The sibling hitmakers will soon be honoured at the Juno Awards for their humanitarian work, which will coincide with their Not Tonight Tour.

Tegan and Sara have always been known for their between-song banter. Now, the Canadian pop sibling duo are working it more formally into their upcoming tour. They'll kick off the Not Tonight Tour on March 20 in Richmond Hill, Ontario, which is billed as a special "Intimate Evening Of Music & Storytelling."

The trek is a 13-city run of specially curated shows across Ontario with stops in Brantford, Brampton, Chatham-Kent, Huntsville and more, and the pair promise acoustic performances and storytelling. It's a rare opportunity for fans in secondary markets to catch their heroes. Supporting on all dates is guest Becca Mancari. Tickets are available now at teganandsara.com/events.

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The storytelling focus of the Not Tonight Tour reflects the fact that throughout their 20+ year career, spanning ten studio albums and more than a million records sold, Tegan and Sara's music has always served as a medium for storytelling. The sisters continue to build a multi-faceted media empire that encompasses TV, books, newsletters and public service.The latest addition to their resume is executive producer credits after the fall 2022 release of the coming-of-age TV series High School, based on their critically acclaimed, New York Times best-selling memoir.

In 2023, Tegan and Sara released Junior High, a young adult graphic novel series they authored, to be followed by the October 2024 release of CRUSH, Volume Two in the series. The publisher describes CRUSH as "a contemporary middle grade graphic novel duology, all about crushes, crushing it, and being crushed by life in junior high." It can be pre-ordered here.

Tegan and Sara will take a short pause in the tour to fly out to Halifax for the Juno Awards on March 24. There they will be presented with the 2024 Humanitarian Award, fitting recognition for their LGBTQ+ Advocacy work through the Tegan and Sara Foundation.

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THE 2024 NOT TONIGHT TOUR

March 20 – Richmond Hill, ON – Richmond Hill Centre for the Performing Arts SOLD OUT

March 21 – Brantford, ON – Sanderson Centre for the Performing Arts

March 22 – Brampton, ON – The Rose Brampton

March 26 – Ottawa, ON – Meridian Theatres @ Centrepointe SOLD OUT

March 27 – Kingston, ON – Kingston Grand Theatre

March 28 – Chatham-Kent, ON – Chatham Capitol Theatre

March 30 – Milton, ON – Mattamy Theatre

March 31 – Huntsville, ON – Legacy Hall at Deerhurst Resort

April 2 - Belleville, ON - Empire Theatre

April 3 – St. Catharines, ON – FirstOntario Performing Arts Centre

April 5 – Oakville, ON – Oakville Centre for the Performing Arts SOLD OUT

April 6 - North Bay, ON - The Capitol Centre

April 7 – Guelph, ON – River Run Centre

Richmond Hill has become the latest beneficiary of the federal government's Housing Accelerator Fund.

On Monday, Housing Minister Sean Fraser announced that an agreement had been made to provide Richmond Hill with over $31M to break down the barriers to building housing.

The funds will help fast-track the building of over 780 housing units over the next three years, and spur the construction of more than 41,500 homes over the next decade.

"Thank you to the federal government for this investment, which will help encourage and incentivize builders to create affordable homes for people who work in Richmond Hill, seniors who want to downsize, and multi-generations of families who want to live close to one another in our community," said David West, the Mayor of Richmond Hill.

"This is only one step toward solving the housing crisis but it is an important one. We will continue to work with other levels of government to bring more affordable housing to those who want to make Richmond Hill their home."

The Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) is a $4B initiative intended to speed up the creation of 100,000 new homes across Canada by 2026-2027. More than a half-dozen cities, including Kelowna, Kitchener, and Calgary, have inked deals ranging from $31.5M to $228M.

To access funding, local governments are required to submit an application outlining their supply growth targets, as well as specific initiatives they plan to undertake in an effort to boost supply and speed up approvals.

Richmond Hill’s HAF agreement is primarily focused on increasing density and affordable housing, including encouraging missing middle housing and transit-oriented development.

Initiatives include zoning by-law changes to allow up to four units in residential areas where accessory dwelling units are permitted, allowing residential buildings up to four storeys in Major Transit Station Areas, accelerating housing-related infrastructure, and incentivizing affordable housing.

"More housing will unlock many new opportunities for growth in Richmond Hill. Safe and affordable housing is a catalyst that enables Canadians to achieve other goals — from raising healthy children to pursuing education, jobs, and opportunity," said Majid Jowhari, Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill.

"Proud to witness transformative investments in Richmond Hill, stemming from the strong collaboration between our government and municipalities. Together, we're breaking down barriers and building more homes in Richmond Hill and across Canada."

RICHMOND HILL, ON, Nov. 27, 2023 /CNW/ - With federal funding, and federal leadership we are changing how cities let housing get built in their communities. With a greater focus on higher density housing, student housing, homes near transit and affordable housing we are going to get more homes built for Canadians at prices they can afford.

