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Category: Canada

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Backgrounder – Additional sanctions

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Effective October 29, 2024, Canada is imposing sanctions against the following individuals and entities for supplying weapons and military equipment to the Myanmar military during worsening attacks on civilians.

    Effective October 29, 2024, Canada is imposing sanctions against the following individuals and entities for supplying weapons and military equipment to the Myanmar military during worsening attacks on civilians.

    Canadian measures

    The Special Economic Measures (Burma) Regulations impose on listed persons a prohibition on any transaction (effectively, an asset freeze) by prohibiting persons in Canada and Canadians outside Canada from engaging in any activity related to any property of these listed persons or providing financial or related services to them.

    The specific prohibitions are set out in the regulations.

    Targeted individuals are senior figures in the Myanmar military responsible for such international humanitarian and human rights law violations. The names of the individuals and entities added to the schedule of these regulations are the following:

    Individuals

    1. Charlie Than
    2. Ne Aung
    3. Win Kyaw Kyaw Aung

    Entities

    1. King Royal Technologies Company Ltd.
    2. Royal Shune Lei Company Ltd.
    3. International Group of Entrepreneurs (IGE)Company Ltd.
    4. Swan Energy Company Limited

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Backgrounder: Canada announces $62 million for sustaining livelihoods by protecting biodiversity in developing countries

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Today, during the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16), the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced a total of $62 million in funding for the following projects

    Today, during the United Nations Biodiversity Conference (COP16), the Honourable Ahmed Hussen, Minister of International Development, announced a total of $62 million in funding for the following projects:

    Project: Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund
    Partner: Conservation International
    Funding: $20 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026

    The Critical Ecosystem Partnership Fund aims to support the conservation and sustainable use of biodiversity in 3 biodiversity hot spots: the Cerrado in Brazil; countries in the Indo-Burma region, namely Cambodia, Laos and Thailand; and countries in the Tropical Andes region, namely Bolivia, Colombia, Ecuador and Peru. Canada’s contribution will advance gender equality by strengthening leadership skills among women conservationists and enhance locally driven conservation in key biodiversity areas through financial and technical support.

    Project: Biodiversity Ecosystem Restoration for Community Resilience in the Chittagong Hill Tracts in Bangladesh
    Partner: UN Development Programme
    Funding: $12.5 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026

    This project aims to strengthen biodiversity conservation and resilient ecosystems in climate-vulnerable and marginalized communities in the Chittagong Hill Tracts region of Bangladesh. The project will work with these communities to develop and implement community-based biodiversity conservation plans. It will also increase women’s role in decision making and in implementing inclusive biodiversity ecosystem restoration plans with local government agencies, as well as improve the restoration of biodiversity ecosystems by vulnerable households and enhance resilient alternative livelihoods of ecosystem-dependent communities to improve market access and biodiversity conservation.

    Project: Supporting the Protection of Marine Biodiversity Within the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean Through Dark Vessel Detection Technologies
    Partner: Fisheries and Oceans Canada
    Funding: $5 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026

    This project shares Canadian technical expertise to assist Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Panama and Peru in protecting their unique marine biodiversity and supporting coastal communities, specifically women, Indigenous people and Afro-descendants. The project will provide access to innovative Canadian satellite surveillance technology by MDA Space Ltd. to support monitoring and enforcement efforts to reduce the threats posed by illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing activities.

    Project: Strengthening Marine Law Enforcement in the Eastern Tropical Pacific Ocean
    Partner: WildAid
    Funding: $5 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 to 2026 to 2027

    This project will help improve the protection and sustainable use of marine ecosystems in Colombia, Costa Rica, Ecuador, Mexico, Panama and Peru. This will be achieved by strengthening the capacity of national marine authorities and government-endorsed community organizations to reduce the threats posed by illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing. The project will increase the effectiveness of maritime law enforcement by advocating for compliance through education, outreach and the creation of community-wide benefits.

