ARTHUR – Wellington County OPP is seeking public assistance to locate a missing person.

Arthur resident Benjamin Stewart, 53, was reported missing on April 6 around 4:15pm, according to a police news release.

He was last seen the previous day at around 2pm walking around Frederick Street in Arthur, according to police.

Also known to frequent the Wiarton area, Stewart is described by police as: 6 feet tall (183 cm) and weighing 190 pounds (86 kg), with blue eyes, white hair and a white goatee.

Anyone with information can call police.

Piknik.spot is an online resource for those in Waterloo Region who want to eat locally and support small farmers, restaurants and other businesses. It provides a directory and map view of sources for locally grown or produced food. There are also listings of Community Supported Agriculture programs that help you support local farms.  

The website was created by Laurie Varga and Geoff Whittington, a married couple based in Waterloo Region. Varga said they were inspired on a drive down Northfield Drive in Waterloo, where they saw many Mennonite-owned farms with little social media presence.   

“We were both kind of excited, and I think that’s what kicked it off initially,” Varga said.   

“[W]e want people who either produce, resell or incorporate local food in their activities. For example, they got Eby Manor, they produce cheese and milk and what have you,” Whittington said.  “So, we’re going to include [businesses] that produce locally. Then we have businesses like the EcoCafe—they use the milk that Eby Manor produces…,” he said. New listings through the site are mostly acquired from Varga and Whittington driving around the region to look for new farms, finding businesses online and talking to people. However, users of the site can add their own listings that will be submitted for approval to be listed on the site.   

“Businesses can claim their locations. They can add more relevant details and manage their own location, things like products they offer, and they can also communicate with [followers]…,” Varga said.   

Varga is also a member of the advisory circle for a research project, Towards a Sustainable Food System for All, which focuses on food security and sovereignty in the region. Piknik.spot hopes that providing this directory will address these issues while also contributing to the local economy.   

“We are so lucky here in Waterloo to have this rich environment for food production and so many small local farms contributing to our economy,” Whittington said.   

While they might be mostly known for books, both the Kitchener Public Library (KPL) and Waterloo Public Library (WPL) carry far more. Not only have they greatly increased their digital offerings with e-books and audio books via various services, they also offer many things to take home.   

MOVIES & TV 

Perhaps the second most visible collection in any library is their offering of movies and TV shows. The vast majority are on DVD and Blu-ray. Both libraries’ collections include DVDs in over 25 languages with their most populous being French, Mandarin and Spanish.   

By consistently adding new titles every year, the library has built a vast resource of some of the most popular and underappreciated independent films of the century. Library visitors can check out hot titles from 2025 such as Sinners and One Battle After Another and independently released films from the same year like Eephus and The Shrouds from Toronto’s own David Cronenberg. In addition to newer films, the library also receives remastered editions of classics from boutique labels such as the Criterion Collection. This includes a new edition of 1973 revisionist western Pat Garrett and Billy the Kid as well as a combo pack of Shaft and Shaft’s Big Score!  

Library cards also give access to both Kanopy and Hoopla, streaming services where members can digitally check out hundreds of movies and TV series to watch at home.   

VIDEO GAMES 

Over the last couple of years, video game prices skyrocketed. A new video game can cost as much as $100. Luckily, the KPL boasts a healthy collection of video games for all modern video game consoles.   

Library card holders with access to PlayStation, Xbox or Nintendo systems will have the opportunity to experience classics from the past 15 years as well as the newest big studio releases. The library’s catalogue stretches as far back as Dark Souls II on the Playstation 3 and Xbox 360 while even featuring pre-holds for upcoming games such as Pragmata and LEGO Batman: Legacy of the Dark Knight, both set to be released this year.   

The only limiting factor on this fun can be the three-week loan period. If someone else has a hold on the title you’ve checked out, you may have to rush through some very long games.   

For a shorter, easier experience, check out Stray on PlayStation 5 or Nintendo Switch. For a longer, more complicated experience with a compelling narrative, Death Stranding 2: On the Beach is a journey worth the walk to the library.   

STUDIO SPACE 

The KPL’s Central branch and WPL’s Eastside branch both boast fully equipped studio spaces that can be booked by library cardholders. The resources are invaluable for any creatives looking to record music or other audio projects who don’t want to pay for costly studio space elsewhere.   

The Heffner Studio at the KPL Central branch features four different recording studios with various capacities ranging from solo rooms to larger spaces that can accommodate up to five musicians along with up-to-date recording hardware and software. Additionally, the Heffner Studio contains several Mac workstations that can be booked for folks to work on various multimedia productions.   

The Digispace at the WPL Eastside branch features a sound-proof recording booth and a production control room that allows groups to record in either space. Both recording studios are also stocked with various instruments that can be used by customers as part of their recording process.   

OTHER FUN ITEMS 

Along with their large collection of media, the library houses a host of other items which can be checked out to have some fun or learn at home or elsewhere.   

Both the KPL and WPL have Nintendo Switch kits that can be borrowed along with games for the system. Many computer stations are available for use at library locations, you can also check out a Chromebook for a week at a time.   

For those looking to learn something new, both libraries have passes for Region of Waterloo museums as well as THEMUSEUM. Additionally, they also have Grand River Parks and Ontario Parks day passes. Finally, there is a plethora of sports equipment, toys and games to enjoy.   

The list of everything the library offers is far too exhaustive to outline in any article. Needless to say, if you are looking for something, check the library first.  

As part of Black History Month, the Coil Care Project launched its very first quarter by bringing the Kitchener-Waterloo region together for two special events. Sponsored by the Children Youth Planning Table (CYPT) and Canadian Service Corps, the initiative featured a community dinner on Feb. 20, 2026, and a workshop on Feb. 27, both grounded in the theme of rest as resilience and designed to create space for joy, restoration and cultural pride among Black people across the diaspora.  

Rest as resilience, inspired by the book Rest as Resistance by Tracy Hersey, is the act of choosing to pause, to fully exist and to be celebrated.   

Black men and women in Canada and across the Western world have experienced systemic pressure to conform to beauty standards that were never designed with them in mind. The project expresses resilience through hair and all that it encompasses. Having Black hair means carrying a curly and growing part of your identity every single day. Its diversity of textures, coils, kinks, locs and lengths is extraordinary, and honouring it requires intentional knowledge and care.   

Through the Coil Care Project, our team recognized that Kitchener’s Black community deserved a local space to address hair care aesthetically and holistically. Tackling health concerns, dispelling misinformation and offering free consultations, these events were designed to be that place.   

The dinner provided an opportunity to present a statement: haircare is healthcare. The connection between scalp health and the somatic experience of oil making at the workshop carried the essence of what was discussed during the dinner.  

Hair care is not only about appearance, but also about maintenance, stress regulation and intentionality. To care for Black hair is to also care for more than what’s seen. It tends to one’s health, physically, spiritually and culturally.   

Walking into The Catalyst building, the atmosphere was immediately welcoming. Guests arrived dressed to the nines. Delicious Nigerian cuisine served by Yembol Catering and local mouth-watering ice cream donated by Four All Ice Cream had attendees raving for days after the dinner.  

Beyond the dining tables, coil stations with Joyce Achayo, founder of Studio 86, Venessa Lewis, founder of Niya’s Coily World, and Vanessa Corner allowed attendees to engage directly with Black expression. At the photo booth and throughout the event, photographer Taijasa Jordan captured the night’s spirit and essence behind the lens.  

Aisha Mohamed, the night’s host, enthusiastically guided us through the agenda.  Toffumi Akinlalu, a Nigerian-Canadian poet, started the night off with an original spoken word, followed by a reflection on her connection to hair and self-expression.  

One of the most celebrated highlights was the joyful, affirming showcase of Black hair in all its glory and diversity. The hair was styled and braided by Rofiat Showumi, Creative Director of Esar Studios.  

The braiding day took place at Studio 86, graciously provided by founder Joyce Achayo. Achayo had no hesitation in her support of hosting the braiding day.  

“Creating a space where Black hair is celebrated and where people feel safe and seen is exactly the vision,” Achayo said.  

Regional Councillor Colleen James spoke on her personal experiences of being a black woman in politics. She lent her leadership to appreciate and recognize the entire team.   

Green Party MPP Aislinn Clancy expressed the importance of community gathering. She also presented a Certificate of Recognition to Najma and Aisha Mohamed, affirming the Coil Care Project’s contribution to the Kitchener-Waterloo community.  

The workshop hosted at the Family and Children Services (FACS) Youth Room carried on the dinner’s message by diving into the dimensions of overall health, scalp care and rest.   

Benedicta Efua Akinsowon, founder of Benola Organic, certified Hair Care formulator and Type 4 expert, facilitated discussions on diseases and conditions linked to hair and scalp health, including conditions such as scalp conditions like Malassezia.  

“I truly enjoyed the workshop and had a wonderful time meeting everyone,” she said.  

In a world filled with so much information, attendees had the grounds to bring forward concerns, insights, and questions about their hair. Not only did they walk away with personalized advice, they got to take home curated hair oils, care kits and essentials.  

It’s been truly an honour to host and work alongside our core team, volunteers and the EmpowerHer on bringing our community together for moments filled with care and presence. We truly appreciate all the hard work and dedication each person brought to support this quarter. It is because of you that this was possible.  

In the spirit of giving back, Joyce Achayo of Studio 86 is collaborating with the Coil Care Project for all attendees who showed up and showed out in quarter one to enjoy 20 per cent off on cuts and silk presses, and 15 per cent off all braided hairstyles until May 30, 2026, using code #Coily86.  

This article was created as a collaboration between The Community Edition and the Coil Care Project. 

On Mar. 7, Femme Folks Fest (FFF) opened its seventh annual event with Just a Joke, a comedy shows in response to a controversial comedian scheduled to perform in Kitchener the same night. 

Comedian Ben Bankas was set to perform at Elements Nightclub. His two shows, which were allegedly sold out, were cancelled by the venue the week prior to his visit.  

Bankas’ shows garnered attention from residents and advocates, who were calling for his show to get cancelled. Queer Youth Defense had also planned a counter demonstration outside the event’s venue.  

Lisa O’Connell, artistic director of Pat the Dog Theatre Creation, which hosts FFF, said that when they heard about Bankas’ scheduled shows, they immediately pivoted to add in Just a Joke.  

The show featured KW Comedy All Stars, a group of 14 local comedians with Amy Neufeld as the show’s host. Together, these comics came together for a night to combat hate with art.  

FFF is an annual event that celebrates music, theatre and comedy by women-identified, femme-presenting and non-binary artists. 

Bankas has received mass criticism since a comedy routine he performed in January in which he made jokes about Renee Good, who was shot and killed by U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) officers. 

“We found it particularly egregious, the jokes that he was making about Renee Good. This is a queer, young mother who  had just dropped off one of her children at school and was shot in the face,” O’Connell said. 

“There’s nothing funny about that. That’s a tragedy of absolutely the worst,” she said. 

Bankas’ past shows have also included commentary on topics such as residential schools, immigration, diversity, and the LGBTQ+ community, as well as events taking place in Iran.  

Currently on tour, Bankas’ shows in Kitchener are two of many shows that have been cancelled. 

