This spring issue sees the last traces of Maritime winter recede, and the Annapolis Valley begins to bloom in soft hues of pink and white, as Nova Scotia comes alive with one of its most cherished traditions: the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival. Just a short drive from Wolfville in the Annapolis Valley is Sunken Escapes, where we speak with Chesley "Chet" Long about how the retreat pairs immersive natural surroundings with distinctive design and intentional simplicity, offering guests an experience that feels both unfamiliar and deeply restorative. Perched along a quiet, tucked-away stretch of Nova Scotia’s coastline where the waters of Monk’s Head Harbour meet the Northumberland Strait is Island Beach Hideaways. The adult getaway offers a distinctive blend of coastal serenity, elevated comfort, and immersive experience. We chat with Gillian Sampson about how a simple piece of waterfront land has been thoughtfully transformed into a boutique, adult-only glamping retreat. We then head to New Brunswick, where soon the sound of shoes pounding pavement mingles with laughter, clinking of glasses, and the unmistakable scent of hops and malt as runners and beer enthusiasts head to Saint John for the City’s annual Port City Beer Run & Brew Fest in May. Jade Hilton’s career has been shaped by motion - across genres, borders, and long stretches of highway. A former Division One tennis athlete, Hilton, brings that same discipline and drive to her music. Her breakout single Dive Bar became a major stepping stone, launching her onto festival stages like Cavendish Beach Music Festival and Boots and Hearts Music Festival, and the focus of our latest Emerging Artist Spotlight Segment.
VOL 26 ISSUE 2
ISLAND BEACH HIDEAWAYS HAS ALL THE RIGHT VIBES A Hometown Dream shaped by Family, Resilience, & Reinvention
Nestle yourself under the stars amidst the tranquil beauty of Sunken Lake THE SUNKEN ESCAPES EXPERIENCE
THE 92 ND ANNAPOLIS VALLEY APPLE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL
The Fabric of the Valley
INSIDE SAINT JOHN’S PORT CITY BEER RUN A Unique Blend of Athletics, Community, & Local Beer Culture
EMERGING ARTIST
SPOTLIGHT
An AIDACA MEDIA Publication
ATHLETE TURNED DIVE BAR SINGER MAKING WAVES IN COUNTRY MUSIC
MANAGING DIRECTOR Rod Gregg EDITORIAL DIRECTOR Lee Ann Atwater
A MESSAGE FROM THE EDITOR
ACCOUNTS & ADMIN MANAGER Amanda Ryan
This spring issue sees the last traces of Maritime winter recede, and the Annapolis Valley begins to bloom in soft hues of pink and white, as Nova Scotia comes alive with one of its most cherished traditions: the Annapolis Valley Apple Blossom Festival. For 92 years, this has been more than just a celebration of apple blossoms; this iconic event is a living expression of community, heritage, and seasonal renewal, which draws thousands to the heart of Nova Scotia’s Annapolis Valley. In late-May in Saint John, New Brunswick — Canada’s oldest incorporated city, nestled on the Bay of Fundy and steeped in maritime history — the sound of shoes pounding pavement mingles with laughter, clinking of glasses, and the unmistakable scent of hops and malt as runners and beer enthusists head to Saint John for the City’s annual Port City Beer Run & Brew Fest — an event that has become as much a rite of spring for locals and visitors as the harbour tides themselves. The warmer weather brings the gentle rustle of pine needles, and a mirror-like calm to Sunken Lake, along with the uninterrupted sweep of stars overhead – all of which are the backdrop for Sunken Escapes. Just a short drive from Wolfville, in the Annapolis Valley, the retreat pairs immersive natural surroundings with distinctive design and intentional simplicity, offering guests an experience that feels both unfamiliar and deeply restorative. Perched along a quiet, tucked-away stretch of Nova Scotia’s coastline where the waters of Monk’s Head Harbour meet the Northumberland Strait is Island Beach Hideaways. The adult getaway offers a distinctive blend of coastal serenity, elevated comfort, and immersive experience. What began as a simple piece of waterfront land has been thoughtfully transformed into a boutique, adult-only glamping retreat - one where guests can unwind beneath the stars, explore the shoreline, indulge in curated experiences, and reconnect with nature without sacrificing luxury. Jade Hilton’s career has been shaped by motion - across genres, borders, and long stretches of highway. A former Division One tennis athlete, Hilton, brings that same discipline and drive to her music. Her breakout single Dive Bar became a major stepping stone, launching her onto festival stages like Cavendish Beach Music Festival and Boots and Hearts Music Festival. Raised in the GTA and immersed in Toronto’s hip-hop and R&B scene, she didn’t grow up on country music, but was drawn to its honesty and storytelling. My team and I want to thank everyone who made this issue possible. We look forward to sharing more stories about growing industries, successful businesses, brands, events, and the entrepreneurs making it all happen.
