In the news today: Punk concerts, wrestling keeps Calgary legion open

Here is a roundup of stories from The Canadian Press designed to bring you up to speed…

‘You have to adapt’: Punk rock concerts, wrestling events keep Calgary legion afloat

After years of decline, the number of members of the Royal Canadian Legion is up for the third year in a row. Nujma Bond from the national legion says the latest figures show 270,000 members across the country — up from 250,000 a couple of years ago. She says the increase is partially because people are growing more aware that you no longer have to be a military veteran or have family members in the service. Branches across the country are finding unique ways of making money to pay the bills with the Legion Number 1 in Calgary hosting rock concerts, Halloween parties and even wrestling. Brittany Johnson from the Legion in Yorkton, Saskatchewan says the branch sold their building when it was in need of expensive repairs and is happily renting a smaller branch with the money from the sale invested.

Mom of killed soldier reflects ahead of Nov. 11

When Nancy Payne’s son was killed in Afghanistan in 2006, his superior told the Lansdowne, Ont., mother that her son should never have been there in the first place. Cpl. Randy Joseph Payne was killed in action on April 22, 2006, while serving as a member of the military’s “close protection team” — a unit tasked with safeguarding VIPs, like the prime minister, or chief of defence staff. Randy had been guarding Brig.-Gen. David Fraser, now retired, at the time he was killed, only three months into his deployment, and two years after he joined the Armed Forces as a military police officer. It was the deadliest attack on Canadian Forces in four years at the time. On Tuesday, Nancy will lay a wreath at the National War Memorial in Ottawa on behalf of all mothers of Canadian soldiers who have died in combat.

Here’s what else we’re watching…

Plans to dredge B.C. inlet still preliminary: port

A spokesperson for the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority says plans to dredge Burrard Inlet remain in the preliminary stage with no costs currently attached to them. But the authority, which is leading the dredging, also says that the work could start as soon as next year, following additional consultations, permitting and procurement. Senior communication advisor Sarah Matak said the authority continues to collaborate with government, industry and communities including local First Nations to “move the proposed dredging forward,” but says that the final scope and cost of the project “are still being determined.”

B.C. animal sanctuary ‘consumed’ by avian flu case

An animal sanctuary in B.C.’s interior says it is facing a “heartbreaking” experience after discovering a positive case of H5N1, also known as avian flu. Critteraid, based in Summerland B.C., says in a social media post dated Nov. 7 that its team and volunteers are “devastated” by the discovery because their animals are at the centre of everything, and “the emotional weight of this moment is immense.” Critteraid says on its website that it provides a home for a variety of rescue animals, with 54 animals listed on its website. The post says that the situation has required “immediate action” and “coordination” with Interior Health, veterinary professionals and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, and the organization promises to handle the situation with transparency and accuracy.

Canadian wineries step up as U.S. wine sales drop

Over the summer, Narek Nersisyan saw more tourists and day trippers at his family’s winery, Holland Marsh Wineries in Newmarket, Ont. Nersisyan, the vice-president of sales and marketing at the winery, says there was an uptick in visitors of about 10 to 15 per cent over the summer, as more newcomers sought out local tourism opportunities close to Toronto, and already loyal customers doubled down on purchasing the local wines they loved. The initial “Elbows Up” movement started in March, after U.S. President Donald Trump repeatedly spoke about Canada becoming the 51^st state, and issued tariffs on a huge number of Canadian goods. Canada retaliated, and the trade war began. Provinces pulled U.S. wines and liquors from liquor store shelves and U.S. sales in Canada fell precipitously.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 10, 2025.

The Canadian Press