“The fact that [Bankas] was touring and felt safe to come to our community, felt that he had a constituency here, sold out, or at least, alleges that he sold out two shows, and it was on, literally, the eve of International Women’s Day—we had to answer it,” O’Connell said. 

“The issue here of this kind of humour is systemic, and so we wanted to offer a solution,” O’Connell said.  

While outrage comics have been gaining popularity, O’Connell said that Just a Joke was a way for the community to experience comedy in a more inclusive way.  

“We have tons of literature and factual evidence research that anytime that you marginalize any community, anytime you allow any kind of victimization, albeit even in the form of a joke, that it allows individuals to take a look at someone as less than the full scope of their human dignity,” O’Connell said. 

Emme Kennedy, one of the 14 local comedians who performed at Just a Joke, prepared her six-minute set around the controversy surrounding Bankas.  

At the beginning of her set, Kennedy joked that she was quite similar to Bankas. 

“We both could be accused of being comedians. We both are Canadian-Americans and we both are committing the worst sin of society, which is we’re both failed men. This is an example of a joke that I don’t mean, but saying the dark thought out loud kind of helps excise it from people’s minds,” Kennedy said.  

Kennedy is a queer and trans comedian who recently moved to the Waterloo Region from America. For Kennedy, Just a Joke not only provides an opportunity to face controversy head-on, but also creates an inclusive space for women and trans comedians and their audience.  

“A lot of the places that are available to do open mics are not always the most supportive places for women comedians, let alone trans comedians,” Kennedy said.  

For Kennedy, open mics are an opportunity to foster constructive dialogue and challenge harmful stereotypes. 

“I believe in my comedy and kind of bringing a voice and perspective that is not really heard out to an audience and doing it in a way that is accessible through it being funny and playful,” Kennedy said.  

Kennedy said having open mic spaces that are inclusive and supportive are important for representation. 

“There’s a big cultural divide around who deserves what autonomy to their bodies and their hearts and minds and who doesn’t. I don’t think this stuff is going away. I don’t think Ben Bankas is going away. And I think this moment requires us to keep responding with shows like this,” Kennedy said.  

“I just ask anyone who wants to care about humanity to stick up for those who are speaking out right now, because I think that’s important,” Kennedy said.  

Amy Neufeld is a contributor for The Community Edition. 

On Jan. 19, 2026, Bangishimo’s Buck Skin Naked photography exhibit debuted at Longhouse Labs (LLabs)., featuring portraits spotlighting Indigenous and Afro-Indigenous bodies. The showing for Buck Skin Naked was extended until Apr. 11, 2026. Bangishimo is planning to shift into working on a book later this year, a collection of their photography over the years.  

“We don’t see the beautiful brown, round bodies, the bodies with scars and cellulite and stretch marks and pimples and all those stuff. We always see size zero, beautiful white skin always seen in ads. It’s so hard to see ourselves, especially as Indigenous peoples,” Bangishimo said.  

Bangishimo is the co-director of the Willow River Center and was the most recent artist in residence for LLabs at the University of Waterloo (UW). Their studio assistants were integral to taking all of the photos in the collection.  

LLabs exists to empower, advance, promote and support Indigenous creatives in Waterloo region and beyond. They are located at 263 Phillip Street, East Campus Hall on the UW campus. As an organization they focus on the Fellowship for Indigenous Artists-in-Residents (FAIR) program.  

The UW Fine Arts department invites Indigenous artists to develop their creative work through self-directed artist residencies.  

“Anything to do with the body or sex became very taboo and something you didn’t talk about.  Because those messages get passed through generations, you should be modest and cover yourself up,” Bangishimo said. 

LLabs supports Indigenous creative practices both contemporary and traditional. Bangishimo’s collection of eight pieces ranging from semi-nude to fully nude aim to showcase the decolonized beauty of Afro-Indigenous and Indigenous people.  

“[And we] get this lateral violence from our own community members saying  that’s not who we are. You should cover up. And then people always direct it back to why we get stolen,” Bangishimo said. opened an interesting inner dialogue within Bangishimo over the concept of self-love and acceptance. Originally there were supposed to be 16 photos in the collection, but only eight were selected for the exhibit. Bangishimo plans to either self-publish or find a publisher for a photobook collection of their work, including the whole body of work. 

“The color contrast between each picture and the story that flowed between each picture. And I didn’t even plan that, it just happened that way when we started hanging them up and deciding which picture should go where,” Bangishimo said. 

Bangishimo plans on continuing Buck Skin Naked beyond the published pictures. To celebrate the Indigenous body, they plan on focusing more of their photography towards nudes. Their goal is to help build people up with their self-esteem and promote feeling proud in their own skin. 

The Underdog Dance Corp. is Waterloo Region’s first beginner-focused adult dance studio. They introduced a more intensive training regimen for their performance team earlier this year, including strength and flexibility training in a second studio in Uptown Waterloo.   

“It’s just the consistency and the hard work to train the body to do it, and you literally practice showing up for yourself fully,” Emily Peat, the director of the Underdog studio, said.   

The studio sent its competitive teams to the Calgary International Salsa Congress from Mar. 26 to Mar. 30, 2026, which featured salsa and bachata dancers from around the world, as well as local professionals and troupes from all over North America. Quinn Vandenheuvel and Emily Dodsworth placed second in the amateur heated bachata division. Peat and Jorge Pablos placed first in the professional bachata heated division. Peat and Phil Roy placed second in the professional salsa showcase division. Bani Singh placed third in the professional-amateur (pro-am) open showcase division with Phil Roy.  

There are 13 students in three teams, who competed. The Bachata Partner amateur team, the Bachata Ladies Styling pro-am team and the Salsa Shines pro-am team. All teams were trained to compete in amateur categories.  

“It all kind of comes down to that in the end. If we teach good fundamentals to people right, then we’ll succeed with our students. And they’ll succeed, whether it’s in our class or out on the dance floor,” Phil Roy, the Experience Manager at Underdog and an instructor, said.  

The team’s six-hour training regimen has included strength training, flexibility training and acro training alongside running through their dance routines. The conditioning, cross-training and technique work help make sure the dancers are prepared for competition.   

“They’re low stakes, relatively—if you win a dance competition, whatever. But you practice discipline. You practice being there for yourself. You practice, ‘how can I react in moments of high stress?’,” Peat said.  

Many of the dancers also competed in “heats”, which require them to improvise for one and a half minutes to a random song within their registered category and style.   

“Because everyone’s relying on everybody else, to make sure that everybody comes away from the competition with a good experience. So, it does take that the group effort to achieve a shared goal,” Victoria Giampaolo, an Underdog student and team captain, said.  

In the week leading up to the Calgary International Salsa Congress, the students are performing in front of their peers periodically in the studio.   

The Calgary congress is one of many competitions that the Underdog Dance Corp. are planning to participate in this year—other cities include Montreal and Toronto.   

“[Competition] really brings the social aspect of dance to the front in a way that a showcase team doesn’t as much. So I really like that. It makes me push myself,” Giampaolo said. 

On Mar. 15, 2026, 100 Victoria St. (100Vic) encampment celebrated the launch of the Safety Shed. It was erected by the Concerned People on Drug Use, a coalition of community members, drug users, advocates and loved ones of drug users. The grand opening event featured continued building of the shed, pizza, music, passionate speakers and a community-led discussion.  

“The Safety Shed will provide people who use drugs with a focal point where they can access and create programming that deals with the issues they are facing, inducing state attacks on their rights to medical services. It will also provide a warmer, safer place where community members can discuss, explore and strategize about solutions without fear of being stigmatized or criminalized,” the Concerned People on Drug Use said in a joint press release.  

“In fall 2023 we started seeing large quantities of xylazine going into the fentanyl supply, and more encampment residents were having worse experiences using drugs that they thought were unpoisoned, so the need grew,” Julian Ichim, a safety shed activist, said.   

Versions of the Safety Shed in tent form were used on Roos Island and then at 100Vic since the summer of 2022. The Safety Shed is a space where encampment residents can access harm reduction supplies, education and peer support in the community. The labour of many organizers and volunteers went into the building of the safety shed.   

“We have to fight for people, who have basic rights simply because they’re human. Not because we like them, not because we agree with them. Simply because they’re human,” Ichim said.   

The Consumption and Treatment Services (CTS) at 150 Duke St. W. was closed on Mar. 31, 2025, due to Bill 223. It banned CTS sites from operating within 200 metres of certain types of schools and childcare centres. The CTS was co-operated by Sanguen Health Centre and the Region of Waterloo Public Health and Paramedic Services.  

“[The Safety Shed was proposed by] several members of the Alan Ryan People’s Community Defence Brigade with lived and living experience using substances in organized safety tents through the years, and the Safety Shed is also being organized with the Concerned People on Drug Use, a group of drug users and advocates,” Ichim said.   

The shed is in a prominent and accessible space in the encampment, chosen by the residents who will be using it. It will contain various harm reduction supplies, workshops, food and opportunities to learn about their rights.   

“The number of drug poisoning deaths has increased since the CTS was closed and the supply is becoming more toxic with sedatives like medetomidine in the mix. Harm reduction is a serious issue,” Ichim said.   

On Feb. 27, 2026, a community drug alert  was issued in Waterloo Region after 35 suspected drug overdoses and one drug-related death. Fentanyl samples were tested through Sanguen’s drug checking program and found other drugs like sedatives, veterinary tranquilizers and depressants.   

As the winter term comes to an end, UW’s athletics department gathered at PAC on Tuesday to celebrate another exciting year of sports for the Warriors. The largest athletics banquet in UW history, with 880 people in attendance, saw the women’s golf team take home the team of the year award, with Coach Carla Munch receiving the Imprint Coach of the Year award, while squash players Cameron Seth and Niki Shemirani received the male and female athlete of the year awards, respectively. Scroll below for a full timeline of events.

Administrative Awards 

Elder Myeengun Henry wins the Campus Service award

The first award of the night, presented by Director of Athletics and Recreation Roly Webster, was handed to Elder Myeengun Henry for his outstanding contributions to the athletics department over the past year. He is an Indigenous knowledge keeper who has provided his services towards decolonization and Indigenization throughout the university.

Figure skating student-athlete coach Rebecca Brown wins the Director’s award

Following Henry, student services coordinator and IU coordinator Justin Sargeson took the stage to present Rebecca Brown with the Director’s Award, presented to an athlete who has made incredible administrative contributions to their team. Brown gracefully accepted the award, to thunderous applause from her team. This season was particularly eventful for the program; despite not having a head coach, fourth-year Brown stepped up to both skate for and coach the team. The team went on to win three OUA bronze medals, including the first medal in program history for the Gold Artistic event. 

Men’s hockey defenseman Simon Rose secures the J.O. Hemphill award

Immediately following Brown was Simon Rose, taking the stage to accept the J.O. Hemphill award, given for the same reasons as the Director’s award. Rose, who is in his final year of university and serves as the team’s assistant captain, sat out the first several weeks of the season due to a back injury but remained heavily involved in practices and meetings. He scored a game-winning goal in his return to the ice and has been an incontrovertible part of the program.  

Alysa Sitar and Rachel-Lynn Fauteux take home the Brian Farrance award

Named for Brian Farrance, one of the first graduates of UW’s kinesiology program, this award is given to student therapists who provide exceptional service to Warrior Athletics. Sitar and Fauteux work for the women’s and men’s hockey teams, respectively. 

