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In 2017, we all obsessed over one hair trend in particular: colour melting.

It was a technique that "blended the highlights with with the base colour of the hair so you don’t have any harsh lines" and it looked a little something like this:

A photo posted by THE MAVEN SALON 323.852.1225 (@mavenbeverlyhills) on Aug 15, 2015 at 7:00am PDT

Gorgeous, right?

With the smoothness of colour melting, the bold transition of ombré and the strategically hightlighting of balayage now available to all of us at our local hair salon, you would think we were set for hair trends going into 2017.

But that's not the case.

It's only mid-January and the Internet is already freaking out over a new hair colour that is being called one of the hottest trends of the year — blorange hair.

Blorange

A photo posted by Georgia May Jagger (@georgiamayjagger) on Sep 23, 2016 at 1:12am PDT

"Blorange," inspired by a blood orange, was created by celebrity hairstylist Alex Brownsell and model Georgia May Jagger, who first showed it off on Instagram four months ago.

I'm loving all the Peach shades at the moment! This one is a custom mix on pre-lightened hair . . . #peachhair #olaplex #hairtrends2017 #blorange #stockport #manchestersalon

A video posted by I Love Lucie (@iloveluciehair) on Jan 16, 2017 at 4:11am PST

Since then, the blond- meets-orange-meets pink tinted colour (that many say is inspired by the colour of the peach emoji) is slowly becoming one of the most demanded colours at the salon.

A photo posted by ◇ᴊᴏᴜʀɴᴀʟ (@journal.hr) on Dec 17, 2016 at 6:02am PST

Whether you have short, long or textured hair, blorange can work for everyone. It's all about the effortless mixture of shades (orange, red, pink, you name it) and the soft application. Although orange is notoriously the hardest dye to get out, this vibrant winter colour is totally worth it.

A photo posted by Kickaboo (@kickaboopelu) on Jan 16, 2017 at 7:20am PST

From a chic blorange ombré or well-blended blorange balayage, you'll want to hop onto this hair trend before the summer, because trust us, everyone will be rocking it.

Now, check out these girls flaunting their blorange:

A photo posted by sarah effie turner (@effie_daisy) on Apr 18, 2016 at 2:16pm PDT

#blorange is the new #grannyhair! I love this trend for a #nontraditionalbride! The perfect look for summer and autumn weddings • • • • • #offwhiteweddings #oakvilleweddingplanner #oakvilleweddings #uniqueweddings #uniqueweddingplanner #burlingtonweddingplanner #burlingtonweddings #hamiltonweddingplanner #hamiltonweddings #miltonweddingplanner #miltonweddings #haltonweddingplanner #haltonweddings #offwhiteweddings #nontraditionalweddings #nontraditionalbride

A photo posted by Off-White Weddings (@offwhiteweddings) on Jan 16, 2017 at 7:50am PST

princess peach #awkwardpeach #pinkhair #mermaidlife #nyxcosmetics #nyxabudhabi

A photo posted by Eve Elizabeth (@eve_elizabeth) on Sep 13, 2015 at 5:45am PDT

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As the federal Conservative leadership race slowly crawls to its finale in May, contenders are juggling between campaigning for support and ripping on each other.

Erin O'Toole, however, has vowed to refrain from attacking his rivals and is focusing his sights squarely on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

erin otoole

Conservative leadership candidate Erin O'Toole speaks during a debate in Saskatoon on Nov. 9, 2016. (Photo: Liam Richards/CP)

On Tuesday, O'Toole shared a video on Facebook parodying the Netflix drama "House of Cards." The clip is titled "House of Trudeau" and "shines a light on the corruption and incompetence that reign supreme in Trudeau’s Ottawa," according to the Tory MP's post.

Watch the clip below:

House of Trudeau: Chapter One
House of Trudeau is a first-of-its-kind web series that shines a light on the corruption and incompetence that reign supreme in Trudeau’s Ottawa.

LIKE & SHARE if you’d like to see more videos like this and take a few seconds to sign up as a supporter at www.erinotoole.ca/support.

The job of the next leader of the Conservative Party is defeating Justin Trudeau. I won’t tear down fellow Conservatives. I’ll unify the party, take the fight to Justin Trudeau and win. But I need your help.
Posted by Erin O'Toole on Tuesday, January 17, 2017

The video mimics scenes from the show where text bubbles on screen show dialogue between characters In this case, it's Trudeau and his principal secretary, Gerald Butts, discussing the PM's recent trip to the Aga Khan's private island, as well as Trudeau's "to do list" — which includes taking selfies and trying to "relate to regular people" on his cross-country tour.

Enter the dragon

O'Toole, who served as veterans affairs minister in the former Conservative government, made the promise to refrain from bashing his fellow leadership contenders on Jan. 9.

“It’s tempting to succumb to personal attacks in an environment where the loudest and most outrageous statements win the most attention," he said in a statement at the time.

Speaking of being loud to win attention, a healthy chunk of the leadership race's coverage has been commanded by Kevin O'Leary, the "Shark Tank" star and money aficionado who as of today has yet to enter the race.

That might all change Wednesday, however. CBC News reports O'Leary is — after months of speculation — officially throwing his name into the race's already large hat.

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OTTAWA — Kevin O'Leary says there are all sorts of rumours swirling about when he will join the Conservative leadership race.

But he's refusing to comment on the latest one: that he'll finally launch his campaign Wednesday afternoon in Toronto.

kevin oleary

Kevin O'Leary speaks onstage on Dec. 8, 2016 in Boston. (Photo: Marla Aufmuth/Getty Images for Massachusetts Conference for Women)

The celebrity businessman is, however, sharing his thoughts on the French-language Tory leadership debate taking place tonight in Quebec City.

He's not going to be there — only the 13 candidates who have officially registered for the contest so far are entitled to be on stage.

O'Leary, who does not speak French, but is now taking lessons, says he's "getting frustrated" with how many candidates are still in the running.

He says the crowded field has reduced the debates, in his words, to "just a bunch of sound bites."

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QUEBEC — All 13 Conservative leadership candidates crossed swords in a French-language debate Tuesday as they tried to cement their credentials ahead of the vote in May.

Each of the 13 read a 30-second opening statement with varying degrees of proficiency in French.

