NewzIntel.com

Category: Canada

  • MIL-OSI Canada: CleanBC review launched to strengthen climate action, results for people

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Merran Smith

    Merran Smith is president of New Economy Canada, bringing decades of leadership and partnership with industry, government and community to create economic solutions to society’s most pressing challenges. She is broadly recognized as an advocate and national thought leader in advancing Canada’s clean economy, with career highlights including founding Clean Energy Canada and her leadership in the landmark Great Bear Rainforest agreement. 

    Smith was a board member of BC Hydro, and co-chair of B.C.’s Climate Solutions Council, which advised the B.C. government on CleanBC. She has won numerous awards for her leadership in the clean economy, including most recently the King Charles III’s Coronation Medal awarded to a diverse group of individuals who have made significant contributions to British Columbia.

    Dan Woynillowicz

    Dan Woynillowicz is an accomplished leader focused on the development and implementation of effective energy and climate policies. As principal of Polaris Strategy + Insight, he blends policy expertise with an understanding of technology innovation and market transformation to help clients navigate the energy transition. He is a volunteer adviser to Urban Climate Solutions and the Clean Economy Fund, and from 2020-25 served as board chair of the B.C. Centre for Innovation and Clean Energy (CICE).

    Woynillowicz also served as an external expert adviser to the BC Hydro Task Force, which positioned BC Hydro to meet the province’s fast-growing demand for clean electricity. He is frequently called to testify before regulatory and legislative bodies, quoted in media, and regularly publishes commentary in Canada’s leading publications.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Ensuring access to justice for Albertans

    Albertans deserve to have access to a fair, accessible and transparent justice system. To strengthen the judiciary and improve access to justice for those involved in civil, criminal and family matters, Alberta’s government has appointed a new assistant chief justice and justice.

    “Alberta’s government is keeping its commitment to filling vacancies at the Alberta Court of Justice. We will continue to strengthen the capacity of our courts to ensure Albertans can get timely access to justice. I congratulate Justice Hancock and Clarissa Pearce, and I am confident they will excel in their new roles.”

    Mickey Amery, Minister of Justice and Attorney General

    The Honourable Justice David G. Hancock, ECA, is appointed assistant chief justice of the Alberta Court of Justice, Edmonton Family and Youth Division, effective today, and Clarissa V. Pearce, KC, will be appointed as a justice of the Alberta Court of Justice, Calgary Criminal Division and Calgary Region, effective May 14.

    “Congratulations to Justice Hancock on his appointment to assistant chief justice of Edmonton Family and Youth. His experiences and abilities will serve him well in maintaining access to justice for families in the Edmonton area. Further congratulations to Ms. Pearce on her appointment to the Alberta Court of Justice. She brings a wealth of experience and ability to the court.”

    James Hunter, chief justice, Alberta Court of Justice

    Since June 2023, Alberta’s government has made 23 judicial appointments including three assistant chief justices and nine new justices in 2024, and one assistant chief justice and two new justices in early 2025. These latest appointments bring that total to 25 appointments in less than two years.

    The Honourable Justice David G. Hancock, ECA received his bachelor of laws degree from the University of Alberta in 1979. Justice Hancock has been serving in the Edmonton Family and Youth Division since 2017. He began his career at Matheson & Company and became a partner. A former Premier, deputy premier, government house leader and cabinet minister, Justice Hancock was an elected representative in the Alberta legislature for more than 17 years. Currently, he is a committee board member for the Alberta Law Reform Institute, and – at the Alberta Court of Justice – is a member of the Edmonton Family and Youth Child Protection Committee, the Indigenous Strategies Committee, the Reforming Family Justice Advisory Committee and co-convener of the Reforming Family Justice System.

    Clarissa V. Pearce, KC received her bachelor of laws degree from Dalhousie University in 2007 and her master of laws degree from Harvard University in 2010. She started her career as an articled clerk at the Court of Queen’s Bench in Calgary (now Court of King’s Bench), practiced law at Norton Rose Fulbright (formerly Macleod Dixon LLP) until 2016, then was legal counsel at the Provincial Court of Alberta (now Alberta Court of Justice) and is presently executive legal counsel to the chief justice of the Alberta Court of Justice. In 2024, she was a member of the Indigenous Justice System – Knowledge Sharing Symposium Planning Committee for the Canadian Institute for the Administration of Justice and acted as a facilitator and co-master of ceremonies at the symposium when it took place on Tsuut’ina Nation. Currently, she is a board member of the Canadian Child Abuse Association.

    Quick facts

    • Lawyers with at least 10 years at the bar can apply to become a justice with the Alberta Court of Justice. 
    • Lawyers with at least five years at the bar can apply to become a justice of the peace. Justice of the peace appointments are for 10 years.
    • Applications are reviewed by the Alberta Judicial Council and Alberta Judicial Nominating Committee, and then recommended to the minister of justice and cabinet for appointment.

    Related information

    • Alberta’s government is actively recruiting justices and justices of the peace and encourages qualified lawyers to apply. Qualified lawyers who wish to be considered for appointment can access the application form online.

     Related news

    • Judicial appointments increase Albertans access to justice (April 9, 2025)
    • Increasing court capacity (Jan. 15, 2025)
    • Strengthening Alberta’s courts (Dec. 4, 2024)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: MAGA’s ‘war on empathy’ might not be original, but it is dangerous

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Michael Cameron, PhD Candidate of English, Dalhousie University

    During his most recent appearance on Joe Rogan’s podcast, Elon Musk levelled a critique at empathy, calling it “the fundamental weakness of western civilization.”

    If your first instinct is to brush this off as another example of Musk’s awkwardness, we suggest you think again. As journalist Julia Carrie Wong noted in The Guardian in April, Musk’s comments have appeared “amid a growing wave of opposition to empathy from across the American right.”

    A diverse coalition of figures have taken up this “war on empathy,” including pastor Joe Rigney, conservative podcaster Allie Beth Stuckey and marketing professor Gad Saad.

    Each has coined their own meme-able phrase: “The Sin of Empathy,” “Toxic Empathy” and “Suicidal Empathy,” respectively.

    You may find a war on empathy perplexing — even downright dangerous — given that our contemporary global historical moment is one marked by climate-induced migration, rising political authoritarianism and a “relentless opposition” against LGBTQIA+ rights.

    Doesn’t this moment call out for more empathy rather than less?

    What is empathy anyway?

    But first, we need to know what we are talking about.

    Some recent criticisms of empathy have been premised on bad definitions. For instance, Albert Mohler, the president of the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, recently claimed that empathy is “destructive” for immigration policy because “empathy means never having to say no.” This definition is not accurate.

    Though a precise definition of empathy still eludes us, empathy is simply the ability to feel what someone else might be feeling. “Imagining yourself in another’s place,” writes neurologist Richard E. Cytowic, “is the basis of empathy.” Coming from a different angle, literary scholar Suzanne Keen defines empathy as “a vicarious, spontaneous sharing of affect” that “can be provoked… even by reading.”

    The word “empathy” was coined in 1909. Previously, what we today call “empathy” fell under the name “sympathy.” For instance, writing in the 18th century, Scottish economist and philosopher Adam Smith described sympathy as the imaginative capacity to “enter as it were into [another’s] body, and become in some measure the same person.”

    With the discovery of “mirror neurons,” modern neuroscience has in a sense validated Smith’s theories. As neuroscientist Christian Keysers explains: “The mirror system builds a bridge between the minds of two people,” showing that our brains are not only “deeply social” but also “magically connected to each other.”

    Put simply, we are hardwired for empathy.

    Sympathy and social contagion

    In our research, we have explored literary depictions of self-destructive, suicidal and monstrous sympathies. We recognize some parallels between MAGA’s war on empathy and conceptual debates of the past, parallels at times interesting and worrisome.

    During his appearance on Rogan’s podcast, Saad criticized Bishop Mariann Edgar Budde’s appeal to Trump for mercy on behalf of undocumented immigrants and those in the LGBTQIA+ community, suggesting it was indicative of the “parasitic idea” of open borders and an example of “suicidal empathy.”

    A few months later, Canadian pop-psychologist Jordan Peterson echoed Saad and told Rogan that today’s political left is vulnerable to those who “parasitize empathy.”

    This association between empathy and parasitic contagion is not at all new.

    As literary scholar Mary Fairclough explains, in the 18th and 19th centuries, sympathy was “understood as a disruptive social phenomenon which functioned to spread disorder and unrest between individuals and even across nations like a ‘contagion.’”

    As an example, Fairclough quotes the author Thomas De Quincey, who opined that “many a man has been drawn, by the contagion of sympathy with his own class acting as a mob, into outrages of destruction.”

    The writer Mary Shelley literalized this notion of contagious sympathy in her 1826 novel The Last Man, which depicts a (perhaps uncomfortably familiar) plague pandemic. The novel paints sympathy as a method of mass control and societal dissolution just as contagious as the plague.

    But unlike De Quincey, Shelley also celebrates sympathy as our most valuable and effective collective resource in times of crisis. This celebration is most notable in the character of Adrian, who devotes his life to “bring[ing] patience, and sympathy, and such aid as art affords, to the bed of disease.’”

    The uses and abuses of empathy

    Much as Shelley suggests for sympathy, research shows that empathy must be properly channelled so it isn’t used to divide and manipulate.

    For example, research shows that empathy is not impartial. People tend to empathize more easily with those who share their racial or social background, and less with those who are perceived as different. In other words, racial prejudices may bias our instinctive empathetic responses.

    At the same time, empathy has been linked to problematic practices like racial impersonation and colonial appropriation, where members of dominant groups claim to identify with marginalized people in ways that often reinforce power imbalances rather than dismantle them.

    But MAGA’s approach to empathy is less a well-meaning critique than an all-out war and comes at the issues with a far less benevolent set of assumptions and goals. As Wong noted: “We are witnessing the construction of the ideological architecture to excuse violence and suffering on a mass scale.”

    Consider what Musk said to Rogan regarding immigration:

    “I believe in empathy, like I think you should care about other people, but you need to have empathy for civilization as a whole and not commit to a civilizational suicide.”

    This comment is strikingly similar to the idea of “racial suicide” endorsed by eugenicist thinkers in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Racial suicide was a concept rooted in the xenophobic fear that one’s own ethnic population would be replaced by another racialized population that happened to have a higher birth rate.

    As the historian Rob Boddice notes, “eugenic morality” was “to be guided by sympathy construed as sympathy for the whole of society” rather than towards individuals. For the eugenicists, this ideology justified extreme measures, such as forced sterilizations and racial segregation. The horrors of eugenics and its influence on the Nazi Holocaust are well documented.

    Despite these history lessons, Musk and his ilk, however, seem unperturbed and even enthusiastic about repeating history.

    Much can be said about empathy’s potential limitations alongside its many virtues. But while MAGA supporters may have balked at her speech and her call for empathy, we would do well to remember the words of Bishop Budde:

    “We should be merciful to the stranger, for we were once strangers in this land.”

    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. MAGA’s ‘war on empathy’ might not be original, but it is dangerous – https://theconversation.com/magas-war-on-empathy-might-not-be-original-but-it-is-dangerous-255300

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Tips for starting a business in Canada, according to entrepreneurs who have done it

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Nazha Gali, Assistant Professor of Strategy and Entrepreneurship, University of Windsor

    Each year, about 100,000 small businesses are created in Canada. But what does it actually take to start a business in Canada — not just on paper, but in practice?

    To better understand what launching a startup in Canada truly involves, we interviewed entrepreneurs across various sectors. As experts in strategy and entrepreneurship, we combined their first-hand experiences with research findings to determine key factors that contribute to business success.

    What emerged is a clearer picture of the realities of Canadian entrepreneurship that shows building a business is as much about managing relationships, risks and resilience as it is about having a novel idea.

    Solving real consumer problems

    Before launching a business, it’s essential to identify your target customers. Successful ventures begin by solving a real problem for a clearly defined group. Conducting market research to ensure a strong product-market fit is a critical first step in this process.

    One of the most common blind spots for new entrepreneurs, according to Ariz Bhimani, founder of apparel brand BRFZY, is assuming the problem they face is universal. “Without genuine data from potential customers, you’re just guessing,” he said in an email interview.

    This is where customer discovery comes in. It involves understanding customers’ situations, needs and pain points. Techniques such as user interviews and creating detailed customer personas can help founders better understand who their product is for.

    This approach is crucial for both startups and established organizations looking to enter new markets.

    Another vital part of the early-stage process is building a minimum viable product (MVP): a basic version of a product that includes only the core features needed to test the idea with users.

    MVPs allow entrepreneurs to gather feedback and refine the product before investing significant time or money in full development.

    Manage your money wisely

    Once a market need is identified, securing funding is often the next major challenge. This process typically begins with creating a compelling pitch — a presentation that outlines the product or service and financial projections to attract potential investors.

    This pitch is crucial to a startup’s success, Mohammad Faiyaz, founder and CEO of Wavermark, told us.

    There are tools and resources available to help, such as the pitch deck developed by PayPal co-founder Peter Thiel and AI feedback tool AI Fornax.

    Having a solid pitch prepared is a necessary step to attract potential investors for your business.
    (Shutterstock)

    But while funding is essential, managing those funds wisely is equally important. Chris Colasanti, vice president at Rocket Mortgage Canada, explained via email that one of the most common mistakes new entrepreneurs make is failing to control costs.

    Many first-time founders become preoccupied with revenue growth while overlooking expenses. Colasanti argued that unless you have endless investor backing, your survival depends on lean operations. “Obsess about your costs,” he advised.

    Bhimani echoed this caution. “I would budget two to three times more time and money to get a task done, especially in the ideation stage,” he wrote to us. Entrepreneurs should be prepared for unexpected costs.

    Building a business plan

    Many startup founders are eager to scale their businesses quickly, but doing this prematurely can increase the risk of failure by 20 to 40 per cent.

    “Growth is one of the most taxing activities a company can experience,” Colasanti told us. “Fight the urge to grow. Hire when it hurts and let sales drive your growth.”

    To scale successfully, companies need a strong foundation. This means having a comprehensive business plan in place. A well-structured plan outlines a company’s mission, market strategy, operations, finances and key milestones.

    Beyond serving as a roadmap for internal decision-making, business plans also help communicate a company’s vision and strategy to investors and other stakeholders.

    The Business Development Bank of Canada offers guides to help entrepreneurs build effective business plans.

