The day is finally here! Toronto’s first Cineplex Canada entertainment centre, The Rec Room, has opened at the old Roundhouse Park. The building that the entertainment centre is taking over, previously occupied by Leon’s, provides the centre with 40,000 sq ft of freedom to add games, bars, large plasma screens, patios and even a stage for live entertainment.

While The Rec Room is being advertised as an ‘Eats and Entertainment’ experience, the entertainment – in my opinion – seems to outweigh the eats, but only because there’s just so much to choose from. Whether you’re looking for a futuristic voyage into a VR world, like the Ghostbuster themed quest game called The Void, or are looking for something classic, but nonetheless entertaining, like shuffleboard or ping pong, there’s something for everyone at The Rec Room.

The games will work on a credit based system, where you’ll pay $10 for 40 credits (each game costs about four to six credits, so budget accordingly). Or, if you’d like a bit more freedom and fun for the night, you can purchase an unlimited bracelet (the credits will be loaded onto a wristband that you will then wave in front of the games to activate for play) for four hours, plus 1,500 redemption credits, for just $50.

After playing all those games for a night you’ll most likely have worked up quite an appetite, and the Rec Room does not disappoint in their selection of both big and small bites. There’s two restaurants, Three10 and The Shed, that will be serving up unique dishes as well as old arcade room classics like pretzels, popcorn and fried chicken.

Keep an eye on the entertainment schedule, as the Rec Room is sure to be churning out great live shows throughout the year, especially with The Hall, which is a space at the back of the venue where the stage is perfectly sized to accommodate for small, personal concerts.

Click here to learn more about Toronto’s Rec Room.

One of my favourite playful and aesthetically inclined sock suppliers – HS Sweden Canada – is currently offering even better prices on their usually already very affordable footwear accessories. When you head over to HS Sweden Canada you’ll see that they’re having a summer sale on select socks where you can save 30% off on socks for both men and women and get FREE shipping!

What would make this offer even better? Well they’re also offering shoppers the chance to save on the shipping and handling, as they’ve decided to cover that fee for you. This free shipping and summer sale offer will only be available for a limited time.

I’m sure you’ll find it difficult to practise self restraint around retro style cherry socks, or even tropical themed pairs like these palm beach socks, but you needn’t worry too much as each pairs of these socks are being sold for just $9.80 (reg. $14). That means that two pairs of these socks will only end up costing a few dollars more than a single pair of regularly priced socks. So go ahead, stock up on socks!

Click here to begin shopping at HS Sweden Canada.

When the Tragically Hip farewell tour tickets sold out last summer in record time and were almost instantaneously being resold well beyond their original asking price, the Ontario government took notice. More specifically, they took action after hearing the many complaints from their constituents who have been dealing with this ongoing problem of tickets for sporting and musical events being up-sold for often times more than 50 percent of the original value.

This will hopefully no longer be the case, at least in Ontario, where the government is proposing the Ticket Sales Act. The act is an attempt to curb some if not all of the foul practises involved in the secondary ticket business – an industry that is globally reported to be worth as much as $8 billion US.

The Act will strive to protect the customers from over priced resale tickets, prevent “bots” from buying out all of the tickets ahead of time, and providing more transparency between businesses and customers purchasing tickets on their sites.

In total, it will cover these four areas:

• capping the resale price of tickets at 50 percent above face value
• banning tickets bots and the sale of tickets purchased using a bot
• businesses become more transparent with relevant information (i.e. number of tickets available to the public)
• enforcing new measures to help ticket selling and reselling businesses meet these industry standards

Often when people go to a website to purchase tickets for say a Blue Jays game or a Bruno Mars concert, they are floundered by the fact that in just a matter of minutes the event will become completely sold out. This is in part the result of ticket buying bots, technology that can – with the click of a button – send a script of code that has the ability to purchase up to 15,000 tickets in just two minutes.

But another less talked about reason for these tickets being sold out so fast is that venues selling the tickets actually set aside a large portion on behalf of local businesses, colleagues or the venue’s own promoter. The tickets are then actually sold ahead of time in a much quieter – less advertised – exclusive pre-sale event.

