NewzIntel.com

Category: Canada

  • MIL-OSI Global: How King Charles is sending Canada subtle signals of support amid Trump’s threats

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Justin Vovk, Royal Historian, McMaster University

    It started as a joke. In December 2024, Donald Trump glibly told Justin Trudeau that Canada should become the 51st state. Three months later, the “joke” seems to have become an American foreign policy goal for the second Trump administration.



    Read more:
    How Donald Trump’s attacks on Canada are stoking a new Canadian nationalism

    Canadian Parliament has been unanimous in its response: “Canada is not for sale.” But Canada’s head of state, King Charles, has remained largely silent on the matter — until recently.

    Over the last several weeks, observers have started to pick up on subtle signs of support for Canadians from the King. But many people have no doubt been wondering why there’s not been a direct statement of support from King Charles.

    The answer to that question isn’t as simple as many people might think.

    King of Canada

    Since 1689, Britain has been a constitutional monarchy. The sovereign is the head of state, but the prime minister leads the government. As such, the King can’t interfere with politics. He is supposed to remain neutral and be the embodiment of the nation.

    This crucial separation between palace and Parliament was solidified in Canada and throughout the Commonwealth in 1931 with the Statute of Westminster. In 1954, the Royal Styles and Titles Act separated the British Crown from the other Commonwealth realms. Queen Elizabeth became the first sovereign to ever be called Queen of Canada.

    As a constitutional monarch, King Charles is bound by parliamentary limitations on his authority. He cannot act without taking advice from the prime ministers in his various realms.

    This means King Charles can’t make a political statement about the ongoing tensions between Canada and the U.S. without the green light from Ottawa. When asked about the situation in January, a palace official said simply that this is “not something we would comment on.”

    As former Alberta premier Jason Kenney later explained on social media:

    “For Canadians disappointed that King Charles has not commented on President Trump’s threats to annex Canada: in his capacity as King of Canada, he can only act on the advice of his Canadian first minister, i.e. Justin Trudeau.”

    Or, at this moment, Mark Carney.

    Signs of support

    The King met with Trudeau at Sandringham, the royal family’s private estate in Norfolk, England, on March 3. This meeting seems to have prompted a series of symbolic gestures demonstrating the monarchy’s solidarity with Canadians.

    The next day, the King conducted an inspection of the British aircraft carrier HMS Prince of Wales in his capacity as head of the Armed Forces. Canadian medals and honours adorned his naval dress uniform during the inspection.

    A week later, the King planted a red maple tree at Buckingham Palace to honour Queen Elizabeth’s commitment to the preservation of forests and the bonds among Commonwealth nations.

    On March 12, the King met with representatives from the Canadian Senate.

    He presented a ceremonial sword to Gregory Peters, the Usher of the Black Rod (one of the Senate’s chief protocol officers). Raymonde Gagné, the speaker of the Senate, was also present for that meeting.

    And on March 17, the King met with Carney as part of new prime minister’s whirlwind diplomatic tour of western Europe.

    Some observers even pointed to the Princess of Wales’s red dress at the Commonwealth Day Service of Celebration on March 10 as yet another nod of recognition for Canada.

    Soft power and the Royal Family

    These sorts of gestures are examples of what is known as “soft power.” Unlike the hard power of military and economic force used by governments, soft power describes any number of ways that people or groups can influence others through culture, personal diplomacy and even fashion.

    As one Buckingham Palace source remarked: “The King knows that seemingly small gestures can send a reassuring sign of recognition about what is going on around the world.”

    One of the best known forms of the monarchy wielding soft power is through the use of state visits. At the British prime minister’s request, world leaders are invited to London by the sovereign. The red carpet is rolled out for them, they’re wined and dined in lavish dinners at Buckingham Palace and they often make a speech to Parliament.

    These state visits are a way for the Royal Family to use their soft power to positively influence diplomatic relations.

    In February, British Prime Minister Keir Starmer presented Trump with an invitation from the King for a second state visit to the U.K.. So far, no date for the trip has been announced, but the King’s meetings with Trudeau and Ukraine’s Volodymyr Zelenskyy reportedly irritated Trump.

    It remains to be seen how King Charles navigates his constitutional role as both king of the United Kingdom and of Canada. Will Trump’s state visit only be about British interests? Or will Charles use it as a chance to address the concerns of his Canadian subjects?

    Justin Vovk received funding from the Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada. Justin Vovk is an advisory board member for the Institute of the Study of the Crown in Canada.

    – ref. How King Charles is sending Canada subtle signals of support amid Trump’s threats – https://theconversation.com/how-king-charles-is-sending-canada-subtle-signals-of-support-amid-trumps-threats-252142

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Helping Canadian workers impacted by layoffs reskill and find work  

    Source: Government of Canada News

    March 19, 2025              (Gatineau, Quebec)              Employment and Social Development Canada

    Canada is home to a proud, adaptable and robust social safety net. The Government of Canada has worked with local and sectoral partners to implement measures that expand that net to support even more workers, keep more communities and towns resilient and bridge more impacted Canadians and their families to new opportunities.

    Today, we are adding to that body of work.

    The Minister of Jobs and Families, Steven MacKinnon, today announced an investment of almost $5 million for four community-based projects under the Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative.

    Three projects in British Columbia, and one in Yukon, will help bolster community resilience by complementing existing programs and services to help displaced workers transition into new jobs. These projects will support workers and communities affected by layoffs in the forestry and mining sectors.

    The Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative is a $50 million initiative for projects that bring together community-based organizations, providing new skills training opportunities for workers. It is part of the Government’s response to significant job losses impacting a community and provides funding to address exceptional situations.

    The Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative call for proposals is accepting applications. Interested organizations can apply by first submitting an expression of interest. Organizations that meet the criteria in the expression of interest will be invited to submit a full application. For more information, consult the Canada Retraining and Opportunities Initiative webpage.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: SolMicroGrid Completes its Latest Microgrid Project with Chick-fil-A in California

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NEW YORK and OCEANSIDE, Calif., March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — SolMicroGrid, a leading national microgrid company, announced the completion of a microgrid project at a Chick-fil-A® Quarry Creek in Oceanside, California.

    SolMicroGrid typically leverages a combination of solar, on-site battery energy storage, and generators to enable reliable and continuous power to its clients. The project at this Chick-fil-A restaurant includes an 81 kWh battery energy storage system and has a 112 kW solar array consisting of canopy and ground-mounted modules. The project’s components are all controlled by a sophisticated energy management system which optimizes the performance and maximizes the synergies between the technologies. Due to the location’s unique, sloped terrain, SolMicroGrid approached the ground-mount installation with a technique specifically designed for rocky slopes – utilizing ground screws instead of standard concrete-poured footings.

    Among other benefits, microgrid projects strategically deploy distributed energy resources to lower energy bills. The Oceanside project is expected to deliver about one-third of the restaurant’s annual energy needs at a 10% discount to grid power.

    “The combination of solar and battery storage that we provided Chick-fil-A will help reduce energy costs while also achieving sustainability goals,” said Kirk Edelman, CEO of SolMicroGrid. “We’re grateful for the opportunity to provide Chick-fil-A with renewable energy at a discount.”

    SolMicroGrid and Chick-fil-A’s latest achievement comes after successful microgrid deployments at local owner-operated locations at Chick-fil-A Mendocino Avenue in Santa Rosa, CA and Chick-fil-A March Lane at I-5 in Stockton, CA.

    “Chick-fil-A’s investment in piloting solar-powered microgrids, in partnership with SolMicroGrid, demonstrates our commitment to environmental stewardship,” said Peden Young, a principal program lead on the sustainability team at Chick-fil-A, Inc. “Harnessing renewable energy onsite at our restaurants reduces our environmental footprint, while also reflecting Chick-fil-A’s dedication to pursuing what’s next and caring for our planet.”

    SolMicroGrid requires no upfront costs and provides quick-service restaurants, large franchises, grocery stores, and other building operators with customizable microgrid components that reduce energy costs and improve efficiency.

    About SolMicroGrid
    SolMicroGrid is a differentiated developer and operator of solar-enabled microgrid systems, offering energy resiliency and efficiency to commercial and industrial customers. The company’s service solution reduces operating expenses without the need for customer capital investment. SolMicroGrid is a portfolio company of Morgan Stanley Energy Partners.

    Media Contact
    SMG@fischtankpr.com
    FischTank PR

    About Chick-fil-A, Inc.
    Chick-fil-A, Inc. is the third largest quick-service restaurant company in the United States, known for its freshly prepared food, signature hospitality and unique franchise model. More than 200,000 Team Members are employed by local Owner-Operators in more than 3,000 restaurants across the United States, Canada and Puerto Rico.

    Chick-fil-A opened its first restaurant in the UK in early 2025 with the goal of launching five locations across the UK within the next two years. The first Singapore restaurant is set to open in late 2025, marking the brand’s entry into Asia.

    Chick-fil-A local Owner-Operators live and work in the communities their restaurants serve, each supporting local efforts to address hunger, education, and making a positive impact. The family-owned and privately held company was founded in 1967 by S. Truett Cathy. More information on Chick-fil-A is available at  www.chick-fil-a.com  and @ChickfilANews

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/cc681a01-c073-46e5-8aa9-e87d8a02e206
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/df7428b3-163b-406f-a928-9a04034d8421
    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/0569f111-cf92-4735-8a7b-29b4050268bd

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI: The Clearing House SVP of Product Strategy Ben Isaacson Named Co-Chair of Financial Data Exchange (FDX) Board 

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    SALT LAKE CITY, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Financial Data Exchange (FDX), a CFPB-recognized standard-setting body for Open Banking in the U.S., recently announced that Ben Isaacson, Senior Vice President of Product Strategy at The Clearing House, has been appointed as FDX Board Co-Chair. Isaacson has been a member of the FDX Board since 2019 and brings extensive expertise in financial data standards, payments innovation, and industry collaboration.

    “We are very grateful to have Ben stepping into this role at such a pivotal time for the industry,” shared Kevin Feltes, CEO of FDX. “His leadership and long-standing commitment to advancing industry standards will be invaluable as we continue driving forward on key initiatives in financial data sharing.”

    As SVP of Product Strategy at The Clearing House, Isaacson has worked closely with financial institutions, regulators, and industry stakeholders to modernize financial data standards. His leadership in driving innovation aligns with FDX’s mission to create a unified, interoperable, and more secure open banking ecosystem.

    “I’m honored to step into the role of FDX Co-Chair and continue working alongside Jane Barratt and the broader FDX community,” said Ben Isaacson. “FDX has made incredible progress in standardizing more secure data sharing, and I look forward to contributing to its ongoing success.”

