Source: Government of India
Source: Government of India (2)
National Investigation Agency today conducted searches at several locations in Punjab in connection with its probe into the attack on the Indian High Commission in Canada alleged by pro-Khalistan supporters. The searches were conducted in Moga, Amritsar, Gurdaspur, and Jalandhar. Last year, the agency had registered a case over a protest by pro-Khalistani supporters outside the Indian mission in Ottawa.
Source: Government of Canada News (2)
May 12, 2025 – Drummondville, Quebec – Correctional Service Canada
On April 30, 2025, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, a package containing contraband items was seized at Drummond Institution, a medium security federal institution.
The contraband items seized included cannabis, hashish, shatter, tobacco, nicotine patches and electronic items. The total estimated institutional value of this seizure is $233,300.
The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) uses a number of tools to prevent drugs from entering its institutions. These tools include ion scanners and drug-detector dogs to search buildings, personal property, inmates, and visitors.
The CSC is heightening measures to prevent contraband from entering its institutions in order to help ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone. CSC also works in partnership with the police to take action against those who attempt to introduce contraband into correctional institutions.
CSC has also set up a telephone tip line for all federal institutions so that it may receive additional information about activities relating to security at CSC institutions. These activities may be related to drug use or trafficking that may threaten the safety and security of visitors, inmates, and staff members working at CSC institutions.
The toll-free number, 1‑866‑780‑3784, helps ensure that the information shared is protected and that callers remain anonymous.
Taking action against illegal drone activity
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Source: Bank for International Settlements
The Group of Central Bank Governors and Heads of Supervision (GHOS), the oversight body of the Basel Committee on Banking Supervision, met on 12 May 2025.
The GHOS took stock of the implementation status of the outstanding Basel III reforms, which were finalised in 2017. Members have continued to make good progress with implementation. About 70% of member jurisdictions have now implemented, or will shortly implement, the standards.
GHOS members unanimously reaffirmed their expectation of implementing all aspects of the Basel III framework in full, consistently and as soon as possible. The series of shocks to financial markets over the past few years have highlighted the importance of having a prudent global regulatory framework in place. The GHOS tasked the Committee with continuing to monitor and assess the full and consistent implementation of Basel III.
The GHOS also took note of the Committee’s ongoing analytical and supervisory work to assess whether specific features of the Basel Framework performed as intended during the 2023 banking turmoil, such as liquidity risk and interest rate risk in the banking book.
GHOS members discussed the Committee’s proposed Pillar 3 disclosure framework for climate-related financial risks. The Basel Committee will publish a voluntary disclosure framework for jurisdictions to consider.
The GHOS also discussed the Committee’s broader work on climate-related financial risks. The GHOS tasked the Committee with prioritising its work to analyse the impact of extreme weather events on financial risks.
Note to editors:
The Basel Committee is the primary global standard setter for the prudential regulation of banks and provides a forum for cooperation on banking supervisory matters. Its mandate is to strengthen the regulation, supervision and practices of banks worldwide with the purpose of enhancing financial stability. The Committee reports to the Group of Central Bank Governors and Heads of Supervision and seeks its endorsement for major decisions. The Committee has no formal supranational authority, and its decisions have no legal force. Rather, the Committee relies on its members’ commitments to achieve its mandate. The Group of Central Bank Governors and Heads of Supervision is chaired by Tiff Macklem, Governor of the Bank of Canada. The Basel Committee is chaired by Erik Thedéen, Governor of Sveriges Riksbank.
More information about the Basel Committee is available here.
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, this evening.
The Prime Minister spoke to the Prime Minister of Canada, Mark Carney, this evening.
The Prime Minister began by congratulating Prime Minister Carney on his fantastic election win.
The leaders reflected on the opportunities to deepen the friendship between the two countries, including through economic cooperation and technology ties to deliver for working people in both the UK and Canada.
Discussing the Coalition of the Willing call in Kyiv on Saturday, the Prime Minister thanked Prime Minister Carney for joining, and leaders underlined the need to increase pressure on President Putin to agree to an unconditional ceasefire.
Looking ahead, the Prime Minister said he was looking forward to travelling to Canada for the G7 Summit next month, which would be another important moment to stand in solidarity with Ukraine.
The leaders agreed to stay in close touch.
Source: Government of Canada regional news
New rules will make it easier for businesses to collect debts for services they provide to repair, store or transport goods.
The new Commercial Liens Act comes into force on June 30, 2025, creating one clear set of lien rules for anyone who repairs, stores or transports goods. It replaces a patchwork of outdated laws, which created different rules for different services.
The change reduces risks and costs, meaning service providers will be less likely to lose their liens and the payment that liens secure. Updated rules and processes that are easier to understand benefit businesses and their customers.
Once in force, the act gives service providers flexibility by allowing them to keep possession of goods or to register the lien in B.C.’s Personal Property Registry. This allows owners to keep using their vehicle or equipment to make money and pay off the debt. It means that liens can be registered on big items that cannot be easily moved or stored.
The Personal Property Registry, an online system that tracks legal claims on personal property, will be updated on June 30 to so that commercial liens can be registered.
The changes will also make it easier to enforce liens without going to court, which helps businesses get paid and cuts legal costs.
The act replaces the Repairers Lien Act, Warehouse Lien Act and Livestock Lien Act. Any existing liens under those acts will continue as commercial liens.
The changes respond to the B.C. Law Institute’s recommendation to follow Saskatchewan’s lead in adopting the Uniform Liens Act. It uses similar rules used by secured lenders across Canada to collect on loans against personal property.
This brings B.C. closer to the goal of having one set of lien rules across Canada so businesses that provide services in different provinces do not have to keep track of different rules.
Learn More:
For more information about B.C.’s Personal Property Registry, visit: https://www.bcregistry.gov.bc.ca/en-CA/ppr-marketing
Source: Government of Canada regional news
Released on May 12, 2025
In the wake of recent warmer weather and dryer conditions, the public is reminded that agriculture producers and equipment are back in the field as seeding operations are underway in earnest across Saskatchewan.
The first weekly Crop Report of the 2025 growing season, published on May 8, indicates that seeding progress is presently at 18 per cent across the province, well ahead of both the five-year average (10 per cent) and the 10-year average (12 per cent).
“Producers have wasted no time getting into the field and making a lot of progress in the past few weeks, and we should keep in mind that this work will only ramp up in the days ahead,” Agriculture Minister Daryl Harrison said. “Their tenacity, their innovative nature, and their work ethic extends across the entire agriculture industry and I want to say thank you to the farmers and ranchers of Saskatchewan for everything you do.”
Saskatchewan drivers are encouraged to watch for farm machinery they may encounter moving along our highways and roads and to be mindful of this equipment and be patient for the safety of everyone.
The quality of information in the Crop Report issued by the Ministry of Agriculture would not be achievable without the essential network of volunteers who contribute to it. More than 200 people across the province complete a short survey each week to share what they see and hear in their rural municipalities. Anyone interested in helping by becoming a volunteer crop reporter can contact the Ministry of Agriculture or the nearest local regional office to find out more.
For a complete weekly summary of the Crop Report, please visit: www.saskatchewan.ca/crop-report. You can also follow the 2025 Crop Report on X at @SKAgriculture.
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For more information, contact:
Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)
The current tariffs being imposed by the United States are increasing costs, disrupting supply chains and creating uncertainty for industry, making it challenging to operate efficiently and stay globally competitive. Action is needed to defend Alberta’s economy and Albertan jobs.
In response to feedback from industry leaders, Alberta is freezing the industrial carbon price at the current rate of $95 per tonne of emissions. This freeze provides certainty and economic relief to oil and gas, electricity, petrochemical, manufacturing, cement, pulp and paper, mining, forestry and other sectors employing tens of thousands of workers across the province.
“This freeze will provide certainty, stability and economic relief to the businesses that contribute so much to all of Canada. With the change in government south of the border, it essential that we have a reasonable carbon pricing system, not one that will price our industries out of global markets. Alberta has had a reasonable, industry-led carbon-pricing system in place since 2007. This is provincial jurisdiction, and we will not needlessly burden our businesses with further increases dictated by Ottawa that would be detrimental to our economy.”
“By freezing the TIER price, we are defending the businesses that drive our economy and the jobs that tens of thousands of families rely on against tariffs, threats and uncertainty. Industry is at the heart of Alberta, and we will continue to keep our industry competitive and strong and will not allow it to be shut down or be put at risk of falling behind during this challenging time.”
“This freeze balances industry’s need for predictability and stability and acknowledges that Alberta competitiveness will be irreparably harmed by an industrial carbon price that goes too high and would hurt our efforts to produce the cleanest energy in the world.”
