Alberta byelection called for Aug. 18, giving Poilievre path back to House of Commons
By Sarah Ritchie Pierre Poilievre has chosen one of the safest possible places to make his return to the House of Commons — but the rural Alberta riding he’s hoping to win in an August byelection could also be dangerous territory for the Conservative leader. Damien Kurek resigned his seat in Battle River—Crowfoot earlier this month after winning more than 82 per cent support in the April 28 election. Prime Minister Mark Carney has set Aug. 18 as the date for the byelection to choose Kurek’s replacement. In an emailed statement, Poilievre said it would be an “honour” to represent the riding and he plans to continue “fighting for oil and gas, low taxes, free enterprise, a strong defence and respect for the West.” “The farmers, energy workers and soldiers...
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Amid calls for separation, Alberta’s new referendum rules set to formally take effect
By Lisa Johnson As Canada prepares Tuesday to blow out 158 birthday candles, Alberta plans three days later to formalize rules making it easier to have an independence celebration of its own. Beginning Friday, Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative government is officially lowering the required threshold for citizens to initiate a provincewide referendum, including on separation. Mitch Sylvestre, CEO of the Alberta Prosperity Project, a non-profit group touring Alberta promoting independence, says he plans to apply to Elections Alberta that same day to start a petition under the new rules. The group aims to gather 177,000 signatures within 120 days to put the question on a ballot to voters: Do you agree the province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province of Canada? “I...
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Wild now play at Grand Casino Arena after new naming rights deal succeeds Xcel Energy Center
PAUL, Minn. (AP) — The Minnesota Wild will play the upcoming season at Grand Casino Arena, after a naming rights deal with the tribal gaming and hospitality company that succeeds the venue’s original name, Xcel Energy Center. The Wild’s parent organization, Minnesota Sports and Entertainment, announced on Monday the 14-year agreement with the Mille Lacs Band of Ojibwe that takes effect on Sept. 3. The tribe operates two casino-resort complexes in east-central Minnesota, north of the Twin Cities. The arena, which has about 18,000 seats for hockey, opened in 2000 for the Wild’s inaugural season in the NHL on a 25-year naming rights deal with Xcel Energy that expired this summer. The utility provider remains a community and business partner of the club. In addition to Wild games, the downtown...
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‘It’s a privilege to live here’: What this Canada Day means for new citizens
By Vanessa Tiberio Samantha Sannella shed happy tears as she stood to sing the national anthem at her citizenship ceremony in early June, nearly three decades after she moved to Canada. She had sung “O Canada” countless times before, but this was the first time she’d done so as a Canadian. Originally from Houston, Texas, Sannella moved to Toronto 28 years ago for a job. For the longest time, she still considered herself a U.S. citizen, with a part of her thinking she might move back one day. But that changed last fall. “Because of the political climate down there, I decided finally after the last U.S. election that I was really Canadian in my heart and home is here with my boys,” Sannella said, referring to her Canadian-born children...
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Point Park returned to Northern Ontario First Nations after 27 year-long struggle
By Jon Thompson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Ricochet The smell of walleye and the sound of live music wafted through Point Park on Indigenous Peoples Day. Under the 30C sun, dozens of children ran between the beach and inflatable, bouncy castles. Susan Councillor took in the ruckus under a lone tree at the edge of the park. Across the mouth of Rainy River to her right, you could see International Falls, Minnesota. To her left, Couchiching First Nationwas visible on the southern shore of Rainy Lake. And behind her, the highway met the Town of Fort Frances. All of this action right in the middle felt to her like the good old days. “This is awesome. We haven’t had something like this anywhere, (a place) to sit and enjoy music...
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Brantford Police charge man with child pornography related offences
BRANTFORD, ONT-A 39-year-old city man is facing child pornography charges as a result of an investigation by the Brantford Police Service (BPS) Internet Child Exploitation Unit (ICE) in February. BPS’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit raided a Brantford residence on March 31, 2025, after receiving tips through the National Centre for Missing & Exploited Children and the R.C.M.P. Police seized multiple computers, cellphones, and electronic devices during the search. Detectives working in the ICE Unit found evidence of child pornography on the various devices. As a result of the investigation, on June 26, 2025, a Brantford man was arrested and held for a bail hearing. The accused is facing one charge of Accessing Child Pornography, and two counts of Possession of Child Pornography contrary to the Criminal Code. The Brantford...
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Alberta byelection called for Aug. 18, giving Poilievre path to House
By Sarah Ritchie Pierre Poilievre has chosen one of the safest possible places to make his return to the House of Commons — but the rural Alberta riding he’s hoping to win in an August byelection could also be dangerous territory for the Conservative leader. Damien Kurek resigned his seat in Battle River—Crowfoot earlier this month after winning more than 82 per cent support in the April 28 election. Prime Minister Mark Carney has set Aug. 18 as the date for the vote. While almost no one expects Poilievre to lose, the decision to run in this particular part of the country has some analysts scratching their heads. “It sounded like he was looking for some sort of cakewalk byelection where he could easily get in, but he may have...
