BC Green Leader Emily Lowan wins bid for riding on Vancouver Island
The Canadian Press decision desk is projecting victory for BC Greens Leader Emily Lowan in the Vancouver Island riding of Saanich North and the Islands.
Lowan became leader of the provincial Greens in September 2025, succeeding Sonia Furstenau.
At 26, Lowan is among the youngest leaders of a major political party in Canada.
She takes over the riding from fellow Green Rob Botterell, who won the seat in 2024 but decided not to seek re-election.
The riding is a Green stronghold, having been held by Adam Olsen from 2017 to 2024.
Before leading the Greens, Lowan was a climate action activist who played a key role in a student-led campaign at the University of Victoria that resulted in the school directing investments away from fossil fuels.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 24, 2026.
By Nono Shen | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
This $20 train from Toronto takes you to a riverside town with little cafes and quaint shops
It's a charming spot for a weekend escape.
You don't need a car to travel to a charming small town. This cute Ontario village is just a train ride away from Toronto, and it has "fall outing" written all over it.
With riverside views, a historic main street, quaint shops and little cafes, it's the perfect place to put on your coziest sweater, grab a pumpkin spice latte, and breathe in the crisp fall air.
Port Hope is a dreamy small town on the shores of Lake Ontario, just an hour from Toronto.
According to Northumberland Tourism, it's "one of Ontario’s cutest small towns" and is home to the "best-preserved heritage main street" in the province.
It's only about an hour's train ride away from Toronto with VIA Rail. It's ideal for a weekend escape or longer, with trains departing Toronto in the evenings and returning in the afternoon or evening.
The train station is just steps from downtown, so you don't have to go far to find stores, restaurants, and more.
You can stroll through the storybook downtown, popping into bookshops, sipping on seasonal lattes, and biting into baked goods.
Some local eateries worth checking out include The Pulse Cafe & Eatery, The Main, Cafe Lviv, Milly's Market, and Happenstance Bakery & Coffee Roastery.
If you want a super cute cafe experience, make a stop at Toe Beans Cat Cafe, where you can visit with adorable cats while enjoying a drink.
The Ganaraska Hiking Trail is a dreamy spot for a late-autumn stroll. The scenic trail winds along the Ganaraska River, boasting picturesque views and peaceful scenery.
If you're in the mood for something spooky this Halloween season, Port Hope is the place to be.
Despite its charm, it has served as the backdrop for several horror films and a mystery series, making Halloween the ideal time to explore this destination.
One of the most famous horror films shot in Port Hope is IT, which saw the town transform into Derry, Maine, the fictional home of the terrifying, shape-shifting clown.
If you're brave enough, you can follow the IT Walking Tour to explore filming locations from both IT and IT: Chapter Two.
The self-guided tour includes stops at Memorial Park, where the giant Paul Bunyan statue appeared, and a laneway off Walton Street beside the Quality Meats shop featured in the films.
Other horror and mystery productions filmed in Port Hope include Orphan, Murdoch Mysteries and Our House.
Port Hope has no shortage of fall activities, from a Pumpkin Parade to trick-or-treating and more. You can check out the website for a full list of things to do.
If you're planning a longer visit, there are several boutique hotels and B&Bs where you can stay, such as the Hotel Carlyle & Restaurant and the Plantation House Bed & Breakfast.
With its charming shops and historic main street, Port Hope is a beautiful small-town escape near the city.
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.

Guylaine Guay de Big Brother se confie sur la place des femmes grosses à l'écran
« On associe souvent grosse et laide. »
Un peu plus d'une semaine après son éviction de Big Brother Célébrités, Guylaine Guay s'est retrouvée sur le plateau de Dans les médias à Télé-Québec où elle aborde la grossophobie lors d'une émission spéciale pour parler des femmes au pouvoir dans l'univers médiatique. Dans cet épisode diffusé le 9 mars, elle s'est confiée sur son expérience personnelle et la place des femmes grosses à l'écran.
Questionnée par l'animatrice Marie-Louise Arsenault, celle surnommée la mama bear de la maison de Big Brother a expliqué qu'elle s'attendait à recevoir des messages de nature grossophobe, mais ce n'est pas tout ce qu'elle a reçu :
« Depuis le début de ma carrière, je reçois énormément de commentaires sur mon poids, sur mon physique, mais là on est allés complètement ailleurs.
« À ma sortie, on m'a bien averti que c'était 50/50. 50 % des gens avaient adoré mon jeu, puis 50 % des gens avaient détesté mon jeu. Jusque là, on parle de jeu [...]. On m'a traité de grosse n'importe quoi, il y a quelqu'un qui m'a souhaité que mes enfants tombent malades. »
Lors d'une entrevue avec Narcity à sa sortie de la téléréalité, Guylaine a d'ailleurs mentionné qu'elle avait reçu plusieurs commentaires très personnels et « des attaques de toute part » alors qu'elle a l'impression que les téléspectateur.trices oublient que c'est un jeu.
Au moment d'aborder la place des personnes rondes dans les médias, Guylaine a raconté qu'elle assiste effectivement à une certaine liberté avec la place grandissante des personnalités grosses sur les réseaux sociaux. Elle a cependant expérimenté de la grossophobie au cours de sa carrière :
« J'avais déjà passé une audition pour une grosse émission [...]. On m'a dit "On va me prendre, t'es avec d'autres filles, tu vas être sur le show." Pour après apprendre qu'on ne me prenait pas parce que, selon le patron de l'époque, je f**kais l'unité stylistique de son show. J'ai compris assez vite que je n'avais pas le corps pour être dans cette émission-là. »
Selon elle, il y a plus de diversité corporelle à l'écran, mais elle se dit avoir hâte que les femmes rondes n'aient pas seulement des rôles de « personnages gros » :
« J'aurais envie de voir une grosse fille [...] jouer une femme fatale qui a des amants. On associe souvent grosse et laide [...]. Je pense que le message c'est qu'on aurait toutes envie d'avoir l'air de ça.
Contrairement à cette croyance, Guylaine affirme plutôt qu'elle entretient une belle image d'elle-même :
« Moi je ne changerais pas de corps avec personne. C'est le mien, c'est mon outil de travail, j'adore mon corps. Pour vrai, je le trouve doux, je le trouve beau, j'aime son vécu, j'aime toutes les formes qu'il a eues. »
Maintenant que Guylaine est de retour à la réalité, il est possible de la suivre comme co-animatrice à l'émission de radio Véronique et les Fantastiques. Elle fera également une apparition à La vraie nature dans l'épisode du dimanche 13 mars.