The current tariffs imposed by the United States come after a decade of anti-industry and anti-development policies by Canada’s federal government. These rules and regulations have decreased Alberta’s competitiveness, increased uncertainty and driven away much needed investment since 2015.
Alberta remains committed to reducing emissions through the development and implementation of new technologies, not unrealistically high taxes, while responsibly powering the world for decades to come.
Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police
On May 10, RCMP officers, fire services, and EHS responded to a fatal two-vehicle collision on Highway 101 between Hantsport and Falmouth.
At this time, based on physical evidence gathered at the scene, investigators believe that the Honda Civic was travelling in the opposite direction of traffic in the eastbound lanes when it collided with the Nissan Sentra approximately 1.5 kms from Exit 7 in Falmouth.
Through the investigation, it’s been determined that Kings District RCMP responded to a possible impaired driver involving the same Civic at 7:20 p.m. The vehicle was last seen at a restaurant on Hwy. 1 near the 11600 block in Grand Pre. An extensive search for the vehicle, led by multiple officers in Kings and West Hants counties, was unsuccessful.
Investigators are seeking information from the public to establish the whereabouts of the blue 2014 Honda Civic prior to 7:20 p.m. and prior to the collision, which occurred at approximately 11:12 p.m. The vehicle was bearing Nova Scotia licence plate HLF590.
The investigation is ongoing.
Anyone with information about this incident or dashcam footage of the area prior to the collision is asked to call West Hants District RCMP at 902-798-2207. To remain anonymous, contact Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submit a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or use the P3 Tips app.
Our thoughts continue to be with the victims’ loved ones at this difficult time.
File #: 2025-632421, 2025-631333
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Peter Anthony Andrisani, PhD Candidate, Medical Sciences, McMaster University
Seven-time NBA all-star Damian Lillard, 34, recently joined a growing list of NBA athletes to be sidelined by a diagnosis of deep-vein thrombosis, or DVT.
The Milwaukee Bucks player joins Victor Wembanyama, 21, a rising star in the NBA who was diagnosed with the life-threatening condition earlier this season, along with Chris Bosh and Brandon Ingram, who were also sidelined with DVT during their careers.
DVT is caused by blood clots in the veins of the arms or legs. The condition is commonly associated with age, decreased mobility, obesity, some estrogen-containing medications and smoking, among other factors. Repetitive arm action above the head, like throwing a basketball, can also increase the risk of DVT.
Typically, DVT causes swelling, pain and bruising in the affected limb. DVT on its own is not lethal, but left untreated, it can have serious consequences.
Without treatment, pieces of blood clots that cause DVT can break off and travel to the lungs in a condition called pulmonary embolism (PE), which can result in severe damage to the lungs. Both DVT and PE are venous thromboembolic diseases, which are the third most common cause of deaths associated with the vascular system after heart attack and stroke.
Tennis superstar Serena Williams developed PE twice. Like many people who develop it, she had trouble breathing, shortness of breath and chest pain.
Although it might be scary to be diagnosed with DVT or PE, there are effective medicines to treat the conditions.
My lab’s research focuses on identifying new blood-thinning drugs to treat blood-clotting conditions like DVT and stroke. Surgery and blood thinners are often combined to combat DVT and PE by removing the original blood clot and reducing the chances of a new clot forming.
Despite their name, blood thinners do not literally make blood thinner. Instead, they make it harder for blood clots to form. Three general classes of blood thinners can be prescribed for DVT and PE: vitamin K antagonists such as warfarin, heparin and direct oral anticoagulants.
Despite the help blood thinners provide, they create risks of their own, as they can increase the risk of bleeding, because blood clotting is a normal and necessary physiological process.
Taking blood thinners is like walking a tightrope. The person taking the blood thinner is in a constant state of balance between preventing abnormal blood clots and excessive bleeding, which depends on the strength of the blood thinner. If you lean too far in either direction, you might fall off the tightrope, with serious consequences.
The challenges of managing bleeding risk while preventing DVT was amplified in the case of Williams. Immediately after delivering her second child, Williams underwent a PE event and was placed on intravenous heparin. While heparin did prevent blood clots, Williams did have significant bleeding at the site of her C-section.
The risk of bleeding often extends past the hospital. Typically, blood thinners are given to people with DVT for months, even years, to prevent ongoing risk of clot formation. The risk of bleeding persists as long as the person is taking the drug.
Athletes on blood thinners playing contact sports are more vulnerable to injuries compared to others. Players commonly fall, which is more likely to cause potentially life-threatening internal bleeding.
Due to this risk, athletes often must take to the sidelines to avoid injury after a DVT diagnosis.
The challenge of creating balanced blood-thinning drugs is of great interest to my lab at McMaster University’s Thrombosis and Atherosclerosis Research Institute. A promising candidate for treating clotting disorders is ADAMTS13. It’s a protein that plays a role in the typical maintenance of blood clots but shows great potential as a blood-thinning medication.
Previous research with this protein has found that in acute blood-clotting conditions such as ischemic stroke, ADAMTS13 is effective at breaking apart blood clots but does not result in the same risk of bleeding. Further testing on the protein in chronic conditions like DVT still needs to be performed, but there is potential for it to act as a long-term blood thinner.
The use of safer blood thinners will not only allow athletes like Lillard and Wembanyama to continue playing their respective sports, but will also help the general population.
Approximately seven million new blood-thinner prescriptions for DVT and other conditions are written each year in Canada, highlighting the need for better therapeutics across the board.
Peter Anthony Andrisani receives funding from CanVECTOR.
Colin Kretz receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research, the Natural Sciences and Engineering Research Council of Canada, and the National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute of the National Institutes of Health (R01HL172780).
– ref. Deadly blood clots, risky treatments: The high-stakes battle against deep vein thrombosis in sports and beyond – https://theconversation.com/deadly-blood-clots-risky-treatments-the-high-stakes-battle-against-deep-vein-thrombosis-in-sports-and-beyond-253985
Source: Government of Canada regional news
Released on May 12, 2025
The Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed May 11-17, 2025, as Victims and Survivors of Crime Week in the province.
The week is a chance to raise awareness about matters facing victims and survivors of crime and to highlight the services and supports available to aid them on their path to healing. It is also a chance to acknowledge the contributions of Saskatchewan’s volunteer victim support workers, staff and community board members.
Saskatchewan’s long-term volunteers, staff and board members were recognized at the Legislative Building today for their contributions to police-based victim services programs and the strength of their collaboration within the Saskatchewan justice system.
“The dedication and compassion of our Saskatchewan volunteer victim support workers is instrumental to creating and maintaining safe, healthy communities across our province,” Justice Minister and Attorney General Tim McLeod, K.C., said. “I would like to sincerely thank them for helping victims and survivors of crime overcome tragic situations, ensuring they are not alone and for the collaborative role they play in helping people navigate the criminal justice system.”
Currently, there are 150 volunteer victim support workers working with police-based victim services programs in Saskatchewan. In 2023-24, more than 13,000 victims of crime were supported through their efforts.
Fourteen police-based victim services programs operate throughout Saskatchewan. Of these, four are part of municipal police services, while the other 10 are overseen by a board of directors, including 80 volunteer community board members.
For more information on Victims and Survivors of Crime Week, volunteer victim support worker opportunities and services or supports that are available for victims and survivors, contact a police-based victim services program through your local RCMP detachment or municipal police service. You can also contact the Victims Services Branch at 306-787-3500 or visit:
www.saskatchewan.ca/victimsservices.
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For more information, contact:
Source: The Conversation – UK – By Emrah Atasoy, Associate Fellow of English and Comparative Literary Studies & Honorary Research Fellow of IAS, University of Warwick
Is there any past work of fiction that can help us make sense of today’s troubling trends? Taking into account the proliferation of references to obfuscating “Newspeak”, Big Brother-style leaders and impossible-to-circumvent surveillance systems in newspaper articles, this question cries out for a simple answer: “Yes – and that work is George Orwell’s Nineteen Eighty-Four.”
People on both the political left and right see Orwell’s 1949 novel as the book from the last century that speaks to the present most powerfully. But there are others who regard consumer culture and social media obsession as the primary concerns of today. They have a different answer: “Yes – and that work is Aldous Huxley’s Brave New World.”
We, however, think the answer is “both”.
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In the long-running debate over who was the most prophetic writer of their era, Orwell, who was a pupil of Huxley’s at Eton, is generally the favourite.
One reason for this is that international alliances that long seemed stable are now in flux. In Nineteen Eighty-Four, his final novel, Orwell envisioned a future tri-polar world divided into competing blocks with shifting allegiances.
