Michele Sponagle

Known as Authentic Québec, it’s an intriguing microcosm of all the things the province is known for – stunning landscapes, outdoor adventures and gourmet delights at every turn. The region is an ideal destination for fall road trips. It’s easy to get to and ticks all the boxes for a fun getaway, from its culinary offerings to expanses of untouched nature and history reflecting New France.
It has deep roots in culinary excellence well worth exploring, whether you’re adding on another leg to a ...

Unlike any other region in Québec, it has the largest protected area in the province, Mont-Tremblant National Park and the well-known P’tit Train du Nord, the longest linear park in Canada that offers activities all year. The Laurentians, a four-season destination, has something for everyone.
In this beautiful region, you don’t need to settle on either a relaxed or action-packed trip. For the perfect fall getaway, start by considering a hiking trip to the Laurentians. Gorgeous scenery and ple...

In a postpandemic world, the desire among commercial properties to maintain security protocols is unlikely to wane. Though COVID-19 may have accelerated the demand for contactless deliveries, some businesses are finding they make good sense.
Before the novel coronavirus even struck, a surge of deliveries, due in part to greater reliance on e-commerce, was problematic for office buildings. It put added stress on building staff and physical space, including delivery docks and mailrooms.
As the ...

Technological solutions make buying, storing, and managing Bitcoin and other types of digital assets seamless and secure.
Cryptocurrencies like Bitcoin have caught the attention of Canadians as they often make the news headlines. This has sparked a lot of interest, and their popularity continues to grow. Some people are gravitating toward cryptocurrencies as long- or short-term investments, while others like the fact that they have the ability to be in total control of their assets without th...

President Rick Rabba shares insights into how the convenience chain becomes a part of the neighbourhoods it serves and lessons learned from COVID
It seems to have been Rick Rabba’s destiny to work in the convenience/grocery retail business. Even as a youngster, cleaning cooler doors, packing groceries and working the cash register at his family’s store in downtown Toronto, he felt it would be his future. He was 100% right. Today, Rabba is president of Rabba Fine Foods with 34 (soon to be 35) ...

Shaped by history and by the salty waters of the St. Lawrence estuary and the Gulf itself, these areas offer extraordinary, unforgettable experiences not replicated elsewhere. Whether you’re in search of authentic local flavours and the province’s freshest fish seafood, or outdoor adventures, Québec by the Sea satisfies appetites and wanderlust equally.
Understanding these regions is best done with a fork and glass in hand as they’re home to some of Canada’s most acclaimed food producers – fr...

When Lola Adeyemi first arrived in Canada from Nigeria in April 2005 to attend the University of Winnipeg, the shift was a bit of a shock to her system, given Manitoba was in the middle of a deep freeze. "It was my first taste of a Canadian winter," she recalls. "I cried evert other day."
Fast forward to 2021, and things are heating up for Adeyemi. Now based in Toronto, the entrepreneur is enjoying success with It’s Souper, a company she founded that makes soup and chili inspired by the flavo...

Highlighting recent initiatives in the City of Markham to raise its profile as a technology hub.

Butters and spreads are enjoying a renaissance, thanks to diet trends and product ingenuity
Butter is hot these days, you’d think it might melt from being in the spotlight so much. Whether traditional dairy butters, plant-based alternatives or nut/seed spreads, ingenious new offerings in the category have fuelled its current popularity, along with diet preferences and a collective change of heart about the fat content of food. In fact, it’s such a popular trend that Whole Foods Market include...

When it comes to frozen fish and seafood, health-conscious consumers are reeled in by innovation and sustainability
Surf or turf? As many busy Canadians look to cut back on red meat and reap the purported health benefits of seafood, frozen fish and seafood are pushing further into the spotlight.
Demand for frozen seafood steadily increased in the five-year period between 2012 and 2017, according to MarketResearch.com. And recent Nielsen data shows sales for this category grew by 1.5% to more ...

As I’m driving along rural highways lined with tiny fishing villages in Nova Scotia, breathing in the salty air of the Atlantic Ocean, I feel right at home. Though I’ve never lived here, I spent many summers visiting my grandparents in the Annapolis Valley—a fertile agricultural region on the shores of the Bay of Fundy, famous for having the world’s highest tides—where they operated a commercial dairy farm and grew apples.
I have fond memories of sitting in the dining room of my grandparents’...

While the coronavirus and the Zika virus have grabbed the majority of news headlines over the past few years, there are other threats to traveler health that shouldn’t be forgotten—particularly mosquito-borne diseases. The World Health Organization (WHO) calls mosquitoes “one of the deadliest animals in the world” due to their ability to spread disease—more than 20 types of disease, to be exact.
Mosquito-borne diseases kill millions of people each year. If you’re planning to visit destination...

Ever tried to navigate your way through a new city without using Google Maps? You'll likely end up lost. The same applies to navigating your finances: you need a route to get to from where you are now to where you want to be later. Surprisingly though, most Canadians don’t map out their financial futures. A recent CIBC study showed that almost 50% of Canadians don’t have a financial plan, and other studies indicate that many are unclear about what financial planning is, often confusing it wit...