NewzIntel.com

Category: Canada

  • MIL-OSI: Faircourt Asset Management Inc. Announces April Distribution

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Toronto, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Faircourt Asset Management Inc., as Manager of the Faircourt Fund (CBOE:FGX), is pleased to announce the monthly distribution payable on the Shares of the below listed Fund.

    Faircourt Funds Trading Symbol Distribution Amount (per share/unit) Ex-Dividend Date Record Date Payable Date
    Faircourt Gold Income Corp. FGX $0.024 April 30, 2025 April 30, 2025 May 14, 2025

    Faircourt Asset Management Inc. is the Investment Advisor for Faircourt Gold Income Corp.

    This press release is not for distribution in the United States or over United States wire services.

    For further information on the Faircourt Funds, please visit www.faircourtassetmgt.com or
    please contact 1-800-831-0304.

    You will usually pay brokerage fees to your dealer if you purchase or sell Shares of the Fund on the CBOE Canada Exchange or other alternative Canadian trading system (an “exchange”). If the Shares are purchased or sold on an exchange, investors may pay more than the current net asset value when buying Shares of the Fund and may receive less than the current net asset value when selling them.

    There are ongoing fees and expenses associated with owning units of an investment fund. An investment fund must prepare disclosure documents that contain key information about the fund. You can find more detailed information about the fund in the public filings available at www.sedar.com. Investment funds are not guaranteed, their values change frequently and past performance may not be repeated.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. officers honoured for valour, commitment to public safety

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    On Thursday, April 24, 2025, awards were presented to the following honourees who were selected by a committee of representatives from the B.C. Association of Chiefs of Police and the Ministry of Public Safety and Solicitor General’s Police Services Division:

    AWARDS OF VALOUR:

    Barriere RCMP Detachment

    Const. Jeremy Galvin – for their courageous efforts when responding to an armed individual on the side of a highway, quickly stopping the threat.

    Bella Bella RCMP Detachment

    Cpl. Chad Fitzpatrick – for their exceptional bravery and selflessness in the face of a devastating residential fire.

    Chase RCMP Detachment

    Const. Mario Jakic – for their quick actions, preventing a woman from falling to her death, while placing themselves in harm’s way.

    Dawson Creek RCMP Detachment

    Const. Lukas Bielicz and Insp. Damon Werrell (now retired) – for their exceptional courage and swift response to a bear attack.

    Golden RCMP Detachment

    Cpl. Lucas Sovio – for their bravery and de-escalation tactics, while responding to a suicidal individual that shot at innocent people inside their home.

    Kamloops RCMP Detachment

    Const. Taylor Callens – for their bravery when rescuing a woman during a suicide attempt.

    Const. Matt James – for their exceptional courage and resilience in the face of grave danger.

    Const. Michael Scherpenisse – for their bravery and de-escalation efforts during a potential hostage situation and apprehending an armed robber.

    Constables Dylan Colbourne, Ryan Long and Howard Morine – for their outstanding bravery as they put themselves in harm’s way in pursuit of an armed suspect.

    Kelowna RCMP Detachment

    Const. Chris Carruthers – for putting themselves in harm’s way, while protecting the public and preventing further violence from a suspect.

    Keremeos RCMP Detachment

    Const. Zachary Plensky – for their incredible strength and resilience when they restrained and transported a suspect by himself, in a remote area without radio contact, while injured from the offender.

    Lower Mainland Emergency Response Team

    Constables Shawn Jones, Guillaume Lecours, Darryl Newman, Antony Scarpelli; and corporals Darren Bleker, Stephen Bodden, Joshua Cropley, Luke Johnston, Armand Pinnegar and Ian Sneddon – for their actions, while putting their lives at substantial risk during a dangerous situation and preventing further danger to the community.

    Staff Sgt. Dave Malone – for their efforts in stopping an active shooter from continuing to take the lives of innocent bystanders in the community.

    Merritt RCMP Detachment

    Constables Derek Bodner, Jerry Davey, Carly Gerein, John Julyan and Nick Maciejewski; and Sgt. Brock Hedrick – for putting their safety on the line as they pursued a property theft suspect who continuously shot at them with an automatic rifle as they fled with their young child in the vehicle. 

    Mission RCMP Detachment

    Const. Sukhdip Sidhu – for their bravery when rescuing a resident from a burning building.

    Powell River RCMP Detachment

    Const. Matthew Horsfield – for risking their safety and swimming 200 metres into a body of water to rescue a suicidal female.

    RCMP “E” Division, Explosive Disposal Unit

    Const. Tyler Folz, Cpl. Ryan Ziebart, Sgt. Peter Cucheran and Staff Sgt. Brent Elwood – for their bravery, while responding to a critical incident involving a significant explosive devices threat.

    RCMP Integrated Homicide Investigation Team

    Constables Ahmed Durrani, Hardip Gill, Jasmail Takhar; and Cpl. Harinder Sandhu – for their remarkable foresight, bravery and overwhelming sense of duty, while apprehending a violent individual after a shooting.

    Salmon Arm RCMP Detachment

    Sgt. Joseph Morrisey – for their bravery and quick action when assisting in the arrest of a violent suspect.

    Sicamous RCMP Detachment

    Reserve Const. Patrick Pyper – for risking their own safety to rescue a woman who fell through the ice on a lake at night.

    Smithers RCMP Detachment

    Const. Ashley van Leeuwen – for demonstrating exceptional bravery and composure when confronting and restraining an armed and combative suicidal male, ensuring the safety of his family and co-ordinating a safe arrest.

    Southeast District Emergency Response Team

    Const. Michael Dibblee – for putting themselves at substantial risk during the planned arrest of a violent prolific offender that had previously carried and used weapons in the commission of offences.

    Constables Paul Cooke and Lee Taylor; corporals Dave Lewis, Stephen Prior and Matthew Rattee; and Sgt. Joseph Morrisey – for their bravery when responding and apprehending two violent suspects participating in a crime spree that threatened the lives of the public.

    Squamish RCMP Detachment

    Const. Hamza Khan – for their efforts in saving a victim trapped in their car after a life-threatening car collision.

    Const. Mark McMahon – for their efforts during a high-risk arrest of multiple suspects involved in a brazen daytime shooting.

    Sunshine Coast RCMP Detachment

    Const. Joshua Jewett – for placing their own life at risk, while responding to a call of a male making threats outside a local housing facility.

    Surrey RCMP Detachment

    Const. Shannon Walker – for their exceptional courage and bravery in preventing further harm to the public, while arresting an armed subject.

    Trail RCMP Detachment

    Constables Evan Harding and Jason Zilkie – for risking their lives, while responding to a suicidal and mentally ill male behaving erratically and attempting to enter the BC Ambulance station when he produced a firearm.

    Vanderhoof RCMP Detachment

    Const. Chris Brown (now retired), Const. Mackenzie Sheridan (now retired), Cpl. J.R. (Edward) Gohn, sergeants Amy Floyd and Kyle Ushock – for their bravery and courage in the face of very dangerous circumstances with an active shooter.

    Vernon North Okanagan RCMP Detachment

    Const. Jamie Kress – for their quick efforts when responding to a call involving a suicidal female.

    AWARDS OF MERITORIOUS SERVICE:

    BC Highway Patrol – Parksville

    Sgt. Robert Haney – for their selfless and courageous actions in a situation of extremely high risk, in order to protect the public and other police officers.

    Central Highway Patrol

    Const. Amber Brunner – for their selfless and courageous actions in a situation of extremely high risk, in order to protect the public and other police officers.

    Creston RCMP Detachment

    Sgt. John Edinger and Staff Sgt. Brandon Buliziuk – for their efforts in rescuing a newborn infant with life-threatening conditions.

    Combined Forces Special Enforcement Unit B.C.

    Const. Lawrence Berceanu and Staff Sgt. Rob Angco – for their dedication during a complex, multi-jurisdictional and multi-national file involving the murder of a United Nations gang member in Phuket, Thailand, that led to the arrest and successful extradition of one of the three suspects. 

    Dawson Creek RCMP Detachment

    Cpl. Daniel Cloutier – with their police service dog, for their life-saving efforts in locating an offender.

    Golden RCMP Detachment

    Const. Brandon Churchill and Const. Katherin Robinson (now retired) – for their bravery, empathy and teamwork in responding to a suicidal female.

    Constables Robyn Diddams and Christopher Kotrba – for their bravery and de-escalation tactics when responding to a suicidal individual that shot at innocent people inside their home.

    Kamloops RCMP Detachment

    Const. Jean-Francois LaPierre – for their life-saving efforts while responding to a wounded individual.

    Sgt. Joseph Morrissey – for their selfless and courageous actions in a situation of extremely high risk, in order to protect the public and other police officers.

    Midway RCMP Detachment

    Sgt. Phil Peters – for their courageous efforts in locating a wet, hypothermic individual who was trapped in a ravine by making a fire to keep them warm and alert until search-and-rescue personnel arrived.

    Mission RCMP Detachment

    Constables Rose Foik and Daylon Robinson – for going above and beyond when responding to a dirt bike accident in rural Mission.

    Penticton RCMP Detachment

    Const. Derek Ballarin – for their efforts in saving a drowning toddler in a lake, while off duty.

    Powell River RCMP Detachment

    Const. Anthony Stewart – for their dedication and hard work during the COVID-19 pandemic, mentoring other detachment members and ranking No. 2 as a drug-recognition expert (DRE), conducting 50 DRE evaluations, which is 11 times the national average.

    RCMP “E” Division Underwater Recovery Team

    Const. Marc Leblanc – for their dedication and leadership during an underwater recovery mission, setting a new benchmark for future Underwater Recovery Team operations.

    RCMP Federal and Serious Organized Crime Division

    Sgt. Nicholas De Winter – for their dedication during a complex, multi-jurisdictional and multi-national file involving the murder of a United Nations gang member in Phuket, Thailand, that led to the arrest and successful extradition of one of the three suspects. 

    RCMP Integrated Homicide Investigation Team

    Inspectors Adam Gander and Matthew Turner; Sgt. Robert Kee, Sgt. Major Heather Lew and Sgt. Mike Lim – for their unwavering dedication and commitment during the murder investigation of a 13-year-old girl that resulted in a conviction of first-degree murder.

    Reserve Const. Thomas Kurucz and Staff Sgt. Dave Derusha – for their integral efforts in solving an eight-year-old cold case.

    RCMP Pacific Region Federal Policing Program

    Corp. Janelle Canning-Lue – for their dedication during a complex, multi-jurisdictional and multi-national file involving the murder of a United Nations gang member in Phuket, Thailand, that led to the arrest and successful extradition of one of the three suspects. 

    Vancouver Police Department

    Det. Troy Timbury – for their dedication during a complex, multi-jurisdictional and multi-national file involving the murder of a United Nations gang member in Phuket, Thailand, that led to the arrest and successful extradition of one of the three suspects. 

    Vernon RCMP Detachment

    Const. Hayley Derzak and Cpl. Darcy Reeves – placed their own lives at risk when responding to a call involving a 17-year-old male threatening to commit suicide.

    Sicamous RCMP Detachment

    Sgt. Murray McNeil – for risking their own safety to rescue a woman who fell through the ice on a lake at night.

    Southeast District Emergency Response Team

    Const. Michael Dibblee – for their selfless and courageous actions in a situation of extremely high risk, to protect the public and other police officers.

    Surrey RCMP Detachment

    Staff Sgt. Mike Spencer – for their significant contribution and leadership in preparation and execution of an operational plan for the Vaisakhi parade in Surrey.

    Upper Fraser Valley Regional Detachment

    Const. Henry Smith – for putting their safety at risk when jumping into freezing water to save a suicidal person.

    Cpl. Chris Gosselin (now retired) – for building strong relationships, trust and respect with 15 Indigenous communities within their detachment area. 

    Williams Lake BC Highway Patrol

    Const. Kevin Wiebe – for their heroic work when saving a trapped driver in a single motor vehicle incident where the car was on fire. 

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: North Kentville — Missing person: Help the RCMP find Dion Harris

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Kings District RCMP is asking for the public’s assistance in locating 55-year-old Dion Harris who was last seen on the evening of April 21 in North Kentville.

