31 h. ago Manitoba cabinet minister apologizes for sharing post about American activist’s death

WINNIPEG — A Manitoba cabinet minister is apologizing for sharing a social media post about the killing of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk. Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine had shared another person’s post that described Kirk as racist, sexist and transphobic, calling him a “white nationalist mouthpiece.” The post’s author said they had no empathy for […]

Politics

33 h. ago Justin Bieber shows up to Ontario bar and staff were taken by 'complete surprise'

Ontario Beliebers were given the ultimate surprise this past week when megastar Justin Bieber dropped by a local pub unannounced. The singer — who is arguably Ontario's most famous export — is fresh off the release of his surprise album, Swag II, which was released as the reissued bonus version of his seventh studio album, Swag, released just 56 days prior. Between promotional stops for the album, the "Daises" singer took some much-deserved time off to play games at Chicago Pub & Billiards in Cambridge, Ont., located at 1 Hespeler Rd.     View this post on Instagram           A post shared by Justin Bieber (@lilbieber)"It was a complete surprise," staff at the pub told blogTO. "We didn't receive any advance notice," noting this was the first time the singer had visited the location. While he was there,...

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33 h. ago ‘Have empathy’: Manitoba cabinet minister criticized for comments on Charlie Kirk shooting

Premier Wab Kinew says he intends to have a conversation with a Manitoba cabinet minister Friday after a controversial post she shared on social media.

Politics

55 h. ago Alberta premier condemns ’horrifying’ assassination of American activist Charlie Kirk

EDMONTON — Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the killing of American conservative activist Charlie Kirk at a university in Utah should be widely condemned by everyone across the political spectrum. Kirk, the co-founder and chief executive of Turning Point USA, was gunned down Wednesday during a debate at Utah Valley University in Orem, south of […]

Other

4 d. ago Dwayne Johnson worked out at Toronto gym and staff were starstruck

Staff at a local Toronto gym were delighted by a surprise appearance from wrestling-turned-movie star Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson.Johnson, who is in town for the Toronto International Film Festival and promoting Benny Safdie's new film, The Smashing Machine, maintained his intense workout regimen at local fitness establishment Fit Squad Training Gym on Peter Street.Gym staff were clearly overjoyed by their encounter with one of Hollywood's most bankable stars, crowding around to snap photos with the 53-year-old.    View this post on Instagram           A post shared by Fit Squad Training Gym (@fitsquad_training)In the caption of an Instagram carousel of photos showing Johnson posing with staff, Fit Squad wrote, "When someone like The Rock chooses to train here, it's a pretty surreal reminder of what we're building."Aldo Frixione, co-owner of Fit Squad, was on-site d...

Politics

8 d. ago Public Health Agency of Canada slashing workforce with hundreds of layoffs

The Public Health Agency of Canada (PHAC) says it plans to cut 10 per cent of its workforce as part of its "post-pandemic recalibration."In an email statement shared on Thursday, PHAC spokesperson Mark Johnson confirmed that the government agency will implement Workforce Adjustment measures to align with its approved funding for fiscal year 2026-2027."The agency must focus resources on government-funded priorities. This means re-prioritizing and streamlining some programs, and in some cases discontinuing work," he states.Johnson says Canada's public health agency can't confirm the exact number of layoffs at this time, but it expects that this process will result in approximately 320 full-time positions being cut to align with funding levels for fiscal year 2026-2027."This process is separate from the government-wide Comprehensive Expenditure Review process, which was announced earlier this year," he notes.Finance Minister Francois-Philippe Champ...

Science

1 week ago What we know about SNL's new Ontario cast member Veronika Slowikowska

If you're chronically online, you've likely seen new Canadian Saturday Night Live (SNL) cast member Veronika Slowikowska on your feed.On Tuesday, the legendary sketch comedy show announced five new cast members ahead of its 51st season.The actress and comedian, who you may know as @veronika_iscool on Instagram and TikTok, was the only Canadian who made the cut for the new season."Dream come true 🥲 see you Saturdays," Slowikowska shared on Instagram.    View this post on Instagram           A post shared by Veronika Slowikowska (@veronika_iscool)She follows in the footsteps of other iconic Canadian SNL cast members, including Dan Aykroyd, Phil Hartman, Norm MacDonald, Mike Myers, and Martin Short.Slowikowska is set to go live from New York on Oct. 4, so let's get to know the burgeoning actress and comedian.From Toronto comedy troupe to SNL cast memberThe 29-year-old hails from ...

