NewzIntel.com

Category: Canada

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Mental-health supports strengthen community, reduce stigma

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    People in Victoria living with mental illness are benefiting from mental-health supports and a nurturing space to connect as the Province provides one-time funding of $500,000 to help strengthen the ongoing work of Connections Place and improve community safety.

    “People struggling with their mental health need to know that when they reach out for help, they will be able to receive it in a welcoming, supportive environment,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “That’s why the work Connections Place does is so valuable. By providing peer support, reducing stigma around mental illness and promoting self-reliance, they help people get the supports they need while fostering a safer, healthier community.”

    Connections Place is a community-based Greater Victoria organization that helps people diagnosed with mental illness, including psychosis, post-traumatic stress disorder, bipolar disorder, anxiety, depression, obsessive-compulsive disorder and schizophrenia, feel connected and empowered as they move forward in life.

    Following the clubhouse model, Connections Place offers employment, education and recreation initiatives that foster hope, opportunity, purpose and meaningful relationships, while actively challenging the stigma around mental illness. These initiatives help people get the support they need, contributing to safer communities and offering alternatives to cycles of crisis and/or justice involvement.

    “At Connections Place, our focus is on improving quality of life in our region, starting with those who need it most,” said Neelam Pahal, executive director of Connections Place. “Every day, our clubhouse creates space for people living with mental illness to find purpose, connection and hope. The momentum we’ve experienced recently reflects a growing understanding of the value of recovery-oriented community supports. Through strong partnerships across sectors, we’re building something meaningful here in Victoria, something that we believe can inspire broader change in the future.”

    The $500,000 grant will support the continued operation of the Connections Place clubhouse, allowing more people to be supported on their path to wellness. In 2024-25, more than 182 active members accessed services at Connections Place, with 8,880 total visits and 6,417 total meals served. 

    This funding supports government’s work to build up the mental-health and substance-use system of care to help people get the right supports for them.

    Quotes:

    Nina Krieger, MLA for Victoria-Swan Lake –

    “Connections Place is helping transform how we support mental health in our community. By creating a welcoming, recovery-oriented environment, they empower individuals to rebuild their lives, regain confidence and feel a renewed sense of belonging. This, in turn, helps reduce stigma and build a stronger, healthier community for everyone.”

    Michael, member, Connections Place –

    “What I’ve found with Connections Place is that it makes everybody feel valued and encourages people to use their strengths. It gives them independence and agency. The point of coming in is to contribute and be part of a community. To be needed. Everyone that comes here has unique skills and abilities. I don’t see people’s mental-health issues here; I see what they’re good at. Being able to come in here and contribute, it makes me feel better and happier.”

    Learn More:

    For more information about Connections Place, visit: https://www.connectionsplace.org/

    To learn how B.C. is building better mental-health and addictions care, visit: https://gov.bc.ca/BetterCare

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada sells Rimouski Armoury for student housing

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    July 22, 2025 – Gatineau, Quebec                           

    Everyone deserves a place to call home. However, Canada’s housing crisis is making it increasingly difficult for many people across the country to access housing. Post-secondary students are no exception: in many regions, they are struggling to find affordable housing that meets their needs.

    As part of its plan to build more homes, the Government of Canada is identifying federal properties that have the potential for housing and is making them available through the Canada Public Land Bank.

    Today, the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, announced that the Rimouski Armoury in Rimouski, Quebec, has been sold to Immeubles Must Urbain Inc., which is planning to build student housing while also preserving the heritage of the existing building.   

    Public Services and Procurement Canada added the former National Defence property to the Canada Public Land Bank in August 2024, as part of the Public Lands for Homes Plan, an ambitious, whole-of-government approach to addressing the housing crisis by building more homes and making it easier to rent or own a home.

    Through the Canada Public Land Bank, we are providing access to federal properties in a transparent way to all stakeholders: large developers, small companies, Indigenous communities and organizations, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, provinces, territories and municipalities, and Canadian citizens. This is allowing us to accelerate the federal government’s established disposal process.

    To date, we have received hundreds of initial inquiries for properties currently listed in the land bank. These inquiries span properties located across most provinces and territories. 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: 2024 Order of Nova Scotia Recipients Announced

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Five Nova Scotians who have made significant contributions in a broad range of fields – including the arts, heritage, philanthropy, business, education and public service – have been appointed to the Order of Nova Scotia.

    Lt.-Gov. Mike Savage, Chancellor of the Order of Nova Scotia, released the names of the order’s newest members today, December 23.

    “On behalf of The King and all Nova Scotians, I am delighted to announce the 2024 appointments to the Order of Nova Scotia,” said Lt.-Gov. Savage. “These Nova Scotians have made exemplary contributions and enhanced the social fabric and identity of Nova Scotia and Canada across diverse fields.”

    The 2024 recipients are:

    • Afua Cooper, Halifax: author, historian, poet and educator; recognized for her study of Black Canadian life and her role as a mentor and academic
    • J. Michael MacDonald, Halifax: former chief justice; recognized for his service to the law and public service
    • Allan Marble, Halifax: biomedical engineer, genealogist and medical historian; recognized for his diverse contributions to heritage and biomedical engineering, and as the author of multiple books
    • Joseph Shannon, Port Hawkesbury; philanthropist and entrepreneur; recognized for his contributions to business and commerce, and philanthropic generosity
    • Robert Sobey, Stellarton: philanthropist, patron of the arts and corporate leader; recognized for supporting the visual arts and access to higher education.

    An investiture ceremony will be held at Government House in the spring, when Lt-Gov. Savage will present the new members with their insignia and appointment scroll.

    Quick Facts:

    • the Order of Nova Scotia is the highest honour in the Province of Nova Scotia, recognizing people in many fields of endeavour who have distinguished themselves and made lasting contributions
    • 126 members have been invested into the Order of Nova Scotia since it was established in June 2001
    • appointments to the order are made by the lieutenant-governor on the recommendation of an independent advisory council

    Additional Resources:

    More information on the order is available at: https://novascotia.ca/iga/order.asp

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Buffalo Run Casino & Resort Selects QCI Go to Empower Hosts and Enhance Guest Engagement

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Buffalo Run Casino & Resort has chosen Quick Custom Intelligence’s (QCI) Go, a native mobile app designed specifically for casino hosts, to elevate host productivity and deliver a superior guest experience.

    QCI Go provides hosts with powerful tools including player card scanning, real-time player lookup, seamless access to QCI Meet and QCI Events, and robust task management features—all in a user-friendly mobile interface. By putting these capabilities directly in the hands of hosts, QCI Go enables faster service, deeper guest relationships, and greater operational efficiency on the casino floor.

    Mary Jewett, Vice President and General Marketing at Buffalo Run Casino & Resort, expressed excitement about the implementation:
    “Bringing QCI Go to Buffalo Run Casino & Resort represents a significant advancement in how we empower our hosts to serve guests. With mobile access to key player information, events, and task management, our team can deliver personalized service in real time, enhancing both the guest experience and host effectiveness.”

    Dr. Ralph Thomas, CEO of QCI, shared his perspective on the partnership:
    “We are thrilled to deploy QCI Go at Buffalo Run Casino & Resort. By providing hosts with mobile access to the QCI platform, we enable them to deliver exceptional, timely service and foster stronger player relationships. This is a great example of how our mobile-first innovations help operators improve team productivity and guest satisfaction.”

    QCI Go is part of Quick Custom Intelligence’s broader commitment to innovation in the gaming industry, providing operators with state-of-the-art tools that support host teams, streamline operations, and drive meaningful guest engagement.

    ABOUT Buffalo Run Casino & Resort
    Owned and operated by the Peoria Tribe of Indians of Oklahoma, Buffalo Run Casino & Resort is future-focused on a gaming entertainment experience that both excites and exceeds guest expectations. Maintaining its reputation for a clean and friendly environment, it empowers team members and continues to elevate hospitality and guest experiences by investing in team member training and career development programs. Consequently, this strategic reinvestment into team members and property has resulted in earning the vote for one of the Best and Brightest Companies in the Nation to work for in 2022.

    Buffalo Run Casino & Resort has over 70,000 square feet of casino floor and features the area’s widest variety of slots and tables games. The resort also includes a non-smoking Hotel, Truckers Lounge with special amenities and offers, the Peoria Showplace in-door event center, the outdoor amphitheater, complimentary entertainment in the Backwoods Bar, an 18-hole championship golf course, two indoor Top Golf® bays, and a smoke-free high-end Player’s Lounge. Additionally, the Buffalo Run Casino & Resort offers three dining experiences including Coal Creek Restaurant with high-end cuisine, the Bistro with hand-tossed brick oven pizza, and the Backwoods Bar & Grill which claims the title for best in-house smoked barbecue in the area.

    Ongoing advancements to the property include the Peoria Showplace remodel, Hotel updates and restaurant remodel with more to come. New technology has been implemented to streamline offer redemption for guests that include self-serve kiosks for dining and promotions, digital core mail pieces, and a mobile app for monthly promotional information. Updates on the casino floor include in-game bonuses and upgraded slots. Innovation and strategic marketing decisions are powered by data driven technology (QCI), empowering the casino to customize the guest experience and increase loyalty in a highly competitive market.

    ABOUT QCI
    Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has pioneered the revolutionary QCI Enterprise Platform, an artificial intelligence platform that seamlessly integrates player development, marketing, and gaming operations with powerful, real-time tools designed specifically for the gaming and hospitality industries. Our advanced, highly configurable software is deployed in over 250 casino resorts across North America, Australia, New Zealand, Canada, Latin America, and Europe. The QCI AGI Platform, which manages more than $35 billion in annual gross gaming revenue, stands as a best-in-class solution, whether on-premises, hybrid, or cloud-based, enabling fully coordinated activities across all aspects of gaming or hospitality operations. QCI’s data-driven, AI-powered software propels swift, informed decision-making vital in the ever-changing casino industry, assisting casinos in optimizing resources and profits, crafting effective marketing campaigns, and enhancing customer loyalty. QCI was co-founded by Dr. Ralph Thomas and Mr. Andrew Cardno and is based in San Diego, with additional offices in Las Vegas, St. Louis, Dallas, and Tulsa. Main phone number: (858) 299.5715. Visit us at www.quickcustomintelligence.com.

    ABOUT Dr. Ralph Thomas
    Dr. Ralph Thomas is the Co-Founder and Chief Executive Officer of Quick Custom Intelligence. Ralph is a product visionary in applied analytics and the founder of two companies that deliver solutions in casino gaming, education, and adult learning. As a gaming industry veteran, Dr. Thomas has substantial experience implementing analytics into single and multi-property gaming companies to drive tangible and measurable gains to the bottom line and has built business intelligence tools for multibillion-dollar casinos. Dr. Thomas is co-author of seven books and over 80 articles on applied analytics and data science in gaming, an inventor on dozens of patents, and understands gaming from raw data up through casino operations, giving him a unique, 360-degree view of the industry.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Submissions: Yellowknife’s Giant Mine: Canada downplayed arsenic exposure as an Indigenous community was poisoned

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Arn Keeling, Professor, Department of Geography, Memorial University of Newfoundland

    Giant Mine, just north of Yellowknife, N.W.T., in September 2011. The gold mine officially opened in 1948 and was operational for over 50 years before it was closed in 2004. (John Sandlos)

    Decades of gold mining at Giant Mine in Yellowknife, Northwest Territories, has left a toxic legacy: 237,000 tonnes of arsenic trioxide dust stored in underground chambers.

