Canada’s Minister of Emergency Management has approved a request for federal assistance to assist the flood-ravaged regions in western Manitoba.

Eleanor Olszewski says: “We will continue working with the province of Manitoba, local leaders and Indigenous partners, to make sure Manitobans have the support they need now and, in the weeks, and months ahead as recovery continues.”

Support will include a small team of Canadian Armed Forces members to help with logistical assistance and resource co-ordination.

And within the next 24 hours, Team Rubicon Canada, a veteran-led disaster response organization, will deploy volunteers with military, emergency response and disaster recovery experience, and they’ll provide direct assistance on the ground.

Support from the Canadian Red Cross will continue and assistance will be given to Manitoba’s Emergency Coordination Centre.

One of the areas still in turmoil is Swan Valley and the Reeve of Swan Valley West Bill Gade says they’re trying to save as many homes as possible.

“We need to get the basements stripped out, get the drywall out and prevent the mould from taking hold. We don’t want to tear the houses down, said Gade. “And for that we just need the volunteers, and certainly the military is one option for that.”

Gade says it will cost a lot of money and time to make repairs to municipal infrastructure.

“We’re going to be over 10 million dollars in our municipality and times that by all the other ones. It’s just unimaginable how much this will cost.”

 

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

The B.C. Conservatives wrapped up a two-day caucus retreat in Penticton on Friday with new leader Kerry-Lynne Findlay emphasizing unity, action and renewed momentum ahead of the fall legislative session.

Addressing media at the conclusion of the retreat, Findlay praised the party’s MLAs for their commitment and teamwork.

“I am so proud of this caucus. I am so proud of their dedication, their intelligence,” Findlay said, “They are a great group.”

The two-day event marked the party’s first retreat under Findlay’s leadership.

Despite past defections and infighting, the party presented a united front.

“If there are any differences, they are very minor and we don’t need to agree 100 per cent on everything. What we need to agree on is most things,” the Conservative leader said.

The retreat serves as an opportunity for the MLAs to discuss, behind closed doors, the party’s priorities and vision for the months ahead.

“We intend to deliver,” Findlay said. “We are people of action. That’s what the Conservative Party of BC will bring — not just promises, but action.”

The caucus leadership team and shadow cabinet features several Okanagan MLAs in prominent roles.

West Kelowna–Peachland MLA Macklin McCall has been promoted to senior caucus leadership as the Official Opposition Whip, where he will help manage caucus business and maintain party discipline.

“I think a big component right now is about ensuring that there’s morale in our office, ensuring that we’re moving forward unified, and I’m happy to do that,” McCall said. “I think it’s an important role, important work.”

Findlay also retained Kelowna Centre MLA Kristina Loewen as critic for prosperity and social development, while Kelowna-Mission MLA Gavin Dew will continue, in an expanded role, as critic for economic development.

“The Okanagan and Kelowna specifically are well represented in our shadow cabinet, and the roles that we play fit together very well around some of the key issues in the region,” Dew said.

Held at the Penticton Lakeside Resort and Conference Centre, the retreat appeared to provide the official Opposition with renewed energy as MLAs prepare for the legislature’s return this fall.

“We intend to show the people of British Columbia that we are the government in waiting they’ve been hoping for,” Findlay said. “We intend to form the next government in British Columbia.”

 

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

Taylor Swift and Travis Kelce married Friday night at Madison Square Garden, where actor Adam Sandler was the surprising officiant at a star-packed ceremony. The secrecy that surrounded the buildup to the nuptials lifted when a marquee outside the Midtown Manhattan arena proclaimed “JUST&T MARRIED” once the deed was done.

The couple did not have bridesmaids or groomsmen, instead opting for Swift’s brother Austin Swift to serve as her man of honor and Kelce’s brother and podcast co-host Jason Kelce serving as his best man, Swift’s publicist Tree Paine said in an email.

The bride and groom’s outfits came from Christian Dior Haute Couture and its designer Jonathan Anderson with shoes custom-made by Christian Louboutin. She wore Cartier jewelry.

An almost-royal wedding

The long anticipated union of sports and song brought hype to new heights at a venue made more for historic NBA games and bucket-list concerts. The Kansas City Chiefs’ superstar tight end and the music megastar married as fans and spectators gathered outside in blistering heat, eager to be part of the occasion, even though the event was almost entirely hidden.

