How would you describe your comedy style?

My comedic style is very off the cuff and sometimes very tongue-in-cheek. I lighten my show by not taking it too seriously and allow a lot of audience play to create a fun environment and welcoming atmosphere while still performing some impossible psychological feats. It’s important to create laughter as it brings a room together

Who are some of your influences?

My influences are across many genres. The Amazing Kreskin was always on television as a child, as was Doug Henning, although he was known for Grand Illusion. His relaxed style was always welcoming. As for characters, I am a huge fan of classic wrestling with some of the bombastic ones heavily influencing my nuances and even look over the years.

Who was your favourite comedian growing up?

Red Foxx is the GOAT, and his ability to adapt to both the mainstream and Chitlin circuit is unmatchable. His albums were so important for their time, and Sanford and Son was one of the greatest sitcoms of all time. That being said, I never work “blue” but understand the importance of knowing your audience.

Who is your favourite comedian now?

Jimmy Carr and Jim Jeffries are a tie. I also enjoy the comedy of Canadian improv genius Ken Hall of the two-man no show, as well as many other award-winning live shows.

What is your pre-show ritual?

Usually, I don’t have much time for a ritual, but if anything, I often will listen to a few music tracks on my Spotify and envision the success of the night.

What is your favourite place you have performed? Why?

The Magic Castle in Hollywood, CA, it is the world’s most prestigious venue for magicians, and had having the opportunity to work there over 100 shows was my dream come true.

What is your favourite bit you have written and why were you proud of it?

I enjoy what’s known as a book test, where a guest thinks of a word in a book, and I am able to know it. I created my own version of this effect, and it’s so strong and personal and can play for an entire 15 minutes with layers and even turns the audience member into a thought reader. I’m proud of the amount of thinking that went into it and the results it’s had with me and other mentalists using it in their show.

What is your favourite medium for listening or finding new comics/comedians?

Going to clubs, watching and meeting them. I have a fun act named Kali Williams on my next public show as an opener, who I met at a venue I work at monthly, and they killed it. Online is fine, but seeing the acts and the audience reaction is key.

Tell us a joke about your city.

The Transit System. It is so delayed whenever I use it that it’s not uncommon I start performing for patrons to elevate the mood and kill time. Then I’m asked, “Why are you on the TTC?” To me, usually replying “why are you?”

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | TikTok

PAY IT FORWARD: Who is another local comic/comedian we should know about?

Kali Williams

The post Tragedy Plus Time: Comedian Mysterion the Mind Reader appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

Otis is the author of two published books, The Gifted and Song of Seasons, the latter of which was recently released. These works mark the beginning of a developing body of writing, as he continues to work on several additional projects that expand both his storytelling and his exploration of different styles and genres. Through his writing, Otis aims to create engaging narratives that resonate with readers and encourage curiosity, imagination, and emotional connection.

Originally from Toronto, Ontario, Canada, Otis draws inspiration from everyday experiences, people, and the diverse communities that surround him. In addition to his writing, he is committed to giving back to his community. He regularly volunteers at a local food bank, supporting efforts to help those in need and strengthen community connections.

When he is not writing, Otis enjoys spending time developing new ideas for future books while continuing to engage with his local community and creative pursuits.

***

Which ’hood are you in?

Bathurst Manor

What do you do?

I am a Canadian novelist who writes purely out of passion and the love of the game. I am someone who would pay others so that I could write, and I am fortunate enough that I do not have to. I simply love it and view it as a form of art; where if a picture is the equivalent of a thousand words than a book is the equivalent to at least 50 pictures.

What are you currently working on?

Currently, I am working on my third book… which I don’t want to talk about because I do not want anyone to steal the idea. In between that, I get up to too many other things. From volunteering at a food bank every week to helping out at my family’s business, I am usually busy.

Where can we find your work?

In bookstores in Canada, as well as on Amazon. Unfortunately, I do not use social media, but I am working on a website, where I will post some short works of mine for free. It will also have a way for people to reach out to me if they want to.

The post “A Day in the Life” with: Author Michael Otis appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

What is your channel called and what is it about?

My name is Eli (eli.alii on all platforms), and my content is all about exploring Toronto through my lens. From food spots and thrift finds to hidden gems and everyday experiences. I like showing both the fun and chaotic sides of city life in a way that people can actually connect with. Everything I share is rooted in my personality, so it feels real, relatable, and a little unfiltered.

When did you start it? What motivated you at the beginning?

