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  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada Investments in Electric Vehicles

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a federal investment of $14.9 million for 20 projects to advance zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure, codes and standards, and education across Canada.

    Everyone has a role to play in tackling climate change. The widespread shift to electric vehicles (EVs) is critical to decarbonizing on-road transportation, which accounts for 18 percent of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions — of which 50 percent is produced by light-duty vehicles (LDV), or passenger cars.

    In addition, clean fuels, such as clean hydrogen, advanced biofuels, liquid synthetic fuels and renewable natural gas, will play a critical role in hard to decarbonize sectors such as industry and medium- and heavy-duty freight.

    Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a federal investment of $14.9 million for 20 projects to advance zero-emission vehicle (ZEV) infrastructure, codes and standards, and education across Canada.

     

    Zero Emissions Vehicle Infrastructure Program Projects

    • Kang and Gill Construction Limited in Victoria, B.C.: An investment of $340,000 to install 68 EV chargers by March 31, 2024.
    • Halifax County Condominium Corporation #240 in Halifax, Nova Scotia: An investment of $110,000 to install 22 EV chargers by April 2023.
    • Halifax International Airport in Goffs, Nova Scotia: An investment of $180,000 to install 37 EV chargers by December 2024.
    • Park Royal Shopping Centre Holdings Ltd., West Vancouver, North Vancouver and Whistler, B.C.: An investment of $242,000 from NRCan to install 50 EV chargers by November 2023.
    • Concert Realty Services Ltd, Vancouver, B.C.: An investment of $190,000 from NRCan to install 38 EV chargers by January 2025.
    • Westbank Projects Corp., Toronto, Ontario, and Vancouver, B.C.: An investment of $4,914,660 to install 2635 EV chargers by May 2025.
    • THE OWNERS, STRATA PLAN BCS4321, Vancouver, B.C.: An investment of $150,000 to install 30 EV chargers by June 2024.
    • Austeville Properties Ltd., Vancouver, B.C.: An investment of $250,000 to install 50 EV chargers by October 2025.
    • 1125 Denman Developments Limited Partnership by its general partner Denman Developments Ltd, Vancouver, BC: An investment of $500,000 to install 16 EV chargers by July 2025.
    • The Owners Strata Plan LMS1108 “The National,” Vancouver, B.C.: An investment of $260,000 to install 60 EV chargers by May 2024.
    • Strata Corporation LMS4255 “Marinaside Resort,” Vancouver, B.C.: An investment of $500,000 to install 140 EV chargers by May 2024.
    • 1229488 BC Ltd., Vancouver, B.C.: An investment of $99,999, to install 23 EV chargers by March 2024.

    Zero Emissions Vehicle Awareness Initiative

    • Plug’N Drive, Toronto, Ontario: An investment of $1,560,633 to raise awareness of electric vehicles across Canada through a comprehensive awareness and experiential campaign, featuring test drives targeting small and medium-sized communities with limited experience or exposure to electric vehicles.
    • Create Climate Equity Association in Coquitlam, B.C.: An investment of $100,000 to engage one or more lower-income, underserved, urban communities in the City of Vancouver, B.C., on transportation needs and develop a design for equity-based, zero-emission mobility solutions for the participating communities.
    • Steel River Group Ltd in Calgary, Alberta: An investment of $300,000 to empower and equip Indigenous youth with the essential knowledge, skills and confidence to lead sustainable transportation and clean energy initiatives in their communities.
    • Northern Alberta Institute of Technology (NAIT) in Edmonton, Alberta: An investment of $247,045 to develop non-credit courses on the maintenance of hydrogen fuel cell buses and heavy-duty vehicles to educate fleet owners, operators and heavy-duty vehicle mechanics and technicians on the use and maintenance of MHDVs and raise public confidence and awareness in zero-emission MHDV.
    • HUB Cycling, Vancouver, B.C.: An investment of $241,545 to increase awareness and uptake of e-mobility for transportation across the province of British Columbia.

    Minister Wilkinson also announced $3.6 million in funding for CSA Group to update codes and standards related to ZEV infrastructure through the Energy Innovation Program:

    • CSA Group, Toronto, Ontario, $3,616,373. The objective of this project is to establish and revise codes and standards, develop guideline documents, manage committees, perform literature reviews for zero-emission transportation infrastructure, covering advanced charging equipment, energy storage, management and various transportation modes.

    Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada – Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program (ICIP)

    Lastly, Minister Wilkinson announced a joint investment of more than $3.1 million through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program for two green infrastructure projects in British Columbia. The projects will enhance access to clean transportation options, use B.C.’s clean electricity supply and reduce greenhouse gas emissions.

    • Public Electric Vehicle Charging Expansion – Phase 3 in Vancouver, B.C.
      o   The federal government is investing $824,600 through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of British Columbia is investing $687,098 through the CleanBC Communities Fund. The City of Vancouver is contributing $549,802. 
      o   The project will install approximately 15 Level 2 and nine direct-current fast-charge electric vehicle charging ports around parklands in the city, along with electric and mechanical system upgrades. 
    • Public Electric Vehicle Charging Infrastructure in the District of North Vancouver, B.C.:
      o   The federal government is investing $217,447 through the Green Infrastructure Stream of the Investing in Canada Infrastructure Program. The Government of British Columbia is investing $579,821 through the CleanBC Communities Fund. The District of North Vancouver is contributing $289,965. 
      o   The project will install a public network of approximately 10 Level 2 and two direct-current fast-charge electric vehicle charging ports along key transportation routes, in priority buildings and near multi-family and social housing in the district.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada imposes additional sanctions in response to Hamas’ terrorist attacks against Israel

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Effective immediately, Canada is imposing additional sanctions against eleven individuals and two entities pursuant to the Special Economic Measures (Hamas Terrorist Attacks) Regulations, in response to the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel that began on October 7, 2023, and the threat that Hamas and its affiliates pose to regional security.

    Effective immediately, Canada is imposing additional sanctions against eleven individuals and two entities pursuant to the Special Economic Measures (Hamas Terrorist Attacks) Regulations, in response to the terrorist attacks by Hamas on Israel that began on October 7, 2023, and the threat that Hamas and its affiliates pose to regional security.

    Canadian measures

    The regulations impose a prohibition on dealings related to the listed individuals and entities, effectively freezing any assets they may have in Canada. Persons in Canada and Canadians outside the country are prohibited from dealing with the listed individuals and entities, and the listed individuals are also rendered inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act. The specific prohibitions are set out in the regulations.

    The names of the eleven individuals added to the schedule of these regulations are the following:

    • Musa Muhammad Salim Dudin (Hamas financier and operative)
    • Amer Kamal Sharif Alshawa (Hamas financier)
    • Ahmed Sadu Jahleb (Hamas financier)
    • Walid Mohammed Mustafa Jadallah (Hamas financier)
    • Zuhair Shamlakh (Hamas financier)
    • Alaa Shamlakh (Hamas financier)
    • Ahmed Shamlakh (Hamas financer)
    • Imad Shamlakh (Hamas financier)
    • Nabil Khaled Halil Chouman (Hamas financier)
    • Khaled Chouman (Hamas financier)
    • Reda Ali Khamis (Hamas financier)

    The names of the two entities added to the schedule of these regulations are the following:

    • Al-Markaziya Li-Siarafa (Al-Markaziya) (Hamas-affiliated financial exchange company)
    • Nabil Chouman & Co. (Hamas-affiliated financial exchange company)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada imposes third round of sanctions on perpetrators of extremist settler violence against Palestinian civilians in West Bank

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Effective immediately, Canada is imposing sanctions against four individuals and two entities in response to the grave breach of international peace and security posed by their violent and destabilizing actions against Palestinian civilians and their property in the West Bank.

    Effective immediately, Canada is imposing sanctions against four individuals and two entities in response to the grave breach of international peace and security posed by their violent and destabilizing actions against Palestinian civilians and their property in the West Bank.

    Canadian measures

    The Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations imposes a prohibition on dealings related to the listed individuals and entities, effectively freezing any assets they may have in Canada. Persons in Canada and Canadians outside the country are prohibited from dealing with the listed individuals and entities. Additionally, the listed individuals are rendered inadmissible to Canada under the Immigration and Refugee Protection Act.

    The specific prohibitions are set out in the Special Economic Measures (Extremist Settler Violence) Regulations.

    The names of the individuals added to the schedule of these regulations are the following:

    • Neria Ben Pazi
    • Noam Federman
    • Eden Levi
    • Shlomo Sarid

    The names of the entities added to the schedule of these regulations are the following:

    • Mount Hebron Fund
    • Shlom Asiraich

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Biographical notes

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Karen Mollica (BA Hons [Political Science], McMaster University, 2000; MA [International Affairs], Carleton University, 2003) joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2003 following internships in Guyana and Costa Rica.