Other

1 week ago These 9 Toronto restaurants opened this summer and are worth the hype

Toronto welcomed a slew of new restaurants during the summer of 2025, and here are just a few that you need to visit.We get it: the summer is busy, so we'll give you a pass if you haven't gotten the chance to get out there and try out the fresh crop of new restaurants that have opened in the city between the months of June and August.That said, a lot of the new restaurants that have opened in Toronto this season are good. Really good. So, take our advice and make the reservation.Here are nine restaurants that opened in Toronto this summer you need to try at least once.Antylia    View this post on Instagram           A post shared by Aldo Camarena (@aldo.camarena.jimenez)Officially opening its doors in early August, this Latin-American Bloorcourt restaurant quickly earned a reputation for being among the best new restaurants in the city, and there's good reason for that.It's the brainchild of h...

Other

2 w. ago Donald Trump wants to oust U.S. Federal Reserve governor — and she vows to sue

In a post on Truth Social, Trump shared a letter he wrote to Lisa Cook, informing her that he was terminating her role.

Politics

2 w. ago Hundreds of lanterns set to light up Toronto park on the water this fall

Toronto is set to light up next month as the city preps to host the Water Lantern Festival on September 19 and 20. Hundreds of people are expected to attend for an evening of food, music and community, all making way for the stunning moment when lanterns are released onto the water at sunset.The event promises a hands-on experience, as guests decorate their own lanterns with messages, wishes or artwork before setting them afloat. At past events, people have manifested their hopes and dreams and even written to lost loved ones, sharing in a meaningful moment as the night sky fills with a flickering glow.Although the lantern release is the main event, food trucks, a vendor market and even a little scavenger hunt are all part of the itinerary.    View this post on Instagram           A post shared by Jessica Chan (@heyitsjesschan)Things to keep in mindArrive early so you can enjoy all th...

Other

3 w. ago Legendary Toronto bistro and brunch spot is shutting down after 40 years in business

Another day, another beloved business closing in Toronto.This time, the wave of closures has hit a long-standing Annex institution, By The Way (BTW), a colourful restaurant that has been serving up Mediterranean plates, breakfast and more near Bloor and Bathurst for decades.BTW's team took to their social media pages to share the news over the weekend, much to the sorrow of faithful customers.    View this post on Instagram           A post shared by By The Way T.O. (@bythewayto)"After over 40 years in business, and serving and meeting so many wonderful people, we and our family felt that it was time to start a new chapter," explains the post.Written by owners Amir and Ruth Benedikt, the post goes on to thank the Annex community, staff members, and the many loyal customers for supporting the business throughout the years and making it a community stalwart."It's the people...

Economics

4 w. ago Spirit Halloween already opening stores in Ontario in the middle of summer

It might only be mid-August, but it seems Halloween fanatics in Ontario are already gearing up for the spooky season. Although the autumn holiday is still 77 days away, American retailer Spirit Halloween has prematurely begun opening stores across the province, which, depending on where you fall on the Halloween-loving spectrum, could be considered either exciting or early to a fault. As expected, the early rollout already sparked elation (and an equal amount of confusion), with costume planning apparently well underway for a large portion of shoppers.     View this post on Instagram           A post shared by Spirit Halloween (@spirithalloween)As of Aug. 15, locations now open include Spirit Halloween on King Street and in North York, Erin Mills, Bramalea City, Stoney Creek, Upper James, and Niagara Falls.More stores are expected to open later this month in areas like St Clair A...

Other

4 w. ago Beloved Toronto business shuts down with special City recognition after over 30 years

A long-standing Toronto institution is set to close its doors after some thirty years, but it isn't going without a little recognition.Owners of Roula & Thomas Hair Salon at 2305 Queen Street East are hanging up their shears more than three decades after opening their doors to the Beaches neighbourhood.A post made to a community Facebook group for the area on Wednesday flagged the closure, citing it as a major loss for locals. It stated that the small business's doors will be locked forever at the end of August."It comes with a heavy heart to share this news, and it feels, for many of us, as if someone has died," reads the post.A post to a Beaches community Facegroup group on Wednesday shared the heartbreaking news of the closure.A truly remarkable run for a small business, the dynamic duo of Greek immigrants Thomas and Roula has long been a community stalwart, always offering a cup of coffee or helpful adv...

Economics