A state funeral for one of New Brunswick’s former lieutenant-governors is scheduled for this afternoon.

Dr. Marilyn Trenholme Counsell, a family physician, served in the role from 1997 to 2003.

Prior to that Counsell became the first female elected representative for the Tantramar provincial riding in 1987.

Counsell, a Liberal, was later appointed to the Senate by former prime minister Jean Chrétien in 2003, serving there until 2008.

The funeral will take place at Mount Allison University in Sackville, N.B., and is open to the public.

Counsell died on June 17 in Sackville at the age of 92.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

The Ministry of Labour has been notified after a man fell from an escalator and died at the RioCan Empress Walk Plaza in North York Thursday evening.

Toronto police said they were called to the mall around 5 p.m. following reports of an industrial accident. The man involved was pronounced dead at the scene.

RioCan, the company that manages the mall, told Global News in a statement that it is fully co-operating with the ongoing investigation.

Lucas Hay said he arrived at the mall around 6 p.m. and saw police tape surrounding the escalator that goes from the ground floor to the second floor.

“We saw a blanket over and a lot of cops and security guards just around and then eventually we were outside and we saw people coming out ,” he told Global News.

He said an announcement was made on the intercom telling shoppers the mall was closed and asking everyone to leave. He said no reason was provided for the closure.

“There was no panic at all. It was just because there were a lot of people around so they had to slowly usher everyone out,” Hay said.

Toronto police confirmed the incident is not criminal in nature and that the investigation is being led by the Ministry of Labour.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Prime Minister Mark Carney says he is launching a national design-and-build competition to restore 24 Sussex Drive, the derelict official residence of Canada’s prime ministers.

The competition will be open to all Canadian firms, with the winning team tasked with designing and constructing the new official residence. The list of donors will be made public.

Carney said the Royal Architectural Institute of Canada will provide advice on the competition framework, create an independent jury of experts in architecture, heritage conservation and design.

The Rideau Hall Foundation, a non-partisan national charity organization, will also be running the fundraising campaign across Canada to help with the cost of the restorations.

“24 Sussex Drive will be built by Canadians for Canadians,” Carney said outside the residence Friday morning.

The winning design proposal will be announced on Canada Day next year.

Carney said the plans to restore the building reflect the need to “preserve our history, protect our heritage and traditions for generations to come.”

“24 Sussex Drive is more than a residence, greater than a mere backdrop to history. It is a symbol of the public office of the head of our federal government, and of the democratic traditions that office represents,” he said.

“I will never in any event live in 24 Sussex Drive. But future prime ministers will undoubtedly need to raise their children here as they lead our country. So, we’ll restore it so they may do so safely and securely.”

Built in 1846, the 35-room mansion was abandoned as the official Ottawa residence for Canadia prime ministers in 2015 by Justin Trudeau.

The residence has been deemed uninhabitable for a prime minister for years, with Carney currently residing in Rideau Cottage as former prime minister Justin Trudeau did, with dead rodents and feces in the walls, attics and other parts of the property as well as extensive water damage and electrical issues.

Taxpayers have since been shelling out tens of thousands of dollars per year to maintain the vacant property.

The National Capital Commission had estimated in 2022 that the costs of restoration would be around $37 million.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

Lumby-Murder

The ex-husband of Tatjana Stefanski, who is accused of stabbing her to death in rural British Columbia in 2024, has told a jury her death was “like a suicide” and the Crown had failed to prove beyond a reasonable doubt that he murdered her.

“You should believe me that I am not guilty,” said Vitali Stefanski during closing submissions at his second-degree murder trial in B.C. Supreme Court in Kamloops on Thursday.

Stefanski had been represented by a lawyer for much of the trial, but jurors were told last week he would be representing himself, including for closing arguments.

The jury later began deliberating after receiving instructions from Justice Bradford Smith.

Tatjana Stefanski’s body was found with numerous stab wounds off a rural forest service road near Lumby, B.C., in April 2024.