    Karen Mollica (BA Hons [Political Science], McMaster University, 2000; MA [International Affairs], Carleton University, 2003) joined the Department of Foreign Affairs and International Trade in 2003 following internships in Guyana and Costa Rica. Her early assignments included coordinator in the Anti-personnel Mine Action Team and desk officer for several countries in West and Central Africa. She subsequently moved to the Canadian International Development Agency and served as first secretary at the High Commission in South Africa and as counsellor and head of cooperation at the Embassy to Jordan. Upon her return to Headquarters in 2019, she became director of policy, planning and operations for Latin America and the Caribbean, a position she held until 2022. Most recently, she served as director and senior departmental adviser in the Office of the Minister of International Development and as chargé d’affaires at the Embassy to the Holy See.

    Ajit Singh (BA [Communications], University of Winnipeg, 2003; BA Hons [Political Science], University of Winnipeg, 2004; MA [International Law], United Nations University for Peace, 2006; JD, Osgoode Hall Law School, 2012) has lived, studied and worked in multiple languages in 6 countries on 4 continents. He joined the Government of Canada in 2008 after working in media, academia, the United Nations and civil society organizations. He later worked in private law in Toronto and was called to the Bar of Ontario as a barrister and solicitor. In 2013, he joined the Privy Council Office in the Intergovernmental Affairs Secretariat. He then worked in its Foreign and Defence Policy Secretariat, where he led on relations with Europe, the Caucasus and Central Asia regions and Latin America and on legal files. In 2017, he joined Global Affairs Canada as a deputy director in the Foreign Policy Planning Division to lead the team responsible for the foreign ministers’ track during Canada’s 2018 G7 presidency. After this, he worked in the Conflict Prevention, Stabilization and Peacebuilding Division. In 2021, he joined the Department of National Defence as a director of operations. In 2022, he rejoined the Privy Council Office, this time as the first person to hold the position of director of international crisis response.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Delivering the Boldest Mortgage Reforms in Decades

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The federal government has the most ambitious housing plan in Canadian history—including building 4 million new homes—to make housing more affordable for Canadians. This plan will build a Canada that is fairer for every generation of Canadians, where they can get ahead, where their hard work pays off, and where they can buy a home.

    September 24, 2024

    The federal government has the most ambitious housing plan in Canadian history—including building 4 million new homes—to make housing more affordable for Canadians. This plan will build a Canada that is fairer for every generation of Canadians, where they can get ahead, where their hard work pays off, and where they can buy a home.

    As announced on September 16, 2024, the federal government is expanding eligibility for 30 year amortizations for insured mortgages to all first-time homebuyers and all purchasers of new builds, and increasing the $1 million price cap for insured mortgages to $1.5 million, effective December 15, 2024. Today, the government is releasing parameters for lenders and insurers to begin offering mortgages under these reforms starting this December.

    Parameters

    Expanding eligibility for 30 year mortgage amortizations for all first-time homebuyers and all buyers of new builds

    • This measure will apply to borrowers requiring high loan to value mortgage insurance in Canada and must satisfy the following requirements:
      • The total loan to value is 80 per cent or more; and,
      • The borrower is either: (i) a first-time homebuyer; or (ii) purchasing a newly constructed home.
    • As the government announced on June 11, 2024, to be considered a first-time homebuyer, a borrower must meet one of the following criteria:
      • The borrower has never purchased a home before;
      • In the last 4 years, the borrower has not occupied a home as a principal place of residence that either they themselves or their current spouse or common-law partner owned; or,
      • The borrower recently experienced the breakdown of a marriage or common-law partnership. On this point, the regulations will follow the approach that the Canada Revenue Agency has taken with respect to the Home Buyers’ Plan.
    • As the government announced on June 11, 2024, to be considered a newly constructed home, the new home must not have been previously occupied for residential purposes. This requirement is not intended to exclude newly constructed condominiums where there has been an interim occupancy period.

    Increasing the $1 million price cap for insured mortgages to $1.5 million

    • This measure would apply to all borrowers requiring high loan to value mortgage insurance in Canada and must satisfy the following requirements:
      • The total loan to value is 80 per cent or more;
      • The value of the eligible residential property against which the loan is secured must be less than $1.5 million; and,
      • The downpayment requirements for the loan are as follows:
        • 5 per cent on the portion of a purchase price up to $500,000.
        • 10 per cent on the portion of a purchase price between $500,000 and $1.5 million.

    Other Parameters

    • Effective date: These measures will be available for mortgage insurance applications that lenders submit to mortgage insurers on or after December 15, 2024.
    • These measures will only apply to high loan to value mortgages on properties occupied by the borrower or a close relative.
    • All other eligibility criteria for government-guaranteed mortgage insurance will continue to apply.

    Related Products

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government announces mortgage reform details to ensure Canadians can access lower monthly mortgage payments by December 15

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Canadians work hard to be able to afford a home. However, the high cost of mortgage payments is a barrier to homeownership, especially for Millennials and Gen Z. To help more Canadians, particularly younger generations, buy a first home, on September 16, 2024, the federal government announced the boldest mortgage reforms in decades.

    September 24, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada

    Canadians work hard to be able to afford a home. However, the high cost of mortgage payments is a barrier to homeownership, especially for Millennials and Gen Z. To help more Canadians, particularly younger generations, buy a first home, on September 16, 2024, the federal government announced the boldest mortgage reforms in decades.

    Today, the Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, announced technical guidance for lenders and insurers to ensure Canadians can benefit from these mortgage reforms by December 15, 2024:

    • Increasing the $1 million price cap for insured mortgages to $1.5 million, to reflect current housing market realities and help more Canadians qualify for a mortgage with a downpayment below 20 per cent. Increasing the insured-mortgage cap—which has not been adjusted since 2012—to $1.5 million will help more Canadians buy a home.
    • Expanding eligibility for 30 year mortgage amortizations to all first-time homebuyers and to all buyers of new builds, to reduce the cost of monthly mortgage payments and help more Canadians buy a home. By helping Canadians buy new builds, including condos, the government is announcing yet another measure to incentivize more new housing construction and tackle the housing shortage. This builds on the Budget 2024 commitment, which came into effect on August 1, 2024, permitting 30 year mortgage amortizations for first-time homebuyers purchasing new builds, including condos.

    These measures are the most significant mortgage reforms in decades and part of the federal government’s plan to build 4 million new homes—the most ambitious housing plan in Canadian history—to help more Canadians become homeowners.

    As we build 4 million more homes, communities need help building more infrastructure. That is why the federal government is investing $6 billion through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund to build and upgrade core infrastructure in communities, including drinking water, wastewater, stormwater, and solid waste infrastructure. The government has started negotiations with provinces and territories on key actions they can take to increase housing supply, in exchange for their share of $5 billion in federal funding. To deliver funding for urgent municipal infrastructure priorities, applications for the $1 billion municipal stream will open next month.

    “Building on our action to help Canadians save for a downpayment, last week, we announced the boldest mortgage reforms in decades. Today, we are providing the technical guidance banks need to offer first time buyers mortgages with lower monthly payments—now, you can start talking to your bank to get your first mortgage application ready for December 15.”

    – The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

    • The strengthened Canadian Mortgage Charter, announced in Budget 2024, sets out the expectations of financial institutions to ensure Canadians in mortgage hardship have access to tailored relief and to make it easier to buy a first home.

    • Mortgage loan insurance allows Canadians to get a mortgage for up to 95 per cent of the purchase price of a home, and helps ensure they get a reasonable interest rate, even with a smaller down payment.

    • The federal government’s housing plan—the most ambitious in Canadian history—will unlock nearly 4 million more homes to make housing more affordable for Canadians. To help more Canadians afford a downpayment, in recognition of the fact the size of a downpayment and the amount of time needed to save up for a downpayment are too large today, the federal government has:

      • Launched the Tax-Free First Home Savings Account, which allows Canadians to contribute up to $8,000 per year, and up to a lifetime limit of $40,000, towards their first downpayment. Tax-free in; tax-free out; and,
      • Enhanced the Home Buyers’ Plan limit from $35,000 to $60,000, in Budget 2024, to enable first-time homebuyers to use the tax benefits of Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contributions to save up to $25,000 more for their downpayment. The Home Buyers’ Plan enables Canadians to withdraw from their RRSP to buy or build a home and can be combined with savings through the Tax-Free First Home Savings Account.

    • Last week, the government also released blueprints for a Renters’ Bill of Rights and a Home Buyers’ Bill of Rights, which will protect renters from unfair practices, make leases simpler, and increase price transparency; and help make the process of buying a home, fairer, more open, and more transparent.

    • To end encampments and address homelessness, on September 22, 2024, the federal government announced that $250 million is available to provinces and territories that agree to cost-match this funding. This funding will leverage up to $500 million to provide more shelter spaces, transitional homes, and services to help those in encampments find housing.

    Katherine Cuplinskas
    Deputy Director of Communications
    Office of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance
    Katherine.Cuplinskas@fin.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Europe: Address by Jean-Noël Barrot, Minister for Europe and Foreign Affairs (23.09.24)

    Source: Republic of France in English
    The Republic of France has issued the following statement:

    President of the General Assembly,

    Deputy Secretary-General of the United Nations,

    Heads of State and Government,

    Ministers,

    Ambassadors,

    Colleagues,

    We are gathered here today to reaffirm our commitment to an ambitious, effective and representative multilateralism to face the challenges of tomorrow. Many of you want to advance our multilateral system, a system founded on respect for the rule of law and clear principles established following the Second World War and on respect for the Charter of the United Nations, a system based on cooperation between nations, sustainable development for all and solidarity between countries.