    As a multi-billion government remediation effort to clean up the mine site and secure the underground arsenic ramps up, the Canadian government is promising to deal with the mine’s disastrous consequences for local Indigenous communities.

    In March, the minister for Crown-Indigenous relations appointed a ministerial special representative, Murray Rankin, to investigate how historic mining affected the treaty rights of the Yellowknives Dene First Nation.

    We document this history in our forthcoming book, The Price of Gold: Mining, Pollution, and Resistance in Yellowknife, exposing how colonialism, corporate greed and lax regulation led to widespread air and water pollution, particularly affecting Tatsǫ́t’ıné (Yellowknives Dene) communities.

    We also highlight the struggle for pollution controls and public health led by Tatsǫ́t’ıné and their allies, including mine workers.

    Sickness from Giant Mine

    The story begins when prospectors discovered a rich gold ore body at Giant Mine in the 1930s. While mining started at the nearby Con Mine in the late 1930s, Giant’s development was interrupted by the Second World War. Only with new investment and the lifting of wartime labour restrictions in 1948 did Giant Mine start production.

    Mining at Giant was a challenge. Much of the gold was locked within arsenopyrite formations, and to get at it, workers needed to crush, then roast the gold ore at very high temperatures.

    This burned off the arsenic in the ore before using cyanide treatment to extract gold. One byproduct of this process was thousands of tonnes per day of arsenic trioxide, sent up a smokestack into the local environment.

    In addition to being acutely toxic, arsenic trioxide is also linked to lung and skin cancers, though scientific understanding of environmental exposures was inconclusive at the time.

    Archival records show that federal public health officials recommended the roaster be shut down until arsenic emissions could be controlled. But the company and federal mining regulators dragged their feet, fearing the economic impact.

    The result, in 1951, was the poisoning death of at least one Dene child on Latham Island (now Ndilǫ), near the mine; his family was compensated a paltry $750. Many Dene in Ndilǫ relied on snow melt for drinking water, and there were reports of widespread sickness in the community. Local animals, including dairy cattle and sled dogs, also became sick and died.

    Only after this tragedy did the federal government force the company to implement pollution controls. The control system was not terribly effective at first, though as it improved, arsenic emissions dropped dramatically from nearly 12,000 pounds per day to around 115 pounds per day in 1959. Thousands of tonnes of arsenic captured through this process was collected and stored in mined-out chambers underground.

    Fighting back against pollution

    Throughout the 1960s, public health officials continually downplayed concerns about arsenic exposure in Yellowknife, whether via drinking water or on local vegetables.

    By the 1970s, however, latent public health concerns over arsenic exposure in Yellowknife became a major national media story. It began with a CBC Radio As it Happens episode in 1975 that unearthed an unreleased government report documenting widespread, chronic arsenic exposure in the city. Facing accusations of a cover-up, the federal government dismissed health concerns even as it set up a local study group to investigate them.

    Suspicious of government studies and disregard for local health risks, Indigenous communities and workers took matters into their own hands. A remarkable alliance emerged between the Indian Brotherhood of the Northwest Territories and the United Steelworkers of America (the union representing Giant Mine workers) to undertake their own investigations.

    They conducted hair samplings of Dene children and mine workers — the population most exposed to arsenic in the community — and submitted them for laboratory analysis.

    The resulting report accused the federal government of suppressing health information and suggested children and workers were being poisoned. The controversy made national headlines yet again, prompting an independent inquiry by the Canadian Public Health Association.

    The association’s 1978 report somewhat quelled public concern. But environmental and public health advocates in Yellowknife continued their fight for pollution reduction through the 1980s.

    Giant’s toxic afterlife

    As Giant Mine entered the turbulent final decade of its life, including a violent lockout in 1992, public concern mounted over the growing environmental liabilities. Most urgently, people living in and near Yellowknife began to realize that enough arsenic trioxide had been stored underground over the years to poison every human on the planet four times over.

    Without constant pumping of groundwater out of the mine, the highly soluble arsenic could seep into local waterways, including Yellowknife Bay. When the company that owned the mine, Royal Oak Mines, went bankrupt in 1999, it left no clear plan for the remediation of this toxic material, and very little money to deal with it.

    The federal government assumed primary responsibility for the abandoned mine and, in the quarter century since, developed plans to clean up the site and stabilize the arsenic underground by freezing it — an approach that will cost more than $4 billion.

    Public concern and activism by Yellowknives Dene First Nation and other Yellowknifers prompted a highly contested environmental assessment and the creation of an independent oversight body, the Giant Mine Oversight Board in 2015. Under the current remediation strategy, the toxic waste at Giant Mine will require perpetual care, imposing a financial and environmental burden on future generations.

    The long history of historical injustice resulting from mineral development and pollution around Yellowknife remains unaddressed. In support of calls for an apology and compensation, the Yellowknives Dene First Nation recently published reports that include oral testimony and other evidence of impacts on their health and land in their traditional territory.

    Hopefully, the Canadian government’s appointment of the special representative means the colonial legacy of the mine will finally be addressed. Giant Mine serves as a warning about the current push from governments and industry to ram through development projects without environmental assessments or Indigenous consultations.

    Extractive projects may generate short-term wealth, but they also compromise the national interest if they saddle the public with enormous costs and long-term consequences.

    Arn Keeling receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council and National Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada.

    John Sandlos receives funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Yellowknife’s Giant Mine: Canada downplayed arsenic exposure as an Indigenous community was poisoned – https://theconversation.com/yellowknifes-giant-mine-canada-downplayed-arsenic-exposure-as-an-indigenous-community-was-poisoned-261002

    MIL OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Infrastructure upgrades improve visitor experience in two Okanagan parks

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    More people can access Myra-Bellevue Park and safely enjoy one of the most scenic sections of the historic Kettle Valley Rail Trail as several infrastructure upgrades are nearing completion.

    The Myra Station parking lot has been expanded with 60 new spaces and 12 spaces for buses and trailers to accommodate the growth in visitors. Six new accessible toilets have also been added to the day-use area at the trailhead, near Kelowna.

    “Myra-Bellevue Park is a gem in B.C.’s Okanagan region, offering a blend of natural beauty, outdoor adventure and historical significance,” said Tamara Davidson, Minister of Environment and Parks. “Investing in infrastructure upgrades at Myra-Bellevue Park ensures this natural treasure remains safe and accessible for everyone who comes to explore the trails, history and biodiversity of this special region in B.C.”

    The upgrades are part of a $2.1-million project that began in 2021 and includes removing and replacing the old decking of all 18 trestles along the Myra-Bellevue section of the Kettle Valley Rail Trail. The trestle decks have also been widened from 1.5 to 2.75 metres to improve accessibility and accommodate safe two-way traffic for hikers and cyclists. Work on the trestles was completed in the summer of 2024.

    “For over two decades, the Friends of the South Slopes (FOSS) has protected and maintained the trail networks in Okanagan Mountain Park and Myra-Bellevue Park, including recently the Myra Canyon trestles. We do so under the leadership of a stellar team at B.C. Parks with whom we enjoy a great working relationship and friendship,” said Cam Kourany, FOSS president. “FOSS and its 70-plus volunteers are proud to support our community and the Ministry of Environment and Parks. Their investments in the trestles and amenities greatly improve usability and safety.”

    At Monashee Park northwest of Vernon, the bridge at Little Peters Lake is being replaced to restore access to several alpine recreation areas, including Big Peters Lake. The bridge was damaged by heavy snow and removed in 2024 due to safety concerns.

    In addition to the bridge replacement, the Big Peters Lake backcountry campground is being expanded from 10 to 18 raised wooden tent platforms. The cost of the project is an estimated $445,000 and includes replacing one pit toilet and adding another one, along with adding a secure storage container to protect food and other items from wildlife.

    “Monashee Park is such a gem that is great for hiking, swimming, camping or a leisurely stroll,” said Steve Morissette, MLA for Kootenay-Monashee. “Replacing the bridge at Little Peters Lake and adding more campsites at Big Peters Lake means more people, whether visitors or locals, can enjoy the beautiful Monashee Mountains.”

    Backcountry camping is available at four locations in Monashee Park: Spectrum Lake, Little Peters Lake, Big Peters Lake and Margie Lake. Big Peters Lake is the largest campground in the sub-alpine and is located 13 kilometres from the Spectrum Creek trailhead and parking lot.  

    The upgrades at Monashee Park are part of a five-year, $21.5-million investment to increase and improve access to outdoor recreation in B.C. Upgrades include new campsites and trails, improvements to existing facilities and accessibility improvements. The upgrades at Myra-Bellevue Park are funded through the B.C. Parks capital budget.

    Learn More:

    For more information about Myra-Bellevue Park, visit: https://bcparks.ca/myra-bellevue-park/

    For more information about Monashee Park, visit: https://bcparks.ca/monashee-park/

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Zinke, Sheehy, Moore, Banks Introduce Legislation to Implement Fees on Foreign Tourists to Rebuild National Parks

    Source:

    Washington, D.C. — Today, Western Montana Congressman and former Secretary of the Interior Ryan Zinke (MT-01), with Senator Tim Sheehy (R-MT), Representative Riley Moore (WV-02), and Senator Jim Banks (R-IN) introduced the bicameral Protecting America’s Treasures by Raising Inflow from Overseas Tourists in Parks Act (PATRIOT Parks Act), which would authorize a surcharge for most foreign tourists visiting national parks. If implemented, the bill would ensure foreign visitors contribute their fair share to the upkeep and preservation of America’s most treasured places. 

    “National Parks are Americas best idea and maintaining that legacy for future generations means making smart investments in the management of the parks,” said Zinke. “Americans already pay for parks in our tax dollars as well as at the gates. It’s unfair to American taxpayers to foot the bill for millions of foreign visitors. Almost every other country charges foreign visitors more, it’s common sense. President Trump and Secretary Burgum did the right thing directing the National Park Service implement a foreign visitor fee. This legislation will codify the policy and ensure Americans are put First in our own parks.”

    “From the New River Gorge in my home state to Shenandoah, the Great Smoky Mountains, the Everglades, and the Grand Canyon – God blessed our nation with a tremendous natural heritage. We owe it to future generations to ensure these natural marvels are protected, said Moore. “Unfortunately, the National Park System currently faces a backlog of more than $23 billion in deferred maintenance, including more than $200 million on properties across the Mountain State. Our commonsense legislation keeps entry fees static for Americans while charging more for foreigners visiting our National Parks. This will allow us to finally start tackling this extensive maintenance backlog.”