Honestly, it goes back to around 2010, when I was watching creators like Superwoman and seeing how they could turn everyday moments into something entertaining and relatable. That really stuck with me.

I’ve always been posting on my Instagram stories – sharing little moments of my life in the city without even realizing it was the beginning of something bigger. I’ve always been a bubbly extrovert who loves making people laugh and putting my put my friends on hidden gems, for as long as I can remember.

At the start of 2025, I created my first vision board and put “content creator” on it — and that’s when things really shifted for me. I’ve always believed in manifesting whatever I wanted, whether it’s a new job or a travel opportunity; content creation was no different. I decided to take it seriously, and from there, it naturally started to grow into what it is today.

Who were you inspired by? Any influences?

This might sound corny, but I’m doing this for my future self. I owe it to myself to see this through and show up every day. There have been so many times in my life where I started something, gave up, and regretted it — and this chapter isn’t going to be one of them.
I’ve learned to tune out the noise and not let negativity get to me. If anything, it fuels me. It pushes me to be better and inspires me to prove to myself that I can actually make it. Even though I’m still a micro-influencer, the people around me and my community have been my biggest motivators and cheerleaders. Their constant support and encouragement are what keep me going — and honestly, without them, I might have given up.

How would you describe your audience?

My audience is primarily young adults who are navigating life in a big city [like Toronto]. They’re curious, social, and always looking for new experiences. whether that’s trying new restaurants, discovering hidden gems, or relating to everyday moments.

They gravitate toward content that feels real, unpolished, and authentic — like advice or recommendations coming from your home girl or your best friend. It’s personality-driven, honest, entertaining, and easy to connect with.

What is your creative process? Do you have people who work with you?

I’m a solo content creator at the moment, and my process is very instinctive. Most of my ideas come from real thoughts or moments — either something I want to vent about, a struggle I’m going through, or something I’ve discovered and feel like I need to put people on because they would genuinely love it.

From there, I focus on building a strong hook and turning that idea into content that feels natural, unpolished, and authentic. I don’t like overproducing — I want it to feel like you’re hearing something from your best friend, not watching something staged.

I handle everything myself, from ideation to filming and editing, which allows me to stay true to my voice. I also sometimes create content with my mom, which adds another layer of fun and personal element to what I do.

How do you monetize your content? Do you also have another job?

I’m currently in the early stages of monetizing my content, with a focus on building a strong and engaged community first. I’m intentional about growing my platform in a way that aligns with my style and audience, and I’m open to brand collaborations that feel authentic to my content.

Alongside content creation, I work full-time as a Project Coordinator, and balancing both has helped me stay consistent, disciplined, and strategic as I continue to grow my platform.

What is your favourite piece of content you have created?

Check it here!

What is the best part about what you do? What is the worst part?

The best part about what I do is being able to express myself freely and unapologetically, while also connecting with people who genuinely relate to my content. I’ve also built an amazing network and friendships with other content creators in Toronto, which has been such a rewarding part of the journey.

I love when people come up to me and tell me that my content resonated with them or which restaurants have become their go-to because of my recommendations. It makes everything feel meaningful.

The most challenging part is the unpredictability of social media. You can put a lot of effort into something and not always see immediate results – which can be discouraging. Even though I genuinely love creating content, things like finding motivation to edit or even dealing with limited storage can be frustrating at times.

But those small challenges have pushed me to build resilience, stay motivated, and keep showing up consistently regardless of the outcome.

What are your future plans for your channel?

My goal is to continue growing my platform into a strong, engaged community where people feel like they can relate, connect, and be part of something real. I want it to feel like a space where you can come for recommendations, honest opinions, and everyday moments — like you’re hearing it from a friend.

Long-term, I want to turn this into something I can do full-time and build a career out of it. A big part of my motivation is being able to support my family and eventually retire my parents — that’s something that really drives me to keep going and take this seriously.

Where can we follow you?

Instagram | TikTok

PAY IT FORWARD: What is another Canadian content creator that you love?

@Getrealwithreish – I love her content, talking about women’s health and wellness

The post My Digital Life: Content Creator Eli Alii appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

This clever guy is a true toy enthusiast who loves to proudly carry a favourite toy in his mouth on walks, show off his impressive “down” command, and play enthusiastic games of fetch and tug-of-war. While Eli can start his days with a burst of high-energy excitement, which leads to some jumpiness and pulling, he settles beautifully into a calm, loose-leash stroll once he gets his initial energy out or works with treats. He does well around distractions, showing focus by calmly ignoring bikes, people, and even other dogs reacting to him out on his walks.