COMMUNICATION & RESEARCH MANAGER Tristyn Gaudette EDITORIAL & PROJECT MANAGER
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Spotlight What’s in the ON THE COVER
03 A MESSAGE FROM THEEDITOR 04 WHAT’S IN THE SPOTLIGHT 20 2026 I ❤ BEER TOUR Ontario’s Winter-to-Spring Celebration of Beer, Community & Culture 28 CANADA’S ENERGY SECTOR Why routine oil tanker traffic draws little concern in Eastern and Atlantic Canada 32 CALGARY INTERNATIONAL BEERFEST A Round Up of Brew, Culture, and Community 38 BUDGET CUTS HIT THE ART Nova Scotia Arts Coalition calls on Tim Houston to reverse cuts to Arts, Culture, Tourism & Heritage 42 EDMONTONBEERFEST Raising a Glass in Alberta’s Capital 54 TOGETHER WE BREW NSBEERFEST Nova Scotia’s Craft Beer Industry under One Roof 70 PREPARING FOR GROWTH Your first Sales New Hire 82 SURVIVALMATH Class, Stress, and the Order of Human Needs 86 CANADIAN ENERGY AQUATIC TECHNOLOGIES How Pit Lakes are helping reclamation in Alberta’s oil sands 92 LIVING THE STARTUP An Entrepreneur’s Guide to a Smooth and Productive Road Trip 98 THE UNSEEN COST OF HYPERBOLE
INSIDE SAINT JOHN’S PORT CITY BEER RUN
THE 92ND ANNAPOLIS VALLEY APPLE BLOSSOM FESTIVAL The Fabric of the Valley By the mid-1980s, Canada had oriented the vast majority of its oil and gas production toward the United States — dismantling energy independence in favor of export dependence. Today, nearly all of our oil exports flow south. That reality leaves us structurally exposed. A country this exposed cannot afford wishful thinking and broken promises; it needs results!
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A Unique Blend of Athletics, Community, & Local Beer Culture
On a lively late-May morning in Saint John, New Brunswick — Canada’s oldest incorporated city, nestled on the Bay of Fundy and steeped in maritime history — the sound of shoes pounding pavement mingles with laughter, the clink of glasses, and the unmistakable scent of hops and malt. It’s the annual Port City Beer Run & Brew Fest — an event that has become as much a rite of spring for locals and visitors as the harbour tides themselves.
102
THE SUNKEN ESCAPES EXPERIENCE Nestle yourself under the stars amidst the tranquil beauty of Sunken Lake The gentle rustle of pine needles, the mirror-like calm of Sunken Lake, the uninterrupted sweep of stars overhead - this is the backdrop for Sunken Escapes. Just a short drive from Wolfville and the Annapolis Valley, the retreat pairs immersive natural surroundings with distinctive design and intentional simplicity, offering guests an experience that feels both unfamiliar and deeply restorative. 60
A Hometown Dream shaped by Family, Resilience, & Reinvention Perched along a quiet, tucked- away stretch of coastline where the waters of Monk’s Head Harbour meet the Northumberland Strait, Island Beach Hideaways offers a distinctive blend of coastal serenity, elevated comfort, and immersive experience. What began as a simple piece of ISLAND BEACH HIDEAWAYS HAS ALL THE RIGHT VIBES
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EMERGING ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
Athlete turned Dive Bar Singer Making Waves in Country Music
In tribal environments, exaggeration reads as courage, while precision reads as hedging
Jade Hilton’s career has been shaped by motion - across genres, borders, and long stretches of highway. A former Division One tennis athlete, Hilton, brings that same discipline and drive to her music. Her breakout single Dive Bar became a major stepping stone, launching her onto festival stages like Cavendish Beach and Boots and Hearts. Raised in the GTA and immersed in Toronto’s hip-hop and R&B scene, she didn’t grow up on country music, but was drawn to its honesty and storytelling.
108 THE ART OF MANIFESTING
Manifesting is More Than Thinking Positively
SPOTLIGHT ON BUSINESS MAGAZINE 5 The Emotional Payoff of Ideological Tribalism 114 THE PAINS OF SUCCESSFUL PARENTING The nest is not empty, it’s just open and roomier 116 PERSONAL HEALTH & WELLNESS How to Create Your Own At-Home Smart Spa 112 THE DESIRE TO FEEL GOOD ABOUT FEELING BAD
waterfront land has been thoughtfully transformed into a boutique, adult-only glamping retreat - one where guests can unwind beneath the stars, explore the shoreline, indulge in curated experiences, and reconnect with nature without sacrificing luxury.
JADE HILTON
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EMERGING ARTIST SPOTLIGHT
by Mary Austin Athlete turned Dive Bar Singer Making Waves in Country Music
Jade Hilton’s career has been shaped by motion - across genres, borders, and long stretches of highway. A former Division one tennis athlete, Hilton, brings that same discipline and drive to her music. Her breakout single Dive Bar became a major stepping stone, launching her onto festival stages like Cavendish Beach and Boots and Hearts. Raised in the GTA and immersed in Toronto’s hip-hop and R&B scene, she didn’t grow up on country music, but was drawn to its honesty and storytelling.