Kianna Simpson and Diane Choi awarded Student Manager of the Year

This award is given to a student manager who excels in providing for their team through operational and administrative work. Simpson manages the women’s basketball team while Choi manages men’s hockey. 

Phoenix Stone wins Strength and Conditioning Coach of the Year

Presented to a graduating undergraduate student who has exceeded expectations in training and working alongside student athletes, the crowd erupted when Stone’s name was announced. 

Athletic Awards

Women’s golf named Team of the Year

Having won their first OUA gold medal since 2011 this past season, UW’s most successful athletics program was unsurprisingly recognized as the best this year. This season, Alysa Jamal, Abby Barker and Jadelina Tep-Chhun were named all-stars, supported by Coach Carla Munch, who was named OUA Women’s Golf Coach of the Year. 

“I am so proud of our team… To see them awarded with the Team of the Year trophy was so special because of the bond this team has,” said Munch when asked for comment.  

Imprint Coach of the Year goes to Jon Morgan and Carla Munch

Right after stepping down, Munch joined men’s soccer coach Jon Morgan on the stage when both were named as the men’s and women’s coaches of the year. Morgan coached the men’s soccer team to a 7-2-3 season before falling in the OUA semi-finals after finishing 3-7-2 last year. The team had four players recognized as OUA all-stars, two on the first team and two on the second, and Matthew Mills was named a U Sports All-Canadian. 

Jon Elezi of men’s soccer and Jadelina Tep-Chhun of women’s golf named WUSA Male and Female Rookies of the Year

These two teams are going to run out of space in their display cases! Both of these rookies had generational seasons, earning all-star honours, and Tep-Chhun won an individual silver medal at the OUA championships. The Warriors have a bright future ahead with these two on the roster.

OUA and U Sports award winners recognized, individual team awards announced

Athletes who won awards during their season had their names and photos displayed on the screen, followed by individual team recognitions, voted on by team members. A list of these winners can be found on each team’s Instagram.

Heavlyn Sekyere of women’s rugby and Fehin Awobodu of men’s volleyball win Judy McCrae Warrior Impact Award

The two overall winners of this year’s Judy McCrae award, given to one member of each team who performed exceptionally in community service, athletics and academics, are both powerful athletes who lead their teams on and off the field. Sekyere and Awobodu won the USports and OUA community service award earlier this year. Awobodu is also an academic All-Canadian. A full list of winners can be found on the Warriors’ Instagram page, @wloowarriors. 

Ten athletes given the Warriors Shield of Excellence Award

Given to graduating student-athletes who embody the Warrior spirit at all times, this year’s ten recipients, tied for the most in a year, have each left their mark on their sports. When they came to accept their awards, the cheers were nearly deafening as each corner of the room celebrated their graduating players. 

Fehin Awobodu (Men’s Volleyball): Two-time OUA All-Star, academic All-Canadian, and this year’s recipient of the Dale Iwanoczko community service award.

Alex Boden (Men’s Swimming): One U Sports medal, five silver OUA medals, and has medaled at three OUA championships. He also received the OUA Award of Distinction this year. 

Paige Breedon (Cross Country): All-Canadian runner, two-time OUA all-star, and finished fourth at the 2024 U Sports Cross Country Championships

Zachary Burt (Men’s Golf): Finished his last season as a Warrior with the lowest scoring average in program history and won an OUA individual silver medal this year. He’s also won OUA individual gold.

Kevin Espiro (Men’s Soccer): Has scored 24 goals and 34 points in his career, and is a three-time OUA all-star.

Megan Frost (Women’s Swimming): A four-time academic All-Canadian, Frost has also received the OUA award of distinction and has won three medals in her career.

Meagan Hobson (Women’s Field Hockey): The 2025 female athlete of the year winner, Hobson, is a four-time All-Canadian and last year’s U Sports championship MVP.

Tatum James (Women’s Hockey): James set the record for all-time goals scored this season with 47, and is a two-time OUA all-star. 

Matheus Mello (Men’s Soccer): Mello is a three-time OUA all-star and was recognized as OUA West Rookie of the year and a U Sports all-rookie in 2021. 

Carly Orth (Women’s Hockey): Orth is a two-time all-star and was named the 2025 OUA West Player of the Year. She’s scored 83 points in her career.

Cameron Seth and Niki Shemirani of squash take home Totzke and Marsden trophies

The final awards of the night, and the most coveted, went to two squash players who effortlessly ran through their competition. Shemirani took home the Marsden trophy, awarded to the female athlete of the year, after going 6-0 and winning the OUA MVP award. She’s the first squash athlete to win the award in 13 years.

Seth also went undefeated, 5-0, and was named OUA MVP while leading his team to fourth place. He’s the first squash athlete to win the Totzke trophy, awarded to the male athlete of the year, since 2009. They are the first pair of squash players to win the award together. 

Waste management for the region received a massive overhaul this year. Starting in January 2026, the province rolled out a new blue box recycling program while the region switched to a cart-based garbage and organics collection system at the start of March. Both programs are designed with the intention of creating more efficiency and cost savings, yet both experienced several logistical issues during initial rollout sparking numerous complaints by residents.  

“As the Region of Waterloo launches this new carts-based curbside collection program, and new routes and trucks are being utilized, there were some delays today in collection. More trucks, including semi-automated trucks, are being brought in to support the first week of collection where all households are getting garbage collection,” a statement from the Region said.  

As of March, the Region is making a shift to a cart-based waste and organics collection system. The new system is meant to support issues primarily around staffing.   

“Specifically, challenges exist due to a limited labour pool as the work requires extensive physical labour, working in adverse condition due to nuisances, weather, type of work, and negative perceptions, and health and safety risks with on-going lifting of heavy waste materials, and slips, trips and falls from exiting and entering a truck,” a public notice for the Region said.   

Garbage and organic bins for residents have been replaced with carts and are now collected by trucks with mechanical arms, no longer requiring manual cart pick up.   

Olivia Kwok, Director of Waste Management at the Region of Waterloo, said several communities across the province have been using a cart-based system for years now.   

“People get used to the process. They like rolling the carts out at the curb. Keeps things really tidy. You don’t have to go out in the morning and see the bags all ripped up,” Kwok said.  

In 2023, the Ontario government handed over responsibility for the Province’s blue box (recycling) program to the non-profit, Circular Materials (CM). CM was founded by 17 of Canada’s major food, beverage and consumer products manufactures, restaurants and retailers such as Coca-Cola. The organization along with hundreds of other corporations will support paying for municipal recycling programs across the province, reducing the burden on tax payers.   

In Waterloo Region, CM has subcontracted Miller Waste to carry out recycling collection and has been managing the residential blue box program since March 2024.   

As the program rolled out, residents were provided with two extra blue bins as bin collection has switched to a biweekly schedule, opposite to garbage collection dates. This year, the recycling program in Ontario also expanded to include items such as toothpaste tubes, coffee cups and ice cream tubs.   

Residents initially expressed concerns regarding missed garbage and recycling pickups and confusion around what items can be recycled. Similar concerns are being expressed by residents in Ottawa, Guelph, Peel Region and Toronto.   

Yet some residents have expressed concerns that less frequent blue bin pickups will lead to more items ending up in trash bins, aided by the increased size of new garbage collection carts.  

Colleen James, regional Councillor and chair of the Sustainability, Infrastructure and Development committee, recognized an increase in resident complaints, particularly around delayed garbage collection.   

“It’s been, in some cases, 24 hours [since] they haven’t received pickup in their neighbourhood. The main message coming from me is we have to be patient. We’re delivering this service to 700,000 residents across three major municipal urban municipalities and then the townships. So that’s a big project launch. It’s huge,” James said.   

While the first week of the program rollout was rocky, the Region assures residents that the program will function more smoothly as residents and operators adjust to the new program.   

“This was a community effort, and I want to thank everyone who helped us adjust to the new service,” Kwok said.   

“We know that as residents get used to setting the carts out and operators get used to the new equipment and new routes, this process will be much smoother,” she said.   

Students, staff, and visitors at the University of Waterloo will soon be paying more for parking, as new campus-wide rate increases take effect May 1.

According to the university’s Sustainable Transportation office, updated pricing will apply across visitor parking, permits, and hourly rates, marking another adjustment in the university’s ongoing shift toward funding infrastructure and transportation improvements.

For many campus users, the most noticeable change will be in visitor parking fees. Daily parking in most lots will rise from $7.25 to $10.00, while Lot M will increase from $8.30 to $11.45. Hourly rates will also jump from $3.10 per hour (max $10) to $4.30 per hour (max $13.80) in several central campus locations.

Evening and gated lot pricing is also increasing, with some maximum daily charges climbing as high as $30, depending on the lot.

Permit holders will see smaller, but still notable changes. Monthly employee permits will increase from $54.86 to $56.78 (plus tax), while student parking permits will rise to $225.14 per term (plus tax).

While the increases vary by category, the overall trend is clear, parking on campus is becoming more expensive across the board.

The university frames the changes as part of a broader strategy to improve campus transportation. Previous fee increases were tied to investments in infrastructure such as resurfacing lots, upgrading lighting, expanding bike storage, and supporting alternative transportation options like transit and cycling.

Parking Services, now rebranded as Sustainable Transportation, has emphasized that these changes are necessary to maintain aging infrastructure and better manage how thousands of people move to and from campus each day.

Still, the increases may be felt most by students who rely on driving. With limited parking availability and already competitive permit systems, higher prices could add to the financial strain of commuting, especially for those living off campus.

The UW Accounting and Finance Student Association (AFSA) tax clinic, which assists community members in filing tax returns, said they had a successful run doing so this year, processing nearly 900 tax returns for 708 distinct individuals this season.

Although this number is lower compared to the clinic’s all-time peak, the organizers are glad that this may indicate improvement in accessible tax services. “The tax clinic’s ultimate goal is to provide assistance to people who need it,” said Ben Ma, clinic coordinator. “If fewer people require our services, perhaps that means that tax services overall are now more accessible to everyone.”

This year’s clinic lasted two weeks from March 21 to 29.

There were a lot of internal changes implemented in the 2026 AFSA tax clinic. They shifted from paper-based tracking and physical receipts to a completely new digital management system as a part of an upgrade of its operations. This change has brought positive environmental impacts by reducing paper, enabling a trial program for scheduling appointments, and monitoring data to inform future developments. 

Despite the smooth operation, the  usual challenge of predicting the arrivals of clients remained. The clinic was overcrowded in the first few days of opening, and then a massive rush occurred in the final hours. Ma recalled, “About 200-300 clients arrived 2-3 hours before we closed for the season. Unfortunately, at that sudden volume, we couldn’t assist all visitors in a timely manner.” It is a pattern that the clinic hopes to break, and they emphasized that the tax clinic is pleased to assist on all operating days, not just the final one. 

The AFSA tax clinic wishes students to understand the long-term benefits of filing taxes annually beyond the immediate help they provide. By doing this, students are eligible to apply for low-income benefits up to $1,500 per year, earn tuition tax credits for future usage, and qualify for the Ontario Electricity Support Program, which may lower a hydro bill to $0.

The campus tax clinic will reopen in March 2027. In the meantime, students with questions about filing taxes are welcome to visit the clinic’s post-filing FAQ at taxclinic.uwaterloo.ca/PostFiling.html.

