‘Rumors,’ ‘Universal Language’ among films up for $50,000 prize at TFCA Awards
By Alex Nino Gheciu -CP-Canada’s film community gathers tonight to learn which critical favourites have won two $50,000 prizes — one for best film and another for best documentary. The Toronto Film Critics Association is set to hand out the awards at a gala downtown. Political black comedy “Rumours,” absurdist dramedy “Universal Language” and sheep-herding drama “Shepherds” are competing for the Rogers Best Canadian Film Award. Meanwhile, music biography “Any Other Way: The Jackie Shane Story,” Ontario Place investigation “Your Tomorrow” and Indigenous rights film “Yintah” are up for the Rogers Best Canadian Documentary Award. The two runners-up in each category will receive $5,000. The majority of TFCA’s 2024 awards were announced in December. RaMell Ross’ Jim Crow-era historical drama “Nickel Boys” won three of the top prizes, including best...
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Mary Piercey-Lewis receives high honour from Governor General
By Kira Wronska Dorward, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Long-time music teacher Mary Piercey-Lewis has received some recognition for the work she’s done in the territory. She received the King Charles III Coronation Medal on Feb. 20 from Governor General Mary Simon for outstanding achievement in education. The ceremony happened at Rideau Hall in Ottawa. Piercey-Lewis said she first received a phone call from Simon’s office telling her about the honour. “I was shocked and excited,” she said. “The only thing I can imagine is because over the years we have performed for her a number of times. Over the past 20 years, I’ve just been working on developing curriculum in Nunavut schools and working with Elders and tradition bearers to ensure that tradition is kept and language is preserved.” Piercey-Lewis...
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Prolific offender having hearing after over whether his Charter rights were violated
By Keith Lacey, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Penticton Herald A court proceeding is underway at the Penticton Courthouse this week to determine if one of the South Okanagan’s most prolific offenders had his Canadian Charter of Rights and Freedoms violated during a police stop last April in Okanagan Falls. Andrew Robert Hardenstine pleaded not guilty to nine counts Tuesday morning before a voir dire — a trial within a trial to determine the admissibility of evidence- commenced in the B.C. Supreme Court of Justice before Justice V. Gottardi. Gottardi ordered a ban on publication of all evidence presented at the voir dire. Hardenstine is facing charges of illegally possessing weapons (a handgun and rifle), disarming a peace officer (taser) in the course of performing his or her duties, possessing a...
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‘We need to be strong’: Music producer Bob Ezrin boasts of Canadian pride after performing arts award
By Cassandra Szklarski Veteran music producer Bob Ezrin says he’s “beyond proud” to be among this year’s recipients of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, especially as a newly repatriated Canadian in the midst of renouncing his U.S. citizenship. The dual citizen said Thursday that he declared his intent to give up U.S. ties in January and is awaiting approval, which could take months. Ezrin said he spent much of the past year straddling the border but has moved permanently to Toronto, ending nearly four decades of U.S. residency, in large part over what he expected from a second Donald Trump presidency. He’s particularly concerned about threats to Canadian sovereignty and says he values distinctions like his Governor General’s award for lifetime artistic achievement — considered Canada’s highest honour for...
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Aatami talks clean energy and renaming bodies of water in keynote address
By Cedric Gallant, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News Makivvik Corp. president Pita Aatami spoke of Inuit empowerment Wednesday at the Aqsarniit Trade Show and Conference in Ottawa. “It sounds funny when [U.S. President Donald] Trump talks about renaming the Gulf of Mexico into the Gulf of America,” he said. But he pointed out that Nunavik Inuit are doing much the same thing by renaming lakes previously named by Europeans. This work is done by Nunavik Geomatics, a consulting firm that provides state-of-the-art mapping and spatial analysis services, one of the many companies he mentioned in his speech that are under the umbrella of Makivvik, the Inuit rights-holding organization in Nunavik. Aatami was giving a keynote speech at the conference, which is being held Monday to Thursday at Rogers Centre...
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Musk waves a chainsaw and charms conservatives talking up Trump’s cost-cutting efforts
By Adriana Gomez Licon OXON HILL, Md. (AP) — Billionaire Elon Musk appeared at a conservative gathering outside Washington on Thursday waving a chainsaw in the air, showing openness to auditing the Federal Reserve and accusing Democrats of “treason.” Musk, the Tesla CEO who has become perhaps President Donald Trump’s most influential adviser, spoke about his crusade to cut government spending and downsize the federal workforce with the administration’s Department of Government Efficiency. The entrepreneur was first announced earlier that day as a speaker, drawing huge cheers from activists gathered at the Conservative Political Action Conference. Before his appearance, he met with Argentine President Javier Milei, who has been frequently praised by Musk and popularized the power tool while campaigning in 2023 and proposing slashing public spending. After Musk appeared...