This is another trend that will, hopefully, be quashed as part of the rules for transparency in the Ticket Sales Act will require venues to disclose exactly how many tickets are available at the time of their purchase and what the capacity of the event it also. Ticket resellers will also be required to display how much the ticket’s face value was, where the exact seat location is and the all-in price of the ticket (including taxes, fees, etc.)

Do you think these rules will make a difference in ticket resales in Ontario?

Click here to learn more about the Ticket Sales Act from the Ontario Government.

Canada’s Wonderland is offering some rather hot prices on their tickets right now, making it a great time to plan a last minute family stay-cation – particularly for those of you within driving distance of Canada’s largest amusement park. Right now, you can pick up single day regular admission for adults for just $36.99 and the same kind of ticket for juniors or seniors for just $34.99.

This is an especially nice savings when you consider that the gate price at Canada’s Wonderland for one regular admission ticket is $64, which means that you’ll be saving $27.01 by purchasing these tickets online right now.

Here’s a full breakdown of the savings that are going on at Canada’s Wonderland right now:

• one, single day regular admission ticket (adults) now $36.99
• one, single day regular admission ticket (junior/senior) now $34.99
• one, single day regular admission ticket + marketplace meal combo now (adult) $51.98
• one, single day regular admission ticket + marketplace meal combo now (junior/senior) $47.98
• 2017 two day admission (valid on the same person) now $48.99
• ride and refresh package now $44.98

Click here to grab your tickets for Canada’s Wonderland.

Starbucks Canada is giving its Canadian customers a chance to get a bit creative with their purchasing from the Starbucks Store. Right now, you can mix and match any four items – including coffee (ground or whole bean), tea, drinkware and much more – to receive FREE shipping on your order.

Free shipping at Starbucks is normally only applied after you have met the $75 minimum, but this offer allows you to spend below that – on essentially anything online – to receive free shipping, so long as you meet the four product minimum.

To receive the discounted shipping, you will first have to add at least four items to your cart. Next, you will enter the promo code, MIX4, and the shipping rate of $7.95 will be removed from your cart total. I was able to grab a couple of my favourites, including Starbucks Mocha Powder ($9.95) – yes, I like hot cocoa even in the summertime – a pound of Starbucks Yukon Blend ($17.95), a Costa Rica stamp mug ($11.37) and a Starbucks Glass Growler ($19.95).

Starbucks will be offering this mix and match promo code until July 3 at 11:59pm PST.

Click here to begin shopping at Starbucks Store Canada online.

Toms Shoes Canada began their celebration of National Sunglasses Day yesterday and is continuing with the celebrations by providing us with a promo code that will save 20% off on all regularly priced sunglasses. To receive the discount you will simply have to choose your sunglasses from the above mentioned selection, add them to your cart and then enter the promo code, SUNNY20, at checkout. However “hot” this offer is (pardon the pun, couldn’t resist!), it will only be available until tomorrow, Thursday, June 29 at 11:59pm PDT.

Those of you looking to channel a more retro vibe can test drive these matte black florentin traveler sunglasses from Toms, which normally would cost $98, but with the extra 20% off they’ll only be $78.40. Or, if you prefer a more classic and modern look, then these maverick aviators might fit your bill, as they will only be $111.20 after your 20% discount has been applied (reg. $139).

Don’t forget to also check out the sale section at Toms, as there are shoes being sold for as little as $38.50 and sandals starting for as little as $33. For instance, these women’s multi beach palmera espadrilles are being sold for just $51.99 (reg. $75).

Toms offers FREE shipping on all orders that are $70 or more.

Click here to begin shopping at Toms Canada.

This online only promo code offer from Foot Locker Canada is one that will save you a fair little chunk of change should you already be committing to making a larger purchase, as when you spend $150 or more on select items you can save $35 off on your purchase. You will just have to use the promo code, CAN150, at checkout to receive the extra $35 off.