    Today, that system needs reform. For global governance must be both more representative and, collectively, more effective. Everyone needs to contribute, everyone needs to shoulder their responsibilities.

    I would like to thank the Secretary-General for enabling us to move forward on this essential project for future generations, which France is supporting with strength and conviction.

    This Summit of the Future, Secretary-General, should enable the achievement of the 2030 Agenda for Sustainable Development and the Sustainable Development Goals in good time. We need to step up our efforts to address climate challenges.

    True to its historical commitment within the United Nations, France has worked to ensure the Pact for the Future meets the expectations of the Member States when it comes to Security Council reform. We are advocating an expansion in both categories of members and a greater African presence, including among permanent members. In the same vein, we promote a joint initiative with Mexico to regulate the use of vetoes in the event of mass atrocities, which is already supported by 106 States from all world regions.

    France has also been innovative in its proposals to reform the international financial architecture, in the spirit of the Paris Pact for Peoples and the Planet that the French President launched at the June 2023 Paris Summit.

    The New Agenda for Peace should help modernize United Nations tools for international peace and security. We need to ensure that peace operations, which have evolved considerably, are suited to addressing new challenges. I would like to seize this opportunity to commend the work of the blue helmets who foster global peace and security every day. I have in mind the men and women of UNIFIL in Lebanon, including its French contingent. The Lebanese people are also in my thoughts right now: Israeli strikes have just killed hundreds of civilians, including dozens of children. These strikes, made from both sides of the Blue Line and more widely in the region, must cease immediately. France once again calls on the parties and their supporters to de-escalate and avoid a regional conflagration that would be devastating for everyone, starting with civilian populations. That is why I have called for an emergency Security Council meeting this week to discuss Lebanon.

    In Lebanon and elsewhere, France will remain totally committed to resolving the major crises that shake the international order. It will take initiatives. It will continue to condemn Russia’s war of aggression against Ukraine unreservedly, and to demand peace and compliance with the law. It will continue to demand the release of all hostages, respect for international humanitarian law and a ceasefire in Gaza. France considers all human lives to be equal in dignity. France will not look away from any armed conflict. It will therefore continue its initiatives to support Sudan, alongside its partners.

    Deputy Secretary-General, you want us to look together towards the future. That future will be marked by great progress in digital technologies, starting with artificial intelligence. The Global Digital Compact enshrines the commitment of the international community as a whole to coordinate on these new challenges. The digital revolution must not further widen the digital gap and must serve the Sustainable Development Goals. This will be a central priority at the AI Action Summit that will be held in France on 10 and 11 February 2025.

    The fight against climate change and for the protection of the environment is not an issue for the future but a challenge for the present. The climate threat is devastating. Inaction and lack of ambition are culpable. We owe our people determined, tangible, immediate and effective action. It is in this spirit that the Presidents of France and Kazakhstan and the President of the World Bank are jointly organizing the One Water Summit this year.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Europe News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Announcement of new diplomatic appointments

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, today announced the following diplomatic appointments:

    September 19, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    The Minister of Foreign Affairs, the Honourable Mélanie Joly, today announced the following diplomatic appointments:

    Ms. Karen Mollica has been appointed Ambassador Extraordinary and Plenipotentiary to the Slovak Republic. Ms. Mollica succeeds Ms. Cheryl Cruz.

    Mr. Ajit Singh has been appointed High Commissioner to the People’s Republic of Bangladesh. Mr. Singh succeeds Ms. Lilly Nicholls.

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Government announces details of mortgage reforms to help Canadians get lower mortgage payments starting December 15

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French

    Press release

    September 24, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada

    Canadians work hard to afford a home. However, the high cost of mortgage payments is a barrier to home ownership, especially for millennials and Generation Z. To help more people, especially young people, become first-time homebuyers, the federal government announced the boldest mortgage reforms in decades on September 16.

    The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, today announced technical guidance for lenders and insurers to ensure Canadians can benefit from these mortgage reforms starting December 15, 2024:

    Increasing the price cap for insured mortgages from $1 million to $1.5 million to reflect current housing market realities and help more people qualify for a mortgage with a down payment of less than 20 per cent. Increasing the insured mortgage cap, which has not been adjusted since 2012, to $1.5 million will help more people afford their own home. Expanding eligibility for the 30-year mortgage amortization to all first-time and newly constructed home buyers to reduce the cost of monthly mortgage payments and help more Canadians afford their own home. By helping people afford new homes, including condominiums, the government is announcing a new measure that will encourage new housing construction and address the housing shortage. This measure builds on the commitment made in Budget 2024, effective August 1, 2024, to provide 30-year mortgage amortization for first-time buyers of newly constructed properties, including condominiums.

    These measures, which represent the most significant mortgage reforms in decades, are part of the federal government’s plan to build 4 million new homes to help more people become homeowners. It is the most ambitious plan in Canadian history.

    Along with the 4 million additional homes we are building, communities need help building other infrastructure. That is why the federal government is investing $6 billion through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund to help communities expand and improve their infrastructure. This includes clean water, wastewater, stormwater and solid waste management infrastructure. The government has begun negotiations with provinces and territories on key actions they can take to increase housing supply, in exchange for a share of the $5 billion in federal funding. For urgent municipal infrastructure priorities, applications for the $1 billion municipal component will begin next month.

    Quotes

    “To build on our momentum to help Canadians save for a down payment, last week we announced the boldest mortgage reforms in decades. Today, we are providing the technical guidance banks need to offer first-time home buyers lower mortgage payments. Talk to your financial institution today to get your first mortgage application ready by December 15.”

    – The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance

    “Everyone deserves a safe and affordable place to call home. By reducing both the down payment and monthly mortgage costs, we are taking the boldest step yet for Canadians looking to buy their first home.”

    – The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

    Quick Facts

    ThereCanadian enhanced mortgage charter, presented in Budget 2024, sets out expectations for financial institutions to ensure that people who are having difficulty making their mortgage payments have access to tailored relief and to facilitate the purchase of a first home.

    Mortgage loan insurance allows people to get a mortgage for up to 95% of the purchase price of a property, and ensures they get a reasonable interest rate, even with a smaller down payment.

    The government’s housing plan – the most ambitious in the country’s history – will build nearly 4 million additional homes to make housing more affordable in Canada. To help more people make a down payment, recognizing that the size of a down payment and the time it takes to save are now too large, the federal government has:

    Launching the Tax-Free Savings Account for First-Time Home Buyers, which allows individuals to contribute up to $8,000 per year, up to a cumulative maximum of $40,000 for their first down payment. No taxes on contributions or withdrawals; Increasing the Home Buyers’ Plan limit from $35,000 to $60,000, as announced in Budget 2024. This measure allows first-time home buyers to use the tax benefits of Registered Retirement Savings Plan (RRSP) contributions to save up to $25,000 more for their down payment. The Home Buyers’ Plan allows Canadians to withdraw money from their RRSPs to buy or build a home. It can be used in conjunction with savings through the Tax-Free Savings Account for the purchase of a first property.

    Last week, the government also released plans for a tenants’ bill of rights and a property buyers’ bill of rightsThese will protect tenants from unfair practices, simplify leases and increase transparency of rental amounts, in addition to helping to make the property buying process fairer, more open and more transparent.

    To end encampments and combat homelessness, The government announced on September 22, 2024, that an amount of $250 million will be provided to provinces and territories that agree to match this funding. This funding will leverage up to $500 million to provide more shelter spaces, transitional housing and services to help people living in encampments find housing.

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    Related links

    Contact persons

    Media may contact:

    Katherine CuplinskasDeputy Director of CommunicationsOffice of the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of FinanceKatherine.Cuplinskas@fin.gc.ca

    Media RelationsDepartment of Finance Canadamediare@fin.gc.ca613-369-4000

    General Inquiries

    Phone: 1-833-712-2292Teletypewriter: 613-369-3230Email:financepublic-financepublique@fin.gc.ca

    Stay Connected

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Joint Statement on the Establishment of a Joint Working Group to Negotiate Our Boundary in the Beaufort Sea

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    The text of the following statement was issued by the governments of Canada and the United States of America on the occasion of the establishment of a joint working group on our Beaufort Sea boundary.

    September 24, 2024 – New York, New York – Global Affairs Canada

    The text of the following statement was issued by the governments of Canada and the United States of America on the occasion of the establishment of a joint working group on our Beaufort Sea boundary.

    “In a rapidly changing Arctic, marked by new challenges and increased strategic competition, the region has become a growing focus for the United States and Canada. Our shared interests in the region have served as the foundation of our bilateral Arctic relations for many decades and will continue to guide our Arctic cooperation into the future.

    “To strengthen their cooperation in the Arctic, Canada and the United States are announcing the establishment of a joint Canada-United States working group to undertake maritime boundary negotiations in the Beaufort Sea, including resolving the overlapping continental shelf issue in the central Arctic Ocean. The area of concern is located north of Alaska, Yukon and the Northwest Territories.