GUELPH – Certain artificial intelligence (AI) tools are set to be approved for widespread student use at the Upper Grand District School Board (UGDSB) later this month.

That includes Google Gemini, Notebook LM and Microsoft Copilot – generative AI tools powered by large language models. 

The board is expected to approve student use of the tools following a professional activity day on April 24, during which teachers will learn about AI literacy and the board’s AI guidelines. 

Increasing AI literacy is key, board officials say, to teach students to think critically about using it in safe and ethical ways to add value instead of replacing thinking.

“Once you learn how to read, then you can read anything. Once you learn about AI – how it works, the pitfalls, the potentials, the implications for human rights … you can use any tool effectively,” said superintendent Pat Hamilton. 

The UGDSB has been slower than some boards to release AI guidelines, which he said is in part to avoid repeating societal mistakes with social media.

“We didn’t spend a lot of time thinking about the impact,” or the critical thinking needed to use social media effectively, he said.

The board is planning to host parent engagement evenings about AI before the end of the school year, Hamilton said, and officials are working to be transparent about its use at the board.

Hamilton’s biggest concern is that AI "will become a weapon instead of a tool” and misinformation and human rights issues will be perpetuated, which he said is already happening in some ways.

“But it’s too late to turn back, so we better figure out how to use it and understand it,” he added. 

Online learning and AI literacy implementation principal Keith Coutu is most concerned about students misusing or over-relying on AI. It’s essential not to take AI at face value, to understand its inherent biases and inaccuracies, and to analyze and fact-check responses, he said. 

Large language model responses are just averages based on available data, Coutu said, so if the data contains bias, the AI will, too. 

AI also mirrors the user’s inherent bias, said Centre Wellington District High School English teacher and department head Alex Kempenaar.

“It seems more likely to push you towards sources and things that confirm ideas you already hold rather than challenging those ideas,” said Kempenaar. 

Hamilton said human rights are central in the board’s AI approach. 

That includes privacy and security, which is why only Google’s generative AI tools have been approved. Board officials aren’t confident other companies meet the same level of protection. 

“If we are going to make something available to students and educators across the system, we need to be confident that the privacy and cybersecurity things are in place,” Hamilton said. 

UGDSB officials are working on creating their own large language model, or chatbot,  said UGDSB program lead Adam Barnard.

That should ensure “it’s drawing from stuff that’s safe and has good practices embedded in there,” he added. 

Coutu believes AI will “revolutionize” how curriculum and materials are accessed and how learning is demonstrated. 

AI can increase accessibility with speech-to-text and translation programs, and teachers can use it to personalize materials. 

Coutu uses AI to help his son, who is in Grade 2 and has ADHD and autism, learn to read. 

Generic phonics reading materials can be pretty dry, so Coutu pops a few prompts into Google Gemini to create text that meets his son’s interests and reading level.

AI can also be used to change the reading level of a particular text, Kempenaar explained, and learning activities can be diversified to suit a range of students.  

Plus, teachers can use AI to streamline research on best practices, he added.   

AI can also help with simple, time-consuming tasks such as formatting documents, added Barnard.

And it can help teachers analyze student struggles and suggest secondary work to support them, Hamilton said. 

Coutu said he thinks there’s a misconception that teachers are using AI to grade assignments or to make decisions, which he stressed is not the case.   

“Decisions about student programming, IEPs or placements are never made by AI,” he said. “Professional judgement must always be the final arbiter, with a lens of equity and human rights."

Kempenaar said in many ways, students are more aware than teachers about how AI impacts them, and are often able to point out limitations and identify misinformation. 

While students are interested in AI, they also appreciate tech-free teaching, Barnard said. “They don’t see it as something that would replace a teacher.” 

“It will never replace humans – it can’t – and that’s obvious when you use it,” Hamilton added.  

Students’ concerns often focus on environmental impacts, such as how much water AI uses, Barnard said.   

“But we have industries that have been using water for hundreds of years, like concrete and steel,” he said. “And there’s too often clickbait out there right now that [AI] is using up all our water, when that actually isn’t true.” 

The board recently brought in an expert to talk to Grade 7 and 8 students – Kevin Matsui from the Centre for Advanced Research of Ethical Use of Artificial Intelligence at the University of Guelph.

Barnard said Matsui challenged misinformation and outlined AI’s environmental impacts as well as how it can be used to mitigate climate change and support sustainability. 

“There are two sides to this, it’s not a doom-and-gloom thing,” Barnard said. “We’ve tried to shy away from that fear-based learning and look at it with more of a hopeful approach.” 

AI in UGDSB classrooms isn’t new. Students and teachers have already been using Google Read&Write, OrbitNote, Google Translate, Immersive Reader, Lexia and Knowledgebook to increase accessibility and learning, Coutu said.

And teachers have been encouraged to use board-approved AI tools to diversify teaching and better serve student needs, Kempenaar said.

He noted he's heard a range of responses from teachers about AI, ranging from cautious enthusiasm to a belief it doesn’t belong in classrooms at all. 

In the earlier days of AI, he said, “there was a lot of fear about what that meant for the human side of things.” But it seems many teachers, including himself, are “coming around to the idea that AI is a tool like any other,” with benefits and limitations, he added. 

Kempenaar said teachers are working to wrap their heads around how students will be required to use AI after high school, so they can adequately prepare youth for future career paths. 

AI use is up to individual teachers’ discretion, Barnard said.  

If teachers are concerned a student may have used AI inappropriately, they ask about the process, Coutu said.

AI detection tools are not allowed to be used, Coutu noted, “As they are notoriously unreliable and biased, particularly against multilingual or neurodivergent learners.” 

Kempenaar said after a few years of exposure to AI-generated text, it has become “clear to teachers … when something is computer-generated, and when it’s missing those human elements of critical thinking.” 

He explained he’s teaching students that while AI is helpful in some ways, such as increasing efficiency, “it can’t replace human elements that make some of the things we produce really valuable.” 

If a student uses AI dishonestly, it is treated as an academic integrity issue, the same as if a student claims another person’s words are their own, said Kempenaar. 

But the board’s approach to AI isn’t focused on policing academic dishonesty, it’s on teaching ethical and responsible use, he said.

“Critical thinking has always been a goal in education, and AI makes that even more necessary,” Hamilton said.

He added it’s a reminder to “always question what you read.”

GUELPH – More police will soon be patrolling the halls of Ontario schools.

That’s due to new provincial legislation – and funds in the provincial budget – directed at school resource officer (SRO) programs.

SROs are assigned to schools where they have daily interactions with students and staff while looking into illegal activity. 

Ontario’s budget includes more than $41 million over the next three years for SRO programs, which provincial officials say reduce the risk of violence, promote student and educator safety, and foster trust and mentorship.

That follows the passing of Bill 33 in November 2025, which requires boards to implement SRO programs "where such programs are available.” 

UGDSB spokesperson Megan Sicoli told the Advertiser the board is working with local police to review Bill 33.

“We are pleased to build on the strong relationships we have with all of our police partners to continue to integrate their services into school communities and satisfy the requirements of Bill 33,” Sicoli stated in an email. 

Rockwood parent and UGDSB Black Parent Council member Nia James expressed deep concern about the impact police presence has on all students, but particularly Black, Indigenous, racialised, newcomer, disabled and 2SLGBTQIA+ children.

The UGDSB discontinued its SRO program in 2021, after hearing concerns from community members in 2020. Board officials said the decision was made to reflect an equity- and human rights-based approach. 

It was one of many boards to cut the program in the wake of the murder of George Floyd by a Minneapolis police officer and the international Black Lives Matter movement it sparked. 

The Wellington Catholic District School Board also reviewed its SRO program at that time, and opted to continue it. 

Sicoli said police presence in UGDSB schools includes, but is not limited to: "school community officers" presenting education and awareness information to students, providing on-site consultation for hold-and-secure and lockdown procedures, participating in violent threat risk protocol and responding to on-site emergencies.

Board officials would not say how school community officers differ from SROs and the OPP did not immediately respond to the Advertiser’s request for comment. 

In December 2024, UGSDB associate director Brent McDonald said he hadn’t seen any challenges or disadvantages to discontinuing the SRO program. 

James said evidence shows policing in schools is not an effective way to ensure children’s safety – and this was outlined at an event the council organized in October.

For example, an independent equity-based review of the SRO program at Winnipeg’s Louis Riel School Division found “at best, the SRO program is ineffective in its stated goals of ‘building relationships’ and ‘promoting safety and education.’

“At worst [it] negatively impacts the school space by making many students and parents feel unsafe and targeted." 

It’s not only the SRO program that raises alarm bells for some community members.

When police attend UGDSB schools to teach students about violence, James said it can be traumatizing for students, especially if the officers show up in uniform, with a gun holstered on their hip. 

According to the Ontario Human Rights Commission (OHRC), “Police presence and surveillance inside schools has a disproportionate impact on Indigenous, Black and other racialised students.” 

“Any decision regarding police involvement in school should be made only after carefully considering existing research and in consultation with all local voices, including parents, students, community members and organizations,” the OHRC stated in a 2025 report.

Education Minister Paul Calandra’s press secretary Emma Testani previously told the Advertiser  SRO programs "help foster positive relationships between students and law enforcement, ultimately making our schools safer.”

To reduce violence and increase safety in schools, James said “schools need to be funded in ways that support students.” 

That means more funding for teachers, support staff, social workers, educational assistants, mental health supports, student resources and after-school programming, not more funding for police, she said. 

Increasing police presence in schools is a step backwards, James said, adding, “It was harmful the first time, and will be this time as well.”

The 2026 Formula 1 regulations were designed to modernize the sport and bring the sport to a “purer” form of racing, without the gimmicks like DRS in seasons prior. However, early reactions from drivers and pundits suggest they have fundamentally changed the experience behind the wheel, and not for the better.

At the heart of the issue is the new hybrid power unit, which splits performance almost evenly between electric and combustion power. This shift has made energy management central to racing. Drivers now spend large portions of a lap conserving and deploying battery power, often “lifting” off the throttle and “coasting” into corners rather than constantly trying to take the best racing line at the highest speed.

Max Verstappen captured that frustration clearly: “The feeling is not very Formula 1-like. It feels a bit more like Formula E on steroids. As a pure driver, I enjoy driving flat out, and at the moment you cannot drive like that” (Sky Sports F1).

That frustration runs deeper than just adjusting one’s driving style. Verstappen expanded on it bluntly, saying: “For me, it’s just not enjoyable. These cars are anti-racing and not fun to drive. I just want normal driving, where you can push flat out and not think about all these systems” (Motorsport.com). His words reflect a growing discomfort with how artificial the racing can feel when so much depends on energy deployment rather than instinct.

Safety has also become a major concern. Since the new system creates large speed differences between cars depending on battery charge, as reported by Reuters, cars can “slow dramatically even when at full throttle because the electrical energy has run out,” creating unpredictable closing speeds on straights (Reuters). These conditions contributed to a high-speed crash in Japan and prompted calls from drivers for urgent changes, as there was no driver error to speak of; rather, Haas driver Oliver Bearman’s car had so much closing speed on the car ahead.