    Hire the right people for the job

    Hiring the right employees for the job is crucial for startup success. “You cannot overpay for talent,” Colasanti told us. “The first 10 people you hire will make or break your business.”

    Hiring decisions should go hand-in-hand with intentionally building a workplace culture. Research shows that a positive workplace culture leads to higher employee satisfaction, retention and overall productivity.

    “Your business will develop a culture whether you create it or not,” he said. Many first-time founders let poor behaviours slide to avoid conflict, but this is risky.

    Hiring the right employees for the job is crucial for startup success.
    (Shutterstock)

    Bhimani also emphasized the importance of hiring those who genuinely understand your company’s mission. “Then I know they’re invested and will put forth their best effort,” he told us.

    There are important legal considerations to keep in mind. Employers must comply with federal and provincial labour laws, and entrepreneurs should seek legal advice or consult government resources when building their teams.

    Seek out a knowledgeable mentor

    While entrepreneurship is often seen as a solo pursuit, research and experience suggest otherwise. In reality, founders who are mentored by successful entrepreneurs are over three times more likely to be successful themselves.

    Both Bhimani and Dhwani Shah, founder and CEO of Aadhya Navik Inc., highlighted the importance of mentors.

    “Even if you just have an idea,” Bhimani told us via email, “you should strive to talk about it as much as possible with people in the industry who have relevant experience.”

    Shah similarly attributed her growth to constant learning and expert guidance: “I have a long-term vision and actively seek advice while working on the product.”

    Resources like the Business Benefits Finder and programs like Futurpreneur Canada and Startup Canada can connect early-stage founders with financing and mentorship.

    Passion and persistence are key

    Mindset is also a differentiating factor that sets successful entrepreneurs apart. The entrepreneurial mindset is a way of thinking that involves seeing opportunities where others see obstacles, and maintaining a strong sense of initiative and resilience.

    All the entrepreneurs we interviewed said intrinsic motivation was the key to longevity. “Starting a business makes you wear multiple hats, which can be intimidating but also gives you immense satisfaction,” Shah told us. Research has also confirmed this to be true.



    Read more:
    Entrepreneurs know that failure is sometimes necessary – here’s what we can learn from them

    Colasanti told us fear often leads founders to switch from experimentation to protection mode too early. “They stop taking big swings and start firing bullets instead of cannonballs,” he said. That mindset shift can lead to complacency and stagnation.

    Successful entrepreneurs are often those who can stay agile, embrace discomfort and persist even when the stakes are high.

    Make use of resources

    There are a number of supports for entrepreneurs in Canada. National initiatives like Futurpreneur Canada and Startup Canada, and financial supports from Business Development Bank of Canada, are also available.

    Most provinces and territories have web pages dedicated to resources for small businesses and entrepreneurs, including British Columbia, Alberta, Manitoba and Ontario.

    In southern Ontario, WETech Alliance offers a model example of how regional innovation hubs can support founders. Their programs help connect entrepreneurs to expertise, capital and community.

    Starting a business in Canada has never been more possible or more competitive. As the experts we spoke to remind us, success lies in execution. The journey is hard, but for those who are ready, it can also be deeply rewarding.

    Bharat Maheshwari has received funding from Mitacs, the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada, and several other organizations that regularly fund academic research in Canada.

    Nazha Gali 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. Tips for starting a business in Canada, according to entrepreneurs who have done it – https://theconversation.com/tips-for-starting-a-business-in-canada-according-to-entrepreneurs-who-have-done-it-247985

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Quadrupling youth beds with CASA Mental Health

    Alberta’s government continues to build the Alberta Recovery Model, a continuum of mental health and addiction care that includes prevention, intervention, treatment and recovery. With record-high investment, the model is supporting Albertans of all ages, ensuring children and youth get the mental health care they need to live healthy, fulfilling lives.

    Alberta’s government has an established partnership with CASA Mental Health, the province’s second-largest provider of community-based youth mental health services. The organization focuses on youth who are experiencing mental health challenges that are complex but do not require treatment in an acute care setting or psychiatric hospital.  

    To continue this partnership, Budget 2025 provides $47 million in capital grants to CASA Mental Health to build live-in and day program youth facilities in three new locations: Medicine Hat, Fort McMurray and Calgary. This is part of a capital commitment of $75 million over three years (2023-26), which will also support the relocation of the existing CASA House from Sherwood Park to Edmonton. This capital grant funding will quadruple the number of CASA House beds in Alberta to about 80. Once fully operational, CASA House facilities will treat more than 300 young Albertans every year.  

    “Investing in youth mental health sets young people up for brighter futures and helps strengthen families and communities across Alberta. The new CASA Houses and our strong partnership with CASA Mental Health will provide the care they need, closer to home.”

    Premier Danielle Smith, MLA for Brooks-Medicine Hat

    “Through the Alberta Recovery Model, we are continuing to invest in the infrastructure, programs and services that will give Albertans access to the supports they need to live meaningful, fulfilling lives. Our partnership with CASA Mental Health is increasing access to services and bringing supports closer to home.”

    Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction

    CASA House facilities will provide treatment for youth aged 12-18 who are experiencing complex mental health challenges with both live-in and day programming. This programming supports youth with the development of skills to build stronger relationships, manage conflict, solve problems, maintain positive health and wellness, and transition to a community school setting. Alberta’s government ensures no family needs to pay for these services by fully funding their operation.

    “CASA Mental Health is expanding to provide services to children and youth, and hope to the families supporting them, by bridging the gap between home and hospital. We’re pleased to partner with the Alberta government to bring timely mental health care to more children and youth throughout the province.”

    Bonnie Blakley, chief executive officer, CASA Mental Health

    “We felt welcomed. We were treated with respect. We loved that there was a program for our child and for us. We learned a lot for the first time since our struggles, we felt like we were not alone and that there is hope. We are so thankful for the amazing staff who made our child’s journey easier.”

    Parent of CASA House patient

    CASA Mental Health is in the final stages of securing land for the Fort McMurray CASA House, with that location and the Calgary CASA House expected to open in 2027.

    Targeted completion of the Medicine Hat and Edmonton CASA House facilities is 2029. The existing CASA House in Sherwood Park will continue operating until the new location opens. As a non-profit charity, CASA Mental Health will engage with the community and embark on a fundraising campaign to supplement government’s capital funding commitment. 

    “CASA House will have a profound impact on the Fort McMurray region. This facility will help children receive quality mental health care close to home. This is another example of Alberta’s government investing in local infrastructure to support families in northern Alberta.”

    Brian Jean, MLA for Fort McMurray-Lac La Biche

    “As an advocate of mental health care, I’m grateful for this new investment for children and youth facing complex mental health challenges. Too often, parents are left questioning how they can get their children the help they need. This new facility will be an important addition to our community.”

    Tany Yao, MLA for Fort McMurray-Wood Buffalo

    “Since being elected two years ago, I have worked with community organizations and service providers to connect with each other and make a mental health and addiction system that works for Medicine Hat. A new CASA House in the city will fill a gap I often hear about, which is the need for more access to mental health services tailored specifically to youth.”

    Justin Wright, MLA for Cypress-Medicine Hat

    Treatment includes individual, group and family therapy, social and life skills training and on-site schooling. Family and caregivers play a vital role in recovery and are actively engaged throughout the treatment process. This includes participation in bi-weekly parent and multi-family group therapy sessions, education and support opportunities and involvement in personalized care and discharge planning.

    Youth who stay at a CASA House receive proactive discharge planning, including eight to 12 weeks of follow-up support. The transition team works with families to develop a coordinated plan that may include referrals to community services, school supports and primary care providers.

    Alberta’s government is making record investments in mental health services to support Albertans of all ages in their pursuit of wellness and recovery. This includes investing in digital supports like 211 Alberta and Kids Help Phone, supporting school-based initiatives, increasing access to eating disorder treatment for young Albertans and investing in affordable virtual and in-person counselling.

    Quick facts

    • May 7 is National Child and Youth Mental Health Day.
    • CASA House patients consistently see improvements in symptoms, including:
      • Reduction in attention-related symptoms. 
      • Reduction in substance use.
      • Reduction in emotionally related symptoms (anxiety, depression, etc.).
      • Improvement in peer relationships.
      • Improvement in school attendance and participation. 
    • In 2024-25, CASA Mental Health provided support for almost 11,000 patients and family members.
    • Albertans experiencing mental health or addiction challenges can call or text 211 Alberta for information on services and supports in their community.

    Related information

    • CASA Mental Health
    • Alberta Recovery Model

    Related news

    • New school year, new mental health classrooms (Sept. 2024)
    • Record-breaking expansion of mental health services (May 2024)
    • Building a future of mental wellness (Jan. 2024)
    • Expanding mental health treatment for youth (March 2023)

    Multimedia

    • Virtual tour – Sherwood Park CASA House

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. invests in planning for northern youth support centre

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Children and youth in northern B.C. will benefit from a provincial investment of $500,000 to Lheidli T’enneh First Nation for a feasibility study to help design a new service hub in the region.

    “The first phase of work required extensive consultation with municipalities, First Nations, and partners throughout the North. This process informed the clear need to meet children and youth where they are at,” said Chief Dolleen Logan, Lheidli T’enneh First Nation. “Phase 2, focused on feasibility, will inform how this project may come to life, the services, care, and programs needed, as well as location and infrastructure needs. This is critical work we are pleased to lead with support from government, First Nations Health Authority, Northern Health, and others with a direct interest in seeing youth at the centre of future care options.”

    This builds on previous consultation and engagement led by the Nation with support from the Province to seek input from communities on a new Centre of Excellence for Children and Youth in the North. That consultation and engagement concluded there is a demand for more holistic, equitable and culturally safe wellness supports for children and youth that are connected and build on existing programs and services in communities.  

    “Investing in youth is investing in our future,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Ensuring they get the culturally appropriate supports and programs they need now will lead to healthier lives for children and youth, laying a foundation for healthier future generations. Lheidli T’enneh has been leading the project to better support youth in the North, and through this feasibility study, their collaboration with partners will help determine the best services that children and youth need.”

    Lheidli T’enneh First Nation conducted a three-month engagement program and consulted with municipalities, First Nations and individuals from communities of interest with knowledge, experience, information and expertise in child and youth development. Consultations were held in person in communities across the North and in a variety of online formats.

    The goal of the study is to provide a clear description of the scope of services for the Centre of Excellence for Children and Youth and how they fit within existing services in the region.

    The feasibility study will be led by Lheidli T’enneh First Nation in close collaboration with government, Northern Health Authority, First Nations Health Authority and other partners. The study is expected to be complete in 2025.

    “The First Nations Health Authority is driven by the needs of First Nations communities, and right now we hear the need for more child and youth supports in the North,” said Monica McAlduff, CEO, First Nations Health Authority. “We are excited to work with Lheidli T’enneh First Nation and the Province to bring more accessible and more appropriate care to our young ones – to our future.”

    This work is part of the Province’s efforts to provide culturally safe and trauma-informed programs and services to people in B.C., including First Nations people.

    Learn More:

    Learn about mental-health and substance-use supports in B.C.: https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada to host national ceremony commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and Victory in Europe (V-E) Day

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Toronto, ON – Veterans Affairs Canada will host a public commemorative event in Toronto to mark the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and Victory in Europe (V-E) Day that will include the official Government of Canada delegation and feature the lighting of the CN Tower as a beacon of peace, a lantern-lighting ceremony, and a symbolic presentation of the commemorative combat boots underscoring the themes of remembrance, peace, and the homecoming of soldiers.

    The delegation will be joined by Her Honour, The Honourable Edith Dumont, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario, Harman Idema, Consul-General of the Netherlands, Her Worship Olivia Chow, Mayor, City of Toronto, Brigadier-General Joe Robinson, Deputy Commander 4th Canadian Division and Joint Task Forces Central, Canadian Armed Forces, and other dignitaries.

    The event will include remarks from dignitaries, participation of a delegation of Second World War Veterans, Canadian Armed Forces members, and Cadets, as well as performances by the HMCS York band, the Hamilton Children’s Choir, the Borden Military Wives Choir, the East Side 6 Swing Dancers, and the youth of Toronto All-Star Big Band.

    Location:  Canada Lands Square (CN Tower)
                      290 Bremner Boulevard
                      Toronto, ON
                      M5V 2T6

    Date:        Thursday, 8 May 2025

    Time:        20:00 EDT

    Notes for media:

    Media who wish to participate must register by 15:00 EDT on Thursday, 8 May by contacting media@veterans.gc.ca with their name and media outlet. Media members are asked to arrive by 19:30 EDT.

    There will be photo opportunities during the event and interview opportunities with the official delegation members after the ceremony if time permits.

    Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs and we will work with you to enable your participation.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Lansdowne Station — Update: Multi-agency search for missing children in Pictou County scales back

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    As of today, a multi-agency search for two missing children, six-year-old Lily Sullivan and four-year-old Jack Sullivan, will be scaled back.

    Lily and Jack were reported missing on May 2, at approximately 10 a.m. It’s believed they wandered away from their home on Gairloch Rd. in Lansdown Station, Pictou County.

    This search has included many agencies, including volunteer ground search and rescue teams from all surrounding areas and New Brunswick, the Civil Air Search and Rescue Association, the Nova Scotia Guard, the Salvation Army, the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre, Department of Natural Resources Air Services, Nova Scotia Public Safety and Field Communications, Canada Heavy Urban Search and Rescue Task Force 5, and several RCMP units, including Police Dog Services, drone operators, and our Major Crime Unit.

    “It has been an all-hands-on-deck effort, using every available resource and tool,” says Staff Sergeant Curtis MacKinnon, District Commander for Pictou County District RCMP. “We’re transitioning from a full-scale search to searches in smaller, more specific areas; we’ll be retracing our steps to ensure all clues have been found.”

    Since the search began on May 2, it has been concentrated in the Gairloch Rd. area and has covered four square kilometres of heavily wooded, rural terrain. Up to 160 trained volunteer searchers, along with many others, have been involved in the search each day. Tens of thousands of search hours have been dedicated to scouring the area, and GSAR has confirmed that over 100 tracks have been laid using GPS and grid searches.

    Efforts to locate Lily and Jack have also included two vulnerable missing persons alerts. One was issued in Pictou County on May 2. And on May 3, a broadcast intrusive alert was issued to Antigonish, Colchester, and Pictou counties.

