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This Ontario spot is like a mini Edinburgh with limestone shops and cobblestone streets
No passport required!
Cue the bagpipes! You don't need to get on a plane to discover a little bit of Scottish charm.
This Ontario destination is known for its historic streets, limestone buildings, and European vibes, making it feel like a mini trip to Edinburgh without leaving the province.
Located just a few hours from Toronto, it's a beautiful spot for a little getaway, no passport required.
Kingston is an old-world city perched along the shores of Lake Ontario. Known as the "Limestone City," this Ontario destination has no shortage of beauty to discover.
It's brimming with historic streets, cobblestone alleys, local shops, cozy cafes, and pubs, and feels like a little slice of Britain right here in Ontario.
Some visitors have even compared it to places like Edinburgh, and Narcity readers have described the city as a way to taste Europe without leaving Ontario.
Kingston dates back to the 1600s, when European settlers first arrived in the area. According to the City of Kingston, it became Canada's first capital in 1841, and its past remains visible in the architecture and landmarks scattered throughout the downtown core.
There's lots to enjoy year-round, whether you're visiting during the hot summer months or the snowy winter season.
The downtown area is one of the best spots to explore, with historic shops and cozy cafes lining the streets.
You can also enjoy a meal at one of Kingston's numerous restaurants, or embrace the British charm and head to a pub like The Merchant Tap House, The Iron Duke on Wellington, or the Kingston Brewing Company.
Kingston's City Hall is a beautiful spot to soak up more historic architecture and lakefront views. You can stroll along the waterfront, admiring the old-world buildings and shimmering waves.
The city is home to a number of attractions, from local theatres and art galleries to historic sites and more.
You can tour the historic Kingston Penitentiary, get a taste of 19th-century military life at Fort Henry, or drift around the 1000 Islands on a cruise, depending on when you visit.
If you're visiting in late October, it's a great time to explore Kingston's spookier side. The city's historic buildings and winding streets are the perfect backdrop for ghost tours, where you can hear tales of local hauntings and mysteries.
As the Christmas season approaches, Kingston transforms into a postcard-worthy destination, with twinkling lights, horse-drawn wagons, and glowing shop windows.
There are Christmas markets, parades, and more to enjoy throughout the season.
Whether you're planning a day trip or a weekend away, Kingston is a dreamy spot to soak up some European charm without travelling overseas.
While you won't find Edinburgh Castle or the Scottish Highlands here, the city's centuries-old buildings, picturesque streets, historic pubs, and limestone architecture offer a little taste of life abroad right here in Ontario.
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Industry Minister Mélanie Joly wants to build an aluminum rolling mill in Canada
Joly announces new funding for aluminum sector
THE CANADIAN PRESS/Justin Tang
Industry Minister Mélanie Joly says new federal investments announced Friday are a first step toward reducing the Canadian aluminum sector's dependence on the United States.
Joly, who is also the minister responsible for economic development in Quebec, made the comments in La Baie, Que., where she announced more than $193 million in federal funding for projects at four Rio Tinto facilities in the Saguenay-Lac-Saint-Jean region and at the Alouette aluminum smelter in Sept-Îles, Que.
“The aluminum industry is much more than an economic driver. It is also a strategic industry for our country and for Canadian sovereignty,” the minister said in her speech.
Citing the economic upheaval caused by tariffs and the unpredictability of the American government, Joly said that “in this new context, we must be able to produce more of what our economy needs right here in Canada.”
She also said the funding is a first step toward strengthening the Canadian aluminum supply chain.
Joly pointed out that the price of aluminum products are inflated first by tariffs when they enter the United States and a second time when that aluminum returns to Canada. The United States imposes a 50 per cent tariff on Canadian aluminum, and since Sept. 8, Canada has imposed a 50 per cent tariff on processed aluminum from the United States, resulting in a total surcharge of 100 per cent.
The Canadian tariff imposed in March 2025 was 25 per cent before Sept. 8.
Joly stressed that the government sees aluminum as a strategic sector for the Canadian economy and that she sees the importance of building rolling mills in Canada.
"It’s not normal that most of our aluminum is processed in the United States and then comes back at a higher cost to our companies," she said.
She said several sectors — including agri-food, beverages, and aerospace — need more processed aluminum and have rolling mill projects of their own.
"We want to be able to produce our aluminum cans here at home; we want to be able to produce our aircraft and aerospace parts here at home; and we also want to attract key investments in aluminum processing for our defence sector," Joly said.
On top of providing financial support to producers, she said the government also wants to work with entrepreneurs interested in developing these rolling mills and take on equity stakes.
Ottawa also wants “to be able to offer procurement contracts, certainly defence-related ones, for key components in the aerospace sector, precisely to create a business model that makes sense for a rolling mill,” Joly stated.
“Economic sovereignty isn’t something you proclaim, it’s something you build."
Canada has nine primary aluminum smelters, eight of which are located in Quebec. The other is in British Columbia.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2026.
By Pierre Saint-Arnaud | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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Manitoba bans teachers from texting, messaging students on social media
Manitoba bans teachers from messaging students
THE CANADIAN PRESS/John Woods
The Manitoba government is banning teachers from texting with students or messaging them on social media sites.
The province says school employees will still be able to communicate with students on platforms that are monitored by school divisions or other administrators.
Education Minister Tracy Schmidt says the province's directive will help keep kids safe, set expectations for parents and give educators guidelines.
All schools will be required to share the changes with students, staff and families in their communities.
The ban comes after two educators recently lost their teaching certificates for sending inappropriate messages to students.
An investigation by Manitoba's independent education commissioner found that in one case, the teacher engaged in a years-long inappropriate relationship with a student that began in middle school and continued as the student went into high school.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 23, 2026.
Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
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