Ongoing History Daily: The weird Hollerado fan album

Hollerado is a weirdly creative bunch of guys. Take the case of their album, 111 Songs.

Someone in the group came up with the idea of writing a song for every fan who wrote in and asked for one. The initial concept was to release a special promotional bundle with the record, a T-shirt, a poster and a custom song that would go with their second album, White Paint. Fantastic.

But so many fans wrote in—more than a hundred people paid to be a part of this—that the project took two years to complete. The result is equivalent to more than five full-length albums and was finally released on March 24, 2015. Hollerado went to iTunes who then refused to sell a five-hour collection for nine dollars.

The band wouldn’t compromise—Apple wanted to sell it for $35—so the 111 Songs album has gone down in Hollerado history as a fantastic money-losing passion project.

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

McDavid comes up big as Oilers down Canucks 9-7

VANCOUVER – Connor McDavid scored his first goal of the season and tallied four assists as the Edmonton Oilers outlasted the Vancouver Canucks for a wild 9-7 victory on Thursday.

Evan Bouchard had a three-point night with a goal and two assists for the Oilers (1-0-1), and became the first defenceman in NHL history with eight points (four goals, four assists) through his team’s first two games of the season.

Edmonton got two goals and an assist from Leon Draisaitl, and one of each from Vasily Podkolzin and Kasperi Kapanen. Owen Michaels also found the back of the net for his first NHL tally and Ryan Shea scored his first in an Oilers’ uniform.

Devon Levi made his first NHL start since Jan. 20, 2025 when he was a member of the Buffalo Sabres, and stopped 15 of the 22 shots he faced.

Marco Rossi scored twice for the Canucks (1-1-0) and recorded an assist, while Elias Pettersson had a goal and two helpers. Paul Cotter, Brock Boeser, Arshdeep Bains, and Jamie Oleksiak each had a goal and an assist.

Kevin Lankinen made 12 saves on 20 shots for Vancouver before getting pulled midway through the second period. Leevi Merilainen — who the Canucks claimed off waivers on Friday and was still sporting a Senators helmet — stopped 10 of the 11 shots he faced in relief.

It was the second time this week the two sides played a high-scoring affair, coming after the Canucks took a 6-5 overtime decision in the season opener for both sides on Tuesday.

TAKEAWAYS

Canucks: After putting up six goals on Tuesday, Vancouver struggled to generate offence through Thursday’s first two periods. The home side didn’t get its first shot on goal until the 11:58 mark of the first period when Linus Karlsson sent a wrist shot sailing toward the net from the bottom of the faceoff circle. The Canucks surged in the third with two goals from Rossi and one from Pettersson over five minutes and 44 seconds.

Oilers: Were missing top-six forwards Ryan Nugent-Hopkins and Zach Hyman, but still seemingly scored at will early, including goals from Michaels and Bouchard 16 seconds apart in the first period.

KEY MOMENT

The Oilers took a 8-2 lead on a Canucks power play midway through the second frame when McDavid and Kapanen scored short-handed breakaway goals 34 seconds apart.

KEY STAT

Vancouver had more hits (27) than shots on goal (20) in the game.

UP NEXT

Canucks: Host the Calgary Flames on Saturday.

Oilers: Host the Seattle Kraken on Saturday.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1, 2026.

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Longtime Lumby mayor runs in municipal and provincial elections

Lumby mayoral candidate Kevin Acton is running in both elections. Acton, the incumbent in the municipal election is now the BC Conservative candidate in the Vernon-Lumby riding. But as Klaudia Van Emmerick reports, he's promising to ensure this does not become a burden to taxpayers.

Lumby Mayor Kevin Acton is running double duty on the campaign trail, seeking re-election as mayor while also running as the BC Conservative candidate in the Vernon-Lumby riding.

Acton was already seeking another term as mayor when a snap provincial election was called.

Rather than withdraw from the municipal race, he decided to run in both elections.