    “I want to assure Nova Scotians that our missing persons investigation continues,” says Staff Sergeant MacKinnon. “Our focus remains on finding Lily and Jack. Our best investigators are working every aspect of this file, and our work won’t stop until we know where Lily and Jack are and can bring them home.”

    Anyone with information is asked to contact Pictou County District RCMP at 902-485-4333. To remain anonymous, call 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 are with the children’s loved ones and the community at this difficult time.

    File #: 2025-583775

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI USA: NREL Partners With Chilkat Indian Village To Improve Housing in Klukwan, Alaska

    Source: US National Renewable Energy Laboratory

    The majority of housing in Klukwan consists of modular units imported from the Lower 48 in the 1970s, not well-suited to the extremes of Alaska. Photo by Molly Rettig, NREL

    A team of National Renewable Energy Laboratory (NREL) researchers and Tribal staff gathered around the wood stove in Charlie Spud’s home, trying to figure out why it was not drawing air.

    “Every time I turn on the bath fan, the stove backdrafts,” said Spud, 61, who built the home 13 years ago with his wife Joanne.

    “That’s not good—it can bring carbon monoxide into the home,” said Jack Hébert, a senior research advisor at NREL’s Alaska Campus and a long-time Alaska homebuilder.

    The cozy, cedar-sided home overlooks the wide, braided Chilkat River and the massive snowcapped peaks straddling the Alaska-Canada border, where the Tlingit people have lived for thousands of years. Long before Alaska was a state, or the nearby fishing town of Haines appeared, this was a gathering spot for the Chilkat Tlingits (known as the Jilkáat Kwáan) who traveled to these shores by canoe to trade and share feasts of the region’s bounty.

    During a housing assessment, Charlie Spud (left) and Jack Hébert (center) troubleshoot why Spud’s stove is backdrafting. Photo by Molly Rettig, NREL

    A colorful wood carving on the living room wall honored the eagle—or Ch’áak’—clan that Joanne descends from. Like many in Klukwan, Alaska, Charlie and Joanne still spend a lot of time outdoors, hunting, fishing, and picking berries that grow in the lush Chilkat Valley.

    After investigating the stove and crawling around the attic with an infrared camera, the team discovered a lot of air leaking around the stovepipe into the attic, then escaping outside. It was due to stack effect, Hébert said, which occurs when heat rises within a building due to temperature differences between indoors and outdoors.

    “So much air is leaking around the pipe that it’s overpowering the fire’s ability to get oxygen. So, the fire has to pull air from inside the stack, which can bring dangerous gases into the home,” Hébert said.  

    He emphasized the importance of introducing outside combustion air into the area near the stove and made a note on the survey: Seal ceiling penetration around pipe to reduce stack effect.

    ‘Housing and Jobs: You Can’t Build a Community Without Either’

    This is one of many problems Klukwan is tackling as part of a $1 million award through the U.S. Housing and Urban Development’s Office of Lead Hazard Control and Healthy Homes. Since 1999, HUD has invested in hundreds of communities across the United States to make low-income households safer, healthier, and more affordable. Over the past decade, NREL has assisted 15 Alaska communities to implement these programs, including Buckland, Gakona, and—currently—Fairbanks Neighborhood Housing Services, helping direct a total of $16 million toward reducing in-home hazards.

    The goal of these programs is not only to improve housing but also to build a workforce that benefits local economies.

    “This project is about housing and jobs. You can’t build a community without either,” said Shawna Hotch, Tribal liaison for the Tribe, who oversees a variety of initiatives related to housing, energy, health, and more.

    Shawna Hotch is the Tribal liaison for the Chilkat Indian Village, NREL’s partner on the Healthy Homes project. Photo from Shawna Hotch

    Housing has long been a priority for the small Southeast Alaska community of 81 people. While the village has been around for thousands of years, most of its current housing was built in the 1970s and consists of modular units imported from the Lower 48 states. Today they are dilapidated, leaky, and expensive to heat. Housing surveys conducted in 2023, also in partnership with NREL, revealed high rates of mold, indoor air quality problems, and overcrowding and led the Tribe to pass a resolution declaring a housing emergency.

    New housing is critical to the community’s growth, yet high costs have inhibited construction. Many Tribal members share homes with multiple generations, move out of the community, or add mobile homes onto their permanent structures for more space.

    Charlie Spud’s daughter, Karlie, left the state four years ago when she had her first child because she could not find housing in Klukwan. Last year, when her brother moved out of their childhood home, Karlie came back to the village. Now she lives there with her daughter and works at the clinic across the street. 

    “In Klukwan, it’s really bad. If someone in your family passes away, that’s about the only way you can get a house. Some people buy mobile homes or kits from Canada, but there’s nothing affordable that will also keep you warm and comfortable,” Karlie said.

    NREL Researcher Chan Charoonsophonsak (right) documents housing conditions with Chilkat Indian Village staff. Photo by Molly Rettig, NREL

    In light of that shortage, they are fixing up what they have. Hotch enlisted NREL’s building and energy experts to perform building assessments and guide the retrofits to ensure they deliver long-term health and economic benefits to residents.

    “I love working with NREL. I’m not an energy expert—I work on so many different initiatives related to geohazards, health, and land protections that it’s very valuable to me to be able to trust these Alaskan experts,” Hotch said.

    Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center in Klukwan, Alaska, sits on the banks of the Chilkat River. Photo by Molly Rettig, NREL

    NREL Surveys Inform Retrofit Work To Make Warmer, Safer Housing

    In March, the assessment team made up of NREL building experts, Tribal staff, and private contractors visited 11 homes, interviewing residents, testing for lead paint and radon, and inspecting foundations, walls, windows, and appliances. The cold, wet climate of Southeast Alaska can be hard on homes, and many showed signs of moisture and mold. Other residents complained about cold floors, leaky roofs, or broken outlets.

    Charlene Katzeek lives in a double-wide trailer on a raised foundation overlooking the Chilkat Mountains. At age 75, she likes listening to audiobooks while she drinks coffee and plays cards. Her daughter, Deanna, the village public safety officer in Klukwan, often stops by to visit and help with housework, since Charlene is losing her eyesight. While the home is in pretty good shape, Charlene is on a fixed income and wants to reduce energy use.

    “There’s a big hole under the window. When my husband was alive, he would ask me to go outside and he could wave to me through the trim,” Charlene said, chuckling.

    Shawna Hotch visits the Jilkaat Kwaan Heritage Center in Klukwan. Photo from Shawna Hotch

    The assessment team found additional cold spots in the house that could be sealed and suggested upgrades to improve indoor air quality, such as removing old carpet and increasing ventilation.

    “In a cold climate, we build very tight homes and spend so much of our time inside in the winter,” NREL’s Hébert said. “Bringing fresh air into the home keeps everyone healthy and can really address our exceptionally high rates of respiratory illness in Alaska.”

    The housing assessment team included (left to right) Tim Ewing with Chilkat Indian Village, Chan Charoonsophonsak (NREL), Trevor Luedke (Steller Inspections), Jack Hebert (NREL), and Charlie Spud (Chilkat Indian Village). Photo by Molly Rettig, NREL

    After finishing the assessments, the team started poring over the data to make a plan for each house. Retrofit work is expected to begin this summer, as fishing, road construction, and other seasonal jobs take off.

    Just like those efforts, this project will strengthen the economy and make Klukwan a healthier, more vibrant place to live.

    Learn more about research at NREL’s Alaska Campus.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is worsening gender-based violence against women

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Annie Bunting, Professor of Law & Society, York University, York Research Chair in International Gender Justice & Peacebuilding, York University, Canada

    In early 2025, the March 23 Movement (M23) armed group seized control of Goma and then Bukavu, two major cities in the eastern Democratic Republic of the Congo (DRC).

    M23’s advance and control in eastern DRC, in defiance of ceasefire agreements, has terrorized communities and led to mass displacement. More than two million people have since been internally displaced in eastern DRC; close to one million people were displaced in 2024 alone.



    Read more:
    M23’s capture of Goma is the latest chapter in eastern Congo’s long-running war

    Civilians are caught in a devastating humanitarian crisis involving sexual and gender-based violence. This kind of violence not only contributes to forced displacement, but displaced women are also more at risk of gender-based violence during times of ongoing fighting.

    Furthermore, signs point to gendered violence worsening: in just the last two weeks of February 2025, UNHCR reported 895 reports of humanitarian workers being raped. Previous research has shown that sexual and gender-based violence continues through periods of political transition, and
    worsens     when state militaries are weaker than rebel forces.

    The risks and drivers of displacement

    To understand these risks, in December 2024 researchers with the Congolese organization Solidarité Féminine Pour La Paix et le Développement Intégral (SOFEPADI) interviewed 89 displaced women and 30 members of civil society organizations working in internally displaced person camps around Goma.

    We worked with a team of researchers from SOFEPADI, co-ordinated by SOFEPADI program officer Martin Baguma and national co-ordinator Sandrine Lusamba, and with research assistance from Cora Fletcher, a master’s student at Dalhousie University, to put together our recently published report that outlines some of the key findings from the interviews.

    The overwhelming majority of respondents had experienced or witnessed sexual and gender-based violence. While interviewers were careful to avoid direct questions so as not to induce trauma, dozens of women nonetheless disclosed personal experiences.

    These interviews show just how vulnerable the population is, and how an already dire situation for women and girls has been made exponentially worse over the past six months.

    Displaced women were extremely likely to have experienced conflict-related sexual and gender-based violence: 97 per cent of those interviewed were victims of or had witnessed violence during the conflict, with one stating that sexual violence had contributed to their displacement:

    “I was living in Kitshanga and then the war started, but I didn’t leave right away. One day I went to the field and I was raped. That’s the day I left Kitshanga and I came here [to the camp].”

    Over 70 per cent of interviewees identified M23 as the direct cause of their displacement. A further five per cent indicated that their displacement had been caused by Rwanda’s armed forces, either alone or in conjunction with M23.

    One woman from Kitshanga, a town roughly 150 kilometres away from Goma, stated that she had been displaced following “massacres, rapes, and the war…caused by the M23.”

    Perpetrators everywhere, protection nowhere

    M23 troops were not the only group identified as being responsible for perpetrating sexual and gender-based violence during displacement and in the camps. The crisis has led to widespread gender violence perpetrated by armed groups and forces, including the Congolese military and military-allied militias, civilians and groups of bandits.

    The breadth of perpetrators, challenges in identifying perpetrators, and the shifting status of civilians/ militia members all impact opportunities to hold individuals accountable and to meaningfully prevent sexual and gender-based violence through targeted initiatives.

    Despite the significant number of international forces operating in eastern DRC, both civil society representatives and displaced women expressed little confidence in these forces’ ability to prevent sexual and gender-based violence.

    Goma remains the operational centre of the United Nations MONUSCO peacekeeping mission. Yet, of the 89 displaced women interviewed, only one identified MONUSCO troops as providing security in the areas surrounding the camps. In the eyes of most of the respondents, international forces are simply absent.

    Scattered survivors and thwarted justice

    Since the M23 takeover, international attention has been drawn to the crisis, and there is renewed focus by the International Criminal Court on combatting impunity and securing accountability for atrocity crimes.

    Organizations on the ground, however, remain under-resourced and over-stretched. Access to healthcare (including mental health support), banking, economic support, children’s education, and justice are all severely constrained – a point consistently emphasized by affected women interviewed.

    Repeated displacement of vulnerable people, including survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, is likely to further frustrate attempts at holding responsible actors to account, has made it near-impossible to track where women are going, to provide necessary and ongoing support.

    With the recent order from M23 for civilians to leave IDP camps, already uprooted women are displaced once again, with little access to humanitarian aid. Civilians have been dispersed, with many unable to return to their villages due to fighting.

    Others have returned to find their homes have been burned or looted and there is tension between neighbours over access to land and resources. Human rights defenders are also at grave risk of violence, with mass prison breaks and legal institutions not functioning.

    The need for action

    The DRC government and M23 have reportedly resumed peace talks to end the fighting. The security situation in eastern DRC is shifting rapidly, and the context that these interviews took place in only three short months ago has changed. The airport in Goma remains closed, thwarting the flow of humanitarian aid. What remains consistent are high levels of forced displacement, sexual and gender-based violence and an internationalized conflict that has worsened women’s security.

    With women and girls uniquely and disproportionately impacted, responses to this dire security situation must include and urgent and durable ceasefire and increased humanitarian support.

    Women must be at peace talks. Immediate steps must be taken to alleviate humanitarian suffering, to protect women and girls from further violence and abuse, and to move toward a peaceful resolution that results in Congolese civilians able to return to their homes and begin the process of recovering from this devastating conflict.

    Annie Bunting receives funding from the Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) research programme, funded by the UK Department for International Development.

    Heather Tasker receives funding from the UK International Development through the Cross-Border Conflict Evidence, Policy and Trends (XCEPT) research programme.

    – ref. Fighting in eastern Democratic Republic of Congo is worsening gender-based violence against women – https://theconversation.com/fighting-in-eastern-democratic-republic-of-congo-is-worsening-gender-based-violence-against-women-255374

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: International Petroleum Corporation Announces 2025 Annual General Meeting Voting Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    International Petroleum Corporation (IPC or the Corporation) (TSX, Nasdaq Stockholm: IPCO) is pleased to announce the voting results from the Corporation’s 2025 Annual General Meeting of Shareholders held on May 7, 2025 in Calgary, Alberta.

    Number of Directors

    The number of Directors of the Corporation was set at eight.

    Votes For % For Votes Against % Against
    62,055,815 99.98 10,847 0.02

    Election of Directors

    The eight nominees listed in the Corporation’s management information circular dated March 24, 2025 (the Circular) were elected as Directors of the Corporation to hold office until the next annual meeting of shareholders or until their successors are duly elected or appointed, unless the office is earlier vacated, as described in the Circular.

    Nominee Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld
    C. Ashley Heppenstall 60,675,041 97.76 1,391,621 2.24
    William Lundin 61,771,676 99.52 294,986 0.48
    Chris Bruijnzeels 55,217,620 88.97 6,849,042 11.03
    Donald Charter 61,638,931 99.31 427,731 0.69
    Lukas H. (Harry) Lundin 61,665,996 99.35 400,666 0.65
    Emily Moore 61,832,709 99.62 233,953 0.38
    Mike Nicholson 61,665,366 99.35 401,296 0.65
    Deborah Starkman 61,673,369 99.37 393,293 0.63

    Appointment of Auditor

    PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was appointed as auditor of the Corporation until the next annual meeting of shareholders and the Directors of the Corporation were authorized to fix the auditor’s remuneration.

