Canadian alpine skier Jack Crawford claimed silver on Sunday in a tight men's super-G race at the World Cup stop in Kvitfjell, Norway.

Denise Denning has written an article for the Macdonald Laurier Institute where she argues against the “safe supply” approach to drug addiction where addicted individuals are given drugs as a means of preventing them from purchasing street drugs. Denning is a correctional pharmacist with background in addiction treatment. After graduating from the University of Toronto Faculty of Pharmacy, Denning completed a specialized residency in the treatment of drug and alcohol use at the Addiction Research Foundation in Toronto (now CAMH). She worked as the pharmacist at the Toronto Jail for 17 years, and the pharmacy manager at the Toronto South Detention Centre for 8 years, where she provided clinical advice on the management of patients with opioid use disorder and supervised the preparation of methadone doses. She also worked part time for four years at a pharmacy providing mostly methadone in downtown Toronto. Currently, she is the provincial pharmacy manager for the Ontario Ministry of the Solicitor General, where she provides guidance on medication related policies and procedures for that province’s correctional facilities.

In an excerpt from her article on safe supply Denning writes:

Take home tablet programs are based on two presumptions: firstly, that people receiving these drugs will use them in place of street drugs and not just sell them to buy street drugs, as they do; and secondly, that opioids are safe to take as long as the dose is not excessive. Given that these two presumptions are false, the only conclusion we can reach is that take home tablet programs do not reduce harm, but increase it. I concede that providing people with legally sourced opioids reduces their risk of criminal prosecution, and there is a reduction in stigma when you give people what they want without judgment, but this is a false dichotomy – you can achieve reductions in prosecution with better treatment, rather than supporting objectively harmful behaviour in the name of destigmatization. At the end of the day, stigma doesn’t kill people – bad drugs do, and providing people who use drugs with the wraparound supportive services that they need and have been shown to work is more complex, and probably more expensive. But complex problems are rarely solved by simple solutions.”

The full article is available on the Macdonald Laurier Website

 Sinfonia Ancaster’s first concert of the new year brings a vibrant blend of musical traditions, taking its inspiration from masala (Indian spice mix), as it fuses Indian Classical music and Western orchestral sounds. The concert takes place March 21st, 2025 at the Ancaster Memorial Arts Centre (Peller Hall) at 7:00 p.m.. Music director Jeffrey Pollock describes the evening: “Two sopranos, with different musical vocabularies, are featured in composer Reena Esmail’s glorious composition about sisterhood across cultures, Meri Sakhi Ki Avaaz (My Sister’s Voice).  The melodies from Jean Sibelius’ Belshazzar’s Feast will add zesty elements to the musical mix and Antonin Dvorak’s boisterous Symphony No. 8 will conclude the evening.”

Meri Sakhi Ki Avaaz (My Sister’s Voice) is the centrepiece of the concert, blending the vocabulary of the Indian raga tradition with the sounds of a symphony orchestra. The two sopranos performing with Sinfonia are Canadian Bethany Hörst, winner of a Canadian Opera grant, and  Vidita Kanniks, a McGill University graduate who sings and performs in both Western and Indian classical music traditions. Vidita has been featured with the Cincinnati Vocal Arts Ensemble, the India Dans Festival in the Netherlands and on a recent critically-acclaimed collaborative album project with Montreal’s Infusion Baroque. Hamilton based tabla player (and Wilfred Laurier student) Sajan Prem will take a star turn in Testament, another Esmail work that weaves a tale of emotions and cultures.

The second half of the evening’s musical mix features Czech composer Antonin Dvorak’s Symphony No. 8, an exuberant and thrilling romp that has long been a favourite among audiences everywhere.

Pre-Concert talk: Ticket holders are invited to join Jeff, Vidita and Bethany in the lobby at 6:00 p.m. before the concert to discuss points of connection between Western and Indian classical music traditions featured in the evening’s pieces.

Sinfonia Ancaster offers friendly “all-in” ticket prices (HST and fees included): $39 for adults, $32 for seniors, and $24 under age 25. Tickets can be purchased online (https://www.sinfoniaancaster.com), from the Box Office (905-302-3232) or in person at the door (credit or debit only). Free parking on site at 357 Wilson Street East, Ancaster. Overflow parking at Ryerson United Church, Ancaster Public Library, and Ancaster Old Fire Hall.