Singer Camila Cabello, actors Hugh Grant, Ethan Hawke and Jason Sudeikis, and model Karlie Kloss were among the guests. Running back Kareem Hunt was among Kelce’s Chiefs teammates in attendance. Seattle Seahawks receiver and recent Super Bowl champ Cooper Kupp, New York Giants receiver JuJu Smith-Schuster, NFL announcer Joe Buck and Jenny Han, author of the “The Summer I Turned Pretty” series were also seen entering the arena.

In a culture obsessed with famous couplings it may be the apex celebrity wedding, with perhaps only royal unions getting more attention. Holding such a ceremony in a huge, iconic space that sits at the center of the U.S. media universe while keeping all the details secret made for a surreal scene, but it was a mix of hype and hush that is not out of character for Swift.

A shrouded ceremony headed by Happy Gilmore

An Associated Press camera outside the arena showed a long line of black SUVs dropping off wedding-goers in tuxedos and evening gowns, surrounded by New Yorkers in shorts and Swifties amassing for the occasion.

Celebrities, athletes and friends were posting on social media about getting ready or about to leave for a black-tie event, including Brandon Borders, producer of the New Heights podcast starring Kelce and his brother Jason Kelce; Beau Allen, retired defensive lineman for the Philadelphia Eagles; and Jessica Chastain.

There was a notable lack of social media posts from guests once they had entered the arena, after reports that phones would not be allowed. Rain began falling soon after the marriage was announced.

Weddings have been a constant subject in Swift’s songs since she was a teenager, and her actually walking the aisle for the first time at age 36 adds to the drama. It would also be a first marriage for the 36-year-old three-time Super Bowl champ Kelce, who could have been one of the jock characters in Swift’s early hits.

Sandler, star of “The Wedding Singer” and many other hit comedies, can’t have been high on anyone’s betting list for who would marry the couple, though he’s become an increasingly warm and paternal cultural figure with age. The email announcing the marriage described him as “a friend” of the couple. Kelce was one of the many athletes who appeared in “Happy Gilmore 2,” Sandler’s 2025 sequel to one of his earlier hits.

Welcome to New York — hot and hectic edition

The relationship of the pop star and the football player has thrilled and fascinated millions around the world — particularly the Swifties, the pop star’s enormous and ardent fan base — ever since the pair first started dating in 2023.

Outside the arena, some frazzled tourists mixed with happy fans.

Lori Powers, who lives an hour north of Manhattan and rode the train in to be near the nuptials, said Swift’s “music is the soundtrack behind so many amazing moments in my life. Relationships, friends, like my husband and my kids.”

She stood outside the arena before the marriage was announced with her friend Cecily Hall.

“Just being here and witnessing all the energy and the excitement, it’s so much fun,” Hall said. “The combination of sports and music makes perfect sense as to why they’re at Madison Square Garden today.”

Questions remain about who may perform and what it looked like inside the affair that could go well into the night.

 

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Animal rights advocates are calling for change after RCMP fatally shot a mother bear in Coquitlam.

Police were called on Saturday to the Westwood Plateau area when the bear, known to area residents as Betty, and her cubs entered a home through an unlocked front door.

The sow ended up in the backyard and video showed the bear charging toward an RCMP officer.

The Conservation Officer Service said the bear had a history of property damage and displayed no fear of humans, but others say her killing was unnecessary.

“From what I’ve been told, I mean she’s been around for quite a few years and neighbours in the area that she’s lived really enjoyed her,” Ellie Lamb, a bear behaviour educator, said.

“It was very disturbing, and it will be a long time before this community will overcome this kind of trauma.”

The two cubs were found inside the home and taken to Critter Care Wildlife Society in Langley for rehabilitation.

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

An Alberta man continues to blaze his own trail at the Calgary Stampede 100 years after his father competed on the same grounds.

Lynn Edge is a steer breeder from Cochrane, Alta., and has been competing in the horse cutting competition at the Calgary Stampede for the past 25 years.

“It’s sort of western lifestyle we used to do back home, and we were actually sorting cattle,” he says.