    Votes For % For Votes Withheld % Withheld
    62,220,145 99.98 12,337 0.02

    International Petroleum Corp. (IPC) is an international oil and gas exploration and production company with a high quality portfolio of assets located in Canada, Malaysia and Europe, providing a solid foundation for organic and inorganic growth. IPC is a member of the Lundin Group of Companies. IPC is incorporated in Canada and IPC’s shares are listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange (TSX) and the Nasdaq Stockholm under the symbol “IPCO”.

    For further information, please contact:

    Rebecca Gordon
    SVP Corporate Planning and Investor Relations
    rebecca.gordon@international-petroleum.com
    Tel: +41 22 595 10 50

    Or

    		 Robert Eriksson
    Media Manager
    reriksson@rive6.ch
    Tel: +46 701 11 26 15

    Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains statements and information which constitute “forward-looking statements” or “forward-looking information” (within the meaning of applicable securities legislation). Such statements and information (together, “forward-looking statements”) relate to future events, including the Corporation’s future performance, business prospects or opportunities. Actual results may differ materially from those expressed or implied by forward-looking statements. The forward-looking statements contained in this press release are expressly qualified by this cautionary statement. Forward-looking statements speak only as of the date of this press release, unless otherwise indicated. IPC does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements, except as required by applicable laws.

    All statements other than statements of historical fact may be forward-looking statements. Any statements that express or involve discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, forecasts, guidance, budgets, objectives, assumptions or future events or performance (often, but not always, using words or phrases such as “seek”, “anticipate”, “plan”, “continue”, “estimate”, “expect”, “may”, “will”, “project”, “forecast”, “predict”, “potential”, “targeting”, “intend”, “could”, “might”, “should”, “believe”, “budget” and similar expressions) are not statements of historical fact and may be “forward-looking statements”.

    Attachment

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Chief Mountain port of entry opens for the summer season

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    May 7, 2025       Calgary, Alberta      Canada Border Services Agency

    The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) is advising travellers that the Chief Mountain port of entry will be open for the summer season from Thursday, May 15, 2025, to Tuesday, September 30, 2025.  

    Chief Mountain is located along Highway 6 in Alberta on the boundary of Waterton Lakes National Park. In 2024, the CBSA welcomed over 65,000 travellers at Chief Mountain port of entry.

    Due to the harsh winters and its high elevation, the Chief Mountain port of entry only operates seasonally from May to September.

    Chief Mountain hours of operation (Mountain Daylight Time):

    • May 15, 2025 – May 31, 2025:   9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.
    • June 1, 2025 – September 1, 2025:   7:00 a.m. to 10:00 p.m.
    • September 2, 2025 – September 30, 2025:   9:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m.

    For additional information, visit the Border Information Services online or call 1-800-461-9999.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Increasing wetlands in Alberta

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Innovation Saskatchewan Making an Impact at Uniting the Prairies Tech Conference

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on May 7, 2025

    Innovation Saskatchewan is proud to support Saskatchewan’s tech sector through a $25,000 investment in Uniting the Prairies (UP), the Prairies’ premier startup-focused tech conference hosted by Co.Labs. 

    The conference’s unique focus on connecting tech founders with active investors and industry leaders attracts more than 650 investors, startups and community members from across the country. This event aims to showcase the province’s rapidly evolving tech hub in Saskatoon.  

    “Saskatchewan has a thriving tech sector that is advancing world class technologies and generating significant growth across our province,” Minister Responsible for Innovation Saskatchewan Warren Kaeding said. “Uniting the Prairies provides a unique opportunity to showcase both the innovators and the environment that support our renowned innovation ecosystem.”  

    UP facilitates networking opportunities, potential funding through pitch competitions and insightful discussions with tech experts that catalyze tangible results for startup attendees. For example, in 2024, four women-led startups received a combined $135,000 from angel investors at the event, including $25,000 for Battleford, Sask.-based Combine Settings.  

    “Uniting the Prairies has grown into the largest annual gathering of the Saskatchewan tech community and a place to showcase the best and fastest growing prairie startups on the National stage,” Uniting the Prairies and Executive Director of Co.Labs Jonathan Lipoth said. “We are all set for our biggest and best conference yet.”  

    The province’s tech sector is on track to surpass Saskatchewan’s Growth Plan goal of tripling the tech sector by 2030, according to a report commissioned by Innovation Saskatchewan in 2024.  

    Notably, the report shows Saskatchewan’s tech sector experienced a 108.6 per cent increase in employment growth rate since 2019 – the largest employment growth rate out of all prairie provinces, outpacing both Alberta and Manitoba.  

    In addition to funding programs and incentives like the Saskatchewan Technology Startup Incentive (STSI) and the Agtech Growth Fund (AGF), tech incubators such as Co.Labs have helped reduce technical risk and incentivize local investments in Saskatchewan companies, fueling growth.  

    UP participants can visit Innovation Saskatchewan’s booth on site to learn how the agency helps Great Ideas Grow Here and enter to win a Work to Play Getaway in partnership with Tourism Saskatchewan.  

    The conference takes place May 7-8 at the Remai Modern in Saskatoon.  

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Launches Online Wellbeing Course for New and Expecting Parents

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on May 7, 2025

    The Government of Saskatchewan is supporting a new online therapy course to help new and expecting mothers and their partners who are experiencing mental health difficulties, such as depression or anxiety. 

    The Wellbeing Course for New and Expecting Parents is offered through the University of Regina’s Online Therapy Unit with $380,000 in funding from the province. A Non-Birthing Parents Resource is also available through the program and will continue to be enhanced in 2025-26. 

    “We want new mothers and their partners to know they are not alone if they face challenges with their mental health,” Health Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. “This free online course offers easy, flexible access to mental health support from anywhere in the province and our government is proud to work with the University of Regina to provide it.” 

    The new course started taking clients in February.

    “We are grateful for this important investment from the Government of Saskatchewan,” University of Regina’s Online Therapy Unit Psychology Professor and Director Dr. Heather Hadjistavropoulos said. “Our new eight-week online course provides a much-needed doorway to care, meeting new and expecting parents – both birthing and non-birthing – with compassion, flexibility, and evidence-based support. For those facing barriers like distance, time, or privacy, this funding means we can be there when and where they need us most.”

    Internet-delivered Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (ICBT) was developed at the University of Regina to help Saskatchewan residents experiencing depression, anxiety, substance use, or difficulties coping with chronic health conditions and is delivered in partnership with the Saskatchewan Health Authority. Adults complete educational modules with therapist support.

    Since 2015, almost 14,000 Saskatchewan residents have used ICBT services. This fiscal year, the province is providing more than $1.6 million to support this important service. 

    “At the University of Regina, we are committed to research that makes a real difference in people’s lives,” University of Regina’s President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jeff Keshen said. “The launch of the Wellbeing Course for New and Expecting Parents is a powerful example of responding to needs within our community and turning research into action to support mental health, strengthen families, and build more resilient communities across Saskatchewan.”

    “More people should know about and take the course because it is so helpful,” an anonymous client said after ICBT treatment. “(The course) makes you feel that normalcy. These feelings with becoming a parent are normal, and there are solutions.”

    The province has also boosted annual funding to HealthLine 811 by $6.6 million in 2025-26. HealthLine 811 supports nurse and counsellor positions for mental health, addictions and maternal mental health calls. The Ministry of Health is also working with the Saskatchewan Health Authority to establish a maternal mental health coordinator position at 811.

    Under the province’s Action Plan for Mental Health and Addictions, the Ministry of Health committed to develop a new provincial approach to maternal mental health. The goal is to better support new and expectant mothers throughout their pregnancy and after delivery for the wellbeing of mothers, their children and their families. 

    Additional work is underway to develop and coordinate maternal mental health supports. This work has also received valuable insight from the Maternal Mental Health Saskatchewan Advisory Group and various community-based organizations. 

    Today’s announcement takes place on World Maternal Mental Health Day. It is estimated that two in 10 women face a mental health issue during pregnancy and in the first year following birth. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Launches New Open Education Resources Website

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on May 7, 2025

    Saskatchewan students can now access free textbooks and academic resources in one convenient location. The Government of Saskatchewan has partnered with Saskatchewan Polytechnic, the University of Regina and the University of Saskatchewan to launch a new website to host open education resources (OERs) through one central website.

    OERs are free digital resources such as textbooks, manuals and audio/visual files that students and faculty can access for learning, teaching and research purposes. Over the past ten years, Saskatchewan has invested $2.3 million in the development of OERs. 

    “Open education resources are important tools that help make post-secondary education more accessible and affordable,” Advanced Education Minister Ken Cheveldayoff said. “We appreciate the hard work of faculty members at Saskatchewan’s post-secondary institutions who continue to develop important resources to help students learn, succeed and save money during their studies.” 

    OERs lower the cost and increase access to high-quality academic resources for students. Current estimates show that over 125,000 students have saved approximately $18 million through accessing these resources.

    “We have been actively involved in the development and promotion of OERs for several years,” Saskatchewan Polytechnic President and CEO Dr. Larry Rosia said. “Our commitment to OERs stems from our belief in the transformative power of open access educational materials. By making high-quality resources readily available, we aim to enhance learning experiences, reduce the financial burden on students, and foster a culture of sharing and collaboration. This new website is a testament to ongoing efforts to support open education and drive innovation in teaching and learning.”

    “The University of Regina is pleased to be part of the SaskOER network, which will better serve students, educators, and the public by making our quality open educational resources (OERs) more widely available and accessible,” University of Regina President and Vice-Chancellor Dr. Jeff Keshen said. “The new SaskOER network also encourages and facilitates greater inter-institutional collaborations on OER projects. We are grateful for the Government of Saskatchewan’s support in creating and publishing quality open educational resources that are an increasingly important part of educational offerings in the province.”

    “The University of Saskatchewan is excited about the enhanced support for all students that is being created through this new open educational resources website,” University of Saskatchewan President and Vice-Chancellor Peter Stoicheff said. “Improving access to education resources online for students, staff and faculty, while also significantly lowering transactional costs, is a significant benefit for all in the post-secondary sector. USask is committed to working closely together with the University of Regina, Saskatchewan Polytechnic and the Government of Saskatchewan on this collaborative project.”

    The new open education resource website is now available at www.saskoer.ca. 

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Help Kids be Kids: supporting youth mental wellness

    [. Youth at risk of mental health challenges can benefit significantly from programs that focus on building resiliency, mental wellness and social connection, such as those offered through the Youth Suicide Prevention Grant Program.  

    Alberta’s government invested an additional $1 million into Youth Suicide Prevention Grants, for a total of $4 million over 2024-26. This means more organizations received grant funding, which increases access to programming for youth across the province. 

    So far, more than 2,100 youth have been supported through programs that provide spaces for young people to develop life skills and build long-term resilience. Initiatives include after-school programs, cultural camps and events, and educational workshops.

    “Supporting innovative mental health programs for youth is not only vital to improving individual well-being, but also strengthens families, schools and communities. I’m grateful to partner with community organizations that provide young people with useful tools and strategies that help them recognize and manage their thoughts and feelings.”

    Searle Turton, Minister of Children and Family Services

    “When someone is struggling, we want them to know there is help available. Suicide prevention is a priority for our government, which is why I am grateful for our cross-ministry approach for better mental health and well-being for Alberta children and youth.” 

    Dan Williams, Minister of Mental Health and Addiction

    Programs funded through the Youth Suicide Prevention Program offer unique supports for diverse communities. For example, grant funding for Free Play for Kids Inc. supports the organization to offer the expanded Free to Play: Wellbeing, Resiliency & Belonging for Refugee Youth program, providing young newcomers in Edmonton opportunities to gain social, emotional and mental health skills and connecting them with peers through sport.

    “Every child needs a safe space where they can play, belong and grow. Here, they make new friends and find role models in the caring leaders who run the programs. These relationships are so critical in supporting mental health and well being. We are extremely grateful to Minister Turton and the Alberta government for supporting us in creating these spaces of support.”

    Tim Adams, executive director, Free Play for Kids

    “We commend the Government of Alberta for investing an additional $1 million into Youth Suicide Prevention grants. The government’s continued recognition of the importance of youth suicide prevention is heartening: suicide prevention is long-term work. Support from these grants contributes to CMHA Alberta and Centre for Suicide Prevention’s education efforts, including the co-creation of the guide Community-led life promotion plans for Indigenous youth and communities. Anyone can learn to how to identify and skillfully respond to someone considering suicide; suicide prevention involves us all.”

    Mara Grunau, chief executive officer, CMHA Alberta and Centre for Suicide Prevention

    Alberta’s government recognizes Mental Health Week from May 5 to 11, and is committed to continuing to expand access to supports and services to young people struggling with mental health and addiction challenges. This includes investments to increase access to supports in schools and in the community, support youth-focused online and telephone resources and ensure mental health and addiction services are available through Recovery Alberta.

    Quick facts

    • An increase in funding to the Youth Suicide Prevention Grant supported 17 eligible applicant organizations to receive grant funding from 2024-26, up from 12 organizations in 2022-24.

    Related information 

    • Youth Suicide Prevention Grant Program
    • Children’s mental health
    • 211 Alberta | 211 Alberta, Help Starts Here

    Related news

    • Province more than doubling youth treatment beds (Nov. 26, 2024)
    • New school year, new mental health classrooms | Nouvelle année scolaire, nouvelles salles de classe pour la santé mentale (Sept. 11, 2024)
    • Turning hurt into hope for struggling youth (Sept. 10, 2024)
    • Providing hope for struggling youth (March 4. 2024)

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Traffic Advisory – Halifax Regional Municipality

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    HALIFAX REGIONAL MUNICIPALITY: Bedford Bypass

    The westbound lanes of Highway 101 will be reduced to one lane for repairs to the bridge at Highway 102 in Bedford.

    Work takes place from Thursday, May 8, until Friday, July 18.

    Work takes place daily from sunrise to sunset. Motorists should expect delays.