    “Our national parks drive Montana’s tourism economy by bringing in visitors from all over the world and define our way life by offering an experience you can only find in America,” said Sheehy. “Implementing a foreign visitor fee is an America First, commonsense way to secure affordable access for American families, improve our national parks for all visitors, and better manage our treasured public lands. It’s not too much for Americans to ask that their government puts them first, and that’s why I’m proud to support the PATRIOT Parks Act so more American families can enjoy our national parks for generations to come.”

    The National Park Service has $23 billion deferred maintenance infrastructure backlog. NPS relies on appropriated funds from tax dollars, Great American Outdoors Act funds from energy leasing, and entrance fees to address infrastructure needs. Every park will benefit from this program regardless of if they collect fees or not. By law, under the current formula for entrance fees, 80% of the fees collected at a park stay in the park where they are collected. The remaining 20% of entrance fees collected is distributed to non-fee collecting parks to improve infrastructure and visitor experience. The foreign visitors surcharge will use the same formula ensuring all parks benefit from this funding. 

    According to a report by Property and Environment Research Center (PERC), a surcharge of just $40 per foreign visitor would raise $528 million for our park system.

    “People travel from around the world to experience America’s national parks, and now they can help conserve them too,” said PERC CEO Brian Yablonski. “A surcharge on international visitors is a common practice globally and offers a smart, reliable way to fund better trails, cleaner campgrounds, modernized water systems, and desperately needed restoration work in our parks. We appreciate Rep. Zinke’s support for strengthening America’s national parks.” 

    Virtually all other countries do this already. Foreign tourists visiting the Galapagos National Park in Ecuador pay a $200 surcharge, South Africa charges as much as 500% more for foreign visitors, many European Union nations charge non-EU citizens surcharges at museums and cultural sites. 

    The foreign visitor would only apply to National Parks units that already collect entrance fees. If a park does not currently collect an entrance fee, the surcharge will not apply. Canadian citizens visiting Glacier National Park would be exempt from the surcharge in recognition of our joint stewardship of Waterton-Glacier International Peace Park. Fee-collecting monuments in Washington, D.C., are also exempted.

    The bill codifies an executive order signed by President Trump directing the Department of the Interior and Department of Agriculture to implement a foreign visitor surcharge to support public lands and rural communities.

    Read the full bill text here.

     

    ###

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Nova Scotia Wines Receive Award for Excellence

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Four wines received the 2025 Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Nova Scotia Wines during a ceremony at Government House in Halifax today, July 22.

    “Nova Scotia’s wine industry is a dynamic fusion of innovation and tradition, where winemakers create distinctive, expressive wines that truly embody the spirit of the Atlantic coast,” said Lt.-Gov. Mike Savage. “I am proud to congratulate this year’s award recipients, who exemplify the highest standards of quality and craftsmanship.”

    The recipients are:

    • 2022 Reserve Chardonnay, Blomidon Estate Winery, Canning
    • 2022 Chardonnay, Blomidon Estate Winery, Canning
    • 2019 Blanc de Blanc, Domaine de Grand Pré, Grand Pré
    • 2017 Small Lot Trio Brut, Lightfoot & Wolfville Vineyards, Wolfville.

    The award is administered annually by Wine Growers Nova Scotia and Taste of Nova Scotia in partnership with the Office of the Lieutenant-Governor.

    Wineries across the province submitted up to three commercially available wines made with 100 per cent Nova Scotian grapes. An independent panel of experts participated in a blind tasting of all wines to select the top submissions for the award.

    Quotes:

    “The Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Nova Scotia Wines is a prestigious recognition and a testament to the hard work and dedication of our province’s exceptional farm wineries. The award not only celebrates the excellence of individual producers, but also symbolizes the remarkable growth of the farm wine industry in Nova Scotia. As our region continues to craft world-class wines, it’s clear that we are making our mark on the global wine scene. We are incredibly proud of the 2025 award winners, whose passion and commitment continue to elevate Nova Scotia as a premier wine destination.”
    — Karl Coutinho, President, Wine Growers Nova Scotia

    “Nova Scotia’s farm wine industry is driven by excellence, creativity and a deep connection to place. Rooted in our distinct cool climate and coastal terroir, each bottle tells a story of innovation, resilience and craft. Our grape growers and winemakers are not only producing wines that compete on the world stage – they’re defining what’s possible in cool-climate winemaking. The Lieutenant-Governor’s Award for Excellence in Nova Scotia Wines continues to shine a light on the people, passion and place behind this remarkable industry.”
    — Emily Haynes, Executive Director, Taste of Nova Scotia

    Quick Facts:

    • the award program was established by former lieutenant-governor J.J. Grant in 2014 to recognize locally sourced and produced wines
    • 33 wines from 12 wineries were submitted this year for adjudication by a panel of independent judges
    • each winning winery is presented with a gold medal and a certificate; they may advertise that the wine is an award recipient

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: ASIRT concludes investigations on three files

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Reflecting on one year since the Jasper wildfire

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    The Government of Canada stands with Jasperites as work continues to rebuild the beautiful mountain community of Jasper and Jasper National Park

    July 22, 2025 – Jasper, Alberta – PrairiesCan

    One year ago, emergency responders, community members, visitors, friends, and neighbours all banded together to safely evacuate more than 20,000 people from Jasper and Jasper National Park. Those heroic efforts were the beginning of a long road for the community. Within days, multiple wildfires would converge to take the life of a brave firefighter, destroy over 30 per cent of the structures in Jasper, uproot the lives of residents and workers, and leave a lasting impact on the landscape.

    Today, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada, joined Jasperites to reflect, to grieve, and to remember. At the commemorative event, Minister Olszewski paid tribute to the tremendous courage, strength, and resiliency that community members have shown over the past year, while also acknowledging the ongoing commitment to collaboration by countless people and organizations to assist Jasper to build back stronger.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Supporting Jasper through recovery: Premier Smith

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: MCGlobalHub Launches Real-Time Investor Intelligence Tool to Deliver Actionable Signals

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    LONDON, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — MCGlobalHub, a global financial company, has introduced a new Real-Time Investor Intelligence feature. The tool is designed to provide live market signals and assist the user in monitoring the market activity in real-time.

    The tool is part of MCGlobalHub’s trading system and works on both desktop and mobile browsers. It displays trading indicators in terms of price action, market direction and latest news. Users can see the data in their dashboards without using any third-party service.

    Live Signals to Assist Users in Making Informed Decisions

    The software gathers real-time market data and converts it into straightforward signals. These indicators assist the user in tracking the market without reading long reports or charts. They are categorized according to the type of asset, such as crypto, indices, commodities, and equities.

    A spokesperson of MCGlobalHub said, “Many people felt overwhelmed during rapid market shifts. We consistently heard feedback like, ‘I just need something that can show me what’s happening in real time.’ That’s exactly why we created this, not to dictate decisions, but to help users better understand the market as it unfolds.”

    The company claims that the platform is user-friendly at all levels. It does not employ complicated terminology and does not provide recommendations. Rather, it provides data-driven signals and lets consumers determine how to use them.

    No Additional Charge or Complicated Installation

    All users with a trading account can access the Real-Time Investor Intelligence Platform at no cost. It does not require any additional charge. It is already integrated into the trading interface and does not require additional software to be installed.

    According to the spokesperson, “We didn’t want to turn it into a paid feature or add unnecessary steps. The idea was to keep it straightforward: log in, and it’s there. You have full control to switch it on or off whenever it suits you.”

    Users can choose which signals they want to see and which ones to hide. The company also said it will keep updating the platform based on how people use it and what feedback they give.

    Responding to a Need in the Market

    MCGlobalHub built the platform after seeing a rise in demand for tools that offer fast and clear updates. Many users were using outside apps or websites to track market signals. The company wanted to make that part of the experience easier and keep it all in one place.

    “People don’t want to jump between apps while trying to make a trade. It’s stressful and easy to miss things. We just wanted to reduce that stress,” the spokesperson added.

    The system uses set rules to scan the market. It doesn’t guess future moves. It simply reads what’s happening and turns that into alerts. This way, users stay in control.

    Supporting Smarter Trading, Not Automated Advice

    The company stressed that this tool isn’t about giving answers. It’s there to support the decision-making process with raw, real-time data.

    “We’re not here to tell you what to buy or sell, that’s not our role,” the spokesperson said. “But if we can provide a tool that helps you feel more confident in your next move, then we know we’re on the right track.”

    The company said it will watch how users interact with the platform in the coming months. Future updates will depend on that data and user input.

    About MCGlobalHub

    MCGlobalHub is a multi-asset access provider offering a range of trading instruments, including commodities, equities, indices, and cryptocurrencies. The company provides a web-based trading platform accessible on desktop and mobile devices, with standard functionality and security measures, including encryption and account verification. MCGlobalHub prioritizes fast trade execution, offers various deposit and withdrawal methods, and provides customer support through multiple channels.

    Media Contact:
    Company Address: One Canada Square London
    Contact Name: Charles Simpson
    E-mail: Charles.Simpson@MCglobalHub.com

    Disclaimer: This press release is provided by MCGlobalHub. The statements, views, and opinions expressed in this content are solely those of the content provider and do not necessarily reflect the views of this media platform or its publisher. We do not endorse, verify, or guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of any information presented. This content is for informational purposes only and should not be considered financial, investment, or trading advice. Investing in crypto and mining related opportunities involves significant risks, including the potential loss of capital. Readers are strongly encouraged to conduct their own research and consult with a qualified financial advisor before making any investment decisions. However, due to the inherently speculative nature of the blockchain sector–including cryptocurrency, NFTs, and mining–complete accuracy cannot always be guaranteed. Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release.Speculate only with funds that you can afford to lose.Neither the media platform nor the publisher shall be held responsible for any fraudulent activities, misrepresentations, or financial losses arising from the content of this press release. In the event of any legal claims or charges against this article, we accept no liability or responsibility.
    Legal Disclaimer: This media platform provides the content of this article on an “as-is” basis, without any warranties or representations of any kind, express or implied. We do not assume any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information presented herein. Any concerns, complaints, or copyright issues related to this article should be directed to the content provider mentioned above.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Government of Canada invests over $14.4 million to empower young Canadians to address climate change and support a healthy environment

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    July 22, 2025 – Vancouver, British Columbia

    From protecting our wildlife to conserving our forested areas, young Canadians play a big part in tackling climate change. Still, they can be better equipped to do so through enhanced access to resources and environmental education. We are committed to providing young people with the knowledge and skills to create sustainable solutions to environmental challenges as we work toward a clean, net-zero emissions economy by 2050.

    Today, the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced that the Government of Canada is investing over $14.4 million from the Environmental Damages Fund’s Climate Action and Awareness Fund to support 17 environmental literacy projects across Canada. These projects will develop the tools and skills young Canadians need as they work toward solutions to fight climate change.

