The very popular SailGP circuit will make a stop in HRM next year.

SailGP has announced the Canada Sail Grand Prix will return to the city in June 2026, following the success of the sold-out event in 2024. Halifax is one of several global stops confirmed so far for the 2026 season, which begins in Australia and wraps with a grand final in Abu Dhabi.

Twelve national teams, including Canada’s NorthStar SailGP Team, will compete in identical 50-foot foiling catamarans reaching speeds close to 100 km/h. SailGP chief executive officer Sir Russell Coutts called Halifax “a top fan favourite,” adding, “We had an incredible turnout by fans who were passionate for our racing last year.”

Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore said the city is thrilled to welcome the event back.

“Last year’s Grand Prix brought an electrifying energy to our waterfront, showcased our world-class harbour to the globe, united Haligonians in a celebration of sport, innovation, and community pride,” Fillmore said. “Halifax is Canada’s ocean city and there’s no better backdrop for the return of the fastest racing on water.”

Nova Scotia Communities, Culture, Tourism and Heritage Minister Dave Ritcey said hosting SailGP again is a proud moment for the province.

“Few international events deliver this much energy to our doorstep,” Ritcey said. “The Canada Sail Grand Prix will showcase high-performance racing and celebrate our deep maritime roots. We can’t wait to welcome the world back to Halifax and show them what makes Nova Scotia such a remarkable place.”

Race dates for the 2026 season will be released in the coming months. Fans can sign up at SailGP.com for ticket access and updates.

The riding runs from Lake Ontario in the north to St. David's Road in the south, and Highway 406 and Twelve Mile Creek to the west and borders Niagara-on-the-Lake to the east. 

For fans at the California music festival this year, long lines to get in and a lack of bathrooms were just the first hurdle. The food is even pricier than usual and both livestream viewers and artists complain about the lukewarm crowds. For two Canadian bands who made their Coachella debut this year, it’s an exciting opportunity. Others see room for improvement.

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Fernando Ameth Pinzon has been a Canadian citizen since 2004 but has never voted. After fleeing his native Panama following the U.S. invasion in 1989, life in Canada felt safe and stable. Voting for change seemed unnecessary. Then, U.S. President Donald Trump began threatening Canada's sovereignty and that of his home country for a second time.

Earlier this month, the governments waved the project through and onto the licensing phase — which is in the purview of the Yukon Water Board — but subject to a raft of new provisions, many of which deal with salmon, First Nations’ land use and, connected to those, vested rights.

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Jody Bräul is used to travelling over the U.S. border for ski and hiking trips with friends, but now they wonder if the gender-neutral marker on their passport could be problematic.

Covered Bridge Potato Chip Company Inc., the AV Group (which owns the fibre mill in Nackawic), and Briggs and Little Woolen Mills Ltd. are all contenders

Opportunities NB will celebrate the contributions of the province’s exporting companies at its 57th annual gala on May 1 in Fredericton.

This annual event highlights New Brunswick’s business-savvy, entrepreneurial and innovative companies that have achieved recent or ongoing success in various export markets.

“It is more important than ever to recognize the resilience and adaptability of our exporting businesses and celebrate their success,” said Luke Randall, the minister responsible for Opportunities NB. “Through initiatives like the New Brunswick Export Awards reception and gala, and ongoing efforts to support companies that are diversifying their markets and strengthening supply chains, we want exporters to be empowered to not only adapt but thrive on the global stage. Together, we are building a brighter and more prosperous future for our province.”

Awards will be presented in the following categories:

·         Exporter of the Year Award – over $5 million in exports

·         Exporter of the Year Award – under $5 million in exports

·         Global Diversification Award

·         Innovative Exporter of the Year Award – under $10 million in exports

·         Yves Maillet Emerging Exporter of the Year Award

·         Sustainable Exporter of the Year Award

In addition, two new categories will be introduced:

·         Woman in Export Excellence Award – recognizing a woman-led (at least 50 per cent ownership and/or women in “C-suite” roles) business that has demonstrated exceptional leadership, success and influence.

·         Productivity Impact Award – recognizing a company that has invested in technology and productivity improvements, enhancing competitiveness and profitability.

Local companies nominated include Covered Bridge Potato Chip Company Inc., the AV Group (which owns the fibre mill in Nackawic), and Briggs and Little Woolen Mills Ltd.

The awards evening will take place at the Fredericton Convention Centre, beginning with a reception at 5:30 p.m., followed by a formal dinner with local food and beverages and the awards ceremony. Tickets are available online.

Before the event, from 10 a.m. to 2 p.m., a free Opportunities NB training session, Export Strategies for Thriving in Uncertainty, will be held. It will feature a keynote speaker, workshop and panel discussion focused on helping businesses navigate global trade disruptions and economic uncertainty. With insights from private sector partners and business leaders, the training session will offer practical strategies to help exporters stay competitive and seize new opportunities in international markets. Registration is required and can be completed online.

To read about the 32 companies vying for awards, visit the Opportunities NB website.

Opportunities NB is a Crown corporation and the lead economic development agency for the province. It seeks to attract and support opportunities to stimulate the economy and create jobs by providing support services for businesses.

The post Local companies compete for provincial exporting awards first appeared on River Valley Sun.

An Ontario court justice stayed charges against an accused child predator facing a “strong” case, saying police misconduct and officers’ treatment of the defendant meant stopping the proceedings was necessary to protect the integrity of the justice system.

Could the lack of a Green Party candidate in Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley have impacted their place in the federal leaders' debates?

Green Party co-Leader Jonathan Pedneault was pulled from the stage by the debate commission after the party claimed they had pulled back their number of candidates for strategic reasons.

That may have included the southwest Saskatchewan riding. 

At the start of the election, they had listed North Hunter as their Green Party candidate for Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley, and Hunter conducted an interview with Swift Current Online.

Hunter's name then wasn't listed among the riding's candidates on the Elections Canada website and her profile was removed from the Green Party website as well.

"North Hunter is indeed no longer running in the riding of Swift Current—Grasslands—Kindersley," the Green Party told Swift Current Online via e-mail. "We apologize for any inconvenience this may have caused."

The party didn't clarify why Hunter's candidacy ended. We reached out to Hunter and have yet to receive a reply.

The Leaders' Debates Commission removed the Green Party from federal leaders' debates shortly before yesterday's French debate for failing to meet participation requirements. 

"Deliberately reducing the number of candidates running for strategic reasons is inconsistent with the Leaders' Debates Commission's interpretation of party viability, which criterion (iii) was designed to measure," said a commission statement. "The Commission concludes that the inclusion of the leader of the Green Party of Canada in these circumstances would undermine the integrity of the debates and the interests of the voting public."

North Hunter recently ran in Weyburn-Bengough for the Saskatchewan Green Party in the provincial election.

Carol Vandale received 0.83% of the vote as the 2021 Green candidate in the former riding of Cypress Hills-Grasslands.

The English language leaders' debate is set for tonight. 

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