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Spotlight on Business: You attended the University of Illinois as a D1 Tennis Athlete, so one would assume you would have gone on to the professional tennis circuit. So, when did your passion for music begin? Jade Hilton: I always loved to sing. When I wrote my first song, that’s when I realized, oh, I think music is what I really want to do. I was around 14. Before that, I used to wonder, how do people write songs? And then I did it, and I was like, wait, I can do it! Tennis was my dream before that. As a little girl, I was convinced I was going to be a tennis pro. I looked up to Roger Federer, and I actually sent him a fan letter saying I was going to go pro one day - and he wrote me back. By high school, I was still playing high- level tennis while discovering music, and I started to see how difficult it is to go pro in either. You really have to love it. My coaches wanted me to go pro, but by the end of high school, I saw myself going into music. I was offered a full scholarship to the University of Illinois. You can only really be an athlete when you’re young, so I didn’t want to walk away from that opportunity. Tennis was my main focus in college, but I never stopped doing music - I was actually minoring in music. Spotlight on Business: Early, you leaned towards hip-hop and R&B, so who were your musical influences, idols, and what inspired you to move towards the country music genre? Jade Hilton: Most of my early collaborators were in hip-hop and R&B. Being in Toronto, that was the sound - Drake was huge, and every producer I knew had worked with him or Jay-Z. I didn’t really grow up on country music - I wish I had. My first producer, Tone Mason, had worked on Jay-Z and Drake albums, so all I knew was writing to beats. When I went to Nashville and explored different collaborators, I fell in love with country music because of the storytelling. But it was also the audience. Playing for country fans was the first time I felt like
The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that you have control over your “
B ridging cultures and sound, Hilton has emerged within the canto-country space and recently opened for Hong Kong artist Yatfung, blending her cultural roots with the genre she loves. Her next single, Carolina Blue (2026), is inspired by a love story from her college days at the University of Illinois - a marker in a journey defined by movement, independence, and lived experience. We had the opportunity to sit down with this rising star in Country Music and talk about how she is serving up country hits, her elite tennis roots, her country heart, and her journey as a singer-songwriter in the music business. Spotlight on Business: Tell us a little about yourself offstage. What do you like to do in your spare time when you are not writing music or on stage? Jade Hilton: Spare time - there really isn’t that much. When you’re an artist, especially starting out, you usually have another job. I coach tennis at Hotel X in Toronto, which has been amazing. I’ve had the opportunity to work with a lot of great clients who stay at the hotel, but it doesn’t leave me much time. It’s often coaching all day and then music all night. But playing shows feels like my vacation because I love it so much.
career. ”
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people really wanted to listen to the words and the story. The Cavendish Beach Music Festival was a great example - everyone was so nice.
Spotlight on Business: Tell us about the first song you wrote, the first gig you played, and when you discovered that you might want to make a career out of music and not tennis. Do you prefer performing live or recording? Why? Jade Hilton: My first gig was at the Bradley Museum, during a summer barbecue. I offered to sing, and all my high school friends came - it was really fun, and I just kept digging into performing. One of my most notable early gigs was at the Mod Club in Toronto during a battle of the bands. You could only play if you sold 20 tickets, and of course, I sold them all— high school friends will always show up! I go on stage, acoustic guitar in hand, and it’s all these screamo metal heads in the audience, and I’m like, okay, I love Taylor Swift. Looking back, it was hilarious, but I knew right then I loved being on stage. It was magical. The end goal is always performing in front of fans. As an artist, my favourite part is performing live - the work I do, all the writing and recording, it’s all to get to that moment on stage at a big festival. I need all of it to chase that dream, but playing live is what I love most. Spotlight on Business: You’re very busy touring and performing at festivals and events like Boots and Hearts and the Cavendish Beach Music Festival. How has this helped you as an artist? Jade Hilton: Playing festivals has been incredible for learning what it takes to perform at that level. At Boots and Hearts, I played on an emerging stage for the first time and got a taste of how the pros work - the way they treat you, having multiple people on your sound, interacting with press - it really gave me a ballpark of where I need to be. Cavendish Beach is kind of my bucket-list festival and a place I love. I went a couple of days early to explore PEI, and performing there was amazing. I even filmed a video
Playing for country fans was the first time I felt like people really wanted to listen to the words and the story. ” “
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Discover the Escape You Didn’t Know You Needed —
“
of myself singing ‘Dive Bar’ while enjoying a lobster roll, and it went viral! I made friends, connected with fans, and felt like, this doesn’t happen anywhere else. That weekend really felt like a sign that I’m exactly where I’m meant to be. Spotlight on Business: Speaking of festivals and events. What is one festival, event, or venue that is on your career bucket list to play? Why? Jade Hilton: There are a few I haven’t played in Canada yet, like Boxcar Country Festival and Misty City Music Festival. I spent a lot of time in Illinois, so I’d love to play somewhere that connects with American fans. Sunfest in B.C. is also on my list - I love the West Coast. And in the U.S., I’ve always dreamed of playing Bonnaroo. Honestly, any other festivals that come my way, I’d play them all! Spotlight on Business: What’s your ultimate goal in your career as a musician? What do you want your music to achieve? Jade Hilton: I’ve always wanted to make an impact on young listeners. Growing up, I was inspired by Taylor Swift and Avril Lavigne. Not just as musicians, but as leaders with such positive energy - it inspired me to have a career in music. I always credit Taylor Swift for inspiring young girls to play guitar and write songs. Before her, there weren’t as many women wearing all the hats, and now you see the industry shifting. For a long time, women felt like they didn’t have the power and needed someone else - a man, a producer, a manager - to open doors. Now, so many female artists are taking control. I want to do the same for younger girls. I was that young girl, so I can relate, and I want to inspire them the way I was inspired. Spotlight on Business: What is the biggest lesson you have learned along the way in your artistic journey? What’s the best advice and/or worst advice you have been given?
If you believe in your music, fans will too. ”
But Will
Never Forget!