The trial heard that a bent and bloodied knife found nearby had the DNA of both Tatjana and Vitali Stefanski, while police testified that the accused emerged shoeless from the forest and confessed to the killing before gesturing in the direction of the body.

“I never said that,” Stefanski said on Thursday.

“That statement does not exist, so that does not exist, and he has no proof that it does exist,” he said referring to an RCMP officer’s testimony.

Referring to the alleged confession, Smith urged the jurors to use common sense, saying they must decide whether they believe Stefanski made the statements or any part of them.

Stefanski had testified at the trial that his ex-wife stabbed herself in his car and he denied dumping her body, instead saying she slipped from his grasp by the road.

“For me, it’s like a suicide,” he told the jury on Thursday.

Crown lawyer Laura Drake told the jury in her closing arguments on Wednesday that the only reasonable conclusion from the evidence is that Stefanski stabbed his ex-wife to death, and his explanation of events was inconsistent with common sense.

But Stefanski told the jury on Thursday that what the Crown claims happened was “actually opposite and even wrong.”

“You should reject everything that Crown said yesterday,” said Stefanski, who speaks both German and Russian and delivered his arguments in heavily accented English.

He added that he “was not planning to hurt Tatjana” and there is “practically no evidence” to prove he was responsible for her death.

Smith told the jurors after closing arguments that they “may accept all, part or none of Mr. Stefanski’s evidence.”

“You must not presume that an accused who testifies will lie out of self-interest to avoid being convicted of the offence charged,” the judge said.

The court has heard Tatjana Stefanski was stabbed in the chest seven times, injuring her heart and lungs, leading to her death. It heard she also suffered multiple “sharp-force injuries” to her arms and legs and wounds to her hands that a pathologist, Dr. Eric Bol, said were consistent with “defensive-type” injuries.

Stefanski denied inflicting any of the injuries both during his testimony and again in his closing statement.

He testified at trial that on the morning of April 13, 2024, his ex-wife had approached him at her home with a bloody nose, and they drove away together in his black Audi.

He said he then discovered she had been stabbed with his own fishing knife and testified he “did everything” to get her help, explaining that he drove in the opposite direction from the nearest hospital because of the way his car was parked.

Stefanski described his ex-wife going quiet, then removing her from the car before trying to put her back in, when her body “slipped” from his grasp and went down an embankment.

He said he attempted suicide by drowning, then by stabbing himself with a kitchen knife he found at a cabin, losing consciousness and waking up the next morning.

“My plan was to go to Tatjana, call emergency, and I was still hoping that she survived,” he said Thursday, echoing his earlier testimony.

Stefanski said he was taken to hospital after being arrested, but no doctors had testified to finding any evidence to indicate he caused his ex-wife’s injuries.

“I have no scratches, no cuts, no bruises … and there wasn’t anything that would indicate that Vitali caused Tatjana’s death,” he said Thursday, referring to himself in the third person.

If he had attacked her, he said, there would be evidence to show it.

“I tell you why they do not exist,” he said of his lack of injuries. “Because I’m just a witness.”

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Global Affairs Canada says there are currently 740 Canadians registered as being in Venezuela, but that they have received no reports surrounding any Canadians being impacted by the dual earthquakes.

Venezuela’s acting president Delcy Rodríguez said early Friday that the death toll has risen to 589, with 2,980 injured.

She also said the state of La Guaira has been hardest hit by the 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes that struck Wednesday evening, noting that it has been militarized as crews search for survivors and distribute food and water.

“We are going to rescue the people who are trapped,” she said. “We are working tirelessly on this task.”

The 7.2 and 7.5 magnitude earthquakes were among the strongest to strike Venezuela in more than a century and reported to be felt throughout the region.

Prime Minister Mark Carney announced Thursday that Canada will provide “an initial” $5 million in humanitarian assistance for Venezuela, with more information on where the money will be allocated expected to be announced in the coming days.

In a written statement, Carney expressed his condolences for the dead early Thursday morning.

“My thoughts are with everyone who has been injured or displaced and with the first responders working tirelessly to save lives,” he added in a post on X.

