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This Weekend's GTHA Storms Are a Preview of Your Next Insurance Bill

  Monday August 3, 2026 A tornado warning near Niagara, up to 50 mm of rain across the GTHA, and flood watches from Peel to Durham. It's a rough long weekend — and a live example of why your home insurance renewal keeps climbing. What Happened This Weekend Environment Canada issued a special weather statement for most of the GTHA on Sunday, warning of localized rainfall exceeding 50 mm. A tornado warning was briefly issued for the St. Catharines–Niagara Falls area before being lifted. Toronto and Region Conservation Authority and Credit Valley Conservation both issued flood outlook statements, warning that rivers and creeks could rise well above normal levels with a "higher potential for flooding." If this feels familiar, it's because it is. Canada's 2026 severe weather season started earlier and harder than usual — and insurers have already been telling shareholders about it for months. The storm soaking your basement window well this weekend is the same category...

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Slow-Cooker Guinness Beef Stew

Make this traditional Irish stew in your slow cooker! Cooking low and slow creates very tender beef and a robust flavor. The best part is that it's ready to eat after you get home from a long day.

Ingredients

  • 1-1/2 pounds potatoes (about 3 medium), peeled and cut into 1-inch cubes
  • 3 medium carrots, thinly sliced
  • 2 medium onions, chopped
  • 2 medium parsnips, peeled and thinly sliced
  • 2 celery ribs, cut into 1-inch pieces
  • 1 boneless beef chuck roast (3 pounds), cut into 2-inch pieces
  • 1/2 cup all-purpose flour
  • 1-3/4 teaspoons salt
  • 3/4 teaspoon pepper
  • 2 tablespoons olive oil
  • 1 can (6 ounces) tomato paste
  • 2 garlic cloves, minced
  • 1 bottle (12 ounces) Guinness stout or beef broth
  • 1 can (14-1/2 ounces) beef broth
  • 2 teaspoons minced fresh thyme or 1/2 teaspoon dried thyme
  • Minced fresh parsley
Directions

1. Place the first 5 ingredients in a 5- or 6-qt. slow cooker.

2. Toss beef with flour, salt and pepper. In a large skillet, heat oil over medium-high heat. Brown beef in batches. Transfer beef to slow cooker with a slotted spoon. Reduce heat to medium. To same skillet, add tomato paste and garlic. Cook and stir 1 minute.

3. Add beer to skillet, stirring to loosen browned bits from pan. Transfer to slow cooker. Stir in broth and thyme.

4. Cook, covered, on low until beef and vegetables are tender, 7-8 hours. Garnish with parsley.


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