    Harris is described as 5-foot-9 and approximately 225 pounds. He is bald and has blue eyes. When he was last seen, he was wearing a black toque, a black hoodie and brown/gray cargo pants.

    Harris is believed to be driving a late 2000s Subaru Impreza hatchback black in colour with front and rear Ontario licence plates.

    Information gathered indicates that Harris has ties to Newfoundland and Pickering in Ontario.

    When someone goes missing, it has deep and far-reaching impacts for the person and those who know them. We ask that people spread the word through social media respectfully.

    Anyone with information on the whereabouts of Dion Harris is asked to contact the Kings District RCMP at 902-679-5555 or your local police. 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.

    File #: 2025-538796

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Next Hydrogen Reports Q4 2024 and Fiscal 2024 Financial Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    MISSISSAUGA, Ontario, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Next Hydrogen Solutions Inc. (the “Company” or “Next Hydrogen”) (TSXV:NXH, OTC:NXHSF), a designer and manufacturer of electrolyzers, is pleased to report its financial results for the fourth quarter and full year ended December 31, 2024.

    “Next Hydrogen demonstrated best commercially available cell performance with best-in-class operating range, delivered its second-generation system to a customer site after an extended Factory Acceptance Test, secured a strategically important Green Ammonia project in partnership with GE and Casale, entered the aviation fuels vertical in partnership with Pratt & Whitney and secured funding support from Export Development Canada and existing investors,” said Raveel Afzaal, President & CEO. “With proven technology advantage and globally competitive gigawatt scale manufacturing capacity available through partnering with a leading hydrogen production system manufacturer, our objective is to drive a significant growth in our sales backlog in strategic verticals in 2025.”  

    2024 Financial Highlights

    • Cash balance was $3.5M as of December 31, 2024, compared to $10.9M as of December 31, 2023.
    • Revenue for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $1.4M compared to $1.0M in the same period of the prior year.
    • Net loss and comprehensive loss for the year ended December 31, 2024 was $14.6M compared to $12.0M in the same period of the prior year.

    Management is proud to highlight several recent milestones that demonstrate significant recent progress:

    • In April 2025, Next Hydrogen received a $5M working capital debt facility from the Export Development Canada (“EDC”), of which approximately $3M has been received in cash and the remaining $2M is expected later in the year. Next Hydrogen intends to use the funds where necessary to improve on its technology and for general corporate purposes.
    • Next Hydrogen has achieved over 40,000 hours of data on its test platform driving the significant improvement in cell performance achieved to date.
    • In March 2025, Next Hydrogen partnered with a leading hydrogen production system manufacturer with an existing gigawatt scale manufacturing facility to accelerate the scale-up and commercialization of its water electrolysis technology. This partnership provides Next Hydrogen with world-leading manufacturing capacity and competitively positions it to bid on large-scale projects globally starting in 2026. Next Hydrogen will continue to maintain control over intellectual property and electrolyzer design. The Company also aims to further expand its Canadian operations to ensure flexible supply chain and production that aligns with evolving clean energy policies, driving global green hydrogen adoption.
    • In March 2025, Next Hydrogen received ISO 9001-2015 and ISO 45001-2018 certifications for its 6610 Edwards Boulevard site in Mississauga, Canada. This demonstrates and certifies Next Hydrogen’s standardized quality systems, health and safety management systems, supplier selection processes, and continuous improvement processes. These certifications show that the Company has an efficient operating system capable of scaling to support its expanding customer base.
    • In March 2025, the Company appointed Adarsh Mehta to the Company’s board of directors (the “Board”). Ms. Mehta filled the vacancy on the Board resulting from the resignation of Mr. Matthew Fairlie, who resigned from the Board effective January 15, 2025. Ms. Mehta is VP of Business Development at Jenner Renewable Consulting, with 22 years of experience in renewable energy, leading technical reviews, due diligence, and development for over 2,500MW of wind and solar projects in the Americas. She served on the Canadian Wind Energy Association’s Board from 2008 to 2015 and was Chairperson in 2011. Her extensive expertise in renewable energy and project development is crucial for the Company’s growth.
    • As of December 2024, the Company closed a private placement offering (the “Offering”) and received unsecured convertible debentures (each, a “Debenture”) consisting of about $2.7M principal amount of Debentures. Next Hydrogen intends to use the proceeds of the Offering to invest in its scale-up efforts and for general corporate purposes.
    • In November 2024, Next Hydrogen and Pratt & Whitney announced a collaboration to demonstrate the use of hydrogen in aircraft engines as an enabler for reducing CO2 emissions. This project is partially funded by Canada’s Initiative for Sustainable Aviation Technology (“INSAT”) and will accelerate the Company’s efforts towards high efficiency, low-cost electrolyzers which are needed for establishing hydrogen production infrastructure for aviation fuel.
    • In October 2024, the Company successfully completed a durability test of its second-generation water electrolyzer technology (“GEN2”) electrolysis cells used in the efficient production of green hydrogen. The GEN2 cells will be deployed in Next Hydrogen electrolyzers at customer sites for commercial operation. Next Hydrogen previously reported that it has achieved its energy efficiency targets cell performance of 1.90 V/cell at 1 A/cm2 and 70°C for its GEN2 water electrolyzer technology which exceeded the reported US Department of Energy (“DOE”) technical targets status for energy efficiency. The GEN2 performance achievement has positioned the Company to being the industry leader in electrolysis cell performance.
    • In October 2024, Next Hydrogen welcomed Premier Doug Ford, Associate Minister Sam Oosterhoff, Minister Stephen Lecce, MPP Deepak Anand and MPP Rudy Cuzzetto to their manufacturing facility. This along with the visit from our Deputy Prime Minister (see below) demonstrates the strong alignment between the Company’s work and the national strategy for Canada to be a leader in green hydrogen production.
    • In September 2024, the Company successfully completed an extended Factory Acceptance Test for its GEN2 electrolysis cells. The Company plans to commission the system at an external reference site for market demonstration in 2025.
    • In August 2024, the Company was awarded a contract by the University of Minnesota (“UMN”) for its latest generation electrolysis technology to be installed at the UMN West Central Research and Outreach Center (“WCROC”). The WCROC project is supported by the U.S. Department of Energy’s Advanced Research Project Agency (“ARPA-E”) as well as other partners including RTI International (“RTI”) and will include technologies from Casale SA, RTI, UMN, Nutrien and Shell to demonstrate the production of ammonia from renewable energy targeting emerging energy markets and existing agricultural markets. Next Hydrogen will be supplying its latest third-generation Alkaline Water Electrolyzers featuring further advancements in energy efficiency, current density and operating pressure.
    • In May 2024, the Company was granted a repayable contribution of $2M from Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario. This non-interest-bearing contribution is intended to support the Company’s growth initiatives aimed at commercialization and business development advancements. The Company continues to be in advanced discussions with FedDev Ontario to help support its activities for 2025 and beyond.
    • In April 2024, Next Hydrogen welcomed former Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland, MP Kamal Khera and MP Peter Fonseca to their manufacturing facility to announce new investment tax credits which further supported the Canadian clean technology sector. Minister Freeland also stated publicly “Next Hydrogen in Mississauga is changing the game in renewable energy and clean hydrogen production!”

    For a more detailed discussion of Next Hydrogen’s fourth quarter and fiscal 2024 results, please see the Company’s financial statements and management’s discussion and analysis, which are available on the Company’s website at nexthydrogen.com or on SEDAR+ at www.sedarplus.ca.

    In addition, to better understand our achievements from 2024 and the outlook for 2025, please refer to the CEO letter included in the 2024 year-end MD&A.

    About Next Hydrogen

    Founded in 2007, Next Hydrogen is a designer and manufacturer of electrolyzers that use water and electricity as inputs to generate clean hydrogen for use as an energy source. Next Hydrogen’s unique cell design architecture supported by 40 patents enables high current density operations and superior dynamic response to efficiently convert intermittent renewable electricity into green hydrogen on an infrastructure scale. Following successful pilots, Next Hydrogen is scaling up its technology to deliver commercial solutions to decarbonize industrial and transportation sectors.

    Contact Information

    Raveel Afzaal, President and Chief Executive Officer
    Next Hydrogen Solutions Inc.
    Email: rafzaal@nexthydrogen.com
    Phone: 647-961-6620

    www.nexthydrogen.com

    Cautionary Statements

    This news release contains “forward-looking information” and “forward-looking statements”. All statements, other than statements of historical fact, are forward-looking statements and are based on expectations, estimates and projections as at the date of this news release. Any statement that involves discussions with respect to predictions, expectations, beliefs, plans, projections, objectives, assumptions, future events or performance (often but not always using phrases such as “expects”, or “does not expect”, “is expected”, “anticipates” or “does not anticipate”, “plans”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “forecasts”, “estimates”, “believes” or “intends” or variations of such words and phrases or stating that certain actions, events or results “may” or “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” be taken to occur or be achieved) are not statements of historical fact and may be forward-looking statements. Forward-looking statements are necessarily based upon a number of estimates and assumptions that, while considered reasonable, are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors which may cause the actual results and future events to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. Such factors include, but are not limited to: the risks associated with the hydrogen industry in general; delays or changes in plans with respect to infrastructure development or capital expenditures; cell efficiency targets; expected order sizes for the product line; customer relationships and customer terms for testing of products at a customer site; the ability of the Corporation to optimize energy efficiencies; the Corporation’s available resources to double its growing backlog; uncertainty with respect to the timing of any contemplated transactions or partnerships, or whether such contemplated transactions or partnerships will be completed at all; whether the uncertainty of estimates and projections relating to costs and expenses; failure to obtain necessary regulatory approvals; health, safety and environmental risks; uncertainties resulting from potential delays or changes in plans with respect to infrastructure developments or capital expenditures; currency exchange rate fluctuations; as well as general economic conditions, stock market volatility; and the ability to access sufficient capital. There can be no assurance that such statements will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on the forward-looking statements and information contained in this news release. Except as required by law, there will be no obligation to update the forward-looking statements of beliefs, opinions, projections, or other factors, should they change.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Gran Tierra Energy Inc. Provides Release Date for its 2025 First Quarter Results and Details of Annual Meeting of Stockholders

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Gran Tierra Energy Inc. (“Gran Tierra” or the “Company”) (NYSE American:GTE) (TSX:GTE) (LSE:GTE) announces that the Company will release its 2025 first quarter financial and operating results on Thursday, May 1, 2025, post-market. Gran Tierra will host its first quarter 2025 results conference call on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 9:00 a.m. Mountain Time, 11:00 a.m. Eastern Time.

    Gran Tierra’s 2025 Annual Meeting of Stockholders will be held on Friday, May 2, 2025, at 10:00 a.m. Mountain Time, 12:00 p.m. Eastern Time. Our Annual Meeting will be held as a virtual-only stockholder meeting with participation occurring electronically as explained further in the Proxy Statement dated March 18, 2025.

    How to Participate in the Virtual Annual Meeting

    Shareholders can participate electronically at https://web.lumiagm.com/208908912. We recommend that you log in 15 minutes before the Annual Meeting starts. If you are a registered stockholder, to attend the Annual Meeting and vote your shares electronically and submit questions during the meeting, you will need the control number included on the Notice of Internet Availability of Proxy Materials or proxy card that accompanied your proxy materials. If you are the beneficial owner of shares held in “street name” and wish to attend the meeting, insert your name in the blank space included in the proxy form provided by your broker or other agent and submit such proxy form to your broker or other agent prior to the voting deadline to vote your shares and submit questions during the meeting. In addition, you must also register your appointment (of your broker or other agent) by emailing appointee@odysseytrust.com no later than the voting deadline and provide Odyssey with your name, email, number of shares appointed and name of broker or other agent where shares are held, so that Odyssey may email the appointee their control number. Guests may also view the event at https://web.lumiagm.com/20208908912 by registering as a guest.

    Full details on how to vote, change or revoke a vote, appoint a proxyholder, attend the virtual Annual Meeting, ask questions and other general proxy matters are available in the Proxy Statement available on the Company’s website at https://www.grantierra.com/events/2025-annual-meeting/.