    The Minister announced the funding in Vancouver while visiting one of the funding recipients, BC Parks Foundation. They are receiving $1.8 million to develop the environmental literacy and leadership of young Canadians in British Columbia. This project will provide opportunities for students across the province to learn about and take positive steps to mitigate climate change and improve biodiversity in parks and protected areas, as well as in their school grounds and classrooms. In addition to the funding from the Climate Action and Awareness Fund, BC Parks Foundation is receiving $1.5 million from the Government of British Columbia’s Ministry of Environment and Parks for this project. This funding complements the investment made by BC Parks Foundation. The project is a promising example of provincial-federal-private collaboration on environmental learning.

    Indigenous communities and organizations, academia, community organizations, and environmental organizations are leading the projects receiving funding today. The projects include creating learning opportunities in parks, holding community outreach events, and developing learning materials for young Canadians and their educators. This will help increase awareness of the local environment and demonstrate how residents can make an impactful difference in their communities. Of the funding announced today, $3.2 million is dedicated to Indigenous-led projects, aiming to provide Indigenous youth with environmental education that intertwines both Traditional Knowledge and western climate science.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Government of Canada invests over $14.4 million in 17 projects that will foster youth environmental literacy across Canada

    Recipient Total Project description Maritime Aboriginal Peoples Council $741,487 This project will foster ocean and climate literacy for youth aged 5 through 18 in schools across Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick through classroom presentations and public outreach events. Students will learn about the organisms found within the Atlantic Ocean and local freshwater watersheds. Grand Council Treaty #3 Representative Services Inc.  $782,922 This project will deliver knowledge and skills on climate change for children, youth, and adults in Treaty #3 territory in Northwestern Ontario and Eastern Manitoba to become climate leaders in their communities and participate in the emerging green economy. The programming will combine western climate science and Anishinaabe Traditional Knowledge specific to Treaty #3. Aqqiumavvik Society $1,500,199 This project will develop and pilot a culturally relevant, age-appropriate environmental literacy program to enhance avatimik kamattiarniq (the concept of environmental stewardship) for youth in Arviat, Nunavut. Kitselas First Nation $221,700 This project will provide Kitselas First Nation youth with the skills and knowledge to address climate change, loss of biodiversity, and the cumulative effects of pollution affecting their traditional territory. BC Parks Foundation $1,800,000 This project will provide opportunities for students across British Columbia (BC) to learn about and take positive steps to mitigate climate change and biodiversity loss, both in British Columbia’s provincial parks and in their school grounds and classrooms. Cape Breton University $326,614 This project will conduct participatory analysis on the impact and accessibility of environmental literacy with youth and their teachers from schools in all provinces and territories in Canada. Project participants will also practice methods of policy writing and presentation, as well as co-create teaching materials. Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society, Southern Alberta Chapter $342,524 This project aims to develop the environmental literacy and leadership of young Canadians, especially those from underserved communities in Southern Alberta, through training and a mentoring group. This will give youth the skills and perspectives to help them overcome current environmental challenges and participate in eco-advocacy. Ducks Unlimited Canada, on behalf of the Nature Education Collective $797,898 This project will support the Nature Education Collective to systematically enhance environmental literacy at a national scale in school systems across Canada. Through an integrated package of scalable solutions that support normalizing climate and biodiversity education, this project will work with partner school systems to elevate regional leadership, expand teacher training, and provide inclusive programming directly to students. AquaAction $635,296 This project will help address eco-anxiety in kindergarten to Grade 12 students through a learning program in Montréal, Quebec. The program aims to create a generation of water stewards that will take action to address freshwater issues and contribute to sustainability. This will be done through encouraging entrepreneurial thinking and developing job-ready skills to help young Canadians participate in a sustainable blue economy. Aurora College $1,461,680 This project will provide a wide range of locally and culturally relevant opportunities for junior kindergarten to Grade 12 students and youth to learn about climate change and its impact on the Northwest Territories. This will include in-classroom and on-the-land programming, training for junior kindergarten to Grade 12 educators, and community workshops. The Jane Goodall Institute for Wildlife Research, Education and Conservation $939,592 This project will provide environmental knowledge, service-learning, and leadership opportunities for young Canadians, particularly Indigenous, BPOC, 2SLGBTQ+ youth and other underserved communities. This project will engage youth in community-based actions linked to the major environmental crises and provide training for educators to best integrate environmental education into their teaching. The Calgary Zoological Society $1,562,992 This project aims to integrate environmental literacy into teacher training and professional development for in-service teachers by identifying non-formal teaching institutions to serve as community practicum sites specializing in environmental education. Wanuskewin Heritage Park Authority $300,000 This project will create materials to enhance interactive ecological education through an Indigenous lens, enhance and develop new guided cultural tours, and augment their video series with a focus on the interconnections between cultures and the land for visitors of Wanuskewin Heritage Park in Saskatoon, Saskatchewan. The Starfish Environmental Society $396,213 The goal of this project is to create experiential, Indigenous-led environmental literacy material to support kindergarten to Grade 12 teachers in Six Nations and Hamilton schools to ground youth environmental literacy in Haudenosaunee cultural perspectives. Friends of the Rouge Watershed Inc. $255,000 This project will ensure that students and community volunteers, with a high proportion of first-generation and racially diverse Canadians, have free access to natural spaces in the Rouge Watershed, including environmental education through skills training and hands-on opportunities to restore forest and wetland habitats. Nature Québec $1,117,814 The objective of the project is to green learning spaces by creating micro-ecosystems in schoolyards, while integrating environmental education for students and school staff. This project aims to foster student contact with nature and develop educational materials based on citizen science. By collaborating with experts, the project will assess the impact of environmental practices on student behaviour and raise awareness of climate issues throughout the school community. Conservation Council of New Brunswick $1,286,043 This project will create a province-wide network of environmental educators that will allow all schools in New Brunswick to access current, place-based, educational climate change-centered programming while also giving educators the tools to teach their students outside and utilize their outdoor spaces.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: New Fund to Support Growth in Agriculture, Seafood Sectors

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    The Province is launching a new fund to support big, bold projects in the agriculture and seafood sectors.

    “This fund is about supporting the people who bring new ideas to grow our economy and help businesses,” said Greg Morrow, Minister of Agriculture. “Agriculture and seafood are important traditional industries in our province. But we can’t keep doing things the same old way – we need to support fresh thinking and innovation.”

    The Nova Scotia Seafood and Agriculture Strategic Investment Fund will support companies proposing large-scale projects that boost productivity and help their business expand. It could involve adopting new technology, changing how they do business, or finding new markets for their products.

    “We are looking for creative ideas that can take businesses to the next level,” said Kent Smith, Minister of Fisheries and Aquaculture. “This isn’t just about helping individual companies, this is an all-hands-on-deck effort to build stronger industries and a stronger province.”

    Quotes:

    “Innovation truly thrives when industry and government actively join forces, combining expertise to drive meaningful progress and accelerate impactful change. Oberland welcomes opportunities to partner with the Government of Nova Scotia to advance sustainable solutions that turn local challenges into global leadership.”
    — Greg Wanger, founder and CEO, Oberland Agriscience Inc.

    “We’re pleased to see this investment as a positive step forward for Nova Scotia’s agriculture industry. Strategic support like this helps strengthen our competitiveness, drives innovation and creates opportunities for sustainable growth in the sector.”
    — Alicia King, President, Nova Scotia Federation of Agriculture

    “The members of the Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance are experiencing first-hand the challenges of tariffs and the changing expectations of our global seafood customers. We need an industry that is innovative, resilient and adaptive to meet the needs of more diverse markets and customers so that we can maximize the economic value of the seafood sector for Nova Scotia’s seafood producers and for Nova Scotians. The alliance is pleased that with the launch of the new Nova Scotia Seafood and Agriculture Strategic Investment Fund, the Province is showing its continued commitment to supporting the innovation and diversification efforts of the seafood sector as we continue to evolve to provide the highest quality seafood to the world.”
    — Allan MacLean, President, Nova Scotia Seafood Alliance

    Quick Facts:

    • the Province is providing $4.71 million for the fund
    • funded projects must be completed by January 2027
    • the fund will be managed by Perennia, a provincial development agency with a mission to support growth, transformation and economic development in Nova Scotia’s agriculture, seafood and food and beverage sectors

    Additional Resources:

    Nova Scotia Seafood and Agriculture Strategic Investment Fund: https://www.perennia.ca/sasi/

    News release – New Mapping Tool Supports Aquaculture Growth: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/07/03/new-mapping-tool-supports-aquaculture-growth

    News release – Seafood Companies Receive Climate Change Funding: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/06/27/seafood-companies-receive-climate-change-funding

    News release – Province Partners with Horticulture Nova Scotia to Extend Growing Season: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/06/04/province-partners-horticulture-nova-scotia-extend-growing-season

    News release – New Food Safety Pilot Program to Help Local Producers Expand: https://news.novascotia.ca/en/2025/04/25/new-food-safety-pilot-program-help-local-producers-expand

    Other than cropping, Province of Nova Scotia photos are not to be altered in any way.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Washington Hunting Guide and Outfitting Company Enter Guilty Pleas to Lacey Act Crime

    Source: US State of California

    Branden Trager of Brush Prairie, Washington, and his guiding company Mayhem Services LLC pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Tacoma to violating the Lacey Act.

    In pleading guilty, Trager admitted he and Mayhem Services violated the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) during a January 2023 hunting trip in western Washington and then transported the taken birds in violation of the Lacey Act. Enacted 125 years ago, the Lacey Act protects the nations wildlife resources by prohibiting wildlife violations that cross state or international borders. Trager also acknowledged that in 2022 he brought hunters into British Columbia, Canada, where he guided waterfowl hunting trips targeting the harlequin duck. He could not operate as a hunting guide under Canadian law.

    The harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) is a small sea duck with a habitat ranging from Alaska to California. Hunters prize the harlequin as a trophy and as part of a challenge to hunt 41 North American waterfowl species. Washington closed harlequin hunting for the 2022-2023 season, but limited hunting remained open in British Columbia.

    According to plea agreements filed in court, the recommended fines are $100,000 for Trager and $75,000 for Mayhem Services. The parties also agreed to recommend that the court order the defendants to make a public statement expressing contrition and emphasizing the importance of hunting, guiding, and wildlife regulations. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 16.

    According to a Joint Factual Statement filed in court, the MBTA prohibits, among other things, taking migratory birds using a motor vehicle; taking migratory birds by using a vehicle to concentrate, drive, or rally them; taking migratory birds in excess of daily bag limits; taking or crippling a migratory bird and not make reasonable efforts to retrieve it; and transporting taken migratory birds belonging to another individual without tagging them. Taking includes pursuing, hunting, shooting, wounding, killing, trapping, capturing, or collecting.

    The Lacey Act is the nation’s oldest wildlife trafficking law. It prohibits, among other things, transporting wildlife that had been illegally taken under federal, state, tribal or foreign law. The MBTA is a U.S. law that implemented treaties with Canada and other nations to ensure sustainable populations of migratory birds.

    Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division made the announcement.

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement led the investigation along with Homeland Security Investigations, British Columbia Conservation Officer Service, and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

    Senior Trial Attorney Ryan Connors and Trial Attorney Sarah Brown of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section prosecuted the case with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Washington Hunting Guide and Outfitting Company Enter Guilty Pleas to Lacey Act Crime

    Source: United States Attorneys General

    Branden Trager of Brush Prairie, Washington, and his guiding company Mayhem Services LLC pleaded guilty yesterday in federal court in Tacoma to violating the Lacey Act.