Lando Norris has been especially vocal about the risks, warning: “We are going to have a big accident… it’s chaos at the moment with the speed differences between cars” (The Guardian). His concern highlights how unpredictable the racing has become when one car is deploying energy, and another is forced to recharge.

Even where the rules succeed, namely, increased overtaking, they introduce a new problem. Early in races, cars with more available battery can attack more easily, creating short bursts of action. Over time, however, that advantage fades. As energy becomes limited, drivers are forced into conservation, thus turning Formula 1 from high-paced, intense action to an endurance test to conserve energy.

The result is a race that often starts dynamically but slows strategically, as drivers manage dwindling resources. Reporting has noted that while overtaking opportunities initially increase, performance becomes constrained by energy limits and deployment cycles later in the race (The Times). This evolving race dynamic has changed how drivers approach competition, as qualifying has also lost much of its traditional appeal.

Drivers can no longer attack every corner without thinking about energy recovery. Even governing body adjustments have only slightly reduced the need for harvesting mid-lap (Reuters). The spectacle of a driver extracting the absolute limit from the car has been replaced by a more calculated, constrained approach.

There are still positives. The variability in energy deployment has made races less predictable and, at times, more strategic (Reuters). Some fans enjoy the shifting dynamics and the increased importance of race craft decisions.

The FIA now faces a difficult balancing act. The 2026 regulations were introduced to improve sustainability and attract manufacturers. Those goals remain critical for the sport’s future. Yet the early backlash suggests that the core identity of Formula 1, drivers pushing to the absolute limit, has been diluted.

Formula 1 has always evolved, but this moment feels particularly significant. Drivers are no longer just racing each other; they are managing energy, timing deployment, and interacting with systems that are more intrusive than ever. As many of the drivers warn, the consequences for this iteration of Formula 1’s “new dawn” are not just diminished sporting pride, but also danger.

Contributed Photo/F1 wikipedia

A cold and slushy February day didn’t stop the action at Wilfrid Laurier University’s Alumni Field, where the Golden Hawks hosted OWIFA Qualifier #2 on February 28. With eight university teams packed into a full day of games, the tournament brought high energy, tight matchups, and a clear look at how the league is shaping up heading into the playoffs.

From the outset, it was clear that Queen’s University was poised to dominate; they controlled games from start to finish. Going a perfect 4–0, Queen’s put up 84 points and showed no signs of slowing down, including a statement 24–0 win over Waterloo and a 26–12 performance against York. Everything seemed to click for them, and they left Waterloo looking like the team everyone else will be chasing.

Right behind them, McMaster University quietly put together an impressive day of its own. Finishing 3–0–1, McMaster leaned on a strong defensive presence, giving up only 16 points across four games. They weren’t flashy, but they were efficient—and that consistency paid off. Their last-minute 12–8 win over Laurier showed just how tough they are to break down.

In the middle of the pack, the University of Guelph and Western University both had solid performances. Each finished 2–1–1. Guelph’s defence stood out, allowing just 12 points, the lowest of any team. Western followed a similar path, picking up multiple shutouts and proving they can compete with anyone.

For the Golden Hawks, the results didn’t fully reflect their effort. The Golden Hawks went 1–3 on the day, but there were plenty of positives—especially in front of their home crowd. Their biggest moment came in an 18–12 win over the University of Waterloo, where the offence finally found its rhythm and executed when it mattered most. Even in their losses, Laurier stayed competitive, pushing McMaster to a close 12–8 finish and showing flashes of brilliance.

One of the more interesting storylines came from the University of Toronto, which finished the day 0–1–3. Three ties in four games is rare, and it speaks to how tough they were to score against, even if they couldn’t quite turn those games into wins. York University and Waterloo had tougher days overall, but both teams showed moments of competitiveness in a stacked field.

Looking into the numbers, Laurier’s performance shows a team that was able to generate offence but often struggled to turn drives into points. Quarterback Paige Ryce was central to everything offensively, putting up strong passing volume across games—going 6-for-9 (66.7%) in one matchup, 6-for-13 in another, and 8-for-15 (53.3%) in her busiest outing—showing consistency and confidence moving the ball through the air. She also protected possession well, throwing zero interceptions across the recorded games.

In the receiving game, Grace Hilditch emerged as one of Laurier’s most reliable playmakers, recording multiple receptions in every game (including three catches in one outing and two in others), while also contributing on the ground with a rushing touchdown on four carries. Maya de Paz added steady support with multiple receptions and was also involved in the run game, logging up to four rushing attempts in a game and helping keep the offence balanced.

Defensively, Laurier had several standout individual efforts despite facing strong offences like Queen’s. Jayden MacArthur was a consistent presence, recording up to three tackles and an interception against the University of Waterloo, highlighting her ability to disrupt plays. Kyra Larocque contributed across multiple games with tackles and even a sack, while Ella Bennett also added an interception to the defensive effort. Across the board, Laurier defenders Lauren Kelly and Raquel Scratch were active in limiting big plays, each contributing multiple tackles throughout the day.

At the end of the day, this tournament gave a real sense of where teams stand before the playoffs, as Queen’s and McMaster look like the teams to beat. For the Golden Hawks, they found themselves in the middle of the pack but with a lot to be proud of. With clear areas for improvement and a strong defensive foundation, the Golden Hawks look poised to make a run in this year’s playoffs.

Contributed Photo/OWIFA Website

On the weekend of March 13th to 16th, Laurier students gathered along Marshall Street to celebrate what Laurier celebrates best: St. Patrick’s Day—all despite the frigid forecast.  

Every year, the City of Waterloo declares a Community Safety Event to regulate the streets that the students inevitably overrun. Like in years past, this Community Safety Event meant ticketing bystanders, installing road barriers, and trying to dissolve the crowd as early as possible. This is put in place in anticipation for public safety and nuisance concerns.  

Each year these regulations draw concerns from partygoers and residents alike. This year was a little different. Students noticed a sniper was deployed in a nest atop The MARQ 18 apartment building overlooking the street party on Marshall—and promptly freaked out.  

Headlines were drawn both out of students, and even Waterloo Mayor Dorothy McCabe’s expressed shock. People are naturally averse to a visible presentation of lethal force amidst a celebration of culture and tradition. However, is there something to be said (or done) about not being naive over the consideration of mass casualty events?  

That’s what the region of Waterloo thought. As well as retired police officer Scott Blandford, claiming that a police sniper at large crowds or gatherings is necessary due to potential threat. 

The world is changing; uncomfortable questions about potential mass casualty events are worthwhile to consider. Waterloo Regional Police estimated a peak crowd of about 7500 people, much smaller than previous years but still a mass gathering. 

Should Waterloo Law Enforcement have been more transparent about the show of lethal force at a street party? Probably. The reaction this got surely could have been predicted. Students surely want their community gatherings to be safe spaces free from the threats of terror, while also being justifiably upset about having to look at a giant rifle during a street party. 

In the aftermath of the event, the law enforcement responded to 72 calls for noise and nuisance, of varying severity. “We are disappointed that students and others continued to gather on our streets, creating a nuisance and a community safety concern,” said Grant Curlew, Acting Director, Municipal Enforcement Services, despite a more contained event than years past. 

Between this statement of implied disapproval for the gathering as a whole, and statements from Chief Mark Crowell regarding the clear attempt to mitigate mass casualty considerations, the Waterloo Regional Police is evidently trying solutions in how they want to dismantle Waterloo’s St Patrick’s Day festivities. 

I do not think the Waterloo Regional Police is making a logical conclusion by expressing disappointment for the St. Patrick’s Day gathering itself. The Cord has been reporting failed attempts to break up this annual street party for the last 30 years. However, preventative measures for “mass casualty considerations” might be a different question entirely—because while the gathering might be predictable, the possibility of catastrophic violence is another question that authorities are arguably obligated to consider. 

Contributed Photo/Angus Turney

Spoilers Ahead! Bridgerton is a show that attempts to be feminist, but often falls short, favouring half-hearted speeches about feminism instead of solidarity between all women for collective liberation.  

One of the best examples of this is the character of Penelope Bridgerton. Penelope is the author of the Lady Whistledown gossip columns, where she comments on the lives of those around her and exposes their scandals. As a result, she ends up ruining people’s lives through her influence, especially women’s lives, as the lives of women are constantly monitored by the British elite during this era. 

A key example occurs in Season one, where Penelope reveals that Marina is pregnant because she is in love with Colin, and believes she is protecting him from being trapped in a marriage with Marina. This leads to Marina ending up in a loveless, albeit stable, marriage. Penelope, however, does not seem to care about how she affects the lives of other women.  

Penelope has had many moments where she has had to confront women she has hurt, but she only enacts lasting change by quitting her role as Whistledown in Season 4. Even then, it doesn’t appear that she stops because of how these papers affect other people. She stops because, now that she has revealed her identity, she must deal with the repercussions of her actions, such as when the “mistress” she reveals in Season 4, named Virginia, comes to her home to confront her. 

Despite this, the show holds her up as a feminist.  

Penelope is one of the latest in a long line of “girlbosses” who manage to succeed in a world of men by stepping on other women to get to the top. In an argument with Eloise Bridgerton at the end of Season two, Penelope criticizes Eloise for being all talk about independence while taking no real steps toward it, unlike Penelope.  

However, Penelope is the very reason why Eloise cannot take those steps toward independence anymore. In Season two, Eloise attends multiple feminist rallies but is forced to stop because, to prevent the Queen from suspecting her as Lady Whistledown, Penelope writes about her activities in her column. As a result, Eloise can no longer participate in rallies because her family’s reputation is at stake. 

Eloise acts as a foil to Penelope, as she advocates for collective liberation and actively criticizes what is expected of women instead of only trying to help herself. Yes, Eloise can be a bit “holier-than-thou” about women’s liberation, but that does not make her critiques and fears any less valid.  

She fears pregnancy after hearing that her mother nearly died during childbirth, and she does not want to be married because she wants to be her own person. She actively rejects these social conventions to attain the independence she seeks, despite pressure from everyone in her life, including Penelope. 

This places her, the feminist, and Penelope, the “girlboss,” at odds. Eloise actively goes against what society expects, much to the chagrin of her mother and family, while Penelope, who is married with a son, follows society’s rules until it suits her not to.  

Penelope is also a key instrument in upholding the systems of social oppression that Eloise so desperately wants to escape, as she is the one reporting on the actions of everyone around her. While this gives Penelope personal power, it takes freedom away from the women around her. 

The show treats them differently as well. It rewards Penelope for her actions, as she attains the respect of the Queen and those around her through her work. Eloise, on the other hand, is treated as a problem by those around her, and the show does everything it can to soften her ideas into ones that can accommodate marriage and children for her to become the main heroine of the upcoming season. 

Penelope highlights one of the main shortcomings of Bridgerton: the show values speeches about feminism rather than the actual tenets of feminism, including collective liberation, and instead leans into more individualistic, choice-based feminist ideas. 

Contributed Photo/ Bridgerton Poster

Realizing that the days are counting down towards the end of the school year can be a very exciting time as you look forward to summer and not having to worry about essays, annotated bibliographies or exams.  

However, for me, it has made me realize that I am about to be entering my final year of undergrad, which is exciting but also saddens me as I have loved my time at university from the excitement of moving into my dorm, O-week, moving into my upper year apartment, being involved in clubs and meeting new people. 