    NOTE: For the most up-to-date provincial traffic notices, follow @511ns on X at https://x.com/511ns, call 511 or visit: https://511.novascotia.ca/

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada to mark the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and Victory in Europe (V-E) Day at the National War Memorial in Ottawa

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Ottawa, ON –Veterans Affairs Canada will host a commemorative ceremony at the National War Memorial in Ottawa to mark the 80th anniversary of the Liberation of the Netherlands and Victory in Europe Day.

    General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, Canadian Armed Forces, Her Excellency Margriet Vonno, Ambassador of the Kingdom of the Netherlands, Second World War Veterans and members of the diplomatic corps will participate in this event and lay wreaths to honour and recognize Veterans of the Liberation of the Netherlands and the Second World War.

    Location:    National War Memorial
                        Ottawa, Ontario

    Date:          Thursday, 8 May 2025

    Time:          11:00 EDT

    Notes for media:

    Media who wish to participate must register by 08:00 EDT on Thursday, 8 May 2025 by contacting media@veterans.gc.ca with their name and media outlet. Media are asked to arrive no later than 10:30 EDT.

    Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs and we will work with you to enable your participation.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Digital clones of real models are revolutionizing fashion advertising

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Luana Carcano, Lecturer, Beedie School of Business, Simon Fraser University

    Driven by advances in artificial intelligence (AI) and metaverse technologies, digital clones are transforming fast-fashion marketing. Always available, ageless and adaptable to any setting, these virtual figures enable brands to create immersive, cost-effective campaigns that resonate with today’s digital-first consumers.



    Read more:
    Fake models for fast fashion? What AI clones mean for our jobs — and our identities

    Virtual influencers — digitally created personas used to provide entertainment, generate content and endorse brands — are becoming increasingly influential, especially among Gen Z and digital-first audiences.

    These virtual figures vary in form: some, like Lil Miquela and Shudu, are entirely computer-generated, while others, such as Hatsune Miku, incorporate human elements like voice or motion.

    Hybrid influencers blend real and virtual components, allowing for brand-specific customization. These virtual influencers boost brand visibility, drive engagement and influence market performance.

    Real persons, virtual personas

    The estimate for global influencer market size for 2024 was valued at over US$24 billion and is projected to grow to over US$32 billion in 2025. The rise of virtual influencers is particularly prominent in Asia.

    This trend is also reshaping the US$2.5 trillion modelling industry, according to The Business of Fashion. AI-generated avatars and digital clones enable brands to cut production costs and accelerate campaign development. As a result, companies such as Levi Strauss & Co. are partnering with AI modelling firms to integrate these virtual personas into their marketing strategies.

    Digital twins

    Digital twins — virtual replicas of real people — are gaining traction in marketing to enhance personalization, streamline content creation and deepen customer engagement.

    In the fashion world, they provide a means to maintain a sense of human connection while using AI for precision and volume purposes. Fast-fashion retailer H&M recently introduced AI-generated digital twins of real-life models for advertising and social media content. Positioned as a creative and operational aid rather than a replacement for human talent, the initiative has ignited industry-wide debate.



    Read more:
    AI clones made from user data pose uncanny risks

    While the brand highlights the advantages — lower production costs and faster catalogue development — some critics have raised ethical concerns regarding representation and transparency.

    These digital twins fall into the category of “front-of-camera” tools: static avatars used in visual content without independent personas or social media presence. Unlike virtual influencers, they do not interact with audiences or build followings. Instead, they function strictly as visual stand-ins for traditional models, who are compensated for the use of their likenesses, similar to conventional campaigns.

    As these avatars do not speak, endorse or engage directly with consumers, they remain subject to traditional advertising regulations — not influencer marketing laws.

    Digital models are used for operational efficiency: testing and refining creative strategies before rollout, reducing costs and potentially offering immersive digital experiences to enhance customer connection and brand loyalty.

    Authenticity and other challenges

    In July 2024, fast-fashion retailer Mango launched its first advertising campaign featuring AI-generated avatars to promote a limited-edition collection for teenaged girls.

    These AI-generated influencers and digital twins introduce numerous ethical and legal challenges. These innovations raise difficult questions about the displacement of human talent — including models, make-up artists, hairstylists and photographers — and broader implications for creative industries.

    Key concerns centre on consent and compensation. The unauthorized use of an individual’s likeness, even in digital form, poses a risk of exploitation and underscores the importance of clear standards and protections. The legal landscape regarding image rights and intellectual property is still evolving, which makes compliance both essential and complex.

    As the lines between reality and digital fabrication blur, brands risk eroding consumer trust. The authenticity that audiences value can be undermined if AI-generated content seems deceptive or inauthentic.

    Companies must tread carefully, balancing innovation with transparency.

    Diversity is another critical issue. While AI offers customization, it can also perpetuate biases or create an illusion of inclusivity without genuine representation.

    An Associated Press report on AI models and diversity.

    As the use of AI proliferates, ensuring that digital models support, rather than hinder, meaningful advancement in representation will be essential.

    Ultimately, brands must implement ethical frameworks to ensure that AI enhances creativity while maintaining integrity, inclusivity and legal accountability.

    Strategic considerations

    Digital clones provide fast-fashion brands with a powerful tool to create personalized shopping experiences and enable greater representation of diverse body types and style preferences. This degree of customization can significantly enhance customer satisfaction and brand loyalty.

    To ensure ethical integration, transparency is crucial. Brands must clearly disclose when digital models appear in campaigns. These digital representations should encompass a wide variety of demographics to genuinely promote inclusivity and engage with a broader audience.

    Establishing ethical and legal safeguards is equally important. Creating digital clones requires explicit consent and careful attention to intellectual property rights. Without clear guidelines and permissions, brands risk violating privacy, misusing likenesses and facing legal repercussions.

    Luana Carcano 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. Digital clones of real models are revolutionizing fashion advertising – https://theconversation.com/digital-clones-of-real-models-are-revolutionizing-fashion-advertising-254244

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: The King’s speech: The world will be watching when Charles opens Canada’s Parliament

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Justin Vovk, European Royal History Reseacher, McMaster University

    Prime Minister Mark Carney has invited King Charles to embark upon a Royal Visit to Canada and open the new session of Parliament on May 27.

    The visit comes at a significant moment in Canadian history. Carney has just had his first meeting with Donald Trump, pushing back unequivocally against the American president’s continuing calls for Canada to become the 51st state.

    In their Oval Office news conference, Trump once again declared his desire to erase “the artificially drawn line” separating the U.S. and Canada and to annex Canada, as Carney made clear that would never happen.



    Read more:
    Mark Carney tells Donald Trump ‘Canada is not for sale’ in a high-stakes Oval Office meeting

    At the same time, Trump has been looking to reshape the global economic order through the use of tariffs on imported goods. Even though Canadians are fighting back with consumer and travel boycotts, many are also worrying about the future due to Trump’s actions.

    Amid this turmoil, the King’s timely visit could be a powerful show of support for Canadians, whose identity has often wilted in the shadow of its powerful but formerly protective American neighbour. The presence of the King will undoubtedly generate global attention, which could provide reassurances to Canadians that they’re not alone.

    Delivering the Speech from the Throne

    Charles is King of Canada and the country’s official head of state. This will be his 20th trip to Canada, but his first since becoming King in September 2022.

    In day-to-day government business, his duties are carried out by the Governor General. These include opening Parliament and delivering the Speech from the Throne, which outlines the government’s agenda.

    The King’s visit will mark the first time the sovereign has personally delivered the Speech from the Throne since Queen Elizabeth did so in 1957. She also opened a session of Canada’s 30th Parliament in 1977.

    Canada has maintained close ties with the United Kingdom. It still uses the Westminster parliamentary system. But Canada has also worked to establish its own national identity.

    In 1982, Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau repatriated Canada’s Constitution. This replaced the British North America Act and established Canada’s full political independence, a process that began with Confederation in 1867.

    Signals of support to Canada

    Royal Visits are one of the monarchy’s most effective tools for promoting international relations. In Charles’s recent visit to Italy, he even made a point of honouring Canada.

    This upcoming visit is expected to highlight Canada’s identity separate from the United States. It will give Charles the opportunity to remind everyone of the Crown’s place at the heart of Canadian sovereignty and our constitutional relationship with monarchy. This is an image that Charles has been eager to foster since becoming King in 2022 following the death of his mother and amid waning enthusiasm for the monarchy in some Commonwealth countries.

    The King cannot make political statements — at least, not without the say-so of the prime minister. After meeting with Justin Trudeau in March before he was replaced by Carney as prime minister, Charles signalled his support for Canadian sovereignty through a series of subtle but important gestures.



    Read more:
    How King Charles is sending Canada subtle signals of support amid Trump’s threats

    He presented a ceremonial sword to the Usher of the Black Rod — one of the Canadian Senate’s senior ceremonial officers. A week later, Charles planted a red maple at Buckingham Palace to commemorate the late Queen Elizabeth’s support for international forestry. He even wore Canadian military insignia on his admiral’s uniform during a public inspection of a British aircraft carrier.

    Commonwealth ties

    The King’s visit could also reinvigorate Canada’s ties to the Commonwealth.

    Canada has long maintained positive relations with the other Commonwealth countries through shared culture, military action and economic support. This Royal Visit could solidify the beneficial role of the Crown and of the Commonwealth for Canada as it seeks to assert its sovereignty and broaden its international economic ties in the face of American tariffs.

    Many in Canada and around the world will be watching and listening to the King’s speech when he opens Parliament on May 27.



    Read more:
    King Charles’s coronation: Can the British monarchy shed its imperial past?

    It is unlikely there will be any direct references to Trump’s 51st state threats or to the president himself. But its symbolic significance could reaffirm Canada’s place on the world stage. It may also help to quell, at least for a little while, the growing calls to reconsider the need for the British monarchy at all in modern-day Canada.

    Justin Vovk has previously received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Justin is currently on the advisory board of the Institute for the Study of the Crown in Canada.

    – ref. The King’s speech: The world will be watching when Charles opens Canada’s Parliament – https://theconversation.com/the-kings-speech-the-world-will-be-watching-when-charles-opens-canadas-parliament-255852

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Mizuho Americas Hires Lloyd Walmsley as Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst Covering the Internet Sector

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Mizuho Americas today announced the hiring of Lloyd Walmsley as Managing Director and Senior Equity Research Analyst covering the Internet sector. Based in Atlanta, Walmsley reports to the Head of Americas Equity Research, Bill Featherston.

    Walmsley has more than 20 years of experience covering the Internet sector. He ranked fifth among Hedge Funds in Institutional Investor’s (now Extel) All-America Research Team and eighth overall in the US Large Cap Internet sector in 2023. Most recently, he was Managing Director, Equity Research Analyst at UBS Securities where he more than doubled the size of his research coverage team and hosted the firm’s inaugural Private Software and Internet Conference.

    “Lloyd’s expertise and reputation have established him as a leading analyst,” said Featherston. “I look forward to his contribution to Mizuho’s growing research department.”

    Prior to UBS, Walmsley was at Deutsche Bank, where his team ranked ninth in Internet Equity Research Institutional Investor’s All-America Research Team in 2020.

    Other analyst roles included positions at Skiff, Thomas Weisel Partners, Credit Suisse, and worked as an M&A investment banker at Lazard.

    Walmsley holds a Bachelor of Arts from the University of Virginia.

    About Mizuho Americas
    Mizuho Financial Group, Inc. is one of the largest financial institutions in the world as measured by total assets of ~$2 trillion, according to S&P Global 2024. Mizuho’s 65,000 employees worldwide offer comprehensive financial services to clients in 36 countries and 850 offices throughout the Americas, EMEA, and Asia.

    Mizuho Americas is a leading Corporate and Investment Bank (CIB) that provides a full spectrum of client-driven solutions across strategic advisory, capital markets, corporate banking, and fixed income and equities sales & trading to corporate, government, and institutional clients in the US, Canada, and Latin America. Through its acquisition of Greenhill, Mizuho enhanced its M&A, restructuring, and private capital advisory capabilities across the Americas, Europe, and Asia. Mizuho Americas employs approximately 4,000 professionals. For more information visit www.mizuhoamericas.com.

    For inquiries, please contact:
    Jim Gorman
    Executive Director, Media Relations, Mizuho Americas
    +1-212-282-3867
    jim.gorman@mizuhogroup.com

    Laura London
    Director, Media Relations, Mizuho Americas
    (917) 446-5226
    laura.london@mizuhogroup.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Canadian Nuclear Laboratories and Isowater Sign Strategic Partnership Agreement to Expand Heavy Water Production

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHALK RIVER, Ontario, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL), Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology organization, is pleased to announce that it has entered into a strategic partnership agreement with Isowater Corporation, a member of the KEY DH Technologies Inc. Group, a Canadian-based, international leader in the hydrogen and deuterium industries. The partnership will support the growth of Isowater’s deuterium oxide (heavy water) refinement business. Under terms of the agreement, CNL will offer support to Isowater in the form of expertise in hydrogen isotope separation and related technologies, leveraging Atomic Energy of Canada Limited’s (AECL) extensive intellectual property related to the upgrading of heavy water.

    With CNL’s support, Isowater will work to expand and improve its deuterium refining capabilities. This will enable the company to better serve various non-nuclear deuterium markets through the provision of deuterium production and recycling services, and a higher-purity end-product. This aligns with CNL’s holistic heavy water strategy, which is aimed at leveraging the extensive expertise and technologies within Canada’s national nuclear laboratories to help address the growing international market demand for heavy water in both the nuclear and non-nuclear sectors.

    “CNL is excited to enter into this partnership with Isowater, a Canadian leader in the supply of heavy water and deuterium-based compounds, and a company whose expertise and capabilities complement our own,” commented Jack Craig, CNL’s President and CEO. “This agreement comes amidst growing interest in the use of heavy water in non-nuclear industries, from electronics to health sciences. By applying our expertise and technologies, built through more than 60 years of scientific research in hydrogen isotope management, we believe that CNL can help Isowater grow and improve its heavy water refining capabilities. We look forward to working with them under the terms of our new agreement.”

    “This partnership represents the next phase of the close relationship between Isowater, CNL and AECL that has developed over the past decade,” said Andrew T.B. Stuart, Chairman of KEY. “Our collaboration has been an important enabler of the more than 10% compound annual growth rate in deuterium oxide use by the global high technology and life sciences industries.” Stuart added, “CNL, Canada’s premier science and technology laboratory, offers world-class technology and expertise that support the path to global success of organizations like ours.”