Hamilton city crews were seen the day after the encampment bylaw was passed starting the work of dismantling encampments. By the end of day Friday, Hamilton bylaw enforcement and public works staff had completely cleared the encampment at the Delta, and had executed a preliminary cleanup of the site. Workers said a couple with a dog were successfully relocated to the Barton-Tiffany tiny shelter site.

The encampment at the northwest corner of Gage Park was also cleared yesterday, but there is more work to be done there. City staff told a neighbour they’ll be back next week to address the remaining three encampments still scattered across the park.

Ward Three resident Andrew Selman, who has been documenting the encampment situation in Gage Park since last summer told the Bay Observer, “What’s left behind is alarming. I saw hypodermic needles, used crack pipes, liquor bottles, and garbage littered around the monument. A full-scale cleanup is needed to make this space safe again.”

“Three encampments remain across the park. The largest sits at the Cumberland Street entrance, with two large tents powered by a generator. Across the path, a newly added tent has appeared. Another tent remains along the drainage ditch—a site once filled with multiple tents, now replaced by a mess of drug paraphernalia and trash. Gage Park, and all encampments across the city, need real cleanup efforts. As a parent, I can’t let my child play here knowing needles and crack pipes are scattered across the park. No family should have to make that choice.”

In a news release Friday the City of Hamilton stated, “the transition will take time and requires careful coordination between enforcement teams, outreach services, and other City departments. The City appreciates residents’ patience and understanding as enforcement efforts ramp up. The City remains committed to acting promptly while ensuring a thoughtful and compassionate approach. The City will continue to balance community needs by prioritizing public safety, preserving green space for outdoor recreation, and providing outreach support to individuals seeking shelter.”

To report an encampment in a City park, residents can contact the Coordinated Encampment Response Team at [email protected] or call 905-546-2782. The email and phone number are monitored Monday to Friday during regular business hours (8:30 a.m. to 4:30 p.m.).

Rasha Ramadan is growing a movement of tatreez in the London area. The craft dates back centuries and been passed down through the generations.

Federal and provincial governments have agreed to ease restrictions on the sale and distribution of alcohol across the country. London Morning host Andrew Brown spoke with Dave Reed, owner of Forked River Brewing Company, about what the could mean for business.

City School, the program that offers free post-secondary and employment-pathway courses for adults in Hamilton, closes at the end of March, a decision by Mohawk College in December. Students, teachers and community partners are hoping it might be saved.

Doug Ford struck his most aggressive tone to date this week as he blamed Donald Trump for “causing chaos” with his tariff threats, and experts say the attacks from Ontario’s Conservative premier and appeals to the president’s Republican allies might be gaining traction.

Hassan Al-Abbasi, who lives in Ottawa, has been searching for his sister's six children in orphanages across Syria, after she was detained nearly 12 years ago by the ousted Assad regime alongside her husband, secretary and six children.

As Canadians push back against U.S. tariffs and annexation threats, some cafes in Ottawa have renamed the 'Americano' to the 'Canadiano.'

It’s been one year since the worst mass killing in Ottawa's recent history, and dozens gathered Saturday at a Buddhist monastery to honour the lives that were lost.

Tributes were being added to the Facebook Page of Waterdown shooting victim Jeff Nyhuis of Waterdown. On March 6, 2025 at approximately 8:00 PM the Hamilton Police Service received a phone call from someone who had gone to see the victim at his home.

When Hamilton Police and Emergency Services  got to the house on they found the victim Dirk NYHUIS commonly called Jeff by his friends and family. Residents told CHCH news that Nyhuis was a friendly neighbour and did not hear a disturbance from the Nyhuis residence where he lived alone.

Following a postmortem exam, police confirmed that Nyhuis died as a result of wounds he sustained from a gunshot. In a news conference police say they believe the shooting was targeted. They removed a dog from the house who was not injured.

The shooting death was Hamilton’s third homicide of 2025.

Police will be canvassing the neighbourhood for CCTV footage and potential witnesses. Investigators ask anyone that may have information to contact the Homicide Unit at 905-546-4067. Additionally, for those who wish to remain anonymous, they can contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS.

