LÉVIS, QUEBEC (June 1, 2026) – Choice Hotels Canada is pleased to announce that Quality Inn & Suites in Lévis has been honoured with a 2026 International Best of Choice award for the Quality brand by Choice Hotels International.

The Best of Choice awards are among Choice Hotels International’s most coveted accolades, with recipients selected for their demonstrated commitment to superior guest service and operational excellence. One hotel winner was selected from each Choice Hotels brand segment in the company’s domestic and international portfolio.

The Quality Inn & Suites also earned a Platinum Guest Satisfaction Award this year, the 11th such honour for the hotel. Platinum winners are among the top 3% of over 350 hotels from coast to coast and represent the best of the best in the Choice Hotels Canada portfolio. Winners are determined largely by verified customer feedback through guest insight surveys and Likelihood to Recommend scores.

“The Quality Inn & Suites in Lévis continues to distinguish itself as one of the strongest performers in the Canadian system,” says Brian Leon, CEO, Choice Hotels Canada. “These awards reflect the team’s consistency, professionalism and unwavering commitment to their guests.”

The Quality Inn & Suites in Lévis is owned by Geneviève Milot, whose Quality Suites in Drummondville, QC was named this year’s Canadian Hotel of the Year by Choice Hotels Canada, in addition to winning its 12th Platinum Award. At the heart of both hotels’ continued success is a service philosophy that aims to exceed expectations. The teams are known for adding special touches that makes stays unforgettable.

“We are extremely proud to receive this recognition,” says Geneviève Milot. “This is truly a reflection of the dedication and care our team brings to the hotel every day. Under the leadership of General Manager Daniel Aubé, they continue to be deeply committed to exceeding guest expectations and creating memorable experiences.”

In addition to this year’s accolades, the hotel has previously won three Gold Awards. The property has also won six APEX Awards (Awards for Property Excellence) and in 2016, the hotel was named Canadian Hotel of the Year.

Last year, the Quality Inn & Suites in Lévis underwent extensive renovations. All 96 guest rooms and suites, along with the hotel’s main floor, were fully renovated, offering guests an enhanced and refreshed experience. The hotel offers both leisure and business travellers comfortable accommodations and is conveniently located by transportation hubs including the Trans-Canada Highway and the ferry to Québec City. The hotel has many modern amenities including an indoor heated pool and a hot and cold breakfast.

The hotel is located at 5800 Rue des Arpents. For more information on the Quality Inn & Suites Lévis or a reservation, visit www.choicehotels.com.

BELLEVILLE, ONTARIO (June 1, 2026) – Choice Hotels Canada is pleased to announce that Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Belleville, ON has been honoured with a 2026 International Best of Choice award for the Country Inn & Suites by Radisson brand by Choice Hotels International.

The Best of Choice awards are among Choice Hotels International’s most coveted accolades, with recipients selected for their demonstrated commitment to superior guest service and operational excellence. One hotel winner was selected from each Choice Hotels brand segment in the company’s domestic and international portfolio.

The Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Belleville also earned a Gold Guest Satisfaction Award this year, placing it among the top-performing hotels across the Choice Hotels Canada system. Gold winners represent the top 10% of hotels based on verified customer feedback, including guest insight surveys and Likelihood to Recommend scores. In addition to this year’s accolades, the hotel previously won the Best of Choice Award in 2024.

“The achievement for the Country Inn & Suites Belleville team highlights their ability to consistently execute at a high level,” says Brian Leon, CEO, Choice Hotels Canada. “Their focus on guest satisfaction and operation excellence makes them a standout within our system.”

The Country Inn & Suites by Radisson, Belleville is owned and operated by a dedicated ownership group whose continued focus on service excellence has positioned the hotel as a leader within the brand. The team is known for delivering thoughtful guest experiences and consistently exceeding expectations.

Conveniently located in Belleville, the hotel offers comfortable accommodations for both leisure and business travellers. Guests enjoy modern amenities including complimentary hot breakfast, an indoor pool, fitness centre, and easy access to local attractions, major highways, and the Bay of Quinte region.

The hotel is located at 245 North Front St. For more information on the Country Inn & Suites Belleville or to make a reservation, visit Choice Hotels.

WCB Nova Scotia announced today that it is lowering the average employer rate to $2.25 per $100 of assessable payroll —a 15% reduction and the first rate cut in a generation.

This reduction is putting money back into the Nova Scotia economy, helping employers across the province reinvest, grow, and support their people.

At the same time, worker benefits are also improving.

Beginning in 2027, workers will have their benefits indexed to the full cost of living, instead of just half, after changes made by Government last year to the Workers’ Compensation Act.

“Reaching a position of financial strength means we can now do more for the people we serve,” says WCB Board Chair Saeed El-Darahali. “Workers can now begin to receive improved benefits, and employers can begin to see the cost of workers’ compensation come down.”

It’s balanced change that workers and employers have been waiting for, and a transformation guided by the Board’s 2024-2030 Protect More Strategic Plan.

The rate reduction has become possible through careful financial stewardship, a record-low workplace injury rate that has been steadily declining for 20 years, and more people staying connected to work after an injury.

It’s a moment that once felt out of reach for many.

In the early 1990s, Nova Scotia’s workers’ compensation system was only 27 per cent funded after years of keeping assessment rates artificially low.

As a result, both workers and employers felt the impact of the system’s financial challenges — benefits were low, rates were high.
The goal was to strengthen WCB’s financial position over time so the system could better support workers and employers.