    Deuterium oxide (heavy water) is a form of water in which the normal hydrogen is replaced by a heavier form of hydrogen called deuterium. Since the company was founded in 2009, Isowater has established a global market presence as a trusted and reliable supplier of high-purity heavy water to some of the world’s most sophisticated industries, including life sciences and manufacturers of semiconductors, OLED displays and fibre optics. As part of their strategic partnership, CNL will supply Isowater with isotope exchange catalyst technologies for its deuterium refinement process. On an as-needed basis, CNL will also provide subject matter expert support for Isowater’s deuterium refineries, which is envisioned to include process optimization and troubleshooting.

    Thanks to the foundation of research from its predecessor, AECL, CNL is now considered a world leader in heavy water production and upgrading technology, with over 60 years of expertise, experience and innovation covering all aspects of the technology. These capabilities include laboratory development activities; development of proprietary wetproofed catalysts with the required longevity for economical deployment; demonstrations through design, construction, commissioning and operation of pilot and prototype plants; and development of a family of proprietary codes for simulating the processes and catalyst performance profiles along the isotope exchange catalyst beds.

    As a federal Crown corporation, AECL owns and oversees the sites under management by CNL. “AECL is pleased to see the signing of this agreement, which makes use of our extensive intellectual property in heavy water production and refinement,” said Fred Dermarkar, AECL’s President and CEO. “This is another example of the value of Canada’s investment in its national nuclear laboratories. Our model allows us to connect commercial and academic partners with Canada’s unique nuclear science assets. This agreement would not be possible without the innovative collaboration between the federal government and the private sector,” added Dermarkar.

    To learn more about CNL, including its research related to hydrogen isotope technologies, please visit www.cnl.ca.

    About CNL

    As Canada’s premier nuclear science and technology laboratory and working under the direction of Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL), CNL is a world leader in the development of innovative nuclear science and technology products and services. Guided by an ambitious corporate strategy known as Vision 2030, CNL fulfills three strategic priorities of national importance – restoring and protecting the environment, advancing clean energy technologies, and contributing to the health of Canadians.

    By leveraging the assets owned by AECL, CNL also serves as the nexus between government, the nuclear industry, the broader private sector and the academic community. CNL works in collaboration with these sectors to advance innovative Canadian products and services towards real-world use, including carbon-free energy, cancer treatments and other therapies, non-proliferation technologies and waste management solutions.

    To learn more about CNL, please visit www.cnl.ca.

    About Isowater

    Isowater is the deuterium oxide production, refining and sales entity of the Key (KEY) DH Technologies Inc. Group. The KEY Group also includes deutraMed, a developer and provider of value-added deuterium-based products and services to the high technology and life sciences industries; and Hydrogen Optimized, a manufacturer of large-scale water electrolyzers for the production of both hydrogen and enriched deuterium oxide. Together, these companies enable a long-term, secure supply of deuterium for global markets. KEY Group products are exported to customers in more than 25 countries.

    For more information, please visit www.keydht.com. Links to Isowater and other KEY Group companies can be accessed via this website.

    CNL Contact:
    Philip Kompass
    Director, Corporate Communications
    1-866-886-2325
    media@cnl.ca 

    Isowater Contact:
    Don Hogarth
    Director of Communications
    416-565-8920
    don-hogarth@isowater.com

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/77c74a3b-5ad9-456d-bd4d-3ce3a62956e3

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Westland Benefits acquires Alberta-based Sagium Health Strategies Inc.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Surrey, BC/Territories of the Coast Salish (Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen First Nations), May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Westland Insurance today announced that its newly launched benefits brand, Westland Benefits, has acquired Sagium Health Strategies Inc. (Sagium Health) effective May 1. This strategic acquisition expands Westland Benefits’ position in the benefits and health insurance sector and grows its presence in Alberta. 

    Sagium Health, located in Calgary, specializes in providing employee benefits and private healthcare solutions tailored to the needs of individuals and small to mid-sized companies. The firm is known for bridging unique individual and employer needs through its bespoke health programs and comprehensive group benefits offerings. 

    “We’re very excited to welcome Sagium Health to the Westland Benefits team,” says Matt Mann, President of Westland Benefits. “The acquisition of Sagium Health is a pivotal step in our commitment to delivering exceptional benefits solutions to our clients. By integrating Sagium’s expertise and innovative offerings, we’re poised to enhance our service delivery and expand our reach in the Alberta market.” 

    Greg Guderyan, President & CEO of Sagium Health, added, “Joining forces with Westland Benefits allows us to leverage their extensive resources and network, enabling us to provide even more comprehensive solutions. We look forward to this new chapter and the opportunities it brings for our team and our clients.” 

    Westland continues to invest in and grow its business in Canada, both organically and through strategic acquisitions. 

    -30- 

    About Westland Benefits 

    Westland Benefits is the dedicated employee benefits division of Westland Insurance Group, one of Canada’s largest and fastest growing insurance brokerages. Combining the personalized service of a boutique advisory firm with the reach and resources of a national broker, Westland Benefits delivers tailored, people-first solutions that support employee well-being and business performance. With deep expertise and a high-touch approach, Westland Benefits helps organizations navigate the evolving benefits landscape with confidence. As part of the Westland family, Westland Benefits is committed to empowering Canadian businesses through trusted advice and innovative benefits strategies. For more information, please visit our website. 

    About Westland Insurance Group   

    Westland Insurance Group is one of the largest and fastest growing insurance brokers in Canada. Trading over $4 billion of premium, Westland continues to expand coast to coast. Westland’s brokers provide expertise and advisory-based services across commercial, personal, employee benefits, farm, and specialty insurance segments. The company’s mission is to protect individuals, businesses, and communities across Canada with trusted advice and tailored insurance solutions. As a Canadian-based company, Westland is proud to support local communities, Canadian jobs, and a strong economy. For more information, please visit westlandinsurance.ca.   

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister Carney meets with President Trump

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    Today, the Prime Minister, Mark Carney, concluded his visit to Washington, D.C., where he met with the President of the United States of America, Donald J. Trump.

    Prime Minister Carney thanked President Trump for his welcome and hospitality, and the spirit and substance of their extensive discussions. The Prime Minister underscored with the President that Canada and the United States are stronger when we work together.

    Prime Minister Carney and President Trump discussed the immediate trade pressures facing their nations. The Prime Minister stated Canada’s openness to building a new economic and security relationship with the United States – based on respect, built on common interests, and to the benefit of both nations.

    To that end, the Prime Minister and the President agreed to continue discussions over the coming weeks. They looked forward to meeting next month at the G7 Summit in Kananaskis.

    As the Prime Minister returns to Canada, he remains focused on reinforcing Canada’s strength at home. His new government will transform border security, Arctic security, and Canada’s investments in national defence. They will build an economy that creates jobs, grows incomes, and withstands shocks – the strongest economy in the G7.

    Associated Link

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada to host wreath-laying ceremony at Coronation Park to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe (V-E) Day

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Toronto, ON – The official Government of Canada delegation will participate in a wreath-laying ceremony at the Victory-Peace Monument located in Coronation Park to mark the 80th anniversary of Victory in Europe Day. The delegation will be joined by Commander Paul Smith, Commanding Officer, HMCS York, Canadian Armed Forces, Consul-General Harman Idema, Consul-General of the Netherlands, and Her Worship Olivia Chow, Mayor of Toronto.  

    There will be a photo op and interview opportunities with Veterans and other dignitaries following the ceremony.

    Location:  Coronation Park
                      Victory-Peace Monument
                      711 Lake Shore Blvd West
                      Toronto, ON

    Date:        Thursday, 8 May 2025

    Time:        09:30 EDT

    Notes for media:

    Media who wish to participate must register by 07:30 EDT on Thursday, 8 May 2025 by contacting media@veterans.gc.ca with their name and media outlet. Media members are asked to arrive no later than 09:00 EDT.

    Please let us know if you have any accessibility needs and we will work with you to enable your participation.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Competition Bureau advances an investigation into BWX Technologies’ proposed acquisition of Kinectrics

    Source: Government of Canada News

    May 7, 2025 – GATINEAU (Québec), Competition Bureau

    The Competition Bureau has obtained court orders to gather information to advance its investigation into BWX Technologies’ proposed acquisition of Kinectrics. BWX Technologies and Kinectrics operate in the nuclear medicine sector, among other nuclear sectors.

    BWX Technologies and Kinectrics, directly or through a joint venture or partnership, provide products and services at various stages of the medical isotope value chain.

    The Bureau is investigating whether the acquisition is likely to result in a substantial lessening or prevention of competition in Canada’s nuclear medicine sector. The acquisition includes Kinectrics’ interest in Isogen, a company that enables the production of medical isotopes and is jointly owned with Framatome Canada.

    The court orders, granted by the Federal Court of Canada, require three market participants in the nuclear medicine sector to provide information and produce records and data related to but not limited to transaction agreements, capacity, sales, and competitive dynamics. The entities receiving court orders are Bruce Power, Ontario Power Generation (OPG) and Framatome Canada.

    The Bureau also issued supplementary information requests to BWX Technologies and Kinectrics.

    BWX Technologies announced its plan to acquire Kinectrics on January 7, 2025.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Indonesia’s ‘thousand friends, zero enemies’ approach sees President Subianto courting China and US

    Source: The Conversation – Global Perspectives – By Gilang Kembara, Research Fellow, Nanyang Technological University

    Indonesian President Prabowo Subianto participates in a panel discussion in Antalya, Turkey, on April 11, 2025. Photo by Ahmet Serdar Eser/Anadolu via Getty Images

    For much of April and into May, a team of negotiators from Indonesia have been in Washington to discuss trading relations between the world’s largest economy and another forecast to be in the Top 5 within a generation.

    The Southeast Asian nation was among those hit hard by the across-the-board tariffs announced on April 2, 2025, by President Donald Trump, with a proposed 32% levy on its exports to the U.S. Trump subsequently backpedaled, putting in place a 90-day pause on any additional tariffs beyond a new 10% minimum.

    So far, Indonesia – whose-second largest export market is the United States – has signaled its intent to negotiate rather than respond with countermeasures like some other countries targeted by Trump, such as China and Canada.

    Indonesia may even offer to relax protectionist policies aimed at boosting domestic manufactures as a concession. “People who have known me for a long time would say I’m the most nationalist person … but we have to be realistic,” said President Prabowo Subianto.

    The issue of Trump’s tariff policy is a major early test for Subianto, a right-wing populist whose worldview was shaped by decades of military experience. He views Indonesia and its place in the broader world through a lens of realist power politics – wanting to ensure Indonesia possesses adequate hard military power and robust economic performance.

    Through pushing both, Subianto hopes to ensure that Indonesia is not easily swayed by foreign influence and can avoid domestic discontent due to any economic malaise. His approach to ruling the nation of over 280 million people is driven by a desire to retain friendly relations with the United States and China, retaining close economic and security cooperation with both.

    U.S. Secretary of State Marco Rubio meets with Indonesian Foreign Minister Sugiono at the State Department in Washington, D.C., on April 16, 2025.
    Jim Watson/AFP via Getty Images

    Good neighbors, multilateral expansion

    Since declaring independence from the Netherlands almost 80 years ago, Indonesia’s foreign policy has been tied to a doctrine of “Bebas dan Aktif,” or “Free and Active.”

    Formulated by the country’s first president, Sukarno, at the onset of the Cold War, the policy intended to keep the country officially nonaligned from any major power bloc. While moving much closer to the West and the U.S. during the subsequent longtime authoritarian presidency of Suharto, Jakarta retained its official independent position in foreign policy.

    Subianto served in the military during the reign of Suharto, who was also at one point his father-in-law.

    As Indonesia’s leader, Subianto has pledged to enact a so-called foreign policy philosophy of “zero enemies, one thousand friends.” That approach stems from two main considerations. First, he seeks to secure economic agreements that will help fulfill his promise of 8% annual economic growth. Second, he aims to strengthen defense procurement and security cooperation to bolster Indonesia’s military position.

    Toward multilateralism

    As a part of his vision, Subianto has attempted to reframe some of the considerations that have long guided Jakarta’s foreign policy strategy.

    For decades, the Association of Southeast Asian Nations, or ASEAN, has served as Indonesia’s collective security buffer, forming a crucial component of its “Mandala” – or concentric circles – foreign policy perspective. However, the current administration has thus far appeared indifferent to using the regional body as a source of projecting power, as underscored by Indonesia’s absence from the ASEAN informal consultations on conflict-ridden Myanmar in December 2024.

    That is just one of several indications that Subianto is attempting to shift Indonesia’s role from a regional actor to an active global player.

    A crucial development in that more assertive approach came with the country’s accession in January 2025 to the BRICS groups of nations, the first time a Southeast Asian nation has been admitted.

    In a further bid to multilateral engagement, Indonesia has initiated plans to pursue membership in two transnational economic groupings: the Organisation for Economic Cooperation and Development, or OECD, and the Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership.

    Much of this inclination toward multilateral engagement is rooted in Subianto’s worldview that can be summed up as this: “If you’re not at the table, you’re likely to end up on the menu.”

    The crucial China and US relationships

    And yet, despite Subianto’s broader multilateral ambitions, it is the U.S. and China that remain the critical relationships.

    During the early weeks of his presidency, Subianto made China his first overseas bilateral visit. It resulted in agreements between China and Indonesia worth up to US$10 billion, primarily focused on green energy and technology.

    The visit, which was especially notable given that Jakarta appeared to move closer to China’s position on conflicting territorial claims in the South China Sea can be seen as part of a broader shift toward Beijing.

    China’s massive population already serves as a lucrative export destination for Indonesian goods. Since 2016, China has been Indonesia’s biggest export market, beating out Japan and the U.S.

    That shift is likely to pick up pace in light of Trump’s tariffs, with Jakarta seeking to offset the increasing cost of American trade. And though Jakarta has signaled neutrality regarding the wider U.S.-Chinese dispute, officials in Jakarta and Beijing agreed in mid-April to boost mutual defense cooperation in the South China Sea.

    At the same time, the U.S. holds a particularly important place in Subianto’s mind. As a young soldier, Subianto spent time at military bases in the U.S., where he underwent special forces and counterterrorism training.

    He was later subjected to a travel ban from the U.S. from 2000 to 2020 on account of myriad allegations of human rights abuses related to his time in Indonesia’s special forces unit, Kopassus, which led to his being forcibly discharged from the Indonesian military in 1998.

