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Canada News.Net
2 days ago
- Entertainment
- Canada News.Net
'Better Than Chocolate' highlights lost 90s decade of lesbian Canadian cinema
"If coming out of the closet was really as much fun as it is for the sexually adventurous youths in Better Than Chocolate, then everybody would be doing it, even straight people." So wrote film critic Bruce Kirkland in his 1999 review of the lesbian romantic comedy by Canadian filmmaker Anne Wheeler. Kirkland pointed out that real life for queer and trans community members was "tougher, harsher and nastier" than portrayed in the 90-minute romp, but also wrote: "To hell with reality, at least for an hour-and-a-half. This movie is a little treasure and offers a lot of pleasure." The endearing rom-com won audience choice awards at a number of gay and lesbian film festivals, including in its hometown of Vancouver. Today, more than a quarter century later, with hate crimes against queer and trans people on the rise and legal protections, especially in the United States, being threatened or ripped away, the film's lens on romance - and the joy, safety and complications of being in community - may resonate with contemporary viewers and offer a brief reprieve from the heaviness of the political fight. Like many Canadian lesbian-driven films from the 1990s, it also serves as an example of filmmakers working in queer communities to highlight once-censored voices, and reflects the sheer ingenuity and creative force of community collaboration in this moment - something that has been underrepresented in broader histories of queer and Canadian national cinema. In Better Than Chocolate, bookstore employee Maggie (Karyn Dwyer) and nomadic artist Kim (Christina Cox) start a whirlwind romance, moving in together within a matter of hours (echoing the classic U-Haul lesbian stereotype). Their love story is complicated by the arrival of Maggie's mother Lila (Wendy Crewson), a judgmental woman fresh off a divorce who doesn't know her daughter is a lesbian. Comedic chaos ensues as the two young lovebirds navigate romantic, familial and community conflicts, all of which are neatly wrapped up by the end. Though Better Than Chocolate may ultimately be a feel-good comedy, the film captures a community under attack from outside and within. Skinheads harass Maggie and Kim, culminating in violence. Judy (Peter Outerbridge) is accosted for being transgender and is consistently misgendered by other lesbians. The Canadian Border Services Agency purposefully targets neurotic bookstore owner, Frances (played by actor, author, playwright and Canadian lesbian icon Ann-Marie Macdonald), for selling queer literature. Better Than Chocolate is only one in a wave of lesbian-centred 90s films made in Canada. In this decade, creatives produced at least 12 narrative feature-length lesbian-centred films, several documentaries and over 400 short films. Some echo Better Than Chocolate 's romantic tone, but the wave includes a diversity of genres - including erotic thrillers, family dramas and experimental dreamscapes. Some of these films are well-recognized in the Canadian film canon, including Deepa Mehta's Fire (1996) and Patricia Rozema's When Night is Falling (1995), while others have been largely forgotten and prove hard to access today, like Patricia Rivera Spencer's Dreamers of the Day (1990) and Jeanne Crepeau's Revoir Julie (1998). Canadian economic, social and artistic contexts offered a vital creative ecosystem that facilitated such a vibrant era of lesbian-driven cinema. Feminist filmmaking collectives in the 1970s - like Women in Focus (Vancouver), intervisions/ARC (Toronto) and Reel Life (Halifax) - alongside the launch of Studio D at the National Film Board of Canada in 1974 - provided dedicated space for training talent and for producing films about women's issues. Wheeler came up through Studio D, co-directing the studio's first film in 1975. Canadian artists also had access to several funding sources, including federal, provincial and local arts councils. Beginning in the late 80s, such funding sources were soliciting more diverse content, a result of community activism driven by marginalized artists. Importantly, a growing network of queer film festivals aided the development of an invested audience willing to pay to watch queer stories. From 1985 to 2000, at least 11 annual queer festivals were