Kellie Leitch quickly fired a salvo at rival Maxime Bernier, accusing him of being a liar for supposedly giving big corporations more than $200 million when he was industry minister while at the same championing himself as someone who wants to end corporate welfare.

MP Steven Blaney also targeted Bernier, criticizing his rival's promise to get rid of the supply-and-demand system in agriculture.

tory leadership hopefuls

Leadership candidate Steven Blaney speaks during the Conservative Party French language leadership debate on Tuesday in Quebec City. (Photo: Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

Blaney, one of only two francophones in the debate, said farmers work hard while Bernier likes to "go jogging."

"They (farmers) are not in the room tonight because they are working," Blaney said.

Bernier, the other francophone hopeful, defended his record as a cabinet minister in Stephen Harper's former Tory government even though he was not successful in getting the supply-and-demand system abolished.

Many of the anglophone candidates, including Lisa Raitt, Deepak Obhrai and Brad Trost, appeared to struggle in the debate and read pre-prepared answers.

"They (farmers) are not in the room tonight because they are working."

The other participants in the debate were Chris Alexander, Michael Chong, Erin O'Toole, Andrew Scheer, Pierre Lemieux, Rick Peterson and Andrew Saxton.

Many of the candidates spoke of the importance of Quebec within Canada, as well as the need for the Conservatives to have a bilingual leader.

"One cannot understand Canada and one cannot prepare to govern Canada without understanding Quebec," said Alexander, a former immigration minister.

Chong, who has been an MP since 2004, also played up the French fact.

"Thirty years ago, under the other Trudeau, Pierre Elliott, my family almost lost everything — our home, our jobs, our hopes."

"I believe in values and principles," he said. "I am a friend of francophones. I am a francophile. I have always believed in the French fact. ... And as leader, I will defend the French fact in North America."

One of the odder comments of the night came from Peterson, a Vancouver-based businessman.

"Thirty years ago, under the other Trudeau, Pierre Elliott, my family almost lost everything — our home, our jobs, our hopes," he said. "In the fridge there was only a jar of pickles. Under Justin, we're on the same road."

Kevin O'Leary expected to join race

The debate was held against the backdrop of rumours that celebrity businessman Kevin O'Leary will finally launch his campaign Wednesday afternoon in Toronto.

O'Leary, who does not speak French but is taking lessons, said he's "getting frustrated" with how many candidates are still in the running.

He said the crowded field has reduced the debates to "just a bunch of sound bites."

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A widower in B.C. is reaching out to moms after his wife took her own life, following a struggle with postpartum depression.

Florence Leung gave birth to a boy last September. Less than two months later, she disappeared. After an intense extended search, her body was found off the coast of Vancouver in November.

Florence Leung, 32, struggled with postpartum depression after the birth of her son.

This week, her husband, Kim Chen, sent a message of support to new mothers, hoping that they will reach out for help, and learn from his wife's story.

"For all the new moms experiencing low mood or anxiety, please seek help and talk about your feelings," he wrote on Facebook Tuesday. "You are Not alone. You are Not a bad mother."

In a Facebook group dedicated to his wife's memory, Chen urged hospitals to put less pressure on moms to breastfeed.

"Apparently the hospitals are designated 'baby-friendly' only if they promote exclusive-breastfeeding," Chen wrote, adding moms who opt for formula milk should not be shamed as bad parents.

florence leung kim chen

Florence Leung, seen with her husband, was a photographer.

Health Canada recommends breastfeeding as the only food for infants in the first six months. However, many women are often unable to for many reasons, such as illness or an inability to produce enough milk.

Chen said he remembers receiving a handout when his wife was discharged from the maternity unit, urging exclusive breastfeeding for the first six months, and posters around the hospital touting that "Breast is Best."

"While agreeing to the benefits of breast milk, there [NEEDS] to be an understanding that it is OK to supplement with formula, and that formula is a completely viable option," wrote Chen.

Postpartum depression generally affects 20 per cent of women — and sometimes men — in the first year after childbirth. It is characterized by persistent feelings of sadness and hopelessness, and sometimes thoughts of harming oneself or the child, according to the Canadian Mental Health Association.

Recent reports indicate that not being able to breastfeed may increase the risk of postpartum depression, noted a study published in the Depression Research and Treatment journal.

"You are not alone. You are not a bad mother."

The Facebook group in Leung's memory has also become a place for parents to discuss mental health.

Chen also shared the difficulties he's experienced since losing his partner.

"As the initial shock and emotional numbness slowly subsides, I'm experiencing more flashbacks of memories from our 6.5 years of happiness, and for now these memories tend to trigger pain and intense longing."

He added that their baby boy is "growing well and well taken care of, he is at 90th percentile for height and weight, and smiles and laughs a lot!"

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Kevin O'Leary has announced he is running for the Conservative leadership, suggesting that as a businessman, he is better qualified that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to work with president-elect Donald Trump.

O'Leary said he intended to run in a video posted to his Facebook page Wednesday morning, moments before making the official announcement on CTV.

It's official, I'm in. The Conservative Party of Canada needs a candidate who can beat Justin Trudeau and bring back jobs to this country!
Posted by Kevin O'Leary on Wednesday, 18 January 2017

In a statement, O'Leary said Canadians need a prime minister who will kickstart the economy and support business — particularly in light of political changes in the United States.

"Now, with the election of Donald Trump to our south, Canada's largest trading partner is headed by a businessman with an aggressive strategy that could hurt the Canadian economy. Trudeau doesn't stand a chance, and we deserve better,'' he said.

"Canadians are looking for a prime minister who is not a career politician; a prime minister who will fight for them, and is not afraid to tell them how it is. They also want a prime minister who will be inclusive and not lower themselves to use divisive politics,'' he said.

"Since the start of this leadership race I have looked for a candidate with these qualities, but it has become clear that I am the only one that can defeat Trudeau.''

kevin oleary

Kevin O'Leary attends the 2016 Interbrand Breakthrough Brands Summit at New York Stock Exchange on July 27, 2016. (Photo: Matthew Eisman/Getty Images)

O'Leary — an author and financial guru who became known to many Canadians as a judge on the CBC-TV show "Dragons' Den'' — will be competing against 13 other candidates, including MPs Kellie Leitch, Maxime Bernier and Steven Blaney.