    Whether or not you plan to attend the Annual Meeting, we urge you to vote and submit your proxy in advance of the Annual Meeting by one of the methods described in the proxy materials for the Annual Meeting.

    How to Participate in the 2025 First Quarter Conference Call

    Interested parties may register for the 2025 first quarter conference call by clicking on this link. Please note that there is no longer a general dial-in number to participate, and each individual party must register through the provided link. Once parties have registered, they will be provided a unique PIN and call-in details. There is also a new feature that allows parties to elect to be called back through the “Call Me” function on the platform.

    Interested parties can also continue to access the live webcast from their mobile or desktop devices by clicking on this link, which is also available on Gran Tierra’s website at https://www.grantierra.com/investor-relations/presentations-events/. An audio replay of the conference call will be available at the same webcast link two hours following the call and will be available until May 2, 2026.

    Additional Information and Where to Find It

    Shareholders may obtain a free copy of the proxy statement and other documents the Company files with the SEC (when available) through the website maintained by the SEC at www.sec.gov. The Company makes available free of charge on its investor relations website copies of materials it files with, or furnishes to, the SEC.

    Contact Information

    For investor and media inquiries please contact:

    Gary Guidry
    President & Chief Executive Officer

    Ryan Ellson
    Executive Vice President & Chief Financial Officer

    +1-403-265-3221
    info@grantierra.com

    About Gran Tierra Energy Inc.

    Gran Tierra Energy Inc. together with its subsidiaries is an independent international energy company currently focused on oil and natural gas exploration and production in Canada, Colombia and Ecuador. The Company is currently developing its existing portfolio of assets in Canada, Colombia and Ecuador and will continue to pursue additional new growth opportunities that would further strengthen the Company’s portfolio. The Company’s common stock trades on the NYSE American, the Toronto Stock Exchange and the London Stock Exchange under the ticker symbol GTE. Additional information concerning Gran Tierra is available at www.grantierra.com. Except to the extent expressly stated otherwise, information on the Company’s website or accessible from our website or any other website is not incorporated by reference into and should not be considered part of this press release. Investor inquiries may be directed to info@grantierra.com or (403) 265-3221.

    Gran Tierra’s Securities and Exchange Commission (the “SEC”) filings are available on the SEC website at http://www.sec.gov. The Company’s Canadian securities regulatory filings are available on SEDAR+ at http://www.sedarplus.ca and UK regulatory filings are available on the National Storage Mechanism website at https://data.fca.org.uk/#/nsm/nationalstoragemechanism.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Calian Announces Appointment to Board of Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    OTTAWA, Ontario, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Calian® Group Ltd. (TSX:CGY), a trusted provider of mission-critical solutions for defence, space and healthcare, today announced the appointment of Eric Demirian to its Board of Directors.

    Since 2003, Demirian has served as President of Parklea Capital Inc., a boutique financial and strategy advisory firm, and of Demicap Inc., a private investment firm. He was previously Executive Vice President at Group Telecom Inc. (2000–2003) and a partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP (1983–2000), where he led the Information and Communications Practice. Demirian holds a Bachelor of Business Management from Toronto Metropolitan University and is a CPA, CGA and CA.

    Demirian has been Chair of the Board of Descartes Systems Group Inc. (TSX: DSG, NASDAQ: DSGX) since 2014, having joined the board in 2011 and previously chaired its Audit Committee. He currently serves on Descartes’ Audit and Corporate Governance Committees. He is also a director of IMAX Corporation (NYSE: IMAX) and has held board and audit committee roles at a number of public and private companies, including Enghouse Systems Ltd. (TSX: ENGH), from 2004 through 2025.

    “We are pleased to welcome Eric to our Board. His extensive financial expertise and experience on public company boards bring a depth of knowledge that will be invaluable to Calian. Eric’s proven ability to navigate complex financial landscapes, lead through mergers and acquisitions, and oversee organizations across diverse industries positions him as a strategic asset. His track record of guiding companies through growth and transformation speaks for itself. We are confident that he will be a highly effective and influential board member, with a keen understanding of both operational detail and long-term strategic vision,” said George Weber, Chair of the Board, Calian.

    “I am honored to join Calian’s Board as it continues on its exciting growth journey. I look forward to contributing my experience in scaling businesses and executing growth strategies to support the team and help drive long-term value for shareholders,” stated Demirian.

    Demirian’s appointment is effective immediately. With the recent additions of Josh Blair and Lisa Greatrix in February, the appointment of Demirian brings the total number of board members to 10, of which nine are independent and half are women.

    About Calian

    We keep the world moving forward. Calian® helps people communicate, innovate, learn and lead safe and healthy lives. Every day, our employees live our values of customer commitment, integrity, innovation, respect and teamwork to engineer cannot-fail solutions that solve complex problems. That’s Confidence. Engineered. A stable and growing 40-year company, we are headquartered in Ottawa with offices and projects spanning North American, European and international markets.

    Visit calian.com to learn about innovative healthcare, communications, learning and cybersecurity solutions.

    Product or service names mentioned herein may be the trademarks of their respective owners.

    Media inquiries:
    media@calian.com
    613-599-8600

    Investor Relations inquiries:
    ir@calian.com

    —————————————————————————–

    DISCLAIMER

    Certain information included in this press release is forward-looking and is subject to important risks and uncertainties. The results or events predicted in these statements may differ materially from actual results or events. Such statements are generally accompanied by words such as “intend”, “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect” or similar statements. Factors which could cause results or events to differ from current expectations include, among other things: the impact of price competition; scarce number of qualified professionals; the impact of rapid technological and market change; loss of business or credit risk with major customers; technical risks on fixed price projects; general industry and market conditions and growth rates; international growth and global economic conditions, and including currency exchange rate fluctuations; and the impact of consolidations in the business services industry. For additional information with respect to certain of these and other factors, please see the Company’s most recent annual report and other reports filed by Calian with the Ontario Securities Commission. Calian disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. No assurance can be given that actual results, performance or achievement expressed in, or implied by, forward-looking statements within this disclosure will occur, or if they do, that any benefits may be derived from them.

    Calian · Head Office · 770 Palladium Drive · Ottawa · Ontario · Canada · K2V 1C8
    Tel: 613.599.8600 · Fax: 613-592-3664 · General info email: info@calian.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Angus Gold Announces Grant of RSU’s

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Angus Gold Inc. (TSX-V: GUS | OTC: ANGVF) (“Angus” or the “Company”) announces that it has granted a total of 680,000 restricted share units (RSU’s) to certain directors and officers of the Company under the terms of the Company’s restricted share unit plan (the “RSU Plan”).

    In accordance with the RSU Plan, once vested, each RSU represents the right to receive one common share of the Company or the equivalent cash value thereof, at the Company’s discretion.

    The RSU’s were granted as part of 2024 year-end performance bonuses.

    About Angus Gold:
    Angus Gold Inc. is a Canadian mineral exploration company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of highly prospective gold properties. The Company’s flagship project is the Golden Sky Project in Wawa, Ontario. The Project is immediately adjacent to the Eagle River Mine of Wesdome Gold Mines Ltd. (“Wesdome”). 

    Wesdome and Angus have entered into a definitive arrangement agreement whereby Wesdome will acquire all of the issued and outstanding common shares of Angus pursuant to a plan of arrangement (the “Arrangement”). For further information see the press release of the Company dated April 7, 2025.

    On behalf of Angus Gold Inc.,

    Breanne Beh
    President and Chief Executive Officer

    INQUIRIES:
    Lindsay Dunlop, Vice President Investor Relations
    Email: info@angusgold.com
    Phone: 647-259-1790
    Company Website: www.angusgold.com

    TSXV: GUS | USOTC: ANGVF

    Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release.

    Forward-Looking Statements

    This News Release includes certain “forward-looking statements” which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company’s future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as “believes”, “anticipates”, “expects”, “estimates”, “may”, “could”, “would”, “will”, or “plan”. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management’s expectations. Risks, uncertainties and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, in general, the Company’s objectives, goals or future plans. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to: the ability to satisfy the conditions of closing for the Arrangement including the necessary shareholder and court approvals, and otherwise complete the Arrangement on the terms as announced or at all; the ability to anticipate and counteract the effects of COVID-19 pandemic on the business of the Company, including without limitation the effects of COVID-19 on the capital markets, commodity prices supply chain disruptions, restrictions on labour and workplace attendance and local and international travel, failure to receive requisite approvals in respect of the transactions contemplated by the Agreement, failure to identify mineral resources, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, inability to fulfill the duty to accommodate First Nations and other indigenous peoples, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in the Company’s public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Senator Murray Hears from Mayors and Business Leaders About How Trump’s Trade War is Hurting Border Communities in Northwest Washington

    US Senate News:

    Source: United States Senator for Washington State Patty Murray

    Canada is Washington’s largest overall trading partner, accounting for nearly $20 billion in imports and $10 billion in exports

    ***AUDIO of full roundtable discussion HERE***

    ***PHOTOS and B-ROLL HERE***

    Blaine, WA — Today, U.S. Senator Patty Murray (D-WA), Vice Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, held a roundtable discussion on how Trump’s chaotic trade war and senseless tariffs are affecting Washington state’s border communities and local businesses. In the City of Blaine, which is located along the United States-Canada border, retail and service revenue has fallen 40 percent, and the City of Bellingham and other communities near the border are reporting a roughly 20 percent decrease in revenue due to Trump’s trade war and increasing anti-American sentiment from Canadian neighbors.

    Canada is Washington’s largest overall trading partner, accounting for nearly $20 billion in imports and $10 billion in exports. Senator Murray was joined for the discussion by Blaine Mayor Mary Lou Steward; Surrey (Canada) Mayor Brenda Locke; Blaine City Manager Mike Harmon; Dr. Laurie Trautman, Director of the Border Policy Research Institute; and Ali Hayton, Owner of Point Roberts Marketplace.

    On April 2nd, President Trump announced sweeping new tariffs on nearly every country, including a 10 percent baseline tariff on all imported goods, and country-specific so-called reciprocal tariffs. Just hours after the reciprocal tariff rates took effect last Wednesday, Trump abruptly changed his mind and put a 90-day pause on reciprocal tariffs. But Trump is still taxing goods from every country, across the board, at 10 percent at least. Even with his “pause,” Trump’s new tariff rates are still the highest in decades, and are estimated to cost American families more than $4,000 per year—the largest tax increase since 1968.

    “As everyone here knows, the folks just across the border in Canada are not just our neighbors—they are our friends, and some families even span the border. It’s not just personal connections that are strong here, but economic connections. Trade with Canada, and visitors and customers are a crucial part of the local economy,” said Senator Murray. “Yet, every week Trump seems to find a new way to drive a wedge between us and our Canadian allies, and a new way to drive business away from our communities. He’s whipping up a fact-free frenzy about drugs at the Canadian border. The fact is: less than 1 percent of fentanyl intercepted at the U.S. border is from Canada. He has created complete chaos and fear for every day travelers crossing our border. People coming here for work, or just for visits, have been detained. His border theatrics are scaring away tourists and scaring off business. And the pointless, painful trade war is in reality an enormous tax paid by our families.”

    “Trump is pushing away some of our most important trade partners, raising prices for families at the grocery store, and pushing small businesses to the brink—some may even shutter. All of this is incredibly harmful to our communities—it’s not the way we should treat our neighbors, and it’s catastrophic for business too,” Senator Murray continued. “I’m glad to be here to shine a spotlight the real damage Trump is doing with his tariffs, his chaos, and his attempts to bully one of our closest allies for no reason—and to listen to your stories and take them back with me to the other Washington.”

    Washington state has one of the most trade-dependent economies of any state in the country, with 40 percent of jobs tied to international commerce. Washington state is the top U.S. producer of apples, blueberries, hops, pears, spearmint oil, and sweet cherries—all of which risk losing vital export markets due to retaliatory tariffs from key trading partners including Canada. Additionally, more than 12,000 small and medium-sized companies in Washington state export goods and will struggle to absorb the impact of retaliatory tariffs. Trump’s tariffs during his first term were extremely costly for Washington state—for example, India imposed a 20 percent retaliatory tariff on U.S. apples, causing Washington apple shipments to India to fall by 99 percent and growers to lose hundreds of millions of dollars in exports.