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Jade Hilton: The biggest lesson I’ve learned is that you have control over your career. Once you own that, your team grows around you. For a long time, I didn’t have confidence in myself or my music - I thought I wasn’t good enough. Shifting that mindset has been huge. If you believe in your music, fans will too. The best advice I’ve ever been given is to just make this your life. When I started out, I tried to stage things - even content for social media - rather than being authentic. I booked my first tour at the end of 2024, teaming up with two other artists (School House and Clay Hazey). We played Toronto, Kingston, Ottawa, Montreal, sold out every date, and it showed festivals that I’m a touring artist. That experience taught me to stop waiting for things to happen and go make it my life. Spotlight on Business: If you had the opportunity to do a duet with another artist, who would it be and why? Jade Hilton: I would say Kacey Musgraves. She inspired my song Dive Bar and really brought me into country music. She blends genres so well, and as a fusion artist myself, that’s something I really admire. Fun fact—I actually tracked a lot of my next songs with her recording engineer, Craig Alvin, down in Alabama. I’m such a big Kacey fan, and working with her team on my upcoming music was an amazing experience! Spotlight on Business: It has been a minute since you released your first album, Unrequited, in 2022. When is the next album coming, and what can fans expect? Jade Hilton: The album will be out closer to the end of 2026 but I’ll be dropping a bunch of singles before then. This will be my second album, but my first officially under the country umbrella. It’s really a summary of everything that happened in my 20s - a lot of travel, a lot of change. A lot of it happened along I-96, the highway that runs from Detroit through Illinois and toward Nashville.
I’ve always wanted to make an impact on young listeners. ” “
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RAPID FIRE Q&A Your Favourite Tennis Player? Roger Federer
Your Guilty Pleasure? Food
Favourite Food? Korean barbecue… or Matcha… both of them together!
Early Riser Or Night Owl? Night Owl
That Tune That Is Stuck In Your Head Right Now? Choosin’ Texas by Ella Langley
With new singles arriving ahead of her first full-length country album, coming in 2026, Jade Hilton is settling into a stride that feels both earned and intentional. Recorded between Nashville and Muscle Shoals and shaped by years of travel, the music reflects where she’s been and the heart she brings forward. Hilton isn’t chasing permission - she’s following the road she knows. Keep an ear out for what comes next! To find out more about Jade Hilton, her music, and upcoming show dates, check out her website at https://www.jadehilton.com/
A lot of the songs are inspired by places— Illinois, Nashville, Northern Ontario—and I recorded everything in Nashville and Muscle Shoals, Alabama, with incredible country musicians. But it still has my Toronto twist. It’s definitely a fusion I recently had the opportunity to do some promo shooting on a ranch in Northern Ontario - a really cold ranch. I wanted to show what the landscape looks like up here, too.
The album will be out closer to the end of 2026 but I’ll be dropping a bunch of singles before then. ” “
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2026 I ❤ BEER TOUR Ontario’s Winter-to-Spring Celebration of Beer, Community & Culture
A Tour That’s More Than Just Beer From late January through early May, the 2026 I Love Beer Tour hits a sequence of eight cities across Ontario, bringing with it a rotating cast of breweries, ciders, spirits, games, music, and good vibes. Unlike a traditional beer festival focused on a single location or weekend, this tour has carved out a calendar of events that feel like big parties in every city they visit — each with its own local character and flavor. The tour’s tagline — “8 cities + 25k people = one heck of a winter party”— doesn’t just hint at the scale of the event. It captures the spirit of what attendees have come to expect: energetic crowds, craft discoveries, and a weekend highlight that punctuates the long thaw from winter into spring. Stops on the I ❤ BEER Festival run from Toronto to Peterborough, and started on January 31st, and the party route continues through to May 2nd.
by Ryan Myson
For many beer lovers, the changing seasons mark more than just warmer weather and longer days — they signal the return of festival season, when hoppy aromas mingle with laughter, music, and the clinking of glasses. In 2026, one tour has captured the hearts (and taste buds) of craft beer enthusiasts across Ontario: the I Love Beer Tour — officially branded as the I ❤ BEER Festival series. A regional phenomenon that blends local pride with unforgettable festival energy, this winter- to-spring beer tour has brought brewers, drinkers, and communities together in a celebration of hops, heritage, and hospitality.
8 cities + 25k people = one heck of a winter party ” “
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TORONTO — Enercare Centre (Hall D) Saturday, January 31st, 2026 The tour kicked off at the Enercare Centre in downtown Toronto, a fitting place to launch Ontario’s premier beer celebration. Toronto’s session featured two time slots — afternoon and evening — offering plenty of time for beer sampling, games, and even a silent disco that invites festivalgoers to dance with a pint in hand. Toronto’s crowd has traditionally been diverse — from craft beer aficionados to newcomers just dipping their toes into the world of local brews. The festival’s indoor format also helps overcome the unpredictable weather of late January, making for a cozy but vibrant welcome to the I Love Beer experience.
HAMILTON — Convention Centre Saturday, February 21st, 2026
OTTAWA — EY Centre Saturday, February 28th, 2026
In the nation’s capital, the EY Centre welcomed festivalgoers with classic elements of the I Love Beer Tour — abundant tasting stations, lively games, and entertainment that keeps the party moving into the night. Ottawa’s version of the festival ups the social game with additional interactive spaces, like board games and arcade zones, giving attendees more variety beyond beer sampling. It’s an environment where beer tasting becomes part of a larger celebration of multisensory fun.
