Riders react to OC Transpo’s mandatory masks policy
By Mira Williamson— Masks are now mandatory for all public transit riders in Ottawa. The nation’s capital became the first city in Canada to require masks as part of health and safety measures implemented by OC Transpo, which is its public transit agency. The measures — all put in placeContinue Reading
Trudeau vows to extend CERB benefit
By: Adriana Vicic — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced Monday that his government would be extending the Canadian Emergency Response Benefit (CERB). Trudeau didn’t provide any information about how the extension of CERB will work or who would be eligible, but he promised to have further details later in theContinue Reading
We Shall Overcome Rally joined by hundreds in Toronto
Vicky Qiao Hundreds marched peacefully along Toronto’s Bloor Street Saturday to protest anti-Black racism and police brutality. Organized by RememberThe400, the rally was called “This Is How We Shall Overcome.” The march started off at Christie Pits Park and ended in Queens Park, in front of the Legislative Assembly ofContinue Reading
Black female hockey players seek seat on Hockey Diversity Alliance
By Adriana Vicic — Progressive news came out of the professional hockey world last week, when a group of former and current Black NHL players announced the Hockey Diversity Alliance (HDA) with a goal of eradicating racism and intolerance in the sport. But what seemed to be a step forwardContinue Reading
COVID-19: Trudeau announces mandatory temperature screening for air travel
By Mira Williamson — Canada will phase in mandatory temperature screening at airports, Prime Minister Trudeau announced at his daily COVID-19 briefing Friday morning. Although thermal screening is not a way to detect COVID-19, it can highlight symptoms of the virus, said Trudeau. “It’s not a 100 per cent solution,”Continue Reading
‘I have suffered, but I refuse to be the evil’: one Black drag queen’s experience
By Mira Williamson — Katu Azzya is a tall Black man. He’s not good at basketball. He doesn’t look tough. He’s also known to many as Mz. Affra-Tighty. When he was attacked by three skinheads in downtown London a few years ago, they screamed racial and homophobic slurs at him,Continue Reading
Patios reopening & preparing in Phase 2
Vicky Qiao — As summer quickly approaches, some restaurants in cities across Ontario can now open for outdoor dining after enduring 12 weeks of lockdown. But many still cannot. The province announced Monday its plans for Phase 2 reopening, with rules about capacity and safety for restaurants and bars openingContinue Reading
Pride in a pandemic: Festivities go virtual during COVID-19
By Mira Williamson — Pride Month is normally a time for LGBTQ+ folks and allies to gather and celebrate. But COVID-19 has definitely rained on this year’s parade in cities across North America. Still, the show of support will go on, say Pride festival organizers who are taking steps toContinue Reading
Lady ‘A’ name change long overdue
I downloaded my first Lady Antebellum song in 2014. It was ‘Need You Now’—the catchy song about someone feeling lonely and calling their former love in the early hours of the morning. It topped all the charts that year. At that time, I wasn’t exactly a dedicated fan. MyContinue Reading
Vancouver Pride Society explains decision to exclude police from events
By Eva Zhu — Vancouver Pride Society is sticking to its move to ban uniformed police from this year’s parade in solidarity with Black Lives Matter, despite the mayor announcing he was “saddened,” by the decision, an official said Thursday. It is important to remember the history of police victimizingContinue Reading