What we know about the wildfires burning in Canada and sending smoke to the U.S. and U.K.

U.S. Christian singer Sean Feucht, known for his pro-Trump stance, will perform at the Alberta legislature grounds on August 22, despite facing multiple event cancellations and protests during his Canadian tour. Alberta Infrastructure noted that organizers submitted an incomplete event permit application, raising questions about compliance with security and safety protocols. Want More Context? 🔎

In a humorous PR move to recover from the Coldplay concert "kiss cam" scandal, tech startup Astronomer has temporarily hired Gwyneth Paltrow, ex-wife of Coldplay's Chris Martin, as a spokesperson. In a cheeky video, Paltrow sidesteps the scandal involving former CEO Andy Byron and HR executive Kristin Cabot, instead promoting the company's data workflow automation services. Want More Context? 🔎

Protests erupted outside Église MR in Montreal as U.S. Christian musician Sean Feucht held a permit-less concert, prompting police intervention after the city warned against the event due to safety concerns. Despite opposition from local activists and prior concert cancellations across Canada, Feucht maintained that the gathering was a church service and accused authorities of religious discrimination. Want More Context? 🔎

Asylum seekers in federally-funded hotels must vacate by September 30, as Immigration, Refugees and Citizenship Canada will end its funding. The department plans to assist these individuals in finding housing, but experts warn that securing accommodations may be challenging due to high demand and limited supply in many cities. Want More Context? 🔎

Donald Savoie, a Canadian public administration expert, critiques the disproportionate growth of policy-focused civil servants ("poets") in Ottawa compared to service-delivering workers ("plumbers"). With federal employment rising from 340,000 in 2014 to 445,000 in 2025, he argues for a rebalancing towards local service delivery, highlighting that no western nation matches Canada's concentration of public employees in its capital. Want More Context? 🔎

Daniel St-Louis received the shocking news that his father, Robert St-Louis, who disappeared in 1988, was found after his vehicle was discovered in the Mille-Îles River, containing human remains and personal items. The family, long grieving, is now seeking closure as authorities continue their investigation and await DNA confirmation, with early indications suggesting potential suicide. Want More Context? 🔎