    “We really, really depend upon Canadians coming to shop in Blaine. And part of this just is our history… We do have small businesses in town that we like to support, and over the years, the Canadians have come down and supported these immensely, in particular the gas, dairy, and shopping—Amazon parcels that are mail orders. These are all suffering. People are being laid off, and this is hurting us because the Canadian southbound traffic has dropped off to 50 percent of a decrease in the amount of traffic, so this does affect our businesses,” said Mary Lou Steward, Mayor of Blaine. “Sales tax receipts eclipse property tax receipts nearly by two to one, so sales tax is really, really important. And it takes all of Blaine’s property tax plus sales tax receipts to fund our police department… Blaine and Bellingham receive nearly the same number of Canadian visitors, however, those going to Bellingham shop and spend four to one times as much money in Bellingham as they do coming to Blaine to buy gas and eat locally.”

    “Much like during the pandemic, our border communities are being impacted disproportionately, only this time by the antagonistic approach of the Trump Administration towards Canada. These impacts are far reaching and go well beyond the immediate economic damage our communities face, affecting our social connections, and our ability to respond to natural disasters that know no borders,” said Dr. Laurie Trautman, Director of the Border Policy Research Institute. “Cross-border connections with our Canadian neighbors provide immeasurable benefits to our community- supporting our economy and our security. Travel by Canadians has dropped by over 50%, largely due to the antagonism of the Trump Administration, leaving our businesses more vulnerable and our community less secure.”

    “Senator Murray has long stood with Point Roberts, championing our unique needs during the COVID-19 pandemic, when border closures devastated our local economy and isolated our community. Her tireless efforts helped bring much-needed attention to our situation during that crisis, and her commitment remains strong today as we face new challenges brought on by international tariff disputes. Businesses in Point Roberts are struggling to navigate the uncertainty created by these trade tensions. When I reached out to Senator Murray’s office for help, their response was immediate. While it’s unclear exactly what relief might come for Point Roberts and other border towns, today’s meeting — bringing together community leaders from both sides of the border — is a hopeful step forward in rebuilding the longstanding relationships we’ve shared with our Canadian neighbors,” said Ali Hayton, Owner of Point Roberts Marketplace. “We may not yet know what the future holds, but having Senator Murray in our corner makes all the difference. Her leadership, compassion, and steadfast commitment to the people of Point Roberts are deeply appreciated.”

    Senator Murray has been a vocal opponent of Trump’s chaotic trade war and has been lifting up the voices of people in Washington state harmed by this administration’s approach to trade. Senator Murray continues to call on Republicans to end Trump’s trade war—which Congress has the power to do—and take back Congress’ Constitutionally-granted power to impose tariffs. Earlier this month, Senator Murray brought together leaders across Washington state who highlighted how Trump’s ongoing trade war is already a devastating hit to Washington state’s economy, businesses, and our agriculture sector. Senator Murray also took to the Senate floor to lay out how Trump’s chaotic trade war is seriously threatening our economy, American businesses, families’ retirement savings, and so much else. Earlier this week, Senator Murray joined her colleagues in pressing U.S. Trade Representative Ambassador Jamieson Greer on how the Trump administration’s tariffs are affecting farmers across the country. Last week, Senator Murray also held a roundtable discussion in Tacoma with local businesses and ports, toured local businesses in downtown Vancouver, and held a roundtable discussion in Vancouver with local businesses and ports, to highlight how Trump’s chaotic trade war and senseless tariffs are harming the overall economy in Washington state. Earlier this week, Senator Murray met with small business owners in Seattle’s University District to hear how Trump’s tariffs and trade war are harming them.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Powering up communities with ag society dollars

    Source: Government of Canada regional news (2)

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: New beds improve care for incarcerated people with mental-health, addiction issues

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    New involuntary care beds are now open at Surrey Pretrial Services Centre, providing people in custody who are in crisis and have overlapping mental-health and addiction challenges, as well as brain injuries due to toxic-drug overdoses, with specialized involuntary care.

    “When someone’s severe mental-health and addictions care needs are not met, it often leads to a revolving door of crime and jail,” said Premier David Eby. “We’re taking action to break this cycle by adding new beds to help more people get the intensive care they need — to keep them safe and keep our communities safe.”

    Ten new beds will be available at the designated mental-health unit at Surrey Pretrial Services Centre, with the majority open now. Care will be provided to men in provincial custody who meet the criteria under the Mental Health Act (the Act). This service will help people who are incarcerated access care so they can stabilize on their pathway to recovery and improve overall long-term health outcomes.

    “As the toxic-drug crisis has changed, we’re seeing a small but growing group of people with severe mental-health and addictions challenges, coupled with brain injuries from toxic-drug overdoses,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “These beds will improve access to specialized mental-health and addiction care for people in provincial custody who have complex care needs and are part of our work to build services that work for everyone.”

    Provincial Health Services Authority will operate the designated mental-health unit. A permanent, dedicated space is being renovated and is expected to be operational in late fall or early winter 2025. In the meantime, as many as 10 beds are available now in the segregation unit while renovations are being completed.

    “By improving access to specialized care for people struggling with severe mental-health and addictions challenges, including those with brain injuries, we’re supporting both individuals and public safety,” said Terry Yung, minister of state for community safety and integrated services. “People will get the help they need while in custody, which can reduce the risk of repeat offences and improve outcomes when and if they are able to return to the community.”

    In addition to this measure, involuntary care beds at Alouette Homes in Maple Ridge will open in spring 2025. Work continues on more than 400 mental-health care beds at new and expanded hospitals in B.C., all of which can provide involuntary care under the act.

    The creation of new designated mental-health and substance-use treatment services under the act is a key recommendation from Dr. Daniel Vigo, who was appointed B.C.’s first chief scientific adviser for psychiatry, toxic drugs and concurrent disorders in June 2024.

    He was tasked with working with the health authorities, Indigenous partners and people with lived experience to analyze existing mental-health and addictions treatment services in B.C., review data and best practices, and look to other jurisdictions for proven solutions that can be implemented in the province.

    This is one part of the government’s work, which includes a focus on expanding voluntary supports and building mental-health and addiction services that work for everyone. The Province is increasing early intervention and prevention, treatment and recovery services, supportive and complex-care housing, overdose prevention and more.

    Quotes:

    Dr. Daniel Vigo, B.C.’s chief scientific adviser for psychiatry, toxic drugs and concurrent disorders —

    “Through this new mental-health unit, our incarcerated patients will receive the level of psychiatric care they need the moment they need it. This will prevent the harms resulting from weeks of untreated agitation and psychosis, and allows the implementation of a care plan that will be sustained throughout their time in corrections. By integrating with community services when correctional supervision ends, this will both improve mental-health and substance-use outcomes and increase community safety.”

    Jennifer Duff, chief operating officer, BC Mental Health and Substance Use Services —

    “This unit is an important step in providing urgent psychiatric, medical and substance-use care to incarcerated people. It will help stabilize individuals experiencing acute mental-health concerns or withdrawal symptoms and connect them to care. We will learn from this and potentially replicate the model in other areas of B.C. We will work with regional health authorities to ensure clients who are released from a provincial correctional centre have a team, and a care plan, to provide ongoing support.”

    Learn More:

    To learn how government is working to keep people and communities safe, visit: https://strongerbc.gov.bc.ca/safer-communities/

    To learn about mental-health and substance-use supports in B.C., visit: https://helpstartshere.gov.bc.ca/

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: TransAlta Corporation Announces Results of the 2025 Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders and Election of all Directors

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CALGARY, Alberta, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — TransAlta Corporation (TSX: TA) (NYSE: TAC) (“TransAlta” or the “Company”) held its Annual and Special Meeting of Shareholders (“the Meeting”) on April 24, 2025. The total number of common shares represented by shareholders at the Meeting and by proxy was 188,962,557, representing 63.43 per cent of the Company’s outstanding common shares.

    The following resolutions were considered by shareholders:

    Election of Directors

    The eleven director nominees proposed by management were elected.  The votes by ballot were received as follows:

    Nominee Votes For Per cent Against Per cent
    Brian Baker 185,156,967 99.63% 680,871 0.37%
    John P. Dielwart 184,711,189 99.39% 1,126,649 0.61%
    Alan J. Fohrer 183,827,004 98.92% 2,010,834 1.08%
    Laura W. Folse 183,557,637 98.77% 2,280,201 1.23%
    John H. Kousinioris 184,917,419 99.50% 920,419 0.50%
    Candace J. MacGibbon 185,275,486 99.70% 562,352 0.30%
    Thomas M. O’Flynn 169,353,529 91.13% 16,484,309 8.87%
    Bryan D. Pinney 184,445,303 99.25% 1,392,535 0.75%
    James Reid 185,232,712 99.67% 605,126 0.33%
    Manjit K. Sharma 185,215,308 99.67% 622,530 0.33%
    Sandra R. Sharman 183,128,129 98.54% 2,709,709 1.46%
             

    Appointment of Auditors 

    The appointment of Ernst & Young LLP to serve as the auditors for 2025 was approved.  The votes by ballot were received as follows:

    Votes For Per cent Abstained Per cent
    182,794,376 96.74% 6,167,467 3.26%
           

    Advisory Vote on Executive Compensation (also known as “say-on-pay”)

    The non-binding advisory vote on the Company’s approach to executive compensation or say-on-pay was approved.  The votes by ballot were received as follows:

    Votes For Per cent Against Per cent
    183,790,462 98.90% 2,047,376 1.10%
           

    Approval of the Company’s Amended and Restated Shareholder Rights Plan

    The resolution approving the continuation of the Company’s Amended and Restated Shareholder Rights Plan was approved. The votes by ballot were received as follows:

    Votes For Per cent Against Per cent
    181,082,371 97.44% 4,754,201 2.56%
           

    About TransAlta Corporation:

    TransAlta owns, operates and develops a diverse fleet of electrical power generation assets in Canada, the United States and Australia with a focus on long-term shareholder value. TransAlta provides municipalities, medium and large industries, businesses and utility customers with affordable, energy efficient and reliable power. Today, TransAlta is one of Canada’s largest producers of wind power and Alberta’s largest producer of thermal generation and hydro-electric power. For over 114 years, TransAlta has been a responsible operator and a proud member of the communities where we operate and where our employees work and live. TransAlta aligns its corporate goals with the UN Sustainable Development Goals and the Future-Fit Business Benchmark, which also defines sustainable goals for businesses. Our reporting on climate change management has been guided by the International Financial Reporting Standards (IFRS) S2 Climate-related Disclosures Standard and the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures (TCFD) recommendations. TransAlta has achieved a 70 per cent reduction in GHG emissions or 22.7 million tonnes CO2e since 2015 and received an upgraded MSCI ESG rating of AA.

    For more information about TransAlta, visit our web site at transalta.com.

    For more information:

    Investor Inquiries: Media Inquiries:
    Phone: 1-800-387-3598 in Canada and US Phone: 1-855-255-9184
    Email: investor_relations@transalta.com Email: ta_media_relations@transalta.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: It’s World Immunization Week. How prepared is Canada if vaccines are needed for a new pandemic?

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Kelley Lee, Professor and Tier 1 Canada Research Chair in Global Health Governance; Scientific Co-Director, Bridge Research Consortium, Simon Fraser University

    With the global resurgence of many vaccine-preventable diseases, World Immunization Week (April 24-30) provides a timely opportunity for Canadians to reflect on the goal of “Immunization for All.”

    The World Health Organization (WHO) raises awareness each year of the importance of equitable access to lifesaving and health-protecting vaccines. More than 154 million lives worldwide over the past 50 years have been saved by vaccines, excluding vaccines for COVID-19, malaria, influenza, human papilloma virus, and other deadly diseases.

    Immunization programs underpin 14 of the 17 United Nations Sustainable Development Goals. The global eradication of smallpox, 99 per cent reduction of wild polio cases since 1988, and 40 per cent reduction in infant mortality are why vaccines are celebrated among public health’s greatest achievements

    Continued benefits from vaccines under threat in Canada

    Supported by a universal health-care system, strong public health infrastructure, and publicly funded programs, Canada has enjoyed a century of decline in diseases such as measles, diphtheria and pertussis thanks to vaccines.