    “The working group is expected to begin negotiations this fall and this reflects the commitment of the United States and Canada to clarify our shared northern boundary through cooperative bilateral negotiations and meaningful engagement with states, territories and Indigenous partners.

    “Canada and the United States will work collaboratively toward a final agreement that will clarify Arctic maritime boundaries, keeping in mind the responsible conservation and sustainable use of Arctic resources for the mutual benefit of Americans and Canadians, including Indigenous peoples.”

    Related links

    US Department of State

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Implementation of the most daring mortgage reforms in decades

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    The federal government is proposing the most ambitious housing plan in Canadian history, including building 4 million new homes to make housing more affordable for Canadians. This plan will build a fairer Canada for every generation, where everyone can get ahead, get a fair reward for their hard work, and be able to afford to own a home.

    September 24, 2024

    The federal government proposesthe most ambitious housing plan in Canadian history, which includes building 4 million new homes to make housing more affordable for Canadians. This plan will build a fairer Canada for every generation, where everyone can get ahead, get a fair reward for their hard work, and be able to afford to own a home.

    As announced on September 16, 2024, the federal government is expanding eligibility for 30-year amortizations on insured mortgages for first-time and newly constructed home buyers. It is also increasing the price cap for insured mortgages from $1 million to $1.5 million, effective December 15, 2024. The government is releasing parameters today that will allow lending parties and insurers to begin offering mortgages under these reforms starting in December.

    Settings

    Expanding eligibility for 30-year mortgage amortization for all first-time home buyers and those purchasing newly constructed properties

    This measure will apply to borrowing parties who require high loan-to-value (LTV) mortgage insurance in Canada. In addition, the borrowing party’s application must meet the following requirements: The total LTV is 80% or greater; The borrowing party is either a first-time homebuyer or (ii) a newly constructed property.

    As the government announced on June 11, 2024, to be considered a first-time home buyer, the borrowing party must meet one of the following criteria: They have never purchased a property before; In the last 4 years, the borrowing party has not occupied a dwelling as their principal place of residence that they or their spouse or common-law partner owned. The borrowing party has recently experienced the end of a marriage or common-law partnership. In this regard, the regulations will follow the approach taken by the Canada Revenue Agency with respect to the Home Buyers’ Plan.

    As the government announced on June 11, 2024, to be considered a newly constructed home, the home in question must not have been previously occupied for residential purposes. This requirement is not intended to exclude newly constructed condominium apartments where there has been a period of temporary occupancy.

    Price cap increased from $1 million to $1.5 million for insured mortgages

    This measure will apply to borrowing parties who require high loan-to-value mortgage insurance in Canada. In addition, the borrowing parties’ application must meet the following requirements: The total loan-to-value ratio is 80% or greater; The value of the eligible residential property on which the loan is secured must be less than $1.5 million; The down payment requirements for the loan are as follows: 5% on the portion of the purchase price up to $500,000. 10% on the portion of the purchase price between $500,000 and $1.5 million.

    Other settings

    Effective date: These measures will apply to mortgage insurance applications that lenders submit to mortgage insurers on or after December 15, 2024. These measures will only apply to high loan-to-value (LTV) mortgages on properties occupied by the borrowing party or a close relative. All other eligibility criteria for government-backed mortgage insurance will continue to apply.

    Related products

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Africa: Critical minerals sector key to driving global economic growth

    Source: South Africa News Agency

    President Cyril Ramaphosa has emphasised the importance of the critical minerals sector in driving global economic growth and sustainability. 

    By leveraging key sectors such as mining, energy, and manufacturing, the President said South Africa is set to improve its business environment and attract much-needed investment.

    He was addressing the African Minerals Forum hosted by the Business Council for International Understanding (BCIU) and Prosper Africa on the sidelines of the United Nations General Assembly (UNGA 79), in New York, USA, on Monday. 

    He highlighted that four months ago, South Africa held national general elections, which ushered in a Government of National Unity, where 10 political parties have come together to coalesce around a common agenda for economic growth and sustainable development.

    President Ramaphosa underlined South Africa’s commitment to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and mitigating climate change through the country’s Just Energy Transition Plan. This plan aims to guide the shift from coal to renewable energy, while also ensuring equitable economic opportunities for affected communities. 

    “South Africa’s and Africa’s critical minerals sector has a crucial role to play in this regard, and we recognise the importance of collaboration with other countries to develop the potential of our critical minerals sector. 

    “The US in particular has established expertise in advanced mining technologies, automation and sustainability practices. 

    “We want to strengthen our ties with US companies and institutions to foster technological advancements, enhance supply chain efficiencies and attract investment into our mining sector,” the President said. 

    The President also emphasised that South Africa strongly endorses the United Nations Secretary-General’s position paper on Critical Energy Transition Minerals, where he highlights the importance of beneficiation, benefit sharing, local value addition and economic diversification.

    “It would not be an understatement to say that the minerals that lie beneath the soil of Africa are powering the green energy revolution. Thirty percent of the world’s proven critical mineral reserves are found in Sub-Saharan Africa.

    “South Africa has substantial reserves of platinum group metals, manganese, vanadium as well as chromium. 

    “These resources are fundamental to the development of cutting-edge technologies that drive progress in various sectors. What will be critical is to ensure that this progress does not leave Africa behind,” he said.

    The President stressed the need to avoid perpetuating colonial-era exploitation, where African countries primarily export raw minerals. He said that by focusing on beneficiation and domestic processing, African nations could see significant economic growth. 

    President Ramaphosa highlighted that beneficiation and local processing of critical minerals could increase the continent’s GDP by 12% or more by 2050. 

    He cited estimates suggesting that African countries could generate USD 24 billion annually in GDP and create 2.3 million jobs by investing in mining beneficiation and domestic processing.

    President Ramaphosa highlighted the strides made by SASOL, South Africa’s flagship petrochemical company, in leading green hydrogen technologies research and development. 

    “As the global automotive industry moves towards Electric Vehicles and New Energy Vehicles, we are leveraging our rich experience with automotive production to get some of the world’s leading automotive manufactures with a footprint in South Africa to produce more their green vehicles in our country,” he said. 

    Despite improvements in the beneficiation of South Africa’s mineral exports, President Ramaphosa admitted that more needs to be done. 

    He underscored the country’s commitment to creating a supportive policy framework for the critical minerals sector, focused on streamlining regulations, fostering innovation in mining technologies, building workforce skills, improving transport and logistics infrastructure, and incentivising investment.

    South Africa’s five-point policy approach aims to create a supportive environment for the critical minerals sector. This includes simplifying regulations, supporting research and development in mining technologies, investing in workforce skills, improving logistics infrastructure, and incentivising domestic and international investment. 

    “South Africa also has a beneficiation strategy that seeks to translate the benefits of our country’s mineral endowments into a national competitive advantage. 

    “As the UN Secretary-General’s paper has noted, Critical Energy Transition Minerals can transform economies, create green jobs and foster sustainable local, regional and global development,” he said. 

    President Ramaphosa further stressed that for the potential of critical minerals to be fully realised, both mineral-producing nations and their end-user countries must embrace inclusivity. 

    He emphasised the importance of creating decent work opportunities, eradicating exploitative practices such as child and forced labour, and ensuring human rights protections. 

    Local beneficiation and industrialisation were highlighted as priorities, alongside environmental safeguards to ensure sustainable extraction practices. 

    The President urged for a long-term focus on inter-generational equity, recognising that critical minerals are vital for solving global challenges like climate change, energy, and food insecurity. 

    He called on US companies to collaborate in fostering sustainable development.

    “By leveraging our respective strengths, pursuing strategic collaborations, and implementing supportive policies, we stand ready to meet the demands of the global market and drive sustainable development. 

    “I call on US companies and investors to join us on our journey,” he said. – SAnews.gov.za

    MIL OSI Africa –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Grand Falls-Windsor — Man arrested by Grand Falls-Windsor RCMP in relation to weekend home invasion

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Following a weekend home invasion that occurred at a residence on Irving Street in Grand Falls-Windsor, 28-year-old Michael Cook was arrested by Grand Falls-Windsor RCMP.

    Shortly before 7:30 a.m. on Sunday, September 22, 2024, police received the report. Two males forced entry into the home, confronted an occupant inside and demanded money. With money unavailable, the suspects stole other items and departed the residence.

    Michael Cook was arrested at a traffic stop a short time later. He appeared in court yesterday, charged with robbery and break and enter. He was released on conditions and is set to appear in court again at a later date.

    The second suspect has been identified with efforts underway to effect his arrest.

    The investigation is continuing. Residents are advised that this crime was not random in nature. The victim and suspects are known to one another.

    Those having information about this crime are asked to contact Grand Falls-Windsor RCMP at 709-489-2121. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: Hawaii Regional Maintenance Center preps USS Antietam for decommissioning

    Source: United States Navy

    Antietam, a Ticonderoga-class guided-missile cruiser, is scheduled to decommission in a ceremony at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam Sept. 27, completing 37 years of service.