Today, the Government of Canada and the City of Richmond Hill announced that they have reached an agreement to fast track over 780 housing units over the next three years. This work will help spur the construction of more than 41,500 homes over the next decade.

The agreement, under the Housing Accelerator Fund (HAF) will provide over $31 million to eliminate barriers to building the housing we need, faster. It will encourage the creation of more density and affordable housing in Richmond Hill by making it easier to build more missing-middle housing and accessory dwelling units as well as incentivizing affordable housing. Richmond Hill's action plan will also help streamline development by reducing barriers to development, accelerating key infrastructure and through zoning by-law changes permitting up to four units in residential areas where accessory dwelling units are permitted, supporting transit-oriented development, and allowing increased density around transit stations.

The HAF is helping cut red tape and fast track at least 100,000 new homes for people in towns, cities, and Indigenous communities across Canada. It asks for innovative action plans from local governments, and once approved, provides upfront funding to ensure the timely building of new homes, as well as additional funds upon delivering results. Local governments are encouraged to think big and be bold in their approaches, which could include accelerating project timelines, allowing increased housing density, and encouraging affordable housing units.

The Government of Canada is making life more affordable for Canadians – and housing is key to our work. We will continue to work with provincial, territorial, and municipal governments, as well as Indigenous partners, to keep building more homes for Canadians, faster.

Quotes:

"Today's announcement will help fast track over 780 homes in the next three years and over 41,500 homes over the next decade. By working with cities, mayors, and all levels of government we are helping to get more homes built for Canadians at prices they can afford." – The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

More housing will unlock many new opportunities for growth in Richmond Hill. Safe and affordable housing is a catalyst that enables Canadians to achieve other goals—from raising healthy children to pursuing education, jobs and opportunity. Proud to witness transformative investments in Richmond Hill, stemming from the strong collaboration between our government and municipalities. Together, we're breaking down barriers and building more homes in Richmond Hill and across Canada – Majid Jowhari, Member of Parliament for Richmond Hill

“Through innovation and partnerships with local governments, we can build the homes we need in our cities and towns and create affordable inclusive and diverse communities. Partnering with Richmond Hill through the Housing Accelerator Fund does just that. We will continue to work to make life more affordable and create strong, more prosperous communities here in Aurora – Oak Ridges – Richmond Hill and across our great country.” – Leah Taylor Roy, Member of Parliament for Aurora – Oak Ridges – Richmond Hill

"I am excited that Richmond Hill is receiving $31 million from the Housing Accelerator Fund that will help set the stage for more affordable housing in our city. Thank you to the Federal government for this investment, which will help encourage and incentivize builders to create affordable homes for people who work in Richmond Hill, seniors who want to downsize and multi-generations of families who want to live close to one another in our community. This is only one step toward solving the housing crisis but it is an important one. We will continue to work with other levels of government to bring more affordable housing to those who want to make Richmond Hill their home."– David West, Mayor of the City of Richmond Hill

Quick Facts:

Associated Links:

SOURCE Government of Canada

For further information: Media Contacts: Micaal Ahmed, Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, micaal.ahmed@infc.gc.ca; Media Relations, Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation, media@cmhc-schl.gc.ca

More Chefs in the Burbs

Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Food & Drink

Where the founder of Instagram’s Scarborough Spots goes for jerk chicken shawarma poutine, doubles and burgers

Laura Petracca, the executive chef at Cibo Wine Bar, is certainly kept busy by the brand’s three locations. “We’re always striving for perfection,” she says, “sourcing the best ingredients for our dishes and pushing our teams to produce the tastiest bites for our customers.” Petracca, who grew up in Vaughan, is currently in the process of refreshing the Cibo menu, and some of the new dishes are inspired by Italian restaurants in nearby Richmond Hill. In her rare moments of downtime between shifts, she heads north to visit family and eat at her childhood haunts. Below, she takes us on a tour of her favourite spots.

Related: Inside the new 25,000-square-foot Eataly at Sherway Gardens

Lago Italian Bakery

12930 Yonge St., Richmond Hill, 905-773-1030, lagoitalianbakery.com

My parents live down the street from Lago, so it’s their go-to for baked goods, fresh bread and Italian imports. I love the atmosphere here. There are always construction workers and high-school students streaming through the doors. If you go between 8 a.m. and 2 p.m., there are always customers drinking espresso, eating cannoli or indulging in something classic from the hot table. It has that small-town vibe but in a not-so-small-town area.

Go-to dish: Veal sandwich

For $10, this is a steal. Everything is house-made—the bread, the thinly pounded and breaded veal cutlet, the tomato sauce. It’s a choose-your-own-adventure situation when it comes to toppings, but I like to keep it simple so I can taste each layer. In addition to the cutlet and sauce, I add sautéed bell peppers. It’s a sloppy sandwich but 100 per cent worth it—just have extra napkins at the ready.