In the short time since the US president, Donald Trump, began his second term, his policies and statements have triggered surprising realignments. The US and Canada, close partners for more than a century, have faced off against each other. And in April, an official from Beijing joined with his counterparts from South Korea and Japan to push back as an unlikely trio against Trump’s new tariffs.
That is perhaps why there is a booming field of “Orwell studies”, with its own academic journal, but not “Huxley studies”. It also probably explains why Nineteen Eighty-Four, but not Brave New World, keeps making its way on to bestseller lists – sometimes in tandem with Margaret Atwood’s The Handmaid’s Tale (1985). “Orwellian” (unlike the rarely heard “Huxleyan”) has few competitors other than “Kafkaesque” as an immediately recognisable adjective linked to a 20th-century author.
As wonderful as Atwood and Kafka are, we are convinced that combining Orwell’s vision with Huxley’s offers scope for deeper analysis. This is true in part because of, not despite, how common it has been to contrast the modes of autocracy Orwell and Huxley describe.
We live in an era when all sorts of systems of control limit our freedoms of expression, identity and religion. Many do not quite fit the template that either Orwell or Huxley imagined, but instead combine elements.
There are certainly places, such as Myanmar, where those in power rely on techniques that immediately bring Orwell to mind, with his focus on fear and surveillance. There are others, such as Dubai, that more readily evoke Huxley, with his focus on pleasure and distraction. In many cases, though, we find a mixture.
This is especially clear if you take a global view. That’s something we specialise in as international and interdisciplinary researchers – a literary scholar from Turkey based in the UK, and a Californian cultural historian of China who has also published on southeast Asia.
Like Orwell, Huxley wrote many books that were not dystopian fiction, but his foray into that genre became his most influential. Brave New World was well known throughout the cold war. In courses and commentaries, it was commonly paired with Nineteen Eighty-Four as a narrative illustrating a shallow society based on indulgence and consumerism, as opposed to the bleaker Orwellian world of suppression of desire and strict control.
While it is common to approach the two books via their contrasts, they can be treated as interconnected and entangled works as well.
During the cold war, some commentators felt that Brave New World showed where capitalist consumerism in the age of television could lead. The west, according to this interpretation, could become a world in which autocrats like those in the novel stayed on top. They would do this by keeping people busy and divided among themselves, happily distracted by entertainment and the drug “soma”.
Orwell, by contrast, seemed to provide a key to unlock the harder mode of control in non-capitalist, Communist Party-run lands, especially those of the Soviet bloc.
Huxley himself in Brave New World Revisited, a non-fiction book he published in the 1950s, thought it was important to think about ways the techniques of power and societal engineering in the two novels could be combined, approached and analysed. And there is even more value in combining the approaches now, when capitalism has gone so global and the autocratic wave keeps reaching new shores in the so-called post-truth era.
Orwellian hard-edged and Huxleyan soft-edged approaches to control and social engineering can be and often are combined. We see this within countries such as China, where the crude repressive methods of a Big Brother state are used against the Uyghur population, while cities such as Shenzhen evoke Brave New World.
We see this mixing of dystopian elements in many countries – variations on the way that science fiction writer William Gibson, author of novels such as Neuromancer (1984), wrote about Singapore with a phrase that had a soft-edged first half and a hard-edged second: “Disneyland with the death penalty.”
This can be a useful first step toward better understanding, and perhaps beginning to try to find a way of improving the troubling world of the mid-2020s. A world in which the smartphone in your pocket both keeps track of your actions and provides an endless set of enticing distractions.
The authors do not work for, consult, own shares in or receive funding from any company or organisation that would benefit from this article, and have disclosed no relevant affiliations beyond their academic appointment.
– ref. Nineteen Eighty-Four and Brave New World should be read in tandem to understand today’s troubled times – https://theconversation.com/nineteen-eighty-four-and-brave-new-world-should-be-read-in-tandem-to-understand-todays-troubled-times-253872
Source: Government of Canada regional news
The Province of B.C. is supporting the Walking School Bus program, which provides supervised walks to schools for elementary children in select communities, helping them start their day off with fresh air and exercise.
“Walking to school offers a wonderful opportunity for students and parents to connect with their community,” said Ravi Parmar, MLA for Langford-Highlands, on behalf of Mike Farnworth, Minister of Transportation and Transit. “I’m excited to see this program expand in many parts of the province, especially in the community where I grew up. It’s rewarding to know that students in Langford and other communities in B.C. will benefit from this initiative, helping them develop healthy habits and safer ways to commute.”
In partnership with the Society for Children and Youth of BC, this program gives more communities in B.C. the chance to get their kids to school without a vehicle. The program is available to students in Langford, Sooke, Nanaimo, Esquimalt, Saanich and Central Saanich. It will expand to other areas.
Children learn safe commuting skills and build healthy habits with the Walking School Bus. The program provides paid leaders and volunteers with the essential training to safely lead a group of students to and from their homes and schools. The program will also include a Biking School Bus in some participating communities. Trained cycling leaders from HUB Cycling will bike with groups of students to and from school.
More than 350 children have participated in similar Walking School Bus programs in B.C. The program offers new communities the funding and tools needed to get their students to and from school safely.
“After a successful pilot in Metro Vancouver in partnership with the Province and TransLink, we are thrilled to be working with the Province to help more children across British Columbia develop active travel habits through our Walking School Bus program,” said Stephanie Howell, executive director, Society for Children and Youth of BC. “The program will also include bike buses led by our new partners at HUB Cycling, who we are excited to have on board. We look forward to promoting safe routes to school and independent mobility for all.”
The B.C. government has invested $1.1 million to support 15 schools in B.C. as they offer their elementary students a supervised walk to school.
Source: Government of Canada regional news
Released on May 12, 2025
The Government of Saskatchewan is proud to proclaim May 11 to 17, 2025, as Disability Service Professionals Week. Now in its eighth year, this week recognizes the dedication of skilled disability service professionals who ensure that people with disabilities are valued, supported and included members of their communities.
“The partnership between the Ministry of Social Services and SARC, its members and the Disability Service sector is one we are proud of,” Social Services Minister Terry Jenson said. “This week we celebrate the dedicated service professionals who work to create an inclusive province and make a meaningful difference in the lives of persons with disabilities.”
SARC represents nearly 100 community-based organizations that support people of all abilities. With over 50 years of experience, SARC helps nonprofits grow by providing training, consulting and leadership development. Through its work, SARC strengthens organizations across Saskatchewan and creates more inclusive communities.
“Disability Service Professionals Week is a meaningful time to celebrate the skilled workforce across Saskatchewan who support people experiencing disability every day.” SARC’s Executive Director Amy McNeil said. “Thousands of employees are dedicated to providing high quality, person-centred services that respect each person’s goals, needs, and dignity. This week serves as a reminder that their work is deeply valued and respected by the people and the communities they serve.”
For more information about the support and services that SARC member organizations provide and to see their latest job opportunities, please visit: startwithhello.ca.
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Source: Government of Canada regional news
Released on May 12, 2025
Saskatchewan Aquatic Invasive Species (AIS) Awareness Week runs from May 12 to May 16 this year – a great opportunity to learn more about slowing the spread of AIS and keeping our waterbodies healthy.
Aquatic invasive species are plants, fish, invertebrates or infectious diseases that are non-native, have the potential to negatively impact the environment and can be spread through recreational activities such as boating and fishing, or through intentional means such as releasing unwanted aquarium pets into the wild. AIS, such as zebra and quagga mussels, can be impossible to eliminate once established and can cost millions of dollars to manage.
“Our province, blessed with thousands of lakes and rivers, is a popular destination for anglers, boaters and others who enjoy recreation on the water,” Environment Minister Travis Keisig said. “So far, our prevention efforts targeting zebra and quagga mussels have been successful – no invasive mussels have been found in Saskatchewan waterbodies.”
In 2024, the Ministry of Environment intercepted six watercrafts that were carrying invasive mussels into Saskatchewan. In addition, more than 250 watercrafts coming into the province from high-risk areas were decontaminated given that they were at risk of carrying AIS by not being properly cleaned, drained or dried.
Residents and visitors also play a vital role in keeping AIS out of Saskatchewan lakes and rivers by making sure all watercrafts and equipment is cleaned, drained and dry and stopping at watercraft inspection stations:
Clean, Drain, Dry
Following the Clean, Drain and Dry guidelines for watercraft, trailers and equipment after each use is the best way to prevent the spread of harmful AIS in Saskatchewan and ensures that these species are not transported to or introduced to our waters. This includes kayaks, canoes, paddleboards and any other equipment that may enter the water, such as life jackets and angling gear.