When I first got to university, everything was new and felt a little overwhelming. Moving away from home and moving into residence was a big step, but it was also where I met some of my closest friends. Those first few weeks are filled with late nights, orientation events and simply just figuring out how to navigate campus and independence. At the time, it felt like the beginning of something that would last forever. Now, looking back, it feels like it all went by way too fast. 

As the years went on, the university became more than a place I just attended class, but rather it became a routine and a lifestyle. Moving into an apartment in my upper years brought a whole new level of independence. Cooking for myself, managing my time and balancing school with a job and a social life became part of everyday life. Being involved in clubs and campus activities also gave me a sense of belonging and purpose beyond my academics. These experiences not only shaped my university experience but also who I am becoming as a person. 

Part of what makes this experience even a bit more emotional is that I took a gap year before coming to university which I do not regret the slightest, as it taught me many things and prepared me for university. However, now I am seeing my friends from high school getting ready to graduate, and I still have a year left. Seeing them reach that milestone makes me so excited and immensely proud, but it also makes everything feel more real. It is like I am caught in between, no longer being at the beginning of university, but not quite at the end either. Watching them move on, highlights just how quickly this phase of life passes and makes me reflect moredeeply on my own experience. 

What makes this stage feel so strange is that it is a mix of emotions. On one hand, I am excited to be almost done. Finishing my degree feels like a huge accomplishment as I will be the first in my family to receive a degree and I look forward to what comes next in my life. 

 On the other hand, there is a quiet sadness that comes with knowing that this chapter is reaching an end. The routines, the people, and even the stress of deadlines are all things I have grown used to, and it is hard to imagine life without them. 

I think part of the sadness comes from the realization that things will never quite be the same again. University is such a unique experience where you are constantly surrounded by people your age, learning, growing and experiencing life together. There are a sense of freedom and the possibility that feels different from what comes after. The idea of leaving behind is both exciting and a little scary. 

As I prepare to enter my final year, I am trying to embrace both the excitement and the sadness. This “strange sadness” is just a reflection of how meaningful my university experience has been and a reminder to not take this time for granted, but to appreciate every moment of it while it is still here. 

Contributed Graphic/Anna Koehler

Whether you find yourself walking around campus, riding a bus, or even waiting in line at McDonalds, it’s become increasingly apparent that these quiet moments that once sparked communication and connection, have become just another opportunity for stimulation.  

For most of us, it’s become a habit to pull out our phone and scroll whenever the opportunity arises, the constant drive to keep our minds engaged to avoid uncomfortable thoughts or feelings of unproductiveness, and through these social constructs, boredom has become something we avoid at all costs. 

To understand this trend, we must first understand the idea of the attention economy. 

This term refers to big corporations treating human attention as a scarce, monetized commodity where digital platforms compete for engagement to generate revenue. Short form content such as Tik Tok and Instagram Reels make it quick and easy to engage with social media in dull moments, paired with constant notifications that create a sense of urgency and a ‘fear of missing out’.  

Both work to create these habits of compulsive usage. According to a study conducted by Statistics Canada published in March 2026, one in three (37 per cent) youth reported exceeding daily screen time recommendations, those same youth reported poorer mental and physical wellbeing outcomes nearing the end of the study several years later.  

In simpler terms, we have become so used to constantly consuming media that moments of silence with our thoughts are becoming fewer and farther apart, making boredom something to avoid rather than a normal part of everyday life. 

Boredom, as discussed, typically carries a negative connotation with it, so it is rare that people recognize its absence as a problem. This notion is false;, boredom actually plays an important cognitive role. Boredom prompts the brain to seek stimulation, which in turn fosters creativity and allows the time for thoughts and ideasto fully develop without too much interruption.  

Circling back, most of our problem-solving skills, along with emotional processing, occurs during those quiet moments sitting on campus or waiting in line, however it is often disrupted by our need to distract ourselves through technology. 

So, if boredom can be this beneficial, why do we do everything in our power to avoid it?  

Moving just past the fact that algorithms and social media platforms are designed with the intention of keeping us engaged, and cellphones provide almost instantaneous distraction from the unproductive feeling that comes along with being bored. Considering all of this, it is really no surprise that the idea of sitting with our thoughts and doing ‘nothing’ can spur feelings of anxiety or restlessness; we are simply not used to it anymore. 

Laurier’s campus is not exempt from this phenomenon, common instances that have become the social norm such as scrolling between lectures, walking with headphones constantly in, or multitasking during lectures to increase productivity. These occurrences are so widely accepted it’s become the social norm, and that’snot to say any of the previous examples are inherently unhealthy or bad, but they do further the argument that avoiding boredom and the need for constant stimulation has made its way into even the most mundane tasks. 

Taking all of this into account, it can be argued that boredom is not only something that we experience, but something that we have learned to fear, or at the very least something we subconsciously avoid.  

Yet the solution may be simpler than it seems. Anything from journaling to something as simple as leaving your phone in your pocket on a walk can help reintroduce these quiet moments back into daily life, and in doing so, learn to appreciate its value. 

Contributed Photo/Sheryl Madakkai

Walking across campus, scrolling through social media, or sitting in a lecture hall, it is easy to notice how much it seems like everyone else has it all together. People already know what they want to do. They’re finishing internships, securing jobs, graduating on time and seem to have a clear path ahead.  

Meanwhile, you are just trying to survive midterms, keep up with assignments, and figure out what comes next. 

It is natural to feel like you are falling behind. Life appears to be moving forward while you are stuck in the background. Some friends are deciding on graduate school; others are moving into their first apartments and some are already networking for careers you can barely imagine. 

Social media algorithms push refined highlights that intensify this emotion. Posts are chosen to reflect on success, not the hours spent doubting oneself or the late nights questioning whether you are on the right path. 

This perception that everyone else has figured everything out is largely an illusion.  

People show the final product, not the messy middle. Graduation photos hide semesters of stress and failed assignments. Job offers hide countless applications and rejection emails. The highlights do not reveal the uncertainty that accompanies every stage of university. Seeing only these successes can make anyone feel like they are missing something essential. 

Feeling left behind is more common than it seems, and it does not indicate failure. University does not come with a manual, and there is no single way to do it right. Some students take longer to find their path. Some change majors, take gap years, or pursue new opportunities after graduation.  

Even when they seem secure, most people are still learning, and the timeline is rarely straight. 

Comparing yourself to others can be exhausting. You may measure your worth by grades, milestones, or social achievements. Small setbacks can feel like personal failures, and it is easy to internalize the idea that you are not progressing fast enough. What matters is maintaining perspective and focusing on your own journey.  

Progress is not measured by someone else’s timeline. It is measured by learning, adapting and discovering what is meaningful to you. 

Feeling behind does not mean you are failing. It means you are growing up. 

If you find yourself questioning your path, consider who you are comparing yourself to. The version of everyone else that you see is not the full story. University is not about having everything figured out. It is about exploring, making decisions and learning from mistakes. Growth occurs in the moments between uncertainty and achievement. 

Being human means not having all the answers. That is not a weakness. Most students are figuring things out as they go, just as you are. Recognizing this reality can be liberating. It allows you to focus on your own journey, embrace learning and gradually build a path that is authentically yours. 

Contributed Graphic/Rytham Sahni

AI novels are a relatively new phenomenon within the literature community and are rising in popularity. They appear in advertisements everywhere, with their AI-generated book covers and classic trope titles, for example, The Chosen Luna: Alpha’s Unwanted Daughter.  

Now, while they are popular, there are two big questions: are they good, and despite being AI, are they still valuable? While deciding if a story is good is entirely interpretive, there are qualities that indicate whether a book is structurally well done. 

In a good book, there are three main elements that must be well executed: the hook, the plot progression and the conclusion. The hook is what catches the reader’s attention; it is an interesting trope or an inciting incident that sets up the reader to want to read the rest of the story.  

The first chapter then acts like a pilot episode, giving readers a sense of whether the novel is worth their time and investment. Because of this, it needs to be engaging, as it establishes expectations for the rest of the book. By utilizing these popular tropes and character archetypes, they pull readers into the first few chapters.  

While AI is particularly good at the hook of a novel, it is the chapters after the exposition that start to show problems. 

The issue begins when we get to actual plot progression, which is the rising action, or the “middle” part of the story. This is where all the build-up to the climax happens and is the toughest part for a writer to make interesting. However, the rising action is essential, as the climax is not exciting if there is no built-up tension.  

This is where AI starts to crumble in quality, as it cannot maintain a cohesive, fluid narrative. Each chapter on its own is not bad, perhaps the plot progression makes sense and can be satisfying to the reader, but when the chapters are put together within a long-term narrative, it becomes repetitive and exhausting.  

Each chapter follows the same formula, and there is no deviation, leading the chapters to feel like the same problems and information are being presented repeatedly. Eventually, watching the main character make the same mistake with no sign of growth becomes unsatisfying and causes the reader to lose interest. 

A key part of the rising action is getting readers to emotionally invest in the main characters, keeping readers invested in what is happening to a character is what keeps them engaged with the story. AI does not do this well.  

While at first you may feel for the main character, AI does not develop a character beyond their initial role. There are no human qualities, no uniqueness within the character themselves. Characters are often reflective of their creator, whether through speech patterns, reactions or small quirks; there is something in them that only their author can give to make them feel real. When the author is not human and has no qualities of its own, what does that do to the character? It makes them feel inhuman, prevents the reader from understanding their actions and creates a story that feels “unnatural.” 

Finally, there is the conclusion.  

In any work of fiction, there must be an overcoming of obstacles that the main characters have worked toward. This typically occurs after the climax, in the falling action, where characters tie up loose ends and determine what comes next. It is when villains receive their just desserts or when the main love interests finally confirm their relationship.  

However, while AI understands the structure of a good conclusion, it follows it too rigidly. The characters’ problems are suddenly resolved within a single chapter, and the solutions are often so simple that the reader is left unsatisfied. 

Overall, while AI is effective at hooking readers, it struggles to keep them engaged. These stories do not provide real satisfaction and reinforce the idea that AI is not suited for long-form storytelling. Even the elements that can give a weaker story value, such as the unique style or perspective of the author, are absent in AI-generated works.  

What remains is a structurally familiar but ultimately unfulfilling story, reinforcing that while AI can replicate the form of a novel, it cannot recreate the originality, emotional depth and authenticity that make literature truly worthwhile. 

Contributed Graphic/Jay Mahood

For many students, university can feel like a constant balancing act. Academics, social life, future uncertainty, and everything in between. While conversations around mental health have become more common, many still struggle in silence, unsure of where to turn, or how to begin opening up.  

Unsinkable is a platform that helps Canadians tell their mental health stories, creating spaces where these stories have become a lifeline for others.  

For Hailey Hechtman, Executive Director of Unsinkable, storytelling is where that process can begin. “I have worked in the mental health sector for my entire career,” Hechtman shares, reflecting on a journey that spans psychology, crisis line work, and leadership roles in mental health programming. Despite supporting others, she explains that it was easy to ignore her own struggles, particularly her experience with disordered eating and body image. 

It was not until hearing someone else’s story on a podcast that things began to shift. “That was the moment I started to piece together what I had been going through,” said Hechtman. Hearing someone speak so openly became the starting point for her own healing journey. Years later, her story would become just as impactful to others. 