The head of Hamilton’s major home-grown building supply company is sounding a serious note of warning about the dire state of the new housing industry in the area. Peter Turkstra, the third-generation owner of the more than 70-year-old Turkstra Lumber Company says high development charges are making up too large a proportion of the cost of housing, and that, coupled with the recent tariff threats from the Trump government have placed the house construction business in a precarious position.

In an open letter to the Mayors of Hamilton, Burlington and most municipalities in the immediate region Turkstra stated, “This emergency request is to support our industry and all employees involved in construction, whether directly or downstream. If you don’t respond, we expect a catastrophic level of unemployment in construction and an immediate impact on all those supplying the construction industry.”

“To be specific, we are asking you to consider cutting the price of Development Charges and all forms of construction permitting fees. At the provincial and federal levels, support with any other measures will be crucial to the survival of construction in Ontario.”

Turkstra supported his presentation with charts that showed Development charges have increased by almost 250 percent in the last ten years, while the cost of living increase for the same period running at a fraction of that amount.

The open letter continues, “We live in a fantastic country, Canada. Still, the general trend of municipal governance seems to have shifted from “serving ratepayers, businesses and customers” to ballooning expenditures “without a notion of fiscal responsibility and accountability.” Municipalities have “taxed” and “tariffed” construction directly and indirectly. The result is that you are in the process of “killing the goose,” the industry that creates employment, provides for families, and supports the communities where people live, work, and shop.”

Turkstra also posted videos for both municipal councils and his own staff. He promised his staff that there would be no layoffs in the current year, but that wages and new hiring would be frozen. Quoting his namesake grandfather who founded the company in the 1950’s, Turkstra wrote, “We have adapted and survived several severe recessions. While it is never enjoyable, we persevere, focusing on what we do well. In terms of business, Peter (grandfather) had a saying:  “When I eat, they (employees) feast. When I starve, they eat.” By this statement, he implied that the employee’s welfare came first. This commitment to our employees also extends to charitable giving in the communities where we live and work. Even during the recessions, we supported charitable causes. If anything, the need will be greater,” the employee letter continued.

About 60 percent of Turkstra Lumber’s business is servicing the new home industry, the rest is split between renovation contractors and Do-it-Yourselfers. Its manufacturing division produces specialty products such as roof trusses, fencing, doors and windows. With an average 300 employees, the company has been listed as one of Canada’s Best Managed Companies as identified by the Globe and Mail for the seventh consecutive year, making the company a Platinum member, a designation reserved for companies that have consistently demonstrated excellence in business practices for over six years.

Peter Turkstra’s message to municipal Councils

Peter Turkstra’s message to staff.

Police said the man lost control of the Honda CR-V he was driving and veered into the path of the northbound truck. 

A breakdown of how Canadians can tune into CBC's special coverage of the Liberal leadership announcement.

Kendall Coyne Schofield scored the game-winning goal in the sixth minute of play and Maddie Rooney earned her second shutout as the Minnesota Frost blanked the Ottawa Charge 5-0 on Friday night in a PWHL game played on the home ice of the NHL's Carolina Hurricanes.

On the night of March 13 into the morning of March 14, 2025, as most of North America is fast asleep, the Full Worm Moon will slide into the Earth’s shadow producing a spectacular total lunar eclipse. Referred to as the ‘Blood Moon’ the orange tint on the moon’s surface during totality is refracted sunlight passing through Earth’s atmosphere, much like we see beautiful red sunsets.

So why do we not see eclipses every month? The sun projects a shadow behind the Earth in space. As the moon circles the Earth in 29.5 days from one full phase to the next full phase, it does so in a slightly inclined orbit. Meaning one month the full moon appears above the shadow while other months appear below the zone of darkness. When the geometry is just right, the full moon hides in our planet’s shadow for up to three and a half hours.

Two weeks before or after a lunar eclipse the moon now passes in front of the sun to produce a solar eclipse. This will be the case in the early morning of March 29 favouring the Atlantic provinces and Quebec. For example, St John’s NF should see about 90% of the sun disappear whereas Halifax, NS will see about 85% coverage. Montreal will experience 50% coverage while Toronto will only see a tiny bite taken out of the sun. Those farther west will not see the solar eclipse at all.