Stopping next in Hamilton, the festival took over the Hamilton Convention Centre, a bustling industrial city that blends urban grit with craft culture. Hamilton’s festival keeps the same dual-session structure and a lineup that highlights both beers and ciders, ensuring that even non-beer drinkers can find something to cheer. There’s a social rhythm to the Hamilton stop — one that melds local pride with a friendly, inclusive atmosphere. It’s less about competition and more about connection: friends meeting up, newcomers finding new favorites, and breweries building deeper ties with their communities.
a weekend highlight that punctuates the long thaw from winter into spring.
Photo courtesy of I Heart Beer Festival
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LONDON — RBC Place London Saturday, March 21st, 2026
KITCHENER — Bingemans Saturday, March 14th, 2026 Kitchener’s stop at the Bingemans Convention Centre feels like a gathering of friends. With a loyal local beer culture and a strong roster of craft breweries pouring everything from crisp lagers to experimental sours, it’s a festival where discussion about flavor profiles and brewery stories flows as freely as the beer itself. Kitchener’s version also leans heavily into representation from Ontario brewers — giving many smaller operations a chance to showcase their best pours alongside long-time favorites. GUELPH — Sleeman Centre Saturday, April 25th, 2026 At the Sleeman Centre, Guelph’s festival emphasizes both the traditional and the playful sides of beer culture. From established breweries like Wellington Brewery and Lake of Bays to quirky attractions like arcade consoles and a beer pong arena, it’s a stop that appeals to both seasoned beer lovers and festival newcomers. Guelph has become known for its experiential touches — festivalgoers don’t just sample; they participate, whether that’s through games, contests, or challenging a friend to a classic arcade showdown between sips of IPA. For more information on I ❤ BEER Festival | Guelph, visit: https://www.iheartbeer.ca/guelph
The RBC Place in London holds the next stop, which has become one of the most talked-about dates on the tour. With over a dozen breweries, cideries, and distilleries represented, London’s festival lives up to its reputation as a “party with beer.” London’s festival adds a local twist with a mix of traditional beers and innovative creations, as well as a strong cider and spirits presence for those who prefer something beyond the malt. Designated driver tickets and thoughtful amenities — like coat check and accessible seating — make the experience comfortable and welcoming. For more information on I ❤ BEER Festival | London, visit: https://www.iheartbeer.ca/london BARRIE — East Bayfield Community Centre Saturday, April 18th, 2026 Heading north, Barrie brings a fresh, open- air energy to the tour. Although smaller than Toronto or Ottawa, the Barrie stop is packed with local pride; residents and visitors alike show up ready to make the most of the event. Here, craft brewers often pour limited releases and seasonal beers not available elsewhere — a clever nod to spring’s arrival and the promise of fresh ingredients. For more information on I ❤ BEER Festival | Barrie, visit: https://www.iheartbeer.ca/barrie
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More Than a Drink: The Culture and the People While beer is central to the festival, the culture of connection is just as important. Attendees don’t just come to sample beer; they come to socialize, reconnect with friends, and immerse themselves in experiences that turn casual sips into shared memories. Across cities, it’s not unusual to overhear conversations about favorite breweries, tasting notes, or plans for the next festival date. Music plays a key role in shaping the atmosphere of each stop, too. DJs, live bands, and curated playlists keep the energy vibrant, while games, silent discos, and interactive spaces like board game areas add layers of entertainment far beyond mere tasting. For many, the festival’s social side is as important as the beer itself: it’s about belonging to a scene and being part of a community bound by good times and great brews.
Glen Oro Farm With over 200 acres of open fields, pristine riding trails and gorgeous rolling hills, Glen Oro is a breathtaking eco-retreat where you can reconnect with your primal roots. Whether you’re interested in some horse riding lessons, looking for unique luxury camping accommodations, planning a rustic wedding or a group of executives coming in to grow together and brainstorm new ideas, you can plan your next getaway with our curated packages. This is a place that tightens bonds and fills up the energy reserves, inspiring creativity as well as feeling like a safe place to just be—to exist, recharge, reset and refresh.
Behind the Pour: The Craft Beer Ecosystem on Tour What makes the I Love Beer Tour more than just another tasting event is its focus on regional breweries and local identity. Rather than being dominated by large multinational brands, the festival prioritizes smaller Ontario brewers and cider makers, creating a platform where local craft culture can thrive. From well-known names to emerging producers, there’s a clear intent to showcase diversity in brewing styles — from hop-forward IPAs to creamy stouts, crisp lagers, and inventive fruit-infused sours. For many attendees, discovering a new favorite brewery is part of the magic. Behind the scenes, organizers work closely with brewers to curate selections that reflect the character of each region. It’s not just about quantity — it’s about telling stories with each pour. Brewers often share the inspiration behind unique seasonal recipes, or how their beers reflect a local ingredient or tradition.