    Recent trends, however, are cause for concern. A decline in vaccine confidence, worsening since the COVID-19 pandemic, challenges of access and the inclusion of vaccines in partisan political rhetoric have led to reduced vaccine uptake.

    In 2024, 17 per cent of Canadian parents were “really against” vaccinating their children, up from four per cent in 2019. The measles outbreak in Ontario, with more than 800 cases and 61 hospitalizations, are real consequences of these choices. The Council of Canadian Academies estimated that COVID-19 misinformation cost Canada more than 2,800 lives and $300 million in additional health-care and economic losses.

    Vaccines for future pandemics

    The spectre of a new pandemic looms with the spread of highly pathogenic avian influenza (H5N1). In the United States, infections in dairy cattle and on poultry farms continue.

    With vaccination likely playing a critical role in any public health response, the dismantling of parts of the American public health infrastructure, defunding of vaccine research and ramping up of political rhetoric against vaccines is highly concerning. The United States’s withdrawal from global health, including the termination of funding to GAVI, the Vaccine Alliance and WHO, is likely to profoundly harm global immunization programs and pandemic preparedness.

    Canada must take stock of this changing landscape. Chief Public Health Officer Theresa Tam’s 2024 report, Realizing the Future of Vaccination for Public Health, sets out a clear framework for realizing the full potential of vaccination in Canada.
    In addition to major investments in new vaccine development and biomanufacturing in Canada, this public health framework is designed to support a better co-ordinated national immunization system, concerted efforts to address public trust, and efforts to improve equitable access.

    Need for a national immunization registry

    The lack of integration of Canada’s fragmented immunization data across provinces and territories makes it more challenging to plan vaccine rollouts, identify coverage gaps or rapidly track adverse events after immunization. The Canadian Public Health Association and others have long called for a comprehensive and harmonized immunization registry as essential for a modern and responsive system.

    A national framework for vaccine data collection would allow policymakers and practitioners to make evidence-informed decisions in real time.

    Supporting public trust

    Sustaining high vaccination coverage begins with public trust in science, government and public health. While most people still trust science and scientists, what constitutes trustworthy sources of information has become a serious problem.

    Insufficient transparency around vaccine development, regulation and monitoring of adverse reactions needs addressing. Concerns about the rapid pace of scientific advances, including the 100-days mission to produce an effective vaccine for a future pandemic, must be recognized.

    With so many new vaccines expected to roll out in coming years, including new frontiers in neurodegenerative disorders and vaccines for certain cancers, a harmonized vaccine schedule would foster public trust. In this context, vaccine misinformation has become a serious problem.

    Centring equitable access and design

    The COVID-19 pandemic showed how structural inequalities reduced the ability to access vaccines.

    Initiatives during the pandemic to support equitable access — such as mobile clinics, culturally appropriate information and community-led initiatives — increased uptake. These approaches need to be extended to routine vaccination.

    Moreover, building supportive environments means incorporating an “equity by design” approach, which applies regulatory tools and systems design to support vaccine equity, from discovery to rollout means that the ability to keep vaccines refridgerated cold chains or needle delivery, for example, do not contribute to disparities of access.

    Bridge Research Consortium

    The Bridge Research Consortium (BRC) is a multidisciplinary team of social scientists and humanities scholars established in 2024 to understand the social and behavioural factors that influence new vaccine uptake in Canada.

    Bridging understandings across the “pipeline” for developing new vaccines and therapeutics, and the public health system, the BRC supports tailored and equity-informed strategies that enhance public trust and equitable access. We will hear directly from communities across the country, identify concerns in real-time, and co-develop approaches that reflect diverse perspectives. We plan to achieve this through demystifying how vaccines are developed and produced, holding deliberative dialogues that bring together diverse perspectives on challenging topics, and creating a travelling science exhibit. World Immunization Week is a timely reminder of the importance of this work to enable Canada to realize the potential benefits of vaccines.

    Immunity and Society is a new series from The Conversation Canada that presents new vaccine discoveries and immune-based innovations that are changing how we understand and protect human health. Through a partnership with the Bridge Research Consortium, these articles — written by academics in Canada at the forefront of immunology and biomanufacturing — explore the latest developments and their social impacts.

    Kelley Lee receives funding from the Canada’s Biomedical Research Fund, Canada Foundation for Innovation, and British Columbia Knowledge Development Fund to support the work of the Bridge Research Consortium. The BRC is one of 19 projects funded to support Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy. She also receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and New Frontiers in Research Fund to conduct research on pandemic preparedness and response. She currently serves as a Commissioner on the National University of Singapore-The Lancet Pandemic Readiness, Implementation, Monitoring and Evaluation (PRIME) Commission.

    Ève Dubé receives funding from the Canada’s Biomedical Research Fund, Canada Foundation for Innovation, to support the work of the Bridge Research Consortium. The BRC is one of 19 projects funded to support Canada’s Biomanufacturing and Life Sciences Strategy. She also receives funding from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research and the Fonds de recherche du Québec to conduct research on vaccine acceptance.

    Janice E. Graham receives funding from CIHR and PHAC.

    Noni MacDonald receives funding from CIHR, CIRN grants related to immunization as well as PHAC and CPHA consultation fees related to immunization. She is a member of the Canadian Paediatric Society and the International Pediatric Society, a donor to Canadian Public Health Association and WHO, and on board of the journal Vaccine.

    – ref. It’s World Immunization Week. How prepared is Canada if vaccines are needed for a new pandemic? – https://theconversation.com/its-world-immunization-week-how-prepared-is-canada-if-vaccines-are-needed-for-a-new-pandemic-254186

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Seizure of contraband at Saskatchewan Penitentiary 

    Source: Government of Canada News

    April 24, 2025 – Prince Albert, Saskatchewan – Correctional Service Canada

    On April 23, 2025, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, packages containing contraband were seized.at Saskatchewan Penitentiary, a multi-level security federal institution.

    The contraband items seized included methamphetamine and THC. The total estimated institutional value of these seizures is $307,500.

    The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) uses a number of tools to prevent drugs from entering its institutions. These tools include ion scanners and drug-detector dogs to search buildings, personal property, inmates, and visitors.

    CSC has also set up a telephone tip line for all federal institutions so that it may receive additional information about activities relating to security at CSC institutions. These activities may be related to drug use or trafficking that may threaten the safety and security of visitors, inmates, and staff members working at CSC institutions.

    The toll-free number, 1‑866‑780‑3784, helps ensure that the information shared is protected and that callers remain anonymous.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Trisura Announces Timing of First Quarter Results Release and Earnings Conference Call

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Trisura Group Ltd. (“Trisura” or “Trisura Group”) (TSX: TSU), a leading specialty insurance provider, announces the timing of first quarter 2025 results release and earnings conference call.

    Trisura will release its first quarter 2025 results after market close on Thursday, May 1st, 2025. The company will host a conference call for analysts and investors on Friday, May 2nd, 2025 at 9:00 a.m. ET. Conference call participants will be David Clare, President and Chief Executive Officer and David Scotland, Chief Financial Officer.

    To listen to the call via live audio webcast, please follow the link below:
    https://edge.media-server.com/mmc/p/tzhsg4ir

    A replay of the call will be available through the link above.

    About Trisura Group

    Trisura Group Ltd. is a specialty insurance provider operating in the Surety, Warranty, Corporate Insurance, Program and Fronting business lines of the market. Trisura has investments in wholly owned subsidiaries through which it conducts insurance operations. Those operations are primarily in Canada and the United States. Trisura Group Ltd. is listed on the Toronto Stock Exchange under the symbol “TSU”.

    Further information is available at https://www.trisura.com. Important information may be disseminated exclusively via the website; investors should consult the site to access this information. Details regarding the operations of Trisura Group Ltd. are also set forth in regulatory filings. A copy of the filings may be obtained on Trisura Group’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    For more information, please contact:
    Name: Bryan Sinclair
    Tel: 416 607 2135
    Email: bryan.sinclair@trisura.com

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister of Finance concludes successful G7 and G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors Meetings in Washington, D.C.

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    April 24, 2025 – Washington, D.C. – Department of Finance Canada

    The Minister of Finance, the Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, concluded his participation in the meetings of the G7 and G20 Finance Ministers and Central Bank Governors, this week in Washington, D.C.

    Minister Champagne and the Governor of the Bank of Canada, Tiff Macklem, co-chaired the G7 meeting, as part of Canada’s presidency of the G7 in 2025, and at a critical time when Canadian leadership at the G7 is very important. Discussions focused on the global economic outlook in the current context, which is marked by major changes in global trade policies and a high level of uncertainty, as well as the situation in Ukraine.

    Minister Champagne also joined his G20 counterparts for discussions on global macroeconomic risks and financial stability as well as issues relating to the international financial architecture and growth opportunities and challenges in Africa.

    The meetings were held on the margins of the Spring Meetings of the International Monetary Fund and the World Bank.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: AXIS Completes Previously Announced Transaction With Enstar

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    PEMBROKE, Bermuda, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AXIS Capital Holdings Limited (“AXIS Capital” or “AXIS” or the “Company”) (NYSE: AXS) and Enstar Group Limited (“Enstar”) (Nasdaq: ESGR) announced today that they have completed a loss portfolio transfer (“LPT”) transaction, covering reinsurance segment reserves predominantly attributable to casualty portfolios related to 2021 and prior underwriting years.

    The LPT reinsurance agreement covers reinsurance segment reserves totalling $3.1 billion at September 30, 2024, and is structured as a 75% ground-up quota share, with AXIS retroceding $2.3 billion of reinsurance segment reserves to Enstar.

    The LPT reinsurance agreement was provided by Enstar’s wholly owned subsidiary, Cavello Bay Reinsurance Limited, which has S&P and AM Best ‘A’ financial strength ratings.

    Completion of the transaction followed receipt of regulatory approvals and satisfaction of various other closing conditions.

    About AXIS Capital
    AXIS Capital, through its operating subsidiaries, is a global specialty underwriter and provider of insurance and reinsurance solutions. The Company has shareholders’ equity of $6.1 billion at September 30, 2024, and locations in Bermuda, the United States, Europe, Singapore, and Canada. Its operating subsidiaries have been assigned a financial strength rating of “A+” (“Strong”) by Standard & Poor’s and “A” (“Excellent”) by A.M. Best. For more information about AXIS Capital, visit our website at www.axiscapital.com.

    About Enstar

    Enstar is a NASDAQ-listed global insurance group that offers innovative capital release solutions through its network of group companies in Bermuda, the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, Lichtenstein and Belgium. A market leader in completing legacy acquisitions, Enstar has acquired more than 120 companies and portfolios since its formation in 2001. For further information about Enstar, see www.enstargroup.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Physician spending trends in Canada: Why increased costs may not mean more primary care services

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Ruolz Ariste, Adjunct Professor, Industrial Relations, Université du Québec en Outaouais, and Adjunct Professor, School of Public Policy and Administration, Carleton University

    In 2023, Canada ranked last in access to primary health care among 10 high-income countries.
     (Shutterstock)

    Access to physician services remains a challenge in Canada, particularly in primary care. Though this reality has been often eclipsed by the tariffs issue during the 2025 federal election, it continues to be a fundamental concern for Canadians.

    In 2023, Canada ranked last in access to primary health care among 10 high-income countries. Yet, Canada ranked among the highest for health spending as a percentage of GDP, significantly outranked only by the United States.

    Moreover, public spending on physicians has systematically risen during the first quarter of this century. The two most common proposals to improve this access are: increasing the number of physicians and/or the payment per service to physicians.

    As a health economist researcher, my focus is on health workforce planning and efficiency. Given limited resources and budget constraints, what is the best way for policymakers to improve access to heath care: Paying our physicians more, or increasing their numbers?

    Minding physician spending

    Total spending on physicians increased to $47.5 billion in 2023, from $13.2 billion in 2000, growing an average of 5.7 per cent per year (known as the average annual growth rate (AAGR)). This includes physicians on fee-for-service (FFS) plan — those who bill for each individual service or procedure they provide to a patient — and non-FFS plan, such as salary or capitation (payment per each enrolled patient) in which physicians don’t have to bill for each individual service or procedure to get paid.