    About FDX
    Financial Data Exchange (FDX) is a non-profit organization operating in the US and Canada that is dedicated to unifying the financial industry around a common, interoperable, royalty-free standard for secure and convenient consumer and business access to their financial data. FDX empowers users through its commitment to the development, growth, and industry-wide adoption of the FDX API, according to the principles of control, access, transparency, traceability, and security. Membership is open to financial institutions, fintech companies, financial data aggregators, consumer advocacy groups, payment networks and other industry stakeholders. For more information and to join, visit www.financialdataexchange.org.

    Contact info:
    Porche Matthews
    Marketing Manager
    pmatthews@financialdataexchange.org

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: A new sports centre for Montréal-Nord

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Montréal, Quebec, March 19, 2025 — A further step has been taken towards a new modern aquatic sports complex that will be built in Montréal-Nord on the site of the former Garon arena, thanks to contributions of $88 million from the City of Montreal and $15 million from the federal government.

    This announcement was made by Emmanuel Dubourg, Member of Parliament for Bourassa, Caroline Bourgeois, Mayor of Rivière-des-Prairies–Pointe-aux-Trembles, responsible for Sports and Recreation and for East Montreal on the Executive Committee of the City of Montreal and Christine Black, Borough mayor of Montréal-Nord.

    Sports Component

    This funding will allow for the construction of the sports section, which will include a double gymnasium, a gymnastics hall, a three-lane walking track, locker rooms, bleachers, and administrative offices for organizations. Adapted to the current and future needs of the community, this modern facility will offer enhanced and diversified recreational and sports programs for citizens of all age groups in the borough of Montréal-Nord. The centre aims to improve access to sports facilities for all, promote the adoption of healthy lifestyles, and strengthen the local social fabric.

    The design of the new building follows a rigorous sustainable development approach. The goal is to achieve a LEED Gold v4 certification, ensuring optimal energy efficiency, responsible resource use, and a reduced environmental footprint. Furthermore, the project will integrate the new building standards provided in the BCZ-Design v4 standard, meeting the latest standards for ecological performance and climate resilience. This new sports centre embodies Montréal-Nord’s commitment to sustainability, inclusivity, and the well-being of its entire community, while actively contributing to improving the quality of life for its citizens.

    Aquatic Component

    Before the confirmation of financial contributions from other levels of government, the City of Montreal had already planned investments estimated at $88M in this project for the construction of the pool. With the desire to move forward quickly, the aquatic component of the sports complex has already been in planning for two years. Once the project’s financial structure is completed and the construction work is finished, the sports and aquatic facilities will be connected.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada announces appointment to the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority Board of Directors

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Biography

    Marie Campagna – Chair, Board of Directors

    Marie Campagna has been a member of the WDBA Board of Directors since 2017 and has most recently served in the role of interim Chair since May 2024.

    Since retiring from her role as Chief Financial Officer (CFO) of Hotel Dieu Grace Healthcare, Ms. Campagna was appointed as an Executive in Residence at the University of Windsor’s Odette School of Business. She is a facilitator in the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario’s CFO of the Future program.

    Ms. Campagna holds several governance positions that include Board Chair of Essex Energy Corporation, Member of the LaSalle Police Board, Member of Assumption University, Member of Invest Windsor Essex, Past Chair of Transform Shared Services Organization, and a past Board Member of the Windsor-Essex Regional Chamber of Commerce. She also previously held many board and committee positions with Essex Power Corporation, CMA Ontario, and CMA Canada.

    Ms. Campagna holds an ICD.D designation from the Institute of Corporate Directors, a CPA designation, and is a Fellow and life member of the Chartered Professional Accountants of Ontario. She holds a Bachelor of Commerce degree and an MBA from the University of Windsor.  

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Funding municipal priorities

    It’s no secret – Alberta’s population is growing rapidly, and there are more people relying on municipal infrastructure such as recreation centres, roads and other public spaces than ever before. Being able to meet the needs of the province’s rapidly growing population is a top priority for Alberta’s government, and this work begins with ensuring municipalities are well-positioned to support their residents.

    To strengthen municipalities’ ability to meet the needs of Alberta’s rapidly growing population, Budget 2025, if passed, increases capital funding through the Local Government Fiscal Framework (LGFF) by more than 13 per cent. This increase will provide municipalities with a predictable and reliable source of funding to help build, maintain and modernize the public infrastructure their residents depend on.

    “Alberta’s municipalities are vital to our province’s identity and success so we’re supporting their growth and prosperity. This year’s allocation of LGFF funds was predictable and will ensure municipalities can plan and execute their local priority infrastructure needs. This will put our municipal partners in the best position to advance the public infrastructure that their residents require.”

    Ric McIver, Minister of Municipal Affairs

    Alberta’s government introduced LGFF to provide a more predictable, legislated municipal infrastructure funding model that is tied to provincial revenues, as municipalities had requested. This means when provincial revenues increase, municipal funding will also increase three years later. This change ensures that municipalities can predict how much funding they will receive through LGFF a year and a half in advance so they can plan their capital expenditures with certainty.

    “We are pleased to see LGFF funding increase by $98 million in fiscal year 2025-26, in accordance with the agreed-upon formula. Our 264 member communities appreciate every dollar they receive from the provincial government for municipal infrastructure projects, especially as Alberta’s population continues to grow by leaps and bounds. We look forward to continuing our discussions with the Government of Alberta about how best to grow municipal infrastructure investments to meet the needs of our growing communities.”

    Tyler Gandam, president, Alberta Municipalities

    In 2025, LGFF capital funding is increasing from $722 million to $820 million, providing municipalities across the province with more resources to advance their local priorities. In 2026, LGFF funding will decrease about 2.5 per cent to $800 million, and is projected to then increase again in 2027 to about $871 million.

    “The Local Government Fiscal Framework is an important resource for mid-sized cities across the province in our capital planning, and we appreciate the Government of Alberta’s increase in LGFF in Budget 2025. Mid-sized cities look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with the government to address critical infrastructure needs in our growing communities.”

    Mayor Jeff Genung, chair, Mid-sized Cities Mayors Caucus, and mayor, Town of Cochrane

    Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on the economy.

    Quick facts

    • The Local Government Fiscal Framework Act was passed in the Alberta legislature in December 2019.
    • The LGFF provides funding for local infrastructure priorities in cities, towns, villages, summer villages, municipal districts and counties, and Metis Settlements across Alberta.

    Related news

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Canada Announces Support for British Columbia’s Forest Sector

    Source: Government of Canada News

    March 19, 2025          Richmond, British Columbia             Natural Resources Canada

    Canada’s forest sector is an important contributor to our national economy. Since 2017, Canada’s softwood lumber exports have been subject to unfair and unwarranted U.S. duties, and they now face the threat of additional unjustified trade barriers. It is now more important than ever to support Canadian businesses so that they can innovate, diversify and expand their markets to continue to support thousands of jobs in hundreds of communities across the country.

    Today, the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced a total investment of over $20 million for 67 projects that will help to boost the competitiveness and resiliency of British Columbia’s forest sector while growing wood product exports.

    The investments announced today include:

    • over $11.3 million in funding through the Investments in Forest Industry Transformation (IFIT) program for six projects that will facilitate the adoption and commercialization of new technologies, focusing on the production of innovative, low-carbon products that result in new or diversified revenue streams
    • over $7 million in funding through the Indigenous Forestry Initiative (IFI) program, for 50 projects that will advance economic development opportunities in the forest sector for Indigenous communities while strengthening Indigenous leadership and participation in forest stewardship
    • over $1.6 million in funding under the Green Construction through Wood (GCWood) program for nine projects that will promote the adoption and commercialization of wood-based products in the construction sector
    • over $600,000 in Global Forest Leadership program funding for two projects that will strengthen international partnerships with like-minded organizations by sharing Canadian expertise and decreasing market barriers for sustainable forest products

    The Government of Canada will always stand up for Canadians and Canadian industry, and that very much includes the forest sector. The investments announced today will support leadership, innovation and sustainable practices in the forest sector while creating significant economic and environmental benefits for British Columbians and Canadians

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Government of Canada recognizes the national historic significance of the Hôpital-Général de Québec Monastery

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The oldest convent in the country, it is of vital importance to Canada’s medical, religious and social history.

    March 19, 2025                         City of Québec, Quebec                 Parks Canada

    Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada, and the Honourable Jean-Yves Duclos, Member of Parliament for Québec, announced the designation of the Hôpital-Général de Québec Monastery as a national historic site under Parks Canada’s National Program of Historical Commemoration. 

    The Hôpital-Général de Québec monastery, located at the intersection of the Saint-Roch and Saint-Sauveur neighbourhoods in the city of Québec, is a large convent complex dating back to the 17th century built on the former property of the Récollets. In 1692, Bishop Jean-Baptiste de La Croix de Chevrières de Saint-Vallier (1653–1727) acquired the Récollets’ monastery and founded a general hospital, open to the poor, the sick, the infirm, and the aged. In 1693, he entrusted the management of this hospital to the Augustines de la Miséricorde de Jésus, a community of cloistered nursing sisters who were already responsible for the Hôtel-Dieu de Québec.

    This convent complex was occupied continuously by the Augustinian Sisters since 1693 and is an excellent example of their hospital work. Inspired by European tradition, the Augustinian monastery buildings are a remarkable illustration of the evolution of architecture and building techniques in Canada since the second half of the 17th century. Having been spared the bombardments of the Siege of Québec of 1759 and having never experienced a major fire, the buildings are still in their original condition. The ensemble of buildings is in a remarkable state of conservation, constituting a site of architectural and artistic heritage preservation of outstanding importance.

    The Government of Canada, through the Historic Sites and Monuments Board of Canada and Parks Canada, recognizes significant persons, places, and events that have shaped our country as one way of helping Canadians connect with their past. By sharing these stories, we hope to foster understanding and reflection on the diverse histories, cultures, legacies, and realities of Canada’s past and present. 

                                                                                                      -30-

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada commits up to $7 million to support community infrastructure in the Regional District of Nanaimo

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Qualicum Beach, British Columbia, March 19, 2025 — Today, the Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities announced a federal investment of up to $7 million for the Ravensong Aquatic Centre Expansion project in British Columbia through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.

    The expanded facility, which is owned and operated by the Regional District of Nanaimo, will be doubled in size and will include a new pool area as well as modernized change rooms. This space will connect rural and urban residents of the Oceanside area with publicly accessible and affordable aquatics programming. Once complete, this project will improve community services while meeting the Canada Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Standard V4.