    Yet the ban was rescinded after then-President Joko Widodo appointed Subianto to be Indonesia’s defense minister, and he was subsequently invited to Washington in 2020 during the first Trump administration.

    Washington was Subianto’s second official presidential visit destination in November 2024. During his trip, Subianto met with President Joe Biden to discuss Indonesia-U.S. bilateral relations, regional security issues and various other global matters. Subianto also had a brief phone call with President-elect Trump to congratulate him on his election victory.

    That relationship with Trump is likely to be a crucial one now, especially given the stakes of the mutual trading relationship.

    The U.S. is Indonesia’s second-biggest trading partner, after China. The value of trade between the two parties amounted to about $38.3 billion in 2024, with Indonesia exporting $28.1 billion to the U.S. while importing $10.2 billion. Seeking to avoid tariffs of 32%, an Indonesian trade delegation has been negotiating with Trump administration officials, signaling its intent to buy more American goods, make trade concessions and even lower local content requirements on Indonesian-made goods to allow more American-made components.

    Promoting pragmatism

    There are, of course, ongoing differences between Indonesia and the U.S. – not only the ongoing trade issue but also other areas, including the Israel-Hamas war. Indonesia, the largest majority Muslim country in the world, has been a staunch supporter of Palestinian rights and highly critical of Israeli policy.

    Yet even here, Subianto seemingly is open to pragmatism, with reports that the Indonesian government is floating the idea of normalizing ties with Israel in a bid to ease entry into the OECD.

    In a similar vein, one can expect that Subianto will opt for pragmatism in his dealings with Trump, prioritizing Indonesia’s security and defense cooperation with Washington, while sidestepping any issues that might divide them along the way.

    Under Subianto, Indonesia is embarking on a foreign policy that stresses the importance of maintaining robust and active bilateral ties with the U.S. At the same time, it is strengthening its China relationship. And away from both, it is asserting its own independence through bolstering its position in numerous multilateral bodies.

    How Subianto handles those various dynamics is likely to be a defining issue of his presidency.

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

    – ref. Indonesia’s ‘thousand friends, zero enemies’ approach sees President Subianto courting China and US – https://theconversation.com/indonesias-thousand-friends-zero-enemies-approach-sees-president-subianto-courting-china-and-us-252219

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Measles could again become widespread as cases surge worldwide

    Source: The Conversation – USA – By Rebecca Schein, Assistant Professor of Infectious Disease Pediatrics, Michigan State University

    Measles is one of the most infectious diseases on the planet. Kateryna Kon/Science Photo Library via Getty Images

    Globally, measles is on the rise across the U.S., Canada, Mexico, South America and parts of Europe. In 2025, North and South America saw 11 times more cases than during the same period last year. In Europe, measles rates are at their highest point in 25 years.

    In the U.S., as of May 2, 2025, health authorities have confirmed 935 cases of measles affecting 30 states. This is a huge surge compared with the 285 cases reported in 2024. A large measles outbreak is happening in Canada, too, with over 1,000 cases.

    The Conversation asked Rebecca Schein, a specialist in pediatric infectious diseases, to explain what this spike at home and abroad might mean for a disease that was declared eliminated from the U.S. in 2000.

    How do measles cases this year compare with previous years?

    From 2000 to 2010, less than 100 measles cases were reported each year in the U.S. Since 2010, there have been isolated outbreaks, mainly in unvaccinated communities, with approximately 200 to 300 cases a year. The latest major outbreak in the U.S. was in 2019, with 1,274 cases, primarily in the New York City metropolitan area and parts of New Jersey.

    Cases fell in 2020 to 2023 during the COVID-19 pandemic, returning to prepandemic levels in 2024. Currently, most U.S. cases are coming from an epidemic in Texas, with 702 confirmed cases as of May 6. Of these, 91 people were hospitalized and three people, two of them children, died. Measles cases are still being reported. Texas is one of 12 measles outbreaks documented in the U.S. in 2025 to date.

    The World Health Organization has declared both North and South America to be at high risk for measles. Canada reported a total of 1,177 cases as of April 19, with 951 of them linked to an outbreak that began in New Brunswick in October 2024 and spread to seven provinces. In 2023, there were 12 measles cases in all of Canada.

    Mexico reported 421 confirmed measles cases as of April 18, and another 384 cases are under investigation. There are also small measles outbreaks in South America, with Belize reporting its first two cases since 1991. Brazil reported five cases, and in Argentina there are 21 confirmed cases of measles, mainly in the capital city of Buenos Aires.

    U.S. exports these days include measles.

    In Europe, measles cases rose tenfold, hitting 35,212 in 2024, according to the European Centre for Disease Prevention and Control.

    How did the US eliminate measles?

    Measles is one of the most contagious infections ever identified. One person with measles can spread the infection to 12 to 18 others. That number, which epidemiologists call R0, is 1 to 4 for the flu and 2 to 5 for COVID-19.

    In 1912, measles became a nationally reportable disease tracked by all the health departments in the U.S. At that time, there were about 3 million to 4 million cases and 6,000 deaths each year in the country. Medical care improved and the death rate decreased, but cases spiked to epidemic levels every two to three years.

    It was not until 1963, when the first measles vaccine became widely available, that cases dropped dramatically. The current measles vaccine, which is called the MMR vaccine because it also includes vaccines against mumps and rubella, was released in 1971. In 1977, the U.S. government launched the National Childhood Immunization Initiative to ensure that school children received vaccination against polio, diphtheria, pertussis, tetanus, mumps, rubella and measles. Vaccination rates in children starting elementary school rose to 96% by 1981. Beginning in 1993, the Vaccines for Children program helped ensure that every child could receive vaccinations regardless of ability to pay.

    Vaccination programs were a resounding success. By 2000, measles cases arising in the U.S. had fallen to zero, with infections occurring only in people who traveled abroad. That year, the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention declared that measles was eliminated in the country.

    Why are rising measles rates so worrisome?

    Measles is a virus, like the common cold. Unlike bacterial infections, which can be treated with antibiotics, viral infections are typically not treatable but can often be prevented through vaccination programs.

    Vaccination stimulates the body’s immune system to make antibodies to fight a specific infection. For most people, just one dose of the measles vaccine protects them from infection. The second dose helps ensure long-term protection. Measles is so infectious that 95% of the population must be vaccinated to protect the community, a concept called herd immunity.

    A man holds a sign at a rally for science in St. Paul, Minn., on March 7, 2025.
    Universal Images Group via Getty Images

    During the past 20 years, however, vaccination rates are decreasing globally, with an especially sharp drop during the pandemic from limited exposure to medical care. Aligned with this trend, measles cases in the U.S. have been rising. As a result, some infectious disease experts worry that measles is heading toward becoming a common infection again.

    What happens if measles rates continue to rise?

    Public health officials define endemic infections as being consistently present within a region. For example, the common cold and now COVID-19 are endemic in the U.S.

    A higher-than-normal number of cases in an area is termed an outbreak. For measles, an outbreak is defined as more than three cases in a county or local area. When cases from an outbreak spread outside the local area, that is an epidemic, and if an epidemic spreads into many countries across the world, it becomes a pandemic.

    The measles outbreak in Texas started in January 2025 as an outbreak in six counties and quickly reached epidemic levels, hitting a total of 29 counties and a count of 702 cases as of May 6.

    A 2022 study used a computer algorithm to model the trajectory of measles cases in the U.S. given the drop in vaccination rates during the pandemic. If children who missed vaccines due to the pandemic do not receive catch-up vaccinations, and vaccine hesitancy continues at current rates, the study found, then 21% of U.S. children – about 15 million – will be vulnerable to measles over the following five years. That is well below the number needed to prevent measles outbreaks.

    A study using a similar approach published in April 2025 found that measles is likely to become endemic again in the U.S. and predicted that the country could experience 850,000 cases over the next 25 years if vaccination rates remain the same. If vaccine rates decrease further, the study found, case numbers could increase to 11 million over the next 25 years.

    What would it take to reverse the rise in measles?

    Reversing this trend will require steadily increasing community vaccination rates. The April 2025 study found that boosting community vaccination rates by 5% would tamp down the increase in cases to between 3,000 and 19,000 over the next 25 years.

    Another epidemiological model that estimates measles spread, published in February, predicted that by intervening early in an outbreak with local health department support, measles outbreaks can be contained as long as 85% of the population is vaccinated against the disease.

    That, of course, requires ensured ongoing access to free and accessible childhood vaccinations and restoration of the public’s trust in measles vaccines.

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

    – ref. Measles could again become widespread as cases surge worldwide – https://theconversation.com/measles-could-again-become-widespread-as-cases-surge-worldwide-255501

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Intermex Reports First-Quarter Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Company to Host Conference Call Today at 9 a.m. ET

    MIAMI, May 07, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — International Money Express, Inc. (NASDAQ: IMXI) (“Intermex” or the “Company”), one of the nation’s leading global omnichannel money transfer services to Latin America and the Caribbean, today reported financial and operating results for the first quarter of 2025.

    Financial performance highlights for the first quarter of 2025:

    • Revenues of $144.3 million
    • Net income of $7.8 million
    • Diluted EPS of $0.25
    • Adjusted Diluted EPS of $0.35
    • Adjusted EBITDA of $21.6 million

    Bob Lisy, Chairman, President, and CEO of Intermex, stated “Intermex’s first quarter results reflect the strength and discipline of the Intermex business model, despite an economic and political backdrop that was difficult to anticipate. Year-over-year volume growth reflects our highly resilient consumer base and our ability to serve them effectively through our omnichannel strategy.”

    First Quarter 2025 Financial Results (all comparisons are to the First Quarter 2024)
    Year over year volumes grew at 3.7%, however total revenues for the Company were down 4.1% to $144.3 million. This was driven by a shift in retail consumer sending behavior as consumers sent fewer transactions, but in larger amounts transferred per transaction in the quarter. The reduction in service fees from lower transactions was partially offset by an increase in revenue primarily related to growth in digital channels. The Company’s user base generated 12.8 million money transfer transactions, down 5.2% from last year. The total principal amount transferred for the period was $5.6 billion, an increase of 3.7%.

    The Company reported net income of $7.8 million, a decrease of 35.5%. Diluted earnings per share were $0.25, a decrease of 28.6%. The decreases in net income and diluted earnings per share were driven primarily by the items noted above for revenues, partly offset by lower services charges from agents and banks. It is worth noting that while revenue was down from lower transactions, the higher year over year volume offset much of the interest and banking expense reductions that would otherwise typically be captured with a lower number of transactions. Lower income tax provision also positively impacted net income. Diluted earnings per share was positively impacted by the reduction in share count from the Company’s stock repurchase activity.

    Adjusted net income totaled $10.9 million, a decrease of 25.9%. Adjusted diluted earnings per share totaled $0.35, a decrease of 18.6%. Adjusted net income and adjusted diluted earnings per share were impacted by the items noted above, adjusted for certain items detailed in the reconciliation tables below following the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements. Adjusted diluted earnings per share was positively impacted by the reduction in share count from the Company’s stock repurchases.

    Adjusted EBITDA decreased 15.0% to $21.6 million, attributable to the same items noted above, partially offset by the higher net effect of the adjusting items detailed in the reconciliation tables below following the unaudited condensed consolidated financial statements.

    Adjusted and other non-GAAP measures discussed above and elsewhere in this press release are defined below under the heading, Non-GAAP Measures.

    Other Items
    The Company ended the first quarter of 2025 with $151.8 million in cash and cash equivalents. Net Free Cash Generated for the first quarter of 2025 was $10.3 million, up from the first quarter of 2024. Year-over-year Net Free Cash Generated primarily reflects the investments in assets placed into service as a result of the Company’s move to the new U.S. headquarters facility in the first quarter of 2024, partially offset by the decrease in net income.

    The Company incurred $1.2 million in transaction costs for the first quarter, primarily legal and professional fees incurred in relation to its previously announced evaluation of strategic alternatives. In addition, the Company incurred restructuring costs of approximately $0.3 million primarily related to the Company’s foreign operations.

    The Company repurchased 367,873 shares of its common stock for $5.0 million during the first quarter of 2025 through its underlying share repurchase program and a privately-negotiated transaction.

    Guidance
    Based on our first quarter 2025 financial results and the underlying market dynamics we have observed to date, the Company is revising its previously issued full-year guidance below. Current levels of uncertainty and volatility affecting market conditions and consumer behavior, have increased the difficulty of reliably forecasting short-term results.   Moreover, as previously announced, the Company is in the process of executing on a long-term strategy of investing in its digital business offerings to increase their contribution to the Company’s revenue and to increase its profitability.   Accordingly, the Company is discontinuing issuing quarterly guidance.

    Full-year 2025:
    •Revenue of $634.9 million to $654.2 million.
    •Diluted EPS of $1.53 to $1.65.
    •Adjusted Diluted EPS of $1.86 to $2.02.
    •Adjusted EBITDA of $103.6 million to $106.8 million.

    Non-GAAP Measures
    Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Earnings per Share, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin and Net Free Cash Generated, each a Non-GAAP financial measure, are the primary metrics used by management to evaluate the financial performance of our business. We present these Non-GAAP financial measures because we believe they are frequently used by analysts, investors, and other interested parties to evaluate companies in our industry. Furthermore, we believe they are helpful in highlighting trends in our operating results, because certain of such measures exclude, among other things, the effects of certain transactions that are outside the control of management, while other measures can differ significantly depending on long-term strategic decisions regarding capital structure, the jurisdictions in which we operate and capital investments.

    Adjusted Net Income is defined as Net Income adjusted to add back certain charges and expenses, such as non-cash amortization of certain intangible assets resulting from business and asset acquisition transactions, non-cash compensation costs, and other items outlined in the reconciliation table below, as these charges and expenses are not considered a part of our core business operations and are not an indicator of ongoing future Company performance.

    Adjusted Earnings per Share – Basic and Diluted is calculated by dividing Adjusted Net Income by GAAP weighted-average common shares outstanding (basic and diluted).

    Adjusted EBITDA is defined as Net Income before depreciation and amortization, interest expense, income taxes, and adjusted to add back certain charges and expenses, such as non-cash compensation costs and other items outlined in the reconciliation table below, as these charges and expenses are not considered a part of our core business operations and are not an indicator of ongoing future Company performance.

    Adjusted EBITDA Margin is calculated by dividing Adjusted EBITDA by Revenues.

