Author: Sam Allcock

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…

The City of Prince Albert is calling on Indigenous artists to help transform everyday transit stops into vibrant cultural landmarks that reflect the community’s heritage and identity. In a new initiative announced this week, the City’s Arts & Culture Division, working with the Community Development Department, is inviting Indigenous visual artists to submit original designs for transit shelters. The program, aligned with the Municipal Cultural Action Plan, seeks to highlight the role of Indigenous peoples in shaping the region’s identity while enhancing public spaces for residents and visitors alike. A Community-Driven Vision At its core, the project aims to create…

LANCASTER, Ont. — Construction has begun on two new long-term care homes in Eastern Ontario, part of a provincial push to expand capacity and modernize facilities for seniors across the province. The projects, located in Prescott and Lancaster, will deliver a combined 256 new and redeveloped beds and are backed by provincial funding and private sector partnerships. The Ontario government said the developments mark another step in addressing the growing demand for long-term care as the province’s population ages. “As Ontario continues to age, our government is making historic investments to protect families and their loved ones,” said Natalia Kusendova-Bashta,…