    The federal government recognizes the importance of community spaces and remains committed to strengthening and revitalizing Canadian communities, ensuring we remain connected through common interest and shared spaces.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada commits up to $20 million to support community infrastructure in Thunder Bay

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Thunder Bay, March 19, 2025 — Today Minister Patty Hajdu, Ashley Larose, Chief Executive Officer of Science North, and James Lundrigan, Chair of the Board of Trustees for Science North, announced a federal investment of up to $20 million for a science centre in Thunder Bay, through the Green and Inclusive Community Buildings program.

    This project will support a net-zero science centre attraction in Thunder Bay, designed to the Canadian Green Building Council’s Zero Carbon Building Standard (V4) and provide accessible community services to 67,500 people annually, including populations experiencing higher needs.

    The centre will offer high-quality cultural, recreational, and science-based experiences developed through extensive consultation with Indigenous communities, leaders, and advisors. The centre will also use green energy, including a heating and cooling system that uses geothermal power from Lake Superior.

    The federal government recognizes the importance of community spaces and remains committed to strengthening and revitalizing Canadian communities, ensuring we remain connected through common interest and shared spaces.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The CBSA launches investigations into the alleged dumping of polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin from China and Pakistan and its subsidization by China

    Source: Government of Canada News

    March 19, 2025
    Ottawa, Ontario

    The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) announced today that it is initiating investigations to determine whether polyethylene terephthalate (PET) resin originating in or exported from China and Pakistan is being sold at unfair prices in Canada and whether PET resin originating in or exported from China is being subsidized. These practices can harm Canadian industries by undercutting Canadian prices, which undermines fair competition.

    The CBSA is investigating because of a complaint filed with the CBSA by Compagnie Alpek Polyester Canada (Alpek). Alpek alleges that as a result of an increase in the volume of the dumped and subsidized imports, they have suffered material injury in the form of price undercutting, price depression, lost sales, lost market share, reduced net income and profitability, and reduced employment.

    The CBSA and the Canadian International Trade Tribunal (CITT) both play a role in the investigations. The CITT will begin a preliminary inquiry to determine whether the imports are harming Canadian producers and will issue a decision by May 16, 2025. Concurrently, the CBSA will investigate whether the imports are being sold in Canada at unfair prices and/or are being subsidized, and will make a preliminary decision by June 17, 2025.

    Currently, there are 158 special import measures in force in Canada, covering a wide variety of industrial and consumer products. These measures have directly helped to protect approximately 31,000 Canadian jobs and $11.6 billion in Canadian production.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Investing in Canada’s hydrogen potential

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Supporting HTEC’s construction of a hydrogen liquefier facility in British Columbia

    March 19, 2025 – Ottawa, Ontario

    Canada has a long and proud history of being a reliable global supplier of energy. As the world looks for dependable energy partners, the government is ensuring Canada continues to lead. That is why we are investing in projects that make our economy cleaner and stronger.

    Today, the Honourable Anita Anand, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, announced a $49 million investment in HTEC through the Strategic Innovation Fund. It will support the company’s $472 million project to build and operate a facility that will capture and liquefy 15 tonnes per day of industrial by-product hydrogen in North Vancouver, turning waste into a valuable, clean fuel.

    The facility will allow for cost-effective distribution of low-carbon hydrogen to HTEC’s refuelling station network in British Columbia and Alberta. It is a key component of HTEC’s H2 Gateway program, which includes up to 20 hydrogen refuelling stations, three hydrogen production facilities and a fleet of 100 hydrogen heavy-duty fuel cell electric trucks. The project will also bring significant benefits to British Columbia by maintaining up to 500 jobs and supporting co-op hiring and collaborations within the hydrogen ecosystem.

    Once completed, the North Vancouver project will be the first full value chain ecosystem for heavy-duty fuel cell electric trucks in Canada. Over the next three decades, global demand for clean hydrogen is expected to increase tenfold. Matching supply and demand for hydrogen will facilitate the large-scale adoption of zero-emission heavy-duty vehicles. This will not only decarbonize commercial trucking but also help position Canada as a leader in hydrogen technologies and sustainable practices.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Westland Insurance unveils new benefits brand: Westland Benefits

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Surrey, BC/Territories of the Coast Salish (Kwantlen, Katzie, Semiahmoo, Tsawwassen First Nations), March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Westland Insurance is proud to announce the launch of its new benefits brand, Westland Benefits, in BC, effective April 1, 2025. This launch marks a significant milestone in Westland’s continued growth, uniting its acquired benefits firms under one powerful national brand to better serve businesses across Canada.  

    Westland Benefits combines the personalized service and deep expertise of a boutique advisory firm with the scale, resources, and market influence of one of Canada’s largest insurance brokerages – offering employers of all sizes tailored, end-to-end benefits solutions.  

    Westland Insurance has appointed Matt Mann as the President of Westland Benefits. With extensive expertise in the benefits space and proven leadership in the insurance industry, Mann will oversee the growth and expansion of Westland Benefits across Canada. 

    “We’re excited to introduce Westland Benefits to BC,” said Jamie Lyons, President & CEO of Westland Insurance. “Over the past few years, we’ve made significant investments to strengthen our Employee Benefits offerings, including acquiring several high-performing advisory firms. Bringing these capabilities together under one unified brand – led by Matt – allows us to better serve our clients, compete more effectively in the market, and drive innovation at scale.”  

    The launch of Westland Benefits positions Westland to deliver a broader suite of benefits solutions – including group life and disability insurance, retirement and savings plans, key person coverage, and holistic wellness programs – to employers across most geographies in Canada. With plans to expand the Westland Benefits brand nationally, the company is poised to become a recognized leader in the Canadian benefits space.  

    “Launching Westland Benefits brand in BC is just the beginning – we’re at a breakthrough stage in terms of developing our national platform,” says Matt Mann, President of Westland Benefits. “I’m excited to lead this next chapter as we expand our operations across Canada. By bringing together our advisory culture, access to national insurance markets, and deep industry expertise, we’re uniquely positioned to help businesses of all sizes build competitive and high impact benefits programs.” 

    As part of this transition, Westland Benefits will bring together the existing operations of Dupuis Langen and Montridge Advisory Group, two highly regarded benefits firms that have played a key role in shaping the company’s success in the space. Clients can expect the same dedicated service and expertise they’ve always received, now under a unified national brand. 

    The introduction of Westland Benefits reinforces Westland Insurance’s commitment to helping Canadian businesses navigate the complex benefits landscape — ensuring organizations have access to innovative, people-focused solutions that drive employee well-being and business success. 

    For more information about Westland Benefits, visit our website.  

    – 30 – 

    About Westland Insurance Group:   

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

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Indian National Found Guilty of Possession with Intent to Distribute More than 170 Pounds of MDMA in Eastern Washington

    Source: Office of United States Attorneys

    Spokane, Washington – Acting United States Attorney Richard R. Barker announced today that a jury returned a verdict in the federal trial of Jaskaran Singh, age 31, who is a native of Gujarat, India. Singh was found guilty of Possession with Intent to Distribute 3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), which is more commonly known as “Ecstasy” or “Molly.” United States District Judge Thomas O. Rice presided over Singh’s trial, which began March 17, 2025. At sentencing, which is set for June 25, 2025, Singh faces a maximum term of imprisonment of twenty years. He may also face removal from the United States.

    The evidence presented at trial established that on April 29, 2023, at approximately 10:00 p.m., three unknown individuals tripped motion sensor cameras in a remote area just south of the U.S.-Canada border, approximately one-half-mile west of the Danville, Washington port of entry. U.S. Border Patrol officials at the Curlew Border Patrol Station saw images of these individuals, who had crossed into the United States from Canada and were carrying backpacks and a suitcase. From the U.S. side of the border, the only route to drive into or out of this area is an unestablished dead end, dirt road known as Fourth of July Creek Road.

    Minutes later, Border Patrol observed a 2014 Honda Odyssey traveling east on Fourth of July Creek Road. Border Patrol Agents responded to the area and stopped Singh, who was driving the rented Honda Odyssey away from the U.S. Canada border.

    From outside the van, Border Patrol agents observed backpacks and suitcase in the rear cargo area of the Odyssey. The backpacks and suitcase were same as those carried across the border by the three individuals, who tripped the motion sensor cameras just a few minutes earlier. Border Patrol Agents obtained authorization to search the van and seized 173.7 pounds of MDMA stored inside the backpacks and suitcase.  Investigators later located a map of the area on Singh’s phone and messages detailing where Singh should go, when he should arrive, and directing him to “leave the back hood open.”

    Testimony at trial established that the three men transported the MDMA from the Canadian side of the border by carrying the backpacks and suitcase through approximately 300 yards of remote wilderness to where Singh had parked the rented Odyssey van.  The three men then returned to the Canadian side of the border, escaping apprehension by law enforcement.

    Just one day before the massive seizure, Singh traveled from Northern California to Washington State. Singh had purchased his ticket just prior to the flight and then rented a car in Seattle, before driving to the remote area where the drugs were smuggled across the U.S.-Canada border.

    “Mr. Singh trafficked more than 170 pounds of illegal drugs across our northern border into the United States,” stated Acting United States Attorney Richard Barker. This seizure, which was one of the largest ever in Eastern Washington, had a street value exceeding $7.8 million. Today’s guilty verdict sends a clear message that those who seek to exploit our nation’s borders by flooding our communities with dangerous controlled substances will be held accountable for their crimes.”

    “The transnational drug trafficking organization for whom Singh worked had identified the ideal, isolated location in rural Washington to smuggle illegal drugs across the northern border,” continued Acting United States Attorney Barker. “Fortunately, our team of experienced Border Patrol agents were ready, and they intercepted this poison before it could harm communities in Eastern Washington.”

    “International drug traffickers like Mr. Singh profit by flooding our country with illicit, dangerous drugs that harm our citizens,” said David F. Reames, Special Agent in Charge, DEA Seattle Field Division. “I am gratified that we, at the Drug Enforcement Administration, can stand with our partners in the U.S. Border Patrol and the U.S. Attorney’s Office to hold people like Mr. Singh accountable for their crimes.”

    “Spokane Sector agents are vigilantly safeguarding our borders, swiftly detecting, and interdicting cross-border smuggling activities. This conviction highlights the Spokane Border Patrol Sector’s unwavering commitment to protecting communities from illicit drugs and those who attempt to smuggle them across our borders,” said Jason Liebe, Acting Chief Patrol Agent of the Spokane Sector for the U.S. Border Patrol.

    This case was investigated by the United States Border Patrol, the Drug Enforcement Administration, and Homeland Security Investigations. It is being prosecuted by Assistant United States Attorneys Alison L. Gregoire and Dan Fruchter.