Lynn has won several accolades in cutting, including the 2023 Canadian Championship in the $5,000 Novice Horse, and most recently the Canadian Championship in the $50,000 Novice Horse which he did in 2025.

“Well, he’s a good rider,” says Lynn’s wife, Judy Edge. “He’s been riding ever since he been little so, you know … that’s part of what he’s done.”

Judy says a lot of what Lynn has done in his career is thanks to the help of his father Norman Frank Edge, who was a Rodeo competitor at the Calgary Stampede back in the 1920s.

“When Guy Weadick was putting on shows here at Calgary the very first stampede, my dad competed in that and then in 1922 through to 1929, he competed aggressively, he won Calgary a couple of times,” says Lynn..

“We’ve been doing it in the family for a lot of times and if you look at it,  he won it in (19)25 and (19)27, and we’re now in 2027 or getting close. That’s 100 years apart so that’s pretty cool,” he adds.

The family says Norman’s accomplishments include winning the Brahma Steer Riding in 1927, the Bareback Championship in 1928 and the Wild Horse Race with Oille Edge and Johnny Munro in 1929.

In 2017, Norman was recognized by the town of Cochrane when they put his image on the back of the $20 bill of the town’s currency. He was also inducted into the Canadian Pro Rodeo Hall of Fame in 1983.

“It makes you very proud to know that our family has been here and we’ve been involved with the Calgary Stampede for a long time,” says Judy.

While the family says their children aren’t interested in continuing in the family’s stampede legacy, their granddaughter may be the next in line.

“It’s hard to say she’s interested in horses but when she’s not close by on the ranch, it makes a difference,” says Judy.

“She’s only 15,” says Lynn. “But she’s starting to ride and in fact, she’s riding the cutting horse that I won the ($50,000) AM on.”

A championship horse for what could be the next Edge champion.

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

FIFA is recognizing a World Cup volunteer in Toronto for her resilience and dedication.

Alessia Commisso has a rare mitochondrial disease known as Leigh syndrome.

Over the years, she has lost her ability to walk and see.

“Doing daily tasks had become difficult. Getting changed in the morning had become difficult, eating on my own had become difficult,” Alessia said.

But she has never let that hold her back.

The 23-year-old is a major sports fan, so when she learned the FIFA World Cup was coming to her home city, she decided to volunteer.

“It might look different a little bit, but let’s give it a shot and see where it goes,” Alessia said.

“I don’t let my disability, the fact that I’m in a wheelchair or the fact that I have limited vision, I don’t let that stop me.”

It’s that determination that allowed her to excel in the role.

Despite her limited vision, Alessia guided people to their gates at Toronto Stadium.

“Whatever they wanted to find, I was there with a smile to help them get the best experience,” she said.

Alessia’s mom, Sonia, was by her side to witness it all.

“It is the most beautiful thing for me to see the resilience in her, the determination in her,” she said.

“Just seeing that inclusivity. No one was seeing Alessia any different just because she was in a wheelchair. So, this was quite, quite special.”

FIFA formally acknowledged Alessia’s efforts by naming her a FIFA World Cup 2026 Unsung Hero.

The organization also gave her and her mom the surprise of a lifetime while they were volunteering for the Panama-Croatia match on June 23.

The pair was invited to watch the match from pitchside.

“It was just so special. I didn’t even have words,” Alessia said while getting emotional.

The mother-daughter duo then got escorted to the VVIP section, where they met FIFA President Gianni Infantino.

He gifted Alessia a miniature replica FIFA World Cup Trophy and an official match ball.

In a video FIFA shared with Global News, Infantino said to Alessia, “So beautiful you are doing this. I am really so proud … You give really special gift to all of us.”

Alessia says she appreciates that a busy man like him took the time to talk to her.

“For him to be able to take five minutes out of his day to come to have a conversation with me was just touching,” she said.

“I was happy to be a volunteer. I was just happy to be there, part of FIFA, in some way contributing.”

It was during that conversation Infantino learned Alessia is studying event management at Humber College.

So, he got a special certificate made, dubbing her “FIFA Event Manager.”

It was also done in braille.

“They took that extra step to make sure as someone with a vision impairment, I was able to access it always,” Alessia said.

Toronto Raptor Scottie Barnes helped present it to Alessia at the final World Cup match in Toronto between Portugal and Croatia on Thursday.