Peterborough — Healthy Planet Arena Saturday, May 2nd, 2026 Closing out the tour at the Healthy Planet Arena, the Peterborough stop brings the season to a triumphant end. With another impressive lineup of breweries pouring everything from crisp pilsners to bold porters, it’s a celebration of how far the tour has come — from winter’s chill to the thaw of early May. Peterborough brings a relaxed but lively energy, a sense of community that feels both reflective and celebratory: you’ve made it through the cold months, and now it’s time to toast to good company, good beer, and the promise of summer. For more information on I ❤ BEER Festival | Peterborough, visit: https://www.iheartbeer.ca/peterborough
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A Toast to Ontario’s Craft Future
As the 2026 I Love Beer Tour winds down with its Peterborough finale, it’s clear this festival series has become more than just an annual event — it’s a cultural touchstone for Ontario’s beer lovers. By blending local pride, community spirit, and an impressive roster of craft brewers, the tour has carved out a unique place in the province’s festival landscape. Whether you’re a seasoned craft beer enthusiast or someone looking for a fun way to explore local tastes and meet new people, the I Love Beer Tour offers a vibrant journey through Ontario’s beer culture — one city, one pour, and one memory at a time.
www.glenoro.com
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Q&A WITH PREMIER TIM HOUSTON
by Will Gibson Why routine oil tanker traffic draws little concern in Eastern and Atlantic Canada CANADA’S ENERGY SECTOR
Marine shipping as a whole is extraordinarily safe when you look at nautical miles travelled versus incidents… In Canada, shipping is much safer than your morning commute driving in a vehicle. ” “
Eastern Canada Marine Response Corporation conducts operations near Halifax, Nova Scotia.. Photo courtesy R.Starkes/ECMRC
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Wherever you are in Atlantic Canada, you are not that far from the ocean
A steady stream of more than 450 oil tankers calls at ports in Eastern and Atlantic Canada every year, drawing little public attention. That’s in part due to the industry’s safety record in the region, where accidents involving tankers are rare. The most recent serious pollution incident from an oil tanker took place in Nova Scotia more than 45 years ago, and the last recorded minor spill from a tanker occurred 25 years ago, following a grounding incident in Labrador. “Marine shipping as a whole is extraordinarily safe when you look at nautical miles travelled versus incidents,” said Meghan Mathieson, director of strategy and engagement for Clear Seas, an independent not-for-profit that studies marine shipping issues. “In Canada, shipping is much safer than your morning commute driving in a vehicle. Of the spills that do occur, most come from fuel from pleasure boats or fishing vessels,” she said. “People should not conflate debates about the pros and cons of fossil fuel production with marine safety. Is it safe to ship oil and gas in Canada? Yes, it is.” Where tanker traffic occurs Prior to the 2024 completion of the Trans Mountain expansion, about 85 per cent of oil tanker traffic in Canadian waters took place in Atlantic Canada, according to Clear Seas. The increase in tanker traffic off the B.C. coast has shifted the overall balance to 58 percent of movements on the West Coast and 42 percent on the East Coast. In Atlantic Canada, this is divided between Saint John, NB, which sees about 115 tankers annually importing crude oil, and the Whiffen Head facility in Newfoundland, where 90 tankers are loaded for export every year. There are also an estimated 240 shuttle tanker transits annually along the St. Lawrence Seaway in Quebec, moving oil between a storage facility in Montreal and a refining facility in Lévis.
In anticipation of increased tanker traffic from the Trans Mountain expansion, WCMRC completed Canada’s largest-ever expansion of marine oil spill response capacity, doubling its capabilities with new vessels and response bases. ECMRC’s area of response runs from the Alberta/B.C. border to offshore Newfoundland and from the U.S. border to the 60th parallel.
Mathieson says there is greater familiarity with oil tankers in Atlantic Canada than in other areas. “They have been used to seeing tankers carry oil for a lot longer in that region. But there’s a cultural component as well. Wherever you are in Atlantic Canada, you are not that far from the ocean,” she said. “A lot more people work in the marine sector, such as fishing and offshore oil, than other parts of the country, or they know people who do. They are on the water more, so they may be more familiar with the advancements made by the industry to make it safer.”
Part of the marine community
“We have six response centres located throughout the area that face different challenges based on climate and other factors,” said Michael Kean, manager for the ECRC’s Dartmouth Response Centre, which covers parts of New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, and Nova Scotia as well as the Northumberland Strait and Cabot Strait shipping areas. “Some of those areas will ice over for parts of the year, as an example, while our region remains ice-free. But regardless of the different challenges, we are training around the year so we are ready.”
How tanker safety has evolved
Many of those improvements came in the wake of the 1989 Exxon Valdez oil spill in Alaska’s Prince William Sound. “Catastrophic incidents tend to stay in people’s minds when discussing marine safety, but so much has changed in the industry in terms of standards and procedures since then,” Mathieson said. “Today’s tankers are designed to be safer— they have double hulls and reinforced attachment points for towing equipment. And the procedures and protocols have advanced just as much, from having local pilots guide them into port to inspections by Transport Canada and certified response organizations for spill clean-up.” Spill response organizations on both coasts Eastern Canada Response Corporation (ECRC) is responsible for responding to spills throughout Atlantic Canada as well as the Great Lakes, Quebec, and St. Lawrence Seaway. ECRC is the eastern counterpart to the Western Canada Marine Response Corporation (WCMRC), which is responsible for protecting all 27,000 kilometres of Canada’s western coastline.