    In pleading guilty, Trager admitted he and Mayhem Services violated the Migratory Bird Treaty Act (MBTA) during a January 2023 hunting trip in western Washington and then transported the taken birds in violation of the Lacey Act. Enacted 125 years ago, the Lacey Act protects the nations wildlife resources by prohibiting wildlife violations that cross state or international borders. Trager also acknowledged that in 2022 he brought hunters into British Columbia, Canada, where he guided waterfowl hunting trips targeting the harlequin duck. He could not operate as a hunting guide under Canadian law.

    The harlequin duck (Histrionicus histrionicus) is a small sea duck with a habitat ranging from Alaska to California. Hunters prize the harlequin as a trophy and as part of a challenge to hunt 41 North American waterfowl species. Washington closed harlequin hunting for the 2022-2023 season, but limited hunting remained open in British Columbia.

    According to plea agreements filed in court, the recommended fines are $100,000 for Trager and $75,000 for Mayhem Services. The parties also agreed to recommend that the court order the defendants to make a public statement expressing contrition and emphasizing the importance of hunting, guiding, and wildlife regulations. Sentencing is scheduled for Oct. 16.

    According to a Joint Factual Statement filed in court, the MBTA prohibits, among other things, taking migratory birds using a motor vehicle; taking migratory birds by using a vehicle to concentrate, drive, or rally them; taking migratory birds in excess of daily bag limits; taking or crippling a migratory bird and not make reasonable efforts to retrieve it; and transporting taken migratory birds belonging to another individual without tagging them. Taking includes pursuing, hunting, shooting, wounding, killing, trapping, capturing, or collecting.

    The Lacey Act is the nation’s oldest wildlife trafficking law. It prohibits, among other things, transporting wildlife that had been illegally taken under federal, state, tribal or foreign law. The MBTA is a U.S. law that implemented treaties with Canada and other nations to ensure sustainable populations of migratory birds.

    Acting Assistant Attorney General Adam Gustafson of the Justice Department’s Environment and Natural Resources Division made the announcement.

    The U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service Office of Law Enforcement led the investigation along with Homeland Security Investigations, British Columbia Conservation Officer Service, and the Washington Department of Fish & Wildlife.

    Senior Trial Attorney Ryan Connors and Trial Attorney Sarah Brown of the Justice Department’s Environmental Crimes Section prosecuted the case with assistance from the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the Western District of Washington.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: How falling vaccination rates are fuelling the antibiotic resistance crisis

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ruchika Gupta, Assistant Professor and Medical Microbiologist, Department of Pathobiology and Lab Medicine, London Health Sciences Centre and Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University

    Antibiotic resistance is one of the biggest health threats we face today. It’s often blamed on the overuse of antibiotics, and for a good reason. But there’s another major factor quietly driving this crisis that doesn’t get as much attention: low vaccination rates.

    In early 2025, Ontario had a measles outbreak with 2,200 cases as of mid-July, mostly in people who hadn’t been fully vaccinated. An outbreak in Alberta that began in March has expanded to more than 1,300 cases as of mid-July.

    Measles had been eliminated in Canada since 1998, but it’s now reappearing, largely due to missed or delayed vaccinations. On the surface, these might seem like a limited viral outbreak. But the ripple effects go much further, causing more illness, more complications and, ultimately, more antibiotic use.

    Why measles can lead to antibiotic use

    Measles itself is a viral infection, so antibiotics don’t treat it directly. But the virus weakens the immune system, leaving people vulnerable to bacterial infections like pneumonia or ear infections, conditions that do require antibiotics.

    Unsurprisingly, this pattern isn’t new. A 2019 study published in Pediatrics showed that many children hospitalized with measles in the United States developed secondary infections that required antibiotic treatment, especially pneumonia and ear infections.

    While data from the Ontario outbreak is still being analyzed, experts expect a similar surge in antibiotic prescriptions to treat these preventable complications.

    The antibiotic resistance chain reaction

    Every time we use antibiotics, we give bacteria a chance to adapt.
    (NIAID), CC BY

    Here’s where it gets dangerous. Every time we use antibiotics, we give bacteria a chance to adapt. The most vulnerable bacteria die, but tougher ones survive and spread. This leads to antibiotic resistance where treatments that used to work no longer do.

    Even appropriate use of antibiotics, like treating a bacterial infection after measles, adds to the problem. And the more often we need to prescribe antibiotics, the faster this resistance builds.

    A 2022 global study published in The Lancet estimated that antimicrobial resistance directly caused 1.27 million deaths in 2019 and contributed to many millions more. As resistance spreads, doctors are forced to use more toxic, expensive or last-resort drugs, and sometimes, no effective treatment exists at all.

    Antibiotic resistance means that treatments that used to work no longer do.
    (NIAID), CC BY

    How vaccines help fight resistance

    Vaccines are one of the most powerful tools we have not just to prevent disease, but to reduce antibiotic use and slow resistance. By stopping infections before they happen, vaccines reduce the need for antibiotics in the first place.

    Some vaccines protect directly against bacteria. Pneumococcal vaccines (PCV13, PCV15, PCV20) guard against a major cause of pneumonia, brain infections and ear infections. Haemophilus influenzae type b (Hib) and diphtheria vaccines prevent other respiratory bacterial diseases.

    Other vaccines protect against viruses, which can weaken the body and open the door to bacterial infections called as secondary bacterial infections.

    The MMR (measles-mumps-rubella) vaccine not only prevents measles but also reduces the chance of bacterial pneumonias that often occur after measles due to immunosuppression.

    The seasonal flu and COVID-19 vaccines help prevent viral infections that can trigger secondary bacterial complications.

    The rotavirus vaccine that protects against diarrheal disease in children has also been shown to reduce antibiotic use by more than 20 per cent, according to a 2024 study in Vaccine.

    In fact, a 2020 study in Nature found that improving childhood vaccination coverage in low- and middle-income countries could reduce antibiotic-treated illnesses in kids under five by more than 20 per cent. That’s a massive step forward in the fight against antibiotic resistance.

    A wake-up call

    The measles outbreaks in Ontario and Alberta aren’t just local issues; they are a global warning. Each missed vaccine doesn’t just put one person at risk; it potentially means more infections, more complications and more antibiotics. That, in turn, means more antibiotic resistance for everyone.

    Vaccines are not just about individual protection. They are a public health strategy that keeps antibiotics effective for when we really need them, especially for vulnerable people like cancer patients, transplant recipients and the elderly, who rely on antibiotics to survive routine infections.

    Vaccines, in fact, do more than prevent disease. They protect our ability to treat infections by reducing the need for antibiotics and slowing the rise of resistant bacteria. With preventable diseases like measles making a comeback, now is the time to recognize the broader impact of vaccine hesitancy.

    Choosing to vaccinate is more than a personal decision. It’s a way to protect our communities and preserve the life-saving power of antibiotics for generations to come.

    Ruchika Gupta does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. How falling vaccination rates are fuelling the antibiotic resistance crisis – https://theconversation.com/how-falling-vaccination-rates-are-fuelling-the-antibiotic-resistance-crisis-259682

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: I research rip currents where ‘Cosby Show’ star Malcolm-Jamal Warner drowned. Here’s why they’re so deadly

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Chris Houser, Professor in Department of Earth and Environmental Science, and Dean of Science, University of Waterloo

    Malcolm-Jamal Warner, the actor who played Theo Huxtable on The Cosby Show, has drowned on Costa Rica’s Caribbean coast.

    It is reported that he was swimming at Playa Cocles in Limon province when a current pulled him offshore. This is a beach popular among surfers and one that’s known to have large waves and strong currents.

    It’s also a beach that I have taken students to in order to study the formation of rip currents and to better understand what beach users know about the hazard.

    What exactly are rip currents?

    Rip currents — commonly referred to as rips or colloquially as rip tides — are found on ocean beaches and some large lakes around the world.



    Read more:
    The Great Lakes are powerful. Learning about ‘rip currents’ can help prevent drowning

    The rips at Playa Cocles and along a large part of the Costa Rican Caribbean coast are known as channel or bathymetric rips that form as the nearshore sand bar moves toward the land through the summer. The water thrown towards the land by the breaking waves returns offshore as a concentrated and fast flowing current at gaps in the nearshore sand bar.

    During storm conditions, we have measured the rip currents at Playa Cocles at over two metres per second. These rips are known to increase rapidly (or pulse) in strength due to changes in wave breaking, leading to unsuspecting swimmers being taken far offshore and exiting beyond the zone of breaking waves.

    Rip current at Playa Cocles showing change in size and strength with surfers for scale. (Chris Houser)

    While it can be difficult to spot a rip from shore, they can be identified by an area of relatively calm water between breaking waves, a patch of darker water or the offshore flow of water, sediment and debris.

    Caught in a rip current

    A person caught in a rip is transported away from shore into deeper waters, but they aren’t pulled under the water. If they are a weak swimmer or try to fight the current, they may panic and fail to find a way out of the rip and back to shore. Survivor stories highlight panic, anxiety, distress and fear, a tendency to fight the current and an inability to make a decision on how to escape the rip.

    While it is possible to “break the grip of the rip” by swimming parallel to the beach or toward breaking waves at an angle to the beach, there is no single escape strategy due to the unique rip circulation pattern.

    It’s possible to escape a rip by flipping onto your back, floating to keep your head above the water and following the current until you’re returned to the shore by the current or able to swim safely toward the shore. If you are taken beyond where the waves break, or you’re unable to swim back to shore, continue to float and signal for help.

    Rip currents account for more than 50 deaths a year in Costa Rica; approximately 19 drownings a year involve foreign tourists from the United States, Nicaragua, Canada and Germany. While most drownings in the country occur on Pacific coast beaches that are a short distance to the city of San José, more than five drownings occur each year along the Caribbean coast.

    Playa Cocles was the site of five drownings that occurred over eight days in 2004, an event that prompted tourism-dependent business owners to establish a lifeguard station on the beach.

    Costa Rican drownings

    On average, each drowning in Costa Rica costs more than US$2 million (USD). This includes the direct costs of search and rescue, the costs of repatriation and the long-term economic burden of a lost life. This is in addition to the great personal loss experienced by family and friends.

    A survey at Playa Cocles and other beaches in Costa Rica revealed that a majority of beach users did not observe warning signs and that many were unable to interpret the warning and did not change their behaviour.

    The majority of foreign drowning victims in Costa Rica had limited knowledge of rips and were unable to avoid the times and locations that were most hazardous.

    In general, visitors to a beach often use simple visual cues when deciding to take risks. Recent studies suggest that tourists think beach access points and resorts are located adjacent to safe swimming areas, particularly when visual cues such as manicured paths and promotional posters that promote swimming at those locations.