It’s a title Alessia hopes she can one day make official.

“Hopefully I can be on the other side of FIFA soon, planning all of this,” she said with a smile.

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

Environment Canada has ended a tornado warning for Chatham-Kent – Rondeau Park after warning that a severe thunderstorm may have been producing a tornado.

At 7:28 p.m. Friday, meteorologists said they were tracking an area of severe thunderstorms that was possibly producing a tornado.

The warning carried an extreme impact level and very high forecast confidence.

In addition to the tornado threat, the storm was expected to bring damaging winds, large hail and locally intense rainfall.

Environment Canada had urged residents to take cover immediately in a basement, interior room or sturdy shelter when threatening weather approached.

If no shelter was available, people were advised to lie in a low-lying area and protect their heads from flying debris.

Boaters were advised to return to shore and seek shelter if possible. If unable to reach shore, they were advised to move away from the tornado’s path, wear a lifejacket, lie face down and protect their heads.

Tornado warnings are issued when a thunderstorm is producing or is likely to produce a tornado.

The warning has since ended.

© 2026 Global News, 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.

There’s a quiet charm to the modern Canadian cottage aesthetic—where comfort meets simplicity and every piece feels connected to the calm of lake life. From soft textures and natural materials to thoughtfully chosen accents, this style is all about creating a relaxed, welcoming space that feels both elevated and easygoing. In this edit, we highlight décor pieces that capture that breezy lake house feel, blending warmth, function, and beautiful design. Read on for cozy finds from Simons, Article, Wayfair and more.

This stylish vase does more than hold your fresh bouquet. Modern with a artisan ceramic finish, it makes a costal-inspired centerpiece for tables, bookshelves, kitchens, or bedrooms. [/product_listing]

 

This scalloped seagrass tray pairs natural woven texture with a soft, sculptural edge, and looks great atop your coffee table or kitchen counters.[/product_listing]

 

These textured striped pillow covers bring a relaxed aesthetic, with neutral tones and subtle patterning that blend easily into cozy, natural, and modern rustic interiors.[/product_listing]

 

Lean into nature to create a soft, calming feel inside your home and out. This framed vintage hydrangea and sailboat canvas blends soft blue florals with a serene landscape for a tranquil touch.[/product_listing]

 

Love natural texture and rustic accents? Thos wooden cutting board pairs perfectly with beachhouse, lakehouse, or cottage-style kitchens. Its organic tree-bark rim and rich wood grain make it just as beautiful on display as it is for serving.[/product_listing]

 

Set the atmosphere with a clean, ceramic minimalist lamp that instantly adds glow to your bedrooms, living spaces or reading nooks.[/product_listing]

 

With basket beige cushions and tailored lines, the the Cove Collection from Article is causal yet elegant. This piece is made from solid acacia frame and designed to be low and loungey.[/product_listing]

 

This faux-rattan mosaic basket features a soft woven texture and warm neutral tone, crafted from durable polypropylene over a sturdy iron frame for lasting structure. It provides handy storage for blankets, magazines, or everyday essentials while keeping your space neatly organized and visually on point.[/product_listing]

 

Being in a nature-first environment is all about slowing down and finding space to relax, and this hammock helps bring that feeling into your home or cottage. Made from durable cotton threads woven in the traditional Mayan style, it’s designed to support up to 250 pounds, offering a comfortable and inviting place to unwind.[/product_listing]

 

This set of 2 floating shelves is crafted from 100% solid cedar wood, featuring a natural live-edge design that brings rustic warmth and organic character to your space. Perfect for living rooms, bedrooms, kitchens, or entryways, they a great modern storage and display solution.[/product_listing]

 

If you’re looking for the perfect way to decorate a woodsy-inspired home, leaning into blue and beachy tones is a great way to bring in a calm, coastal feel. This 50×70 cm art print by Adrienna Matzeg for Paper Collective captures a moment of shared warmth and connection, printed in 12 rich colours on fine art paper and available exclusively online through Simons Maison.[/product_listing]

 

If you love a lodge-like aesthetic, this solid wood end table brings natural warmth and organic character to any space with its tree stump-inspired design and rich, visible grain. Functional and cottage-chic, it adds a grounded accent to any room.[/product_listing]

You may also like:

Solar String Lights – $49.99

Patio Novagarden Balcony Railing Table – $106.24

Veradek Umbrella Side Table – $149.99

Patio Cantilever Umbrella Cover for 9-13 Ft Umbrellas – $49.99

 

 

 

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

A group of whale watchers got the sighting of a lifetime off the coast of Vancouver Island recently.