“Sharing my story was a chance for me to see those moments of uncertainty and pain through the lens of resilience and courage,” Hechtman explains.  

Unsinkable emphasizes that personal storytelling can also be a private process. One in which individuals are guided to make sense of their experiences in a safe and supportive space before deciding if, when, or how they want to share their story more widely. According to Unsinkable’s core mission, storytelling helps people “feel less alone and encourages recovery” by creating connections and reducing stigma. For students navigating stress, personal struggles, anxiety, or uncertainty, that sense of connection can be powerful. 

Storytelling works because it reflects the issue. “Stories are what connect all of us,” said Hechtman, “they act as a mirror.” For students, this can mean recognizing their own struggles in someone else’s experience.  “When you see someone else share their story… it reminds you that you are not the only one and that you too will get through this,” Hechtman added. This is especially important in university environments, where high expectations can make vulnerability feel risky. Hechtman suggests beginning small, engaging with stories that resonate with or even use them to start conversations with others. 

Hechtman’s role at Unsinkable evolved from storyteller to Executive Director, describing those experiences as being deeply connected. “Being honest about who I am allows me to connect in deeper ways with our community,” she explains. Her leadership style challenges traditional expectations, showing that vulnerability and professionalism are not mutually exclusive. Instead, lived experience becomes a strength. 

Founded in 2019 by Olympian Silken Laumann, Unsinkable is a national charitable organization focused on personal stories as a tool for recognition and healing. The organization believes that “healing starts with a personal story,” and that sharing those stories can create “a lifeline for others.” Through programs like one-on-one mentorship, group storytelling sessions, and youth peer support spaces, Unsinkable provides opportunities for people to explore their experiences in a safe and supportive way. 

They also offer peer groups for individuals aged 16–26, creating spaces for students to have open conversations about mental health, identity, and well-being. What sets Unsinkable apart is its focus on lived experience. While many mental health services focus on treatment, Unsinkable complements these supports by creating space for reflection, connection, and community. 

For students who may be struggling but hesitant to reach out, Hechtman’s advice is simple: start where you are. “Start by seeking out stories that help you feel seen,” she says.  Because at the heart of Unsinkable’s work is a message that feels especially relevant on university campuses: “You, just as you are, can inspire hope in someone else.” 

Students interested in Unsinkable can engage in a variety of ways. Whether that is attending events, joining peer groups, volunteering, or simply following along with stories online. There is no “right” way to start.  

As Hechtman puts it, “Start as a receiver… and from there, if you feel ready, reach out.” Amongst all the assignments, classes and due dates, remember to take care of your mental health, Golden Hawks.  

To learn more or get involved, visit: www.weareunsinkable.com/. Students can also connect with Unsinkable’s youth community on Instagram at @beunsinkable, where stories, resources, and opportunities to get involved are shared in an accessible and student-focused way. 

Contributed Photo/Unsinkable

Choosing a path in university is rarely as simple as following personal interest. Students must often navigate a balance between their own aspirations and the expectations of family, friends, and society. These expectations can be explicit or subtle, but they shape the choices students make every day. 

Following your heart can feel risky. Your dreams may not align with what your parents hope for, what friends consider realistic, or what society views as practical. Ignoring personal ambition does not feel right either.  

Many students experience this tension constantly. They may choose programs or careers that satisfy others but leave them uninspired, or they may pursue passions that bring internal conflict or guilt. Sometimes expectations are unspoken, communicated through family sacrifices, cultural values, or subtle pressures that make studentsfeel responsible for others’ happiness. 

This tension can make decisions feel heavy. Selecting courses, internships, or career paths can become a negotiation between personal desire and perceived responsibility. What should be exciting milestones can feel stressful or isolating. Students often hesitate to express their true intentions for fear of disappointing someone or appearing ungrateful. 

Cultural and societal norms can intensify the struggle. Certain paths are valued over others, and choosing an unconventional route can provoke guilt, anxiety, or fear of judgement. Balancing expectations while remaining true to oneself can feel nearly impossible at times. 

It takes courage and awareness to learn how to achieve this perfect balance. For some students, it means making compromises and figuring out how to respect the aspirations of family and community while also honoring personal objectives. For others, it takes courage to take chances, have tough talks, and progressively create a route that seems genuine. There isn’t a solution that works for everyone.  

Making choices that honor one’s own values as well as those of others leads to growth. 

Living in this space between expectations and choice does not mean being lost. It reflects development, self-awareness, and the ability to make decisions that are truly your own. Many students share this experience, even if it remains unspoken. 

Managing expectations is not a weakness. It is part of the journey of discovering who you are, what matters, and what kind of life you want to shape. University is not only about career development, but also about building identity. The quiet tension between personal ambition and outside expectations fosters resilience, perspective, and confidence. 

Following your own path does not require rejecting responsibility or disregarding others. It is about honoring both who you are and where you come from. This process is rarely easy, and clarity does not arrive overnight. Yet, learning to make decisions that reflect your values and aspirations is one of the most important lessons universities can teach. Your life is to shape, even in the presence of others. 

Contributed Graphic/Anna Koehler

On Dec. 31 2025, Christ Lutheran Church proposed to add townhomes to its vacant lot at Anndale Rd. and Lexington Rd. to help move the Waterloo Region out of its current housing crisis. Christ Lutheran Church had a long-held vision for the future use of the site, which included an opportunity to explore new housing options. The proposal to add 57 rental townhomes to its three-acre lot has been put into action, with some challenge from residents.  

“Neighbours and community members have continued to engage with us directly, and the city is also receiving input through its formal channels…We are taking all of this input into account through the ongoing review process of the application with our team and the city,” Carly Forrester, Director of Development and Planning at Kindred Works, said.   

Kindred Works, a Toronto-based rental housing design firm, was engaged to evaluate what could be supported on the portion of the property identified for redevelopment. This work has informed the low-rise residential proposal currently advancing through the zoning process.  

“Some residents have raised concerns about height—the proposal is for two-three storeys, similar to the nearby homes to the north and northeast, and much shorter than the six-storey retirement residence to the south across the street. Other concerns raised include the number of homes, potential impacts on traffic, parking and greenspace,” Forrester said.   

The church has occupied the mostly vacant land since 1974. The plan involves retaining the original church building, while Kindred Works develops around it. Christ Lutheran Church transferred its property to its development partner for a total of two dollars in September 2025.   

“We have also received support for the proposal, including the addition of purpose-built rental housing with non-market and family-sized units, adding much needed housing to the community, the fact the building is designed to be zero-carbon, and the retention of the existing community building,” Forrester said.   

This project aligns with the Region of Waterloo’s Homes for All initiative, which is a part of the Waterloo Region’s 2023-2027 Strategic Plan.  

“The project is still in the zoning process, and the timeline will be shaped by the results of this phase and the municipal review process. We are eager to complete this project as soon as practical to deliver much needed housing to the community,” Forrester said.  

Avalon Stone—Meant to Break (EP) 

Release Date: Feb. 27, 2026

City: Kitchener 

Genre: Alternative Rock, Grunge

The six-song debut EP from singer-songwriter, Avalon Stone draws clear inspiration from 1990s alternative and grunge rock but with a polished, modern influence. Produced by Juno Award winner Kevin Dietz (Glorious Sons, Billy Talent), the project features heavy alt-rock anthems that distinctively compliment the gritty vocal performance.

Nothing We Do Matters—Kinematics of Machinery

(EP) 

Release Date: Feb.28, 2026

City: Kitchener 

Genre: Experimental, Noise

The entirety of the band’s biography simply states “emo rhythm noise nonsense” which, while brief, perfectly encapsulates the experimental sound the band has concocted on their debut EP. The three tracks collectively present a challenging listening experience that melds layers of harsh noise, abrasive screams and unsettling electronic soundscapes.

I, the Mountain— Body (LP) 

Release Date: Mar. 6, 2026

City: Kitchener 

Genre: Indie Folk

Four-piece folk rockers I, the Mountain return with an emotional new five-song EP which is comprised of recent single releases, with the most recent and final addition being the title track “Body”. The collection of songs is raw and personal, exploring themes of self-worth and acceptance, while featuring some of the band’s tightest vocal harmonies to date.

Thorns—Closed Casket Burial 

(Singles) 

Release Date: Mar. 13, 2026

City: Waterloo

Genre: Metalcore

Thorns’ newest release consists of two singles, “Closed Casket” and “Burial”. Across both songs, the vocals are impressively dynamic, transitioning from deathly growls to aggressive shouting seamlessly. The band blends these vocals with heavy hardcore inspired breakdowns and intense metallic guitar riffs to create a unique sound.

Eric Folino—Hours for the Taking (EP) 

Release Date: Mar. 13, 2026

City: Waterloo

Genre: Acoustic, Indie Pop

Originally recorded in 2024, this eleven-song project was gradually released as singles and has ultimately culminated in Eric Folino’s debut album. With acoustic guitar and poetic lyricism at the forefront of each song, Folino presents a refreshing take on contemporary indie pop. The track “The World Began This Morning” is an impressively notable highlight from the album.

Album artwork sourced from Bandcamp. 

Easter is fast approaching, and there will be plenty of service changes at UW and across Waterloo Region throughout the weekend.

At UW the Student Life Centre, and Flock Stop will be open 24/7 on Friday, April 3, as well as Turnkey Desk, but Turnkey @ DC will be closed that same day and over the weekend. 

Most food service locations will be closed on Friday, including Brubaker’s, Browser’s Café, CEIT Café, Ev3rgreen Café, ML’s Diner, Tim Hortons in DC and SLC. The exceptions are The Market at CMH, Mudie’s in V1, and REVelation in REV. The full list of schedules is available on UW’s website. 

PAC and CIF will be closed Friday and Sunday, and open on Saturday from 9 a.m. to 5:30 p.m. 

Dana Porter and Davis Centre libraries will be closed on Friday, and reopening on Saturday (11 a.m. to 12 a.m. for DP, 11 a.m. to 3 a.m. for DC) and Sunday (11 a.m. to 5 p.m.). 

The following regional administrative offices are closed from Friday to Monday: 99 Regina St. S. in Waterloo, 150 Frederick St. in Kitchener, 150 Main St. in Cambridge, Region of Waterloo International Airport Administrative Offices, and Home Child Care offices.

Garbage, organics, and yard waste collection will continue as normal on Friday. Transfer stations for residential drop off at the Cambridge Waste Management Site and the Waterloo Waste Management Site will be closed on Friday and Monday.

Grand River Transit (GRT) will operate on a holiday service schedule on Friday. MobilityPLUS service will operate, but subscription trips for Good Friday will be automatically cancelled and must be rebooked by calling 519-744-2241. Regular service will return Monday. GRT customer service locations at 35 Ainslie St. S. in Cambridge, 105 King St. E. in Kitchener, and 250 Strasburg Rd. in Kitchener will be closed on Friday, Sunday and Monday.

Home Child Care offices will be closed, but licensed care will operate as scheduled by providers. Region of Waterloo International Airport administration offices will be closed, but airport operations will not be affected.

All Region of Waterloo library branches will be closed on April 3 and April 6. Regional museums will be open with adjusted hours. Joseph Schneider Haus and Ken Seiling Waterloo Region Museum will be open Friday, from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. The McDougall Cottage Historic Site will be open on Friday, Saturday, and Monday from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m., and Sunday from 12 p.m. to 5 p.m.