    2:23-cr-00052-TOR

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: European defence spending: three technical reasons for political cooperation

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Francesco Grillo, Academic Fellow, Department of Social and Political Sciences, Bocconi University

    How much would it really cost the European Union to defend itself against aggression? In the immediate term, that question, of course makes us think of Russia, but we can no longer exclude multiple other possibilities, including the potential need to defend territory – say, Greenland – from a former ally.

    How much would it cost to defend Europe if we added in the need to defend the UK, Norway, Turkey or even Canada – and any other Nato country willing to pool resources to fill the void left by US disengagement? Is there an intelligent way to avoid painful trade-offs between this and, say, spending on healthcare or education?

    It looks like EU institutions are finally “doing something” (as former Italian prime minister Mario Draghi recently asked them to do). They may even break the taboo of raising common debt in order to increase spending on joint defence procurements.

    Yet, it also seems they are about to launch a plan that could change the very nature of the European Union without even tackling the question of its financial feasibility. The answer to how joint defence can be paid for certainly doesn’t come from the plan that the European Commission has unveiled on “rearming Europe”. At the very last line of that statement, a figure of €800 billion is posited, but it is not clear how the sum was calculated and quite a few critical qualifications are missing.

    The debate over how much it costs to prevent a war (which is a very different notion from fighting one), has been dominated by what I would call “the fallacy of the percentage of GDP”.

    In 2014 (at the time of Russia’s annexation of Crimea), the leaders of Nato countries agreed to spend at least 2% of their GDP on defence (specifying that retirement benefits to veterans should be included). Yet by 2022, the overall ratio for Nato defence spending had, in fact, shrunk from 2.58% of GDP to 2.51% (thanks to the sharp reduction in the percentage of GDP contributed by the US). And, according to the European Defence Agency, the EU is spending around €279 billion, which is 1.6% of its GDP. Most likely, the €800 billion figure that European Commission president Ursula von der Leyen was citing in her communique is simply an estimate of how much it would yield to increase that spending up to 2% of GDP for each of the next ten years.

    Politicians sometimes need to make back-of-the-envelope calculations, but I would argue that here it points to a much broader problem. Europe hasn’t yet bothered to try to develop a strategy for how this additional money would be spent. A proper strategy should, in fact, start from three key technical considerations. To which I would add a no-less important political one.

    1. Spending smart is better than spending big

    Technologies (including AI) are radically changing the equation. The conflicts in Ukraine and Gaza demonstrate that cheap drones are now the key to modern warfare – not super expensive F35 strike fighters. Why spend billions designing, building and maintaining 2,500 F35s when a drone the size of a mobile phone can cross enemy lines unnoticed?

    In a world in which data is a weapon, and a large-scale attack can be mounted by taking remote control of pagers, what generals call “supremacy” doesn’t necessarily belong to the biggest spender.

    Israel’s military budget is one-third that of Saudi Arabia, yet it dominates the Middle East because its perpetual state of conflict forces innovation. Russia spends less than half of the 27 EU member states, but it has much more experience in hacking other countries’ infrastructures. The EU spends as much as China, but China invests more than twice in research and development and is the world’s largest exporter of drones as a result.

    2. Spending together is better value

    The European parliament estimates that merging the 27 member states’ defence budgets would free up €56 billion (which is a third of what the defence bonds proposed by the Commission would raise).

    Yet the trend is to spend more alone than together. According to the European Defence Agency, the bloc has more than doubled its expenditure on new digital technologies; yet the percentage of that going into joint projects between member states fell from 11% before Ukraine’s invasion to 6.5% in 2023.

    Joint tech spending in Europe.
    Vision, CC BY-ND

    3. Homegrown suddenly looks safer

    Any common defence would also have to rely on “buying European” as much as possible. The F35 fighter jet is another good example here. Denmark agreed to buy 27 of them (to the tune of around €3 billion) with an idea to station four of them in Greenland. The problem is that, according to the former president of the Munich security conference Wolfgang Ischinger, they cannot even take off if remotely disabled by the US. Again, Europe is not walking the walk. The share of equipment that European nations import from the US has massively increased in the last five years.

    A new era for the union

    Defence is probably the most important issue when talking about the Europe of the future. It provides a concrete opportunity to fill a technological gap out of the necessity to do so. Spending on defence in the interests of self-protection may have longer-term benefits beyond the military arena. It has been often the case that military research leads to major breakthroughs that can applied in public services. Who knows. Military innovations with drone or AI technology on today’s battlefields could lead to beneficial uses in peace time.

    The historic opportunity to transform the way we protect ourselves may even force a radical rethinking of not just the EU treaties but of the nature of the EU. The idea of the “coalition of the willing” may, indeed, push Europe towards an alliance which does not include some of its members (such as Hungary) but does include non-members like the UK, Norway and even Turkey. New arrangements will need to be pragmatically flexible.

    Europeans need much more strategy, whereas we now largely have rhetorical announcements with little substance. And we need much more democracy. After all, defence is one of the defining dimensions of the state. Having a common defence policy in Europe could make people feel more like European citizens. But that cannot happen without engaging citizens in an intelligent debate.

    Francesco Grillo is affiliated with the think tank Vision.

    – ref. European defence spending: three technical reasons for political cooperation – https://theconversation.com/european-defence-spending-three-technical-reasons-for-political-cooperation-252410

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI: Lufkin Industries Announces Sale of North America Downhole business to Q2 Artificial Lift Services

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    HOUSTON, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Lufkin Industries (“Lufkin”), a global leader in surface production equipment and automation solutions, has announced the sale of its North America Downhole (“NAM Downhole”) business to Q2 Artificial Lift Services (“Q2”), a leading provider of downhole reciprocating pumps. This transaction aligns with Lufkin’s strategic focus on its core surface business and Q2’s focus on subsurface business, positioning both companies for long-term growth and profitability. Terms of the transaction were not disclosed.

    “This transition allows us to focus on Lufkin’s core strengths of Software, Automation, Surface Equipment and comprehensive service to our domestic and international customers, areas where Lufkin has for over 120 years been an industry leader,” said Brent Baumann, CEO Lufkin Industries. “By transitioning our NAM Downhole business to Q2, we are ensuring that our customers continue to receive world-class support while allowing Lufkin to invest further in innovation and growth within our core areas. We are confident that Q2 will be an excellent steward of the NAM Downhole business and great partner to the customers and employees transitioning as part of this sale.”

    Under the terms of the agreement, both downhole pump and rods assets team members and related customer relationships within North America will transition to Q2, ensuring continuity of service and support. Q2 Artificial Lift Services, known for its commitment to excellence in the sale, service, engineering and manufacturing of downhole reciprocating pumps, will integrate the NAM Downhole business into its portfolio, further strengthening its capabilities and expanding its reach into rods.

    Doug Quinn, CEO/President of Q2 ALS, said “We are extremely excited about this particular acquisition as it immediately strengthens our artificial lift products and services and expands our employee roster with highly skilled technical depth.  Additionally, with respect to US Rod, this part of the deal further expands our ability to provide a complete downhole system for our customer base. We have built a very dominant presence in the market, and this acquisition further demonstrates our continued commitment to the downhole artificial lift community across all of North America.”

    Both companies are working closely to ensure a seamless transition for all customers, employees and business partners. The sale reinforces Lufkin’s commitment to its flagship surface production and automation business while enhancing Q2’s position in the downhole market to include rods as well as expanding its downhole pump capabilities.

    For more information about Lufkin Industries please visit www.Lufkin.com. For more information on Q2 Artificial Lift Services please visit www.Q2ALS.com.

    About Lufkin Industries

    Lufkin Industries is a leading provider of surface production equipment, automation solutions, and oilfield services, helping operators optimize efficiency and maximize production. With a legacy of engineering excellence and innovation, Lufkin has been at the forefront of the energy industry for over 120 years, delivering high-quality Beam Pumping Units, advanced automation technologies, and global service solutions. By focusing on its core strengths, Lufkin continues to drive innovation and support the evolving needs of the oil and gas sector. For more information, visit www.Lufkin.com.

    About Q2 Artificial Lift Services

    Q2 Artificial Lift Services is a World Class Rod Lift System Solutions company that specializes in the sales, service, engineering and manufacturing of downhole reciprocating pumps. We are a fully integrated company with over 40+ repair and service locations strategically located across Western Canada and the United States. For more information, visit www.Q2ALS.com.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Federal government invests in natural infrastructure enhancements across British Columbia

    Source: Government of Canada News

    West Vancouver, British Columbia, March 19, 2025 — Three communities across British Columbia will see improvements to natural infrastructure that will increase their resilience while protecting local environments, after an investment of more than $1.6 million from the federal government.

    North of Kamloops, along the North Thompson River, funding will help Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band protect reserve lands and community infrastructure that are situated on the floodplain. The construction of a bioengineered living revetment will include brush and hedge brush layering, which will utilize live cuttings and rooted plants to stabilize approximately 130 metres of shoreline. This will reduce loss of land due to erosion, protect critical habitat, and increase flood resiliency in the community.

    In Tsay Keh Dene Nation (TKDN) Territory, funding will restore a portion of an existing wetland and construct a wetland park, featuring an interpretive trail with signage in both English and Tsek’ene (Sekani) languages. The project will address the loss of wetland area in TKDN Territory, following flooding and blocked waterways caused by the construction of the W.A.C. Bennett Dam and resulting Williston Reservoir.

    Additionally, funding will support the District of West Vancouver in developing and implementing a tree planting program to enhance local tree canopy cover in the community. 500 trees of varying species will be planted in high density areas, on streets and on slopes where trees are needed to provide shading and to minimize runoff and erosion during heavy rain by absorbing excess water. The planting program will support the District’s target of 52% tree canopy cover.

    These projects will help the Whispering Pines/Clinton Indian Band, Tsay Keh Dene Nation, and West Vancouver adapt to and increase resiliency against the impacts of climate change and better protect their communities by leveraging natural infrastructure.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Guilbeault announces the extension of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission

    Source: Government of Canada News

    GATINEAU, March 19, 2025

    The Future of Sport in Canada Commission is currently undertaking an independent and forward-looking review of Canada’s sport system.

    To allow the Commission to fulfill its mandate of developing concrete recommendations that will bring about meaningful and lasting change for Canadians and Canadian sport, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Canadian Culture and Identity, Parks Canada and Quebec Lieutenant, today announced the extension of the mandate of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission.

    The work of the Future of Sport in Canada Commission will be extended until March 31, 2026. The Governor in Council appointments of Lise Maisonneuve as Commissioner and Ms. Noni Classen and Dr. Andrew Pipe as Special Advisors were also extended.