Eli is looking for a patient adopter who can continue his reward-based training and appreciate his affectionate, reassurance-seeking nature, promising to be an incredibly loyal, fun-loving, and rewarding addition to the family!

Eli

Breed: Mixed Breed, Large (over 44 lbs fully grown), Mix

Age: 1 year

Sex: Male

Size: L

Colour: Brown / Black

Spayed/Neutered: Yes

For Toronto Humane Society’s complete adoption process, please click here to learn more about how you can make this companion, a forever friend!

About this column:

Each week we feature animals available for adoption from local shelters in the Toronto area with the hopes that our readers will assist in finding good homes for them. If you, or someone you know, has the resources to take care of one of these animals, please do get in touch with the appropriate shelter via the links provided.

The post Eli the dog is looking for a new home in the Toronto area appeared first on Toronto Guardian.

I spoke with Connor Dagenais, a Conservation Officer with Ontario’s Ministry of Natural Resources, who says the incident occurred during routine compliance inspections in the Eganville area, west of Pembroke, Ontario.

“We were conducting compliance inspections and came into contact with an individual,” said Conservation Officer Connor Dagenais. “It was determined that he had harvested a deer but did not properly validate and attach his tag immediately after the kill.”

According to Dagenais, the individual failed to print and invalidate their deer tag, which is required by law, and continued hunting for the remainder of the season without a valid licence.

“Once you use your tag, you no longer have a licence to hunt independently,” he explained. “You can only continue hunting under specific conditions, like participating in a party hunt with someone who still has a valid tag.”

The investigation also revealed the individual had a loaded firearm in a vehicle, which is another violation under Ontario’s hunting laws.

Penalties Can Be Severe

Penalties for wildlife violations in Ontario vary depending on the severity of the offence and are determined through the courts.

“It can range from a warning all the way up to $25,000 in fines and even up to two years in jail,” said Dagenais. “We gather evidence and present it to a prosecutor, and the Ontario Court of Justice determines the outcome.”

Why Hunting Rules Matter

Officials say regulations are essential to maintaining healthy wildlife populations.

“Without hunting and fishing rules, it would be a wide-open harvest,” Dagenais said. “If everyone took every animal they saw, there would be none left.”

Wildlife management in Ontario is based on population estimates and controlled harvest levels. The province issues a limited number of tags each year to ensure sustainability.

“If more animals are taken than expected—whether through over-harvesting or illegal hunting—it can have a serious impact on the population,” he said.

Border Region Adds Complexity

The Pembroke region, located near the Quebec border, presents unique enforcement challenges.

Dagenais says officers from Ontario and Quebec often work together, particularly along the Ottawa River, where jurisdiction is shared.

“We do work with Quebec officers,” he said. “For example, during fishing season, officers from both provinces may be patrolling together.”

However, he noted that hunters and anglers must be aware of licensing rules when crossing provincial boundaries.

“Quebec licences are only valid in Ontario under very specific conditions, such as on the Ottawa River,” he said. “Outside of that, you need the proper Ontario licence.”

Common Mistakes Hunters Make

Dagenais says many violations stem from a lack of awareness rather than intentional wrongdoing.

“Everything is laid out in the hunting regulations summary,” he said. “We always tell people—read it. If you don’t know the rules, that’s where you’ll find them.”

He added that mistakes should be reported immediately.

“If you accidentally kill an animal illegally, the proper thing to do is self-report,” he said. “That’s very different from being caught in possession of an illegal animal without notifying authorities.”

Reporting Illegal Hunting

Members of the public are encouraged to report suspected violations through the Ministry’s tip line.

“You can call the MNR tips line at 1-877-847-7667,” Dagenais said. “That connects to our communications centre, and they’ll notify the nearest conservation officer.”

Response times can vary depending on officer availability and the nature of the situation.

A Job That’s Always Changing

For conservation officers, no two days are the same and each day can present its own challenges.

“It can be anything from routine inspections to active investigations,” said Dagenais. “You never really know what you’re going to encounter day to day.”

He added that while enforcement resources are generally strong, more officers would always help improve response capacity across the region.

A Message to Hunters

Dagenais says the takeaway is simple: know the rules and follow them.

“These regulations are in place to protect wildlife for future generations,” he said. “Taking the time to understand them is part of being a responsible hunter.”

The post Illegal Deer Hunt in Eastern Ontario Leads to Charges, Highlights Importance of Hunting Regulations appeared first on Toronto Guardian.