Here we go again...

Gooood morning everybody! We’re halfway through the week—coffee’s in hand, vibes are high, and this city? Still absolutely crushing it. Let’s dive in!

Today Around YGK:

• Tariffs hit Canada

• The first sail-powered cargo ship heads to Bath

• International Women’s Day events

And much more…

Weather

Expect 15-25 mm of rain today—that’s enough water to soak your shoes but not quite a downpour. Thunderstorms and melting snow could lead to some flooding and water pooling on roads. Grab an umbrella, stay dry and watch for slick spots!

Wednesday
High 8°C | Precipitation: Well, I think we covered this one.
Low 5°C | Wind: 60-80 km/h

Thursday
High 5°C | Precipitation: 60% chance of showers or flurries
Low -6°C

Weather loves to keep us on our toes! Be sure to check an official weather source closer to the date for the latest forecast. ⛅️

Ready for Kindergarten?

A message from the ALCDSB

Welcome to Kindergarten! Starting school is an exciting time for young children and families. If your child was born in 2021, now is the time to register for Kindergarten for the 2025-2026 school year! Register online today!*

What the newly imposed tariffs mean for your wallet

And just like that—we’re back at it again.

You’ve probably heard—the U.S. has officially hit Canadian exports with a 25 percent tariff and energy with 10 percent. It’s a big deal for Canadians, but also a moment to rally some national pride. In response, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Premier Doug Ford fired back with their own set of tariffs, targeting everything from peanut butter and appliances to clothing and cars. (Narcity)

What this means for Kingstonians:

• Grocery prices on U.S. imports? Going up. Counter tariffs are now on American staples like dairy, produce, coffee, and sauces, which could push prices higher at local favourites.

• Home projects? More expensive. Need new flooring, kitchen appliances, or even some basic tools? Tariffs are hitting U.S. imported building materials, hardware, and home goods.

• Retail therapy? Watch your cart. U.S. imported items from clothing and cosmetics to electronics and sporting goods is getting taxed.

What about the LCBO?

This is where things get dramatic—the LCBO’s website went down yesterday as staff raced to remove every American product from its catalogue, from bourbon and craft beer to canned cocktails. (Narcity)

The local spin

While this all sounds like bad news, there’s a silver lining for local businesses. With "Buy Canadian" campaigns ramping up, this could be a big moment for Kingston business owners, farmers, entrepreneurs and more. So if you’ve been meaning to hit up a local butcher, bakery, or brewery, now’s the time to make the switch.

Want to dive into the full tariff list? Here’s the whole thing. (BlogTO)

The Mid-Week Skimm

Ice fishing huts need to clear out for incoming cargo ship
Anglers near Bath are being told to pull their huts off the ice before Thursday — the MV Sunnavik, a 8,722-tonne cement carrier (and the first sail-powered cargo ship on the Great Lakes), is arriving March 6, and its approach will make the ice dangerously unstable. (Insauga)

Kingston Doubles Down on Saving the Pen
Kingston isn’t letting its historic waterfront landmark slip away. The city has officially expressed interest in purchasing Kingston Penitentiary from the federal government, aiming to preserve it as a tourism and heritage site. Since public tours began in 2013, over 500,000 visitors have passed through its gates—making it a major cultural and economic asset. Stay tuned—this story is far from over. (Kingstonist)

Staff at Queen’s University Set a Firm Strike Deadline
Staff at Queen’s University, repped by United Steelworkers Local 2010, have drawn a line in the sand — they’ll officially strike if a new deal isn’t reached by March 8 at 11:59 p.m.. The union is pushing for fair wages, job security, and protections against crushing workloads. With a 96% strike mandate, they’re ready to hit pause if negotiations don’t pan out. (The Kingstonist)

Kingston City Council to Protest Via Rail’s High-Speed Rail Plan
Kingston City Council is thinking about pulling its backing for Via Rail’s high-speed rail project — and for good reason. Turns out the latest version of the plan skips Kingston entirely, even though the city originally supported it with the expectation of becoming a regional hub. Council is set to chat about the issue at an upcoming meeting. (The Whig)

Queen’s Students ‘Extremely Enthusiastic’ About Taylor Swift-Themed Law Course
When Queen’s University launched “Law (Taylor’s Version)”, students wasted no time signing up — and yes, there’s already a waitlist. The seminar, taught by business law director Mohamed Khimji, dives into legal case studies through the lens of Taylor Swift’s career, covering everything from contract disputes to copyright battles. (CBC)

Kingston’s Neighbourhood Tree Planting Program Returns for 2025
Calling all green thumbs — the City of Kingston’s Neighbourhood Tree Planting Program is returning for 2025, giving locals a chance to grow the urban forest one tree at a time. Details on how to snag a tree and participate are coming soon, so stay tuned. (City of Kingston)

Kingston Canadian Film Festival Breaks Attendance Record
The 25th Kingston Canadian Film Festival was a massive success, welcoming over 15,000 attendees! Congratulations to all the filmmakers, volunteers, and organizers for making this the most attended festival yet. (Downtown Kingston Facebook page)

Fort Henry Cannonball Crush – Registration Now Open
Kingston’s most exciting obstacle race returns with new challenges! This year, teens (13-17) can join a 3.5-km race, while adults (18+) take on the classic 5-km, 20-obstacle course. (Fort Henry)

Kingston 4 Paws Needs Puppy Raisers—AKA Your New Best Friend

Community Involvement

Love dogs? Kingston 4 Paws is looking for “puppy raisers” to help train future service dogs! You provide the love, they provide the training—together, you’ll change lives (and get endless puppy snuggles). Ready to raise a hero? Go here. (Kingstonist)

What’s Happenin’

International Women’s Day is on Saturday and there are tons of events going on in celebration!

Mack Mackenzie + Suzanne Nuttall at Musiikki | Tomorrow, Thursday, March 6 | 7-10 p.m. | Musiikki Café & Whiskey Bar | Price varies
Two longtime friends, one cozy stage, and a night filled with original songs and stories in downtown Kingston.

Celebrating Kingston Women – International Women’s Week | Friday, March 7 | 4:30 - 7:30 p.m. | KFPL Central Branch | An evening of music, dance, and Indigenous storytelling, honouring the achievements of women in Kingston. Refreshments included—registration required!

Craft Brewing Workshop for Beginners | Saturday, March 8 | 2-4 p.m. | 2787 Princess Street, Kingston | Price varies
Because life’s too short for boring beer — learn to brew your own fresh, flavourful pints at this hands-on workshop.

The Anti-Queens at The Broom Factory | Saturday, March 8 | 2:30 p.m. | $20 + fees | All ages welcome for a high-energy afternoon of punk rock, presented by KPP Concerts!

Tyffanie’s Silver Jubilee Party | Saturday, March 8 | 8:00 p.m. | The Broom Factory | Celebrate 25 years of Tyffanie Morgan’s legendary drag career with a night of fierce performances, glamour, and surprises!

Outskirts – A Blue Rodeo Tribute | Saturday, March 8 | 8:00 p.m. | The Spire | Folk rockers Outskirts bring Blue Rodeo’s iconic sound to life, with special guests Eric Uren and Meghan Balogh kicking off the night.

_{Note: Events may be cancelled or have changed times. Be sure to see our event calendar and reach out to the venue before going.}

Signing Off

That’s it until Friday, folks. What do you think of our newsletter so far?

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