    The key policy question is whether this additional spending was used to buy more services (medical consultations, visits and procedures). It is important to understand if Canada paid more for the same number of medical services or if Canadians are getting more bang for their buck.

    Using an accounting approach, this increase in spending can be broken down into increase in number of services, and increase in unit cost of service.
    In the 2022-23 fiscal year, physicians provided a total of 359.1 million services versus 263.8 million in 2000 (assuming that physicians on non-FFS plans have similar productivity to those on FFS plans). This translates to an average growth rate of 1.4 per cent per year.

    Meanwhile, cost per service increased to $90.42 in 2023 compared to $36.66 in 2000 — an average increase of four per cent per year. This suggests that most of the increase in spending (70 per cent) was used to cover increasing costs per service.

    It should be noted that average annual growth in unit cost represents sector-specific inflation. As such, it includes two components: general inflation and a “health premium” defined as inflation above and beyond general inflation. Considering that general inflation for the period (as measured by the CPI-all items) was on average 2.2 per cent per year, growth in inflation-adjusted unit cost for physicians was 1.8 per cent per year. That would be the “health premium” for physicians.

    Still, some of the increase in spending was used to buy more services throughout this period. How could the access issue be explained? That’s where one needs to factor in population growth and aging: two demographic factors responsible for increases in number of services.

    During this period spanning over two decades, Canada’s population grew at 1.1 per cent per year; this results in a mere 0.3 per cent growth in number of services per person per year (9.16 in 2023 from 8.65 in 2000).

    Because aging impact is estimated to be at least 0.8 per cent annually, factoring it in a full demographic adjustment would result in a decline of 0.5 per cent in number of services per capita over this period; which would explain a poorer access to medical services in Canada.

    Does the number of doctors affect the equation?

    We consistently learn that the number of physicians has been increasing. In fact, there were 82,184 physicians providing clinical services in 2023 as opposed to 49,281 in 2000, which represents average growth of 2.2 per cent per year.

    However, possibly due to shifts in the demographic composition of the workforce and better work-life balance, each of these physicians provides fewer services. For example, the number of services per physician per year in 2023 was 4,370 compared to 5,353 in 2000, a decline of 0.9 per cent per year.

    Other sources have reported that trends in weekly worked hours of Canadian physicians has declined from about 53 hours before 2000 to 46 hours in recent years.

    Why access seems more challenging for primary care services

    Family physicians are the gatekeepers and first point of contact of the Canadian health-care system. Over the 2000-2023 period, their numbers have increased less than specialists (AAGR of 2.1 per cent and 2.4 per cent respectively). In other words, while in 2000, slightly more than half of physicians were family physicians, in 2023 the situation reversed, and slightly more than half of physicians were specialists.

    Nurse practitioners emerged in the primary care setting in the last decade. This workforce grew from 3,768 in 2014 to 8,302 in 2023, increasing by an average of 9.2 per cent per year. Still, they are not enough to fully make up for the deficit.

    An important consideration is that family physicians tend to benefit less from medical technological improvement than specialists. A few specific specialties, for example ophthalmology, profit the most from the huge productivity gains in the medical field. They could work fewer hours and still increase the number of services they provide and their income, which family physicians can do to a lesser extent.

    In fact, for physicians who received at least $100,000 in fee-for-service payments per year, average gross FFS payments per ophthalmologist have grown almost three times more than that for a family physician between 2013 and 2023.

    Implications for decision makers

    Simply throwing more money into the system will not be enough to address the primary care access issue. It is important to ensure this additional money will buy mostly additional services, contrary to what we have shown in the past.

    On the supply side, projections for the number of required physicians will need to account for the reduced number of hours worked. That means that more family physicians are needed just to provide the same number of services, let alone increase it.

    On the demand side, the aging population translates into more services used per capita, but also increased severity of cases. The medical workforce itself is also aging, impacting both the supply and the demand sides. Policymakers need to work with institutions involved in physicians planning and training such as the Association of Faculties of Medicine of Canada, the Medical Council of Canada to ramp up training of family physicians. Extending training and scope of practice of nurse practitioners would also help.

    Finally, the family physician category could be made more attractive by offering a more balanced payment scheme between family physicians and specialists.

    Ruolz Ariste 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. Physician spending trends in Canada: Why increased costs may not mean more primary care services – https://theconversation.com/physician-spending-trends-in-canada-why-increased-costs-may-not-mean-more-primary-care-services-253675

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: More than 60 projects will reduce wildfire risk, support forestry in B.C.

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Communities and workers throughout British Columbia are benefiting from 64 new Forest Enhancement Society of BC (FESBC) supported projects that reduce wildfire risk, enhance forest health and get more fibre into the hands of mills and energy producers.

    “The projects I am announcing today will remove almost 11,000 truckloads of flammable waste fibre from our forests,” said Ravi Parmar, Minister of Forests. “We all have a role to play in reducing wildfire risk in B.C. This fibre that once would have been burned in slash piles will instead support workers and help keep communities safe.”

    With $19 million in provincial funding, projects will take place in all eight of the Province’s natural resource regions. This includes 31 led by First Nations and another 14 with First Nations involvement, demonstrating the critical leadership role First Nation communities are playing in restoring and protecting B.C.’s forests. This funding is part of the $90 million allocated in 2025 for wildfire-prevention initiatives through BC Wildfire Service, FireSmart initiatives and FESBC.

    “We received so many excellent applications from interested parties across the province looking to invest in the future of B.C.’s forests,” said Jason Fisher, executive director, FESBC. “After careful review, we are pleased to be able to support a portfolio of projects that will make forests more resilient and communities safer, while unlocking the value of wood waste generated through forest-management activities.”

    These projects build on the Province’s broader support for B.C.’s forest sector, which includes wildfire reduction, streamlining permitting, investing in innovation and advocating for fairness in international trade, especially in the face of U.S. softwood lumber duties and tariff threats.

    “Many rural British Columbians know the risk of wildfires well, and many have been in frightening situations,” said Steve Morissette, parliamentary secretary for rural development. “This funding will help support forestry projects in rural, remote and First Nations communities with a focus on sustainability and fire prevention.”

    Wildfire-mitigation projects remove excess wood and flammable undergrowth from areas around rural centres and have proven effective during previous wildfire seasons. The BC Wildfire Service is planning to treat 9,600 hectares in 2025-26, with more than an additional 2,100 hectares planned under FESBC.

    Fibre-recovery projects take wood fibre that would otherwise be burned or abandoned and put it in the hands of mills and forestry companies that can use it, helping keep forestry workers on the job.

    Quick Facts:

    • Founded in 2016, FESBC is fully funded by the Province to support forestry projects at the community level. Since then, $79.6 million has been invested in 201 community wildfire risk-reduction projects through FESBC.
    • As part of Budget 2024, B.C. announced FESBC would get an additional $60 million over three years to continue community-focused wildfire-risk reduction and fuel-management projects, as well as improving utilization of biomass from harvested timber.

    Learn More:

    For more information about FESBC, visit: https://fesbc.ca/about-us/

    A backgrounder follows.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Amherst — Cumberland County District RCMP charge Ontario man, seize cocaine and firearm

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Cumberland County District RCMP has charged a man with drug trafficking and firearms offences after receiving information from the Ontario Provincial Police (OPP) regarding an ongoing investigation in its area.

    On April 5, Eastern Region Federal Policing (Nova Scotia) received information from the OPP-led Biker Enforcement Unit about a possible suspect in an investigation into suspected drug trafficking activity by outlaw motorcycle gang (OMG) members in St. Catharines, Ontario. The suspect was believed to be travelling into Nova Scotia in a black Kia Sorento.

    At approximately 9:20 a.m. on April 5 Cumberland County District RCMP located the vehicle travelling east on Hwy. 104 near Amherst. Officers conducted a high-risk traffic stop and safely arrested the driver and sole occupant of the vehicle. Officers searched the vehicle and seized 5 kg of cocaine, a firearm modified to look like an AK47, ammunition and a quantity of cash.

    Scott Rempel, 37, of Welland, Ontario, has been charged with Possession for the Purpose of Trafficking (cocaine), Unauthorized Possession of Firearm, and Possession of a Firearm Knowing its Possession is Unauthorized.

    “This serves as an excellent example of cooperation among and within police agencies to address organized crime networks across inter-provincial boundaries,” says Supt. Dave Chubbs, Eastern Region Federal Policing (Nova Scotia). “The quick action of frontline officers in Cumberland was instrumental to ensuring the cocaine and firearm didn’t reach our communities.”

    “The OPP is grateful for the support from the RCMP on this significant investigation,” says Detective Insp. Scott Wade, OPP Biker Enforcement Unit. “It takes national collaboration across jurisdictions to disrupt drug trafficking networks and protect our respective communities.”

    Rempel was remanded into custody and is scheduled to appear in Amherst Provincial Court on April 25.

    Nova Scotians are encouraged to contact their nearest RCMP detachment or local police to report crime, including the illegal sale of drugs, in their communities. Anonymous tips can be made by calling Nova Scotia Crime Stoppers, toll-free, at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), submitting a secure web tip at www.crimestoppers.ns.ca, or using the P3 Tips app.

    File #2025-442045

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Second urgent and primary care centre opening in Nanaimo

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    People living in and around Nanaimo will have more access to team-based primary care as a second urgent and primary care centre (UPCC) opens on Thursday, May 1, 2025.

    The Central Nanaimo UPCC is at 3260 Norwell Dr.

    “This new UPCC is great news for people in the vibrant and fast-growing Nanaimo region,” said Josie Osborne, Minister of Health. “Access to primary care is so important to maintaining a good quality of life, and this second UPCC will facilitate more than 86,000 patient visits each year and builds on the success of the first Nanaimo UPCC, opened in 2018. This is one more action we are taking to ensure that people get the health care they need when and where they need it.”

    This second UPCC in Nanaimo is expected to connect 4,770 people to primary-care providers in the region. The Central Nanaimo UPCC will provide same-day access for people who need support for their primary health-care needs within 12 to 24 hours, but do not require an emergency department. Conditions such as sprains, cuts, high fevers and minor infections are appropriate for care at the UPCC.

    “The development of this new UPCC in Nanaimo is the result of extensive collaboration between our partners, including the Snuneymuxw First Nation and the Nanaimo Division of Family Practice,” said Leah Hollins, board chair, Island Health. “Nanaimo residents will receive patient-centred, culturally safe care delivered by a compassionate and dedicated team of health-care professionals within a welcoming, trauma-informed space.”

    The UPCC includes a separate entrance at the side of the building for patients who require discreet, culturally safe access to the clinic. The Thunderbird Wing of the UPCC, which has two private examination rooms, was developed in close consultation with members of the Snuneymuxw First Nation to ensure that everyone who visits the clinic feels welcomed and supported. Additional contributions from Snaw-Naw-As First Nation, Mid Island Métis Nation and Tillicum Lelum Aboriginal Friendship Centre have helped create a culturally safe and welcoming space for all Indigenous community members.

    “Expanding access to health care and connecting more people with primary health-care providers is great news for people in Nanaimo,” said George Anderson, MLA for Nanaimo-Lantzville. “This new UPCC will ensure residents benefit from high-quality, team-based care that’s built to meet the growing health-care needs in our region.” 

    The Nanaimo Outpatient Stabilization Service, which started out as a pilot project in May 2024, has become a permanent success. This service will now be expanding and moving to the Central Nanaimo UPCC as of May 1, 2025. Patients who do not have a primary-care provider and who have a new or suspected cancer diagnosis or an unstable chronic disease, which meets specific referral criteria, can be referred to the program. The UPCC will attach people to a family physician or nurse practitioner via the provincial attachment system, pending ongoing recruitment efforts.

    The UPCC will be open seven days a week for urgent primary-care needs from 8 a.m. to 8 p.m. Access to the UPCC will be through appointments booked in advance by calling 1 833 688-8722, and up to 20% of services may be offered through virtual care.

    Once fully operational, the UPCC will have a clinical staffing complement of approximately 35.71 full-time equivalent (FTE) health-care workers, including 9.80 FTE of family physicians and 2.32 FTE of nurse practitioners, 14.86 FTEs of registered nurses, 6.98 FTEs comprised of social workers and mental-health and substance-use clinicians, and 1.75 FTE of community health worker. This clinical team is supported by several non-clinical roles, including a clinic manager and medical office assistants.

