Case of unopened 1979 hockey cards from Sask. sells for over $5M at auction
A Canadian bidder won the case, which could possibly contain Wayne Gretzky rookie cards A Saskatchewan family just turned a case of hockey cards into millions of dollars. Around 1:00 a.m. EST on Sunday, bidding came to a close for a highly touted case filled with thousands of unopened 1979-1980 O-Pee-Chee brand hockey cards that a Saskatchewan family found in their attic. Jason Simonds, the sport card specialist for the Dallas-based Heritage Auctions that sold the cards, says the family was “over the moon” about the sale. The family has chosen to remain anonymous. “I wasRead more
Royal Canadian Legion branch to be sold after being infiltrated by bikers
Second time Woodbridge branch in the hot seat in 5 months The Woodbridge branch of the Royal Canadian Legion has been shut down by the national body for an unusual reason: It had been infiltrated by outlaw motorcycle gang members. The decision by the Legion’s national executive was delivered in a letter to members of Branch 414, also known as the MacKenzie branch, dated Feb. 12. “It is with great sorrow that I inform you that the charter of the MacKenzie branch of the Royal Canadian Legion, Ontario Provincial CommandRead more
More than 4 Albertans died — each and every day — from opioids in 2023
These 4 represent the loss from just a single day last year, the deadliest on record The four people pictured above represent a typical day’s death toll from opioid poisonings in Alberta last year, the deadliest on record for the province. The addictive drugs claimed the lives of at least 1,706 Albertans in 2023, according to new data just released by the province’s substance use surveillance system. That works out, on average, to more than four deaths each and every day. The previous record was set in 2021, when 1,634 people died.Read more
Calls to ban books are on the rise in Canada. So is the opposition to any bans
Most Canadians ‘stand with authors … stand with a child’s right to read,’ says writer whose book was pulled Danny Ramadan recalls self-censoring his writing in Syria before his arrival in Canada 10 years ago. Now, as an advocate for LGBTQ+ refugees and an author exploring belonging, displacement and identity, he says navigating book challenges is a somewhat expected part of being published. Still, when an Ontario school board shadow-banned his children’s title Salma Writes a Book last fall — the school libraries carried it, but restricted students’ access — Ramadan was floored.Read more
For man switched at birth, path toward reclaiming lost Métis identity takes a step forward
‘I felt I was officially Métis,’ says Edward Ambrose, 68, after obtaining MMF citizenship A Winnipeg man who was switched at birth and grew up believing he was of Ukrainian heritage says he is one step closer to reclaiming his lost Métis identity. Edward Ambrose obtained his Manitoba Métis Federation citizenship during a ceremony with MMF president David Chartrand last week. “I couldn’t hold it, I had to cry,” Ambrose told CBC News. “Handing me the citizen card, I felt I was officially Métis.” Ambrose, 68, and Richard Beauvais learned in 2022 that theyRead more
Doug Ford government introduces Get It Done Act. Here’s what’s in it
New legislation would shorten environmental assessments for highways, allow quicker expropriations Premier Doug Ford’s government introduced a major new piece of legislation on Tuesday designed to speed up construction of new highways in Ontario by shortening their environmental assessments. The bill, the Get It Done Act, directly echoes the slogan that Ford’s Progressive Conservatives campaigned on during the 2022 election. Hinted at in three successive announcements over the past week, the bill is a grab bag of legislation, including measures completely unrelated to Ontario’s environmental laws, such as freezing the fee for renewing a driving licence. The bill’s heftiest provisions wouldRead more
Sask. small town reeling after house fire kills 2 seniors and 3 children
Family described as loving and kind A Saskatchewan town of around 1,100 people is reeling after a house fire killed two seniors and three children. Craik RCMP responded around noon CST on Sunday to a fire on Ottawa Street in Davidson, Sask., about 110 kilometres southeast of Saskatoon. The Davidson Volunteer Fire Department was already there when the Mounties arrived, according to an RCMP news release. An 80-year-old man and an 81-year-old woman were removed from the house and brought to Davidson Hospital, where they were pronounced dead, police said. The remains of theRead more
As unruly guests disturb the peace, Muskoka Lakes considers licences for short-term rentals
Renters say responsible property owners are being punished for the actions of a few bad apples The Township of Muskoka Lakes, which covers a popular part of Ontario’s cottage country, is moving one step closer to clamping down on short-term rentals like Airbnbs and VRBOs in the area. At a public meeting Tuesday, dozens of residents shared their thoughts on a proposed bylaw that would require cottage owners to apply for a licence allowing them to rent their properties. The proposed bylaw classifies a short-term rental as a dwelling usedRead more
He died trying to save a woman in a home in Peawanuck, Ont., where firefighting resources are limited
NDP MP presses Indigenous services minister for more firefighting resources for First Nations Michael Ranger says his stepson is dead after trying to save someone’s life in a community that critics say lacks resources to fight fires. Jared Guerard, 26, was one of two people who died in a house fire in the remote Cree community of Peawanuck, Ont., on Feb. 1. Ranger said his stepson was outside the home when the fire started and rushed into the burning building because a young woman was unaccounted for. “He went in looking for her andRead more
Seniors unclear on whether they can drop their private dental insurance for national plan
Ottawa says those with dental coverage are ineligible but the rules are less clear on dropping existing plans Eligible seniors are now receiving letters inviting them to sign up for Canada’s $13 billion national dental care plan — but there’s a catch. Those who currently have private dental insurance do not qualify for the national plan. And according to a government website explaining the plan, anyone who opts out of “available benefits” is “still considered to have access to dental insurance.” That seems to mean that switching from a private plan to the publicRead more