Those already in the race faced off in a French-language debate Tuesday night in Quebec City.

O'Leary, who does not speak French but is now taking lessons, was not at the debate, since he had not officially registered at the time.

He has said the crowded field has reduced the debates, in his words, to "just a bunch of sound bites.''

tory leadership hopefuls

Leadership candidate Steven Blaney speaks during the Conservative Party French language leadership debate on Tuesday in Quebec City. (Photo: Jacques Boissinot/The Canadian Press)

Tuesday's debate often saw Bernier the target of his rivals, with Leitch and Blaney in particular taking aim at the former cabinet minister on different topics.

The other participants were Lisa Raitt, Deepak Obhrai, Brad Trost, Chris Alexander, Michael Chong, Erin O'Toole, Andrew Scheer, Pierre Lemieux, Rick Peterson and Andrew Saxton.

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Many Canadian millennials need their parents’ help to buy a house these days. Others find themselves living with the folks well into adulthood — a phenomenon that is at its highest level in decades.

While those moves seem sensible in an era when young people face a stagnant job market and rising home prices, it’s also putting stress on their Baby Boomer parents, and threatening the parents’ retirement, says a new survey prepared for TD Canada Trust.

The bank calls this the “deja-boom effect.”

“The tradeoff between providing financial support and saving for retirement is placing boomers under a considerable amount of financial stress,” TD said in a statement.

canada young adults home

Canadian young adults are living at home with their parents at the highest rate seen in decades. (Chart: Statistics Canada)

One in four Baby Boomers who responded to the survey carried out by Leger said they are financially supporting their adult children or grandchildren, and 62 per cent said the deja-boom effect is preventing them from saving enough for retirement.

That’s not lost on many millennials. About 44 per cent of them said they are aware that their financial situation is putting a strain on their parents.

"Both generations recognize this isn't an ideal situation, which means important conversations need to take place so everyone is on the same financial page," said Rowena Chan, senior VP of TD Wealth Financial Planning.

"Sitting down with someone who understands different family dynamics is a great first step to set defined goals and establish a financial action plan to best serve both generations."

seniors money

Boomers supporting their children should sit down with the whole family and make a financial plan, TD Canada Trust says. (Photo: GPointStudios via Getty Images)

TD lays out a series of recommendations for how to deal with the strain of the “deja boom effect.”

It suggests parents come up with a joint financial plan along with their kids “so everyone is working toward the same overall objective.”

Additionally, parents and children should set how much each person contributes to household expenses, and the family should set a deadline for when the kids are no longer being financially supported by the parents.

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Having a baby in your forties is nothing new in Hollywood, yet former “The Facts of Life” child star Kim Fields was stunned when she found out she was pregnant at 44.

At that time, Fields and her husband Christopher Morgan already had a young son named Sebastian. However, when trying for their second, Fields suffered two miscarriages.

That's why when the actress became pregnant with her second child, she mistook it for the flu.

In the video above, Fields and her hubby recount the hilarious tale of how they found out they were having a second baby.

Speaking about her second pregnancy on “The Real” in 2013, Fields said: “Funny enough, for a minute I thought I was getting pre-menopausal cause certain things were starting to be irregular and then other symptoms started — my memory and I was clumsier than normal which I couldn’t even believe was possible. Then our son got sick with a stomach virus and I caught it. Chris said, ‘No, babe, you’re a little sicker than Sebastian. You need to go and get that checked out’ and I said, ‘Okay.’ They tested me and said, ‘Oh honey, you’re not dehydrated. You’re two months pregnant.”

Today, Fields and Morgan are proud parents to nine-year-old Sebastian and three-year-old Quincy.

❤️

A photo posted by Kim Fields (@kimfieldsofficial) on Dec 14, 2016 at 8:54am PST

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In a "Nick News" interview from 1994, we catch a glimpse of the life of Neil Young -- as a dad.

Young, now 71, has lived in California for decades, but he was born in Omemee, Ontario.

He is a father of three. He had his oldest son, Zeke, in 1972 with actress Carrie Snodgress. Then he married Pegi Morton in 1977 with whom he had two children, Ben in 1978 and Amber Jean in 1984.

In the clip, Young reveals his love of model trains started when he was just a kid himself. As Amber Jean, who was 10 in the video, says matter-of-factly: "Dad's a train nerd."

And those model trains became a way for Young to share time with Ben, who has cerebral palsy.

"When I started building the railroad, I built it so that my son and I could have something to do together especially when we found out how disabled Ben was physically," Young says. He still has an entire building on his Broken Arrow ranch for their trains.

At the end of the video, Young says: "Ben has taught me you never give up. You can't say 'This is too hard.' It can't be too hard. There's so many kids with challenges that are so great and yet they just keep trying. So if I come up against something that's hard to deal with, I can handle it and it's because of him."

Neil and Pegi divorced in 2014 after being married for 36 years. In their divorce documents, they both agreed to continue supporting Ben.

neil young ben

Pegi Young, Neil Young and Ben Young attend the 30th Annual Bridge School Benefit concert on October 22, 2016 in Mountain View, California.

Ben now goes on every tour with Young. “He’s our spiritual leader in that way,” Young told the New York Times. “We take him everywhere, and he’s like a measuring stick for what’s going on.”

Ben also runs a successful organic chicken farm on the Young ranch. His sister, Amber Jean, is a textile artist.

neil young amber

Recording artist Neil Young and his daughter Amber Jean pose on the red carpet during the 40th Juno Awards in Toronto on March 27, 2011.

Using a computerized communication device in an interview with a local paper, Ben explained why he started the chicken farm. "The whole idea of nurturing animals that can give you something in return without having to slaughter them just works for me. There is a very (strong bond) between people on the farm and the animals on the farm. Besides baby chicks are so cute, and eggs are one of my favourite foods."

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Sometimes, after what seems like years and years of trying, some couples just want to call it quits.

And for the most part, if you really believe your marriage is over or if your partner is abusive in any way, it's time to go, says dating coach Chantal Heide

"If your partner is in any way mentally, physically, or verbally abusive, leave and begin divorce proceedings — you should not stay a minute longer in this relationship," the Fix That Shit – A Couples Guide To Getting Past The Sticky Stuff author tells The Huffington Post Canada.

"Get therapy for yourself too because putting up with this behaviour means you need to work on your own self-esteem and need an education in setting boundaries."

how to save marriage

But in other cases, sometimes the problem isn't your partner, it's you, she says.

Although it's hard for a lot of us to admit, things like ego and destructive behaviour can get in the way of having a healthy relationship.

"It could be you chose a good partner but your mental state is keeping you from making the most of this situation, propelling you to be your own worst enemy and create self-destructive tendencies."

And if you're not ready to give up just yet, here are nine things Heide says you should consider before asking for a divorce.

divorce

Is your brain getting in the way of a functional relationship? Set the reset button on what you thought was right or wrong.

"Your brain is designed to overlook your own faults as a measure of protecting your self-esteem. This is a functional tool for the most part, but when it goes too far it tears your relationship apart because you overlook what you should be apologizing for and fixing within yourself," Heide says.

couple talking

Did you cause fights and negativity because you didn’t apologize for your behaviours? Become comfortable saying “I’m sorry,” — this is not a sign of weakness but rather a sign of strength.

"I’m strong enough to face my faults, I’m strong enough to work on becoming a better person so we can get along better, I’m strong enough to be humble and look past my ego, ending the cycle of blaming exterior forces for my negative emotions," Heide says.

Apologize for everything, she adds. "Stop justifying and take responsibility for everything, no matter how small or how long ago, because it all matters."

angry man

Were you over-reactive? Instead of letting your ego tell you when to get angry, use your ego to tell you when you should be backing down and re-examining your behaviour, Heide says.

"Maybe you need to be less selfish, less defensive, and less verbally reactive."

meditation

Did you deal with your own emotions and reactions? "Meditate to reduce the size of your amygdala, which reduces your fight or flight reaction," Heide says.

This will make you less reactive and help you create the calm centre your relationship needs to be pulled into, she says.

couple hug

Did you ignore your partner’s good qualities? Become more in tune with reality and give credit for what’s being done, Heide says.

"Stop being so affected by ego that all you see is what you think you’re doing right while blind to anything you’re doing wrong, and stop only seeing what your partner is doing wrong while overlooking what they’re doing right."

Start saying "Thank you," for example, for everything your partner does, big or small.

couple kiss

Did you stop trying? Start being more of service without keeping score.

"In times of crisis your relationship needs a hero, someone who’s going to step up and be awesome first to pave the way and set the example for the tone of the relationship," she says.

Sometimes, she adds, we overlook the impact even our smallest gestures have on our partner's well-being, while ignoring too many of the efforts our partners make for us.

Did you use the wrong methods to get what you want from your partner? "Using tactics like withholding love, communication and affection in an attempt to angrily get what you want from your partner doesn’t work," she says.

Instead use kindness, good listening skills, and example-setting. It's also important to look at your behaviours in a relationship and remind your partner of your progress and changes, Heide adds.

"If they’re too immature to keep up with the new and improved you then you’ve earned your way out and it’s time to take the new you and find a partner who’ll be able to evolve along with you."

couple

Did you give what you seek? Ask yourself, "What do I want from this relationship?" and give it, Heide says.

"Want more apologies, more patience, better listening, more understanding, and more service? Do it, setting the example of how you want it done." In order for this to work, you have to become the most emotional leader in your relationship.

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Warning: Graphic details and testimony are included below.

CALGARY — Police officers held out hope a five-year-old Calgary boy could still be alive after he and his grandparents were initially reported missing.

"We were asked that when we first got to the scene ... to search the house to see if we could locate Nathan O'Brien who may be hiding,'' testified Const. Derek Alexon, the first forensic expert to enter the home of Alvin and Kathy Liknes on June 30, 2014.

"Did you find Nathan O'Brien?,'' asked Crown prosecutor Shane Parker.

"No we didn't.''

Douglas Garland, 56, is on trial on three counts of first-degree murder after the couple and five-year-old Nathan vanished from the couple's Calgary home. Their bodies have not been recovered.

Douglas Garland is escorted into a Calgary police station in connection with the disappearance on July 14, 2014. (Photo: Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

The 11-man, three-woman jury heard from the first responders to the Liknes family home after their disappearance.

"We were told there was what was believed to be blood on three levels. We also had information there could possibly be a kidnapping or robbery,'' Alexon testified.

Const. Trevor Matthes was one of the first officers to arrive after police received a 911 call from Jennifer O'Brien, Nathan's mother and daughter of Kathy Liknes. He said he immediately noticed a partial bloody footprint when he entered the home.

obrien family

Alvin Liknes (left), Nathan O'Brien (centre) and Kathy Liknes (right.) (Photo: Calgary Police Service)

He also found blood in hallways, in bedrooms and on the wall.

"I did note that there was a lot of blood down that south hallway leading into the bedroom. I noted that blood again as I exited. It appeared to be that there was almost like drag marks through that blood as it went downstairs to the main floor of the house,'' Matthes testified.

He said the blood trail and drag marks led out the door to the attached garage where it stopped in a pool of blood.

Matthes made another gruesome discovery when he went into the home to try to find the couple's cellphones.

"There was a workbench in front of me. What I noted was there was a dumbbell that was stuffed underneath the workbench but the end of it was just protruding a little bit. I noted there was some blood on that dumbbell,'' he said.

"As I proceeded back through the hallway to attend to what we call the main floor I noted what I would consider to be a tooth — it was laying in that back hallway where it exited out to the east side of the house.''

Matthes said he also checked throughout the house, including in closets and under the beds, to see if anyone might be hiding or injured and unable to call out.

I noted there was some blood on that dumbbell."

Alexon said DNA evidence of the three victims was gathered immediately. He said police seized a toothbrush belonging to Kathy Liknes, a razor belonging to Alvin Liknes and hockey equipment used by Nathan.

He was asked how a real crime scene was handled compared to forensic crime TV shows.

liknes home

Calgary police investigators check out the home where five-year-old Nathan O'Brien and his grandparents Alvin and Kathryn Liknes disappeared on Wednesday, July 2, 2014. (Photo: Jeff McIntosh/The Canadian Press)

"In the fictional shows, of course, everything happens within an hour. They have equipment or resources within their offices that can identify people right away or get results,'' said Alexon.

"In reality, it's not like that. We go to the scene, we collect the exhibit. We will package them and get them out to the lab. That can take days, weeks.''

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Millions of Canadians get their periods every month, but believe it or not, some can’t afford basic menstrual supplies.

Some girls are even missing school because of it, according to a northern Saskatchewan MP.

Georgina Jolibois, who is based in La Loche, Sask., told The Huffington Post Canada that food and personal hygiene products are pricey in the northern part of the province. And some communities are so small that people might have to drive an hour simply to find a store in a town that sells them, she said.

"It is very expensive, not to only buy the tampons or the pads, but also [treatment] for their cramps," she told CBC News.

"They might not have the money to buy Midol or other pain-relief medication, so they stay home."

NDP MP Georgina Jolibois is seen on Parliament Hill in February 2016.(Photo: Sean Kilpatrick/The Canadian Press)

It creates unfair barriers, she said: “All Canadian women ... should have the ability to participate freely and equally in Canadian society."

A new organization in Regina hopes to provide a solution with free menstrual cups. The silicone cups are reusable, environmentally friendly and generally cheaper than their disposable counterparts. They sell for about $40 online and can be worn for up to 12 hours before being emptied.

Typically a problem in impoverished countries

Staying home while on your period is a problem more common in impoverished countries.

A study from Uganda cited by The Guardian found that girls in rural areas miss, on average, more than 10 per cent of their school days annually because of a lack of pads and access to bathrooms, and even bullying because they have their periods.

Your Time Women's Empowerment Foundation originally planned to help girls in Colombia, but the organizers soon discovered that there was also a need in their own province.

"We have three board members that go up into northern Saskatchewan quite often, and they said, 'Wait a minute, we should be doing something here in our own backyard,'" Sandy Beug, the group's president, told HuffPost Canada.

"It is appalling that that’s happening right here in Canada."

La Loche Community School is located in one of the communities in Georgina Jolibois' riding. (Photo: Google Street View)

Secretary Lisa Peters said she’s heard from Street Culture Project, which helps vulnerable people in Regina, that young homeless women are missing school because they can't afford pads or tampons, much less food.

Together with DivaCup, a Canadian company that makes the cups, the group plans to distribute them to Street Culture Project, as well as an organization that helps impoverished young people in Colombia.

After that, they hope to go into northern Saskatchewan.

Their goals are to identify girls and women in need, educate them on how to use the cups and sanitize them, as well as answer any questions about reproductive health.

"It is appalling that that’s happening right here in Canada." — Sandy Beug, Your Time Women's Empowerment Foundation

"I know it's going to be a little icky in the beginning, and they're going to get over it, because the benefits are going to be incredible," Peters said about the cups.

"With the DivaCup, once you get the hang of it, you can wear that almost all day at school."

your time womens empowerment foundation

Lisa Peters, Lois Vanderhooft and Sandy Beug at a fundraiser for Your Time Women's Empowerment Foundation that raised $18,000. (Photo: Courtesy Karl Fix)

Jolibois, who advises the group, likes the idea. But she repeatedly stressed the sensitivity of the issue, adding that she didn't feel comfortable revealing details about her constituents' experiences.

Peters thinks that stigma is part of the problem. Girls feel embarrassed to ask, and it isn't an issue that occurs to many men.

“If we just start the conversation, and we can keep a few more girls in school, then the world's going to be a better place."

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The Tom Ford Versus Melania and Donald Trump saga continues.

After appearing on "The View" back in November and confessing that he was "sad and disappointed" with Hillary Clinton's loss in the 2016 presidential election, the 55-year-old American fashion designed revealed he had no interest in dressing president-elect Trump's wife, Melania.

"I was asked to dress her quite a few years ago and I declined," Ford said. "She’s not necessarily my image."

This got a lot of people talking, in both politics and fashion.

The "Nocturnal Animals" director clarified his remarks at the 2017 Golden Globes, saying that "given this president's belief about 'made in America,'" both the president-elect and first lady should only wear clothes made in America and accessible to all Americans.

tom ford

"I think that whoever is the president, or the first lady, should be wearing clothes at a price point that are accessible to most Americans, and wearing clothes made in America. My clothes are made in Italy, they're very, very expensive. I don't think most women or men in our country can relate to that, and I think the first lady or the president should represent all people."

Enter Donald Trump.

The president-elect appeared on "Fox & Friends" on Tuesday, adding Melania never asked Ford to dress her in the first place.

President-elect #DonaldTrump on #TomFord refusing to dress #MelaniaTrump: "He was never asked to dress [Melania]… I’m not a fan of Tom Ford" pic.twitter.com/1PmMPWs9zk
— Fox News (@FoxNews) January 18, 2017

"[She] never asked Tom Ford, doesn't like Tom Ford. Doesn't like his designs. He was never asked to dress [Melania]," Trump told Ainsley Earhardt.

“I’m not a fan of Tom Ford, never have been,” Trump said.

melania trump

Trump also said Wynn Resorts CEO Steve Wynn called him and thought, "it was so terrible what Tom Ford said that he threw his clothing out of his Las Vegas hotel."

(Side note: tossing designer clothes out the window? Sad!)

(Side note again: should Trump really be encouraging people to throw out designer clothes considering he is the man to claim his inauguration is causing a dress shortage in Washington? We don't think so.)

As of press time, it is still unclear who will dress Melania for Donald Trump's inauguration on January 20, but, of course, there are the rumours. Both Ralph Lauren and Karl Lagerfeld are reportedly in the running to dress the future first lady.

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DALLAS — The evolution of a caste system in the economy cabin of jetliners is deepening, with passengers divided and treated differently based on how much they are willing to pay the airline.

American Airlines announced Wednesday that passengers will be able to buy "basic economy'' tickets starting next month that will be similar to bare-bones fares already offered by Delta Air Lines and soon to be matched by United Airlines.

If you want to get the cheapest fare on American or United, you will have to leave that rolling carry-on bag at home. Passengers who pay basic-economy rates on those carriers will be limited to one item that fits under their seat — no wheeled bags that take up space in the overhead bins.

american airlines logo

American Airlines unveils a new company logo and exterior paint scheme on a Boeing 737-800 aircraft on January 17, 2013 in Dallas, Texas. (Photo: Tom Pennington/Getty Images)

American didn't describe prices for its version of basic economy, which will begin at 10 U.S. airports and later be expanded nationwide and to close international destinations such as the Caribbean.

On randomly chosen flights next month on Delta, the basic-economy price ranged from $7 to $25 cheaper than a regular economy ticket. Rick Seaney, CEO of FareCompare.com, said savings can be even higher because Delta tends to try to match prices for Spirit Airlines and Frontier Airlines. But, he said, Delta limits the number of basic-economy seats much the same way that it limits seats available for customers paying with frequent-flier miles.

The idea behind the stripped-down ticket is to better compete with discount airlines for travellers on a tight budget. Spirit and Frontier go after those customers with cheap fares, then tack on fees for extras including use of the overhead bins.

Delta offers basic economy on about 40 per cent of its U.S. routes and plans to cover them all by year-end and expand it to international flights. United officials said Wednesday that they will begin selling a similar ticket by the end of March at one airport, Minneapolis, for travel starting in late spring or early summer, then expand to the rest of the U.S.

If you buy a basic-economy fare on American, you can expect this:

No wheeled carry-on bags; you'll be allowed just a single item that fits under the seat.

You will be in the last group to board the plane unless you're already a high-level member of American's loyalty program or hold an American-branded credit card.

Tickets are nonrefundable and can't be changed.

No upgrades allowed.

Basic-economy buyers aren't able to pick a seat when they buy their ticket, although American will let them pay extra for a seat assignment starting 48 hours before the flight. The policy will make it harder for two or more people to sit together if they buy basic-economy fares, although American said it will try to seat children 13 and under with an adult family member.

American Airlines President Robert Isom said in a memo to employees that flight attendants won't monitor whether basic-economy ticket holders try to put their personal item in the overhead bins. United Airlines President Scott Kirby said his airline would take a similar approach.

An American Airlines jetliner at Los Angeles International Airport. (Photo: Shutterstock/Jorg Hackemann)

If a customer gets past the United ticket counter and to the gate with a wheeled bag, an employee will take the bag and the customer will be charged a bag fee and a "handling fee,'' Kirby said. The fee for a first checked bag is $25, and the handling fee will also be $25. American plans a similar $25 extra fee.

The big airlines hope that cut-rate fares will win back some of the passengers they are now losing to fast-growing discount carriers. They also aim to try to convince customers to buy more expensive tickets with more flexibility and amenities. Delta says that about half the customers who intend to buy basic economy decide, when presented with options, to trade up.

Delta's president, Glen Hauenstein, said recently that the industry is in the early stages of segmenting the main cabin — in Delta's case, from basic economy to "premium select,'' which has more room and a special menu and is sort of a watered-down version of business-class.

This slicing and dicing of economy passengers "will deliver significant shareholder value over the next three to five years,'' Hauenstein said.

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TORONTO — A suggestion from the head of Canada's central bank that an interest rate cut "remains on the table" sent the Canadian dollar down more than a full U.S. cent on Wednesday.

The loonie lost 1.16 U.S. cents to 75.42 cents US, as it also felt the weight of falling crude prices and a strengthening greenback.

It has been a volatile two days for the Canadian dollar, which had gained nearly two-thirds of a U.S. cent on Tuesday after comments from Donald Trump hinted the president-elect may be in favour of a weaker U.S. dollar.

On Wednesday, the loonie started to soften during a news conference by Bank of Canada governor Stephen Poloz where he said an interest rate cut was still possible if the Canadian economy deteriorates amid uncertainty surrounding Trump's policies.

Stephen Poloz, governor of the Bank of Canada, listens during a press conference in Ottawa, Ontario, Canada, on Wednesday, July 13, 2016. (Photo: David Kawai/Bloomberg via Getty Images)

In its latest monetary policy report, the bank announced that it was keeping its key interest rate unchanged at 0.5 per cent, where it has been since July 2015.

It also warned that there would be "material consequences'' for trade if protectionist policies come into effect under Trump.

"We identified a number of downside risks as well as upside risks in our projections. But should any of those downside risks materialize and put our inflation target at risk, then we would have the room to manoeuvre," Poloz told reporters in Ottawa.

"In that context, especially with inflation being below target for a prolonged period, yes a rate cut remains on the table and it would remain on the table as long as those downside risks are still present."

"The band of uncertainty has certainly increased in 2017 and it's comforting to know that the Bank of Canada is not only paying attention but also willing to act."

This isn't the first time the Canadian dollar has fallen sharply due to comments about a possible rate cut. The currency had declined but then quickly recovered during a session in mid-October after Poloz had revealed that a rate cut was under consideration.

Cynthia Caskey, a portfolio manager and vice president at TD Wealth, says financial markets should take solace in the bank's decisiveness if conditions begin to warrant a move.

"The band of uncertainty has certainly increased in 2017 and it's comforting to know that the Bank of Canada is not only paying attention but also willing to act," she said.

Markets mixed

North American stock markets were mixed, as the S&P/TSX composite index in Toronto fell 43.51 points at 15,397.85.

On Wall Street, the Dow Jones industrial average was down a moderate 22.05 points to 19,804.72, while the S&P 500 gained four points to 2,271.89. The tech-heavy Nasdaq composite was ahead 16.92 points at 5,555.65.

In commodities, the February crude contract lost $1.40 to US$51.08 per barrel and February natural gas was down 11 cents at US$3.30 per mmBTU.

The February gold contract lost 80 cents to US$1,212.10 an ounce and March copper contracts were down a penny at US$2.61 a pound.

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TORONTO — Uncertainty is swirling around a vote by the organizer of Toronto's Pride parade to ostensibly ban official police floats from future festivities.

A surprise vote at Pride Toronto's annual general meeting saw members vote to adopt a list of demands put forward by the local chapter of Black Lives Matter, which interrupted last year's parade with a protest.

The demands included removing police floats from Pride marches and parades, as well as requests for more funding for certain events and greater representation for marginalized groups.

Members present at Tuesday night's meeting say a last-minute motion saw members vote overwhelmingly to adopt the demands as a whole.

pride toronto police

Members of the Toronto Police Service dance during the 2016 Pride Parade in Toronto. (Photo: Michael Hudson/The Canadian Press)

But they say the motion did not get into details concerning what, if any, kind of police presence would be welcome at the parade.

Toronto Police spokesman Mark Pugash says he's unwilling to comment specifically on the vote until the terms of the decision are clearer, and Pride Toronto did not respond to request for comment.

Gwen Bartleman, a Pride Toronto member who helped push the Black Lives Matter demands onto the agenda at the meeting, said she views the vote as a successful step towards making sure all members of the LGBTQ community feel safe.

Still, she conceded that many nuances of the vote will have to be ironed out in the coming weeks.

pride toronto black lives matter

Alexandria Williams and members of Black Lives Matter at the 2016 Pride Parade in Toronto. (Photo: Michael Hudson/The Canadian Press)

"The crux of that demand ... is that there's no police presence in the parade," Bartleman said in a telephone interview. "If that means no uniformed officers, I'm not sure. What constitutes presence, what constitutes a float, this is all up for conversation."

Black Lives Matter has previously stated that individual officers identifying as LGBTQ should be welcome to march in the parade as individuals, but the issue was not discussed on Tuesday.

Bartleman said the Black Lives Matter demands were not originally on the AGM agenda when it was released days before the meeting, a fact that she and other community members found troubling.

The list of nine requests from the advocacy group has been the source of controversy and polarization within the community since the 2016 Pride parade, during which the group staged a half-hour sit-in to present their list of demands.

The parade ground to a halt and only resumed when Pride Toronto's then-executive director Matthieu Chantelois signed the list of demands. He later told the media that he only did so in order to get the event moving again.

pride parade toronto

Pride Parade takes place in Toronto. (Photo: Rick Madonik/Toronto Star via Getty Images)

Chantelois resigned about a month later amid allegations of racism and harassment in the workplace, but the issue did not die with his departure.

Pride Toronto issued an apology in September for what it described as a "history of anti-blackness" and "repeated marginalization of the marginalized," pledging at that time to honour the promises made to Black Lives Matter.

Bartleman said she and other members helped push the item on the agenda to ensure this promise was kept.

She said the meeting chair initially resisted efforts to add the motion, which simply stated that Pride should adopt eight of the nine demands. One, a request to hold a town hall meeting, was dropped because it had already been fulfilled.

Bartleman said she and other members officially challenged the chair and had the item added, saying it received "overwhelming" support from what she estimated to be hundreds of people in the room.

"The Black Lives Matters issues and demands are queer demands."

Bartleman said championing the Black Lives Matter demands seemed a natural extension of her advocacy on behalf of the LGBTQ community.

"The Black Lives Matters issues and demands are queer demands," she said. "There's no separation for me between that."

She said the police force is not supportive of the community at large and said people still don't view police as allies.

But Pugash said the force is actively working to strengthen ties with the community and said Tuesday's vote will not change those efforts regardless of how it's implemented.

"We've made great progress," he said. "We know we still have a lot more to do, but we're particularly interested in reaching out to groups that feel marginalized."

Social media teemed with negative reaction to Tuesday's vote, criticizing Pride Toronto for ostensibly abandoning its philosophy of inclusion by banning police.

"Police officers are significantly represented in the LGBTQ community and it would be unacceptable to alienate and discriminate against them and those who support them."

Some referenced an open letter from Toronto Const. Chuck Crangle, who is openly gay and decried any move to leave his employer out of the parade.

"Police officers are significantly represented in the LGBTQ community and it would be unacceptable to alienate and discriminate against them and those who support them," he wrote. "They too struggled to gain a place and workplace free from discrimination and bias."

But others felt Pride Toronto was not abandoning its roots.

Rem Zelaya, 26, attended the AGM and voted in support of the motion.

"Being inclusive doesn't mean having to have every service organization or corporate sponsor in the parade," he said. "Police services are not a marginalized group. I don't see the need where they have to be represented in that way."

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Gentlemen, are you getting your best shave?

Shaving is something many men do every day, but that doesn't mean we really know what we're doing.

After some research, I learned I was skipping steps when it came to my shaving routine. And in doing so, I caused irritation to my skin (and that was not fun at all!)

From understanding the importance of moisturizing to making sure you use a well-balanced razor, check out my video above to learn five easy steps to improve your shaving technique and my blog, STM.

And for more tips on how to get a perfect shave, check out the slideshow below!

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A Halifax mother says she was called a “bitch” and “child abuser” on social media after Ezra Levant re-posted a photo of her taking her son to see Justin Trudeau.

Erin Moore, a journalism instructor at Nova Scotia Community College, took her seven-year-old to the prime minister’s town hall on Monday. She posted a photo on Twitter, saying they had waited an hour in the cold to get into the event.

Levant retweeted Moore’s photo with the caption “'Journalism Instructor'” to which she responded.

An hour in long line in the freezing cold to take Ollie to see @JustinTrudeau in Dartmouth. pic.twitter.com/RfdDkxk7e4
— Erin Moore (@moorejourno) January 16, 2017

"Journalism instructor". https://t.co/zJAfu1tBsn
— Ezra Levant (@ezralevant) January 16, 2017

“The implication I’m guessing is that I couldn’t possibly have journalistic integrity if I took my child to a Liberal event,” Moore wrote in the Halifax Examiner.

“My Twitter account started blowing up with mostly anonymous users calling me a child abuser, a bad mother, and a bitch. Hundreds of them. They’re still coming.”

@ezralevant this is child abuse.
— doubledeuce22 (@doubledeuce222) January 16, 2017

@ezralevant STOP

INVOLVING

KIDS

IN

POLITICS
— Mattchu Picchu (@MattchuPicchu85) January 16, 2017

@ezralevant looks like child abuse to me.
— liqdmetal (@liqdmetal) January 16, 2017

@ezralevant @moorejourno @JustinTrudeau Cause that's what a good parent does, brings their kid to see a pussy in the freezing cold
— Angry Asian (@AngryAsian60) January 17, 2017

Levant is a former lawyer who now runs The Rebel, a conservative website. He became known for his outspoken rants on Sun News — including one where he referred to former prime minister Pierre Elliot Trudeau as "a slut."

The former Sun News host shared an exclusive excerpt of his new book, Trumping Trudeau, on Breitbart News on Wednesday.