founded in Canada, including Reel Pride (Winnipeg, 1985); Out on Screen (Vancouver, 1988); image+nation (Montreal, 1989); London Lesbian Film Festival (London, 1991); and Inside Out (Toronto, 1991). With increasing venues to screen queer work and growing audiences came the demand for more films. Alongside the broader Canadian context, local contexts also encouraged more filmmakers to tell lesbian stories. Wheeler had long been committed to making films about lesser-represented Western Canada. While most of her films were set in Alberta, Better Than Chocolate moved her focus to Vancouver and its local queer politics. The dramatic subplot between bookstore owner Frances and the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is a clear reference to the then-ongoing Supreme Court of Canada case involving Little Sister's Book and Art Emporium in Vancouver. Little Sister's, a queer bookstore, had been targeted for years by the CBSA, which would delay shipments while confiscating and sometimes damaging materials that it considered obscene. The film publicized the homophobia of the CBSA, with Frances comedically demanding to know why books such as Little Red Riding Hood had been confiscated. As we discovered in our archival research, Janine Fuller, the manager of Little Sister's, provided feedback on an early draft of the screenplay. A flyer from the film's production company was also used to raise the visibility of the court case. The film's community ties extended further. As noted in archival documents and the film's press package, Canadian trans activist and performance artist Star Maris inspired the filmmakers when crafting the character of Judy. Her song, "I'm Not a Fucking Drag Queen," was solicited for use within the film. Vancouver's lesbian community was invited to participate as extras in a bar scene, with an advertisement stating, "This is an excellent opportunity to meet new friends, party with old ones, have much fun being in a movie." Finally, as Anne Wheeler told Eye Weekly in 1999: "Right from the development phase on, we had a group of 12 young lesbian women whom we consulted with and they told us very specifically what they did and didn't want to see. ... So we set out very intentionally to break the mould and dispose of the old perceptions about gay women." In returning to Better Than Chocolate and other films, queer audiences may find entertaining gems, but may also be reminded of the power of survival of queer communities. Better Than Chocolate is now available on CTV. Don't stop there! In addition to films named above, check out these other Canadian lesbian-centred 90s feature films. Cat Swallows Parakeet and Speaks (1996) High Art (1998) 2 Seconds (1998)
Global News
4 days ago
- Global News
Traveller caught by CBSA carrying 18 kilos of cocaine in cheese cans
See more sharing options Send this page to someone via email Share this item on Twitter Share this item via WhatsApp Share this item on Facebook The Canadian Border Services Agency said officers arrested a traveller arriving from Jamaica who allegedly attempted to smuggle several kilos of cocaine. CBSA said on Friday that the traveller had 18 kilos of cocaine stuffed in processed cheese cans. The estimated street value of the drugs is worth more than $2 million. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy The traveller was arrested in the Greater Toronto Area and the evidence, as well as the traveller, was turned over to RCMP in Ontario. #CBSA officers in the #GTA arrested a traveller arriving from Jamaica who attempted to smuggle approx. 18 kg of cocaine, worth over $2 million, in processed cheese cans. The evidence was seized and turned over to @RCMPONT along with the traveller. — Canada Border Services Agency (@CanBorder) August 8, 2025
Epoch Times
5 days ago
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Canada-US Nexus Program No Longer Allows ‘X' for Gender Marker After Trump Admin Directive
The joint Nexus program for expedited passage at the Canada-U.S. border no longer accepts the 'X' gender marker on its applications, requiring Canadians to select 'male' or 'female' only, following new directives from the Trump administration. The Canadian Border Services Agency (CBSA) says the change follows an executive order made by U.S. President Donald Trump in January. Under the executive order, male and female are the only two sexes to be recognized on official documents.