    Project: Enhancing Indigenous Peoples’ Resilience to Climate Change in Colombia
    Partner: World Food Programme
    Funding: $9.5 million for fiscal years 2023 to 2024 to 2027 to 2028

    This project will help increase the resilience of Indigenous communities in the Amazon. The rich and diverse ecosystems in the southern Colombian Amazon rainforest are highly sensitive to climate change, facing rapid alterations in temperature and water availability. This degradation directly affects the food security and nutrition of forest-dependent communities, particularly Indigenous people and women. The project will focus on climate adaptation, sustainable agriculture and environmental management by combining ancestral practices with modern technology. It will promote sustainable agri-food value chains to improve food security and enhance the role of women in climate governance. Project activities will be carried out in Putumayo, Caquetá and Amazonas.

    Project: Podong Indigenous Peoples Initiative
    Partner: International Union for the Conservation of Nature
    Funding: $7 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026

    This initiative is the result of a collaboration between the International Union for the Conservation of Nature, Indigenous leaders and the International Indigenous Forum on Biodiversity. Canada’s contribution will help Indigenous people build their capacity to implement gender-responsive biodiversity conservation actions, build leadership skills to engage in global environmental forums and negotiations, and address the barriers Indigenous peoples face in accessing funding for their self-determined climate and biodiversity priorities and actions.

    This initiative will take place in Guatemala, Nepal, Panama and Tanzania. It advances the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, which emphasizes Indigenous peoples’ right to conservation and protection of the environment and the productive capacity of their land.

    Project: Accelerating Systemic Change for Gender Equality and Biodiversity Conservation Through the National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans Accelerator Partnership
    Partner: UN Environment Programme
    Funding: $3 million for fiscal years 2024 to 2025 and 2025 to 2026

    The National Biodiversity Strategies and Action Plans (NBSAPs) Accelerator Partnership is a global initiative launched in Montréal at COP15. It provides knowledge, technical and financial support to developing countries for the preparation and implementation of their national biodiversity strategies and action plans. NBSAPs are essential road maps that guide decision making and on-the-ground action to conserve and use biodiversity in a sustainable manner.

    Canada’s support will help Antigua and Barbuda, Comoros, Costa Rica, Eswatini, Tajikistan, Thailand and Togo develop and update their NBSAPs and ensure that they are gender-responsive and inclusive.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Marystown — Man injured by shot from small game rifle, Burin Peninsula RCMP looks to identify hunters in area of Grand Le Pierre

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Following the report of a gunshot injury sustained to an individual on the afternoon of October 26, 2024, Burin Peninsula RCMP is looking to identify hunters or any other individuals who may have been present when the incident occurred. The hunting area is located off Route 211, approximately 3 kilometers North/East of the community of Grand La Pierre.

    At approximately 3:30 p.m. on Saturday, Burin Peninsula RCMP received the report of a gunshot injury from the Burin Peninsula Health Care Centre. A man attended the hospital informing that he had been shot while scouting out the area to set some rabbit snares. A 22-Calibre round was removed from the man who was treated for minor injuries. The incident is believed to have occurred sometime earlier that afternoon between 1:00-1:30 p.m.

    No persons or vehicles were observed by the injured man. Police attended the described location but were unable to locate anyone in the area.

    The investigation is continuing.

    Anyone who may have been in the area on Saturday afternoon or who may have information about this incident is asked to contact Burin Peninsula RCMP at 709-279-3001. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: UK, EU and Canada impose new sanctions targeting Myanmar military regime and its associates

    Source: United Kingdom – Executive Government & Departments

    The UK, EU and Canada have announced further sanctions targeting the Myanmar military’s access to military material, equipment and funds.

    • The UK, EU and Canada have announced a further round of sanctions to increase pressure on the Myanmar military regime and its associates.  

    • UK sanctions target entities supplying aviation fuel and equipment to the Myanmar military. August 2024 saw the highest number of airstrikes on record by the Myanmar military, killing dozens of civilians.  

    The UK, EU and Canada have announced further sanctions targeting the Myanmar military’s access to military material, equipment and funds.  

    UK action will help to constrain the Myanmar military’s ability to conduct airstrikes on civilians, which amount to gross human rights violations.  