Mollie Cameron, a skipper with Sooke Coastal Explorations, said they had a group out on the water on June 28 and heard about a group of orcas off Sooke.

“We got a report that there was a fin whale a bit further west than where we are and the weather was not super cooperative, so we weren’t sure if we were going to make it over there, but the tide changed and the weather really calmed down and made it for the best experience for us,” she told Global News.

“We were really excited to see that animal.”

Cameron said the size of the fin whale was “unbelievable.”

“We see humpbacks pretty regularly here, but even in comparison to a humpback, it was just breathtaking to see that large of an animal, the second-largest animal in the world.”

Eagle Wing Tours, which also had a boat in the area, estimated the fin whale was 70 feet long.

According to IFAW, fin whales are only smaller than the blue whale.

When they are born, they weigh around 3,600 pounds and can average about 99,000 pounds when they are grown, according to the organization.

They are listed as vulnerable on the IUCN Red List of Threatened Species.

Cameron said fin whales have been documented in the Strait of Juan de Fuca a “handful” of times in the past 10 years, but seeing one is very rare.

“To see a species you’ve never seen before, it’s just so exciting,” she said. “You’re not super familiar with seeing them, with their behaviour and it’s a learning experience and it’s really incredible to encounter an animal you’ve never seen before.”

The increase in whale sightings in the nutrient-rich waters of the Salish Sea is being attributed to conservation measures.

The last commercial whaling station in B.C. closed in 1967.

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

Vancouver city council voted on Thursday to extend the Granville Street Pedestrian Zone to Labour Day.

This means that the eligible FIFA-related temporary patios and public realm expansions will also remain.

In the council meeting on Thursday, Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim said he has not seen the city this alive since the 2010 Olympic Games and he wants to keep the energy going throughout the summer.

According to the City of Vancouver, the cost to extend the zone for an additional seven weeks is an estimated $4.75 million.

Weekly engineering costs are $300,000, including sanitation services, traffic management, washrooms and other operational costs.

Weekly policing costs are $200,000, according to the city.

The total figure also includes a grant up to $1.25 million to the Downtown Vancouver Business Improvement Association for activations and programming, the city added.

“Vancouver has rediscovered what’s possible when we put people at the heart of our city,” Sim said.

“Granville Street has been full of energy, local businesses are seeing more customers, and residents and visitors have told us loud and clear that they want this momentum to continue.”

Restaurants, bars and other businesses have seen record sales since the five blocks between Georgia and Davie streets closed to bus and vehicle traffic in early June for the FIFA World Cup.

Coun. Sean Orr was absent for the vote and councillors Rebecca Bligh and Pete Fry opposed keeping the zone pedestrian-only until Labour Day.

“We had two days’ notice on this motion,” Fry said.

“We saw it go from three and a half million dollars to four million dollars to $4.75 million in less than 48 hours. To me, that suggests that the mayor didn’t have a really concrete plan and it’s just sort of throwing money at an idea and as stewards of public funds, we, I think, need a little bit more clarity.”

Coun. Sarah Kirby-Yung said she thinks that spending the money is worth it.

“This is something that residents have been asking us for loudly and proudly,” she said. “We’ve heard from the local businesses that really, really want to see this continue.”

When it comes to moving food trucks back into the fan zone, the city said it is reviewing the safety, design and operational requirements of the pedestrian zone.

A food truck operator told Global News that he was sidelined from his regular spot on the Granville Strip during the FIFA pedestrian zone.

The city told Global News at the time that food trucks cannot move in and out of the fan zone each day due to the safety standards of the closure design.

The food truck, Downtown Hotdog, can remain in the fan zone because its commissary kitchen is on the same block as its vending location, allowing the business to operate without moving its trailer.

Vancouver city council also directed staff to explore the feasibility of temporarily reactivating the Granville Street Pedestrian Zone in November 2026 to support a potential Christmas Market and gather additional operational and economic performance data, according to a release.

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