“It’s always been my intention to run conservative provincially and so it’s just the way it’s happened,” Acton said. “It’s really bad timing. Eby decided to call an election during the municipal elections for the province.”

Acton says he would prefer to remain mayor if he does not win the provincial seat.

“I would love to be the mayor again for another four years if I don’t win the provincial election,” he said.

The decision could create confusion for some voters, according to Hamish Telford, a political science associate professor at the University of the Fraser Valley.

“I also say electorally, people might have questions about a candidate’s motivation. Oh, you’re running from two elections to see which one turns out best, rather than working for what is in the best interest of how voters respond,” Telford said.

While Acton said he understand some may see the decision as a self-serving one, he defended it saying he believes it is in the best interest of Lumby residents and democracy at the local level.

“They deserve a proper election, and there’s only one other opponent running in this election. So if I withdrew, he would just automatically get the seat, and I don’t think that’s fair to the voter,” Acton said.

In Lumby, residents Global News spoke with said they have no issue with Acton’s decision to run in both races.

“Good for him if he is able to see which one comes up and work with that,” said Lumby resident Alan Simpson.

“If the provincial one wasn’t called after the municipal one, then yes, I would have a problem but because it was forced on him to make a decision now, no, I don’t see a problem,” said John Strack, another Lumby resident.

If Acton wins the provincial election, Lumby residents would have to return to the polls to choose a new mayor in a byelection.

Acton says he would personally cover the cost of the municipal byelection through a donation to the village.

Covering the cost of a municipal by-election personally is not unprecedented.

In 2013, former Penticton Mayor Dan Ashton wrote a cheque for more than $30,000 after winning a seat in the legislature and triggering a by-election to fill the vacant mayor’s position.

Telford questions whether individuals should be able to personally cover the costs of byelections.

“I am quite concerned by this idea that the citizen can pay for a byelection. If that is in fact the case, then that’s a loophole that has to be closed,” Telford said.

Elections BC confirmed it does not administer costs related to local election administration.

For Acton, the goal is to continue serving the region, regardless of which election he wins.

Municipal elections are scheduled for Oct. 17.

The provincial election takes places one week later on Oct. 24.

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

Canadian astronaut reaches International Space Station for six-month mission

The Canadian Space Agency (CSA) is singing the praises of astronaut Joshua Kutryk after NASA's SpaceX Crew-13 successfully launched to the International Space Station (ISS) Thursday morning. "We're proud of Josh Kutryk and the hard work is that he's put into getting to this point,” CSA Director of Astronauts, Life Sciences and Space Medicine Mathieu Caron said during a post-launch press conference at the Kennedy Space Center.

Canadian astronaut Joshua Kutryk’s first thought after being told Thursday he had made it to space was one of disbelief.

“I don’t really believe it yet,” Kutryk said after being told the crew was in orbit, about 10 minutes after blasting off from Florida as part of the NASA SpaceX Crew 13 mission to the International Space Station.

“It does feel weird, though.”

The 44-year-old is a mission specialist on the four-person crew, which also includes commander Jessica Watkins and pilot Luke Delaney — both of NASA — and Roscosmos cosmonaut Sergey Teteryatnikov, another mission specialist.

https://x.com/NASA/status/2105842656429432894?s=20

NASA says the Crew 13 mission had the fastest flight ever to the International Space Station, taking just under eight hours to reach the facility.

After another two hours or so of docking procedures, Kutryk and his crewmates emerged from a hatch and were greeted with hugs and handshakes from the seven people aboard the station.

Speaking during a brief welcome ceremony, Kutryk expressed disbelief at finally being on the space station and said it’s great to have Canada represented there again.

“Looking forward to a good mission after some sleep. That’s what I’m going to go do next,” he said on the NASA broadcast.

The crew is to spend six months at the station conducting experiments, doing research and taking part in critical maintenance work.

Kutryk also faces a unique situation during his months-long deployment off Earth — his wife is set to give birth to their third child.