Check out our Clean, Drain and Dry video.
Watercraft Inspection Program
Every summer, Saskatchewan runs a Watercraft Inspection Program. Watercraft inspection officers work at points throughout the province to inspect watercrafts and equipment to ensure Clean, Drain, Dry guidelines are being followed and to look for aquatic invasive species.
It’s important to watch for watercraft inspection station signs when traveling with watercrafts throughout Saskatchewan. If you are transporting a watercraft and encounter an active inspection station, you MUST STOP – it’s the law!
Members of the public can also help to monitor Saskatchewan for AIS through the Adult Invasive Mussel Monitoring (AIMM) program.
Remember, if you see an aquatic invasive species, call the toll-free TIPP line at 1-800-667-7561 to report it.
For more information, visit: Aquatic Invasive Species | Invasive Species | Government of Saskatchewan.
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Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Steven J Cooke, Canada Research Professor, Conservation Physiology, Carleton University
“Elbows up” means many things today in Canada, including using the country’s rich natural resources more effectively to support a strong, independent economy that benefits people and society.
We agree with the need to ensure economic stability and independence in Canada — but as scientists, we know this is only possible if resource development and exploitation are done responsibly and sustainably. Otherwise, Canada will be burdening itself and future generations with immeasurable costs to the economy, health and quality of life.
Politicians and decision-makers from across Canada have called for radical changes to how development proposals are evaluated. The recent federal election saw the leaders of the major parties all signalling that they intend to get resource development projects done faster.
Several provinces have already brought forward legislation in recent days, including British Columbia’s Infrastructure Projects Act, while an Ontario act aimed ostensibly at “unleashing the economy” is under consideration by the provincial government.
Cutting red tape can certainly speed up new development, but environmental regulations are not just red tape. They are designed to ensure the short- and long-term potential consequences of development decisions are fully considered, and are then minimized or avoided.
Without strong environmental impact assessments, development can have devastating impacts on human health, resource sustainability and the rich natural resources Canadians rely upon. We are fearful of a future where obsolete infrastructure and exhausted resources are abandoned by the proponents of development, burdening the public with the cleanup or long-term consequences.
Canada has a large land mass bordering three oceans and bountiful freshwater resources, including the Great Lakes. But its resources are not infinite.
Impacts of resource development also extend to people. Effective impact assessment must recognize Indigenous rights and sovereignty, in keeping with the right to self-determination reinforced by the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples.
Effective land stewardship by Indigenous nations is the foundation of Canada’s rich natural heritage. When Canadian politicians talk about fast-tracking developments and resource exploitation, they inherently ignore the moral and legal rights of Indigenous Peoples and governments that are enshrined in Canada’s Constitution and in international law.
Read more:
Mark Carney wants to make Canada an energy superpower — but what will be sacrificed for that goal?
Outdated business models that threaten health and the future of resources won’t propel Canada into a new era of prosperity.
Canada lags behind in innovation and labour productivity growth (GDP per person hour worked), which are predictors of standard of living. This lag is known as Canada’s “innovation problem.”
Simply harvesting and selling raw logs or minerals as fast as possible will not solve it. However, Canada can escape its innovation problem by using resources more efficiently in a value-added, circular economy.
Read more:
Recycling more than pop cans: A circular economy for our energy landscapes
The boreal forests and wetlands found in Canada represent the lungs and kidneys of the planet. Canada’s boreal forest is the largest intact forest in the world.
Canada also contains 20 per cent of the Earth’s surface freshwater — more than any other nation — and 10 per cent of the world’s glacial waters.
Canada’s wildlife is iconic and careful management of our wildlife benefits both Canada and the world. Canada’s current environmental policies and regulations represent the collective effort of opposing political parties that have recognized the shared need for clean air and water are non-partisan issues.
As Canada aggressively explores markets other than the United States for its resources, including the European Union, it will gain a competitive advantage by ensuring exports are sustainable and extracted without harming the environment and local people.
That’s because markets like the European Union now require that all importers of many agricultural and household products prove that their production did not contribute to deforestation. As other jurisdictions see the fallacy of short-term gains at the expense of the environment, Canada can be ahead of the curve in providing sustainable products.
The long-term health of Canada’s economy relies on sustainable resource management, and polling repeatedly shows that Canadians want a healthy environment. Sustainable resource extraction can deliver long-term benefits for nature and future generations, rather than short-term, financial benefits to only a select few.
Boom-and-bust policies have failed before — think about the collapse of the Atlantic cod fishery, the acid rain crisis associated with unchecked emissions or the Klondike gold rush.
We implore politicians to ensure that development decisions are informed by rigorous and diverse forms of evidence, and robust and equitable policies that consider environmental justice. They should refrain from focusing solely on the short-term economic windfall. Instead, they must plan for resource use that is sustainable and equitable over the long term.
We recognize that resource development is integral to maintaining Canadian prosperity and sovereignty — and the good news is that it can be done sustainably.
The details may be complex, but the big picture is simple:
Some of Canada’s international neighbours are enacting short-term actions, including cutting environmental regulations and spurring unfettered resource development.
These actions are simultaneously a threat to Canada and an opportunity for Canadians to reject that approach and do better. If Canada chooses that path, it can gain a distinct competitive advantage today and long into the future and become less vulnerable to the political whims of other countries.
Elbows up, Canada — let’s be proud of protecting what we have.
Steven J Cooke receives funding from various government, NGO and industry partners. He is affiliated with the Great Lakes Fishery Commission, the Collaboration for Environmental Evidence, KeepFishWet, and the Canadian Centre for Evidence-Informed Conservation.
Christina Davy receives funding from various Canadian government, NGO and industry partners. She is affiliated with the Canadian Herpetological Society.
Dalal Hanna receives funding from various Canadian Government and NGO partners. She is affiliated with Ripara.
Joseph Bennett receives funding from various government and NGO sources. He is affiliated with the Canadian Institute for Ecology and Evolution and the Canadian Centre for Evidence-Informed Conservation.
– ref. ‘Elbows up’ in Canada means sustainable resource development – https://theconversation.com/elbows-up-in-canada-means-sustainable-resource-development-255669
US Senate News:
Source: United States Senator for Vermont – Bernie Sanders
WASHINGTON, May 12 – Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions (HELP), today released the following statement regarding President Trump’s executive order from this morning, which claims it will slash drug costs by tying the prices of some medicine in the U.S. to the significantly lower ones abroad:
I agree with President Trump: It is an outrage that the American people pay, by far, the highest prices in the world for prescription drugs. It is beyond unacceptable that we pay, in some cases, ten times more for the same exact prescription drugs than people in other major countries. But let’s be clear: The problem is not that the price of prescription drugs is too low in Europe and Canada. The problem is that the extraordinarily greedy pharmaceutical industry made over $100 billion in profits last year by ripping off the American people.
Further, as Trump well knows, his executive order will be thrown out by the courts. If Trump is serious about making real change rather than just issuing a press release, he will support legislation I will soon be introducing to make sure we pay no more for prescription drugs than people in other major countries. If Republicans and Democrats come together on this legislation, we can get it passed in a few weeks.
Alberta is renowned as a premier destination for major sporting events, and the province is continuing to build upon this legacy by welcoming seven national and five international sporting events over the next three months. Together, these 12 events will bring thousands of athletes, coaches and fans to Alberta, showcasing the province’s warm hospitality, world-class facilities and stunning landscapes to the world.
Alberta’s government has committed more than $1.2 million in Major Sport Event grant funding to help bring these elite competitions to the province. Each event will inject millions into the local economies of their host communities, as visitors support businesses in the region with dining, shopping, entertainment and accommodation bookings.
“Twelve major sport events. Hundreds of thousands of fans. Endless Alberta pride. Hosting major sporting events in our province is about more than the competition — it’s about building on our province’s reputation as a premier destination, providing opportunities for local athletes and driving economic growth. I am thrilled to welcome these events to our province, and I encourage everyone to be a part of the excitement. Best of luck to all our Alberta athletes!”
Spanning communities across Alberta and featuring diverse disciplines, from women’s hockey and judo to mountain biking and shooting, these 12 major sporting events highlight the province’s diversity and vibrancy. They also inspire the next generation of Alberta athletes by giving them a front-row seat to athletic excellence and a chance for homegrown athletes compete in front of a hometown crowd.
“Explore Edmonton is pleased to see this provincial investment in major sporting events in Edmonton. The events are great ways to showcase Edmonton’s vibrancy, celebrate athletic talent and gather community. Major sporting events are an economic driver that demonstrate the incredible impact of the visitor economy, drawing people to Edmonton who support our hotels, restaurants, cultural experiences and attractions.”
