The end may be near for Vice Media as a self-contained entity after initial reports that a sale of its studio business is being explored, partly to pay back a debt of about $1 billion after it failed to go public. Vice’s programming slate narrowed its focus after television efforts that generated a made-in-Canada hit with the wrestling docuseries Dark Side of the Ring.
The mayor who won’t leave
Four other names joined John Tory in filing paperwork to run for Toronto mayor on the first day of registration, but there’s no indication of anyone realistically threatening his hat trick. City council candidate sign-ups kicked off with a rivalry, as journalist–turned–John Tory adviser Siri Agrell is looking to win Parkdale–High Park over four-termer Gord Perks.
“Anti-abortion activists claim corruption after Tories bar social conservative from leadership race.” Joseph Bourgault, a Saskatchewan businessman endorsed by the Campaign Life Coalition, was touting “truth, freedom and justice.” But he was one of three applicants rejected for various reasons by the Conservative party en route to verifying six.
A friend request to Trudeau
Ontario is getting its legislature dissolved one day earlier than required for the election campaign, although the Liberals and NDP already issued platforms while disavowing collaboration. Steven Del Duca got more attention than usual with his “buck-a-ride” transit idea, only to pivot to frustration:
Ottawa funding saves the most successful Canadian musical from homegrown oblivion. Come From Away will get a summer 2024 run at the National Arts Centre before settling back in Toronto at the Royal Alexandra Theatre. It was there that the show closed in December after a one-week comeback.
Finally, return of the hype cycle
We is called “petty but preachy” in a Wall Street Journal review reflecting how the Arcade Fire album is getting an old-school Columbia Records rollout that involved letting critics hear it before it drops. The band also reopened the Koko nightclub in London, England, and the couple who lead the act have written what sounds like a song for their son: