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The World Cup Promised $3.8 Billion — Here's What Canada Actually Got

       Monday July 13, 2026 FIFA promised Canada a $3.8-billion economic windfall for hosting the 2026 World Cup. Two weeks into play in Toronto, the receipts tell a very different story — and there's a lesson in it for anyone thinking a "big event" boost is coming to their city, their rental property, or their business. The Billion-Dollar Bill Came First Before a single ball was kicked, Canadian taxpayers were already on the hook. According to the Parliamentary Budget Office, governments across the country will spend roughly $1.07 billion hosting the 2026 tournament. Toronto alone budgeted $380 million to host six matches at BMO Field. British Columbia's tab for Vancouver's seven matches at BC Place came in even higher, at about $578 million. Ottawa is chipping in $473 million of that total — including $220 million in direct grants to Toronto and B.C., plus another $145 million earmarked for security costs during the tournament. Net of federal help, Toronto and B...

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Notre Dame Cathedral Reborn: First Mass Since 2019 Fire Marks Historic Moment

 

Notre Dame Cathedral, the iconic symbol of Paris, hosted its first Mass since the devastating fire of 2019 on Sunday, December 8, 2024. The event, attended by clergy, dignitaries, and guests, marked a significant milestone in the cathedral's journey from ruin to resurrection.

Archbishop Laurent Ulrich presided over the morning Mass, which included the consecration of a new bronze altar. The liturgy was a powerful symbol of Paris' resilience and the global effort to restore one of humanity's most treasured landmarks. The cathedral's restoration, fueled by nearly $1 billion in global donations, has been a testament to extraordinary craftsmanship and unyielding determination.

The evening Mass, open to the public, saw thousands gather along the Seine to witness this historic moment from afar. The cathedral's reopening is not just a religious milestone but a moment of cultural and national unity.

President Emmanuel Macron, who vowed to restore the cathedral within five years, attended the ceremonies and called the project "a jolt of hope" for France. The restoration, despite challenges such as lead contamination and the COVID-19 pandemic, has been a remarkable achievement.

As the cathedral's great organ resounded with majestic melodies and its restored stained-glass windows projected dazzling patterns of color, Rev. Olivier Ribadeau Dumas, Notre Dame's rector, remarked, "No one alive has seen the cathedral like this. It is more than restored—it is reborn."

The path to restoration has been long and arduous, but the reopening of Notre Dame stands as a testament to the enduring spirit of Paris and the global community that came together to rebuild this historic masterpiece.



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