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Prince Graham lawyer calls for mistrial
By Jacqueline St. Pierre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Manitoulin Expositor Editors note: This article originally reported the defense for Prince Graham seeking a mistrial for the, accused of the murder of a Toronto man in M’Chigeeng First Nation. We wish to clarify that the mistrial was declared on the same day as this news story was published in the weekly edition of The Manitoulin Expositor. The mistrial was ultimately declared after Graham dismissed his lawyer, leading to legal complications that prevented the trial from proceeding. The jury was discharged, and a new trial date will be set in Superior assignment court in Gore Bay. Further updates on the case will be provided as they become available. SUDBURY—The first-degree murder trial for Prince Almando Graham has taken a significant turn...
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B.C. Conservative MLA says drug crisis cost lives of four relatives
By Marcy Nicholson -CP-The House Leader of the Opposition B.C. Conservatives has described the “unsurmountable” price paid by her family in the province’s toxic drug crisis, which she said had claimed the lives of three of her cousins and a niece. A’aliya Warbus said in question period in the B.C. Legislature on Thursday that she had lost two of her brothers, a niece and a nephew, but later clarified to reporters that the male relatives were all her first cousins. She told the legislature that just last week she attended a memorial for one cousin who died from “a lethal dose of drugs” a year ago. “Not only did it take two of my brothers, but also my niece, who died alone in a tent, in one of the tent...
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What to know about Fort Knox’s gold depository
By Rebecca Reynolds LOUISVILLE, Ky. (AP) — President Donald Trump says Elon Musk will be looking at Fort Knox, the legendary depository in Kentucky for American gold reserves, to make sure the gold is still there. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent says there is an audit every year and that “all the gold is present and accounted for.” The United States Bullion Depository at Fort Knox has stored precious metal bullion reserves for the United States since 1937 and has become synonymous for secure and well protected. Along with protecting gold reserves, Fort Knox is currently also used as the Army’s human resources command center, and it hosts the Army’s largest annual training event each summer. “We’re going to open up the the doors. We’re going to inspect Fort Knox,” Trump...
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The Latest: Judge declines to halt Trump administration’s federal workers layoffs
-AP-A federal judge on Thursday refused to temporarily block the Trump administration’s mass layoff of federal workers while a lawsuit brought by five unions moves forward. U.S. District Judge Christopher Cooper found the unions must bring their claims under federal employment law rather than in district court. Earlier Thursday, the Senate voted to confirm Kash Patel as FBI director, a decision that places him atop the nation’s premier federal law enforcement agency, despite concerns from Democrats over his qualifications and the prospect that he would do President Donald Trump’s bidding. Here’s the latest: Musk shows openness to auditing Federal Reserve Musk suggested he was open to auditing the Federal Reserve and accused Democrats of “treason” as he drew cheers from activists gathered at the Conservative Political Action Conference outside Washington....
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Wikwemikong Police ink $112 million funding agreement
By Jacqueline St. Pierre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter WIIKWEMKOONG—A new era of stability and security has arrived for the Wikwemikong Tribal Police Service (WTPS) with the signing of a landmark funding agreement. This historic deal, reached with Canada’s Ministry of Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness and the Solicitor General of Ontario, represents a $112 million investment over 10 years—an unprecedented commitment to First Nations policing. For the first time in history, WTPS can engage in long-term, strategic planning rather than operating under short-term, unstable agreements. This transformative funding secures critical resources, enhances officer capacity and strengthens public safety across the territory. “This agreement is a paradigm shift for public safety in our community,” said Ron Gignac, chief of police, WTPS. “For the first time, it allows us to plan both...
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‘We need to be strong’: Music producer Bob Ezrin boasts of Canadian pride after performing arts award
By Cassandra Szklarski -CP-Veteran music producer Bob Ezrin says he’s “beyond proud” to be among this year’s recipients of the Governor General’s Performing Arts Award, especially as a newly repatriated Canadian in the midst of renouncing his U.S. citizenship. The dual citizen said Thursday that he declared his intent to give up U.S. ties in January and is awaiting approval, which could take months. Ezrin said he spent much of the past year straddling the border but has moved permanently to Toronto, ending nearly four decades of U.S. residency, in large part over what he expected from a second Donald Trump presidency. He’s particularly concerned about threats to Canadian sovereignty and says he values distinctions like his Governor General’s award for lifetime artistic achievement — considered Canada’s highest honour for...
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Poilievre’s proposed incentives for First Nations water, resource projects draw fire
By Alessia Passafiume Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says he would incentivize First Nations to support natural-resource projects through industry taxes and revisiting how much sway Indigenous Peoples and environmental considerations have over approving projects. The proposals drew some swift criticism from experts and researchers. Speaking at a rally in Ottawa on Saturday, Poilievre said he would encourage Indigenous leaders to support natural resource projects by “letting companies pay a share of their federal corporate taxes to local First Nations” — a position he first announced last year. He added that First Nations could spend that revenue on “clean drinking water and a better future for their people.” “I want the First Nations people of Canada to be the richest people in the world,” Poilievre said, adding he would repeal Bill...