Safety wise the lunar eclipse is very safe to observe as the full moon slowly changes colour as the night progresses. However, a solar eclipse can be a beautiful but dangerous thing to observe. Special eclipse glasses or even #14 welder’s glass are a must until the sun is completely covered by the moon. There are times when only a partial eclipse occurs and one must never look at the sun without these protective means no matter how small the percentage of sunlight is still visible. Eye damage or even blindness can occur.

Clear skies,

Gary Boyle

The Backyard Astronomer

Known as “The Backyard Astronomer”, Gary Boyle is an astronomy educator, guest speaker, former monthly columnist for the Royal Astronomical Society of Canada as well as a STEM educator. He has been interviewed on more than 80 radio and television stations across Canada and the U.S. In recognition of his public outreach in astronomy, the International Astronomical Union has honoured him with the naming of Asteroid (22406) Garyboyle. Follow him on Facebook and his website: www.wondersofastronomy.com

Lunar Eclipse Times (local)

Eastern:          Begins:                  01:09 a.m. morning of March 14

                      Mid eclipse:            02:58 a.m.

                      Ends:                     04:47 a.m.

                     Ends:                       01:47 a.m. morning of March 14

Solar eclipse time (local)

Ontario:            Begins:                    Eclipse underway at sunrise.

                        Mid eclipse:              7:06 a.m.

                        Ends:                       7:10 a.m.

Victory Grounds Ventures had pitched a turf field covered by a dome in winter at the Memorial Centre in the hopes of wooing a Canadian Premier League team and two other teams.

Niagara Parks in collaboration with the Nikola Tesla Museum in Belgrade, Serbia, presents Tesla: A Spark of Genius—a must-see exhibit opening Saturday, March 8, at the Niagara Parks Power Station.

Niagara Parks hosted an official ribbon cutting ceremony which included remarks by Niagara Parks Chair Bob Gale, Ambassador Ralević and Nikola Tesla Museum Director, Ivona Jevtic.

The exhibit Tesla: A Spark of Genius

 The display will allow visitors to discover the brilliance of Nikola Tesla, whose relentless pursuit of innovation revolutionized the generation, transmission and use of electricity, laying the foundation for much of today’s technology. His groundbreaking contributions spanned advancements in radio communication, X-ray technology and the invention of the world’s first remote-controlled device.

This immersive exhibit offers guests the chance to explore Tesla’s early encounters with science, his role in harnessing the raw power of Niagara Falls for long-distance electricity and the lasting impact of his inventions on modern life. Visitors will uncover which of Tesla’s patents were used at the Niagara Parks Power Station, which also powered homes, businesses and communities for more than a century.

This high-voltage experience not only celebrates Tesla’s legacy but hopefully will spark curiosity in young minds through STEM learning. Tesla: A Spark of Genius is included with daytime admission to Niagara Parks Power Station and will be on display until October 13, 2025. For more information, visit niagaraparks.com/tesla.

About Niagara Parks Power Station

 The Niagara Parks Power Station showcases many of Nikola Tesla’s groundbreaking patents, including three for polyphase transformers, alongside others related to power generation and distribution. The station began generating hydroelectric power in 1905 and was the first major power station on the Canadian side of the Niagara River. It was decommissioned in 2006. Niagara Parks then acquired the building and in 2021, after significant restoration, the Niagara Parks Power Station opened to the public, inviting visitors from all over the world to learn about hydroelectricity through immersive exhibits, restored artifacts and interactive storytelling. A year later, the Tunnel experience was added, allowing guests to explore the vast underground infrastructure of the historic building and a new viewing platform at the base of Niagara Falls.

“This exhibit focuses on the life and works of Nikola Tesla. It’s a great way to tie Tesla’s inventions, his patents, to Niagara’s power story. It also presents a significant STEM learning opportunity that we hope will spark the next wave of innovation.” Said Bob Gale, Chair, Niagara Parks Commission.

The senior said he was denied his right to vote despite bringing proper ID to his polling station in the riding of Bay of Quinte — and his family fears many others were turned away for the same reason.

A cafe run by a Ukrainian family in exile got a big boost this week when retail giant No Frills agreed to carry the family's homemade perogies and cabbage rolls in their store.