The space station is a long way from the Alberta cattle farm where Kutryk grew up. Before the launch, Kutryk said the crew members felt like “some of the luckiest people on Earth.”

Industry Minister Mélanie Joly watched the launch from the ground. It was the first she had ever attended.

“It was absolutely fantastic,” Joly said with a smile at the Kennedy Space Center. “It’s a very humbling experience as well because ultimately we’re very, very small humans in an extremely vast universe.”

Joly said the launch offered an important symbol of international co-operation during “tense geopolitical times.”

“When it comes to space, I think this is a place where we can collaborate and co-operate,” she said. “That’s what we’ve done.”

Collaboration on space innovation has continued despite U.S. President Donald Trump’s tariffs and continued threats of annexation.

Joly has been on the front lines of Trump’s trade war with Canada, first as foreign minister and now in her current portfolio, where she’s tasked with mitigating many of the tariffs’ effects.

She met with NASA administrator Jared Isaacman for about 30 minutes Thursday. She said they spoke about how the Canadian Space Agency can contribute to exploration, particularly of the moon and Mars.

Joly said she always talks about the importance of ending the trade war when she meets members of the Trump administration and other American politicians.

At a post-launch news conference, Isaacman said he has fruitful discussions with Canada, particularly on a future lunar base. Pointing to the well-known Canadarm and its followup Dextre, Isaacman said Canada’s robotics expertise would play an important role in achieving America’s lofty ambitions in space.

“We are going to be counting on it as part of the architecture,” he said.

Kutryk’s mission adds to a memorable year for Canadian space exploration and research.

Canadian Jeremy Hansen was one of four astronauts aboard the Artemis II mission in April — humanity’s first trip to the moon in more than 50 years. The 10-day lunar fly-around saw Hansen and his crewmates travel farther from the surface of the Earth than anyone before them.

Mathieu Caron, director of astronauts, life sciences and space medicine at the Canadian Space Agency, told Thursday’s news conference that for the first time in his three-decade-long career, his children think he’s cool.

“Across Canada, we really see a renewed enthusiasm for human space exploration,” Caron said.

Joly said Canada was looking to push its space capabilities further by diversifying space partnerships and working more closely with the European and Japanese space industries, as well as other middle-power countries.

But Ottawa wants to do things faster and with more ambition, she added.

Joly said Canada’s defence industrial plan recognizes the importance of the space sector and new funds have been dedicated to the Canadian Space Agency. She said Canada must embrace the industrial part of space investment to create domestic jobs while also doubling down on science and civilian research.

A new president for the Canadian Space Agency is to be named in the coming weeks, Joly said. A new space strategy would also be unveiled in the coming months, which will promote Canada’s goals of creating opportunities, playing a larger role in the sector and sending more astronauts off Earth, she added.

“I think space exploration is important for our country,” she said.

“Also we benefit from the different research done … for our industry, for creating jobs but also to protect our sovereignty and also when it comes to science and the betterment of humankind.”

© 2026 The Canadian Press

Hosting this holiday season? These cookware sets are worth the upgrade

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.

Hosting this holiday season? If your pots and pans have seen better days, now might be the perfect time for an upgrade before the holiday cooking begins. From durable stainless steel collections to versatile, easy-clean sets from Our Place and Lagostina, these picks are made to handle everything from bubbling sauces and hearty sides to the main course. With generous pots, versatile pans and durable materials, they’re ready for the extra cooking that comes with a holiday feast.