    As of April 2025, the ministry has committed $8.8 million in annual operating costs and a one-time amount of $200,000 for Central Nanaimo UPCC. 

    Additionally, the total capital cost for the Central Nanaimo UPCC is estimated to be approximately $8.2 million.

    Quotes:

    Sheila Malcolmson, MLA for Nanaimo-Gabriola Island –

    “It’s clear that the investment in the new UPC centre by the government will make a real difference to Nanaimo families by building on attachments to primary-care providers and reducing the wait times for urgent care.”

    Teltitelwet, registered nurse, Snuneymuxw First Nation Health Centre –

    “The Thunderbird Wing of the Central Nanaimo UPCC was born from a relationship built on respect and truth. It stands as a living act of reconciliation, shaped by deep consultation with First Nation voices, offering sacred space for the most vulnerable. Here, clients do not enter under the weight of judgment, but through a door of privacy, dignity and care. No longer made to walk through the eyes of the community, they are met with quiet strength, cultural safety and the healing power of being truly seen.”  

    Dr. Diane Wallis, chair, Nanaimo Division of Family Practice –

    “We are thrilled at the opening of this new primary-care resource for the community. This centre is a testament to the power of collaboration between the Nanaimo Division of Family Practice, Island Health and Indigenous community partners. By working together, we are ensuring that the people of Nanaimo have access to safe, comprehensive and timely urgent and primary care.”

    Quick Facts:

    • Including the new Central Nanaimo UPCC, there are 43 announced UPCCs in B.C., with 41 delivering services and nine operating in the Island Health region.
    • The Medical Arts UPCC at 103-650 South Terminal Ave. was the first UPCC established in Nanaimo.
    • The Medical Arts UPCC is open seven days a week, Monday to Friday from 8 a.m. to 9 p.m., and Saturday and Sunday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m., and provides same-day treatment for non-emergency injuries and illnesses when people are unable to see a family doctor or care provider at a regular clinic.
    • The Medical Arts UPCC was established in September 2019 and has provided more than 150,245 patient visits to date.

    Learn More:

    To learn more about the Province’s Primary Care Strategy, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2018PREM0034-001010

    To learn about the Province’s Health Human Resources Strategy, visit: https://news.gov.bc.ca/releases/2022HLTH0059-001464

    To learn more about the urgent and primary care centres and other health-care facilities in Island Health, visit: https://www.islandhealth.ca/our-locations/hospitals-health-centre-locations

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Canadian General Investments: Report of Voting Results

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Canada, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — This report is filed under section 16.3 of National Instrument 81-106 Investment Fund Continuous Disclosure in respect of the annual general meeting of shareholders of Canadian General Investments, Limited (the “Corporation”) held on April 24, 2025 (the “Meeting”).

    There were 14,252,740 common shares represented in person or by proxy at the Meeting (equal to 68.32% of the issued and outstanding common shares).

    Each of the seven nominees proposed by management for election as a director of the Corporation, as listed in the management information circular dated February 28, 2025, was elected as a director of the Corporation by votes cast at the Meeting. The detailed results of the vote for the election of each director are set out below.

    Name of director Votes for
    appointment to
    the Board of
    Directors    		 Votes for
    as a % of
    votes cast    		 Votes
    withheld    		 Votes withheld
    as a % of
    votes cast
             
    Marcia Lewis Brown 13,188,533 99.70 39,211 0.30
    A. Michelle Lally 13,114,833 99.15 112,911 0.85
    Jonathan A. Morgan 12,888,759 97.44 338,985 2.56
    Vanessa L. Morgan 12,889,575 97.44 338,169 2.56
    Sanjay Nakra 13,182,356 99.66 45,388 0.34
    Clive W. Robinson 12,972,529 98.07 255,215 1.93
    Michael C. Walke 13,190,027 99.71 37,717 0.29
             

    In addition, PricewaterhouseCoopers LLP was reappointed as auditor of the Corporation and the directors authorized to fix its remuneration by way of votes cast at the Meeting.

    FOR FURTHER INFORMATION PLEASE CONTACT:
    Canadian General Investments, Limited
    Jonathan A. Morgan
    President & CEO
    Phone: (416) 366-2931
    Fax: (416) 366-2729
    e-mail: cgifund@mmainvestments.com
    website: www.canadiangeneralinvestments.ca

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: Quick Custom Intelligence Joins Theo Awards as Silver Sponsor, Expanding Support of Casino DMA’s Mission

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SAN DIEGO, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Casino Direct Marketing Association (Casino DMA), a 501(c)(3) nonprofit organization dedicated to advancing casino marketing through education and connection, is proud to announce that Quick Custom Intelligence (QCI) has signed on as a Silver Sponsor of the upcoming Theo Awards. This new sponsorship marks an exciting expansion of QCI’s support for Casino DMA’s mission and programs.

    “Marketing for casinos is a unique challenge, blending creative artistry with data science,” said Dr. Ralph Thomas, Chief Executive Officer at QCI. “We’re grateful to Casino DMA for the opportunity to sponsor this event and eager to hear the stories that emerge. It’s this kind of sharing that makes our industry stronger.”

    “We’re thrilled to welcome QCI as a sponsor,” said Steven Paci, president of Casino DMA. “Their commitment to innovation and excellence in casino marketing perfectly aligns with our goal of elevating and celebrating the work of our industry’s brightest minds.”

    For more information about the Theo Awards or Casino DMA sponsorship opportunities, visit casinodma.com.

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

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

    Contact:
    Laurel Kay, Quick Custom Intelligence
    Phone: 858-349-8354

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: End of lockdown and search at Matsqui Institution

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    April 24, 2025 – Abbotsford, British Columbia – Correctional Service Canada

    The lockdown put in place at Matsqui Institution on April 14, 2025, has ended and the exceptional search has been completed. The institution has resumed its normal operations and visits have resumed.

    During the exceptional search, contraband and unauthorized items were found.

    The contraband and unauthorized items seized included unidentified pills and other drug paraphernalia, several home‑made weapons, and tattoo paraphernalia.

    The Correctional Service of Canada (CSC) is strengthening measures to prevent the entry of contraband into its institutions in order to ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone. CSC also works in partnership with the police to take action against those who attempt to have contraband brought into correctional institutions.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: B.C. supports land stewardship at Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park

    A temporary closure will take place at Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park to provide time and space for members of the Líl̓wat Nation and N͛Quatqua to reconnect with the land and carry out cultural and spiritual practices.

    Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes Park has become one of the busiest parks in the province. As more people go to the park, there is a need for enhanced visitor-use management, ensuring the park is not degraded by heavy use.

    Temporary closures to the park for recreational visitors will occur from April 25 until May 16, 2025. Beginning Saturday, May 17, adults and youth older than 12 will require a free day-use pass to visit the park.

    Since 2021, day-use passes have been used at Pipi7íyekw/Joffre Lakes to ensure adequate and safe parking, and provide a more enjoyable, less crowded experience. The passes can be reserved online at 7 a.m., two days before a planned visit, here: https://reserve.bcparks.ca/dayuse/

    Visitors should note there might be snow in the park and parking lot.

    The park is collaboratively managed with Líl̓wat Nation and N’Quatqua with the primary goal of maintaining the natural environment, and so the Nations can continue their cultural practices on their territory. Since 2018, BC Parks, N’Quatqua and Lil’wat Nation have collaborated through a technical working group to implement the joint Pipi7iyekw/Joffre Lakes Park Visitor Use Management Strategy.

    As in previous years, more temporary closures are anticipated this season. The temporary closures are intended to respect the Nations’ need for space and privacy to practise cultural activities, while ensuring opportunities for people to use the park. The closure dates will be publicly posted as soon as possible.

    Reservable dates for backcountry camping at Upper Joffre Lake will also be provided shortly. Before visiting the park, check the park website for updates about day-use passes and camping reservations, as well as here: https://bcparks.ca/

    For more information about day-use passes this summer, visit: https://bcparks.ca/reservations/day-use-passes/

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: FBI-Led Operation in Nigeria Leads to Sextortion Arrests

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation FBI Crime News (b)

    In early 2023, a unit in the FBI’s Criminal Division that focuses on child exploitation sifted through terabytes of communications and uncovered thousands of digital breadcrumbs that led to Nigeria. The Child Exploitation Operational Unit assembled priority lists of subjects to locate and interview in the West African country, including some of the cases that involved suicides.

    The FBI, through the legal attaché office in Nigeria, coordinated all this with Nigeria’s Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), the country’s lead agency for investigating financial crimes. Other partners included federal agencies in Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom that had similar sextortion cases resolving to Nigeria.

    In late summer 2023, a team of FBI special agents, analysts, and forensic examiners—along with criminal investigators from the Australian Federal Police (AFP) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP)—set up a discreet temporary command post in the city of Lagos. The operation was dubbed Artemis after the Greek goddess who protects youths. In Nigeria, the teams worked in shifts for weeks at a time exchanging information with EFCC investigators to facilitate the arrests and interviews of Nigerians whose digital footprints appeared to connect them to some of the most appalling cases in the U.S.

    “Everybody was equally invested in making this one goal happen,” said Special Agent Karen R., who managed the Bureau’s coordination of the sextortion cases that led up to the weeks-long operation in Nigeria. While Canada and Australia are well-known partners for the FBI, Karen pointed out that Nigeria’s EFCC has a uniquely strong track record of working with the Bureau, particularly on sprawling financial crimes that both countries are trying to stamp out.

    “They are just as invested as we are in trying to make this problem go away,” she said. “We all know Nigerian prince scams. We know all of the scams that are traditionally done there. They’re aware of it, too, and don’t like that their country is known for that type of activity.”

    Indeed, as everyone set out in the summer of 2023 to find and arrest the criminals and bring them to justice, Nigerian authorities were on a parallel mission of trying to dissuade would-be scammers in their own country from taking up sextortion and other financial crimes as an easy way to make money.

    Poverty is widespread in Nigeria, and jobs and opportunities are scarce. Smart, tech-savvy, college-aged individuals with a phone, nude images scraped from the internet, and a script for duping faraway boys might view sextortion as a viable trade with little risk or downside. 

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: New Digital Platform Offers Comprehensive IP Support to B.C. Businesses

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Innovate BC’s new IP Hub is a one-stop-shop for innovators to access tailored education and resources that will help them protect and leverage their intellectual property

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, April 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Launched today, Innovate BC’s new IP Hub digital platform supports B.C. entrepreneurs in developing their understanding of intellectual property (IP) to support the building and implementing of an effective IP strategy to help grow their business.

    Developed as part of the Province of British Columbia’s Intellectual Property Strategy, the free-to-use IP Hub offers a tailored experience that will connect users with information and resources based on an assessment of their current IP competency.

    “B.C.’s Intellectual Property Strategy is about supporting our local businesses by giving them the tools they need to protect, grow and profit from what they create,” said Diana Gibson, Minister of Jobs, Economic Development and Innovation. “The launch of the IP Hub is a key part of that—helping entrepreneurs, researchers, startups and our high potential businesses fully understand their IP, scale their businesses, and keep their talent right here at home in British Columbia.”

    The strategic management of IP is essential for companies developing innovative products or solutions, playing a crucial role in commercialization, increasing revenue, and competitiveness. The IP Hub offers relevant and timely resources that meet the user’s current level of IP comprehension and will provide them with ongoing support to build, implement and expand their own IP strategy.

    Once assessed, users will have access to a wide range of supports that are available within B.C. and across Canada, aligned to their business stage, sector, size, and other characteristics that inform IP strategy. Resources include access to localized IP programming, a calendar of relevant and upcoming IP-focussed events, education materials, and more.

    “Having a clear and proactive intellectual property strategy isn’t just a competitive advantage — it’s a necessity,” said Peter Cowan, President and CEO of Innovate BC. “For innovators and tech companies, IP is often their most valuable asset, protecting innovation, attracting investment, and enabling growth. By bolstering IP capacities here in British Columbia, we’re empowering our startups and scale-ups to thrive, strengthening our innovation ecosystem, and unlocking long-term economic prosperity for communities and industries across the province.”