Global Affairs Canada urges Canadians in need of emergency consular assistance to contact Global Affairs Canada’s Emergency Watch and Response Centre by calling +1 613 996 8885, by text message at +1 613-686-3658, via WhatsApp at +1 613-909-8881, via Signal at +1-613-909-8087 or by e-mail at sos@international.gc.ca.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

A man from Peterborough, Ont., thought his big lottery win was an error when he checked his ticket online.

The OLG reports Bradley V. won the $12-million prize from the Lotto 6-49 Gold Ball draw held on June 6.

The 47-year-old purchased his ticket on the OLG’s website and discovered his win while checking emails on a Sunday morning. He thought a notification from the OLG to log into his account was an error.

“I logged into my OLG.ca account to investigate further and thought there had to be a mistake,” he said.  “I put on my reading glasses and checked the information again. Eventually, I realized it was legitimate and the win was real. I was in disbelief and couldn’t focus for the rest of the day.”

The father of three shared the exciting news with his children by showing them screenshots of the winning ticket.

“Their mouths dropped open in shock,” he said. “They were completely speechless.”

He said his mother’s reaction was equally unforgettable.

“She was overwhelmed by the news and said, ‘I have to pinch myself. I must still be dreaming.'”

Despite the multimillion-dollar prize, Bradley says he plans to continue working as a financial planner. However, the win will give his family greater financial security and give him the freedom to retire earlier than expected.

“I hope to retire a little earlier than planned so I can spend more time enjoying life with my family,” he said.

Bradley plans to use the money to support his family and is also considering purchasing a new vehicle, with an Audi or BMW at the top of his wish list.

It was the second-straight weekend a winning Gold Ball draw was won in the Peterborough area after a woman from Cavan won $16 million from the May 30 draw.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The NHL’s annual draft of the best 18-year-olds takes place in Buffalo Friday night. For some, not many, this is the beginning of a career in hockey’s greatest league. Names like McKenna, Stenberg, Malhotra and Reid will become household names for the teams that draft them, with hopes that they make an impact at this level, like Matthew Schaeffer did last season for the New York Islanders.

But in many ways, the draft with all its potential has become an afterthought to the moves that NHL teams have made in the past week to prepare themselves for the future.

From Brady Tkachuk to Bo Byram and on to Alex Tuch and Jordan Kyrou, the National Hockey League has taken on the characteristics of a Boxing Day sale at the local mall. And by the way, more — much more — could happen before Friday’s draft in Western New York.

Teams are jockeying for position because the free agent market is shrivelling up quickly. Hockey players, who are conservative by nature, are electing to find ways to build long-term security, as opposed to taking the chance of what July 1 and free agency brings. Sign now and enjoy the summer.

And from the team perspective, if you can’t guarantee a long-term relationship with a player, you’re better off finding a team prepared to pay the hefty salary and get a draft pick or two. At least you get something for the player. Just ask Tampa and Buffalo.

For the seven Canadian teams, this is an important moment in time. But is it a turning point? Is it more important for the Jets, Flames, Oilers, Leafs, Canucks, Senators and Canadiens than the U.S.-based teams? Are we at the point where we have to be concerned about losing our best players? Can our hockey-centric markets compete with the U.S.-based teams that offer better taxes and a different lifestyle? Stories of American players wanting to play in America might just be an overreaction to a few guys wanting to play elsewhere.

Last I checked, Kyle Connor, Brock Boeser, Cole Caufield, Jake Sanderson, Auston Matthews — all American, all playing for Canadian teams — are staying put. The reality is, players just want to win.

And it’s that pressure to win and win now, driving GMs to wheel and deal. Teams like Chicago, Washington, Florida, Seattle and Toronto did not enjoy their lack of playoffs. They need to fix things, quickly. And, in reality, their activity has overshadowed the draft.

What we are witnessing is the divergent ways teams actually improve themselves — by the draft, or by trade or free agency.