Cookware Selection Guide

Cooktop Type. Best Materials Why It Matters
Gas Stainless steel, cast iron, carbon steel, copper Open flame gives strong, uneven heat—durable, responsive materials work best
Electric Coil Stainless steel, cast iron, hard-anodized aluminum Needs flat, stable bottoms for even contact
Glass/Ceramic (Radiant) Stainless steel, aluminum (thick), titanium Smooth surface requires flat cookware for good heat transfer
Induction Magnetic stainless steel, cast iron Requires magnetic material to generate heat
Oven Use Cast iron, stainless steel, carbon steel Must tolerate high, sustained heat

For the serious holiday host

If you’re cooking a full holiday spread and want cookware built to handle years of use, this is the splurge pick. Its tri-ply stainless steel construction with an aluminium core is designed for even heating, while the 600°F oven-safe temperature gives you plenty of flexibility for dishes that start on the stovetop and finish in the oven.[/product_listing]

 

For easier holiday prep

This is the set to reach for when you want holiday cooking to feel a little less fussy. The 10-piece collection has thoughtful details like measuring marks, pour spouts, straining lids and boil-over prevention inserts, plus a nonstick surface that makes everything from gravy to sauces easier to manage.[/product_listing]

 

A stainless steel set for the holiday feast

With 10 pieces of stainless steel cookware and tri-ply construction, this Tramontina set gives you a lot of versatility without the price tag of a premium collection. The aluminium core helps distribute heat quickly and evenly, making it a practical choice when you have several holiday dishes cooking at once.[/product_listing]

Built for hearty holiday dishes

For dishes that benefit from serious heat retention, cast iron is hard to beat. This five-piece Lodge set comes pre-seasoned and can go from stovetop to oven — or even over a campfire — making it particularly useful for searing, baking casseroles and serving up hearty holiday sides.[/product_listing]

 

The all-in-one kitchen upgrade

If you’d rather replace several pieces at once, this 13-piece set packs a lot into one collection. The Always Pan and Perfect Pot are joined by useful accessories, with built-in strainers and self-basting lids that can save you a few extra steps when you’re trying to get a holiday meal on the table.[/product_listing]

Stainless steel with a little extra style

If your cookware is going to stay on display while you’re hosting, Lagostina brings a little more visual appeal to the kitchen. The stainless steel set has bronze accents, along with fast, even heating and dishwasher-safe pieces for when the holiday meal is over.[/product_listing]

 

A reliable set for the holiday kitchen

When the holiday menu calls for several pots and pans at once, having a larger collection can make a big difference. This 11-piece stainless steel set gives you plenty of cookware to divide up the workload, from simmering sauces and boiling potatoes to preparing the main course.[/product_listing]

 

For holiday baking and sides

Holiday meals aren’t just about what’s on the stovetop. This five-piece set is geared toward the oven, with an oven pan, three baking dishes and a reusable oven mat for everything from mac and cheese and roasted vegetables to desserts. The pieces also nest together, which is especially useful if you don’t have room to store a collection of bulky bakeware.[/product_listing]

 

You may also like:

Salton SmartSealer 2-in-1 Bag Sealer and Cutter – $11.97

TrendPlain 470ml Olive Oil Spray Bottle – $13.99

COSORI Air Fryer – $109.99

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

5 easy bedroom updates that are kid-loved and parent-approved

In partnership with Walmart

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.

A kid’s bedroom is more than just a place to sleep, it’s their space to play, hang out, dream and show off a little personality. And while they may have some very definite ideas about what that looks like, creating a room they love doesn’t mean giving up on style, or blowing the budget.

From statement bedding and playful pillows to cozy textures, cool lighting and furniture that can grow with them, here are five easy ways to create a bedroom that feels completely theirs , with a little parent-approved style built in.

Decorating kids’ spaces can be challenging, especially when you have a budding interior designer in the house with LOTS of opinions!

My philosophy? Let the kids have fun with the things that are easy and affordable to change, and keep the bigger pieces stylish and timeless. That way, the room can grow with them, they get the space they want, and you get a room you’re happy to have in your house.

 

Start with something your kid really loves and let that be the jumping-off point for the room , but you don’t need to carry that theme through everything. Bedding is a great place to have some fun because it makes a big impact and it’s easy to change as their tastes change.

