For almost 40 years, the Columbus Centre has been a cultural hub of Italian-Canadian heritage in Toronto, providing the Lawrence Heights community with a destination for recreational, social and cultural services. In 2019, the City of Toronto granted the property its heritage designation, culminating in a special ceremony in December, attended by the Minister of Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship, Mayor Tory, Villa Charities, TLN Media Group and community partners and members. We congratulate The Columbus Centre and Villa Charities on this honour and in solidifying their future for the Italian-Canadian community.

http://www.tln.ca/heritage-designation-ceremony-of-the-columbus-centre/

CTV News link: Who’s who: Complete list of Justin Trudeau’s Liberal cabinet

TORONTO — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled new members of the Liberal cabinet on Wednesday, and shuffled some veteran cabinet ministers into new portfolios.

From veteran MPs to political newbies, CTVNews.ca has compiled some facts and biographical information about each member of cabinet.

BetaKit link: Smart cities consortium, UofT, Palette Skills among orgs receiving millions in government funding

On Tuesday, the Government of Canada announced an investment of up to $11.1 million in order to develop a “made-in-Canada” Smart Cities Innovation Cluster.

The funding, which comes through FedDev Ontario, will go to Innovate Cities, a newly-founded consortium of seven information and communications technology (ICT) companies involved in smart cities tech that will develop the cluster. According to the government, the goal of Smart Cities Innovation Cluster is to connect data from commercial and residential buildings with public spaces in order to create safer, more accessible, and more energy-efficient spaces across Canada.

CTV News link: Federal government gives Ontario $54 million to fight illegal guns and gangs

The federal government is giving Ontario $54 million over the next three years to combat illegal gun and gang activity, with the funds earmarked for specialized prosecutors, policing projects and intelligence-gathering efforts in jails.

ParrySound.com link: High-speed internet comes to Parry Sound area communities

High-speed internet access for all is coming to communities across the Parry Sound area.

Announced by the federal government on Friday, Aug. 16, the Connect to Innovate program will see $2.2-million for Bell Canada to bring new or improved high-speed internet to Moose Deer Point First Nation, Dillion, Snug Harbour and Killbear Provincial Park.

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The plan is to ensure that over time, all Canadians will have access to affordable, high-speed internet, no matter where they live.

“The minister and our government have heard about the successes and challenges of rural Canadians and about some of the barriers that rural communities face in adapting to a changing world,” said Marco Mendicino, parliamentary secretary to the minister of infrastructure and communities. “Rural Canadians have told us that to be competitive, to remain vibrant and to continue to prosper we first and foremost need to access our affordable and reliable high-speed internet. You’ve all spoken about housing access and affordability attracting and retaining talent, skills development, strong and resilient infrastructure and municipal capacity building.”