Joel Levy

What started with two Brampton high school students questioning why barely used hotel soap was being thrown away has grown into a youth-led initiative addressing waste and hygiene insecurity across the GTA. Founded in July 2026 by Humdaan Waheed and Pratim Singh, Relavco collects partially used soap from hotels, sanitizes and remoulds it into new bars, and distributes them free of charge to shelters and outreach organizations. In its first three months, the initiative donated 1,400 bars to organizations including Regeneration Outreach Community, Youth Without Shelter and Council Fire Native Cultural Centre, while also beginning work on a documentary exploring homelessness, hygiene and Lake Ontario pollution. For our latest Charitable Choices feature, we spoke with co-founders Humdaan Waheed and Pratim Singh about how Relavco got started, the connection between waste and access to basic hygiene, and their plans to expand the initiative.

Hector Von Bloomington is a joyful, affectionate companion whose playful energy and sweet nature are sure to light up any room. With his adorable prancing gait and endearing habit of gently nosing your hand for love and scratches, this charming boy makes every walk an absolute delight. He is an eager learner with wonderful focus on his handler, easily won over by tasty treats, and he loves nothing more than celebrating a good stroll with a burst of happy zoomies in the grass.

Aster is proof that sometimes even the most handsome prince needs a little time to come out of his castle. At first, this regal gentleman may prefer the privacy of hiding under a bed or in a closet; but give him a little patience (and perhaps a squeeze-tube treat), and you’ll discover the biggest teddy bear hiding underneath that dignified exterior.

A spider’s intricate eyes, the delicate wings of a damselfly and the unsettling appearance of an insect overtaken by fungus are among the extraordinary sights captured by Nigerian Canadian photographer and recently announced Rainforest Alliance Ambassador, Dara Ojo. Based in Edmonton, Ojo specializes in extreme macro photography, revealing the colours, textures and behaviours of creatures that often go unnoticed. What began as a personal interest during the COVID-19 pandemic has evolved into an internationally recognized career, with his work appearing in National Geographic, BBC, CNN, PBS and other major publications. His debut photography book, Tiny Titans: The Silent Keepers of Our Ecosystem, brings together six years of exploration and approximately 120 photographs from around the world. Ahead of the book’s November 10 release and a December 2 appearance in Toronto, we spoke with Ojo about the challenges of photographing miniature wildlife, the surprising discoveries he’s made and how his images are changing people’s relationships with nature.

Brazilian creator Felipe Viana explores travel, van life, identity, and the search for freedom through his introspective series A Place Between.

Flora is a smart, social, and devoted pup who thrives on active walks, positive reinforcement, and meaningful bonds with her humans.

Andrea Grant is a multimedia artist and writer exploring Indigenous mythology through poetry, film, photography, and graphic novels.

Johnny Depp is taking on one of literature’s most recognizable characters in EBENEZER, a dark new interpretation of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol arriving exclusively in theatres on November 13, 2026. Directed by Ti West, the filmmaker behind the acclaimed horror trilogy X, Pearl and MaXXXine, the film revisits the classic Christmas ghost story with a supernatural twist, bringing audiences face to face with the spirits that haunt Ebenezer Scrooge on the most unforgettable night of his life.

Rewriting the rules of rock bands, Canadian band Jayniac Jr. is putting basslines and horn arrangements front and center instead of relying on the traditional guitar-driven formula. Blending the grit of rock, the joy of ska, and the attitude of hip-hop, Jayniac Jr.’s music hits with a purpose while maintaining a sound deeply rooted in cultural identity.

When the Red Bull BC One World Final arrives in Toronto for the first time on November 29, Canadian B-Girl Emma will step onto one of breaking’s biggest stages with a decade of experience, international victories and a renewed sense of confidence behind her. The Vancouver-based breaker, who made her World Final debut in New York in 2022, is the first Canadian B-Girl to reach the prestigious competition twice. Fresh off a victory at the 2026 Undisputed Masters World Final in Tokyo, she is now preparing to represent Canada alongside Olympic gold medallist Phil Wizard at the Mattamy Athletic Centre. For Emma Misak, however, the competition is about more than winning. It’s an opportunity to showcase her individuality, celebrate Canadian breaking and inspire the next generation of dancers. We spoke with B-Girl Emma about her journey, the challenges she’s overcome and what it means to compete on home soil.