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
Yukon skier makes history with ‘sensational’ upset win at world championship meet
Sonjaa Schmidt, 21, is the 1st Canadian woman to win gold at U23 Nordic World Ski Championship event A young cross country skier from Whitehorse has been proclaimed a “star in the making” after she unexpectedly made history by winning gold at a world championship meet this week. Sonjaa Schmidt, 21, was not favoured to win the women’s sprint at the U23 championship — in fact, she barely qualified for the quarterfinal heats at the event in Planica, Slovenia. Once in the quarterfinal, though, Schmidt was unstoppable — cruising to the semifinal, and thenRead more
Saskatchewan actor revelling in breakthrough role as Qavvik in True Detective: Night Country
Joel D. Montgrand’s love for acting was started after unexpectedly landing lead role in high school musical The latest season for one of television’s most beloved crime drama series has a Saskatchewan connection. Joel D. Montgrand is playing the role of Eddie Qavvik in True Detective: Night Country, the fourth season of the HBO anthology series. Montgrand, who is from Peter Ballantyne Cree Nation, which is near Prince Albert, spent most of his youth in La Ronge. He has been grinding his way through the acting business hoping to land aRead more
Selina Robinson steps down as B.C. cabinet minister over comments on Middle East
Premier David Eby says Robinson has significant work to do to address the harm she’s caused British Columbia Post-Secondary Education Minister Selina Robinson is stepping down amid an outcry over her remarks that modern Israel was founded on “a crappy piece of land.” Premier David Eby says Robinson’s “belittling” remarks were incompatible with her remaining in cabinet, although she will stay in the NDP caucus. “The depth of the work that Minister Robinson needs to do, in order to address the harms that she’s caused, is significant,” Eby told an impromptu newsRead more
Nearly all victims died within minutes of attack, James Smith massacre inquest hears
Faster emergency response would not have saved any lives, pathologists say A faster emergency response would not have saved any of the 11 victims in the 2022 stabbing massacre at James Smith Cree Nation and village of Weldon, an inquest heard Friday. Pathologist Dr. Shaun Ladham shared the results of the autopsies of five of the victims Friday. Another pathologist did the same for the other six victims Thursday. They said nearly all victims likely died within 10 minutes of being attacked on Sept. 4, 2022, and some may have died withinRead more
Homeless Saint John man loses part of leg, foot to frostbite
‘How much more suffering do we have to witness?’ advocate asks Less than three weeks after a homeless Saint John man lost his life in a tent fire, another is in hospital after losing his left leg below the knee and half of his right foot to severe frostbite. Jamie Langille, 43, who has lived in a tent in a wooded area uptown for about three years, said he fell asleep one night with wet feet. “I usually light a fire at nighttime,” he said, explaining he burns candles and hand sanitizer in a bucketRead more
Cost to taxpayers of protecting members of Parliament hits a record high
Experts say threats to MPs have escalated since pandemic, convoy protest The cost of keeping Canada’s members of Parliament safe has hit a record high, CBC News has learned. During the first nine months of this fiscal year, the RCMP spent $2.5 million on security for MPs. If spending continues at the same pace, the cost of MPs’ security for this fiscal year could hit $3.4 million — almost double what it cost a year earlier. Over fiscal 2022/23, the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) spent $1.8 million to protect MPs,Read more
Nishnawbe Aski Nation holds emergency meeting in Ottawa amid surge in sudden deaths on First Nations
First Nations chiefs from Ontario, federal officials at meeting after string of suicides, unexplained deaths Leadership with the Nishnawbe Aski Nation (NAN) held an emergency meeting with federal officials after a string of recent youth suicides and unexplained deaths in First Nations across northwestern Ontario. On Wednesday in Ottawa, the meeting to discuss the crisis and look at solutions included members of NAN’s executive committee, chiefs from northern Ontario and health experts, and Indigenous Services Minister Patty Hajdu. Assembly of First Nations (AFN) Grand Chief Cindy Woodhouse and Ontario Regional Chief Glen Hare were there as well.Read more