Good morning, Greater Sudbury.
Here are some stories to start your day.
Patrick Brown enters Ontario Tory leadership race:
Former Ontario Progressive Conservative leader Patrick Brown says he is fighting to reclaim his old job after receiving a wave of support from party members since he resigned amid sexual misconduct allegations. Brown officially joined the race to lead the Tories this afternoon just hours before a registration deadline and Elections Ontario now lists him as one of five candidates vying for the party's top post. The Barrie, Ont., politician says he is not running for his own benefit or the party's but to do what is right for the province. Earlier on Friday, Brown was kicked out of the Tory caucus, which means he will sit as an independent when the legislature resumes on Tuesday.
Human trafficking happens in Sudbury and police have new funds to fight it:
Greater Sudbury Police Services received a $188,000 boost to support programs that combat human trafficking and sexual exploitation. Sudbury MPP Glenn Thibeault made the announcement on Feb. 16, indicating that the funding will be coming from the province's Civil Remedies Grant Program. The program functions under the Civil Remedies Act, which authorizes the Attorney General to ask civil courts to freeze, seize and order the forfeiture of the proceeds and instruments of unlawful activity to the Crown. Forfeited property is liquidated and deposited into a special purpose account. The $188,000 that the GSPS receives will be divided between a pair of initiatives. The Counter Sexual Exploitation Strategy will receive more than $99,000, while Project Freedom, which is slated to launch Feb. 26, will receive more than $89,000. Full story can be found here.
This weekend only: Here's a spicy sneak peek of Sudbury Burlesque's ‘I Heart the 80s’ party:
Sudbury Burlesque returns to the stage with a rad and racy costume party Feb. 16-17. Watch as Sudbury.com got a private sneak peek of the "I Heart The 80s Burlesque". Aside from all the '80s nostalgia, co-founder and producer Jessica Crowe said the show is seductive, but has its comedic moments. "The audience can expect to see a lot of comedy," Crowe said. "It's tongue-in-cheek, playful, sexy and provocative." The doors open at 7 p.m. at The Grand, and the show starts at 8 p.m. Reserved seating is limited to sponsors and individuals with disabilities. Check out our sneak peek of the show here.
Looking for a trail? Snowshoe or ski your way through our list of the region’s best:
Though the snow-tipped evergreens of a Northern Ontario winter can be one of the most beautiful sights to see, it can often feel like they are inaccessible – you can see the exterior shot of the forest, but you take one step in, sink to your waist, and decide the rest of your party should just abandon you because you’ll never escape. However, humans are smart creatures. We developed ways of staying on top of the surface of the snow, ways to venture over frozen lakes, clothing to keep us warm. But we also invented the Tide Pod Challenge, so stay humble. If you have wanted to get out and enjoy the frozen forests, but aren’t quite sure how to start, Sudbury and Northern Ontario have plenty of trails and inexpensive rental opportunities for anyone looking to snowshoe or cross-country ski. Find out more here.
Video: Winter's Best cross-country ski trail in Sudbury goes to...
With Sudbury.com's Winter's Best series, you are helping us experience the best the Nickel City has to offer. So far, you have voted for Sudbury's best sliding hill, outdoor skating spot and we even taste-tested Sudbury's best comfort food. Last week we asked: Where is the best cross-country ski trail in Greater Sudbury? It was a close race with contenders like the Onaping Falls Nordic Ski Club, Laurentian Nordic and Capreol Cross Country Ski Club but the Walden Cross Country Fitness Club slid into first place. Check out our trip to Sudbury's best ski trail here.
Missing and Murdered: Red Dress Project creator at LU to launch local campaign (Video):
Red Dress Project creator Jaime Black was at Laurentian University on Feb. 15 as the REDress Project launched in Greater Sudbury. Red dresses may be seen all along the route leading up the road toward campus. "The university has taken on this project as a community and really used the artwork as a way to get people talking and thinking about missing Indigenous women and girls across Canada," said Black. The campaign began in 2010 as an initiative to draw attention to the issue of Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women in Canada. Full story here.