Graph courtesy International Tanker Owners Pollution Federation
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Map courtesy Clear Seas
E very May, the doors of the BMO Centre at Stampede Park swing open to welcome a flood of craft beer lovers, culinary explorers, and music fans as Calgary transforms into one of the world’s great destinations for beer culture. The Calgary International Beerfest is more than just a tasting event — it’s a spirited celebration of community, craft, and creativity that has grown into one of Canada’s largest and most beloved beer festivals. A Festival with Global Footsteps and Local Roots What started modestly in the early 2000s has, over nearly two decades, evolved into a grand showcase of craft beverage culture. Early iterations were small affairs — humble gatherings barely larger than a coat check area — but they captured something essential: a shared passion for flavour, experimentation, and communal enjoyment. As Alberta’s craft beer scene exploded, so did the festival. By the 2010s, it was hosting hundreds of breweries with thousands of different beers, ciders, meads, and spirits under one roof. Today’s Calgary International Beerfest brings together over 150 breweries, distilleries, cideries, meaderies, and RTD (ready-to-drink) producers from across Canada and around the globe. Attendees
ABF’S CALGARY INTERNATIONAL BEERFEST A Celebration of Brew, Culture, and Community Photo courtesy ABF
by Ryan Myson
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can sample from hundreds of unique beverages, each one a story in flavor, technique, and cultural identity. While the “international” in its name reflects its global diversity, the festival remains deeply rooted in Alberta’s brewing heritage — a region renowned for world- class barley, inventive craft producers, and a culture that embraces agricultural and culinary creativity. Setting the Stage: The BMO Centre Comes Alive Held each year — this year on May 1 and 2, 2026 — the festival fills the vast halls of the BMO Centre with colour, sound, and the hum of conversation. Festival goers navigate tasting stations, seminar spaces, live music lounges, and culinary corners. The convention-style setup allows organizers to create distinct zones: a Distillery District for spirits, seminar stages for education, lounges for music and relaxation, and brewer booths that range from well-established names to emerging artisans. Whether it’s Friday evening’s opening session or Saturday’s double-header of afternoon and evening tastings, there’s an energy that feels like a party set to the soundtrack of clinking glasses and live performances. DJs and local bands keep the vibe buzzing, ensuring that sampling never feels like a chore but rather a sensory adventure.
For those curious about how beer and food can enhance one another, Cooking with Beer sessions offer guided experiences from chefs and culinary experts. Participants learn pairing principles that elevate both the food and the beverage, turning a casual tasting into a mini gastronomic education. These programs reflect a growing trend in beer culture: consumers aren’t just drinking — they’re learning, exploring, and developing their palates. Such emphasis elevates this festival from a sampling event to a destination for enthusiasts at every level. Culinary Complements and Community Vibes No beer festival worth its ale would ignore food, and Beerfest doesn’t disappoint. Local restaurants, pubs, and eateries showcase their best offerings alongside beverage booths, giving festivalgoers a chance to balance sips with bites that range from gourmet to comfort — from artisan grilled cheese sandwiches to wood-fired pizzas and spicy skewers. This culinary variety not only enhances the tasting experience but also underscores the festival’s role as a community hub. Calgary’s food and drink industries converge here, reinforcing local identity while connecting to international influences. Amidst the tasting rooms and seminar spaces, familiar faces and new friends alike swap stories, recommendations, and laughs. For many attendees, the social aspect — the chance to connect over shared flavors — is as compelling as the beverages themselves. Tickets, Experiences, and Access The festival offers a variety of ticket options designed to cater to different preferences. General Admission provides access to sessions with a commemorative sample mug included, while VIP packages add perks like early entry, access to private lounges and washrooms, sample tokens, and seminar access.
More Than a Drink: Education and Engagement
Unlike traditional beer festivals focused solely on quantity, Calgary International Beerfest places a strong emphasis on education and engagement. The festival’s lineup of seminars — from Brew Master sessions to “Cooking with Beer” pairings — gives attendees the chance to dive into the intricacies of brewing and culinary arts. Brewers tell the stories behind their beers, discuss their processes, and demystify styles ranging from hoppy IPAs and rich stouts to saisons and barrel-aged ales.
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Challenges, Critiques, and Community Discussion No large public event is without its critics. Beer festivals in general — and Calgary’s in particular — have drawn mixed opinions from the public over the years. Some longtime festivalgoers on social media have commented that lines can be long, sampling formats sometimes feel commercialized, or that the “international” scope can be overstated depending on the year. Others suggest that direct brewery visits can offer a more authentic and cost- effective experience. Critics also highlight the challenges of value perception at large events where ticket costs and sample tokens add up. Yet these discussions themselves reflect one of the festival’s strengths: a highly engaged community. Whether praise or critique, people care about beer culture in Calgary — and that enthusiasm keeps the conversation, and the craft scene, vibrant.
These are 18+ events; be sure to bring a government- issued ID.
Whether someone is a novice eager to explore or a seasoned connoisseur looking for rare finds, the tiered ticketing system allows guests to tailor their experience. And while many come for the beer, ancillary features like after-parties extend the fun beyond the sampling halls.
Celebrating Craft and Culture
Part of what makes the Calgary International Beerfest compelling is its ability to reflect broader cultural currents. Craft beer has emerged as a lens for understanding local histories, agricultural innovation, and global exchange. Alberta, in particular, has undergone a craft beer renaissance over the past decade, driven in part by regulatory changes that lowered barriers for small brewers and inspired a proliferation of new breweries across the province. The festival mirrors this evolution. Booths that once featured mostly imported lagers now highlight homegrown brews alongside international darlings. Producers experiment with barley from local fields, wild yeasts, and regional botanicals. Distillers push boundaries with craft spirits that stand shoulder-to-shoulder with beer offerings. This interplay between tradition and innovation makes the event as educational as it is enjoyable. Attendees aren’t simply tasting drinks — they’re tasting stories and identities, each bottle or pint a reflection of its maker’s philosophy.