    The latest round of UK sanctions is against six entities involved either in providing aviation fuel to the Myanmar military or in the supply of restricted goods, including aircraft parts. Today’s announcement bolsters previous sanctions against suppliers of aviation fuel to the military in February and March 2023 and arms dealers in October 2023.  

    The UK will continue to work with partners to restrict the sale and transfer of arms and finance to the Myanmar military. Since the coup, the UK has provided more than £150 million for life-saving humanitarian assistance, healthcare, education and support for civil society and local communities in Myanmar.

    Minister for the Indo-Pacific, Catherine West said:  

    The human rights violations taking place across Myanmar, including airstrikes on civilian infrastructure, by the Myanmar military is unacceptable and the impact on innocent civilians is intolerable. 

    That is why today the UK is announcing fresh sanctions targeting the suppliers of equipment and aviation fuel to the Myanmar military. Alongside the EU and Canada, we are today further constraining the military’s access to funds, equipment and resources. 

    These sanctions will increase pressure on the Myanmar military. The UK remains steadfast in our support for the Myanmar people and their aspirations for a peaceful and democratic future.

    On 1 February 2021, the Myanmar military overthrew the democratically elected government, led by Aung San Suu Kyi, and installed a military regime. Since then, they have used violence and atrocities to maintain power and suppress any opposition voices. Increasingly brutal tactics have been implemented as the military continue to cling on to power, leading to the highest number of airstrikes on record by the Myanmar military this August (2024), killing dozens of civilians. 

    Over 3.4 million people are now displaced from their homes due to the fighting, over 18 million people are in need of humanitarian assistance, and Myanmar is now seeing a proliferation in serious and organised crime. 

    Background  

    Since the coup, the UK has designated 25 individuals and 33 entities under the Myanmar Sanctions Regime. The UK continues to lead international efforts to undermine the regime’s credibility and constrain their access to revenue and arms. 

    Today the UK has sanctioned: 

    1. Asia Sun Group Company Limited – for being owned or controlled by Zaw Min Tun, a Myanmar businessman previously sanctioned by the UK in 2023 for making available economic resources, namely aviation fuel, directly or indirectly to or for the benefit of the Myanmar security forces. 

    2. Swan Energy Company Limited – for being associated with Asia Sun Trading Company Limited and by for making available economic resources (aviation fuel) directly or indirectly to or for the benefit of the Myanmar security forces.  

    3. Myan-Oil Company Limited – for being associated with Asia Sun Trading Company Limited. 

    4. Rich Ray Trading Company Limited – for being associated with Asia Sun Trading Company Limited and by making available economic resources (aviation fuel) directly or indirectly to or for the benefit of the Myanmar security forces. 

    5. Progress Technology Support Company (a.k.a Royal Shune Lei Co) – for being involved in the supply to Myanmar of restricted goods or restricted technology or of material related to such goods or technology.  

    6. King Royal Technologies Company Limited- for being involved in the supply to Myanmar of goods or technology which could contribute to a serious human rights violation or abuse.

    Media enquiries

    Email newsdesk@fcdo.gov.uk

    Telephone 020 7008 3100

    Contact the FCDO Communication Team via email (monitored 24 hours a day) in the first instance, and we will respond as soon as possible.

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    Updates to this page

    Published 29 October 2024

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre opens call for applications for the Community Support for Sexual Misconduct Survivors Grant Program

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

    The Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC) is committed to improving access to support services for individuals affected by sexual misconduct within the Defence community.

    October 29, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – Department of National Defence

    The Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC) is committed to improving access to support services for individuals affected by sexual misconduct within the Defence community.

    Today, the SMSRC launched its 2024-25 call for applications for the Community Support for Sexual Misconduct Survivors Grant Program. This initiative aims to broaden the availability of support services and strengthen collaboration between community-based organizations and Department of National Defence (DND) and Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) service providers.

    Grant Details:

    • One-time project grants: up to $50,000
    • Recurrent grants: up to $75,000 annually for two to three years
    • Application deadline: November 26, 2024, at 11:59 PM Pacific Time
    • Funding anticipated to commence: Spring 2025

    The goal of the Grant Program is to broaden the scope of support services accessible to those affected by sexual misconduct in the wider Defence community and increase the collaboration between community-based and DND/CAF service providers. The SMSRC’s Grant Program was developed based on the request of people in the Defence community affected by sexual misconduct to have access to a broad range of culturally competent, confidential, specialized care and support services.