A 2024 government review recognized progress that had been made but challenged the system to pick up the pace. It called for a continued focus on better outcomes for workers and employers, supported by a stronger financial foundation.

Today, WCB is 117 per cent funded. The milestone marks a transformation in workers’ compensation that’s putting Nova Scotians first and helping build a sustainable system for years to come.

And while today is about celebrating progress, the WCB says it’s also about maintaining momentum.

El-Darahali adds that he hopes the future is one where benefits can continue to improve for Nova Scotians injured at work, and the cost of WCB insurance to employers can keep declining.

“Accountability got us here, and it will take us even further,” says El-Darahali. “This is just the beginning.”

Additional Quotes

“Accountability led to this success. WCB takes seriously our accountability to the Nova Scotians we protect. Employers are more accountable than ever for workplace safety. And workers are increasingly accountable for engaging in their own recovery in the unfortunate event of an injury. There is more success to come. We are just getting started."

-Karen Adams, CEO, Workers’ Compensation Board of Nova Scotia

“This reduction shows the progress we’re making to build a stronger, more sustainable workers’ compensation system. By focusing on prevention and helping Nova Scotians hurt on the job recover and return to work safely, we are improving outcomes for workers while lowering costs for employers at the same time. We will keep working with WCB and our partners to build on that progress.”

- Nolan Young, Minister of Labour, Skills and Immigration

“A reduction in rates is very welcome relief and means there are progressive changes happening between WCB and the business community. A rate cut like this will create cost-savings for employers that will go a long way to supporting their business and cultivating a more competitive province.”

-Tony Jabbour, Senior Vice President, Global Supply Chain, Clearwater Seafoods Inc.

“We’re getting to a place where there are reduced injuries and safer workplaces. This rate reduction means we have a healthy system that’s there to support workers in getting back to the jobs they love after an injury.”

-Alison Casey, Executive Director, Mainland Nova Scotia Building Trades

“My first reaction when I heard WCB rates were going down was I was ecstatic. When these rates are reduced, it will allow EMCI to take that money and reinvest back into new equipment, enhanced technologies and other services that have a huge impact on Nova Scotians.”

-Matthew Crossman, President and Chief Operating Officer, Emergency Medical Care Inc.

Annual Charity Golf Tournament set to tee off on Thursday, July 09^th, 2026, in support of ALS Society of BC and the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Vancouver, B.C. – March 25^th, 2026 – Coast Hotels Limited, a fully owned subsidiary of APA Hotel Canada, Inc. and one of North America’s fastest-growing and one of Canada’s largest hotel brands, is excited to announce the upcoming 24^th Annual Coast Hotels Shuhachi Naito Golf Classic, which is set to take place on Thursday, July 09^th, 2026, at Tsawwassen Springs Golf Club, located in Delta, BC.

This event is being held to support the ALS Society of British Columbia and the Vancouver Holocaust Education Centre and will help fund both non-profit organizations’ valuable and important work.

The annual golf tournament is one of the biggest events for Coast Hotels and has well surpassed $1.4m in funds donated to charities since its inception. This year’s Golf Classic will once again feature exciting activities, raffles, auctions, and prizes for all participants.

“We’re thrilled to be hosting the 24^th Annual Coast Hotels Shuhachi Naito Golf Classic again this summer,” said Mark Hope, Executive Advisor and Golf Classic Organizer for Coast Hotels. “This event is a great opportunity for golfers of all skill levels to come together and support two worthy causes. We’re looking forward to a day of fun and fundraising, and we hope to see a great turnout.”

Registration for the tournament will open in late April, and golfers can sign up individually or as a team. Participants will enjoy a round of golf, lunch, and dinner, and plenty of opportunities to win prizes. Corporate sponsorship opportunities are available for businesses and organizations looking to support both non-profit organizations.

“We’re grateful for the support of our hospitality partners, sponsors, and volunteers who make this annual event possible,” added Mark Hope. “We couldn’t do it without them, and we’re excited to see the impact that this year’s tournament will have on the two charities and the people and communities they serve.”

For more information about the 24^th Annual Coast Hotels Shuhachi Naito Golf Classic or to pre-register as a sponsor or participant, please contact Mark Hope at This email address is being protected from spambots. You need JavaScript enabled to view it." data-linkindex="10">'+addy_text5816+'<\/a>'; //--> . We hope to see you on the greens!

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About Coast Hotels

Each Coast Hotel property is as unique as the destinations they are located in, yet they all have something in common: friendly service and our always pleasant amenities. Coast Hotels offers properties throughout British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan, the Yukon, Alaska, California, Hawaii, and Washington State in cities large and small. As one of North America’s fastest-growing hotel brands, Coast Hotels owes its continued expansion to its friendly service, prime locations, value, and guest satisfaction. Coast Hotels owns and franchises hotels under the Coast Hotels brand and manages hotels on both a Coast Hotels branded and independent basis.

About APA Hotels

Headquartered in Tokyo, Japan, APA has a network of more than 930 properties and over 132,000 rooms in Japan, making it the country’s largest hotel group. It also has one hundred percent ownership of Coast Hotels, the brand, and owns the seven “by APA” hotels in Vancouver, Victoria, Chilliwack, Prince George, Edmonton, Calgary, and Seattle. APA is recognized for its urban-style hotel concept, delivering high-quality, highly functional, and environmentally friendly hotels to the market.

Visit www.coasthotels.com or call 1.800.663.1144.