Ottawa Citizen
05-08-2025
- Ottawa Citizen
Three alleged human smugglers arrested in Quebec, 44 asylum seekers detained
This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. The asylum seekers had been dropped off on the U.S. side of the border and walked through forest and streams to enter into Canada, police said The border crossing in Lacolle, Quebec, south of Montreal. Most of the asylum seekers were transferred to the Canadian Border Services Agency's processing centre in St-Bernard-de-Lacolle. Photo by Allen McInnis/Postmedia/File Three alleged human smugglers have been arrested, along with 44 foreign nationals, after crossing into Canada from the United States over the August long weekend. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Exclusive articles from Elizabeth Payne, David Pugliese, Andrew Duffy, Bruce Deachman and others. Plus, food reviews and event listings in the weekly newsletter, Ottawa, Out of Office. Unlimited online access to Ottawa Citizen and 15 news sites with one account. Ottawa Citizen ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles, including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors In a statement Monday, the Canada Border Services Agency said the group was detained on Haskell Road near Stanstead, Que., a town on the border between Quebec and Vermont, overnight Saturday to Sunday. 'Entering Canada illegally presents several risks and dangers, both legally and in terms of security of the person. Illegal entry into Canada is an offence that can result in arrest and criminal prosecution,' wrote Guillaume Bérubé, a spokesperson for the CBSA, in an email to National Post. The Ottawa Citizen's best journalism, delivered directly to your inbox by 7 p.m. on weekdays. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again Ogulcan Mersin, 25, Dogan Alakus, 31, and Firat Yuksek, 31 have been charged under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act for encouraging people to commit an offence, and the Customs Act, for assisting people to enter Canada outside of a designated customs office. All three remain in custody. As for the other people detained by police, each will be assessed to determine whether they are eligible to make asylum claims in Canada. Most have been transferred to the CBSA's processing facility at Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle, Que., Bérubé said. Cpl. Erique Gasse said there was at least one child in the group detained — around four years old — and one of the women was pregnant. The asylum seekers, he said, had been dropped off on the U.S. side of the border and traversed forest and streams to enter into Canada. 'So, a lot of time they get lost in the forest when they arrive in Canada,' said Gasse in an interview. This group, once in Canada, met with the three alleged smugglers and were bundled into a 16-foot cube van. The RCMP said it does not know what the eventual destination was for the group. Upon discovery, Gasse said that it was incredibly hot inside the van and officers gave some water to them. 'The ending of that story is nice because they couldn't breathe. It was pretty hot,' Gasse said. Officers also gave emergency blankets to those who were wet and cold once they were outside, Gasse said. To his knowledge, none required medical attention. This advertisement has not loaded yet. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. Although he didn't know its provenance, Gasse said Canadian authorities had received a tip about the group illegally entering Canada. For several years, Canada has been dealing with tens of thousands of illegal border crossers coming into Canada along the undefended border with the United States, often at uncontrolled crossings. So far in 2025, the CBSA has processed 22,237 asylum applications in Canada. That's a 46-per-cent drop from 2024, when by the end of July there were more than 41,000 asylum claims made in the country. Nearly 15,000 of those claims have been made in Quebec. So far, across Canada, 2,169 asylum claimants have been sent back to the United States for being ineligible to be in Canada. The two nations have an agreement, the Safe Third Country Agreement, which says that refugees must make a claim at their first country of entry. If they traverse the United States but do not make a claim and instead try to claim asylum in Canada they can return to the United States, unless they meet exceptions. In recent months, asylum claims at the Saint-Bernard-de-Lacolle border crossing have become more and more frequent, so frequent that the CBSA has had to install eight processing trailers and four sanitary trailers to accommodate their needs should the numbers continue to grow. Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our newsletters here.
Toronto Sun
15-07-2025
- Toronto Sun
2 men charged after CBSA seizes weapon parts, drugs at Mississauga facility
Items seized as a result of a CBSA search warrant. Photo by HANDOUT / Canadian Border Services Agency Two men from London, Ont., are facing weapon and drug charges following a Canada Border Services Agency probe that started with the seizure of several weapon parts at an international mail-processing facility in Mississauga. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account In October, border services officers at the international mail- and cargo-processing facility in Mississauga intercepted a silencer being imported from China as well as a parcel containing a 50-round drum magazine coming from the U.S. Read More Both packages were destined for the same address, CBSA said in a news release. In May following an extensive investigation, members of the CBSA's Ontario Firearms Smuggling Enforcement Team executed a search warrant at a London address with help from London Police. Carfentanil seized during the execution of a search warrant. CANADA BORDER SERVICES AGENCY Among the items seized were privately manufactured firearms, firearm parts, a 3-D printer, 35 g of cocaine, 24.5 g of the synthetic opioid carfentanil, oxycodone and boric acid. Benito Schiavone, 33, and Modesto Dino Schiavone, 57, were charged with multiple firearm and drug possession offences. RECOMMENDED VIDEO NFL Editorial Cartoons Canada Toronto & GTA Toronto & GTA