 

The Glow-in-the-Dark Gamer Bedding Set is perfect for the kid who wants their personality all over the room. It even glows in the dark and it’s reversible, so there’s a little flexibility built in.[/product_listing]

 

Or go in a completely different direction with Fairy Garden bedding. It’s whimsical and fun, but rather than turning the whole room into a fairy garden, pull out some of the softer colours and use those as inspiration for the rest of the space.[/product_listing]

 

Parent-approved tip: Let the bedding do the talking, then keep the bigger pieces a little quieter.

 

This is where I’d let the kids take over a little! Pillows and throws are an easy, affordable way to bring in the things they love without committing the entire room to them.

A game controller, a monster, a butterfly or a snail–these are the pieces that make the room feel like their room. And because they’re easy to swap out, when their latest obsession changes, the room can change right along with them.

 

Game on! This plush controller-shaped pillow is a fun addition to a gamer’s bedroom, playroom or reading nook. The soft, huggable design makes it just as cozy for lounging as it is playful for decorating beds, chairs and couches.[/product_listing]

 

Add a little personality to their space with this adorable snail-shaped pillow. Made with soft, plush fabric, it’s a cozy companion for reading corners, beds and playrooms, while the whimsical design makes it a fun accent to mix with other colourful pillows.[/product_listing]

 

A sweet accent for bedrooms, playrooms and reading nooks, this butterfly-shaped pillow brings a whimsical touch to their space. Its plush, huggable feel makes it great for lounging, while the playful shape adds plenty of personality to a bed or favourite chair.[/product_listing]

 

For the kid who likes their decor with a little more personality, this friendly monster pillow is a fun pick. The soft, plush design is made for snuggling during story time or movie nights, while its 3D shape adds a playful accent to beds, chairs and play spaces.[/product_listing]

 

For movie nights, reading sessions or simply curling up on the couch, this plush throw adds an extra layer of comfort. The 50-by-60-inch blanket comes in a versatile dark green shade that works easily with existing decor and is machine washable for everyday use.[/product_listing]

 

Bring a little whimsy to their next movie night with this ultra-soft plush throw. The 50-by-60-inch blanket features a charming Fairy Garden design and is lightweight enough to move from the bed to the couch. Plus, it’s machine washable for easy everyday care.[/product_listing]

 

This soft purple throw is an easy way to add a cozy layer to movie nights, reading sessions or chilly mornings. Measuring 50 by 60 inches, it’s lightweight enough to move around the house and coordinates with other pieces from the Mainstays Kids Fantasy Fun collection.[/product_listing]

 

Parent-approved tip: Let them go wild with the pillows and throws, they’re a whole lot easier to change than the walls!

 

Lighting is one of the easiest ways to completely change the mood of a room, and this is another place where you can let the kids have some fun.

 

The Astronaut Projector turns the ceiling and walls into a multicolour light show and even syncs to sound. It gives them that cool factor they want while adding another layer of personality to the room.[/product_listing]

 

And think beyond the overhead light. Different sources of light can make a bedroom feel warmer and cozier, and let the room change depending on what they’re doing.

Parent-approved tip: Give them more than one lighting option. Bright for homework, soft for winding down and something fun for hanging out – one room, three completely different moods.

 

Don’t forget the floor! A rug is one of those pieces that can instantly make a bedroom feel warmer, cozier and more finished.

 

This white faux-fur rug adds lots of texture without competing with all the colour and personality happening everywhere else. And because it’s neutral, it can work as their style changes – gamer today, something completely different next year![/product_listing]

 

Parent-approved tip: When there’s lots of colour and personality in the bedding and accessories, keep the rug simple and neutral. It grounds the room and gives all those fun pieces somewhere to shine.

 

When it comes to the bigger pieces, this is where I’d think a little longer term. Choose furniture that feels stylish now but doesn’t scream “kid’s room” so you’re not replacing it every couple of years.