The 2025 Volleyball Canada Youth National Championships are taking place in Edmonton with support from the Major Sport Event Program. From May 9-25, the EXPO Centre will welcome over 40,000 athletes, coaches, referees and spectators as more than 1,500 teams compete for the title. These championships alone are expected to inject $53 million into the province’s economy. Other events supported through the Major Sport Event program include the 2025 Esso Cup, which wrapped up with an Edmonton Junior Oilers victory in Lloydminster, as well as the 2025 Open National Judo Championships happening in Calgary later this week.
“We’re thrilled to bring the Youth National Championships back to Edmonton. This event not only showcases top volleyball talent but delivers a major boost to Alberta’s sport tourism sector — energizing the local economy and spotlighting the province as a premier destination for major events.”
“Having the opportunity to compete in my own city, with friends and family there to support me, means everything. It pushes me to be my best and persevere through the tough times. It also allows me to celebrate the wins with those who helped me get here. It’s a feeling like no other, and I’m truly grateful to the Government of Alberta for making it possible.”
Alberta’s Major Sport Event grant program provides up to $250,000 to eligible sport events to help with costs associated with hosting national and international competitions, including facility rentals, venue enhancements, promotional and marketing campaigns, and more. More funding for world-class sport events will be announced in the coming months.
Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)
“Today, followers of the Buddhist faith in Alberta and around the world celebrate Vesak Day, also known as Buddha Jayanti or Buddha Purnima. With origins stretching back over 2,600 years, this sacred day marks the birth, enlightenment and passing of Lord Buddha.
“It is a time for reflection on the Noble Eightfold Path and the Buddha’s timeless teachings of compassion, kindness and inner peace. Vesak is observed through meditation, spiritual renewal, and acts of merit and goodwill.
“To all who celebrate this special day, let this Vesak inspire mindfulness in thought, word and deed, and may the light of the Dharma continue to guide your path toward wisdom, liberation and the end of suffering.
“Happy Vesak Day to all, and may your journey be one of peace, knowledge and lasting joy.”
Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)
“Economic development is what turns potential into progress and productivity into prosperity. It’s how we attract investment, grow businesses and create good jobs in communities across Alberta. That’s why Economic Development Week matters – it highlights the work being done every day to build a stronger, more resilient economy for all.
“Thanks to the efforts of economic developers and Alberta’s business-friendly policies, our province continues to lead the country in growth. In 2024, our per capita investment was 67 per cent higher than the national average. Our province incorporated more than 58,500 new businesses – up 5.5 per cent from the year before – and created almost one-third of all private-sector jobs in Canada. Our employment growth hit three per cent, the highest among provinces.
“We’re seeing the results of targeted supports like the $15 million Investment and Growth Fund, which is helping secure major projects and permanent jobs from companies like S3 Group, Lufthansa Technik Canada and Structural Truss Systems Ltd.
“Through the province’s other programs like the Northern and Regional Economic Development grant and the Site Selector Tool, Albertans can access more economic development opportunities close to home in municipalities, Indigenous communities and regions across the province.
“With strong economic development, Alberta will remain a place where ambition turns into opportunity – where families can put down roots, businesses can thrive and every community, big or small, has the strongest foundation to achieve lasting success.
“To all those who contribute to our province’s economic development, thank you for the important work you do. You’re helping shape Alberta’s future for the better.”
Northern and Regional Economic Development Program
Regional economic development resources
Biz Connect
Workforce Partnerships Grants
“National Police Week is an opportunity to honour the heroes who keep our communities safe every day. Across Alberta, police officers work with courage and compassion to serve Albertans – often in complex, high-pressure situations that demand the very best of them. This week is a solemn reminder of their sacrifices and the vital role they play in maintaining public safety.
“Each day, members of Alberta’s law enforcement community demonstrate exceptional courage, professionalism and service. Whether responding to emergencies, investigating crime, or supporting community wellness, they show up 24-7 – ready to protect and serve Albertans in every corner of this province.
“This year’s theme, Committed to Serve Together, reflects a reality we see every day: effective public safety depends on collaboration. It’s not the work of one agency or level of government alone. It takes collaboration between police services, first responders, health and social organizations and the communities they serve. Regardless of uniforms or jurisdictions, the mission is the same – to protect and serve.
“Alberta’s government stands shoulder-to-shoulder with our law enforcement partners. We’re investing in the tools, training and staffing needed to meet growing public safety demands – especially in our cities, where urban crime has risen, and in rural communities, where stretched resources continue to create gaps. That’s why Alberta’s government is investing in a more responsive and resilient policing model that prioritizes community connection, fairness and frontline support.
“For example, Alberta’s government is providing $13.9 million over three years to help build or expand three police buildings serving seven different First Nations, empowering Indigenous communities to keep their people safe. The new and expanded buildings will allow police services for the Blood Tribe, Tsuut’ina Nation and five different First Nations surrounding Lesser Slave Lake to continue growing alongside their communities.
“Through Budget 2025, Alberta’s government is also investing $55.7 million in Alberta Law Enforcement Response Teams to address organized crime, exploitation of children, human trafficking, gun violence and drug trafficking. Furthermore, we are continuing to provide $19.5 million to fund 100 new officers in Calgary and Edmonton, making our biggest urban centres safer for residents and visitors alike.
“We are proud of the work underway in Alberta to build stronger, safer communities. But that work is only possible because of the officers who rise to the challenge each and every day. They are our neighbours, our family members and our front-line protectors. This week, we recognize their service with gratitude and reaffirm our commitment to support their efforts to build safer, stronger communities everywhere.
“To all law enforcement officers across Alberta: thank you for your continued commitment to serve together. Alberta is safer because of you.”
Source: Government of Canada regional news
Released on May 12, 2025
The Government of Saskatchewan has officially proclaimed May 11 to 17, 2025, as Women Entrepreneurs Week, recognizing the vital role women entrepreneurs play in shaping the province’s economy and business community.
“Women are making significant contributions in every sector of our economy,” Minister Responsible for Status of Women Alana Ross said. “Each May, our government is proud to partner with Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan (WESK) to celebrate the innovation, resilience and success of women-led businesses that are helping to build a strong Saskatchewan.”
“Our government is proud to see women entrepreneurship in Saskatchewan continue to grow and thrive,” Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said. “During this week, it is important to recognize the significant contributions women entrepreneurs have made to Saskatchewan’s economy through job creation, support for their communities and creating opportunities for all those who call this province home.”
Women entrepreneurs in Saskatchewan continue to thrive thanks to strong partnerships with non-profit organizations that support at every stage of their business journey. Today, 21 per cent of Saskatchewan’s private sector businesses are majority owned by women.
For nearly 30 years, WESK has been a cornerstone of support for women business. This non-profit organization provides access to business advising, financing, mentorship, networking and training opportunities. It is through the dedication of organizations like WESK, women entrepreneurs contribute to the record economic growth in Saskatchewan.
“Women entrepreneurs are not only helping shape Saskatchewan’s business community – they are a driving force behind its economic growth,” Women Entrepreneurs of Saskatchewan CEO Miriam Johnson said. “With 21 per cent of private sector businesses majority-owned by women, their contributions are creating jobs, building local economies, and strengthening communities across the province. At WESK, we are proud to continue supporting women at every stage of business, and we are honoured to celebrate their innovation, leadership, and impact during Women Entrepreneurs Week.”
The Government of Saskatchewan continues to offer a variety of programs and incentives to support a strong, competitive business environment.
Learn more about business support and investments opportunities in Saskatchewan, visit: investsk.ca.
For more information about WESK and its programs, visit: wesk.ca.
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For more information, contact:
Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Pascal Lupien, Assistant Professor, Political Science, University of Alberta
United States President Donald Trump has repeatedly floated the idea of remaining in office after his second term ends in 2029. Since the 22nd Amendment of the U.S. Constitution was ratified in 1951, no U.S. president has challenged the two-term limit it established.
However, attempts to circumvent constitutional term limits are not unprecedented elsewhere.
Virtually every country in Latin America has enshrined constitutional term limits as a safeguard against tyranny. These rules vary: some allow only a single term, some permit two, while others enable non-consecutive re-election. Yet several presidents have managed to defy these provisions.
Recent examples include Daniel Ortega in Nicaragua, Hugo Chávez in Venezuela, Evo Morales in Bolivia, Rafael Correa in Ecuador and Nayib Bukele in El Salvador.
Although the institutional norms and political cultures of these countries differ from those of the U.S., examining how term limits have been dismantled offers valuable insights into how any similar efforts by Trump might unfold.
