When Winnie Mandela was denied an entrance visa to Canada recently, it made international headlines. For a small group of artists and social activists in Toronto, however, it was a very personal disappointment. On June 6, Mandela and her daughter, Zindzi Mandela-Hlongwane, were the guests of honour at a private dinner celebrating "the spirit of women with passion, courage and influence," along with noted Canadian journalist, author, and rabble-rouser Irshad Manji, in Toronto. The dinner also mar...

When I think of what motivates me, I think of my husband, my children, and my desire to do something significant with my life. Motivation is defined as "having the desire and willingness to do something." It can come from others who inspire you, but in the end I believe it comes from within. I'm motivated to make this newspaper into the best publication in Canada, but when I ask myself why, it comes down to some very personal reasons. Tonight I am watching the news of the Conrad Black trial. ...

Once a year Toronto dazzles as Canada plays host to what has become arguably the most important film festival in the world. Red carpets are rolled out all over town from Yorkville to Queen Street and the stars — and the paparazzi — flock. Why not sparkle and shine a little too, even if your most dazzling event is a preschool pageant's rendition of Twinkle Twinkle Little Star. It is absolutely disheartening to feel drab when the papers and streets are full of full-wattage celebs a...