 

The ivory bouclé platform bed is a great example. It’s soft and cozy enough for a kid’s room, but the shape and neutral colour feel sophisticated enough to grow right along with them. Then you can keep changing the bedding, pillows and accessories around it as their style changes.[/product_listing]

 

Give their bedroom a grown-up touch with this walnut-finish bedside table. The ribbed drawer front adds texture, while the open shelf keeps books, toys and bedtime essentials within easy reach. Sleek black metal legs round out the modern design, making it a stylish addition to a kid’s or tween’s room.[/product_listing]

 

Parent-approved tip: Spend your decorating energy on pieces that can grow with them. Keep the furniture timeless and let all those easy-to-change layers do the trend chasing.

At the end of the day, it’s their room, so let it feel like them!  Because creating a room they love doesn’t have to mean a huge makeover or a huge budget. A few smart changes, lots of personality – and a room that can grow right along with them

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

Edmonton teen carjacked during Facebook Marketplace exchange

An 18-year-old who thought he was helping his brother with a Facebook Marketplace sale instead found himself at the end of a gun Monday night as his vehicle was carjacked. Joel Gotlib reports.

A young man who thought he was helping his brother with a Facebook Marketplace sale instead found himself being the victim of an armed carjacking in southwest Edmonton.

“I can’t even sleep at night, you know, when somebody points a gun at you,” said victim, who Global News is not identifying for due to safety concerns.

“I’m just 18.”

The victim, who recently graduated high school and had saved up for his 2006 Toyota Highlander, says he was helping his brother sell a pair of sneakers through an online ad.

The plan was to meet the potential buyers in the parking lot of a McDonalds on James Mowatt Trail in the Rutherford area on Monday, Sept. 28.

The brothers arrived just after 7 p.m. to find the buyers weren’t interested in shoes.

While his sibling was outside doing what they thought was the buy-and-sell exchange, a masked person approached the 18-year-old in his vehicle.

“He asked for my phone and I said ‘No, I’m not giving you my phone’ and then he pointed a gun at me and then told me to step out.”

Someone in a nearby vehicle caught the carjacking on video and shared it with the victim. The video shows two suspects getting into the Toyota SUV and speeding off.

An 18-year-old was carjacked during what was supposed to be a Facebook Marketplace sale of a pair of sneakers outside a McDonalds in south Edmonton on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.

An 18-year-old was carjacked during what was supposed to be a Facebook Marketplace sale of a pair of sneakers outside a McDonalds in south Edmonton on Monday, Sept. 28, 2026.

Supplied

The victim said Edmonton police arrived within 20 minutes.

The victim says the carjacking has left him traumatized, but admits the most frustrating part came the next morning.

On Tuesday, Sept. 29, the victim got a call from one of his friends saying they spotted the stolen SUV outside an apartment complex near Cunningham Way and Cunningham Drive.

The victim went to the spot — just across James Mowatt Trail from where the SUV was stolen the night before — and spotted his Highlander.

“I called the police right away — I called 911 and they said it’s not an emergency, you have to call #377,” he said, in reference to the Edmonton Police Service non-emergency line. “I called that, I was on hold for an hour.”

When he got through to speak with a person, the victim said he was told to not to approach the vehicle and leave it for when officers to arrive.

“I can’t really do anything because police told me to not touch it. It’s like… something is in front of you and you can’t really do anything,” he said.

He said police told him his stolen vehicle was being driven away as they arrived, and officers lost sight of it in Mill Woods.

Edmonton police confirm they responded to the incident at 7:15 p.m. on September 28 and were dispatched again the next day when the stolen vehicle was spotted.

The EPS robbery section said it is investigating.

Safety tips for buy-and-sell transactions

Earlier this year, police issued a reminder on ways to stay safe when selling second-hand items after more than a dozen robberies occurred when people were trying to sell items on Facebook Marketplace or Kijiji over the course of a month.

Back in February, police received approximately 15 reports of personal robberies during sales of higher-priced items, such as cellphones and brand-name clothing.