    The extension of the work of the Commission, at the request of the Commission’s independent leadership, will ensure that ample time is allocated for dialogue and for the development of recommendations on safe sport and the sport system in Canada.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why international students could be a critical factor in bolstering Canada’s economic resilience

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Isaac Garcia-Sitton, Associate Faculty, School of Education and Technology, Royal Roads University

    In early 2024, the federal government imposed a two-year cap on new study permits. (Shutterstock)

    For decades, international students have contributed to Canada’s research enterprise, workforce development and economic growth.

    Now, as Canada navigates strained relations and an escalating trade war with its largest economic partner, it’s important policymakers stop overlooking international education that could be a critical factor in bolstering Canada’s resilience.

    Unlike volatile trade agreements and fragile supply chains, international education provides a stable, long-term economic and social advantage.



    Read more:
    Canadian supply chains are at the epicentre of Trump’s potential trade war

    Contributions

    In 2018, international students contributed $21.6 billion to Canada’s post-secondary institutions, local communities and gross domestic product (GDP).

    By 2022, that figure had grown to $37.3 billion. This represented just over 23 per cent of Canada’s total service exports and around five per cent of total merchandise exports. The economic contributions from international education outpaced economic contributions from other industries — such as softwood lumber and auto parts.

    But their contributions extend far beyond financial impact. International students drive cutting-edge research in artificial intelligence, clean energy, biotechnology and climate science. This strengthens Canada’s innovation ecosystem and global competitiveness.

    International students also serve as vital ambassadors — diversifying trade connections and expanding Canada’s global reach.

    Despite their undeniable value, recent policy shifts risk undermining Canada’s position as a top destination for global talent. In early 2024, the federal government imposed a two-year cap on new study permits. The cap would mean approximately 360,000 study permits would be approved in 2024 — a decrease of 35 per cent from the previous years.

    However, institutions fell well below the imposed cap. This wasn’t due to a lack of demand but because of the rushed, poorly managed roll-out that amplified disruption beyond expectations. In fall 2024, the number of permits granted was on track to drop by 45 per cent compared to the previous year.

    The government plans a further 10 per cent cut in 2025 and 2026 and will cap approvals at 437,000. They will also, for the first time, restrict master’s and PhD students — limiting access to Canada’s research ecosystem.

    Talent and innovation

    While a cap may have been necessary to moderate the sector’s growth, its rollout created uncertainty for institutions and students. This damaged Canada’s reputation for high-quality education. The impact to our global standing as a top destination for international students will take years to repair.

    The government plans cap student visa approvals at 427,000 by 2026.
    (Shutterstock)

    This policy shift is especially concerning given Canada’s ongoing innovation and productivity challenges. A recent report from U15 research institutions shows Canada lags behind its peers in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It’s mainly falling behind in research and development intensity, private sector innovation and technology adoption.

    In 2022, Canada’s research and development spending stood at just under two per cent of GDP. This is well below the OECD average of around three per cent.

    Many small and medium-sized businesses rely on university partnerships for research and development. Cutting international graduate student numbers disrupts these collaborations — hindering innovation at a time when Canada can least afford it.

    Policymakers claim restricting international student permits will ease labour market pressures. But the real problems with the labour market lie in skill mismatches, underemployment and employer hiring biases — not the number of international students.



    Read more:
    Canadian immigrants are overqualified and underemployed — reforms must address this

    With unemployment at around six-and-a-half per cent and youth unemployment at 13.6 per cent, concerns about job competition are valid. Yet newcomers and international students face significant barriers in finding jobs in their fields.

    In 2024, the unemployment rate for recent immigrants reached 11 percent. This is nearly double the unemployment rate for Canadian-born workers. Despite holding advanced degrees, two-thirds of foreign-trained professionals remain underemployed. This may be due to employers undervaluing international credentials and prioritizing “Canadian experience.”

    This trend extends to international student graduates who remain less likely than their Canadian peers to find jobs that match their level of education. In 2023, just over 36 per cent of international graduates with a bachelor’s degree secured roles requiring a university-level qualification, compared to just under 59 per cent of Canadian graduates. International student graduates also earn significantly lower salaries, despite having similar levels of job satisfaction.

    International student graduates face barriers in findings employment.
    (Shutterstock)

    Like many newcomers, I personally faced this Canadian experience barrier when I entered the workforce over 15 years ago as a permanent resident. Despite my education, multilingual abilities and professional skills, I submitted hundreds of applications and secured only a handful of interviews before landing my first opportunity. This frustrating, unnecessary and economically wasteful struggle remains just as prevalent today.

    These barriers not only limit individual potential but also weaken Canada’s ability to harness the talent it attracts.

    Addressing systemic issues

    International students are more than workers — they’re entrepreneurs, innovators and future job creators.

    For instance, as of 2022, nearly 180 of the U.S.’s billion-dollar companies were founded by former international students. Each of these companies created an average of 800 jobs and made up nearly a quarter of all dollar companies.

    Canada risks losing similarly bright minds to more welcoming countries if clear pathways for them to stay, contribute and build businesses aren’t established. This would cost the country both talent and billions in economic potential.

    If Canada is serious about building a stronger, more competitive economy, it must address the systemic issues that stand in the way of international student success.

    This includes modernizing credential recognition so employers can fairly assess international experience and qualifications, expanding co-op programs, internships and mentorships so international students can gain relevant Canadian experience before graduation and protect them from misinformation and questionable recruitment practices.

    Employers need to be educated about immigration pathways to reduce hiring hesitancy. The government also must create a stable and predictable immigration policy framework to give businesses confidence in hiring international graduates.



    Read more:
    International university grads speak about aspirations and barriers

    As Canada continues to face labour shortages and growing economic and political volatility, international education remains a strategic asset. It fuels research, diversifies trading partners, supports innovation and supplies the workforce Canada needs for long-term prosperity.

    The future of Canada’s economy depends on its ability to attract and retain the thinkers, creators, and innovators who will define the next generation of progress. At this critical moment, Canada must decide if it will invest in the talent that fuels innovation, or close the door on opportunity.

    Isaac Garcia-Sitton is affiliated with the Canadian Bureau for International Education (CBIE), the Council of Ontario Universities (COU), and the Council of International Schools (CIS)

    – ref. Why international students could be a critical factor in bolstering Canada’s economic resilience – https://theconversation.com/why-international-students-could-be-a-critical-factor-in-bolstering-canadas-economic-resilience-251985

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Emergency alerts and news notifications can make us stressed and anxious — here’s what you can do to cope

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Indu Subramanian, Clinical Professor of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles

    Emergency alerts may amplify distress in people who already have anxiety. (Shutterstock)

    When there’s a disaster, it’s helpful to know what’s going on — and know whether you’re truly at risk. But as essential as emergency alert systems are, they can leave many of us feeling anxious — even when the alert may be a false alarm or test.

    This is because emergency alerts, whether real or tests, can activate the same neural circuits involved in real danger. This can trigger stress, confusion and anxiety.

    Our nervous systems are constantly processing information from both our bodies and our environment, trying to distinguish between warnings that demand action and those that can be safely ignored.

    But over time, the stress associated with being on constant alert can have lasting effects on mental health. Chronic stress can contribute to the risk of developing anxiety disorders and depression, and even physical disorders such as heart disease. This is especially true for people who live in war-torn or natural disaster-prone areas.

    In people who already have anxiety, being unable to distinguish between real and perceived threats can be particularly debilitating. This can amplify their distress, making it difficult to navigate a world filled with both real and perceived threats.

    Similarly, neurological conditions such as migraines, Parkinson’s disease and Alzheimer’s disease can be exacerbated by chronic stress responses. This can lead to a worsening of symptoms and lower quality of life.

    The constant barrage of information we’re exposed to — from daily news alerts to “doomscrolling” on social media — highlights a broader challenge we all face: learning to navigate a world increasingly filled with real and perceived threats that can further exacerbate anxiety.

    Chronic anxiety can disrupt sleep and circadian function. This can lead to a downward cycle in which poor sleep and poor mood can worsen cognitive and physical function.

    People who are chronically anxious may also be at risk for loneliness and social isolation. And when people get lonely, they tend to fixate on threatening stimuli, which can further exacerbate anxiety and perpetuate a vicious cycle.

    The body’s interoceptive system — the brain’s ability to sense and interpret internal physiological signals — plays a crucial role in determining which environmental signals warrant our attention.

    This systems helps us detect when our heart is racing from actual danger, versus when it’s simply responding to stress or uncertainty. But when interoception is disrupted, as it often is during heightened anxiety states, distinguishing between true and false alarms becomes increasingly difficult.

    Nervous system support

    Thankfully, there are things we can do to help better support our nervous systems in making these critical distinctions.

    It’s helpful to be conscious and deliberate about what we expose ourselves to in our internal and external environment. Creating a daily schedule with set times for exercise, sleep and social connection can be effective. Practising mind-body approaches such as mindfulness, breath work, yoga and tai chi might also help to facilitate an inward focus. Sustaining this inward focus can help reset our interoceptive system.

    Spending time with friends and sharing your concerns with them can also be helpful when dealing with perceived threats. This can also enhance social connection, which can buffer stress. It can be very comforting to feel connected to others who are experiencing a similar trauma. Limiting time with people who increase your anxiety is also key.

    Stepping away from information streams might also help. Finding ways to temporarily turn off or physically separate from digital devices such as laptops, cellphones and smart-watches for set periods of time can effectively facilitate a break from media. This can allow our minds to settle and reset our attention on priorities that are meaningful to us.

    Spending time in nature or finding time for stillness in other ways, such as listening to calming music, can also helpful.

    A novel strategy that has recently been studied for reducing anxiety and resetting the interoceptive nervous system is flotation tank immersion, also known as float therapy or flotation-REST. This involves lying in a shallow bath of warm water filled with concentrated levels of Epsom salt. When combined with reduced visual and auditory stimulation, this is thought to enhance the body’s interoceptive signals.

    Float therapy may be helpful for mental health.
    (Shutterstock)

    Float therapy has been shown to quickly reduce anxiety and stress levels, increase relaxation and even lead to lasting improvements in body image.

    Ultimately, understanding the brain’s role in processing internal and external threats is vital to improving our mental and physical wellbeing.

    Using our interoceptive nervous system as a way of developing resilience involves learning to be proactive rather than reactive. Sensing when our body is getting the preliminary cues of anxiety or stress that can mount into full-blown disarray can help. Not reacting to these cues, and consciously and deliberately choosing alternative actions, can help to unwind the anxiety from these cues. This may also potentially even help us avoid an episode of panic.

    Being more in tune with our nervous system can help us better equip ourselves to face the challenges ahead — whether they’re true threats or false alarms.

    Sahib Khalsa receives funding from the National Institute of Mental Health. He is an associate editor of several journals, Biological Psychology and JMIR Mental Health. He is a board member of several nonprofit organizations, the International Society for Contemplative Research and the Float Research Collective, which are non-compensated positions.