A fabulous pair of shoes that I was able to use the promo code on were these men’s adidas Alphabounce, which are normally sold for $159.99, but with the promo code they will only cost $124.99. Plus, these shoes qualified for FREE shipping – which a lot of the regularly priced merchandise at Foot Locker qualifies for.

It should be noted, however, that some items are excluded from this offer, but you can find all the items included by clicking here.Foot Locker will be running this promo until July 3, 2017.

Foot Locker offers FREE shipping on thousands of items and on full-priced items over $49.99. Otherwise, the flat rate shipping charge per order is $8.95.

Click here to begin shopping at Foot Locker Canada.

This red and white sale from Hudson’s Bay Canada is one that will not only have you feeling patriotic, but also practical as they are currently offering 50% off on select red and white small kitchen appliances. The appliances chosen in this sale are ones that will get everyday use, plus the clean white and eye-catching red colours that they are available in will only make the purchase feel that much more satisfying.

As you can see, if you’re really wanting to deck your kitchen out like an appliance coloured Canadian flag, then you can very easily achieve such a look in this sale. But if you’re just wanting to pick up one appliance at a great price, you can also easily do that as well. For instance, this KITCHENAID 3.5 Cup Mini Food Processor is currently on sale for just $44.99 (was $89.99) and this KITCHENAID 5-Speed Hand Mixer is also being sold for just $44.99 (was $89.99).

Hudson’s Bay will be offering this sale for three days and will be only offering it online.

Hudson’s Bay offers FREE shipping on orders that are $45+ (or $29+ on beauty purchases) when you pay with your Hudson’s Bay credit card, or $99+ (or $49+ on beauty purchases) when you pay with any other form of tender.

Click here to begin shopping at Hudson’s Bay Canada.

ECCO Canada wants to do their bit to help celebrate Canada’s 150th birthday and so they are offering a promo that will provide you with an additional 15% off at checkout. There is no promo code required for this discount, and you will be able to use it on sale items as well as regularly priced products.

On top of this extra 15% off discount, you can also take advantage of a FREE shipping offer that will shave an extra $5 off on your order (that’s how much standard shipping would normally cost).

I was able to get these delicate and summer appropriate ballerina flats for just $126.65, though before they were being sold for $200. These shoes were from the sale section, so they had already been discounted to being $149, but with the extra 15% off at checkout I will be able to save a total of $73.35.

ECCO Canada will be offering this discount until Sunday, July 2nd.

Click here to begin shopping at ECCO Canada.

It’s the dog days of summer, especially for kids right now at the Hudson’s Bay Canada where select playsets, toys, swim accessories and other outdoor accessories and toys are on sale for up to 40% off their original price.

In the sale, you can pick up bigger outdoor toys, like this TRAINOR SPORTS 55-Inch My First Trampoline, for just $127.99 (reg. $159.99) or this BIG BACKYARD Sunview II Wooden Play Set for just $503.99 (reg. $629.99).

Smaller toys that will still have your kids laughing the whole summer through include ones like these Big Mouth pool floats, like this Rubber Ducky, which is now only $27.96 (reg. $34.95) or this Chocolate Donut, which is only $19.96 (reg. $24.95).

The Hudson’s Bay offers FREE shipping on orders that are $45+ (or $29+ on beauty purchases) when you pay with your Hudson’s Bay credit card, or $99+ (or $49+ on beauty purchases) when you pay with any other form of tender.

Click here to begin shopping at the Hudson’s Bay Canada.

With this being Canada’s 150th anniversary, you can expect that Canada Day events are going to be stepping it up a level, no matter where you are living. There are usually a host of free activities and events going on in cities across the country on each July 1st, but this year the offerings are much better and are being offered in far more cities. Apart from fireworks, there are a number of free concerts, activity days, discounted tickets to local attractions and even free food in some cases. We’ve taken some of the hassle and work out of it on your end by rounding up some of the more popular free Canada Day events being offered in some of the bigger locations across the country.

PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador

• Starting on the east coast, with PEI, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick and Newfoundland and Labrador, there is of course the Tall Ships, which will be making pit stops across Canadian waters this summer, but a lot of these ships will be stopping in Maritime ports over the Canada Day weekend. Check out your local city here to see when and where the ships will be stopping in.
• PEI has an event offering in almost all of the major cities this weekend. Whether you’re heading to Cavendish Beach for some Canada Day yoga or Charlottetown, there’s something going on all over the island, better known as the birthplace of Confederation
• In Nova Scotia, if you’re in the capital city of Halifax you’ll be able to catch free concerts, grab a bite to eat with the free pancake breakfast, plus catch the Nova Scotia Tattoo Canada Day Parade. In other parts of the province, there are fireworks, parades, folk festivals, bbq’s and much more going on
• New Brunswick has a proud history as being one of the founding four provinces, and with that in mind they have put together a year-long list of activities and events to celebrate the 150 years of Canada. More specifically this weekend though, you can check out the Youth Orchestra, a 150 display in Fredericton and much more!
• Newfoundland and Labrador has free events being offered province wide, but if you happen to find yourself in St. John’s over Canada Day weekend, be sure to check out the Wake Up Event at Signal Hill followed by a free breakfast and concert series, that will be headlining The Sheepdogs

Ontario and Quebec

• Toronto and the GTA alone have enough free events and activities going on this weekend to fill up one entire post, but if there’s one thing you’ll want to check out this weekend if you’re within driving distance on the 401, it’s the free concerts by Canadian gems like the Barenaked Ladies, Ron Sexsmith, Shad and newcomer dvsn.
• Of course the nation’s capital, Ottawa, will have a full weekend lineup of free fun for the entire family, particularly on the look out will be the notable Canadian Citizen Ceremony and the special presentation of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, the Governor General of Canada and the Royal Highnesses the Prince of Wales and the Duchess of Cornwall, who will be celebrating their first Canada Day in Ottawa as part of their Royal Tour of Canada this summer
• Other events to be on the lookout throughout Ontario include Muskoka’s Canada Day boat cruise, Sesquifest in London and much, much more!
• Quebec has great free events in both Montreal and Quebec City this weekend, but for those of you living in other parts of this historically rich province be sure to check out all the free events in your region here to help celebrate the country’s birthday

Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta

• Manitoba is offering residents of Winnipeg the chance to recreate a human Canadian flag at Main and Portage (don’t forget to wear a red t-shirt!), or if you’re more of a history nerd, then you can spend Canada Day at the Royal Canadian Mint
• If you find yourself in Regina over Canada Day weekend in Saskatchewan, then you could catch a free concert of Marianas Trench (plus fireworks, of course) Regina Beach, Denare Beach and Ituna will also be hosting free and fun beach activities all day long!
• Olympic Plaza in Calgary is going to be celebrating Canada Day in style, while those of you looking for a less traditional and more musically inclined way to ring in 150 might want to head over to the free Tegan and Sara concert happening at Riverfront Avenue. Fort McMurray will of course be hosting a big party over two days, while other parts of the province may begin kicking off the party on Saturday!

British Columbia

• Vancouver will be hosting a free concert by Sam Roberts, or, for those of you preferring to chill out than rock out, you can also partake in some free yoga at Mountaintop Plaza
• Victoria will have the Arkells to rival Vancouver’s Sam Roberts show, and will also be offering free square dancing at Gorge Park
• There are plenty more free events and concerts happening around B.C., including a headlining show by Tom Cochrane in Surrey, which you can learn more about here or here

Yukon, Nunavut and NWT

• Iqaluit is hosting a landmark Canada Day celebration, beginning with a Fun Run and ending with a concert featuring the Trade-Offs, while the Yukon will be bringing in their Canadian pride with a concert from July Talk in Whitehorse
• There’s going to be face painting, a bouncy castle and a water slide for the kids at this Canada Day party in Yellowknife, and for the adults there will be concerts and a CIBC Reaffirmation Ceremony

Happy Canada Day partying!

Starbucks Canada has been operating in the great white north for 30 years this past March and to help celebrate the country’s own birthday, which is four times older than Starbucks’ history in Canada, the coffee retailer is offering a special deal on their “You Are Here” collection where you can save 20% off when you buy select tea or coffee in-store.