In each case, police said a suspect posing as a buyer met up with the seller and evaluates the item(s) for sale, before being joined by at least one accomplice.

Together, the suspects robbed the seller of the item — sometimes threatening the victim and, in one case, reportedly pulling out a firearm.

Police warn both buyers and sellers to be vigilant when arranging online sales meetups.

The Edmonton Police Service has dedicated areas in four police station parking lots equipped with video cameras to record the exchange of online purchases.

Police said the initiative originally began in 2020 as a pilot project at the southwest division  in Windermere but due to its overall success, the project has been expanded:

  • Northeast division station – 14203 50 Street
  • Southeast division station – 104 Youville Drive East
  • Southwest division station -1351 Windermere Way SW
  • West division station – 16505 100 Avenue NW

That said, while the areas are brightly lit and have video cameras, police cautioned the feeds are not monitored 24/7 and the stations are not open overnight, so people still need to be mindful of their personal safety.

More information about online buying and selling safety and EPS Buy and Sell Exchange Zones is available on the EPS website.

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

U.S.-based firm could win Prospera Place contract

The BC company that manages Kelowna's Prospera Place is raising concerns that it may be losing the contract to an American firm. The City says a final decision has not been made but, as Klaudia Van Emmerik reports, GSL Group is calling for greater transparency.

The GSL Group has managed Kelowna’s Prospera Place for more than two decades, but now it is calling for transparency on how an American company scored the top ranking bid for the next contract when the current one expires in 2029.

“I think it’s important that the information be released and be a little bit more transparent about what the process is,” Graham Lee, president and CEO of GSL Group told Global News.

In October, the city announced Oakview Group Canada as the successful bidder for the project, which has a Canadian division but is American owned.

GSL says the public deserves to know the competing bids and why the city made that choice.

“It’s just important given the circumstances, you know, with the federal government and the provincial government pushing on government procurement to try to work with Canadian companies,” Lee added.

GSL made its bid public online saying it would have charged $75,000 per year to manage Prospera while returning 97 per cent of the profits to the arena.”

“It was a very compelling offer and, you know, I think if they could release the other two, that would be fair so that people can see what they look like,” Lee said.

Incumbent mayor and mayoral candidate Tom Dyas was not able to respond on camera due to what was described as a busy schedule, but the city did issue a statement saying that while Oakview Group, which also runs South Okanagan Event Centre, was the top-ranked selection, a contract has not yet been finalized.

They added that once the process is complete and a contract has been executed, the city may release high-level information that includes the overall contract value and a general description of the services to be provided.

Mayoral candidate and incumbent councillor Ron Cannan wants to review procurement despite having been part of the council that made the decision on the new operator.

“As far as the decision what has been made, that’s made in-camera, so I can’t comment on it,” he said.

“But obviously, we’re in this position, you know, I’ve been advocating to review our procurement policies.”

Lee maintains that his calls for transparency are more about the community’s best interests over GSL’s failed bid.

“If it’s a really good option for the city, you know, we will support that,” he said.

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

U.S. mayors ask Canadians to reconsider U.S. travel boycott

Some American mayors are trying to encourage Canadians to reconsider boycotting travel across the border. Border crossings have seen a big drop since the start of the trade war last year, but it has lead to more Canadians spending their dollars in Manitoba. Vasilios Bellos reports.

Since the beginning of the Canada-U.S. trade war early last year, travel south of the border is still far from recovering.

In January of 2025, the month before U.S. President Donald Trump announced there would be sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, Statistics Canada found more than 3 million Canadians returned from the United States. That plummeted to about 2.3 million in January of this year, with a return to pre-trade war numbers still far off in the most recent statistics from April.

With the continued animosity between the nations, some U.S. mayors are making the plea to Canadians to reconsider the boycott.

“Hey Canadians, we like you guys, we miss you, we don’t think of you as the 51st state.” said Minneapolis Mayor Jacob Frey in an Instagram post this week. “I just wanted to make sure that there was a broad recognition in Manitoba and way beyond, throughout Canada that we like you.”