    Net Free Cash Generated is defined as Net Income before provision for credit losses and depreciation and amortization adjusted to add back certain non-cash charges and expenses, such as non-cash compensation costs, and reduced by cash used in investing activities and servicing of our debt obligations.

    Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted Earnings per Share, Adjusted EBITDA, Adjusted EBITDA Margin, and Net Free Cash Generated are non-GAAP financial measures and should not be considered as an alternative to operating income, net income, net income margin or earnings per share, as a measure of operating performance or cash flows, or as a measure of liquidity. Non-GAAP financial measures are not necessarily calculated the same way by different companies and should not be considered a substitute for or superior to U.S. GAAP.

    Reconciliations of Net Income, the Company’s closest GAAP measure, to Adjusted Net Income, Adjusted EBITDA, and Net Free Cash Generated, as well as a reconciliation of Earnings per Share (Basic and Diluted) to Adjusted Earnings per Share (Basic and Diluted) and Net Income Margin to Adjusted EBITDA Margin, are outlined in the tables below following the condensed consolidated financial statements. A quantitative reconciliation of projected Adjusted EBITDA and Adjusted Diluted EPS to the most comparable GAAP measure is not available without unreasonable efforts because of the inherent difficulty in forecasting and quantifying the amounts necessary under GAAP guidance for operating or other adjusted items including, without limitation, costs and expenses related to acquisitions and other transactions, share-based compensation, tax effects of certain adjustments and losses related to legal contingencies or disposal of assets. For the same reasons, we are unable to address the probable significance of the unavailable information.

    Investor and Analyst Conference Call / Presentation
    Intermex will host a conference call and webcast presentation at 9:00 a.m. Eastern Time today. Interested parties are invited to join the discussion and gain firsthand knowledge about Intermex’s financial performance and operational achievements through the following channels:

    • A live broadcast of the conference call may be accessed via the Investor Relations section of Intermex’s website at https://investors.intermexonline.com/.
    • To participate in the live conference call via telephone, please register HERE. Upon registering, a dial-in number and unique PIN will be provided to join the conference call.
    • Following the conference call, an archived webcast of the call will be available for one year on Intermex’s website at https://investors.intermexonline.com/.

    Safe Harbor Compliance Statement for Forward-Looking Statements
    This press release contains certain “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of the Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995, as amended, which reflect our current views concerning certain events that are not historical facts but could have an effect on our future performance, including but without limitation, statements regarding our plans, objectives, financial performance, business strategies, projected results of operations, restructuring initiatives and expectations for the Company. These statements may include and be identified by words or phrases such as, without limitation, “would,” “will,” “should,” “expects,” “believes,” “anticipates,” “continues,” “could,” “may,” “might,” “plans,” “possible,” “potential,” “predicts,” “projects,” “forecasts,” “intends,” “assumes,” “estimates,” “approximately,” “shall,” “our planning assumptions,” “future outlook,” “currently,” “target,” “guidance,” and similar expressions (including the negative and plural forms of such words and phrases). These forward-looking statements are based largely on information currently available to our management and our current expectations, assumptions, plans, estimates, judgments, projections about our business and our industry, and macroeconomic conditions, and are subject to various risks, uncertainties, estimates, contingencies, and other factors, many of which are outside our control, that could cause actual results to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements and could materially adversely affect our business, financial condition, results of operations, cash flows, and liquidity. Such factors include, among others: changes in immigration laws and their enforcement, including any adverse effects on the level of immigrant employment, earning potential and other commercial activities; our success in expanding customer acceptance of our digital services and infrastructure, as well as developing, introducing and marketing new digital and other products and services; new technology or competitors that disrupt the current money transfer and payment ecosystem, including the introduction of new digital platforms; loss of, or reduction in business with, key sending agents; our ability to effectively compete in the markets in which we operate; economic factors such as inflation, the level of economic activity, recession risks and labor market conditions, as well as volatility in market interest rates; international political factors, including ongoing hostilities in Ukraine and the Middle East, political instability, tariffs, including the effects of tariffs on domestic markets and industrial activity and employment, border taxes or restrictions on remittances or transfers from the outbound countries in which we operate or plan to operate; volatility in foreign exchange rates that could affect the volume of consumer remittance activity and/or affect our foreign exchange related gains and losses; consumer confidence in our brands and in consumer money transfers generally; expansion into new geographic markets or product markets; our ability to successfully execute, manage, integrate and obtain the anticipated financial benefits of key acquisitions and mergers; cybersecurity-attacks or disruptions to our information technology, computer network systems, data centers and mobile devices applications; the ability of our risk management and compliance policies, procedures and systems to mitigate risk related to transaction monitoring; consumer fraud and other risks relating to the authenticity of customers’ orders or the improper or illegal use of our services by consumers, sending agents or digital partners; our ability to maintain favorable banking and paying agent relationships necessary to conduct our business; bank failures, sustained financial illiquidity, or illiquidity at the clearing, cash management or custodial financial institutions with which we do business; changes to banking industry regulation and practice; credit risks from our agents, digital partners and the financial institutions with which we do business; our ability to recruit and retain key personnel; our ability to maintain compliance with applicable laws and regulatory requirements, including those intended to prevent use of our money remittance services for criminal activity, those related to data and cybersecurity protection, and those related to new business initiatives; enforcement actions and private litigation under regulations applicable to money remittance services; changes in tax laws in the countries in which we operate; our ability to protect intellectual property rights; our ability to satisfy our debt obligations and remain in compliance with our credit facility requirements; public health conditions, responses thereto and the economic and market effects thereof; the use of third-party vendors and service providers; weakness in U.S. or international economic conditions; and other economic, business, and/or competitive factors, risks and uncertainties, including those described in the “Risk Factors” and other sections of periodic reports and other filings that we file with the Securities and Exchange Commission. Accordingly, we caution investors and all others not to place undue reliance on any forward-looking statements. Any forward-looking statement speaks only as of the date such statement is made and we undertake no obligation to update any of the forward-looking statements.

    About International Money Express, Inc.
    Founded in 1994, Intermex applies proprietary technology enabling consumers to send money from the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany to more than 60 countries. The Company provides the digital movement of money through a network of agent retailers in the United States, Canada, Spain, Italy, the United Kingdom and Germany; Company-operated stores; our mobile apps; and the Company’s websites. Transactions are fulfilled and paid through thousands of retail and bank locations around the world. Intermex is headquartered in Miami, Florida, with international offices in Puebla, Mexico, Guatemala City, Guatemala, London, England, and Madrid, Spain. For more information about Intermex, please visit www.intermexonline.com.

    Alex Sadowski
    Investor Relations Coordinator
    ir@intermexusa.com
    tel. 305-671-8000

    Condensed Consolidated Balance Sheets
             
        March 31,   December 31,
    (in thousands of dollars)     2025     2024
    ASSETS   (Unaudited)    
    Current assets:        
    Cash and cash equivalents   $ 151,764   $ 130,503
    Accounts receivable, net of allowance of $4,095 and $3,546, respectively     131,026     107,077
    Prepaid wires, net     32,577     49,205
    Prepaid expenses and other current assets     10,561     10,998
    Total current assets     325,928     297,783
             
    Property and equipment, net     52,603     50,354
    Goodwill     55,195     55,195
    Intangible assets, net     26,058     26,847
    Deferred tax asset, net     18     —
    Other assets     30,787     32,198
    Total assets   $ 490,589   $ 462,377
             
    LIABILITIES AND STOCKHOLDERS’ EQUITY        
    Current liabilities:        
    Accounts payable   $ 23,410   $ 19,520
    Wire transfers and money orders payable, net     115,081     85,044
    Accrued and other liabilities     47,977     47,434
    Total current liabilities     186,468     151,998
             
    Long-term liabilities:        
    Debt, net     147,385     156,623
    Lease liabilities, net     17,493     18,582
    Deferred tax liability, net     —     250
    Total long-term liabilities     164,878     175,455
             
    Stockholders’ equity:        
    Total stockholders’ equity     139,243     134,924
    Total liabilities and stockholders’ equity   $ 490,589   $ 462,377
             
    Condensed Consolidated Statements of Income
         
        Three Months Ended March 31,
    (in thousands of dollars, except for per share data)     2025     2024
        (Unaudited)
    Revenues:        
    Wire transfer and money order fees, net   $ 120,167   $ 126,921
    Foreign exchange gain, net     20,181     20,346
    Other income     3,962     3,145
    Total revenues     144,310     150,412
             
    Operating expenses:        
    Service charges from agents and banks     93,788     97,934
    Salaries and benefits     18,288     18,106
    Other selling, general and administrative expenses     10,989     9,953
    Provision for credit losses     2,066     1,595
    Restructuring costs     306     —
    Transaction costs     1,169     10
    Depreciation and amortization     3,629     3,228
    Total operating expenses     130,235     130,826
             
    Operating income     14,075     19,586
             
    Interest expense     2,700     2,702
             
    Income before income taxes     11,375     16,884
             
    Income tax provision     3,606     4,778
             
    Net income   $ 7,769   $ 12,106
             
    Earnings per common share:        
    Basic   $ 0.25   $ 0.36
    Diluted   $ 0.25   $ 0.35
             
    Weighted-average common shares outstanding:        
    Basic     30,587,949     33,675,441
    Diluted     30,831,633     34,188,814
    Reconciliation from Net Income to Adjusted Net Income
         
        Three Months Ended March 31,
    (in thousands of dollars, except for per share data)     2025       2024  
        (Unaudited)
             
    Net Income   $ 7,769     $ 12,106  
             
    Adjusted for:        
    Share-based compensation (a)     2,112       2,153  
    Restructuring costs (b)     306       —  
    Transaction costs (c)     1,169       10  
    Other charges and expenses (d)     327       437  
    Amortization of intangibles (e)     711       977  
    Income tax benefit related to adjustments (f)     (1,466 )     (1,012 )
    Adjusted Net Income   $ 10,928     $ 14,671  
             
    Adjusted earnings per common share:        
    Basic   $ 0.36     $ 0.44  
    Diluted   $ 0.35     $ 0.43  

    (a) Represents share-based compensation relating to equity awards granted primarily to employees and independent directors of the Company.

    (b) Represents primarily severance, write-off of assets and, legal and professional fees related to the execution of restructuring plans.

    (c) Represents primarily financial advisory, professional and legal fees related to business acquisition transactions and strategic alternatives.

    (d) Represents primarily loss on disposal of fixed assets.

    (e) Represents the amortization of certain intangible assets that resulted from business and asset acquisition transactions.

    (f) Represents the current and deferred tax impact of the taxable adjustments to Net Income using the Company’s blended federal and state tax rate for each period. Relevant tax-deductible adjustments include all adjustments to Net Income.

    Reconciliation from Basic Earnings per Share to Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share
         
        Three Months Ended March 31,
          2025       2024  
        (Unaudited)
    Basic Earnings per Share   $ 0.25     $ 0.36  
    Adjusted for:        
    Share-based compensation     0.07       0.06  
    Restructuring costs     0.01       —  
    Transaction costs     0.04       NM  
    Other charges and expenses     0.01       0.01  
    Amortization of intangibles     0.02       0.03  
    Income tax benefit related to adjustments     (0.05 )     (0.03 )
    Adjusted Basic Earnings per Share   $ 0.36     $ 0.44  

    NM—Amount is not meaningful

    The table above may contain slight summation differences due to rounding

    Reconciliation from Diluted Earnings per Share to Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share
         
        Three Months Ended March 31,
          2025       2024  
        (Unaudited)
    Diluted Earnings per Share   $ 0.25     $ 0.35  
    Adjusted for:        
    Share-based compensation     0.07       0.06  
    Restructuring costs     0.01       —  
    Transaction costs     0.04       NM  
    Other charges and expenses     0.01       0.01  
    Amortization of intangibles     0.02       0.03  
    Income tax benefit related to adjustments     (0.05 )     (0.03 )
    Adjusted Diluted Earnings per Share   $ 0.35     $ 0.43  

    NM—Amount is not meaningful

    The table above may contain slight summation differences due to rounding

    Reconciliation from Net Income to Adjusted EBITDA
         
        Three Months Ended March 31,
    (in thousands of dollars)     2025     2024
        (Unaudited)
    Net Income   $ 7,769   $ 12,106
             
    Adjusted for:        
    Interest expense     2,700     2,702
    Income tax provision     3,606     4,778
    Depreciation and amortization     3,629     3,228
    EBITDA     17,704     22,814
    Share-based compensation (a)     2,112     2,153
    Restructuring costs (b)     306     —
    Transaction costs (c)     1,169     10
    Other charges and expenses (d)     327     437
    Adjusted EBITDA   $ 21,618   $ 25,414

    (a) Represents share-based compensation relating to equity awards granted primarily to employees and independent directors of the Company.

    (b) Represents primarily severance, write-off of assets and legal and professional fees related to the execution of restructuring plans.

    (c) Represents primarily financial advisory, professional and legal fees related to business acquisition transactions and strategic alternatives.

    (d) Represents primarily loss on disposal of fixed assets.

    Reconciliation from Net Income Margin to Adjusted EBITDA Margin
         
        Three Months Ended March 31,
        2025     2024  
        (Unaudited)
    Net Income Margin   5.4 %   8.0 %
    Adjusted for:        
    Interest expense   1.9 %   1.8 %
    Income tax provision   2.5 %   3.2 %
    Depreciation and amortization   2.5 %   2.1 %
    EBITDA Margin   12.3 %   15.2 %
    Share-based compensation   1.5 %   1.4 %
    Restructuring costs   0.2 %   — %
    Transaction costs   0.8 %   — %
    Other charges and expenses   0.2 %   0.3 %
    Adjusted EBITDA Margin   15.0 %   16.9 %

    The table above may contain slight summation differences due to rounding

    Reconciliation of Net Income to Net Free Cash Generated
         
        Three Months Ended March 31,
    (in thousands of dollars)     2025       2024  
        (Unaudited)
             
    Net income for the period   $ 7,769     $ 12,106  
             
    Depreciation and amortization     3,629       3,228  
    Share-based compensation     2,112       2,153  
    Provision for credit losses     2,066       1,595  
    Cash used in investing activities     (5,313 )     (13,480 )
    Term loan pay downs     —       (1,641 )
             
    Net Free Cash Generated during the period   $ 10,263     $ 3,961  

    The MIL Network –