    HRMC, along with contractor Pacific Shipyards International, performed the 96-day inactivation availability which consisted of a series of system deactivations to include the ship’s refrigeration, sewage collection, and fire-fighting systems. The team also removed all combustible liquids and blanked off valves that connect to the sea to make the ship watertight while it lies at anchor at the Inactive Ships Maintenance Office in Pearl Harbor, where Antietam will be in a Logistic Support Asset status. At this location, the ship will undergo periodic maintenance and inspections that allow for its long-term storage.

    “Under the leadership of Project Manager Dan King, the team demonstrated Surface Team Hawaii’s excellence in maintenance – absolutely amazing,” said Capt. Brian Ryglowski, HRMC deputy commander. “Collectively, his team successfully completed highly specialized maintenance tasks despite pier infrastructure constraints and a high workload on the waterfront. On behalf of the Navy, I want to thank Dan and everyone who contributed for their dedication in executing our mission as USS Antietam has reached the end of its service life for the nation.”

    PHNSY & IMF is a field activity of Naval Sea Systems Command and a one-stop regional maintenance center for the Navy’s surface ships and submarines. It is the largest industrial employer in the state of Hawaii, with a combined civilian and military workforce of approximately 6,500. It is the most comprehensive fleet repair and maintenance facility between the U.S. West Coast and the Far East, strategically located in the heart of the Pacific, being about a week’s steaming time closer to potential regional contingencies in East Asia.

    For more news from PHNSY & IMF, visit www.navsea.navy.mil/Home/Shipyards/PHNS-IMF/ and www.dvidshub.net/unit/PHNSY-IMF.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: SUPPLEMENT to Oma Savings Bank Plc’s stock exchange release on 23 September 2024 regarding the issuance of an unsecured senior-term bond

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OMA SAVINGS BANK PLC, STOCK EXCHANGE RELEASE 24 SEPTEMBER 2024 AT 16.25 P.M. EET, OTHER INFORMATION DISCLOSED TO THE RULES OF THE EXCHANGE

    SUPPLEMENT to Oma Savings Bank Plc’s stock exchange release on 23 September 2024 regarding the issuance of an unsecured senior-term bond

    NOT FOR RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION, IN WHOLE OR IN PART, DIRECTLY OR INDIRECTLY, IN OR INTO THE UNITED STATES, AUSTRALIA, CANADA, HONG KONG, JAPAN, NEW ZEALAND, SINGAPORE, SOUTH AFRICA OR SUCH OTHER COUNTRIES OR OTHERWISE IN SUCH CIRCUMSTANCES IN WHICH THE OFFERING OF THE NEW NOTES, THE TENDER OFFER OR THE RELEASE, PUBLICATION OR DISTRIBUTION WOULD BE UNLAWFUL.

    Oma Savings Bank Plc (“OmaSp” or the “Company”) supplements the stock exchange release on 23.9.2024 regarding the issuance of an unsecured senior-term bond. The euro amount of the senior-term bond will change from the previously announced amount and the updated total amount is EUR 40 million.

    The Final terms are available on the Company’s website at https://www.omasp.fi/en/investors no later than 27 September 2024.

    Oma Savings Bank Plc

    Additional information:
    Sarianna Liiri, CEO, tel. +358 40 835 6712, sarianna.liiri@omasp.fi

    Distribution:
    Nasdaq Helsinki Ltd
    Major media
    www.omasp.fi

    OmaSp is a solvent and profitable Finnish bank. About 500 professionals provide nationwide services through OmaSp’s 45 branch offices and digital service channels to over 200,000 private and corporate customers. OmaSp focuses primarily on retail banking operations and provides its clients with a broad range of banking services both through its own balance sheet as well as by acting as an intermediary for its partners’ products. The intermediated products include credit, investment and loan insurance products. OmaSp is also engaged in mortgage banking operations.

    OmaSp core idea is to provide personal service and to be local and close to its customers, both in digital and traditional channels. OmaSp strives to offer premium level customer experience through personal service and easy accessibility. In addition, the development of the operations and services is customer-oriented. The personnel is committed and OmaSp seeks to support their career development with versatile tasks and continuous development. A substantial part of the personnel also own shares in OmaSp.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Middlefield Canadian Income PCC: Net Asset Value(s)

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Middlefield Canadian Income PCC Net Asset Value

    Middlefield Canadian Income PCC

    Middlefield Canadian Income – GBP PC
    (a protected cell company incorporated in Jersey with registration number 93546)
    Legal Entity Identifier: 2138007ENW3JEJXC8658

    Net Asset Value

    As at the close of business on 23 September 2024 the estimated unaudited Net Asset Value per share was 130.93 pence (including accrued income).

    Investments in the Company’s portfolio have been valued on a bid price basis.

    Enquiries:

    JTC Fund Solutions (Jersey) Limited
    01534 700 000

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: LYB secures capacity to reach its 2030 renewable electricity goal

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON and ROTTERDAM, the Netherlands, Sept. 24, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — LyondellBasell (LYB) today announced it signed a power purchase agreement with Eneco N.V. This agreement brings LYB’s total secured renewable electricity capacity to 100% of its renewable electricity procurement target.

    “Taking climate action is a key part of our strategy to create value for our stakeholders, the environment and society. I am therefore delighted that this latest agreement will help us reach our 2030 renewable electricity goal once all projects become operational,” said Peter Vanacker, LyondellBasell CEO. “Power Purchase Agreements are a critical lever in our efforts to reduce our absolute scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions.”

    Approximately 15% of LYB’s 2020 baseline scope 1 and 2 greenhouse gas emissions come from its electricity consumption. The company target to procure a minimum of 50% of its electricity from renewable sources by 2030 is based on 2020 procured levels.

    Under the 15-year PPA signed today, LYB will secure 25 megawatts (MW) of renewable electricity generation capacity from the Hollandse Kust West VI (HKW-VI) ecology plot offshore wind farm in the North Sea, the Netherlands.

    Eneco will deliver approximately 103 gigawatt-hours (GWh) of offshore wind power to LYB annually, starting in 2027. This is comparable to the annual electricity consumption of approximately 28,500 European homes. The offshore wind park will rank among the largest of its kind in the Netherlands.

    About LyondellBasell

    LyondellBasell is a leader in the global chemical industry creating solutions for everyday sustainable living. Through advanced technology and focused investments, we are enabling a circular and low carbon economy. Across all we do, we aim to unlock value for our customers, investors and society. As one of the world’s largest producers of polymers and a leader in polyolefin technologies, we develop, manufacture and market high-quality and innovative products for applications ranging from sustainable transportation and food safety to clean water and quality healthcare. For more information, please visit or follow @LyondellBasell on LinkedIn.  

    Forward-Looking Statements

    The statements in this release relating to matters that are not historical facts are forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are based upon assumptions of management of LyondellBasell which are believed to be reasonable at the time made and are subject to significant risks and uncertainties. Actual results could differ materially based on factors including, but not limited to, the availability, cost and price volatility of utilities; our ability to meet our sustainability goals, including our ability to reduce our emissions and achieve net zero emissions by the time set in our goals; our ability to procure energy from renewable sources; and the successful construction and operation of the projects described in this release. Additional factors that could cause results to differ materially from those described in the forward-looking statements can be found in the “Risk Factors” section of our Form 10-K for the year ended December 31, 2023, which can be found at www.LyondellBasell.com on the Investor Relations page and on the Securities and Exchange Commission’s website at www.sec.gov. There is no assurance that any of the actions, events or results of the forward-looking statements will occur, or if any of them do, what impact they will have on our results of operations or financial condition. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date they were made and are based on the estimates and opinions of management of LyondellBasell at the time the statements are made. LyondellBasell does not assume any obligation to update forward-looking statements should circumstances or management’s estimates or opinions change, except as required by law.

    For media inquiries, please contact:​
    Media Inquiries
    LyondellBasell Media Relations
    ​Phone: +1 713 309 7575
    ​Email: mediarelations@lyondellbasell.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/e76dd5c6-698a-445c-9c45-61d139c32245

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Preparing health and social care for winter

    Source: Scottish Government

    Record high NHS 24 workforce to meet increased demand.

    A record number of NHS 24 call handlers will support the public to access the most appropriate care this winter as services deal with increased demand.

    Through the Scottish Government and COSLA’s joint Winter Preparedness Plan, continued investment for NHS 24 will increase service capacity to provide clinical supervision for at least 150,000 additional calls per year and help prevent unnecessary A&E attendances.

    Key measures to support services in the face of increased demand, include; improving discharge planning for patients admitted to acute or community hospitals, maintaining established care at home packages and a Government led delayed discharge response team to directly support Boards in need of assistance. Planned care capacity will also be safeguarded with a continued focus on clearing long waits.

    The annual winter vaccination programme, which includes respiratory condition RSV for the first time, will support a reduction in severe disease, hospitalisation and mortality – while protecting health and social care service capacity. The joint plan also sets out action to support the mental health and well-being of service staff through increased flexible working options and dedicated mental health resources.

    This year’s plan has been published a month ahead of last year, and earlier than ever before, to allow more time for NHS Boards and care providers to prepare for winter surges in demand.

    Health Secretary Neil Gray said:

    “As winter approaches, the NHS will see surges in demand across all health, social care and social work services. Our joint-plan Winter Plan with COSLA is just one part of a wider programme of work to respond to heightened demand.