A Festival That Keeps Evolving
Looking toward 2026 and beyond, the Calgary International Beerfest continues to adapt and grow. With seminars, expanded tasting zones, local talent stages, and even after-party experiences, the event aims to offer depth and variety to veteran attendees and newcomers alike. Importantly, Beerfest remains anchored in values that resonate widely: connection, discovery, and good times. It’s an event where a pint can be more than a drink — it’s a conversation starter, a cultural artifact, or the gateway to a new favourite. For many, it’s also a highlight of Calgary’s festival calendar — a reason to gather, celebrate community, and toast to the joy of flavour. Remember, Calgary International Beerfest is a sampling event. These are 18+ events; be sure to bring a government-issued ID.
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T he Nova Scotia Arts Coalition, a non- partisan advocacy group representing arts organizations, individual artists, and culture workers province-wide, is calling on the Nova Scotia government to reinstate essential funding to arts, culture, tourism, and heritage sector programs. They say that Tim Houston’s 2026-2027 budget proposes funding cuts that will devastate generations of artists, arts organizations, industries, and workers across the province, and is a flawed economic policy. “This budget has targeted the cultural sector disproportionately with proposed cuts that will devastate individuals, organizations, and communities across the province,” says Chris O’Neill, member of the NS Arts Coalition and Executive Director of the Ross Creek Centre for the Arts, based in rural Kings County. “Without a swift reversal, these cuts will negatively impact the economy of Nova Scotia through job losses, loss of tourism dollars and cultural activity, and remove one of the strongest draws for new immigrants to the province - our culture.” On top of proposed cuts to the operational budgets of cultural organizations, including a 30% cut to Arts Nova Scotia, 72 grant programs would be fully or partially cut in the Communities, Culture, Tourism, and Heritage sector. The Artists in Schools program, the Nova Scotia Talent Trust, the Publishers’ Assistance Program, the Art Bank, and the Ministers’ Awards for Excellence in the Arts are all among those programs fully cut in this budget release. Grant programs for non-profit arts organizations and artists, and funding for arts and culture activities rooted in the community, have also been decimated. The Coalition is urging the government to immediately withdraw the proposed cuts from the budget. “Beyond the loss of the next generation of Nova Scotian artists through the cuts to arts education opportunities, paired with anticipated resulting outmigration of Nova Scotian
BUDGET CUTS HIT THE ARTS Nova Scotia Arts Coalition calls on Tim Houston to reverse cuts to Arts, Culture, Tourism & Heritage
by the Nova Scotia Arts Coalition
Photo by Yaroslav Shuraev
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Scotia, Scott Tresham, “The savings the government seeks through cuts to grants and community organizations are proportionally small—the sum total of the cuts is only $130M on a net deficit of $27.9B, hardly a dent. Yet for the arts, culture, and heritage community, composed largely of non‑profit and charitable organizations, these reductions are seismic and their impact on broader economic activity disproportionately damaging.” The NS Arts Council sees clear alignment between the priorities laid out in the government’s plan for the province and what the Arts, Culture. Tourism and Heritage sector provides through provincial investment. “On top of the economic dividends and the employment
talent, it is against all available evidence about the significant and positive role the arts have on economies and communities when they have adequate investment.” As an example, O’Neill points to the recent national Chamber of Commerce study, Artworks: The Economic and Social Dividends from Canada’s Arts and Culture Sector, which found that over the past three years, GDP stemming from the arts and culture sector federally has grown almost 8%, outpacing Canada’s overall economic growth of 4%. This kind of growth is what the Coalition says the province should be investing in, and it can be part of what puts the province back on track. The Coalition also asserts that the proposed cuts will affect ordinary Nova Scotians. The sector employs almost 14,000 people, with Nova Scotians working in culture in every riding of the province. In an ongoing survey of the cultural community, they have already found that many organizations will be forced to lay off or not rehire workers, leading to further strain on the provincial economy. Tourism will be affected by the reduction of the Visitor Information Centre’s and the reduction or elimination of cultural offerings that draw visitors to rural and urban Nova Scotia communities, reversing the tourism gains made over the past years. “A fiscally Conservative government should understand that there are no dividends without investment, and this outsized reduction in investment in our shared culture means that Nova Scotia, and Nova Scotians, will lose,” says O’Neill. Her concerns are echoed by fellow NS Arts Coalition member and Chief Executive Officer of Symphony Nova
for Nova Scotians, we know that health care workers are drawn to live in communities with cultural opportunities for their families, and that physical and mental health outcomes are better in communities where the arts are accessible and vibrant,” says O’Neill. The NS Arts Coalition is inviting Nova Scotians to write or call their MLAs and ask them to resist and reverse these cuts— and to attend a rally on Wednesday, March 4 at 12pm, at Province House to raise their collective voices in support of Nova Scotia’s arts, culture, tourism, and heritage sector. For full information on programs that are subject to the proposed cuts and to find out more about the advocacy efforts of the coalition, visit www.nsarts.ca
Photo by Getty Images _ Dima Sidelnikov
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