    Indu Subramanian 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. Emergency alerts and news notifications can make us stressed and anxious — here’s what you can do to cope – https://theconversation.com/emergency-alerts-and-news-notifications-can-make-us-stressed-and-anxious-heres-what-you-can-do-to-cope-249112

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Bible Hill — Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit charge man with Murder

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Northeast Nova RCMP Major Crime Unit (NEN MCU) has charged a man with Murder associated to a death that occurred in September 2023.

    On September 17, 2023, Colchester County District RCMP responded to a report of a sudden death at a home on Wild Chance Drive in Bible Hill. The victim was identified as a 32-year-old woman of Bible Hill, and her death was believed to be suspicious.

    That morning, a Bible Hill man who was known to the victim was safely arrested at the Bible Hill RCMP Detachment and later released without charges.

    On March 17, 2025, the same man, 31-year-old Richard Craig Barrett, was charged with Murder (first degree) and investigators can confirm the homicide was an incident of intimate partner violence.

    “Over the course of this complex investigation, officers collected a significant amount of forensic evidence and spoke with many witnesses who shared valuable information,” says Cpl. Sandy Matharu of the Northeast Nova Major Crime Unit. “We appreciated the patience of the victim’s loved ones as investigators conducted a thorough examination and evaluation of the evidence, enabling us to put together a comprehensive investigation that supports this murder charge.”

    Barrett appeared in Truro Provincial Court on March 18 and was remanded in custody pending future court appearances.

    The investigation is ongoing and is being led by the NEN MCU with assistance from the Nova Scotia Medical Examiner Service and RCMP Forensic Identification Section.

    Nova Scotia RCMP encourages anyone experiencing, or at risk of, intimate partner violence to reach out. Support is available across Nova Scotia and can be accessed by dialing 211, calling the provincial toll-free line at 1-855-225-0220, or visiting Nova Scotia 211 online. You can access support anonymously.

    Our thoughts continue to be with the victim’s loved ones, and the community, at this difficult time.

    File # 2023-1382910

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: More schools for Edmonton and area | Un plus grand nombre d’écoles pour la région d’Edmonton

    [. That is why through Budget 2025, if passed, Alberta’s government is funding 14 new school projects in the Edmonton metro area, adding about 16,400 new and updated student spaces. In total, there are now 36 projects underway in and around Edmonton.

    “We have heard loud and clear that Edmonton and surrounding communities need new schools. To meet this call, we are supporting new and ongoing school projects in Edmonton and area to ensure every student has a space to grow and thrive.”

    Demetrios Nicolaides, Minister of Education

    Budget 2025, if passed, funds a total of 41 new school projects across the province. These school projects will add 38,500 new or upgraded student spaces. With the new investments in Budget 2025, there are now 132 active school projects underway in Alberta, all of which are being fast-tracked through the new and improved funding process designed and released by Alberta’s government in fall of 2024.

    “When we ensure that students have access to the classrooms they need, we are setting up the next generation to succeed. Our team is committed to working with everyone involved to turn permits into progress and get students into well-built and well-maintained schools as soon as possible.”

    Martin Long, Minister of Infrastructure

    Last fall, Alberta’s government announced an $8.6 billion program to accelerate school construction and build new classroom spaces to help ensure that every student has the space needed to grow and thrive. Over the next seven years, Alberta’s government will deliver more than 100 new and updated schools or about 200,000 student spaces.

    “The investment in five school projects is welcome news. Space for students in all grades, especially for high schools, is critical for Edmonton Public Schools. A school is the heart of a community, and we are grateful that more students will have access to a public school closer to home.”

    Julie Kusiek, board chair, Edmonton Public Schools

    “We are grateful for this investment in Catholic education. With nearly all our high schools over capacity and enrolment continuing to grow, this commitment is an important step in addressing these pressures. We look forward to advancing these projects quickly to ensure students have the spaces they need to succeed.”

    Sandra Palazzo, board chair, Edmonton Catholic Schools

    Budget 2025 is meeting the challenge faced by Alberta with continued investments in education and health, lower taxes for families and a focus on supporting the economy.

    Quick facts

    • The 2025 Capital Plan allocates $75 million over the next three years for the planning and design of the 41 school capital projects approved in 2025 and $2.3 billion to building and updating previously announced school projects.
    • With Budget 2025, if passed, there are now 36 school projects underway in the Edmonton metropolitan region:
      • 19 projects with construction approval
      • 7 projects with design approval
      • 10 projects with planning approval

    Budget 2025 (if passed) new school projects in the Edmonton region (11):   

    Community

    School division

    Project type/name

    Design funding (2)

    Edmonton

    Edmonton Public Schools 

    addition to Dr. Anne Anderson High School

    new K to 6 in Hawks Ridge

    Planning funding (9)

    Beaumont

    St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Schools

    new 10 to 12

    Black Gold School Division

    new 10 to 12

    Edmonton

    Edmonton Public Schools

    new 10 to 12 in Castle Downs

    new 10 to 12 in The Grange

    new K to 6 in Silver Berry

    Edmonton Catholic Schools

    new 10 to 12 in Lewis Farms

    new 10 to 12 in The Meadows

    Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord

    new K to 6 in Haddow/Henderson

    St. Albert

    St. Albert Public Schools

    new K to 9 in Chérot

    Budget 2025 (if passed) replacement school projects in the Edmonton region (2): 

     Community

    School division

    Project type/name

    Design funding (1)

    Morinville

    Sturgeon Public Schools

    replacement of Morinville Public School

    Planning funding (1)

    Edmonton

    Edmonton Catholic Schools

    replacement of St. Lucy Catholic Elementary School and Katherine Therrien Catholic Elementary School with K to 9 solution in Palisades/Oxford

    Budget 2025 (if passed) public charter school projects in the Edmonton region (1): 

     Community

    Charter authority

    Project type/name

    		  

    Design funding (1)

    		  

    Edmonton

    Alberta Classical Academy

    acquire and modernize the Edmonton Classical Academy, Eastgate Campus (K to 12)

    Related information

    • Budget 2025 Capital Plan
    • Budget 2025 overview
    • School construction accelerator program
    • Public charter schools

    Related news

    • Building schools in every corner of the province (March 7, 2025)
    • More schools for Calgary and region (March 14, 2025)

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    Quatorze nouveaux projets d’écoles pour Edmonton et les collectivités avoisinantes.

    La population de l’Alberta a augmenté rapidement au cours des dernières années et cette croissance démographique a exercé des pressions sur plusieurs écoles d’Edmonton confrontées à une hausse des inscriptions. Pour cette raison, le budget 2025, s’il est adopté, fera démarrer 14 nouveaux projets d’écoles dans la région métropolitaine d’Edmonton, ce qui permettra de créer et de rénover 16 400 places pour les élèves. Au total, 36 projets d’écoles sont désormais en cours de réalisation dans la région d’Edmonton.

    « Nous avons entendu haut et fort qu’Edmonton et les collectivités environnantes ont besoin de nouvelles écoles. Nous répondons à cet appel en soutenant de nouveaux projets d’écoles ainsi que des projets déjà en cours dans la région d’Edmonton afin que chaque élève ait un espace pour grandir et réussir. »

    Demetrios Nicolaides, ministre de l’Éducation

    Le budget 2025, s’il est adopté, finance un total de 41 nouveaux projets d’écoles dans l’ensemble de la province. Ces projets d’écoles permettront de créer et de moderniser plus de 38 500 places pour les élèves. Grâce aux nouveaux investissements prévus dans le budget 2025, 132 projets d’écoles sont maintenant en cours dans toute l’Alberta, tous accélérés au moyen du nouveau processus de financement amélioré conçu et mis en œuvre par le gouvernement de l’Alberta à l’automne 2024.

    « Lorsque nous veillons à ce que les élèves aient accès aux salles de classe dont ils ont besoin, nous donnons à la prochaine génération toutes les chances de réussir. Notre équipe s’engage à travailler avec toutes les parties concernées pour faire avancer la construction et offrir aux élèves des écoles bien construites et bien entretenues dès que possible. »

    Martin Long, ministre de l’Infrastructure

    L’automne dernier, le gouvernement de l’Alberta a annoncé un programme de 8,6 milliards de dollars pour accélérer la construction d’écoles et pour construire de nouvelles salles de classe afin que chaque élève ait l’espace nécessaire pour grandir et réussir. Au cours des sept prochaines années, le gouvernement de l’Alberta financera plus de 100 projets de construction et de rénovation d’écoles, ce qui permettra d’ajouter plus de 200 000 places pour les élèves.

    « L’investissement dans cinq projets d’écoles est une bonne nouvelle. Le besoin d’espace pour les élèves de toutes les classes, en particulier pour les écoles secondaires, est crucial pour les écoles publiques d’Edmonton. Les écoles sont au cœur des collectivités et nous sommes reconnaissants que davantage d’élèves aient accès à une école publique plus proche de chez eux. »

    Julie Kusiek, présidente, Edmonton Public Schools

    « Nous sommes reconnaissants de cet investissement dans l’éducation catholique. Alors que la quasi-totalité de nos écoles secondaires dépasse leur capacité d’accueil et que les inscriptions continuent d’augmenter, cet engagement est une étape importante pour faire face à ces pressions. Nous sommes impatients de faire avancer ces projets rapidement afin que les élèves disposent des espaces dont ils ont besoin pour réussir. »

    Sandra Palazzo, présidente, Edmonton Catholic Schools

    Le budget 2025 relève les défis auxquels fait face l’Alberta en continuant d’investir dans l’éducation et la santé, en réduisant les impôts pour les familles et en soutenant l’économie.

    En bref

    • Le plan d’immobilisations 2025 alloue 75 millions de dollars sur trois ans pour la planification et la conception des 41 projets d’immobilisations scolaires approuvés en 2025 et 2,3 milliards de dollars pour les projets de construction et de modernisation d’écoles déjà annoncés.
    • Si le budget 2025 est adopté, 36 projets d’écoles seront en cours de réalisation dans la région métropolitaine d’Edmonton :
      • 19 projets approuvés pour la construction;
      • 7 projets approuvés pour la conception;
      • 10 projets approuvés pour la planification.

    Le budget 2025 (si adopté) financera ces projets de nouvelles écoles dans la région d’Edmonton (11).