The most common tactic is for presidents to first ensure their political party in the legislature is fully subservient to them, and then leverage a loyal majority to amend the constitution — a move that has already been initiated in the U.S.
Ortega and Correa successfully used their legislative majorities to pass constitutional amendments that eliminated term limits in Nicaragua and Ecuador.
Whether Trump has achieved the same level of unwavering loyalty among Republicans is debatable, but getting amendments through the U.S. Congress is significantly more difficult. The process requires a two-thirds majority vote in both houses, followed by ratification from three-quarters of state legislatures.
In contrast, Nicaragua’s constitution can be amended with a 60 per cent majority and, as in Ecuador, sub-national jurisdictions have no say in the matter.
Another crucial step involves co-opting or capturing the judiciary. In Bolivia, Morales achieved a controversial third term in 2014 supported by a partisan Constitutional Tribunal. More recently, El Salvador’s Bukele secured a 2021 Supreme Court ruling (from judges he appointed) allowing him to seek immediate re-election in 2024, despite a constitutional prohibition on consecutive terms.
We have seen a worrying pattern of subservience to Trump by the U.S. Supreme Court. The limits of this deference are increasingly uncertain.
Some presidents have turned to plebiscites to legitimize constitutional tampering by appealing directly to the electorate and framing the move as a democratic exercise. Chávez employed this strategy in Venezuela, winning a 2009 referendum to abolish term limits.
The absence of a national referendum mechanism in the U.S. — where popular consultations are organized at the sub-national (state) level — limits the options available to a president seeking to remove term limits through this type of populist ploy.
Related to this, populist presidents who have successfully circumvented term limits have typically done so while enjoying extraordinarily high levels of public support.
Correa maintained approval ratings near 70 per cent during much of his presidency, while independent polls have put Bukele’s support at well over 80 per cent. Both, along with Morales and Chávez, leveraged their popularity to justify constitutional changes through legislative and judicial channels, framing their actions as carrying out the will of the people.
In contrast, Trump’s approval ratings have consistently remained far lower. Currently, his favourability sits in the low 40s, making any attempt to claim a broad popular mandate for a third term both dubious and precarious.
Due to inevitable opposition, military support is central to any leader’s attempt to defy the constitution. In much of Latin America, the military is highly politicized, and armed forces have historically been shaped by doctrines of internal control rather than external defence.
Rooted in Cold War-era national security ideologies, this orientation casts domestic dissenters (“socialists,” Indigenous movements, unionists) as internal enemies, legitimizing repression as a patriotic duty.
In some countries, military oaths reflect this politicization. In both Nicaragua and Venezuela, these oaths increasingly emphasize loyalty to the president or ruling party and their revolutionary legacy, undermining institutional neutrality.
By contrast, in the U.S., military personnel swear an oath to defend the Constitution, not the president. While they must follow orders, these must align with constitutional and legal boundaries.
The absence of a tradition of using soldiers against American citizens and an institutional culture of constitutional loyalty and political neutrality may, at least in principle, provide some protection against the authoritarian overreach that has allowed certain Latin American presidents to remain in power indefinitely.
But a substantial portion of the U.S. armed forces leans politically to the right, like their counterparts in Latin America, raising concerns that partisan sympathies within the military could influence its response to a constitutional crisis.
Furthermore, the increasing use of non-military security forces — such as local police and Immigration and Customs Enforcement (ICE) — against civilians demonstrates that the state has a range of instruments at its disposal for exercising control.
The U.S. government’s use of ICE is reminiscent of how governments in countries like Venezuela and Nicaragua have used police and paramilitary units loyal to the president with impunity to suppress dissent.
Read more:
How ICE is becoming a secret police force under the Trump administration
Many in the West still hold on to the belief that constitutional erosion is something that only happens in the Global South. Some believe that American institutions are uniquely resilient and therefore capable of withstanding any attempt to subvert the constitution.
For much of U.S. history, this confidence may have been justified, but today, it’s not only complacent but dangerous.
The strength of democratic institutions depends on the political will to defend them. Time will tell if the barriers that exist in the U.S. are strong enough to withstand the pressures now being placed upon them. What is clear is that relying on increasingly tenuous institutional resilience or historical exceptionalism is no substitute for vigilance and active defence of democratic norms.
Pascal Lupien 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 Donald Trump could remain president of the United States – https://theconversation.com/how-donald-trump-could-remain-president-of-the-united-states-255589
Source: Government of Canada regional news
Released on May 12, 2025
The Government of Saskatchewan proclaimed May 12 as Indigenous Economic Development Day in the province. The day focuses on the importance of increased Indigenous participation in the economy, emphasizing its role in creating jobs, opportunities and improving the lives of all Saskatchewan residents.
“Saskatchewan is fortunate to have a growing number of Indigenous-owned companies and organizations that are strong contributors to our province’s economic wellbeing,” Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said. “Economic reconciliation remains a priority for our government, and we remain committed to creating more opportunities for Indigenous people and communities.”
The province is focused on fostering relationships and connecting Indigenous people to opportunities across all sectors. This has helped the number of off-reserve Indigenous workers reach a record high of 63,100 in 2024.
“Indigenous nations have culturally and historically been inter-tribal traders with sophisticated supply chains, practicing a form of free trade of highly valued goods long before the fur trade era and the arrival of settlers here on the prairies,” SIEDN Founder and Chair Milton Tootoosis said. “In recent times, Indigenous peoples and nations around the globe have embarked on nation-rebuilding movements with optimism and perseverance, all adding to economic growth collectively.”
In the first quarter of 2025, 3.8 per cent of Saskatchewan’s private businesses were majority owned by First Nations or Métis people.
The Government of Saskatchewan was proud to promote collaboration and partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous businesses at the most recent Indigenous Business Gathering (IBG). This year’s IBG was the biggest to date, attracting over 1,100 attendees and featuring more than 130 trade show booths. The IBG is one of the largest free-to-attend Indigenous economic development-focused events in the country.
Indigenous Economic Development Day forms part of Economic Development Week, which runs from May 11 to May 17, 2025. The week recognizes the importance of economic development in building a robust economy that delivers for everyone in Saskatchewan.
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For more information, contact:
Source: Government of Canada regional news
Released on May 12, 2025
The Government of Saskatchewan has proclaimed May 11 to May 17 as Economic Development Week in the province. The week focuses on the crucial role of Saskatchewan businesses and economic development organizations in growing and creating opportunities in the province.
“The work that our business community has been doing across the province, has led to strong investment and economic growth in recent years,” Trade and Export Development Minister Warren Kaeding said. “Businesses, and investors, are choosing Saskatchewan because of our low tax rates, our transparent regulatory environment and the strong suite of incentives with personalized support that we offer.”
Private capital investment in Saskatchewan increased last year by 17.3 per cent to $14.7 billion, ranking first among provinces for growth. This influx of investment is creating jobs and opportunities for the people of the province and is leading to a better quality of life for all Saskatchewan citizens.
“Today, we recognize that economic development is an ongoing process rather than a result,” SEDA Chief Executive Officer Verona Thibault said. “It is a process that aims to improve socioeconomic wellbeing, resulting in wealth generation, job creation and community renewal. We celebrate leaders and community builders across Saskatchewan who invest their skills and resources to ensure our local and provincial prosperity.”
Saskatchewan is committed to fostering a competitive business environment where all businesses can succeed. Through its network of nine international offices, the province is able to attract investment from all over the world, while seeking new markets for its goods.
The strong entrepreneurial spirit that exists in Saskatchewan has led to some significant economic successes recently. The value of Saskatchewan exports increased from $17 billion in 2007 to nearly $50 billion on average over the past 3 years.
Statistics Canada’s latest GDP numbers also indicate that Saskatchewan’s 2024 real GDP reached an all-time high of $80.5 billion. This represents an increase of 3.4 per cent, which ranks second in terms of percentage change among the provinces.
As part of Economic Development Week, May 12 was proclaimed Indigenous Economic Development Day. The day highlights the impact that increased Indigenous participation in the provincial economy has on creating jobs, opportunities and improving the lives of all Saskatchewan people.
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For more information, contact:
Source: US Immigration and Customs Enforcement
BUFFALO, N.Y. — Four Mexican nationals unlawfully residing in the United States were charged May 2 for their roles in an international human smuggling conspiracy that illegally brought aliens across the Canadian border to the United States for profit.