    The IP Hub is a part of Innovate BC’s suite of IP programs and resources for B.C. companies, which includes AccelerateIP, a program delivered by New Ventures BC that provides innovators with IP-related education, funding, and strategy development.

    To learn more about the IP Hub and to access the platform, visit https://bcip.ca/

    Additional Quotes

    Faisal Khan, Founder + CEO, FMRK Diagnostic Technologies

    “A dynamic IP strategy is the life blood of any 21st century business. It allows you to secure investment capital, protect yourself in the market, recoup your R&D investments and so much more. Companies can never reach their full potential without one.”

    Annie Dahan, Founder at Seacork Studio

    “Developing a robust and actionable IP strategy has been essential to our growth, credibility and our ability to navigate the market.”

    About Innovate BC

    A Crown Agency of British Columbia, Innovate BC works to foster innovation across the province and bolster the growth of the local economy through delivering a wide range of programs that help companies start and scale, access talent and encourage technology development, commercialization, and adoption. Innovate BC also harnesses crucial data collection and research, and works to forge strategic industry and community partnerships that create more opportunities for B.C. innovators.

    MEDIA CONTACT:

    Michael Gleboff
    Communications + Community Manager
    mgleboff@innovatebc.ca
    604–602-5210

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cc76dd29-16d4-414a-bac4-73c4ba5af5df

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Search and Rescue stations across Newfoundland and Labrador are open for 2025 operational season

    Source: Government of Canada News

    April 24, 2025

    St. John’s, NL – The Canadian Coast Guard’s seasonal search and rescue stations across Newfoundland and Labrador are now  open for the 2025 season:

    • Old Perlican
    • Twillingate
    • Port au Choix
    • St. Anthony
    • Corner Brook (Temporary location for the 2025-2026 season)*

    *Please note that while wharf infrastructure upgrades are ongoing at Lark Harbour, our crew will be operating out of Corner Brook at the Bay of Islands Yacht Club. 

    Waterways remain very cold at this time of year and take much longer to warm up when compared to the air, so boaters should ensure they take necessary precautions when near or on waterways. Transport Canada’s Safe Boating Guide is an excellent source of information in preparation for the recreational boating season.

    Emergencies on the water can be reported 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, toll-free (within Canada) at 1-800-563-2444. If toll-free service is unavailable (within Canada and the Unites States), please dial 1-709-772-5151.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: What is the Resistance Front? An expert explains the terror group that carried out the latest Kashmir attack?

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By M. Sudhir Selvaraj, Assistant Professor, Peace Studies and International Development, University of Bradford

    India is in mourning after 26 tourists were killed on April 22 in a resort in picturesque Pahalgam. The massacre is considered to be the deadliest attack on tourists in Indian-administered Kashmir since 2000.

    The attack happened during peak tourist season as thousands flocked to the popular tourist destination. Most of those killed were Indians, with the exception of one Nepalese national. All the victims were men.

    Pakistan has denied any involvement, but there are serious fears of escalation between the two nuclear powers. India’s defence minister, Rajnath Singh, openly accused Pakistan and threatened: “We will not only target those who carried out the attack. We will also target those who planned this act in the shadows, on our soil.”

    India has shut a key border between the countries, expelled Pakistan’s diplomats and suspended the landmark Indus waters treaty which allows the sharing of water between the two countries.

    The timing of these attacks is noteworthy as it coincides with major international and domestic events. The US vice-president, J.D. Vance, had arrived the day before with his Indian-American wife Usha and their three children, seeking closer India-US relations against the backdrop of a burgeoning trade war between the US and China. Notably, Pakistan considers China historically as an all-weather friend and ally.

    The attack also comes a few weeks after the Indian government passed the Waqf (Amendment) Act which seeks to change how properties worth billions donated by Muslims, including mosques, madrassas, graveyards and orphanages, are governed. This act is also accused of diluting the rights of India’s Muslim communities by permitting the appointment of non-Muslims to their boards and tribunals.

    Resistance Front

    The Resistance Front (TRF) has claimed responsibility for the attack. A hitherto lesser-known armed group in the Kashmir region, TRF emerged in 2019 with the aim to fight for Kashmir’s secession from India. In 2023, it was designated as a terrorist organisation by the Indian government under the Unlawful Activities (Prevention) Act (UAPA), and the group’s founder, Sheikh Sajjad Gul was declared a terrorist.

    TRF was formed largely in response to the Indian government’s move to strip Kashmir (India’s erstwhile only Muslim-majority state) of its semi-autonomous status in 2019. At this point, the Modi split Kasmhir into two union territories – Jammu & Kashmir – and brought it under more direct federal control.

    The move also paved the way for the extension of land-owning rights and access to government-sponsored job quotas to non-locals. These changes could deprive locals of much-needed opportunities, and radically alter the demographics of the region.

    In a message on messaging app Telegram, the group said: “Consequently, violence will be directed toward those attempting to settle illegally.” This tends to support the idea that the influx of “outsiders” was the justification for the attack.

    In its short life, TRF has been responsible for numerous attacks targeting civilians, security forces and politicians in the region. The group took shape using social media and continues to rely on it to organise and recruit members.

    Notably, the name TRF breaks from traditional rebel groups operating in the region, most of whom bear Islamic names. By doing so, it supposedly aims to project a “neutral” (read as non-religious) front, rather emphasising the fight for Kashmiri nationalism.

    Was Pakistan involved?

    The group is also reported to be linked to the Pakistani spy agency, Inter-Services Intelligence (ISI). Pakistan has denied these links. But analysts fear that any retaliation could escalate and threaten the tenuous peace along the border between the two countries.

    Importantly, the TRF is believed to be an offshoot of, – or perhaps simply a front for – the Lashkar-e-Taiba (LeT), a Pakistan-based armed group. The LeT was involved in many terrorist attacks on Indian soil, most significantly, the 2008 Mumbai terrorist attacks in which an estimated 176 people were killed. The perpetrators of the atrocity are believed by many – including the US government – to have involved help from the ISI.

    While not explicitly stated as a link to the Pahalgam attack, it is noteworthy that the suspected mastermind of the Mumbai attacks, Tahawwur Rana, a Pakistan-born Canadian citizen was extradited to India from the US on April 10. The US Embassy in New Delhi has confirmed that Rana will stand trial in India on ten criminal charges.

    In contrast to the supposed “neutral” ostensibly non-Islamist nature of the TRF, the LeT (which translates as Army of the Righteous/Pure), is a Sunni terrorist group. Its aim is to to establish an Islamic state in south Asia and parts of central Asia – with Kashmir being integral to its plans.

    To achieve this, since its formation in the early 1990s, the group’s focus has been on attacking military and civilian targets in Kashmir, supporting Pakistan’s claim to the region.

    In the late 1990s, the then US president, Bill Clinton, described south Asia as the most dangerous place on Earth. Given the chance of a rapidly escalating India-Pakistan standoff, this could well be the case once again.

    M. Sudhir Selvaraj 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. What is the Resistance Front? An expert explains the terror group that carried out the latest Kashmir attack? – https://theconversation.com/what-is-the-resistance-front-an-expert-explains-the-terror-group-that-carried-out-the-latest-kashmir-attack-250663

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why film adaptations of popular video games often fall flat

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Jason Hawreliak, Associate Professor, Game Studies. Department of Digital Humanities., Brock University

    While some film adaptations of video games achieve commercial success, others struggle to replicate the ‘feel’ of a video game for cinema audiences. (Warner Bros.)

    Video game adaptations are having a moment. On television, shows like HBO’s The Last of Us and Amazon Prime’s Fallout — each based on popular game franchises — have been gigantic hits. On the big screen, 2023’s The Super Mario Bros. Movie broke box office records, and at the time of writing, A Minecraft Movie looks to be well on its way to generating one billion dollars in ticket sales.

    With these recent successes, it can be hard to remember that movie adaptations of video games have historically been notoriously bad, typically failing to win over audiences and critics alike.

    My first experience with adaptation disappointment came from the 1993 adaptation of Nintendo’s Super Mario Bros., starring Hollywood legend Bob Hoskins as Mario and John Leguizamo as his brother, Luigi.

    The film was a flop, garnering a 35 on aggregate site Metacritic and failing to break even at the box office. Curiously, the film looked nothing like the games, opting for a gritty, noir aesthetic and swapping out the cutesy enemies with horrifying monsters.

    Movie studio executives can perhaps be forgiven for trying to capitalize on the popularity of video games. With billions of players worldwide and a market valuation surpassing Hollywood and the music industry combined, video games are seemingly low-hanging fruit for commercial success. So why, with a few notable exceptions notwithstanding, are video game adaptations so difficult to pull off?

    A trailer for A Minecraft Movie. (Warner Bros.)

    The problem with adaptations

    One key issue is that video games and movies are two very different media with different functions and different representational strengths and weaknesses. At their most basic, video games are meant to be interactive. They provide players with goals to achieve and challenges to overcome through some combination of strategy, skill and luck.

    Sometimes, these goals and challenges are clear and direct. When a player sees a Goomba approach in Super Mario Bros., for example, they must press a button to jump on its head and defeat it; otherwise, the player takes damage and may have to start the level again.

    Other times, the goals and challenges are less direct. In open-world or “sandbox” games like Minecraft, players are given a high degree of freedom in how they interact with the game world. There are ways to “win” in Minecraft, but the true pleasure of the game lies in giving players freedom to explore a vast world and create unique structures, villages, or even functional computers.

    Interacting with a game world — its goals, rules and aesthetics — is a fundamentally distinct process from watching a film or reading a novel. Minecraft’s motto of “Create. Explore. Survive.” is not readily applicable in media like film and books though these media have experimented with interactivity too.

    Game worlds on the big screen

    So why have adaptations like The Super Mario Bros. Movie and A Minecraft Movie been successful, at least commercially? Part of the reason is that these are massive franchises with instant brand recognition. Even people who do not play video games know who Mario is, and Minecraft is among the most popular games of all time.

    However, as we have seen with recent unsuccessful adaptations like Warcraft and Borderlands, brand recognition alone is not sufficient.

    One reason why The Super Mario Bros. Movie and A Minecraft Movie have done well is that they get the “feel” of their respective worlds right. When Mario transports into the Mushroom Kingdom in the 2023 film, it looks and sounds like the Mushroom Kingdom players encounter in the games.

    The colours, shapes and sounds in the film closely match the colours, shapes, and sounds in the games. The Goombas look like Goombas, the power-ups look like power-ups and the film retains the whimsical nature of the games.

    Although the radical freedom afforded to players of Minecraft is difficult to replicate in a film, A Minecraft Movie nevertheless retains the look, sound and feel of the game. The Creepers look and behave like Creepers and the Piglins look and behave like Piglins.

    When Steve (played by Jack Black) first learns to build his first structures, the audience watches as he joyfully creates whatever he can imagine, gradually learning to build larger and more complex structures, just as players do in the game.

    Finally, it should be noted that while these films were commercial successes, they have failed to win over critics. On Metacritic, The Super Mario Bros. Movie sits at 46 (though the user score is a healthy 8.2) while A Minecraft Movie has a similarly paltry 45. As the Los Angeles Times puts it in their review, “A Minecraft Movie is a block of big dumb fun.”

    So no, it is unlikely the film will win an Oscar for best picture. But its ability to capture the essence of Minecraft is clearly enough for audiences, many of whom have spent countless hours exploring virtual mines, fending off zombies and creating their own fantastical worlds.

    Jason Hawreliak receives funding from The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council.

    – ref. Why film adaptations of popular video games often fall flat – https://theconversation.com/why-film-adaptations-of-popular-video-games-often-fall-flat-254882

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Video: Joint Operation Targets Sextortion Suspects in Nigeria

    Source: Federal Bureau of Investigation (FBI) (video statements)

    The FBI and law enforcement partners from Canada, Australia, and Nigeria conducted a first-of-its kind operation in Summer 2023 that resulted in charges against some of the most egregious perpetrators of financially motivated sextortion.

    More at: www.fbi.gov/news/stories/fbi-operation-in-nigeria-targeted-perpetrators-of-online-extortion-schemes-that-prey-on-teens
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