    Collectivité

    Autorité scolaire

    Type/nom de projet

    Financement pour la conception (2)

    Edmonton

    Edmonton Public Schools

    agrandissement de l’école secondaire Dr. Anne Anderson High School

    nouvelle école M à 6 dans Hawks Ridge

    Financement pour la planification (9)

    Beaumont

    St. Thomas Aquinas Roman Catholic Schools

    nouvelle école 10 à 12

    Black Gold School Division

    nouvelle école 10 à 12

    Edmonton

    Edmonton Public Schools

    nouvelle école 10 à 12 dans Castle Downs

    nouvelle école 10 à 12 dans The Grange

    nouvelle école M à 6 dans Silver Berry

    Edmonton Catholic Schools

    nouvelle école 10 à 12 dans Lewis Farms

    nouvelle école 10 à 12 sans The Meadows

    Conseil scolaire Centre-Nord

    nouvelle école M à 6 dans Haddow/Henderson

    Saint-Albert

    St. Albert Public Schools

    nouvelle école M à 9 dans Chérot

    Le budget 2025 (si adopté) financera ce projet de remplacement d’écoles dans la région d’Edmonton (2).

    Collectivité

    Autorité à charte

    Type/nom de projet

    Financement pour la conception (1)

    Morinville

    Sturgeon Public Schools

    école de remplacement pour Morinville Public School

    Financement pour la planification (1)

    Edmonton

    Edmonton Catholic Schools

    école de remplacement pour St. Lucy Catholic Elementary School et pour Katherine Therrien Catholic Elementary School avec solution M à 9 dans Palisades/Oxford

    Le budget 2025 (si adopté) financera ces projets d’écoles publiques à charte dans la région d’Edmonton (1).

    Collectivité

    Autorité à charte

    Type/nom de projet

    Financement pour la conception (1)

    Edmonton

    Alberta Classical Academy

    acquisition et modernisation du campus Eastgate (M à 12) de l’Edmonton Classical Academy

    Renseignements connexes

    • Budget 2025 : Plan d’immobilisations (en anglais seulement)
    • Aperçu du budget 2025 (en anglais seulement)
    • Programme pour accélérer la construction d’écoles
    • Écoles publiques à charte (en anglais seulement)

    Nouvelles connexes

    • Construire des écoles aux quatre coins de la province (7 mars 2025)
    • Un plus grand nombre d’écoles pour la région de Calgary (14 mars 2025)

    Multimédia (en anglais seulement)

    • Regarder la conférence de presse

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada to help skilled newcomers fill labour gaps in key sectors

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities and to the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development and Member of Parliament for St. Catharines, Chris Bittle, will be in Toronto to announce funding to improve foreign credential recognition processes and help internationally trained professionals across the country secure employment in the healthcare and construction sectors.  

    The announcement is being made on behalf of the Minister of Jobs and Families, Steven MacKinnon.

    A photo opportunity and media availability will follow the announcement.

    Please note that all details are subject to change. All times are local.

    Date:        Thursday, March 20, 2025

    Time:           9:30 a.m. EDT

    Place:          Newcomer Women’s Services Toronto
                     355 Church Street, Suite 201
                     Toronto, Ontario

    To register, contact media@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca with your name and media outlet.

    – 30 –

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Government of Canada continues to support unsheltered homelessness response in Thunder Bay and Guelph

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Thunder Bay, March 19, 2025 — The federal government is allocating an additional $1 million to the Lakehead Social Planning Council in Thunder Bay and $500,000 to the County of Wellington in Guelph through the Designated Communities stream of Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy. This brings the total allocation from 2019-20 through 2027-28 to $11.6 million for Thunder Bay, and $17.1 million for Guelph.

    This much needed funding will be invested in services and supports that work with some of the most vulnerable in these communities to find suitable housing and address the systemic challenges that contribute to chronic homelessness.

    Through Reaching Home: Canada’s Homelessness Strategy, the federal government is committed to preventing and reducing homelessness across the country in urban, Indigenous, rural, and remote communities.

    Everyone deserves a safe and stable place to call home, but far too many Canadians face the daily unacceptable reality of homelessness. The Government of Canada and its partners recognize the collective responsibility to develop and deliver community plans with clear outcomes that address local priorities designed to meet the needs of specific populations.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Why a journalist could obtain a minister’s ChatGPT prompts – and what it means for transparency

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Tom Felle, Associate Professor of Journalism, University of Galway

    When the New Scientist revealed that it had obtained a UK government minister’s ChatGPT prompts through a freedom of information (FOI) request, many in journalism and politics did a double take. Science and technology minister Peter Kyle had apparently asked the AI chatbot to draft a speech, explain complex policy and – more memorably – tell him what podcasts to appear on.

    What once seemed like private musings or experimental use of AI is now firmly in the public domain – because it was done on a government device.

    It’s a striking example of how FOI laws are being stretched in the age of artificial intelligence. But it also raises a bigger, more uncomfortable question: what else in our digital lives counts as a public record? If AI prompts can be released, should Google searches be next?

    Britain’s Freedom of Information Act was passed in 2000 and came into force in 2005. Two distinct uses of FOI have since emerged. The first – and arguably the most successful – is FOI applied to personal records. This has given people the right to access information held about them, from housing files to social welfare records. It’s a quiet success story that has empowered citizens in their dealings with the state.

    The second is what journalists use to interrogate the workings of government. Here, the results have been patchy at best. While FOI has produced scoops and scandals, it’s also been undermined by sweeping exemptions, chronic delays and a Whitehall culture that sees transparency as optional rather than essential.

    Tony Blair, who introduced the Act as prime minister, famously described it as the biggest mistake of his time in government. He later argued that FOI turned politics into “a conversation conducted with the media”.

    Successive governments have chafed against FOI. Few cases illustrate this better than the battle over the black spider memos – letters written by the then Prince (now King) Charles to ministers, lobbying on issues from farming to architecture. The government fought for a decade to keep them secret, citing the prince’s right to confidential advice.



    Read more:
    Dull content, but the release of Prince Charles letters is a landmark moment

    When they were finally released in 2015 after a Supreme Court ruling, the result was mildly embarrassing but politically explosive. It proved that what ministers deem “private” correspondence can, and often should, be subject to public scrutiny.

    The ChatGPT case feels like a modern version of that debate. If a politician drafts ideas via AI, is that a private thought or a public record? If those prompts shape policy, surely the public has a right to know.

    Are Google searches next?

    FOI law is clear on paper: any information held by a public body is subject to release unless exempt. Over the years, courts have ruled that the platform is irrelevant. Email, WhatsApp or handwritten notes – if the content relates to official business and is held by a public body, it’s potentially disclosable.

    The precedent was set in Dublin in 2017 when the Irish prime minister’s office released WhatsApp messages to the public service broadcaster RTÉ. The UK’s Information Commissioner’s Office has also published detailed guidance confirming that official information held in non-corporate channels such as private email, WhatsApp or Signal is subject to FOI requests if it relates to public authority business.

    The ongoing COVID-19 inquiry has shown how WhatsApp groups – once considered informal backchannels – became key decision-making arenas in government, with messages from Boris Johnson, Matt Hancock and senior advisers like Dominic Cummings now disclosed as official records.

    In Australia, WhatsApp messages between ministers were scrutinised during the Robodebt scandal, an illegal welfare hunt that ran from 2016-19, while Canada’s inquiry into the “Freedom Convoy” protests in 2022 revealed texts and private chats between senior officials as crucial evidence of how decisions were made.

    The principle is simple: if government work is being done, the public has a right to see it.

    AI chat logs now fall into this same grey area. If an official or minister uses ChatGPT to explore policy options or draft a speech on a government device, that log may be a record — as Peter Kyle’s prompts proved.

    This opens a fascinating (and slightly unnerving) precedent. If AI prompts are FOI-able, what about Google searches? If a civil servant types “How to privatise the NHS” into Chrome on a government laptop, is that a private query or an official record?

    The honest answer is: we don’t know (yet). FOI hasn’t fully caught up with the digital age. Google searches are usually ephemeral and not routinely stored. But if searches are logged or screen-captured as part of official work, then they could be requested.

    Similarly, what about drafts written in AI writing assistant Grammarly or ideas brainstormed with Siri? If those tools are used on official devices, and the records exist, they could be disclosed.

    Of course, there’s nothing to stop this or any future government from changing the law or tightening FOI rules to exclude material like this.

    FOI, journalism and democracy

    While these kinds of disclosures are fascinating, they risk distracting from a deeper problem: FOI is increasingly politicised. Refusals are now often based on political considerations rather than the letter of the law, with requests routinely delayed or rejected to avoid embarrassment. In many cases, ministers’ use of WhatsApp groups was a deliberate attempt to avoid scrutiny in the first place.

    There is a growing culture of transparency avoidance across government and public services – one that extends beyond ministers. Private companies delivering public contracts are often shielded from FOI altogether. Meanwhile, some governments, including Ireland and Australia, have weakened the law itself.

    AI tools are no longer experiments, they are becoming part of how policy is developed and decisions are made. Without proper oversight, they risk becoming the next blind spot in democratic accountability.

    For journalists, this is a potential game changer. Systems like ChatGPT may soon be embedded in government workflows, drafting speeches, summarising reports and even brainstorming strategy. If decisions are increasingly shaped by algorithmic suggestions, the public deserves to know how and why.

    But it also revives an old dilemma. Democracy depends on transparency – yet officials must have space to think, experiment and explore ideas without fear that every AI query or draft ends up on the front page. Not every search or chatbot prompt is a final policy position.

    Blair may have called FOI a mistake, but in truth, it forced power to confront the reality of accountability. The real challenge now is updating FOI for the digital age.

    Tom Felle 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. Why a journalist could obtain a minister’s ChatGPT prompts – and what it means for transparency – https://theconversation.com/why-a-journalist-could-obtain-a-ministers-chatgpt-prompts-and-what-it-means-for-transparency-252269

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Federal government announces $17.1 million for infrastructure to support more housing in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    Sydney, Nova Scotia, March 19, 2025 — Today, Mike Kelloway, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard, and to the Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, and Member of Parliament for Cape Breton–Canso; Jaime Battiste, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, and Member of Parliament for Sydney–Victoria; His Worship Cecil Clarke, Mayor of the Cape Breton Regional Municipality; and the Honourable David C. Dingwall, President and Vice-Chancellor of Cape Breton University announced a federal investment of over $17.1 million to improve water infrastructure for two housing developments in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF).

    Funding for the project in the Tartan Downs location in Sydney will support the installation of new water main and associated components, new sanitary sewer, and new stormwater piping along with a new stormwater retention pond. Once completed, the project will ensure the area has adequate water, wastewater, solid waste, and stormwater protections in place to support the immediate development of 145 housing units and a full-scale development of 600 new housing units in the next four to five years. Cape Breton University donated 24 acres of land from the Tartan Downs location for the purposes of a development that includes student and senior housing as well as affordable housing in the Cape Breton Regional Municipality.

    The second project will support a new, sustainable and dependable drinking water supply for Cape Breton University’s growing campus. The project will also supply drinking water to the neighbouring Tanglewood subdivision development, which will enable residential growth in the area.