You need patience to win via the draft. And not every team has the time to be patient.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

It’s an interesting selection of releases for New Friday, including a big one from Muse and an interstellar ode by PJ Harvey.

Singles

1. Almost Monday, No More Regrets (Hollywood Records/UM Canada)

San Diego’s Almost Monday started gaining momentum earlier this year when word of their second album, Thank God It’s Almost Monday (due September 9) was announced. This is the third advance single. Keep an eye on them.

2. PJ Harvey, Voyager (Partisan)

God love Polly Jean. Her latest single is about, yes, the Voyager space probes launched in 1977 and still operating, even though V1 is 24.56 billion miles away and V2 is 21.34 billion miles from home. Why is she so interested in interstellar craft? Boy band singer-turned-astrophysicist Brian Cox invited her to contribute a song to his Emergence stage show, which debuts later this. The song will also probably end up on Harvey’s next (still-untitled) album.

3. Odd Marshall, Wreck Your Life (For Rock’n’Roll) (Anagram Canada)

What do you do after you flip your pick-up in a snowstorm? You contemplate life and then start writing songs again. That was the experience Canada’s Odd Marshall, who is back making music after about 10 years. Through cheer chutzpah, he convinced Christopher Thorn and Roger Stevens from Blind Melon into the project. They have never worked together outside of their old band. And the keyboardist? Rami Jaffee of The Foo Figthers.

4. Tame Impala, Hummer (Independent)

The tribute album has returned via Sending Hearts to All My Dearies: A Tribute Album to The Smashing Pumpkins (yes, that’s a line from the song Mayonnaise). Among the 15 songs is this one by Kevin Parker and Tame Impala. Siamese Dream, he says, was the soundtrack to his high school years with Hummer the song that made the biggest emotional impression. The whole package will be out digitally on August 14 while a 2 x LP package arrives on October 16.

5. Team Dresch, One Song (Jealous Butcher)

Team Dresch, led by Donna Dresch, was a mainstay of the riot grrrl scene of the Pacific Northwest back in the 90s and heroes of queercore punks everywhere. Not only are they back playing gigs, but they will have a new record for the first time in 30 years on September 18. The woman in the video is the daughter of bass player Jody Bleyle. This rocks.

Albums

1. Butthole Surfers, After the Astronaut (Sunset Blvd.)

This isn’t exactly a new album because it was completed in 1998. But since it’s been shelved since then, it’s kinda new to everyone. This was supposed to be the follow-up to Electric Ladyland, the Surfers’ breakthrough album, but the label said it wasn’t commercial enough. When the band took it to another label, it was reworked and released under the title of Weird Revolution. This, however, is the first time it’s been heard in its original form.

2. Muse, The WOW! Signal (Warner)

This pairs well with the PJ Harvey single. As he’s shown with previous songs and albums, Muse’s Matt Bellamy is also a fan of astronomy and cosmology. For the band’s tenth album, Matt is all about “cosmic mystery,” the concept of First Contact, and the vastness of space. The title refers to a strangle signal picked up by a radio telescope in 1977 and never fully explained. They’re out there, Matt. They’re out there.

3. Beth Orton, The Ground Above (Partisan)

I have been a fan of Beth for years and I just wish more people knew about her. To the uninitiated, she’s an English singer-songwriter whose career goes back to at least 1993. You’ve probably heard some of her songs in TV shows like Dawson’s Creek and Grey’s Anatomy plus movies like Vanilla Sky. If you like what you hear, there are eight other albums worth checking out. (My favourite is Central Reservation from 1999.)

4. The Pretty Reckless, Dear God (Fearless/Concord)

Here’s the fifth album from Taylor Momsen and her crew. The band is darker and better for it. There’s plenty of misery here (depression, grief, abuse of various substances) and they handle it well. And yes, it’s also kinda sexy. That’s why the video is age-restricted. You’ll see why.