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Bill C-5 approval disappoints Indigenous leaders
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Thunder Bay Source NESKANTAGA — The way Neskantaga First Nation Chief Gary Quisess sees it, Bill C-5 proves Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government is just another conservative government. “I think it’s the same, it’s not any different than (Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government),” Quisess said Friday, the day after Ottawa’s major projects bill became law. “I think the Carney government is the same as the PC government. That’s personally how I feel.” The federal bill, which gives Ottawa new powers to fast-track projects deemed “in the national interest,” passed without amendment in the Senate on Thursday, six days after passing in the House of Commons, and then swiftly received royal assent. It followed the passage of provincial Bill 5, a “Protect Ontario” act that...
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Manitoba cabinet minister apologizes for complaints about sign-language interpreter
By Steve Lambert The Manitoba cabinet minister responsible for services for people with disabilities is apologizing for comments she made about a sign-language interpreter. Nahanni Fontaine hosted a celebration for Indigenous women graduates Thursday in Winnipeg, and had a sign-language interpreter on stage with her during her speech. Afterward, while preparing to speak to reporters, Fontaine told one of her staff that she was thrown off by the woman’s presence and that the woman should not have been on stage. The comments were captured and reported on by First Nations TV channel APTN. The Opposition Progressive Conservatives called for Fontaine to apologize and said she should be removed as minister responsible for accessibility. Fontaine has issued a statement in which she apologizes and says she was worried about not being...
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First Nations’ initiative calls for action on $60b in projects to ‘drive growth, deliver on climate goals, support Indigenous leaders
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — The First Nations Climate Initiative (FNCI) is calling for more flexibility in federal government actions to further its goals, and assist in developing more than $60 billion in projects to drive economic growth, deliver on climate goals and support Indigenous leadership. The FNCI is described as an Indigenous-led initiative committed to “fostering resilient communities through strategic climate action, alleviating First Nations’ poverty, restoring ecosystems in First Nations’ traditional territories and enabling Indigenous people to be leading actors in the decarbonized economy,” according to its website. The organization is led by several First Nations in northern B.C., including Halfway River First Nation in Wonowon. The others are Haisla Nation, the Metlakatla Nation and the Nisga’a Lisims Government. Alex...
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Culture and community shine at Woodland celebration
By Kimberly De Jong, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Brant Beacon Residents and out-of-town visitors alike attended the Woodland Cultural Centre’s National Indigenous Peoples Day celebration on Saturday, June 21, 2025. Heather George, Executive Director of the Woodland Cultural Centre, said she was happy to see the community come together to celebrate the day. “It’s been so fantastic to see the turnout and to see so many community members from Six Nations and Brantford coming out, meeting each other in this space and getting to share in our culture,” she said. “Our most favourite thing to do here at Woodland is to bring people together and do it in these really beautiful ways, so it’s just been an amazing day.” Jody Martin, David M. General and Alex Jacobs-Blum partake in an...
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Motorcyclist hospitalized after serios collision on Mississauga Road
HALDIMAND COUNTY, ON – A motorcyclist with life-threatening injuries was taken to hospital after a collision June 29, 2025, at about 7:07 p.m., on Mississauga Road . Haldimand County OPP, along with fire and EMS, responded to the collision on Mississauga Road, between Highway 6 and Ojibway Road, involving a passenger vehicle and a motorcycle. The motorcyclist sustained life-threatening injuries and was transported to hospital for medical treatment. A section of Mississauga Road between Highway 6 and Ojibway Road was closed as investigators continue to examine the scene. The OPP is asking motorists to avoid the area and follow detours. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses....
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From lacrosse myths to kilts: 5 things you may not know about Canadian symbols
By David Baxter Parliamentarians likely will get a chance later this year to debate whether to adopt a livestock brand as an official national symbol. A bill to create the brand was introduced earlier in June by Saskatchewan Conservative MP Steven Bonk. If the bill passes, the brand will become Canada’s 10th national symbol — joining O Canada, the coat of arms and the maple tree. Here are five things you may not know about the official symbols that say “Canada.” The beaver does not stand alone Everyone knows the beaver stands for ingenuity, craftsmanship and hard work. For 50 years, the beaver has been an official national symbol of Canada. These bucktoothed builders have long been associated with Canadian history. They were the foundation of the 17th century fur...