These mugs are only sold in-store, hence why the offer is only available in-store. You can also receive 20% off on the Canada Double Wall Tumbler, should you prefer that over a You Are Here mug. The coffees and teas participating in this offer are:

• VIA
• Tea
• Verismo Pods
• Whole Bean
• KCUP

The only excluded product from this coffee or tea offer is on Reserve coffee.

This offer will be available until July 10, 2017.

Click here to shop at Starbucks Canada.

For the month of July, you can explore Toronto on bike – one of the best ways to see the city – for FREE when you use Bikeshare Toronto. This offer will be available for every Wednesday in the month of July, and you will have 30 minutes of free use, after which you will be charged overage fees.

But, if you’re wanting to go on a bike ride that lasts longer than 30 minutes, you can simply return your bike before the 30 minutes are up to a dock and then take out a new bike to continue riding for free.

When you pick up your bike, you’ll be prompted to insert your credit card, but don’t worry you won’t be charged anything. Select the “$0 One – Day” option and then follow the instructions promoted on the screen.

You’ll be allowed to use as many free 30 minute bike rides as you like throughout Wednesday.

Click here to learn more about the free Wednesday Bikeshare offer in Toronto.

Royal Canadian Mint Canada is offering Canadians a chance to win a pure gold coin valued to be worth $2,800. To enter for your chance to win this decadent coin, all you will have to do is head over to this landing page, sign up (if you haven’t yet already), and then try to get three matching coins in a game that will give you five guesses.

You will have a total of three rounds to try and get three coins in a row, and if you guess correctly, you will be able to receive a free pure gold coin. But don’t fret if you don’t receive the big prize as there are still several smaller prizes to be won.

They include:

• 2017 Pure Silver Proof Set – 150th Anniversary of Canadian Confederation (two available)
• 2017 Special Wrap Roll 2-Collection Subscription (50 available)
• 2017 Canada 150 Circulation 12-Coin Collection (The Map) (300 available)
• Official Canada 150 Collector Card (2800 available)

The contest will be closing on December 31, 2017.

Click here to enter to win a $2,800 valued pure gold coin.

Click here to shop at Royal Canadian Mint.

A miniature version of the 1990s Nintendo fan favourite – the Super NES Classic console – is going to be re-released this fall, said Nintendo, and will come with 21 pre-loaded retro games, including the never before released Star Fox 2.

The Super NES console is a follow-up to Nintendo’s relaunching of the NES classic last year, which became so popular that it caught the entertainment system retailer off guard and led to the revamped retro systems being resold on sites like eBay for nearly double the retail value.

This iteration of the Super NES Classic, which is more compact than the 1991 version, will cost customers $99 CAD and will come pre-loaded with 21 retro classics, such as Super Mario Cart, Star Fox, Super Mario World and much, much more.

Gamers young or old, casual or dedicated who have either grown up with this system or aren’t familiar with what continues to be ranked as one of the “greatest video game systems ever made” will be able to purchase the Super NES Classic starting on September 29 and can rest a little easier knowing that Nintendo has assured that they won’t make the same mistake as last year and will supply more units to be shipped out until the end of the 2017 calendar year.

Here is the full line-up of games that will come pre-loaded onto the Super NES Classic console:

• Contra III: The Alien Wars
• Donkey Kong Country
• EarthBound
• Final Fantasy III
• F-Zero
• Kirby Super Star
• Kirby’s Dream Course
• The Legend of Zelda: A Link to the Past
• Mega Man X
• Secret of Mana
• Star Fox
• Star Fox 2
• Street Fighter II Turbo: Hyper Fighting
• Super Castlevania IV
• Super Ghouls ‘n Ghosts
• Super Mario Kart
• Super Mario RPG: Legend of the Seven Stars
• Super Mario World
• Super Metroid
• Super Punch-Out!!
• Yoshi’s Island

Click here to learn more about the Nintendo Super NES Classic console.