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Indigenous healer admits to sexually assaulting 12 women in Saskatchewan
-CP-A Saskatchewan man who said he was an Indigenous healer has pleaded guilty to sexually assaulting 12 women. Cecil Wolfe, who is 63, entered the pleas Wednesday in Saskatoon court. Wolfe was accused of sexual assaulting the women between 2013 and 2021. Police have said Wolfe met the victims in various communities under the pretext of being a healer or medicine man. Wolfe pleaded guilty to the charges three years ago but they were expunged. His sentencing hearing is scheduled for March 26. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb. 20, 2025. ...
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No damages reported after earthquake shakes parts of Alberta, B.C.
-CP-Earthquakes Canada says some Alberta and B.C. residents may have felt the ground shake this morning. A 5.2 magnitude earthquake was detected roughly 63 kilometres northeast of Grande Cache, Alta., but it isn’t believed to have caused any damage. The agency says the quake would have been lightly felt in the surrounding communities of Edson, Grand Prairie and Whitecourt, as well as in Prince George, B.C. Its magnitude scale says quakes between 3.5 and 5.4 are “often felt, but rarely cause damage.” A 3.6 magnitude earthquake last week in B.C. shook the ground in Victoria, Sidney and parts of Vancouver Island. Alberta’s most recent earthquake was a 3.7 magnitude rumble last month that was felt in Lake Louise and Banff. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Feb....
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First Nations, Holt Liberals on verge of new tax deals
By John Chilibeck, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Daily Gleaner First Nations in New Brunswick are close to cutting new tax-sharing deals with the Holt Liberal government, but the large title claims in the courts for all the province’s territory could still take years, if not decades, to resolve. Unlike the previous Progressive Conservative government which cancelled the decades-old tax agreements and mounted a spirited legal defence against the Wolastoqey Nation’s Aboriginal title claim, the Liberals are trying to see eye-to-eye with Indigenous leaders. Meghan Cumby, a provincial spokesperson, said government officials have been meeting separately with both the Wolastoqey and Mi’gmaq nations to discuss new tax agreements. “These negotiations are proceeding with a government-to-government lens, and we are committed to that approach,” she wrote in an email. “It is...
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Michigan appeals court upholds permits for Great Lakes pipeline tunnel project
By Todd Richmond Enbridge Energy’s plans to build a protective tunnel around an aging pipeline that runs beneath a channel connecting two Great Lakes can continue, a Michigan appeals court ruled. The state Public Service Commission properly issued permits for the $500 million project, the Michigan Court of Appeals ruled Wednesday in rejecting arguments from environmental groups and Native American tribes that commissioners failed to consider the overall need for the pipeline. Tunnel would encase pipeline in the Straits of Mackinac Enbridge wants to build a protective tunnel around a 4-mile (6-kilometer) section of its Line 5 pipeline that runs along the bottom of the Straits of Mackinac, which link Lake Michigan and Lake Huron. Enbridge has been using the pipeline since 1953 to transport crude oil and natural gas...
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Boy charged with murder in quadruple homicide on Saskatchewan First Nation
-CP-A 15-year-old boy is facing first-degree murder charges in the shooting deaths of four people on a First Nation in southern Saskatchewan. The teen cannot be identified due to the Youth Criminal Justice Act. He is scheduled to appear today in Regina court. Police say the boy and 18-year-old Darrius Racette were arrested Tuesday for the killings of two women and two men at a home on Carry the Kettle Nakoda Nation in early February. Racette also faces four counts of first-degree murder and is to appear in court today in Yorkton, Sask. Mounties say investigators are confident the home was targeted but have not provided details about whether the two accused knew the victims or a possible motive for the killings. This report by The Canadian Press was first...
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Supreme Court dismisses appeal for Alberta man convicted in Métis hunter killings
-CP-Canada’s top court has dismissed the appeal of an Alberta man convicted of manslaughter for aiding his son in the killings of two Métis hunters. Roger and Anthony Bilodeau confronted Maurice Cardinal and Jacob Sansom in 2020, shot them and left them on the side of a road near Glendon, Alta. The pair were found guilty of manslaughter, and Anthony Bilodeau was also convicted of second-degree murder. Roger Bilodeau was sentenced to 10 years. The Supreme Court of Canada says it dismissed his conviction appeal for the same reasons outlined by the Alberta Court of Appeal in 2024. Lawyers had argued the trial judge made errors in instructions to the jury, but the Appeal Court found the errors benefited Roger Bilodeau and there was no miscarriage of justice. A dissenting...
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Helpline for Indigenous women gets funding from province
By Marc Lalonde, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase The creation of a 24/7 helpline for Indigenous women in Quebec will see the light of day after a recent government investment into the project. The province committed nearly $900,000 into the creation of a helpline for Indigenous women experiencing violence or who find themselves in “precarious” positions that could end in violence, the government announced. The government has committed $882,979 over three years to create the Quebec First Nations Women’s Space (QFNWS), which will support the” implementation of psychosocial and referral services for First Nations women who have experienced domestic, family, and sexual violence,” the government said. Statistics show Indigenous women are at higher risk of being subjected to domestic violence and experience more serious forms of violence that non-Indigenous women....
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