Go-to drink: Espresso

One of my first jobs was as a barista at a spot called St. Phillips Bakery in Maple. It’s where I cut my teeth learning how to make proper espresso drinks. And it wasn’t the staff that taught me how to make them; it was one regular customer—a 75-year-old man—who would reject my failed brews and have me try again until it was perfect. I’m definitely not as picky about my drinks, but I do know when espresso is made well—and it’s made well here. You can tell a good espresso when you spoon sugar in and it floats on top.

Go-to dessert: Cannoli

Prepare yourself—these are like beignets in the sense that all the confectioner’s sugar dusted on top will end up on your lap. Aside from being messy bites, they’re super fresh and delicious. The pastry shell snaps when you bite into it, and the whipped fresh ricotta, while it does have a bit of sugar added to it, still tastes like ricotta. This is pure and simple yet very satisfying—and an homage to my dad, who is a huge cannoli fan.

Maria’s Kitchen

588 Edward Ave., Richmond Hill, 905-737-8752, no website

Maria’s Kitchen was a family tradition. Fun fact: though we weren’t in the same year, I went to high school with owner Maria Proietto’s son Lorenzo, who now helps to run the day-to-day operations here. Growing up, I watched their family business grow from a quaint bakery into a full-fledged restaurant and catering company. Now, my extended family continues to order from them for special occasions. I even had my bridal shower here last year—we did an antipasti plate, a bread spread, lasagna, risotto, chicken cutlets, sides and cake.

Go-to dish: Lasagna

This lasagna has always found its way into our family gatherings for the past two decades. A whole takeaway lasagna needs around 20 minutes to reheat, but it’s so worth the wait. People mistakenly assume that lasagna has to be stuffed with cheese and additional filings. But it’s actually supposed to showcase the noodles and the meat sauce, both of which are house-made at Maria’s. Some say Béchamel is also necessary, because it acts like the glue to bind the layers, but my mom is from central Italy, and I grew up eating basic-is-best lasagna, which I prefer. It also allows me to taste the craftsmanship of the thin noodles and the sauce itself, which is a bit reminiscent of a bolognese. It’s beautiful and yielding—you only require a fork to cut through it and a bit of parm on top.

Go-to drink: Brio

There are some common misconceptions about Brio: some people think it’s made in Italy, others that “Brio” refers to the flavour of the soda. It’s actually the company name, and while it’s inspired by ingredients that are readily available in Italy, you’ll only find this Toronto-made brand in Canada. The flavour is actually chinotto, which is slightly bitter with licorice root-ish notes. It’s the perfect drink to wash down any pasta dish—in this case, lasagna.

Abruzzo Pizza

9010 Yonge St., Richmond Hill, 905-881-8222, abruzzopizza.com

This is childhood nostalgia to the max! It’s been a Richmond Hill staple for over 40 years, and Vince Mazzotta has been in charge since 1981. On Friday nights, my parents would treat me and my sister to takeout or delivery to eat while we watched movies together. Abruzzo was our go-to. And as a teenager, I hung out here with my friends. I would always get the deep-fried panzo with a side of bolognese. It’s the type of fast food that makes you happy.

Go-to dish #1: A pound of deep-fried wings

I like to order my wings dry to taste the seasoning, which includes a bit of oregano, and so that the skin stays nice and crispy. But then I like to dunk them in their house honey garlic and hot sauces. I go all in and get super sticky.

Go-to dish #2: Deep-fried panzerotti with ground beef and onions

This is at least two pounds, and I used to be able to eat the entire thing as a kid. There’s no way I could do that now, but it’s still as good as ever. The dough is airy and puffy with this bubbly texture on the exterior, the sauce is cooked down and not too tangy, and then you have the layers of cheese and meat. It’s rich but somehow doesn’t sit like a rock in your stomach. This is the kind of dish you need to eat immediately—do not let it sit out. It’s best fresh and piping hot.

Go-to dish #3: Abruzzo special salad

This is a top seller. Surprising, right? A salad. But it’s one of those stick-to-your-ribs kinds of salads that eats like a meal. It reminds me of giardiniera with meat or antipasti with greens. It’s very hearty—chock full of cold cuts—but balanced out with a tangy balsamic dressing.

Go-to dish #4: Chicken cutlet sandwich

We’ve come full circle with this cutlet sandwich. Whereas the one at Lago is veal, this one is made using chicken breast. It can be so easy to overcook white meat, but here it stays soft and tender. They’re also very generous with the portion sizes and give you two cutlets per order. For me, this is a perfect sandwich: the bread is crusty on the outside but pillowy on the inside, and it cushions the meat, which is slathered with tomato sauce. And that’s it, nothing else. I’m a fan of dishes made with minimal ingredients but done well—and this hits all those marks.