At Toronto event, Margaret Atwood reiterates need for due process in Galloway case
As Steven Galloway concluded his testimony in his defamation trial in Vancouver, in Toronto, author Margaret Atwood reiterated her stance as a defender of due process in his case.
Atwood, who was receiving an award at a Journalists for Human Rights event, spoke about her decision to sign an open letter in November 2016 calling for an investigation into how the University of British Columbia handled the Galloway case.
Atwood faced intense backlash and scrutiny from the public after expressing support for the former UBC professor, comparing the online criticism to the French Revolution.
“Luckily, I couldn’t be fired from the university or blacklisted from festivals,” she said. “Or if I was, I didn’t notice.”
She also referred to Article 10 of the Universal Declaration of Human Rights, which calls for “the right of every human being to a fair, open and impartial trial.”
She lamented the Canadian media's reluctance to cover the case over the last eight years. Atwood has written opinion articles, most recently in the Vancouver Sun this week, in support of Galloway. She added that legacy media publications face growing pressures and dwindling revenue, which make it difficult to “defend against lawsuits.”
“This has made them more cautious,” she added.
Atwood also worried that social media has made the public more distrustful with a growing tendency to believe anything posted online.
Galloway, known for the award-winning novel “The Cellist of Sarajevo,” is in the middle of a defamation trial against several people who he alleges published unproven allegations of sexual assault.
One of the defendants includes a former student, known as A.B., who made sexual assault allegations against him that later spread on social media. Galloway was fired from UBC shortly after rumours of the accusations spread in late 2015.
He was a tenured professor and the former chair of UBC’s creative writing program.
A report produced by a former judge for the university concluded that the accusations against Galloway were unsubstantiated.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2026.
By Sadeen Mohsen | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
Canada must diversify trade away from the U.S. for security reasons: Freeland
Former deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland says it's important for national security reasons that Canada do everything it can to diversify trade away from the United States.
During a discussion at the Council on Foreign Relations in New York on Thursday, Freeland said it's dangerous to deepen or maintain a close economic relationship with a partner who "openly says they want to take you over."
U.S. President Donald Trump has repeatedly mused about turning Canada into the 51st state and, while he ruled out using military force to annex the country in January 2025, has said he would consider using "economic force."
Even if the U.S. had a president who believed in free trade with Canada, Freeland says being dependent on any one partner is "not a great idea."
Freeland's new book, “Unreliable Boyfriend,” was released this week and is part international analysis about the evolving role of the United States and part political memoir.
Its title is a reference to a comment she made on an American talk show in February, when she said the U.S. is "not a very reliable boyfriend right now."
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 15, 2026.
By Catherine Morrison | Copyright 2026, The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.
This little village in Ontario has twinkling train rides and pumpkin-filled streets
Be sure to visit after dark. 🎃
If you're looking for a fall outing that feels like stepping into a Halloween storybook, there's a little village in Ontario that offers glowing pumpkins, historic streets and magical autumn nights that needs to be on your radar.
Just over an hour from Ottawa, you can visit an enchanting outdoor experience where handcrafted illuminated pumpkins and large-than-life creations transform the night.
Set in the Upper Canada Village in Morrisburg, Pumpkinferno is a classic Halloween tradition that brings thousands of illuminated pumpkins to life after dark.
The Upper Canada Village is one of Canada’s largest and most immersive living-history destinations, home to more than 40 carefully preserved and reconstructed buildings, where you can step into the past and see what daily life looked like in a rural English Canadian community.
Come October, the historic village transforms into a spectacular display of more than 7,000 jack-o'-lanterns for the popular Pumpkinferno, becoming a glowing wonderland with creative pumpkin sculptures, themed displays and plenty of spooky-season fun.
Instead of traditional rows of carved pumpkins, the outdoor event features thousands of pumpkins arranged into intricate illuminated displays.
The pumpkins you’ll see at PumpkInferno aren't your average jack-o’-lanterns – they’re actually hand-carved artificial pumpkins, each moulded into the shape of a spooky face or scene.
As you make your way through the historic village, you'll encounter colourful installations and creative scenes that range from whimsical to wonderfully eerie.
The displays are designed to be enjoyed after dark, when the glowing pumpkins stand out against the night sky and the village's historic buildings add to the atmosphere.
The pumpkin displays also change every year -- this year's Pumpkinferno features several new exhibits, including a "Village Grand Prix," a sweet, candy-filled wonderland, and a world of larger-than-life jungle creatures.
The experience takes about 1 hour to complete, though visitors are welcome to spend as much time as they like admiring the pumpkin creations.
Along the way, you'll be able to experience the village's interactive zone, where you can snap some photos, play some games, and soak up the Pumpkinferno magic.
You can even hop on board a life-sized, brightly lit toy train for a short ride through the village that even includes a photo stop.
The night will also include a sound and light show as hundreds of colourful lights dance in sync with Ladies of the 80’s tunes, creating a magical scene that you can't help but dance and sing along to.
If you work up an appetite, you can stop at Willard’s Hotel, the Harvest Barn, the on-site BeaverTails, the Village Café or Cauldron Corner for classic fall treats, bites and warm drinks.
Be sure to bring your camera, as the glowing installations provide plenty of opportunities for festive photos. Just remember to dress for the weather, since you'll be spending much of your visit outdoors and the event takes place during rain or shine.
Pumpkinferno runs on select nights until October 31, 2026, with different opening times depending on the date. General admission costs $23 plus tax for adults, $22 for seniors and $21 for students and children aged five to 18. Admission is free for children aged four and under.
Whether you're going for the glowing pumpkin sculptures, the twinkling train ride or just want to embrace spooky season, this historic Ontario village offers a fall outing that's full of charm (and pumpkins).
Pumpkinferno
Price: $23 per adult
When: Select nights until October 31, 2026
Address: 13740 County Rd 2, Morrisburg, ON
Why You Need To Go: You can visit an incredible outdoor attraction at this historic village near Ottawa with thousands of glowing pumpkins and large-than-life structures that's like something out of a Halloween storybook.