Top Stories

Today’s top- stories for Barrie residents.

Canadian content rules spark legal battle with streaming giants

Five per cent of annual revenue. That’s the figure at the centre of a high-stakes legal face-off between global streaming leaders and Canada’s broadcast regulator—a confrontation that could reshape who pays for the country’s news and cultural output. Apple, Amazon, and Spotify—names synonymous with global reach—have found themselves on the defensive in a Toronto courtroom, […]

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Police Cruiser

Calling it femicide changes everything for gender-motivated killings

One word can change the weight of a tragedy. When Kingston police labelled a woman’s killing as “femicide”—for the first time in their history—it wasn’t just a matter of vocabulary. It was a signal. It reflected a growing recognition that the language we use shapes how we understand violence, how we measure it, and ultimately,

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From airport to economy, Innisfil’s council influence grows stronger

In the corridors of local power, Innisfil is no longer content to watch decisions unfold from the sidelines. Recent appointments to Simcoe County’s key committees signal a shift in influence that could shape the region’s direction for years to come. Simcoe County council, a body whose work often escapes public scrutiny, has long relied on

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Who’s leaving Ontario? Charting Canada’s migration crossroads

Nearly 51,000 Ontarians closed the door behind them last year, each suitcase a testament to a shifting national tide. In 2024, the province that once drew hopeful newcomers now leads Canada’s exodus—a migration wave not seen since the days of Expo 67. Ontario’s outsized role in this historic movement is impossible to ignore. According to

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Examining how public health, politics, and intimate partner violence intersect

If intimate partner violence were the result of rabid dogs roaming Ontario, the province would not hesitate to act. Yet when faced with the stark reality of such violence—persistently lethal, statistically overwhelming, and devastating for thousands—the Ford government continues to resist calling it what it is: an epidemic. Ontario’s refusal, even after committee hearings and

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Here’s what air quality statements mean for your health

A thick, smoky veil drapes over Barrie’s skyline, muting the usual vibrancy of June. It’s not the city’s first brush with wildfire haze this year, and judging by Environment Canada’s latest warnings, it won’t be the last. Wildfire smoke has become a relentless character in Simcoe County’s story, creeping through open windows, settling on porches,

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Ontario and the New Face of Canadian Unemployment

Canada’s job market just hit a nine-year high for unemployment outside the pandemic—but in Ontario, every uptick in that rate feels like a direct jolt to the country’s economic backbone. Ontario’s workers, business owners, and policymakers are staring down a labour market that’s suddenly a lot less forgiving. May’s national unemployment rate climbed to 7%,

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Hockey Unites the Prairies as the Oilers Ignite Canadian Passion

Neon jerseys shimmer on Jasper Avenue. Horns blare, strangers exchange grins, and for one electric moment, the lines that divide melt away. In Alberta, as the Oilers chase the Stanley Cup, it isn’t just a game—it’s a living, breathing testament to how sport can bind a province, and, just maybe, a country. The Oilers’ surge

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