    “A record number of NHS 24 call handlers will be available this winter to direct people to the most appropriate care, helping reduce unnecessary A&E attendances. We will continue our work to reduce delayed discharge in hospitals with an increased focus on effective discharge planning and protecting care at home packages. We will also ensure planned care capacity is protected as much as possible in the face of winter pressure so patients are seen as quickly as possible.

    “We are prioritising frontline services with over £14.2 billion investment in our boards this year – an almost 3% real terms uplift – and also investing £2 billion in social care services.

    “I thank all health, social care and social work staff for their continued efforts and dedication to deliver high quality care. It is fundamental we safeguard their wellbeing, and improved options on flexible working and continued access to mental health resources will ensure staff are supported over this challenging period.”

    COSLA Health and Social Care Spokesperson, Councillor Paul Kelly said:

    “It is our shared responsibility to ensure that people and communities have timely access to quality care and support when they need it most. We know that Local Government and Health and Social Care Partnerships across Scotland are working hard to plan and deliver the essential health and social care services our communities rely on every day.

    “The context within which this takes place is increasingly challenging, which is why COSLA have worked jointly with the Scottish Government to produce this plan. Local Government plays a key role in supporting people to experience better wellbeing and better outcomes, so it was only right that this plan reflects the whole system of integrated health and social care, from acute and primary care to social work, our care homes, community settings, and our partners across the sector.

    “Winter is often a time of exceptional pressure on our services so I am pleased that this plan, produced with our partners across the sector, reflects the challenges and the opportunities we face.”

    Background

    Health & Social Care Winter Preparedness Plan for 2024-25

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Blind and partially sighted supporters to avail of new commentary service at Brandywell games

    Source: Northern Ireland – City of Derry

    Blind and partially sighted supporters to avail of new commentary service at Brandywell games

    24 September 2024

    Visually impaired or blind spectators attending Derry City games at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium can now avail of a new service that will give them a live audio description of games.

    The new programme has been designed to allow the supporters to listen to descriptive commentary that will be transmitted to a radio receiver through a headset from anywhere within the stadium. The commentary will be provided by Drive 105. 

    The new service will be available for Derry City’s forthcoming games versus Sligo Rovers, Bohemians and Shelbourne and is available to home and away supporters.              

    The equipment has been installed by stadium owners Derry City and Strabane District Council following a report on accessibility improvements at the stadium being approved by Elected Members of Council’s Health and Community Committee in May.

    Mayor of Derry City and Strabane District Council, Councillor Lilian Seenoi Barr, said it will allow more supporters to enjoy the match day experience.

    “This is brilliant news for blind and visually impaired supporters who can now be more involved and enjoy an enhanced match day at the Ryan McBride Brandywell Stadium.

    “I have had the opportunity to attend a number of games in recent months when I experienced the noise and excitement for myself, and I am so delighted more people can now feel included and part of that.

    “I would like to thank Council Officers for bringing the project to fruition so quickly, the RNIB for their input in the project development, Derry City FC who will manage the service at games and Drive 105 for providing commentary from their Match Night Live service.”

    The service at the Ryan McBride Stadium is similar to the Soccer Sight programme that was successfully implemented at Windsor Park in Belfast.

    Campaigns Officer for RNIB Northern Ireland, Michéal Smith, attended Friday’s match at The Brandywell and said: “RNIB Northern Ireland is delighted to be involved in this initiative.

     “Blind and partially sighted fans should be able to enjoy watching a live football match in an accessible environment which welcomes both participants and those who visit sporting facilities to follow the action.

     “Too often, access to and within grounds and stadia, the facilities on offer, the accessible communication and the return travel, can be difficult to negotiate or completely absent. In many cases this deters sports fans with sight loss from getting involved.

    “Football is for everyone and we commend The Brandywell for introducing Audio Description technology to the stadium. Many thanks to stadium announcer Martin Bradley for all his assistance.

    “We thank local RNIB volunteer Rory McCartney and Richard Moore from Derry’s Drive 105 community radio station for their brilliant work together to make this happen. We also thank Derry and Strabane District Council – particularly Councillor Emma McGinley, Councillor Aisling Hutton and Leisure Area Manager Steve Setterfield, for helping bring this project to fruition. This is a great example of the Council’s ongoing partnership with RNIB to help Derry/Londonderry become a ‘Visually Aware City.’”

    Derry City’s Robert Martin added: “Derry City FC is delighted to note the success of the new ‘Brandywell Audio Assistant’ service that was trialled in our home game against Shamrock Rovers on Friday night.

    “Anything that enhances the match night experience at the ground is warmly welcomed and no doubt our visually impaired supporters will be happy to make use of the headsets going forward.

    “We congratulate all involved in the development of this project and encourage anyone who feels they may benefit from the service to speak with stadium stewards.

    “The sets will be stored in the Communications room and signed in and out by an appointed club delegate.”

    For further information on accessing the new service contact Rory McCartney (RNIB),  [email protected].

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Planning application lodged for Queen Street urban park

    Source: Scotland – City of Aberdeen

    A planning application for a £15million urban park in Queen Street has been made by Aberdeen City Council.

    The park would be a key element in the redevelopment of Queen Street, which is part of the Council’s City Centre and Beach Masterplan to transform Aberdeen.

    It would include outdoor seating, informal performance spaces, a terraced garden, a sensory garden and enhanced street greening. The application follows several months of consultation with neighbouring organisations and other stakeholders.

    The new park would be located on land on the other side of Queen Street from the former police headquarters building. Options for the former police building are currently being reviewed by the council.

    Each space within the urban park would perform a range of environmental and social functions which will be categorised by the overarching themes of urban nature, community, heritage, and arts and culture.

    It would also improve pedestrian and cycle movement between the city centre and the beach.

    It is also hoped that the new park will help encourage investment by the surrounding private buildings and landowners.

    The planning application can be viewed via reference number 241111/DPP at Simple Search (aberdeencity.gov.uk).

    Further details on the plans and the other City Centre and Beachfront Masterplan projects can be found on the website www.generationaberdeen.co.uk .

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Edinburgh to host International Fair Trade Towns Conference in 2025

    Source: Scotland – City of Edinburgh

    A prestigious international convention on Fair Trade and the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) will be hosted in the capital in August next year.

    Delegates from around the world will come to Edinburgh for the 18th International Fair Trade Towns Conference. 

    They will take part in a three-day (29 to 31 August) series of discussions themed around the SDGs and the importance of Fair Trade in driving progress towards them. The conference will also highlight the important contributions that Edinburgh has made to Fair Trade. 

    Fair Trade is an international movement that aims to secure better prices, fair terms of trade, and improved working conditions for farmers, producers and workers in the global south. The movement now works with farmers and workers in more than 1,900 producer organisations across 70 countries. 

    The event is expected to welcome over 150 representatives from around the world, and to have 100 or more Edinburgh schoolchildren participate.

    City of Edinburgh Lord Provost Robert Aldridge said:

    It is a great honour that Edinburgh will be hosting this fantastic event. It gives Edinburgh and our friends across the globe the opportunity to share know-how, expertise, and best practice, while showcasing the best our city has to offer. This is a very powerful example of joint working between international partners. 

    As a Fairtrade City, Edinburgh is dedicated to motivating residents to work towards a common goal and stay on course by advocating for environmental sustainability and supporting local sustainable businesses.

    This year Edinburgh marks 20 years as a Fairtrade City, and Scotland has recently celebrated 10 years as a Fairtrade Nation. I look forward to the gathering next year and celebrating yet another milestone in our aim to make this a world in which trade is based on fairness, and where the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals are successfully implemented.”  

    Published: September 24th 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Leeds low carbon heat network set to expand to thousands more residents

    Source: City of Leeds

    Leeds’s South Bank is to enjoy more affordable and lower carbon heating after £24.5m funding was secured to further expand the Leeds PIPES district heating network.

    The expansion is planned to include up to 28 buildings, with up to 8,000 residents and mixed-use customers benefitting from connections, making it the most significant single investment into the project since its inception.

    Households benefitting from the expansion will enjoy more reliable, more affordable, lower carbon heating.

    By using heat recovered from the city’s non-recyclable domestic waste to provide warmth and hot water to buildings in the city, the Leeds PIPES district heating project is helping businesses and residents to move away from costly fossil-fuel powered heating systems.

    The continued expansion of the district heating network is supporting efforts to end the city’s contribution to climate change by transitioning to lower carbon heating systems. Last year, 5,945 tonnes of carbon were saved through the network.

    The original project connected over 1,900 homes and non-domestic buildings to the energy-from-waste scheme. Earlier this year, over two hundred and fifty council properties in Lovell Park Heights, Lovell Park Grange, and Lovell Park Towers were set up to receive heat from the network.

    This year, connections have been completed at Leeds Conservatoire and the former Technology Campus Student Residential development and both sites are now receiving heat from the network.

    Over the summer, agreements have also been signed with the new Railway Street affordable homes scheme, 24-28 Great George Street, which is to become student apartments with the Victoria Hotel pub reopening on the ground floor, Leeds College of Building’s North Street Campus and the Co-op Academy Brierley SEND School in Cross Green.