Minnesota is not the only state that has seen its tourism industry hit because of Canadians’ decision not to travel. North Dakota has also urged back Manitobans, with the U.S. Bureau of Transportation finding the amount of travel at the Pembina-Emerson border crossing dropped 35 per cent in 2025 compared to the year prior.

“We’ve always seen Canada as our cousins to us North Dakotans, and we’d love to see them back at the family reunion.” says Fargo Mayor Josh Boschee.

Tourism and travel organizations in North Dakota have been working directly with groups in Manitoba to encourage both Canadians and Americans to plan trips over the border. It’s something Mayor Boschee hopes can help bring the situation back to where it was prior to the trade war.

“There’s a lot of great opportunities, so when we see folks from Canada or other parts of the country decide not to visit here it certainly makes an impact.”

Travel Manitoba has been one of the organizations working with those in North Dakota to get more tourism dollars both ways over the border. During this time of turmoil, the organization has been working to let more Canadians know there are a number of travel options in Manitoba.

“Tourism is a $2 billion a year industry,” explains Travel Manitoba Strategic Engagement Vice President Louise Waldman. “It is a tariff-free export sector and it creates directly and indirectly 25,000 jobs in every corner of the province. A lot of those jobs are small and medium-sized business, multi-generational family businesses.”

Since last year, many of Manitoba’s school divisions have also decided it’s not the time to travel south of the border. No one was available for an interview from the Pembina Trails School Division, but it confirmed to Global News that any school trip requests to the U.S. would not be approved by the division at this time.

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

ASIRT looking into Edmonton woman's allegation of unprovoked police assault: 'Smashed my face'

Alberta's police watchdog is looking into a complaint from a woman who alleges unnecessary force was used during an interaction with Edmonton police in August. Gates Guarin reports.

Edmonton woman Fabyan Deschamps is speaking out after what she is calling a traumatic experience involving an Edmonton Police Service officer.

Deschamps said back in August, she and a group of people were in a parking lot along Fort Road when they were approached by two officers and asked to give their names.

Deschamps says she complied with the officer, who then allegedly threw her to the ground.

“He grabbed me by the back of the head and then smashed my face right into the cement,” Deschamps said. “When I came to, when I looked at myself in the mirror — it looked like I got hit by a bus or something.”

Deschamps has been recovering from injuries to her face and back — but it’s the scars you can’t see that she’s really struggling with.

“Ever since then, I’ve had a lot of headaches and memory problems and emotionally really overwhelmed, ,” she said. “I’m scared to go outside sometimes and every time that I hear a police siren or helicopters.

“I’m afraid something bad might happen to me.”

On Thursday, the Edmonton Police Service said it was working on a response to the alleged incident.

NorQuest College justice studies chair and criminologist Dan Jones was a member of the Edmonton Police Service for 25 years and worked as a homicide detective, undercover officer, foot patrol and gang unit member and more.

He said the use of force is never a pretty situation.

“There’s times when use of force is necessary for police,” Jones said. “But when you start to see the use of force being used in an unnecessary circumstance — is that a training issue? Is that a personnel issue? Is that a systems issue?”

Deschamps doesn’t know why the alleged incident happened but worries her First Nations race was a factor.

“It’s not okay, just because we’re minorities and Aboriginal people or that we come from the streets. It’s not okay to treat us like that and kick us while we’re already down.”

Deschamps has since filed a complaint with the province’s Police Review Commission, who has forwarded the file on to be considered for a criminal investigation by the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.

“The fact that it moves to ASIRT tells me that there’s likely something more to this from a complaint perspective,” Jones noted. “This is going to be one of those test cases that determine whether the systems are actually working for the complainants.”

Deschamps said she has met with an ASIRT investigator and hopes something productive comes from her complaint.

With files from Karen Bartko, Global News

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

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