    These investments, delivered through the Canada Housing Infrastructure Fund (CHIF), play a crucial role in strengthening essential infrastructure and getting more homes built faster.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI USA: Video Game Workers Launch Industry-Wide Union with Communications Workers of America

    Source: Communications Workers of America

    NATIONWIDE – Today, in a historic development for video game organizing, workers across the U.S. and Canada are launching United Videogame Workers-CWA Local 9433, a direct-join, industry-wide video game union with the Communications Workers of America (CWA) in partnership with the American Federation of Musicians (AFM). The launch will be formally announced at the 2025 Game Developer Conference in San Francisco, Calif., the world’s largest industry event for video game professionals, where workers will be joined by other CWA members to launch this powerful new organization.

    CWA members will be handing out an introductory UVW-CWA zine 
    to GDC 2025 attendees. A digital version of the zine can be found here.

    UVW-CWA builds off of the unprecedented mobilization following the Game Developers Conference in 2018, which served as a launching pad for the creation of Game Workers Unite, an international grassroots organization dedicated to labor organizing the industry. The launch of UVW-CWA also coincides with the fifth anniversary of CODE-CWA, which has helped over 6,500 tech and video game workers organize to join the union since 2020.

    “The creation of this union was not done in isolation; it’s a cumulative effort by the thousands of video game workers who have been fighting for years to redefine what it means to stand together and reclaim power in one of the largest and highest-grossing industries on the globe,” said Tom Smith, CWA’s Senior Director of Organizing. “These workers are taking a bold stand, joining together to build power for the workers behind the games we all know and love.”

    As part of the United Videogame Workers-CWA launch, members will be gathering signatures for a petition demanding dignity and job security for all video game workers, particularly those facing layoffs. The video game industry is one of the fastest-growing entertainment industries in the world, with huge revenue increases in recent years. Across the industry, over 10,500 jobs were lost in 2023 and an additional 14,600 jobs were lost in 2024. According to the GDC 2025 State of the Game Industry, more than 10% of surveyed game developers reported being laid off in 2024. Over 30 studios have laid off their entire staff and were closed by their parent companies, including some of the largest and most profitable corporations like Microsoft and Sony Interactive Entertainment. The full petition can be found here.

    “Our mission is to take back our lives, our labor, and our passion from those who treat us like replaceable cogs; to empower our fellow workers; to link up arms with the laid off, with the freelancer, with the disillusioned contractor, with the disenfranchised and the marginalized, with the workers laboring invisibly to keep this industry afloat,” reads UVW-CWA’s mission statement. “We are going to create a game industry that works for us, one that nourishes its talent and invests in its future, rather than constantly seeking short-term profits. We are the ones that make the games, so we must be the ones that set the terms of how we work.”

    UVW-CWA joins a list of several other historic union campaigns with CWA that have organized within a direct-join organizing model, including United Campus Workers-CWA, Texas State Employees Union-CWA Local 6186, and Alphabet Workers Union-CWA. Direct-join organizing, sometimes referred to as pre-majority unionism, enables workers – including freelancers and the thousands of video game workers who were laid off in recent years – to build power across the industry without the obstacles and delays that employers can impose during the traditional union certification process., It also makes it easier for workers to address shared concerns beyond just one video game studio. UVW-CWA will include video game workers across the United States and Canada, as well as video game contractors, freelancers, indie developers, workers who are currently unemployed, and workers who are already organizing their workplaces.

    “The formation of United Video Game Workers-CWA is an exciting next step in our union’s work to help video game workers build power in their industry,” said CWA President Claude Cummings Jr. “As video game studios have consolidated, the workers whose creativity, dedication, and skill bring the games to life have become more an afterthought. They are subject to endless cycles of layoffs and rehiring as corporate executives pursue short-term profits at the expense of a sustainable future.”

    Video game workers and musicians in the United States/Canada who are interested in becoming members can apply here.

    Follow UVW-CWA on Bluesky, X, and Instagram. Visit uvw-cwa.org for more information on campaign updates and membership opportunities.

    ###

    About CODE-CWA
    The Campaign to Organize Digital Employees (CODE-CWA) is a network of worker-organizers and their staff working every single day to build the voice and power necessary to ensure the future of the tech, game, and digital industries in the United States and Canada. CODE-CWA is a project of the Communications Workers of America which represents hundreds of thousands of workers throughout tech, media, telecom, and other industries who stand together to fight for justice on the job and in our communities.

    About CWA
    The Communications Workers of America represents working people in telecommunications, customer service, media, airlines, health care, public service and education, manufacturing, tech, and other fields.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: CBSA prevents over $11 million worth of cocaine from entering Canada leading to criminal charges by the RCMP

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    March 19, 2025      

    Point Edward, Ontario  

    Canada Border Services Agency / Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) are committed to intercepting and investigating smuggling attempts at our border and disrupting organized crime. 

    Today, the CBSA and the RCMP announce the seizure of approximately 419 kg of suspected cocaine from two recent enforcement actions at the Blue Water Bridge port of entry in Point Edward, Ontario, with an estimated street value of $11 million. 

    Working with law enforcement partners, the CBSA’s National Targeting Centre identified two commercial shipments potentially containing narcotics bound for Canada from the United States. 

    Based on this intelligence, on February 27, 2025, a commercial truck coming from the United States was referred for a secondary examination. During the inspection of the trailer, border services officers seized four duffle bags containing approximately 86 kg of suspected cocaine, with an estimated value of $2.3 million. The RCMP have charged Pawandeep Dhillon, 34, of Innisfil, Ontario, under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act with importation of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

    A week later on March 6, 2025, the CBSA referred another tractor-trailer coming from the United States for a secondary examination. Border services officers seized 333 kg of suspected cocaine from the trailer of the commercial load, with an estimated value of $9 million. The RCMP have charged Ravinderbir Singh, 23, of Brampton, Ontario, under the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act with importation of a controlled substance and possession of a controlled substance for the purpose of trafficking.

    The drivers and the suspected narcotics were transferred to the custody of the RCMP. Both matters are currently before the Ontario Court of Justice, in Sarnia, Ontario.

    The success of these significant seizures is due to the collective contributions of law enforcement partners working together to ensure the security and safety of the country by exposing and dismantling dangerous criminal networks and holding those responsible accountable for their actions.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI: Orezone Gold Announces Full Exercise of Over-Allotment Option

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    NOT FOR DISTRIBUTION TO U.S. NEWS WIRE SERVICES OR DISSEMINATION IN THE UNITED STATES.

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, March 19, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE, OTCQX: ORZCF) (the “Company” or “Orezone”) announces that Canaccord Genuity Corp., the sole underwriter and bookrunner for the Company’s previously announced C$35 million bought deal financing that closed on March 13, 2025 (the “Offering”), has now fully exercised their over-allotment option (the “Over-Allotment Option”) under the Offering to acquire an additional 6,402,450 common shares of the Company (the “Shares”) at a price of C$0.82 per Share for additional gross proceeds of C$5,250,009. The issuance and purchase of the additional 6,402,450 Shares closed earlier today.

    The Company intends to use the net proceeds from the Over-Allotment Option to accelerate both stage 2 of the hard rock expansion and additional exploration at its Bomboré Gold Mine, as well as for working capital and general corporate purposes, as further described in the Company’s short form prospectus dated March 7, 2025.

    The securities referred to in this news release have not been, nor will they be, registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”), and may not be offered or sold within the United States absent U.S. registration or an applicable exemption from the U.S. registration requirements. This news release does not constitute an offer for sale of securities, nor a solicitation for offers to buy any securities in the United States, nor in any other jurisdiction in which such offer, solicitation or sale would be unlawful.

    About Orezone Gold Corporation

    Orezone Gold Corporation (TSX: ORE OTCQX: ORZCF) is a West African gold producer engaged in mining, developing, and exploring its flagship Bomboré Gold Mine in Burkina Faso. The Bomboré mine achieved commercial production on its oxide operations on December 1, 2022, and is now focused on its staged hard rock expansion that is expected to materially increase annual and life-of-mine gold production from the processing of hard rock mineral reserves. Orezone is led by an experienced team focused on social responsibility and sustainability with a proven track record in project construction and operations, financings, capital markets and M&A.

    The technical report entitled Bomboré Phase II Expansion, Definitive Feasibility Study is available on SEDAR+ and the Company’s website.

    Contact Information

    Patrick Downey
    President and Chief Executive Officer

    Kevin MacKenzie
    Vice President, Corporate Development and Investor Relations

    Tel: 1 778 945 8977 / Toll Free: 1 888 673 0663
    info@orezone.com / www.orezone.com

    For further information please contact Orezone at +1 (778) 945-8977 or visit the Company’s website at www.orezone.com.

    Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This press release contains certain information that may constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable Canadian securities laws and “forward-looking statements” within the meaning of applicable U.S. securities laws (together, “forward-looking statements”). Forward-looking statements are frequently characterized by words such as “plan”, “expect”, “project”, “intend”, “believe”, “anticipate”, “estimate”, “potential”, “possible” and other similar words, or statements that certain events or conditions “may”, “will”, “could”, or “should” occur.  Forward-looking statements in this press release include, but are not limited to, statements regarding the use of proceeds of the Over-Allotment Option.

    All such forward-looking statements are based on certain assumptions and analyses made by management in light of their experience and perception of historical trends, current conditions and expected future developments, as well as other factors management and the qualified persons believe are appropriate in the circumstances.

    All forward-looking statements are subject to a variety of risks and uncertainties and other factors that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those projected in the forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, delays caused by pandemics, terrorist or other violent attacks (including cyber security attacks), the failure of parties to contracts to honour contractual commitments, unexpected changes in laws, rules or regulations, or their enforcement by applicable authorities; social or labour unrest; changes in commodity prices; unexpected failure or inadequacy of infrastructure, the possibility of unanticipated costs and expenses, accidents and equipment breakdowns, political risk, unanticipated changes in key management personnel and general economic, market or business conditions, the failure of exploration programs, including drilling programs, to deliver anticipated results and the failure of ongoing and uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, and other factors described in the Company’s most recent annual information form and management discussion and analysis filed on SEDAR+. Readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on forward-looking statements.

    Although the forward-looking statements contained in this press release are based upon what management of the Company believes are reasonable assumptions, the Company cannot assure investors that actual results will be consistent with these forward-looking statements. These forward-looking statements are made as of the date of this press release and are expressly qualified in their entirety by this cautionary statement. Subject to applicable securities laws, the Company does not assume any obligation to update or revise the forward-looking statements contained herein to reflect events or circumstances occurring after the date of this press release.

    The MIL Network –