    Visitors are a high-risk group for drownings. They’re generally unfamiliar with the beach and its safety measures and often have poor knowledge of beach hazards, such as rip currents and breaking waves. This lack of knowledge can be exacerbated by language barriers, an overconfidence in swimming ability and peer pressure.

    Rip current and beach users at Playa Cocles. The red flag was placed by lifeguards to mark the location of the rip for beach users. (Chris Houser)

    Playa Cocles is a beautiful beach, but it’s known to have dangerous rips depending on the size of the breaking waves and the position of the sand bar.

    When visiting any beach — from the Caribbean to the Great Lakes — it’s important to remember that there may be rip currents and to take serious precautions.

    Chris Houser receives funding from NSERC.

    – ref. I research rip currents where ‘Cosby Show’ star Malcolm-Jamal Warner drowned. Here’s why they’re so deadly – https://theconversation.com/i-research-rip-currents-where-cosby-show-star-malcolm-jamal-warner-drowned-heres-why-theyre-so-deadly-261653

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: CBSA seizes 187.5 kg of cocaine at the Ambassador Bridge leading to criminal charges by the RCMP

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    July 22, 2025    Windsor, Ontario    Canada Border Services Agency 

    On May 23, 2025, Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) border services officers at the Ambassador Bridge port of entry intercepted 187.5 kg of suspected cocaine concealed in the trailer of a commercial truck coming into Canada from the United States. 

    During a secondary examination of the trailer, CBSA officers discovered 2 suitcases and 5 garbage bags containing 161 bricks of suspected cocaine. The approximate value of the cocaine is $23.4 million.  

    CBSA officers seized the drugs and arrested the driver, Kambiz Karandish, 55, of Richmond Hill, Ontario, and transferred him and the suspected cocaine to the custody of the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP). Karandish has been charged by the RCMP with Importation of Cocaine, and Possession of Cocaine for the Purpose of Trafficking under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.

    The CBSA and the RCMP are committed to protecting our communities from harmful contraband and organized crime. 

    The investigation is ongoing. 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta to Advance Pipelines, Critical Minerals and Energy Export Infrastructure

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on July 22, 2025

    Provinces sign agreement to secure markets, support investment and strengthen supply chains.

    Today, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed a Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) to coordinate the safe transportation and export of Western Canadian oil, natural gas and critical minerals to refineries, seaports and storage facilities across Canada and beyond.  

    “We are sending a clear signal that Canada’s energy future will be built by Canadians, for Canadians,” Moe said. “This agreement commits our provinces to work together to unlock new markets, shore up our supply chains from mine to port and advocate for the federal reforms our industry needs. By advancing pipelines, rail connections and critical-mineral processing capacity, we are safeguarding thousands of jobs, strengthening our energy security and fostering sustainable growth.”

    The MOU establishes a collaborative framework to explore multiple pipeline and rail corridors, and expansion of processing hubs for critical minerals. All of this will create new and critical avenues to reach domestic and international markets.

    “As the world grapples with President Trump’s unfair tariffs, it is more important than ever to build a resilient and self-reliant economy here at home,” Ford said. “This agreement sends a clear message: Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan are ready to get shovels in the ground and move forward on projects that will secure our long-term prosperity.”  

    The agreement will help strengthen interprovincial trade by linking Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta through shared infrastructure development and coordinated market strategies.  

    “We are taking action to grow our economy, build real infrastructure and get major projects moving,” Smith said. “Alberta is proud to lead the way in uniting with provinces that share a vision for responsible development, economic freedom and common sense. We are standing up for our oil and gas sector and making sure our world-class resources reach the markets that need them. Together, Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan are showing what is possible when provinces step up. This agreement is about building a stronger, more connected Canada, one project at a time.”

    The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to be a leader and advocate for free and fair trade. Last week, Saskatchewan called on all provinces and territories to join Canada’s largest barrier-free interprovincial market, the New West Partnership Trade Agreement. This economic region of over 11 million Canadians has a combined GDP exceeding $818 billion.

    The province also continues to take part in the Committee on Internal Trade (CIT), which includes enhancing the Canadian Free Trade Agreement (CFTA), reducing regulatory and administrative burdens to interprovincial trade, and facilitating labour mobility.

    On July 8, CIT announced significant progress, including:

    • Reducing party-specific exceptions under the CFTA by a further 30 per cent.
    • Concluding negotiations of the financial services chapter.
    • Advancing mutual recognition through a pilot project in the trucking sector and negotiating towards a mutual recognition agreement on the sale of goods.  
    • Cross-Canada commitment to a 30-day service standard for processing labour mobility applications.
    • A Memorandum of Understanding on direct-to-consumer alcohol sales, co-led by Saskatchewan and Ontario, involving ten jurisdictions across Canada to support consumers being able to order their favourite Canadian wine, spirit, beer or other alcoholic beverage, directly from the producer, for personal consumption.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • India’s global outreach continues: PM Modi to visit UK, Maldives

    Source: Government of India

    Source: Government of India (4)

    Prime Minister Narendra Modi will embark on a two-nation tour on Wednesday, visiting the United Kingdom and the Maldives from July 23 to 26, aiming to strengthen India’s global diplomatic engagements.

    At the invitation of UK Prime Minister Keir Starmer, Prime Minister Modi will undertake an official visit to the United Kingdom from July 23 to 24. This will be his fourth visit to the UK, reflecting the growing warmth and depth of the bilateral relationship.

    India and the United Kingdom share historical ties that have evolved into a robust and mutually beneficial partnership. A major milestone in the relationship was achieved during the India-UK virtual summit on 4 May 2021, when Prime Minister Modi and then UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson established a Comprehensive Strategic Partnership and adopted an ambitious India-UK Roadmap 2030. This roadmap continues to steer cooperation across various sectors including trade, security, education, technology, and climate change.

    The visit also comes in the wake of the recent general elections in the UK held on 4 July 2024, where the Labour Party returned to power after 14 years, winning 412 out of 650 seats. Keir Starmer assumed office as Prime Minister, and PM Modi extended his congratulations during a telephonic conversation on 6 July, also inviting him for an early visit to India.

    In its election manifesto, the Labour Party pledged to pursue a new strategic partnership with India, focusing on the conclusion of a Free Trade Agreement (FTA) and deepening cooperation in critical sectors. The two leaders had earlier met on the sidelines of the G20 Leaders’ Summit in Brazil in November 2024 and briefly interacted again during the G7 Summit in Canada in June 2025.

    Following the terrorist attack in Pahalgam in April 2025, Prime Minister Starmer had spoken to PM Modi to convey his condolences and support. On 6 May 2025, both leaders held a telephonic conversation and announced the successful conclusion of the India-UK FTA and the Double Taxation Avoidance Convention, marking a historic development in bilateral ties.

    High-level exchanges have been a consistent feature of India-UK relations. President Droupadi Murmu visited London in September 2022 to attend the State Funeral of Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II and met King Charles III during her visit. Vice President Jagdeep Dhankhar represented India at the Coronation of King Charles III in May 2023 and engaged with global leaders during his visit. He also addressed members of the Indian community and interacted with Indian-origin UK MPs and students.

    Prime Minister Modi had earlier met former UK Prime Minister Rishi Sunak on multiple occasions, including during the G20 Summit in India in September 2023 and at the G7 Summit in Italy in June 2024. Their discussions covered progress on the India-UK FTA and other key areas under the Roadmap 2030. Sunak’s official visit to India in 2023 and bilateral engagements in Japan and Bali further contributed to the growing momentum in the relationship. Notably, the Young Professionals Scheme was launched following their meeting in Bali in 2022, enhancing mobility for youth between the two countries.

    In April 2022, then UK Prime Minister Boris Johnson visited India and held wide-ranging discussions with PM Modi. The visit saw the announcement of an ‘Open General Export Licence’ for Indian companies and the signing of MoUs in nuclear energy and global innovation, along with a joint statement on cyber cooperation.

    Earlier, in November 2021, Prime Minister Modi had visited the UK to attend the COP26 World Leaders’ Summit in Glasgow, where he and Prime Minister Boris Johnson jointly launched the One Sun, One World, One Grid (OSOWOG) initiative under the International Solar Alliance and the Infrastructure for Resilient Island States (IRIS) initiative under the Coalition for Disaster Resilient Infrastructure.

    Lok Sabha Speaker Om Birla visited the UK in January 2025 and held bilateral talks with the Speaker of the House of Commons, Lindsay Hoyle, underscoring the strong parliamentary ties between the two democracies.

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government launches consultations as part of deposit insurance framework review

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    July 22, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of Finance Canada

    The federal deposit insurance framework safeguards vital elements of Canada’s financial system by protecting Canadians’ deposits in the unlikely event of a bank failure.

    Today, the government is launching consultations in keeping with its commitment to enhance Canada’s robust depositor protection framework to support the evolving needs of Canadians and the banking sector at large.

    Maintaining the effectiveness of the deposit insurance framework requires ongoing assessment to adapt to the changing nature of financial systems. This is part of the government’s regular reviews of Canada’s financial safety net to ensure it remains effective and responsive to emerging risks and continues to promote high levels of public confidence.

    The government invites all interested Canadians and stakeholders to review the consultation paper and to email their comments on the questions and proposals by September 26, 2025, to DepositInsuranceReview-Examenducadredassurancedepots@fin.gc.ca with “Deposit Insurance Review” as the subject line.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Lane closure on Alexandra Bridge

    Source: Government of Canada News

    For immediate release

    Gatineau, Quebec, July 22, 2025 – Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to advise motorists that there will be a lane closure on the Alexandra Bridge to accommodate maintenance work during the following period:

    • Friday, July 25, from 9 am to 3 pm

    During this period, only 1 lane heading toward Ottawa will be open to traffic. Road signage will be in place, and flaggers will assist with traffic operations.

    The boardwalk will remain accessible to pedestrians and cyclists.

    The schedule may change depending on weather conditions.

    PSPC encourages users to exercise caution when travelling on the bridge and thanks them for their patience.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Analysis: There is no known cure for ALS, but medical tourism exploits desperation for profit

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Judy Illes, Professor, Neurology, University of British Columbia

    Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a devastating neurological disorder of unknown cause, in which motor nerve cells of the brain and spinal cord that transmit signals to muscles progressively degenerate. This weakens limbs and affects speech, swallowing and ultimately the ability to breathe, resulting in death, typically within just a few years.

    Each year in Canada, approximately two people per 100,000 are diagnosed with ALS, amounting to about 1,000 cases based on the current population. In British Columbia, where we are located, the rate is estimated at just over three per 100,000 or roughly 190 new cases per year.

    This equates to approximately 4,000 Canadians — and 400 British Columbians — living with ALS at any given time.

    Rigorous ALS research is underway locally, nationally and internationally to slow — and ideally reverse — the relentless progression of this disease. Significant advances in understanding the genetic and environmental drivers of ALS are providing genuine hope that motor neuron diseases will one day be defeated.

    As experts in neurology and ethics, we are committed to delivering the best available health care and information throughout B.C. and across Canada. Trust in science and informed hope are essential to achieving the best possible outcomes and the longest possible trajectories in enjoying life when facing the overwhelming odds of ALS.