The site used to be run by Steve Bannon, who is now chief strategist to U.S. President-elect Donald Trump. Bannon described the site as the "platform of the alt-right," which is a U.S.-based offshoot of conservatism that combines elements of racism, white nationalism and populism.

Moore said it was her intention was to introduce her son to politics and encourage him to become an engaged citizen.

Yes, journalism instructor (no quotes) introducing son to democratic experience of listening to PM while protestors demonstrate outside. https://t.co/tY0YuAhRFn
— Erin Moore (@moorejourno) January 16, 2017

Trudeau was in town taking questions as part of a cross-country tour. Over the next few weeks, he's set to visit Ontario, Quebec, British Columbia and the prairies, with later trips to the north and the Maritimes.

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ABBOTSFORD, B.C. — Convicted killer Kelly Ellard says she sees the world through different eyes after the birth of her newborn baby, but her emotional plea for prison leave wasn't enough to convince one parole board member.

Ellard was asking the board's permission for escorted absences for parenting programs and her child's doctors' appointments, but the two board members were split on their decision Wednesday.

The 34-year-old told the panel she wanted to bond with her baby, adding she had "big plans" for her future with her child and she needed to start now.

"It's kind of amazing how much this child has calmed me," she said before breaking down in tears. "It's the best therapy I could have hoped for." The gender of her child was not mentioned at Wednesday's hearing.

Kelly Ellard and her father Lawrence leave the Vancouver courthouse, March 30, 2000. (Photo: Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press)

Ellard was convicted of second-degree murder after being tried as an adult in the 1997 beating and drowning death of 14-year-old Reena Virk near Victoria.

The Parole Board said another hearing will be held for Ellard at a later date.

She was seeking up to five absences a month, for up to four hours each time, over a 90-day period. Ellard would be supervised by a correctional officer, a chaplain or a trained civilian.

A media report said last October that Ellard was eight-months pregnant following a conjugal visit from her boyfriend.

Baby living in prison with Ellard

The baby is living with her at the prison as part of a Canada-wide program that allows incarcerated mothers to live with their infants in special rooms.

Board member Kim Polowek told Ellard she was concerned about her relationship with the baby's father, a two-time federal offender whose parole was revoked last year after an alleged breach.

Ellard responded that the pair had a plan to rely on each other to avoid substance use or criminal behaviour. She said it was more motivating to be with someone who also has a criminal history, rather than "some random person who hasn't been through it."

She avoided discussing the parole breach her boyfriend is alleged to have committed, but said it was "very disappointing" to her.

"I don't have the level of confidence I once did," she said, choking back sobs.

Admitted to murder last year

At Ellard's day parole hearing last May, she took responsibility for the death of Virk after repeatedly denying that she was involved, but said she was a child herself at just 15 years old.

Board members rejected her request for parole then, saying she came across as "very entitled" in presenting her case for release.

Ellard was tried three times in Virk's death, and testimony from those trials heard that she and Warren Glowatski followed Virk after the girl limped away from being swarmed and beaten by a group of girls.

But Ellard's story to the parole board in May differed from what the trials heard. She repeated a similar story to the panel on Wednesday.

Kelly Ellard in shown in an artist's drawing while she is on the stand at her trial at B.C. Supreme Court on July 7, 2004. (Photo: Jane Wolsak/The Canadian Press)

Ellard said she and Glowatski did go after Virk and found her near the edge of the water.

She said she flicked a lighter to see Virk's face and observed the girl was covered in blood. She asked Glowatski to help her bring Virk closer to the water and began to splash her face, but she said Virk did not react.

Her trials heard Ellard held Virk's head under the water, but she denied it.

"She was unconscious. There was no need for that," she said Wednesday.

"I wonder: 'Is there more to come?'"

Board members told Ellard they were concerned about the many varying versions of events she has provided over the years. Polowek also said examples of "sneakiness and manipulation" were all over her file, in which she denied incidents or refused to take full responsibility.

"I wonder: 'Is there more to come?'" asked Polowek.

Ellard said she had only told one other version of Virk's death, in which she denied putting her in the water.

'I felt very guilty'

She said it took her a long time to share the truth, in part because, although she disagrees with Glowatski's version of events, she thought her admission might cause him more trouble.

"I felt very guilty," she said. "I know that he's done a lot to change his life."

Glowatski, who was convicted of second-degree murder, was released on full parole in 2009 after offering an apology to Virk's parents.

As for the Virk family, she said, she felt that every time the story changed, it caused them more pain.

Ellard said she knows the loss of their daughter has been "devastating."

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Thirteen car and energy industry giants are teaming up to push hydrogen as the world's next major fuel source.

Honda, Hyundai, Royal Dutch Shell, BMW Group and Toyota are among the companies that have formed the "Hydrogen Council."

The group said in a release Tuesday that its formation is "a global initiative to voice a united vision and long-term ambition for hydrogen to foster the energy transition."

hydrogen car

Toyota shows off a hydrogen-powered car at the Bangkok International Motor Show in 2015. (Photo: Shutterstock)

Members of the council will make significant investments in hydrogen as an attempt to transition from fossil fuels to a cleaner form of energy, to the tune of a combined €1.4 billion per year.

"At Toyota, we have always tried to play a leading role in environmental," Toyota chairman Takeshi Uchiyamada said in the release, adding that hydrogen has the potential to support a "low-carbon society."

Toyota plans to use fuel cells to reduce 90 per cent of vehicle emissions by 2050, Bloomberg News reported.

Hydrogen vs. electric cars

Hydrogen-powered cars are a tempting alternative for auto manufacturers. They offer the incentive of have a much larger range than electric vehicles, and take almost no time to refuel.

However, many have criticized the expensive infrastructure needed to support them.

Elon Musk, CEO of electric-car company Tesla, criticized hydrogen as a poor alternative to electric last year.

"I just think that they're extremely silly .... it's just very difficult to make hydrogen and store it and use it in a car," he said, as reported by Business Insider.

There are currently fewer than 20 hydrogen-fueling stations across in Canada — only a few of which are operating.

However, these are concerns that could be addressed by the council's investments, which also are intended to tackle more than just the auto industry.

"We are not trying to bring hydrogen only to cars or trains. We are trying to bring a systemic approach," said Benoît Potier, head of French supplier Air Liquide, according to CNET.

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