Executive Director Fatih Birol. The move was accompanied by a joint letter from Brazil’s Minister of Foreign Affairs, Mauro Vieira, and Minister of Mines and Energy, Alexandre Silveira, outlining Brazil’s intention to begin the formal accession process. “Let us convey to you the appreciation of the…

Toronto – Ontario has introduced sweeping labour mobility reforms that will allow thousands of certified professionals from across Canada to begin working in the province within days, a move the government says will strengthen the economy, protect workers, and help counter external trade pressures. The changes, unveiled on Labour Day, make Ontario the first jurisdiction in Canada to formally implement “As of Right” rules across a wide range of regulated professions and trades. Beginning January 1, 2026, qualified workers certified elsewhere in Canada—ranging from architects and engineers to electricians, land surveyors, and translators—will be able to start working in Ontario…

An inquest will be held into the death of 27-year-old Zakaria Sheek Hussein, who died in 2021 while in custody at the Ottawa Carleton Detention Centre, Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General announced Friday. Dr. Louise McNaughton-Filion, Regional Supervising Coroner for the East Region, Ottawa Office, confirmed that the inquest is mandatory under Ontario’s Coroners Act. “The inquest will examine the circumstances surrounding Mr. Sheek Hussein’s death,” she said in the statement. “The jury may make recommendations aimed at preventing further deaths.” Death in Custody Sheek Hussein died on July 24, 2021, at the Ottawa Hospital after sustaining injuries while…

Ontario’s Ministry of the Solicitor General has confirmed that an inquest will be held into the death of Martin Gordyn, a 27-year-old man who died following an interaction with Niagara Regional Police Service officers in 2021. The announcement was made Friday by Dr. Karen Schiff, Regional Supervising Coroner for the West Region, Hamilton Office. “Dr. Karen Schiff, Regional Supervising Coroner, West Region, Hamilton Office, has announced that an inquest will be held into the death of Martin Gordyn,” the ministry said in its official statement. Mandatory Inquest Under Provincial Law The Coroners Act requires an inquest when a death occurs…

RICHMOND HILL — The Ontario government has broken ground on a new long-term care facility in Richmond Hill, marking another step in its plan to expand capacity and modernize care for seniors across the province. The Carefirst Campus of Care York Region, a not-for-profit project, will add 124 new beds when it opens in 2027. The facility is supported by the government’s newly launched Capital Funding Program (CFP), a framework designed to accelerate construction and address cost pressures in regions facing labour shortages and supply chain challenges. Dawn Gallagher Murphy, Parliamentary Assistant to the Minister of Long-Term Care, said the…

Prince Albert residents will finally get the fireworks show they missed earlier this summer. The display, originally planned for National Indigenous Peoples Day on June 21, was cancelled after a citywide fire ban left organizers with no choice but to pull the plug. With conditions now safer and restrictions lifted, the long-anticipated fireworks have been rescheduled for Friday, August 29, 2025, at 9:00 p.m. on the city’s riverbank. “Everyone is invited to come out and enjoy the show,” organizers said in a release. A Delayed Celebration The original event was set to cap off National Indigenous Peoples Day, a holiday…

Prince Albert, SK — The City of Prince Albert is offering free public transit to all riders today as part of a back-to-school initiative aimed at helping students begin the academic year with ease. The one-day promotion allows students of all ages to try city buses at no cost, while also providing families and newcomers a chance to become familiar with routes and schedules. City officials say the measure is designed to make the return to school smoother and to encourage greater long-term use of transit services. “The free transit day helps students get to school, purchase their passes, and…

Mississauga —  The Ontario government has announced $16.5 million in new funding to expand the Black Youth Action Plan (BYAP), supporting more than 65 Black-focused programs across the province. The investment is aimed at removing systemic barriers and equipping Black youth and young professionals with the skills, training, and connections needed to thrive in high-demand sectors. “By investing in the Black Youth Action Plan, our government is helping youth and young professionals build the skills, confidence and connections needed in high-demand sectors,” said Graham McGregor, Minister of Citizenship and Multiculturalism. “Investments like these are part of our collective efforts to…