    A disturbing case

    In June, CBC’s The National reported on the case of Geoff Sando, a person living with ALS who pursued an unproven intervention for his condition. Sando travelled to Moose Jaw, Sask., to seek treatment at a clinic that claims to provide a cure for ALS.

    CBC’s The National reports on a Saskatchewan clinic claiming to offer ALS treatments.

    The ALS Society of Saskatchewan and the provincial New Democrat Party allege the clinic attended by Sando and several other patients is a form of medical tourism — travelling elsewhere to seek treatment — that can prey on the most vulnerable in society: those whose quality of life is deteriorating, and whose futures are tragically cut short.

    Medical tourism for a wide variety of other health-related conditions is not new. For example, treatments for cancer, strokes and orthopedic conditions have been available abroad for decades.

    In the United States and Mexico, unfounded stem cell interventions for ALS have been advertised for years. But until recently, it had been unusual to find such offerings in Canada. Their emergence speaks to the need for Health Canada to revisit its guidance on both regulated health and unregulated wellness products, including all forms of treatments, medications and device-based approaches.



    Read more:
    Giving patients the ‘right to try’ experimental drugs is a political maneuver, not a lifesaver

    We understand the urgency and desire to pursue any thread of hope in the face of desperation, but claims of dramatic improvement or cures from ALS by unregulated clinics that seem too good to be true are likely just that.

    Before investing in alternative treatments, we recommend that patients conduct their due diligence by consulting with their health-care team and their provincial ALS society for guidance. Ineffective interventions can jeopardize not only recipients, but also caregivers, especially when financial resources are drained.

    Trusted sources

    Developing approved therapies for ALS has been painfully slow, as evidenced by the failure of more than 95 per cent of ALS clinical trials in the past 28 years. Only three drugs — riluzole, edaravone and tofersen — have been approved by Health Canada and the U.S. Food and Drug Administration.

    Although riluzole and edaravone are only modestly effective, they remain the only widely approved pharmacological options for all forms of ALS. Tofersen is the first gene therapy recently approved to treat hereditary ALS caused by SOD1 gene abnormalities. Other treatments are being evaluated worldwide.

    This marks only the beginning of such treatment approaches to not only hereditary ALS but also non-hereditary ALS, which makes up about 90 per cent of all cases.



    Read more:
    A promising new study could lead to a reduction in symptoms of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS)

    For those affected by ALS and their families, ample resources are provided by various organizations, including ALS Canada and related provincial organizations, including the ALS Society of BC.

    Future hope

    Canadians generally trust science and scientists more than citizens of other countries and, on the whole, value science and believe in our government’s support for the work that scientists do.

    But in this time of geopolitical upheaval, vast incursions of disinformation and reversals of prior evidence-based human and health rights abroad means keeping up this level of trust — trust that leads to hope — will only become more challenging.

    The disproportionate suffering and impact on people who are marginalized by serious health conditions will only grow if dubious treatment offerings become normalized in Canada.

    Erik P Pioro consults for MT Pharma, which manufactures edaravone (Radicava) and for Biogen, which manufactures tofersen (Qalsody). He has received funding support for ALS research from the ALS Association and the National Institutes of Health.

    Judy Illes does not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and has disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.

    – ref. There is no known cure for ALS, but medical tourism exploits desperation for profit – https://theconversation.com/there-is-no-known-cure-for-als-but-medical-tourism-exploits-desperation-for-profit-261057

    MIL OSI Analysis –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Stronger pipeline pact spans three provinces

    [. The MOU also calls for new rail lines to connect critical mineral deposits located in Ontario’s Ring of Fire region to ports in Western Canada.

    The agreement reinforces joint efforts to push back against federal policies that block nation-building projects in order to collectively advance pipelines, rail, transmission infrastructure and other major projects across Canada’s energy, mining and manufacturing sectors.

    This includes significantly amending or repealing the Impact Assessment Act, as well as repealing the Oil Tanker Moratorium Act, Clean Electricity Regulations, the Oil and Gas Sector Greenhouse Gas Emissions Cap, and all other federal initiatives that discriminately impact the energy sector and sectors such as mining and manufacturing. Taking action will ensure Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan can attract the investment and project partners needed to get shovels in the ground, grow industries and create jobs.

    “We’re taking action to grow our economy, build real infrastructure and get major projects moving. Alberta is proud to lead the way in uniting with provinces that share a vision for responsible development, economic freedom and common sense. We’re standing up for our oil and gas sector and making sure our world-class resources reach the markets that need them. Together, Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan are showing what’s possible when provinces step up. This agreement is about building a stronger, more connected Canada, one project at a time.”

    Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta

    “As the world grapples with President Trump’s unfair tariffs, it’s more important than ever to build a resilient and self-reliant economy here at home. This agreement sends a clear message: Ontario, Alberta and Saskatchewan are ready to get shovels in the ground and move forward on projects that will secure our long-term prosperity.”

    Doug Ford, Premier of Ontario

    “We are sending a clear signal that Canada’s energy future will be built by Canadians, for Canadians. This agreement commits our provinces to work together to unlock new markets, shore up our supply chains from mine to port, and advocate for the federal reforms our industry needs. By advancing pipelines, rail connections and critical-mineral processing capacity, we are safeguarding thousands of jobs, strengthening our energy security, and fostering sustainable growth.”

    Scott Moe, Premier of Saskatchewan

    This agreement builds on the foundations of the MOU recently signed by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Ontario Premier Doug Ford at the Calgary Stampede to strengthen interprovincial trade, drive major infrastructure development, and grow Canada’s global competitiveness through energy and trade infrastructure.

    By signing this new agreement Alberta, Saskatchewan and Ontario are demonstrating what it takes to keep Canada competitive in a changing world.

    Quick facts

    • Premiers Danielle Smith and Doug Ford signed two MOUs on July 7, 2025, to prioritize building pipelines, rail and infrastructure between the two provinces, as well as to bolster interprovincial trade of alcohol and vehicles between the provinces.
    • On June 1, 2025, Premiers Smith and Ford signed an MOU to improve the free flow of goods and services between the two provinces.

    Related information

    • Leading the way on interprovincial trade

    Related news

    • Alberta-Ontario MOUs fuel more pipelines and trade (July 7, 2025)
    • Next stop for free trade: Ontario! (June 1, 2025)

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada improves access to health services for Francophone minority communities

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Backgrounder

    July 22, 2025

    The following projects aim to improve access to health services in French for official language minority communities (OLMCs) across Canada.

    Société Santé en français (SSF)

    Project: Agir ensemble pour améliorer l’accès aux services de santé pour les communautés francophones et acadienne vivant en situation minoritaire au Canada (“Working together to improve access to health services for Francophone and Acadian minority communities in Canada”)

    Funding: $37,125,000

    The SSF project will deploy health networking activities in partnership with its 16 networks across the country to improve access to health services for minority francophone communities. This project will also support innovation that focuses on the integration of bilingual health workers, as well as the adaptation of existing health services to improve access for OLMCs. Funding allocated to the SSF includes support for their national secretariat and 16 networks, four of which are located in the Atlantic region:

    • SSF secretariat will receive $6,810,300;
    • Networks in Atlantic Canada:
      • Réseaux Société Santé et mieux-être en français du Nouveau-Brunswick (New Brunswick) will receive $3,230,305; 
      • Réseau Santé – Nouvelle-Écosse (Nova Scotia) will receive $1,274,550;
      • Réseau Santé en français de Terre-Neuve-et-Labrador (Newfoundland & Labrador) will receive $938,910; and
      • Réseau Santé en français Î.-P.-É. (Prince Edward Island) will receive $870,330

    Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne – Consortium national de formation en santé (ACUFC – CNFS)

    Project: Secrétariat national du Consortium national de formation (CNFS-ACUFC) – projet de Formation et maintien en poste des professionnels de la santé

    Funding: $9,463,536

    The ACUFC-CNFS project aims to increase access, recruitment and training to health programs in francophone post-secondary institutions, as well as increase internship and placement opportunities in Francophone minority communities. The ACUFC-CNFS is a national secretariat working closely with 16 francophone post-secondary institutions across Canada.

    Five Atlantic Canada post-secondary training institutions, members of the Association des collèges et universités de la francophonie canadienne – Consortium national de formation en santé (ACUFC – CNFS)

    Project: Formation et maintien en poste des professionnels de la santé (“Training and retention of health professionals”)

    Funding: $32,066,600

    • The Université de Moncton will receive $13,775,410 to increase the number of students enrolling in the following health programs: Bachelor’s in nutrition, Baccalaureate in nursing sciences, Master’s degree for nurse practitioners, Certificate and Master’s degree in health services management, Bachelor’s degree in social work and Doctorate in psychology. 
    • The Gouvernement de Nouveau-Brunswick – Centre de formation médicale will receive $10,439,250 to increase the number of students enrolling in their Undergraduate medicine program. 
    • The Collège communautaire du Nouveau-Brunswick will receive $4,932,535 to increase the number of students enrolling in the following health programs: Personal support work, Auxiliary nurse, Paramedical care, Mental health intervention techniques and aging, Pharmacy techniques, Rehabilitation techniques, Medical electrophysiology technology (cardiology), Medical radiation techniques, Respiratory therapy and Dental assistant. 
    • The Université Sainte-Anne will receive $1,958,295 to increase capacity in the following health programs: Rehabilitation assistant, Continuing care assistant and Bachelor’s degree in social work. 
    • The Collège de l’Île will receive $961,110 to increase capacity in the following health programs: Personal support work and Youth support work. 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: The University of Ottawa Students’ Union Partners with Bounce to Build a More Inclusive and Connected Campus for 2025-2026

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OTTAWA, Ontario, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  The University of Ottawa Students’ Union (UOSU) is ushering in a bold new chapter for student life on campus. With a new partnership with Bounce for the 2025-2026 academic year, the UOSU executive team is delivering on its promise to create a more inclusive and connected campus experience.

    A Leadership Team Raising the Bar

    Strengthening student life on campus at the University of Ottawa is the cornerstone of the mandate of new UOSU President Jack Coen. This includes every aspect of student life, from better engagement and visibility to a safer campus for students.

    “Our executive team came into this year with a clear mission: make student life more accessible and more visible for everyone,” said Coen. “We know how hard our campus leaders and clubs work to build community, and it’s our job to give them the tools and platform to shine.”

    For many students, one of the biggest barriers to engagement is visibility. Without a centralized platform to showcase their efforts, clubs that work tirelessly to build community often go unnoticed. This year’s UOSU executive team is bringing a new light to this old problem.

    “We knew we had to tackle this challenge in an innovative way,” said Emilia Bah, interim Student Life Commissioner. “There’s so much happening at uOttawa, but it’s often hard for students to find and navigate. When we saw what Bounce could offer, a single place where everything comes together, it became an easy decision.”

    With Bounce, the UOSU will join the top unions in the country who are bringing the entire campus experience under one umbrella in an intuitive, centralized platform.