Edgar Sanchez-Solis, 23, unlawfully residing in Kansas City, Kansas; Ignacio Diaz-Perez, 35, unlawfully residing in Oakwood, Georgia; Samuel Diaz-Perez, 26, unlawfully residing in Dublin, Ohio; and Salvador Diaz-Diaz, 32, unlawfully residing in Columbus, Ohio, were charged by indictment with conspiracy to bring aliens to the United States and 25 counts of bringing aliens illegally to the United States for profit. U.S. Immigration and Customs Enforcement arrested the defendants at multiple locations throughout the United States. They are currently detained. Ignacio Diaz-Perez and Salvador Diaz-Diaz had been previously removed from the United States.
“These individuals acted in blatant disregard of our nation’s laws, allegedly smuggling hundreds of aliens into the United States for thousands of dollars each,” said ICE Homeland Security Investigations Buffalo Special Agent in Charge Erin Keegan. “They’re alleged to have repeatedly put the public at risk through dangerous vehicle chases with law enforcement further demonstrating their contempt for the law and safety of others. We work every day with our partners in the U.S. Border Patrol and are proud to support the security of our borders and uphold public safety in our communities.”
“As alleged, these defendants illegally entered this country and then sought to smuggle hundreds of aliens per week to the United States from Mexico, Central America, and South America through the Canadian border,” said Matthew R. Galeotti, Head of the Justice Department’s Criminal Division. “The defendants instructed smuggled aliens to make testimonial videos touting the enterprise’s services. In reality, the defendants imperiled their human cargo and innocent American lives when they repeatedly engaged in life-threatening conduct, including multiple high-speed getaways from law enforcement.”
According to court documents, the four defendants were part of an alien smuggling organization that has been operating for the last two years in Mexico, Canada, and the United States. The four defendants, in exchange for money, conspired with others to smuggle hundreds of aliens per week from Mexico, Central America, and South America through Canada, into northern New York, including Franklin and Clinton Counties, as alleged in court documents. The aliens or their family members paid thousands of dollars to be smuggled into the United States. The defendants and their co-conspirators allegedly facilitated the illegal travel of the aliens from Mexico to Canada and then across the northern border, where they were picked up and driven farther into the United States.
On multiple occasions members of the alien smuggling organization led local and federal law enforcement officers on high-speed vehicle chases along the U.S. northern border, creating a grave public safety risk, according to court documents. For example, in April 2023, smugglers allegedly fled the Burke Border Patrol Station’s sector at a high rate of speed after setting off a border sensor. Border Patrol successfully stopped the vehicle and apprehended the smugglers, who were transporting seven adult aliens and three minors. In another incident, in May 2023, the Clinton County Sheriff’s Office used a tire deflation device to stop a van carrying aliens after it allegedly failed to yield to both federal and state law enforcement. The smugglers and aliens allegedly fled on foot after the vehicle was disabled. As additionally alleged, in August 2023, a vehicle carrying aliens that was fleeing from Border Patrol drove into Plattsburgh, New York, where it drove erratically, passed vehicles in a congested traffic area, ran a red light, and struck a motorist at an intersection. The driver and six illegal aliens fled the accident scene on foot but eventually were apprehended.
“This case demonstrates our relentless efforts to secure our northern border against the criminal organizations profiting from human smuggling and other illegal activities,” said U.S. Attorney John A. Sarcone III for the Northern District of New York. “We are grateful for our partnership with Joint Task Force Alpha as we work to dismantle these transnational criminal organizations and make our North Country communities safer.”
“These charges are a testament to the hard work of the men and women of the United States Border Patrol and its partner agencies,” said Chief Patrol Agent Robert N. Garcia of the U.S. Border Patrol’s Swanton Sector. “The days of catch-and-release are over, and the reality is clear; if you attempt to enter the United States illegally, if you attempt to smuggle or traffic human beings, you will be apprehended and you will face severe consequences.”
HSI Rouses Point and U.S. Border Patrol Burke Station led U.S. investigative efforts, with substantial assistance from HSI’s Human Smuggling Unit in Washington, D.C. and CBP’s National Targeting Center International Interdiction Task Force.
An indictment is merely an allegation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
/NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. WIRE SERVICES OR FOR DISSEMINATION IN THE U.S./
TORONTO, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Urbana Corporation (TSX & CSE: URB & URB.A)
Urbana Corporation announces today that it has filed its unaudited interim Financial Statements and Management’s Discussion and Analysis for the three-month period ended March 31 2025 with the applicable Canadian securities regulators.
PDF versions of the documents are available at www.urbanacorp.com and at www.sedarplus.ca.
For further information contact:
Elizabeth Naumovski
Investor Relations
(416) 595-9106 enaumovski@urbanacorp.com
Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments
The company has been wound-up following a hearing at the High Court
Artwork Holdings Ltd, formerly Yield Gallery Limited, described itself as “contemporary art specialists offering the purchase and investment of artwork to the public”
Insolvency Service investigations into the company found conflicting accounts as to whether it was trading, inaccurate accounts, and a suspected under-payment of VAT and corporation tax
The company has been shut down by the High Court, with the Official Receiver appointed as liquidator
A company with two London art galleries which marketed itself as selling works by famous artists such as Banksy, Andy Warhol and Tracey Emin has been shut down.
Artwork Holdings Ltd traded under the banner of Yield Gallery, which described itself as an internationally established “reputable and respected” contemporary and modern art gallery with two locations in London.
The business said it specialised in sourcing the rarest works by Banksy and Canadian street artist Richard Hambleton, offering collectors and investors the chance to own “original works from the artists”.
However, Insolvency Service investigations into Artwork Holdings were met with a lack of clarity over the company’s trading status, unreliable accounts, and a failure from the directors to adequately co-operate.
Artwork Holdings opposed the proceedings and asked the court to dismiss the winding-up petition presented by the Insolvency Service.
However, the company was wound-up at a hearing of the High Court in London on Monday 12 May.
Edna Okhiria, Chief Investigator at the Insolvency Service, said:
Our investigations into Artwork Holdings Ltd found several matters of concern. The company claimed to have ceased trading three years ago, but our investigators uncovered substantial evidence directly contradicting that account. Indeed, the company only changed its name to Artwork Holdings in November 2024.
Unreliable and inconsistent accounts were uncovered which did not provide a fair representation of the company’s business. The company and its director also failed to sufficiently co-operate with our investigations.
The public rightly expects companies to operate with transparency, file their tax returns, and comply with investigations by law enforcement. Artwork Holdings failed to do this and these matters of concern will now be investigated during the course of the company’s liquidation.
Yield Gallery was founded in 2019 with a gallery based on Royal Parade, Blackheath, in south-east London. A second space, which the company said was the largest Richard Hambleton gallery in the world, opened on Eastcastle Street in Fitzrovia in June 2024.
Insolvency Service investigations into Artwork Holdings began in October 2023, with the company named Yield Gallery Limited at that point. The company had earlier traded under a different name, Yield for You Ltd.
Solicitors acting on behalf of the company told investigators that it had ceased trading over a period time, rather than at a particular point as is usually the case. No dates were provided, other than vague statements that it was either in late 2021 or early 2022.
A new company, YG Group Ltd, was alleged to have taken over the company’s business and trading activities.
But information obtained by the Insolvency Service directly contradicted this, with Yield Gallery’s website referencing the company’s full name on its contact page up until April 2024.
A rental agreement for one of Yield Gallery’s former locations was also signed by one of the directors in August 2022, more than six months after it claimed to have stopped trading.
Similarly, it advertised an exhibition in Soho in the autumn of 2023, with the licence agreement for the location giving the company name as Yield Gallery and the company number of Artwork Holdings.
Several Yield Gallery clients contacted by the Insolvency Service also said they had not been informed the company had ceased trading and that the business had been transferred to YG Group.
These issues were not disputed by the company’s active director, who blamed “lax administration”, a “lack of diligence” and “carelessness on my part” for the errors.
Inaccurate and unreliable accounts were also discovered during the investigations.
Investigators found payments from 64 customers totalling just over £2 million paid into two of the company’s bank accounts between December 2020 and April 2022.
But sales for that period were more than £4.2 million, suggesting more than half the company’s revenue did not pass through its bank account.
Investigators also found that a £50,000 Covid Bounce Back Loan had been secured by the company in June 2020. From the accounts seen by the Insolvency Service, it was not entitled to this government-backed loan as its turnover in 2019 was zero, not the £200,000 it needed to be to secure the funds.
The director claimed that the company was entitled to the Bounce Back Loan and that its accounts were wrong.
However, in response to questions from investigators who found that the company appeared to owe more than £100,000 in corporation tax, he said he was “unable to comment on the accuracy of the accounts”.
No evidence was provided by Artwork Holdings that it had declared and paid the corporation tax due on its trading.