Welcome Spaces at 99 Regina St. S. in Waterloo, 20 Weber St. E. in Kitchener, and 150 Main St. in Cambridge will be closed. The Service First Call Centre will remain open 24 hours a day throughout the Easter weekend. 

Ontario students across the province are protesting about the recent changes made to the Ontario Student Assistance Program (OSAP). The Ontario government has announced that, starting this fall, OSAP grants will decrease from a maximum of 85 per cent to 25 per cent.  

On Mar. 4, 2026, hundreds of students and community members from across Ontario gathered at Queen’s Park to protest the cuts. Similar protests broke out in different cities, including Waterloo and Ottawa. The OSAP changes are not only affecting post-secondary students but also secondary schools.  

At the University of Waterloo, the reaction has been described as historic. Remington Aginskaya-Zhi, Vice President of the Waterloo Undergraduate Student Association (WUSA), noted that the campus is seeing a level of mobilization not seen in decades.  

“This is the most engaged we’ve seen students probably ever,” Aginskaya-Zhi said. “The rally that we held was one of the biggest gatherings or protests on campus in probably our entire history.”  

The movement is gaining even more traction in the Greater Toronto Area, where students are framing the cuts as a systemic attack on public institutions. Trudi Kiropatwa, a third-year student at Toronto Metropolitan University and a member of the Student Mobilization Committee (SMC), says the impact in Toronto is extreme.  

“We’re essentially on a sinking ship,” Kiropatwa said. “This government and their corporate cronies see us as customers and our education as an industry that is ready to be exploited.”  

The urgency stems from a lack of clarity on how these cuts will affect individual bank accounts. According to WUSA, the provincial OSAP estimator for the upcoming year has yet to be released, leaving students in a state of financial limbo.  

Kiropatwa noted that for many, the breaking point is graduating into a job market with record-high youth unemployment while saddled with massive debt.  

“Me, personally, I’m going to be graduating with tens of thousands of dollars of student debt already without these changes,” she said. “These changes are making the issue ten times worse.”  

“Students definitely are very worried,” Aginskaya-Zhi said. “We are hearing stories from students telling us they’re uncertain whether they can come back to school next year, or whether they can pursue graduate studies.”  

This uncertainty is already forcing students to make difficult lifestyle changes. Aginskaya reported that some students are opting for longer commutes rather than living in Waterloo to save on costs, while others are seeing their younger siblings reconsider university altogether.  

Beyond the provincial level, the University of Waterloo is also grappling with internal budget crisis pressures. Aginskaya-Zhi highlighted that financial support units on campus are currently understaffed, which could complicate the processing of student aid.  

“The university right now is understaffed and has lots of challenges to hire new staff…but funding should not come at the cost of giving more debt to students,” she said.  

In response, organizations like WUSA and the SMC carried out a massive convergence at Queen’s Park on Mar. 24, 2026. Despite the government maintaining its argument that the 25 per cent grant limit is sustainable, the mobilizations saw hundreds of activists reiterating demands for a full reversal.  

“We’re not here to demand a return to normal…which is a Band-Aid solution,” Kiropatwa said. “We’re here fighting for free, democratic, and accessible education.”  

“Right now, I think students are angry, and what we are focusing on is giving students an avenue to let out their anger,” Aginskaya-Zhi said.   

She emphasized that the momentum will not fade as the semester ends.   

“Just because winter term is ending and it’s summer now doesn’t mean that students have forgotten this betrayal from the government.”  

As Parliament returns to session, WUSA intends to keep the pressure on local MPPs to ensure the student voice is heard.  

“We hear your anger, we hear your frustration,”  Aginskaya-Zhi concluded as a message to the student body. “We are going to work to make sure that you can share that with us.”  

Waterloo’s Shawerma Plus is growing its fanbase across Ontario with the opening of two restaurants in Mississauga and one in Port Elgin. Founded in 2012 by Asem Ghabra and Baraat Khudeir, Shawerma Plus started with a space on King St. N. before moving to its current 1,000 square foot space in University Plaza in 2019. The family opened its second location at 1111 Westmount Rd. E. in 2016. While other shawarma chains have pursued aggressive provincial and national expansions, Jawad Ghabra, cofounder and partner at Shawerma Plus, said the brand is taking time to make sure each new restaurant meets their standards.

“We opened a few locations, and then we pulled the brake a bit to see what needs to be fixed or changed. The more locations we open, there is always a chance that we’re going to miss something with the quality, experience or culture that we bring,” Jawad said. The idea of planning the expansion of his family’s business is something Jawad said he never thought he would be doing when his father first told him about the idea for a shawarma restaurant in Jawad was living in Dubai, newly married and expecting his first child when he received a call from his father who was living in Waterloo.

“He’s always been passionate about food and catered on the side. He and my mom are amazing cooks. But I told him I didn’t recommend it because the success rate is very low. Restaurants are risky. They didn’t have the network either. But he wasn’t going to listen to any of us telling him to slow down or stop,” he said. Jawad said his father was set on opening a shawarma restaurant and spent months perfecting his recipe and looking for a space. The family is originally from Syria, and Jawad said his father had lost much of his savings when the family fled the country.

“He put all his remaining savings into the building and opening of the restaurant. That was a crazy risk, because that’s everything. There’s nothing left on the table,” Jawad said. Ghabra flew to Waterloo to help with the branding, website and the build-out of the restaurant. After returning to Dubai, the restaurant opened and, while sales were good, Asem told Jawad that he was quickly running out of capital and did not see the restaurant being open for more than a few months. With a young family and growing career in Dubai, Jawad knew that he could not let his father’s dream fail. Without being asked, he sent his father most of his savings.

“He asked why I did it, and I told him that I could tell from his voice that he didn’t want to give up. Six months down the line, he called back and said that money was gone. I genuinely remember this moment. I didn’t want them to close. I didn’t want to get into the food business. But I told my wife, ‘I’m going to quit my job and we’re gonna go to Canada’,” he said. Jawad and his family landed in Waterloo in 2013, and he quickly got to work at the restaurant, just not in the way he thought he would.

“We arrived at the restaurant and he said, ‘Jawad, go do the dishes and clean the washrooms’,” Jawad said. After giving up his life in Dubai, Jawad was stunned and asked why. His father gave him a lesson that would shape how Jawad would lead the restaurant from its original location to the growing franchise it is today.

“He said, ‘Let me ask you this, do you know how to make a shawarma? Do you know how to handle the register? Why are we even debating? Just go.’ I went. That’s how I started,” he said. “It’s been a crazy journey, and the journey is just not mine. This is the journey myself, my family, a lot of our employees, and partners have taken,” Jawad said.

GUELPH – Wellington-Dufferin-Guelph Public Health (WDGPH) is finding more ticks overall, and in places they’ve never found them before.

And that, in turn, is causing more cases of Lyme disease.

Operations director of health protection Phil Wong and environmental health specialist Tyler Black presented the 2025 tick and mosquito surveillance findings at the April 1 board of health meeting and cautioned that the first confirmed black legged tick has already been identified this year.

Black legged ticks are known vectors of Lyme disease and there were 46 confirmed or suspected cases of it in 2025 among residents in the WDGPH region – up from 32 in 2024.

Increased tick activity has led to the expansion of Ontario risk zones that now include southern Wellington County, Guelph and most of Dufferin County, Black told the board.

While public health uses a method called dragging to identify where ticks are located, they only do that on public property.

In 2025 ticks were found in Hockley Valley Provincial Nature Reserve, Starkey Hill Conservation Area in Puslinch and Preservation Park in Guelph.

WDGPH also has an online tick identification tool, and 260 submissions were received in 2025 – a 25 per cent increase over 2024.

Many of the ticks were found on rural private property in north and central Dufferin County.

“These results indicate that the [WDGPH region] may be transitioning from a low-risk zone to one with established endemic transmission of tick-borne pathogens, highlighting the need for sustained, proactive surveillance and timely public education to help residents recognize, prevent and respond to tick exposures,” Wong’s report states.

“Dog surveillance data shows substantially higher seropositivity (presence of antibodies) for Borrelia burgdorferi (a bacterium that causes Lyme disease) among dogs in the L9V postal code area – covering parts of Mono, Melancthon and Mulmur – compared with the rest of [the region].”

This points to the need for targeted prevention and awareness efforts in those communities, especially for dog owners, the report notes.

Mosquito surveillance in 2025 also found West Nile Virus in Wellington North and Centre Wellington and WDGPH continues to apply larvicide to roadside catch basins in the region.

The report states WDGPH's pro-active approach to these diseases includes:

• targeted and expanded surveillance in rural areas and public-use greenspaces newly identified as risk zones;
• recognizing many tick-borne infections are suspected to be acquired on rural private properties and therefore strengthening partnerships with rural municipalities and agricultural communities to enhance awareness, reporting and prevention;
• continued surveillance for Borrelia, Babesia, Anaplasma and other emerging tick- and mosquito-borne pathogens, ensuring local data supports timely public health action; and
• continued training of professionals and engagement of youth through school-based citizen science initiatives and partnerships with the University of Guelph and Public Health Agency of Canada.

As tick and mosquito season arrives, public health is offering the following advice to area residents:

• wear light-coloured clothing so ticks are easy to see;
• cover up by wearing closed footwear and tucking pants into socks;
• use a repellent that contains DEET or picaridin and follow the manufacturer’s directions; 
• perform full-body checks for ticks on yourself, children and pets; and
• when you get home, put your clothes in the dryer on high heat for at least 10 minutes before washing them. 

For more information, visit wdgpublichealth.ca.

ABERFOYLE – Long known for hosting weddings, murder mystery events and elegant dinners, the Aberfoyle Mill Restaurant has closed.

The closure was announced this week on the mill's website with a simple statement from owner "John (Manolis) and Ron and staff."

The post thanked the mill's clientele for 35 years of patronage and attributed the closure to challenges that began during the pandemic and to ongoing economic challenges from which it could not recover.

“Unfortunately, as many are aware the economy over the last few years has not been as robust as before COVID. It has made business in our industry very difficult," the post states.

"So it is with heavy hearts that we close this chapter at the mill."

The Aberfoyle Mill was built in 1859 by Scottish immigrant George McLean and became famous for its award-winning oatmeal in 1867.

It was destroyed by fire in 1868 and was rebuilt with a focus on producing flour.

The mill changed hands several times in the late 1800s and used water, and later steam, for power. Operations ceased in the 1920s.

Restored by Stanley and Marion Owens in the 1960s, it has been a restaurant and antique centre ever since.

In a post on his personal Facebook page, Puslinch Mayor James Seeley said the mill was part of the township’s identity, “a place where memories were made, milestones were celebrated and history was felt the moment you walked through the doors.”

He called the building a Puslinch landmark and a feature that attracted out-of-towners.

“Losing something like this isn’t just about a building closing – it’s about losing a piece of our shared story,” Seeley wrote.

A few panicked brides-to-be are suddenly looking for a new wedding venue after the announcement. Their weddings were booked for August and now they are out of luck, according to some Facebook posts.

But there were even more stories about the restaurant on the What’s Happening Puslinch Facebook page describing the food as excellent, the atmosphere as elegant and the owner as kind and philanthropic.