5. Switchfoot, Forever Now (BMG Rights Management)

Back to San Diego for the first new album from Switchfoot in five years. This is their fourteenth album and is being presented as a concept record around “the emotional rollercoaster of a person’s final day on Earth.” Joe Foreman, the band’s frontman, asks, “If you found out that today was your last day, how would you live it? What would matter most?” Heavy stuff.

6. Temples, BLISS (V2 Records)

Finally, a little psych from the UK. For their fifth album, Temples seemed to have been able to pull things in the direction of Massive Attack, Underworld, Tame Impala, and Daft Punk while still retaining that fuzzy, shimmery glow. My album of the week.

 

© 2026 Corus Radio, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

The Curator independently decides what topics and products we feature. When you purchase an item through our links, we may earn a commission. Promotions and products are subject to availability and retailer terms.

Life is too busy to run out of the things you use every day. With three kids away at university in three different cities, I’ve learned that keeping everyone stocked up on the essentials can feel like a full-time job. That’s why I love Amazon Subscribe & Save. It saves money, saves time, and keeps our most-used products arriving right when we need them. And during Prime Day, the savings get even better—you can stack Prime-exclusive deals with Subscribe & Save discounts, making it the perfect time to stock up on household staples and everyday essentials. These are the five items that never leave my list, including picks from Crest, Bounty, Cascade and more.

Not a Prime member yet? Sign up today or start a free trial to enjoy perks like next-day delivery, exclusive deals, and more. And don’t forget to subscribe to The Curator’s newsletter to get first dibs on exclusive finds and curated deals.

 

There are a few products in our house that we never want to run out of, and Crest Whitestrips are definitely one of them. My husband is obsessed, but honestly, we’re all fans. They help keep your smile bright without the cost of professional whitening treatments and are perfect to have on hand before a vacation, special event, family photos, or in my case, a TV appearance. They’re one of those products you don’t think about until you need them, which is exactly why I love having them on Amazon Subscribe & Save. We save money, they show up when we need them, and they’re always there for a quick smile refresh. [/product_listing]

 

With three kids away at university and managing homes of their own, I can tell you that paper towels disappear at an alarming rate. Whether it’s cleaning up a kitchen spill, wiping down a counter, or dealing with one of those situations you really don’t want details about, Bounty is always a good idea. This is one of my favourite Amazon Subscribe & Save products because I can have them delivered directly to whichever child needs them most and set a delivery schedule that works for each household. It saves money, keeps everyone stocked up, and helps avoid those last-minute convenience store runs where a simple roll of paper towel somehow costs a small fortune. [/product_listing]

 

My son John is a varsity football offensive tackle, and let me tell you, keeping him fed should qualify as an Olympic sport. Vega Protein Powder is one of his favourites, and he goes through it at an impressive rate. It’s something he uses every single day. That’s why it’s a perfect Amazon Subscribe & Save product. I can have it delivered right to his door, save money on every order, and avoid those last-minute protein emergencies. More importantly, it’s one delivery that I know will always make him happy. And when your son is 6’5″ and 290 pounds, anything that helps keep the grocery bill under control is worth its weight in gold. [/product_listing]

 

No one gets excited about buying dishwasher detergent, but everyone notices when they run out. Cascade Platinum Plus ActionPacs are one of those everyday essentials that simply make life easier. They tackle stuck-on food, leave dishes sparkling, and save you from re-washing what should have come out clean the first time. It’s the perfect Amazon Subscribe & Save product because it’s something every household uses regularly, and having it automatically show up means one less thing to remember. In my case, I have it delivered not only to my house, but to all three of my kids. Because apparently, dishwasher pods are now part of my parenting strategy. [/product_listing]

Want even more Prime Day deals? Check out The Curator’s new Amazon Storefront for all the best deals now!

