News

In local news, residents are reminded that the Wellington and District Community Centre (WDCC), including the walking track will be closed for general access this weekend as the facility hosts the 2026 Prince Edward County Quilter’s Guild Quilt Show. The Community Centre and walking track will resume regular hours on Monday, July 13.

If there is extreme heat on these dates, the public is invited to visit the Wellington library or Heritage Museum to get relief from the high temperatures.

JOBS
In economic news, Canada added a net of 18,000 jobs in June and the unemployment rate edged down to 6.5 per cent according to today’s report from Statistics Canada. The results slightly beat estimates and show a continuing momentum seen in the prior month despite the lingering trade uncertainty. The job gains ⁠in June were largely concentrated in part-time work and in accommodation, food services, wholesale and retail trade.

Another positive note is that the unemployment rate among youth fell 0.7 percentage points to 12.7 in the month. While the unemployment rate for youth has improved in the last two months, it still remains higher than the pre-pandemic average of 10.8 per cent in 2019.

StatsCan also reported that the country’s population dropped by about 55,000 people or 0.1% in the first three months of this year, putting our estimated population at 41.4 million. The drop reflects a decrease in both immigration and in births compared to deaths.

WHALES
Canadian government permits allowing most of the 30 Marineland beluga whales in Niagara Falls, ON, to be shipped to U.S. aquariums should come with the condition that the whales aren’t to be bred, a national animal law advocacy organization is urging.

Animal Justice issued that challenge to Ottawa on Wednesday, the same day the U.S. National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA) approved an emergency rescue of what’s expected to be 28 of the whales split up between U.S. four aquariums. Two other whales are supposed to be shipped to an aquarium in Spain, but that facility is still awaiting the necessary permits from the Spanish government.

The office of Canadian Fisheries Minister Joanne Thompson stopped short yesterday of saying it would ensure none of the Marineland whales become pregnant or be used for entertainment at their new homes.

The federal government’s policy for obtaining a ministerial permit to export a living cetacean says the destination facility will not breed or impregnate the cetacean being exported from Canada.

AVIATION
In aviation news, a man was nearly sucked out of a Ryanair flight when the window detached mid-air en route to Germany from Greece. Luckily, he still had his seatbelt attached as he was dozing off when the incident occurred.

The passenger, a tourist from Serbia, has been hospitalized with friction burns but was otherwise in good condition. His head and shoulders were outside of the aircraft before his fellow passengers pull him back inside. Passengers said they heard a noise like a tire bursting followed by rapid decompression of the cabin.

Greek media reported the incident had occurred over North Macedonia, and said the window had been broken by a piece of debris that detached from one of the plane’s engines.

Ryanair in a statement said the flight returned to Greece shortly after takeoff. The aircraft landed normally and the passengers returned to the terminal. Their flight continued on a replacement aircraft. The incident is under investigation by aviation authorities.

Sports

WORLD CUP
We start off with the World Cup of Soccer where the quarter-finals are underway. This afternoon 3rd ranked Spain kicks off against number 8 Belgium in Los Angeles at 3 pm local time. The winner will face France in the semi-finals on Tuesday at 3:00 in Dallas.

On Saturday the remaining quarterfinals take place with England taking on Norway at 5 pm in Miami. Last year’s Current world cup holders Argentina play Switzerland at 9 in Kansas City. The two winners will play their semi-final game on Wednesday at 3:00 in Atlanta.

The 2026 World Cup finals are Sunday July 19th at 3:00 PM in New Jersey.

MLB
If soccer is not your thing, then the Toronto Blue Jays start a three game visit to the West Coast where they will face the National league San Diego Padres. This will be the Jays last games before the All-Star break. They resume play a week from today when the Chicago White Sox come to town.

CFL
There is also the CFL for your viewing pleasure. Tonight the Toronto Argonauts are out west to face the Winnipeg Blue Bombers. Kick-off is at 8:30. Both teams sit at two wins and 2 losses in the regular season.

Elsewhere the Calgary Stampederes will be in Montreal on Saturday. On Sunday, the Hamilton Tiger Cats travel to Regina to face the Roughriders.