Author: Sam Allcock

Prince Albert, Sask. — Accounting and consulting firm MNP has stepped forward with a $100,000 contribution to sponsor an Ice Surfacer for the new arenas at the Lake Country Co-op Leisure Centre, marking a significant investment in community recreation and wellness in Prince Albert. The donation was announced by the City of Prince Albert and the Play it Forward campaign team, which has been leading efforts to secure support for the city’s largest-ever recreational infrastructure project. Officials said the gift underscores MNP’s commitment to fostering community growth and providing spaces that encourage both health and connection. Commitment Beyond Business MNP’s…

Waterloo Region — The Ontario government is directing nearly $16.7 million to Kitchener and Waterloo after both municipalities surpassed their provincial housing targets, the province announced Tuesday. The funding comes through the second round of the Building Faster Fund, a $1.2-billion program that rewards municipalities meeting at least 80 per cent of their designated housing targets. Both Kitchener and Waterloo exceeded expectations in 2024, collectively breaking ground on almost 5,000 new homes. Incentives for Hitting Targets Premier Doug Ford said the investment is part of his government’s broader push to expand housing supply across Ontario while supporting local economies and…

Toronto — The federal and Ontario governments are jointly investing up to $14.6 million to help farmers strengthen their lands against environmental pressures and global market uncertainty, officials announced Wednesday. The funding, channelled through the Resilient Agricultural Landscape Program (RALP), is intended to provide farmers with resources to improve soil health, conserve water, and build resilience against shifting trade and climate realities. The initiative is also aligned with Ontario’s Grow Ontario Strategy, a provincial plan aimed at safeguarding food production and supporting rural economies in the face of tariffs and cross-border trade tensions. Federal and Provincial Support Federal Agriculture Minister…

Prince Albert, Sask. — The City of Prince Albert is opening the doors of the Margo Fournier Arts Centre to prospective instructors later this month, inviting community members to explore what it means to teach and share their skills at one of the city’s cultural hubs. An information session will take place on Tuesday, September 23, from 7:00 to 8:00 p.m. in the Heritage Room at the Arts Centre, located at 1010 Central Avenue. The event, free and open to the public, is designed as an informal, drop-in style gathering to attract a wide range of participants. A Space for…

Brampton, Ont. —  Ontario has marked a milestone in its effort to expand access to health care by opening a new medical school at Toronto Metropolitan University (TMU) in Brampton — the province’s first new medical school in two decades. The facility welcomed its inaugural class of 176 students this fall, supported by a nearly $180 million provincial investment. Premier Doug Ford said the launch reflects the government’s broader plan to strengthen Ontario’s health-care system.“Our government is delivering on our plan to protect and improve access to health care in Ontario by opening our first new medical school in 20…

Toronto —  The Ontario government is committing $9.6 million to wetlands restoration and enhancement, a move officials say will help safeguard communities against the growing risks of drought, flooding and extreme weather events. The funding will be delivered through the Wetlands Conservation Partner Program, which has already supported thousands of acres of restoration work across the province. Minister of the Environment, Conservation and Parks Todd McCarthy announced the funding Tuesday, describing wetlands as vital natural infrastructure.“Wetlands make communities more resilient. They act as natural infrastructure that protect our homes and businesses against drought and flooding, clean our water and create…

Sarnia, Ont. — As faculty at Lambton College return to classrooms this fall under a newly secured collective agreement, uncertainty continues to cloud the institution. Despite an arbitrated contract settlement in June, the college has moved forward with layoffs affecting academic staff, a decision that union leaders say undermines the stability of the community college system. The latest labour agreement was reached through Arbitrator William Kaplan at the end of June, ending months of negotiations. While the deal provided some relief to faculty heading into the academic year, notices of job losses issued earlier in the spring have left many questioning…

KITCHENER – Ontario is directing more than $12.9 million toward workforce training programs in Waterloo Region, a move the provincial government says will help over 50,000 people prepare for jobs in high-demand sectors as local industries brace for the effects of new U.S. tariffs. Premier Doug Ford announced the funding Tuesday at AirBoss Rubber Solutions in Kitchener, where the manufacturer will receive $829,000 to provide skills training, including forklift operation, for its workers. The investment forms part of the Skills Development Fund (SDF) Training Stream, which has been expanded to $2.5 billion to support workers facing economic disruption. “The investments…

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.…