Sun Bum has become a family favourite for a reason. It smells like summer, feels great on your skin, and is one of the few sunscreens everyone actually uses. It’s also a great example of why I love Amazon Subscribe & Save you choose the delivery schedule that works for you. For sunscreen, that might be every six months instead of every month. Plus, you can pause, skip, or cancel you subscription at anytime. I always make sure Sun Bum shows up at Mimi’s door. Turns out, sunscreen reminders are a parenting skill that lasts a lifetime. [/product_listing]

 

 

Organika Enhanced Collagen Peptides is a Canadian-made powder that provides hydrolyzed Type 1 & 3 collagen to support hair, skin, nails, joints, and overall connective tissue health. It’s grass-fed, non-GMO, unflavoured, and easy to mix into hot or cold drinks for a simple daily wellness boost.[/product_listing]

 

These high-performance laundry detergent pacs from Tide are designed to tackle tough, set-in stains with built-in Oxi power, so you can often skip pre-treating. They’re HE-compatible, work well even in cold water, and come in convenient single-use pods that make laundry as simple as tossing one in per load.[/product_listing]

 

McCafé Premium Medium Dark Roast K-Cup Coffee Pods (48 count) are designed for Keurig machines and deliver a smooth, balanced cup with a slightly darker roast for a richer aroma. Made from 100% Arabica beans sourced from Rainforest Alliance Certified farms, they offer a clean finish and consistent café-style taste at home.[/product_listing]

 

Sensodyne Clinical White Toothpaste is a sensitivity-focused whitening formula that works gradually to lift surface stains while protecting exposed nerves from everyday triggers like cold and heat. It combines enamel-safe polishing agents with a minty anticavity blend, giving you cleaner-looking teeth and long-lasting comfort in a single daily-use tube.[/product_listing]

 

These MR.SIGA Microfiber Cleaning Cloths come in a pack of 24 and are made to be soft, absorbent, and gentle enough to clean delicate surfaces without scratching or leaving lint. They are reusable and durable, making them useful for a wide range of cleaning tasks like wiping counters, polishing glass, and cleaning kitchen or car surfaces.[/product_listing]

 

The Mr. Clean Magic Eraser Sponge Extra Durable is a water-activated cleaning pad designed to remove tough dirt, stains, and scuff marks from surfaces like walls, shoes, kitchens, and bathrooms. It’s made to last longer than standard erasers and can clean a wide variety of messes using only water.[/product_listing]

 

Always Maxi Pads for Women, Extra Heavy Overnight with Wings (Size 5, 36 Count) are designed to provide up to 100% leak-free protection with strong overnight absorbency for heavy flow. [/product_listing]

 

The Touchland Sweet & Bright Trio keeps your hands clean and lightly scented with soft, fresh fragrances that feel easy and everyday.[/product_listing]

 

It’s hard to stay hydrated on a busy schedule, especially when you’re rushing between school, workouts, or travel and forget to drink enough water. LIQUID I.V. Hydration Multiplier Watermelon helps solve that by delivering electrolytes and vitamins in a convenient on-the-go stick that boosts water absorption quickly.[/product_listing]

You may also like:

Shark Air Purifier – $199.99

BISSELL Little Green ProHeat Portable Carpet & Upholstery Spot Cleaner  – $94.99

Ninja Crispi Pro 6-in-1 Glass Air Fryer – $295.99

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.

A woman from Cavan, Ont., had a birthday she’ll never forget after discovering she had won a lottery prize worth $16 million.

The OLG reports a woman named Darlene M. claimed the prize from the Lotto 6-49 Gold Ball draw held on May 30.

The following day, the OLG reported the winning ticket had been sold in Peterborough. Cavan is located just 25 kilometres southwest of Peterborough.

The 63-year-old retiree says she checked her ticket on her birthday.

“I checked it using the OLG app and ran inside the house to tell my sister right away,” she told the OLG. “I had to make sure what I was seeing was real. I was shocked.”

The winning ticket was purchased at Giant Tiger on Lansdowne Street West in Peterborough.

“It’s hard to wrap my head around this,” she said. “I shared the news with the rest of my family, and they were all also in shock and disbelief.”

Along with paying some bills, she plans to use her winnings to buy a new truck and help her children purchase a home.

“I’d also like to support animal welfare initiatives that are important to me,” she said.

© 2026 Global News, a division of Corus Entertainment Inc.