    Councillor Mohammed Rafique, Leeds City Council’s executive member for climate, energy, environment and green space and Councillor Jessica Lennox, executive member for housing, said:

    “We are both pleased that many more residents will soon be paying significantly less to heat their homes thanks to this latest expansion of the Leeds PIPES network.

    “UK’s homes are some of the least efficient and most reliant on costly fossil fuel gas in Europe, and too many families in our city struggle to pay their energy bills. We are committed to helping households by making our homes greener and fit for the future.

    “Leeds is working towards becoming the first net zero city in the UK, and connecting more homes to affordable low carbon heating like Leeds PIPES is a step in the right direction.”

    ENDS

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Death of an inmate from Archambault Institution

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    On September 15, 2024, Guy Bissonnette, an inmate from Archambault Institution, died while in our custody of apparent natural causes.

    September 17, 2024 – Sainte-Anne-des-Plaines, Quebec – Correctional Service of Canada

    On September 15, 2024, Guy Bissonnette, an inmate from Archambault Institution, died while in our custody of apparent natural causes.

    At the time of death, the person had been serving an indeterminate sentence, which commenced on October 26, 1990, for second-degree murder.

    As in all cases involving the death of an inmate, Correctional Service Canada (CSC) will review the circumstances.

    CSC policy requires that the police and the coroner be notified.

    -30-

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada imposes further sanctions against Iran

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations.

    September 18, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Global Affairs Canada

    The Honourable Mélanie Joly, Minister of Foreign Affairs, today announced that Canada is imposing additional sanctions under the Special Economic Measures (Iran) Regulations.

    Today’s announcement follows the second anniversary of the death of Mahsa Amini, a 22-year-old Iranian woman, who died while in the custody of Iran’s so-called morality police on September 16, 2022. Iranian authorities had detained her for allegedly violating the country’s strict dress code.

    The sanctions apply to five Iranian political figures responsible for the design and implementation of repressive policies, including the violent repression of protesters.

    The five individuals are:

    • Mohammad Mokhber
    • Gholam Hossein Esmaili
    • Seyyed Masoud Mirkazemi
    • Siamak Rahpeik
    • Ahmad-Reza Radan

    Canada is imposing these sanctions in coordination with Australia and the United States. The three countries are taking similar action this week in response to the acceleration of Iran’s repressive measures against women and its brutal crackdown on citizen demonstrations, as well as its ongoing grave breach of international peace and security.

    Canada will continue to increase pressure on Iran and implement further measures for as long as Iran continues its abhorrent conduct. Canada’s measures includes designating Iran as a state sponsor of terrorism under the State Immunity Act, listing the Islamic Revolutionary Guard Corps as a terrorist entity under the Criminal Code and implementing sanctions under the Special Economic Measures Act and the United Nations Act to impose dealing restrictions and freeze assets held in Canada.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congressman Schweikert Introduces Legislation That Would Save Taxpayers Almost $80 Billion Across a Decade

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congressman David Schweikert (AZ-06)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. — Today, Congressman David Schweikert, alongside Congressmen Jared Golden (D-ME), Mike Kelly (R-PA), and Glenn Grothman (R-WI), introduced the Employee Retention Tax Credit Repeal Act, bipartisan legislation that would disallow the processing of Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC) claims filed after January 31, 2024; dramatically increase penalties on those defrauding the government; and aid the Internal Revenue Service (IRS) in getting out the door honest, low-risk returns from small businesses. The original design of the ERTC was to help Main Street retain employees during the pandemic. However, legitimate returns from small businesses desperately needing support were crowded out by perverse promoters looking to take advantage of an emergency program, landing ERTC on the IRS’s “Dirty Dozen” list in 2023.

    Earlier this summer, IRS Commissioner Danny Werfel asked for Congress’ “help with this situation” and assist Treasury to “address fraud and error.” The ERTC Repeal Act would enable the return to fiscal sanity and end a program riddled with fraud that could cost up to seven times more—up to $550 billion—than initially estimated if allowed to continue. By eliminating the ERTC program, this bill would save taxpayers an estimated $79 billion over ten years.  

    “We’ve all heard from the number of small businesses in our district waiting for their claims to be processed,” said Rep. David Schweikert (AZ-01). “A 1.4 million return backlog still exists, and moving the deadline up, rather than waiting until April 2025, will enable the IRS to go after the bad actors seeking to take advantage of taxpayers while approving legitimate claims faster and delivering long-overdue refunds to small businesses. Congress would be perpetuating a moral hazard if this level of fraud were allowed to go unpunished. It’s past time fiscal responsibility prevails, and we act on behalf of future generations who will be shouldered with a more than $35 trillion national debt.”

    “This tax credit was an emergency response to protect workers and small businesses during the pandemic. Today, bad actors are abusing the program to pad their bottom lines at Americans’ expense,” Congressman Jared Golden (ME-02) said. “It’s past time we end this program — the conditions that made it necessary are over, and it’s a ripe target for tax cheats. Taking it off the books will protect taxpayers from fraud.”

    Maya MacGuineas, president of the Committee for a Responsible Federal Budget, said, “Although the COVID public health and economic emergency has ended, our national debt and fiscal challenges continue to mount. We thank Representatives Schweikert (R-AZ) and Golden (D-ME) for introducing the House version of legislation to repeal the Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC), which is rife with fraud and has significantly overshot the original cost estimate, increasing the national debt. Given that the economy has recovered from the pandemic, it’s clear that this tax credit has outlived its purpose. We encourage Congress to pass this bipartisan, bicameral bill without delay and save $80 billion as a first step toward putting our country back on a fiscally sustainable path.”

    Background of the Employee Retention Tax Credit Repeal Act:

    • The Employee Retention Tax Credit (ERTC)—created by the CARES Act and furthered expanded by the Consolidated Appropriations Act of 2021 and the American Rescue Plan—is a refundable credit available to qualifying businesses who paid wages to employees during the COVID-19 pandemic. In October 2021, the IRS issued a notice warning employers of “third parties promoting improper Employee Retention claims.” These “promoters” often use aggressive and deceptive marketing tactics to convince businesses to allow them to file ERTC claims on their behalf. Fraud within the program became so prevalent that it then earned a place on the “Dirty Dozen” list of schemes and scams that make taxpayers vulnerable to personal and financial risk in March of 2023.

    The ERTC Repeal Act would bring forward the sunset date of the ERTC and disallow the processing of ERTC claims filed after January 31, 2024. Additionally, this bill would:

    • Increase penalties for promoters from $1,000 to $10,000 for individuals and $200,000 for business promoters;
    • Impose a $1,000 penalty for failure to comply with due diligence requirements; and
    • Extend the statute of limitations period on assessments to six years.

    Full bill text can be found here.

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    Congressman David Schweikert serves on the Ways and Means Committee and is the current Chairman of the Oversight Subcommittee. He is also the Vice Chairman on the bicameral Joint Economic Committee, chairs the Congressional Valley Fever Task Force, and is the Republican Co-Chair of the Blockchain Caucus, Telehealth Caucus, Singapore Caucus, and the Caucus on Access to Capital and Credit.

    Back to News

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: U.S. House of Representatives Unanimously Passes Trahan’s Bipartisan Legislation to Advance Rare Disease Treatments for Kids

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Lori Trahan (D-MA-03), a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee’s Health Subcommittee, celebrated the unanimous passage of her bipartisan Creating Hope Reauthorization Act of 2024 in the U.S. House of Representatives. The legislation will reauthorize a key program that incentivizes the development of new drugs and treatments for children battling rare pediatric diseases. Trahan introduced the legislation earlier this year alongside Representatives Michael McCaul (R-TX-10), Anna Eshoo (D-CA-16), Gus Bilirakis (R-FL-12), Michael Burgess (R-TX-26), and Nanette Barragán (D-CA-44).

    “When a child is battling a rare disease like cancer, currently one of the leading causes of death for kids, they deserve access to the best treatments possible,” said Congresswoman Trahan. “The Creating Hope Reauthorization Act is a critical bipartisan effort to make sure those treatments are available while newer and more effective treatments are being advanced to save children’s lives. The unanimous support for this legislation in the House is a testament to the necessity and effectiveness of this initiative, and I look forward to working with our colleagues in the Senate to send it to the President’s desk to become law.”

    Approximately 30 million Americans are affected by rare diseases, two out of every three of whom are children. However, treatments intended for adults are often too harsh for children, limiting their treatment options or even leaving them with life-altering complications after their disease is cured. The Creating Hope Reauthorization Act seeks to solve this problem by reauthorizing the U.S. Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) cost-neutral priority review voucher (PRV) program, which incentivizes the development of treatments for rare pediatric diseases. Since 2012, the PRV program has spurred the development of therapies for nearly 40 different diseases, 36 of which previously had no safe or effective FDA-approved treatments for children.

    The Creating Hope Reauthorization Act was included in the Give Kids a Chance Act, a bipartisan legislative package created to advance pediatric disease treatment. During a markup last week, members of the House Energy and Commerce Committee unanimously passed the Give Kids a Chance Act. In addition to Trahan’s legislation to advance pediatric rare disease treatments, the package also authorizes the FDA to direct companies to research combinations of therapies and cancer drugs in pediatric patients. The FDA is currently only authorized to direct pediatric cancer trials of single drugs, and the majority of these trials are conducted on children with relapsed cancer. However, kids with relapsed cancer are very rarely cured by one-drug treatments because their diagnoses are so advanced.