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Amid calls for separation, Alberta’s new referendum rules set to formally take effect
By Lisa Johnson As Canada prepares Tuesday to blow out 158 birthday candles, Alberta plans three days later to formalize rules making it easier to have an independence celebration of its own. Beginning Friday, Premier Danielle Smith’s United Conservative government is officially lowering the required threshold for citizens to initiate a provincewide referendum, including on separation. Mitch Sylvestre, CEO of the Alberta Prosperity Project, a non-profit group touring Alberta promoting independence, says he plans to apply to Elections Alberta that same day to start a petition under the new rules. The group aims to gather 177,000 signatures within 120 days to put the question on a ballot to voters: Do you agree the province of Alberta shall become a sovereign country and cease to be a province of Canada? “I...
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Nova Scotia ministers silent on environmental racism report, to meet with authors
By Keith Doucette Nova Scotia government ministers say they will meet with a panel tasked with examining environmental racism in the province, although they remain tight-lipped on the panel’s findings, which were submitted a year ago. Following a cabinet meeting Thursday, Minister of African Nova Scotian Affairs Twila Grosse confirmed the meeting, adding she will attend. “We want to ensure that we collaborate and that we move forward,” she said on the report by the eight-member panel appointed in June 2023 to look at how racism affects a community’s natural environment. It was delivered to the province about a year ago. The panel’s members included community leaders with expertise in subjects such as Mi’kmaw and African Nova Scotian history, law, health and environmental sciences. Environmental racism can occur in instances...
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Saskatchewan’s former top Mountie, Rhonda Blackmore, hired for new job with RCMP
By Jeremy Simes The RCMP says Saskatchewan’s former commanding officer now has a new job with the force. Mounties say Rhonda Blackmore has been hired as assistant commissioner of Indigenous and support services, replacing Warren Brown, who recently announced his retirement. Blackmore abruptly left her previous role in early June and has been replaced by an interim commanding officer until a new one is selected. Media reports have cited an email from Blackmore saying she was removed from the position due to anonymous complaints made against her. RCMP declined to comment on the complaints and whether they were launched through the Public Sector Integrity Commissioner. The Federation of Sovereign Indigenous Nations in Saskatchewan and a local petition have called on Mounties to explain what happened and undertake an external review...
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These Canadian rocks may be the oldest on Earth
By Adithi Ramakrishnan NEW YORK (AP) — Scientists have identified what could be the oldest rocks on Earth from a rock formation in Canada.The Nuvvuagittuq Greenstone Belt has long been known for its ancient rocks — plains of streaked gray stone on the eastern shore of Hudson Bay in Quebec. But researchers disagree on exactly how old they are. Work from two decades ago suggested the rocks could be 4.3 billion years old, placing them in the earliest period of Earth’s history. But other scientists using a different dating method contested the finding, arguing that long-ago contaminants were skewing the rocks’ age and that they were actually slightly younger at 3.8 billion years old. In the new study, researchers sampled a different section of rock from the belt and estimated...
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Native leaders blast construction of Florida’s ‘Alligator Alcatraz’ on land they call sacred
By Kate Payne TALLAHASSEE, Fla. (AP) — Florida Republican Gov. Ron DeSantis’ administration is racing ahead with construction of a makeshift immigration detention facility at an airstrip in the Everglades over the opposition of Native American leaders who consider the area their sacred ancestral homelands. A string of portable generators and dump trucks loaded with fill dirt streamed into the site on Thursday, according to activist Jessica Namath, who witnessed the activity. The state is plowing ahead with building a compound of heavy-duty tents, trailers and other temporary buildings at the county-owned airfield located in the Big Cypress National Preserve, about 45 miles (72 kilometers) west of downtown Miami. A spokesperson for the Florida Division of Emergency Management, which is helping lead the project, did not respond to requests for...
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First Nation battles to stop history repeating at Mount Polley mine
By Sonal Gupta, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Canada’s National Observer More than a decade after the catastrophic collapse of the Mount Polley tailings dam, a BC First Nation is back in court this week challenging the province’s decision to approve expansion of a dam at the same mine. The 2014 collapse of the tailings dam at the Mount Polley copper and gold mine operated by Imperial Metals — sent a massive volume of mine waste into local lakes and rivers, causing widespread environmental damage from which the ecosystem is still recovering. Despite this history, the province recently approved an expansion of the dam at the site northeast of Williams Lake — allowing the tailings dam to be raised by four metres — from its current height of 60 metres. The...
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Senate passes controversial bill to fast-track major projects
By Alessia Passafiume -CP-The Senate passed the Liberal government’s controversial major projects bill Thursday — legislation Indigenous leaders have warned could lead to widespread protests and legal challenges if Ottawa doesn’t respect their rights and title. Bill C-5 gives Ottawa the power to fast-track projects meant to boost the national economy by side-stepping environmental protections and other legislation. An initial draft of the bill gave Ottawa the ability to sidestep the Indian Act, but that law was removed from the bill before its passage. The politically charged legislation has angered Indigenous and environmental groups, who criticize the government for rushing to grant itself sweeping new powers to speed up development. Several Indigenous leaders called on MPs and senators to slow the bill’s passage to give Indigenous communities more time to...
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