Artwork Holdings was also not registered with HM Revenue and Customs as an art market participant which it was required to do to avoid falling foul of money laundering regulations.
Concerns were also identified that the company had not paid the appropriate amount of VAT.
The Official Receiver has been appointed as liquidator of Artwork Holdings Ltd.
All enquiries concerning the affairs of the company should be made to the Official Receiver of the Public Interest Unit: 16th Floor, 1 Westfield Avenue, Stratford, London, E20 1HZ. Email: piu.or@insolvency.gov.uk.
Based on the available evidence provided to the Insolvency Service, there is no indication that any of the artists named above had any direct relationship with the company.
Artwork Holdings Ltd (company number 12067319)
The Insolvency Service can investigate complaints about corporate abuse by live companies. This may include serious misconduct, fraud, scams or dishonest practice in the way the company operates. Further information on our live investigations can be found here
Premier David Eby has issued the following statement to recognize Vesak:
“Today, Buddhists in B.C. and around the world commemorate the birth, enlightenment and passing into Nirvana of Gautama Buddha, the founder of Buddhism.
“Vesak, also known as Buddha Day or Buddha Purnima, is the most sacred Buddhist festival. It is a time for reflection, celebration and giving back to the community. Buddhists mark the occasion by visiting temples, participating in rituals and doing acts of charity.
“Vesak invites us all to reflect on the universal teachings of Buddha – including compassion, generosity and mindfulness – and how we can integrate them into our daily lives. Today is also an opportunity to learn more about the Buddhist faith and reflect on the many contributions the Buddhist community makes to our province.
“I wish everyone who is celebrating a joyful and peaceful Vesak.”
Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
Monmouth, Monmouthshire, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — ALR Miner celebrates its seventh anniversary and continues to lead the new wave of legal, green, and safe cloud mining. sign up and get $12, with special anniversary benefits for both new and existing users.
Against the backdrop of the growing maturity of the global blockchain and digital currency industry, ALR Miner, the world’s leading cloud mining platform, celebrates its seventh anniversary today. As a crypto technology company legally registered and compliantly operated in the UK, ALR Miner has always adhered to the core concepts of technology-driven, safety-first, green, and low-carbon since its establishment in 2018, and is committed to providing global users with cloud mining services with low thresholds, stable returns, and controllable risks.
To celebrate its seventh anniversary, ALR Miner officially launched the “5.18 Anniversary Series of Activities,” launching several limited-time benefits, including a $12 mining experience bonus for new users upon registration, doubled mining rewards for all currencies on the platform, and multiple rewards for inviting friends, etc., to give back to millions of loyal users around the world for their long-term support and trust.
Legal and compliant, with British qualifications, and global operations
As a technology-based company headquartered in the UK, ALR Miner was registered and established by ALR FINANCIAL SERVICES LIMITED and provides cryptocurrency cloud computing services by relevant British laws and regulations. The platform also actively responds to the compliance guidelines of major global regulators, including the UK Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), to ensure that the business is stable, safe and transparent.
ALR Miner has branches or cooperative nodes in many countries and regions around the world, supports multi-currency and cross-time zone operations, and deploys mining resources through green data centres around the world. The platform adopts a high-level security protection system, combined with cold and hot wallet separation and a multi-authentication mechanism to maximise the security of user assets.
Green and low-carbon, promote a new model of sustainable mining
At present, the world is highly concerned about the energy consumption and carbon emissions caused by cryptocurrency mining. As an industry pioneer, ALR Miner has completed the transition to a green and clean energy mining model. Most of the computing power resources come from environmentally friendly mines driven by hydropower, wind power, and solar power, especially in Northern Europe, Canada, and other regions. Established green computing power hubs.
In addition, ALR Miner introduces an AI-driven mining scheduling system to dynamically optimise mining resource allocation, improve energy utilisation, and reduce power consumption to implement the sustainable development vision of the blockchain industry.
Sign up and get $12 to start your mining journey
In order to encourage more users to understand the world of digital assets safely and with a low threshold, ALR Miner has launched a new user benefit of $12 for free registration. You can start your mining journey without recharging and automatically generate income every day. Users can choose to participate in mining mainstream currencies such as Bitcoin (BTC), Ethereum (ETH), and Filecoin (FIL) and easily enjoy the distribution of on-chain income.
The platform has a simple interface, convenient operation, support for multiple languages and multiple payment methods, and a mobile synchronisation experience, and it is the common choice of novices and senior miners around the world.
The 5.18 7th Anniversary Celebration is launched, and multiple rewards are given away for a limited time.
On the occasion of the 7th anniversary of the platform, ALR Miner launched the “5.18 Anniversary Celebration” special feedback event, which covers new and old users. The specific content includes:
Register to get $12 experience money, and you can start automatic mining income.
Mining income increase: the income ratio of all currencies during the event is increased to 120% of the original plan.
Invite friends to enjoy double returns: both the inviter and the invitee can get additional computing power and experience money rewards.
Exclusive anniversary red envelopes and airdrop activities: covering USDT, FIL, platform tokens, limited NFTsother diverse prizes;
Limited subsidies for active old users: the platform will count the recharge records of old users and issue anniversary subsidies.
All activities will last until June 18, 2025. Users can obtain detailed participation methods through the official website or official social platforms.
Moving towards the future: Building a globally trusted digital asset service platform
ALR Miner has achieved remarkable achievements in the past seven years – the number of platform users has exceeded 5 million, the cumulative mining income has exceeded US$200 million, and the cooperative mines are spread across Europe, America and Asia. In the future, ALR Miner will continue to deepen its global compliance layout, expand more green energy computing resources, and plan to introduce more intelligent asset management tools to support users to upgrade from “mining income” to “asset appreciation”.
The person in charge of the platform said: “ALR Miner always adheres to the principles of technology empowerment and user first. In the next five years, our goal is to build a more robust, secure, green and open global digital asset infrastructure network, and truly realize a mining economic ecology that everyone can participate in and everyone can benefit from.”
About ALR Miner
ALR Miner is a global cloud mining platform headquartered in London, UK, dedicated to providing one-stop, secure and transparent cryptocurrency mining services to global users. Since its establishment in 2018, ALR Miner has served more than 100 countries and regions around the world and has accumulated more than US$200 million in stable income for users. The platform takes “legality, environmental protection, and efficiency” as its core operation, promotes global users to participate in the digital asset industry more conveniently, and helps the popularisation and implementation of the blockchain ecosystem.
Media Contact:
Name: Olivia Miller
Email: info@alrminer.com
Address: Singleton Court Business Park, Wonastow Road,
Monmouth, Monmouthshire, United Kingdom, NP25 5JA
Web: https://alrminer.com
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Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)
MONTREAL, May 12, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Boralex inc. (“Boralex” or the “Company”) (TSX: BLX) announces that the release of the 2025 first quarter results will take place on Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 9 a.m.
Financial analysts and investors are invited to attend a conference call during which the financial results will be presented.
Date and time
Wednesday, May 14, 2025, at 9 a.m. ET
To attend the conference
Webcast link: https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/3nwdfvm2
To attend the event by phone: Click here to register for the earnings call. Once you have completed your registration, you will receive a confirmation email containing the link and your personal PIN to connect to the call. If you lose this link and your PIN, you will be able to register again. You must register if you wish to attend the call by phone.
Media and other interested individuals are invited to listen to the conference and view a presentation which will be broadcasted live and on a deferred basis on Boralex’s website at www.boralex.com. A full replay will also be available on Boralex’s website until May 14, 2026.
The financial information will be released through a press release and on Boralex’s website on May 14, 2025, at 7 a.m.
About Boralex
At Boralex, we have been providing affordable renewable energy accessible to everyone for over 30 years. As a leader in the Canadian market and France’s largest independent producer of onshore wind power, we also have facilities in the United States and development projects in the United Kingdom. Over the past five years, our installed capacity has more than doubled to over 3.1 GW. Our pipeline of projects and growth path total over 78GW in wind, solar and electricity storage projects. We develop those projects guided by our values and our corporate social responsibility (CSR) approach. Through profitable and sustainable growth, Boralex is actively participating in the fight against global warming. Thanks to our fearlessness, our discipline, our expertise and our diversity, we continue to be an industry leader. Boralex’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol BLX.
For more information, visit boralex.com or sedarplus.com. Follow us on Facebook, LinkedIn and Instagram.
For more information
| MEDIA | INVESTOR RELATIONS |
| Camille Laventure Senior Advisor, Public Affairs and External Communications Boralex Inc. 438-883-8580 |
Stéphane Milot Vice President, Investor Relations and Financial Planning and Analysis Boralex Inc. 514-213-1045 |
Source: Boralex inc.