    Since her appointment to the House Energy and Commerce Committee in 2021, Trahan has spearheaded multiple bipartisan initiatives to expand and improve pediatric health care. Last week, she secured passage by the full House of Representatives of her bipartisan Accelerating Kids’ Access to Care Act, legislation that will break down barriers for children with complex medical conditions to make it easier for families to access out-of-state care. In July, she introduced the Bolstering Research and Innovation Now (BRAIN) Act, bipartisan legislation to strengthen research and treatment development for brain tumors, the leading cause of cancer-related death among children and young adults. In May, the House passed her bicameral and bipartisan Youth Poisoning Protection Act, bipartisan and bicameral legislation that would ban the consumer sale of products containing high concentrations of sodium nitrite, a meat-curing chemical that has been popularized in online suicide forums because of its lethality when ingested.

    The legislative package containing Trahan’s Creating Hope Reauthorization Act now moves to the Senate where companion legislation has been introduced by Senators Bob Casey (D-PA) and Markwayne Mullin (R-OK).

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    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Joins Letter Calling on President Biden to Expedite Review of LNG Projects for Ukraine and Eastern European Allies 

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)

    Washington, D.C. – Today, Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) joined her colleagues in a letter to President Biden requesting that the Department of Energy (DOE) prioritize and expedite the review of projects that will supply liquified natural gas (LNG) to Ukrainian and Eastern European allies as it recommences the processing of applications for authorization to export LNG to countries where the U.S. does not have existing free trade agreements (non-FTA nations). This request was made with a focus on maintaining both U.S. national security and energy security for European allies. 

    “We must ensure that new exports do not impact energy prices for American consumers and businesses. However, the public interest also requires consideration of the extent to which LNG exports promote geopolitical stability and serve our national security interests. Russia’s increasingly aggressive actions towards Ukrainian infrastructure, including electricity and gas storage facilities, highlight the urgent need to assist Ukraine in recovering and rebuilding and for Ukraine to diversify and secure its energy supply,” said the Members.

    The letter was led by Congresswoman Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Co-Chair and Co-Founder of the Congressional Ukraine Caucus. Other signers include Representatives Lou Correa (CA-46), Jim Costa (CA-21), Don Davis (NC-01), Chris Deluzio (PA-17), Vicente Gonzalez (TX-15), Chrissy Houlahan (PA-06), Mary Peltola (AK-AL), Marie Gluesenkamp Perez (WA-03), Marc Veasey (TX-33), and Susan Wild (PA-07).

    A full copy of the letter can be found by clicking here, or reading below:
     
    Dear President Biden: 

     As members of Congress, we write to request that the Department of Energy (DOE) prioritize and expedite review of projects that will supply liquefied natural gas (LNG) to Ukrainian and Eastern European allies as it recommences the processing of applications for authorization to export LNG to countries where the US does not have existing free trade agreements (non-FTA nations). This request is made with a focus on maintaining both US national security and energy security for our European allies. 

     DOE performs a critical function when it reviews applications for new LNG exports to non-FTA nations for consistency with the public interest. We must ensure that new exports do not impact energy prices for American consumers and businesses. However, the public interest also requires consideration of the extent to which LNG exports promote geopolitical stability and serve our national security interests. Russia’s increasingly aggressive actions towards Ukrainian infrastructure, including electricity and gas storage facilities, highlight the urgent need to assist Ukraine in recovering and rebuilding and for Ukraine to diversify and secure its energy supply. The Administration’s recent announcement of over $800 Million towards emergency energy needs in Ukraine to help “repair energy infrastructure damaged in the war, expand power generation, encourage private sector investment and protect energy infrastructure” will be vital to helping Ukraine recover and rebuild. 

    Equally important will be allowing Ukraine the ability to replace its natural gas supply when its contract with Gazprom expires at the end of this year. We believe that reducing Ukraine’s dependence on Russian energy will strengthen Ukraine’s energy security and align with the broader strategic goals of diminishing Russia’s influence in the region and reducing the leverage that hostile actors like Russia have over our allies. 

    Any delays to providing additional supplies of LNG to Ukraine and our Eastern European allies could jeopardize European energy security and market stability in the long-term. Typical gas offtake contracts are measured in years, not months, and are underpinned by certainty. We should not send mixed signals to our allies who want to eliminate their reliance on Vladimir Putin for good. We believe that the United States must demonstrate its commitment to supporting Ukraine’s sovereignty and resilience amidst ongoing threats by prioritizing and expediting review of projects that will supply LNG to Ukraine and Eastern Europe. 

    Additionally, American LNG is produced with some of the strongest environmental protections globally.1 Rigorous regulations and oversight ensure that our LNG exports are reliable and adhere to high environmental standards. We believe that these environmental standards, in combination with assistance made available through Inflation Reduction Act programs, such as the GHG Reporting and the Methane Emissions Reduction Programs, will ensure industry and this Administration work to continue reducing emissions from natural gas. By prioritizing and expediting review of LNG projects that will supply LNG to vulnerable nations, we believe DOE would enable our allies to benefit from cleaner LNG sources that have been shown to reduce emissions compared to foreign supplies and coal,2 thus supporting their transition to more sustainable energy systems. 

    The United States has already shown a strong commitment to supporting Ukraine. Extending and expanding support to the energy sector is a natural and necessary step. We must continue to lead by example, showing that we can balance our environmental commitments with the need to provide reliable energy to our European allies. We believe that, if US LNG producers adhere to increasingly stringent environmental standards, then this balance is maintained, promoting both energy security and environmental stewardship. 

    In conclusion, we believe that prioritizing and expediting review of LNG projects that will supply Ukraine and Eastern Europe will support geopolitical stability and advance the national security interests of the United States. Thank you in advance for your consideration of this request. 

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Statement on First Known Post-Dobbs Death

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) issued the following statement based on ProPublica’s recent reporting on the tragic death of Amber Thurman, a 28-year-old mother who lost her life due to Georgia’s extreme abortion ban shortly after the Dobbs v. Jackson Women’s Health Organization decision:

    “American women woke to learn their worst fears have been realized—a 28-year-old mother in Georgia was left to die because of the Trump abortion bans. A son lost his mother, a family lost their loved one.

    “Two years after her death, she is the first confirmed casualty in the MAGA war on women. It begs the question, how many more women have died, their stories hidden away?

    “What we know for certain is this will happen again. It will happen in Texas, and across the country, until we end these cruel bans.

    “We must defeat these Trump abortion bans and ensure every woman has access to comprehensive reproductive health care without fear of losing her life.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Statement on the Federal Reserve’s Decision to Cut Interest Rates

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) issued the following statement following the Federal Reserve’s decision to cut interest rates by 50 basis points (0.5 percent):

    “Today’s rate cut is the first step of many to making everyday expenses more affordable to all Americans. For everyday consumers, it will be easier to obtain a mortgage or to borrow money for necessary expenses. For our businesses, it is now easier and less risky to invest in projects, like housing developments. It is also easier to borrow funds to hire more workers and grow our economy. As the Federal Reserve moves forward with these adjustments, they need to remain vigilant to ensure inflation continues to go down. Given how housing and gas prices continue to drive the current rate, they should continue to pursue avenues to help relieve pressures in these sectors.”

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia Named Chief Deputy Whip as Part of the House Democratic Leadership Team

    Source: United States House of Representatives – Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia (TX-29)

    WASHINGTON, D.C. – Congresswoman Sylvia R. Garcia (D-TX-29) was named Chief Deputy Whip by Democratic Whip Katherine Clark (MA-05).  

    “I’m honored to join the Chief Deputy Whip team, supporting my dear friend Katherine Clark and the House Democratic Caucus. I’m humbled by the trust she’s placed in me, given her fearless leadership for women, children, and working families. Our mission is clear: put people over politics, stop MAGA extremism and Project 2025, and show that Congress delivers results when we unite. While Republicans push fear and division, we’ll defend our freedoms and work to reduce costs for all Americans. I look forward to being a voice for Latinos and Texans on the Whip team and keeping our caucus focused on the issues that matter most,” said Congresswoman Sylvia Garcia.

    “Since arriving in the halls of Congress, Rep. Sylvia Garcia has quickly proven a staunch advocate for Houston and a defender of democracy,” said Democratic Whip Katherine Clark. “I’m thrilled that she will serve the House Democratic Caucus as a Chief Deputy Whip, helping to defend reproductive freedom, reduce costs for families, and stop Republicans from enacting their extreme Project 2025 agenda.”

    Chief Deputy Whips play a key role in assisting the Whip by ensuring an accurate count of where the Democratic Caucus stands on upcoming bills in the U.S. House. They collaborate with colleagues to address questions about pending legislation, making sure members are well-informed on legislation before they reach the House floor for a vote.

    In this role, Congresswoman Garcia will also continue her service on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which is responsible for recommending committee assignments for members of Congress and influencing House policy.

    MIL OSI USA News –