    For student organizations, this means:

    • Streamlined tools to manage members, recruitment, and communication.
    • Smarter ways to promote events and attract students who align with their mission.
    • Easier coordination of RSVPs, ticketing, and processing payments all in one platform.

    For students themselves, it means:

    • Finding and joining clubs that align with their interests.
    • Easily discovering new campus activities to try.
    • Staying up to date on what’s happening on their campus.

    “If Bounce had existed in my first year, I would have felt way less overwhelmed. There were so many events and clubs happening, but it was hard to know what was actually going on or, when, or where.” said Mari Laviola, a uOttawa undergraduate student, “Now, everything’s going to be in one place, like a living map of campus life. I’m excited because it’s going to change how students meet friends, discover what we are into, and actually become a part of the community much earlier and more easily”.

    Safety, Transparency, and Inclusivity

    The union’s commitment to student well-being also guided this partnership. Bounce includes real-time event safety scoring, anonymous reporting features, and communication tools that prioritize transparency and responsiveness. These features align directly with Coen’s pledge to strengthen campus safety.

    Bounce’s track record at peer student unions, like its role in helping St. Francis Xavier reach the 99th percentile for event safety, offers a strong foundation for what can be achieved by Coen’s team at uOttawa.

    Built for a Better Tomorrow

    As the UOSU navigates an exciting year of transition and renewed purpose, this partnership positions them at the forefront of innovation in student engagement. The whole executive team is united in their goal to build a campus where no student feels left out, and where participation is seamless, safe, and celebrated.

    “This isn’t just about new technology or another tool,” said Coen. “This is about finally solving a problem that students have been facing for years of not knowing where to go or how to get involved. We’re proud to be joining the ranks of the great student unions across the country who are choosing a better, more connected path forward.”

    In addition to student life tools, Bounce also offers centralized, easy-to-use workflows for event approvals, club budget requests, and student elections management. These governance tools are available to any student union looking to save time and money by simplifying their internal processes.

    The UOSU joins a rapidly growing list of top student unions in Canada who are transforming student engagement with Bounce.

    Ready to join the movement and bring your student union to the forefront? Let’s talk.

    https://www.bouncelife.com/admin 

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/315832e8-5ea5-40d2-b70f-54cad8b15efc

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: The University of Ottawa Students’ Union Partners with Bounce to Build a More Inclusive and Connected Campus for 2025-2026

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OTTAWA, Ontario, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) —  The University of Ottawa Students’ Union (UOSU) is ushering in a bold new chapter for student life on campus. With a new partnership with Bounce for the 2025-2026 academic year, the UOSU executive team is delivering on its promise to create a more inclusive and connected campus experience.

    A Leadership Team Raising the Bar

    Strengthening student life on campus at the University of Ottawa is the cornerstone of the mandate of new UOSU President Jack Coen. This includes every aspect of student life, from better engagement and visibility to a safer campus for students.

    “Our executive team came into this year with a clear mission: make student life more accessible and more visible for everyone,” said Coen. “We know how hard our campus leaders and clubs work to build community, and it’s our job to give them the tools and platform to shine.”

    For many students, one of the biggest barriers to engagement is visibility. Without a centralized platform to showcase their efforts, clubs that work tirelessly to build community often go unnoticed. This year’s UOSU executive team is bringing a new light to this old problem.

    “We knew we had to tackle this challenge in an innovative way,” said Emilia Bah, interim Student Life Commissioner. “There’s so much happening at uOttawa, but it’s often hard for students to find and navigate. When we saw what Bounce could offer, a single place where everything comes together, it became an easy decision.”

    With Bounce, the UOSU will join the top unions in the country who are bringing the entire campus experience under one umbrella in an intuitive, centralized platform.

    For student organizations, this means:

    • Streamlined tools to manage members, recruitment, and communication.
    • Smarter ways to promote events and attract students who align with their mission.
    • Easier coordination of RSVPs, ticketing, and processing payments all in one platform.

    For students themselves, it means:

    • Finding and joining clubs that align with their interests.
    • Easily discovering new campus activities to try.
    • Staying up to date on what’s happening on their campus.

    “If Bounce had existed in my first year, I would have felt way less overwhelmed. There were so many events and clubs happening, but it was hard to know what was actually going on or, when, or where.” said Mari Laviola, a uOttawa undergraduate student, “Now, everything’s going to be in one place, like a living map of campus life. I’m excited because it’s going to change how students meet friends, discover what we are into, and actually become a part of the community much earlier and more easily”.

    Safety, Transparency, and Inclusivity

    The union’s commitment to student well-being also guided this partnership. Bounce includes real-time event safety scoring, anonymous reporting features, and communication tools that prioritize transparency and responsiveness. These features align directly with Coen’s pledge to strengthen campus safety.

    Bounce’s track record at peer student unions, like its role in helping St. Francis Xavier reach the 99th percentile for event safety, offers a strong foundation for what can be achieved by Coen’s team at uOttawa.

    Built for a Better Tomorrow

    As the UOSU navigates an exciting year of transition and renewed purpose, this partnership positions them at the forefront of innovation in student engagement. The whole executive team is united in their goal to build a campus where no student feels left out, and where participation is seamless, safe, and celebrated.

    “This isn’t just about new technology or another tool,” said Coen. “This is about finally solving a problem that students have been facing for years of not knowing where to go or how to get involved. We’re proud to be joining the ranks of the great student unions across the country who are choosing a better, more connected path forward.”

    In addition to student life tools, Bounce also offers centralized, easy-to-use workflows for event approvals, club budget requests, and student elections management. These governance tools are available to any student union looking to save time and money by simplifying their internal processes.

    The UOSU joins a rapidly growing list of top student unions in Canada who are transforming student engagement with Bounce.

    Ready to join the movement and bring your student union to the forefront? Let’s talk.

    https://www.bouncelife.com/admin 

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/315832e8-5ea5-40d2-b70f-54cad8b15efc

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Mobile vs. Machine: BAY Miner Redefines BTC and XRP Mining in the Post-Halving Era

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    London, UK, July 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — With the post-halving reality of Bitcoin now set in, and XRP continuing to gain momentum in institutional finance, BAY Miner has emerged as a revolutionary platform that brings together two realms: new cloud mining and mobile access. The platform is changing the way both novices and experienced investors mine crypto by providing an easy, rapid, and flexible method to earn digital assets.

    The Post-Halving Shift: A New Mining Landscape

    Bitcoin halving will occur in April 2024 in which block rewards will be reduced from 6.25 BTC to 3.125 BTC which will create a more historically difficult environment for mining. Conventional miners will be facing reduced margins and higher fixed costs and will face more competition from other miners competing for the same pool of BTC rewards. Advantageous conditions of mining have gone away and in today’s environment, efficiency, flexibility and accessibility are must-haves not nice-to-haves if you want to be competitive as a miner. 

    BAY Miner’s cloud-based ecosystem provides an opportunity to participate in BTC and XRP mining at little to no hardware, technical know-how or large up-front payments.  The concept is to create a more efficient, intelligent (decentralized) mining solution and ecosystem supporting a BTC and XRP mining landscape for a miner after the halving.

    Democratizing Mining: Power in Your Pocket

    BAY Miner’s mission is clear—make crypto mining accessible to everyone, not just those with warehouses of hardware. Through its mobile-first platform, users can mine Bitcoin and XRP from anywhere in the world with nothing more than a smartphone and an internet connection.

    Mining should be open to all, regardless of tech background or budget. We’ve built a platform that turns crypto mining into a tap-and-earn experience—secure, scalable, and user-friendly.

    Unlike traditional mining setups that demand expensive rigs and constant maintenance, BAY Miner delivers passive income through intelligent cloud contracts. Everything happens in the background—users just watch their balance grow daily.

    How It Works: Cloud Mining, Simplified

    Cloud mining through BAY Miner eliminates the need for physical infrastructure. Users lease computing power from professional data centers operated by BAY Miner, which are equipped with high-performance GPUs and ASIC hardware in countries like the UAE, Canada, and the U.S.

    These centers handle all technical operations. Meanwhile, users control everything from the app—select contracts, monitor returns, and withdraw profits at their convenience.

    BAY Miner Platform Highlights:

    • Mobile-First Interface: Available on Android and iOS for 24/7 access
    • AI-Powered Allocation: Smart algorithms optimize mining performance across multiple pools
    • Support for XRP & BTC: You mine 2 assets and gain 2 streams of earnings
    • Instant Withdrawals: Your profits are paid electronically directly to your wallet (there are no lock-in periods)
    • Safety facility: Enterprise-level safety – complete with global regulatory compliance
    • Support: Access support 24/7 with multilingual agents supportive era very easy to work with customers.

    Post-Halving Mining Strategies: BAY Miner’s Smart Contracts

    Post-halving mining demands smarter strategies and more efficient use of computing resources. BAY Miner achieves this with a variety of customizable contracts suited for different budgets and timelines.

    Popular Mining Plans:

    • BTC Starter Contract
      Investment: $100
      Duration: 2 Days
      Daily Return: $4.00
      Total Return: $108
    • XRP Growth Contract
      Investment: $600
      Duration: 6 Days
      Daily Return: $7.26
      Total Return: $643.56
    • BTC Premium Contract
      Investment: $3,000
      Duration: 10 Days
      Daily Return: $42.50
      Total Return: $3,425

    These packages are designed to offer quick ROI while allowing users to reinvest or diversify based on current market trends. Every contract is backed by BAY Miner’s AI engine, which ensures optimal performance—even when the market fluctuates.

    Why BAY Miner Leads in 2025

    In a saturated market of mining platforms, BAY Miner stands out by combining trust, transparency, and technology. It’s more than just a mining app—it’s a financial tool designed for modern crypto users.

    Key Differentiators:

    • Regulatory Compliance: Licensed operations across key global jurisdictions
    • Transparent Earnings: Real-time monitoring of profits, energy allocation, and contract status
    • Referral Rewards: Incentives for sharing the platform with your network
    • Sustainable Mining: Eco-conscious energy sources power BAY Miner’s facilities

    Users can feel confident that their mining activities are both profitable and ethical.

    Getting Started: Mine Smarter, Not Harder

    The onboarding process is quick and intuitive:

    Step 1: Download the BAY Miner app from Google Play or the App Store
    Step 2: Register using your email or crypto wallet
    Step 3: Choose a contract that fits your investment goal
    Step 4: Start mining immediately—no waiting, no approvals
    Step 5: Track your returns and withdraw your earnings anytime

    Within minutes, users can begin generating passive crypto income with zero complexity.

    The Future of Crypto Mining Is Here

    As BTC and XRP keep playing essential parts in global digital finance, firms such as BAY Miner will shape the future of mining. In a world with a focus on energy efficiency, decentralization, and access, BAY Miner will show the world how mining can be powerful and personal.

    No bulky machines. No technical barriers. Just intelligent mining—made for mobile.

    Official Website: https://www.bayminer.com/
    Contact Email: support@bayminer.com
    App Download: Android & iOS

    Start your cloud mining journey today with BAY Miner. The digital gold rush is back—this time, it fits in your pocket.

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    The MIL Network –