Things That Make You Go... Hmmmm!
Tuesday, August 4, 2026
The Canadian stories from yesterday that made us stop, smile, scratch our heads... and say “Hmmmmm!”
Today’s “Hmmmmm!” Award
One Holiday... Many Names
Yesterday was the Civic Holiday in Ontario, B.C. Day out west, Heritage Day in Alberta, Saskatchewan Day, New Brunswick Day, Natal Day out east and Terry Fox Day in Manitoba.
Hmmmmm! Only Canada could turn one Monday off into a geography quiz.
Sports That Made You Go... Hmmmm!
Jays Strand the Astros
The Blue Jays beat Houston 3-1 despite the Astros collecting 10 hits and leaving an incredible 13 runners on base.
Hmmmmm! Houston found the bases. Home plate was apparently another matter.
Science & Technology
Mapping Ontario’s Altered Rivers
Researchers unveiled a new system for mapping how dams, reservoirs and hydro facilities affect streamflow across Ontario’s interconnected waterways.
Hmmmmm! Even a river can apparently have its flow chart.
Entertainment Oddity
Opera Meets Drag
Montreal Pride welcomed “Drama Queens,” combining live opera, musical theatre and drag into one flamboyant outdoor performance.
Hmmmmm! Carmen probably never imagined this encore.
Only in Canada
Celebrating the Man Who Built a Canal
Ottawa marked Colonel By Day with activities celebrating Lieutenant-Colonel John By and the history behind the Rideau Canal.
Hmmmmm! Build a canal in Canada and, eventually, you might get your own holiday Monday.
Business Buzz
Calgary Eats Its Way Through Monday
Taste of Calgary wrapped up with more than 90 restaurants, breweries and food trucks serving sample-sized creations.
Hmmmmm! Finally, a business meeting where “I'll have one of everything” seems reasonable.
Art That Made You Go... Hmmmm!
Calgary’s Walls Become Canvases
The BUMP Festival kicked off as artists began transforming city walls with new murals and public art.
Hmmmmm! In Calgary, even the buildings are getting summer makeovers.
The Final Hmmmm...
Canada renamed Monday seven different ways.
Toronto stranded 13 Astros.
Opera met drag.
Scientists mapped rivers.
And Calgary painted the town... literally.
Just another day of...
Things That Make You Go... Hmmmm!