    The grant program is part of It’s Time: Canada’s Strategy to Prevent and Address Gender-Based Violence (the federal GBV Strategy).

    For further information and to apply, please visit the SMSRC Grant Program website.

    Quotes

    “Improving access to support services for members of the Defence Community who have been affected by sexual misconduct is a top priority for the Department of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. By funding projects across Canada, the SMSRC’s Grant Program ensures that our people have access to a broader range of support services. The Defence Community works hard every day to keep Canadians safe and it is our duty to make sure we build an institution where everyone feels respected and empowered to reach their full potential.”

    The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence

    “Survivors and individuals affected by sexual misconduct should be able to access the support services they need when and where they need them. This program helps expand access to critical support services close to home. By investing in community-based organizations, our government is empowering communities to provide the care and resources that survivors and their families can count on.”

    The Honourable Ginette Petitpas Taylor, Minister of Veterans Affairs and Associate Minister of National Defence

    “The SMSRC Community Support for Sexual Misconduct Survivors Grant Program is open to receiving applications from community-based service providers. I look forward to establishing grant agreements with organizations across the country to support those affected by sexual misconduct. Together, we can work to make sure that those affected have the support they need.”

    Linda Rizzo-Michelin, Chief Operating Officer, Sexual Misconduct Support and Resource Centre (SMSRC), Department of National Defence

    Quick facts

    • The Grant Program was first launched in the fall of 2022 and currently funds 32 projects in Alberta, British Columbia, Quebec, Manitoba, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and Saskatchewan.

    • Eligible organizations include, but are not limited to, sexual assault centres, community support programs and counselling services who have the capacity and expertise to provide support to those that have been affected by sexual misconduct within the wider Defence community.

    • The “wider Defence community” includes current and former CAF members/Veterans, DND public service employees, Cadets, Junior Canadian Rangers, their families, supporters, and caregivers (age 16 and older).

    • The program seeks to support projects that address the needs of diverse populations, women, men, sexually and  gender diverse people; Two Spirit, lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender, queer, intersex and additionally sexually and gender diverse (2SLGBTQI+) people; Indigenous Peoples; Black, Asian and other racialized people; people living with disabilities; religious minorities; those living in an official language minority community; those living in northern, rural and remote communities; others with diverse identity factors; and/or people who cannot access services in person.

    • In addition to funding community support, the SMSRC provides support services to meet the needs of the wider Defence community.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Media Relations
    Department of National Defence
    613-904-3333
    mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Top Canadian cyber security body releases flagship guidance for critical infrastructure

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Critical infrastructure operators in Canada now have an important new resource to help protect themselves against cyber threats.

    October 29, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario

    The Government of Canada is committed to enhancing the security and resilience of critical infrastructure and exercising leadership in cyber security to foster collaboration. To that end, critical infrastructure operators in Canada now have an important new resource to help protect themselves against cyber threats.

    Today, the Canadian Centre for Cyber Security (Cyber Centre), a part of the Communications Security Establishment Canada (CSE), is publishing a suite of voluntary guidelines designed to further protect essential services for people in Canada and enhance cyber security resilience overall.

    Called the Cyber Security Readiness Goals (CRGs), this new resource offers a toolkit with 36 cross-sector cyber security practices — that build on available advice and guidance. The CRGs list important steps organizations can take toward goals that will improve their cyber security posture in the face of increasingly complex cyber security threats.

    Designed to be an evergreen resource that can be used by all critical infrastructure sectors, the CRGs will be updated as the Cyber Centre based on feedback from partners and as the threat landscape evolves over time.

    Critical infrastructure services and systems are increasingly vulnerable due to their reliance on complex networks of interdependent digital services, assets and facilities.

    This flagship resource is yet another step forward in Canada’s ongoing efforts to remain at the leading edge of cyber security resilience and protect this country’s vital critical infrastructure systems.

    For more information (media only) please contact:
    Media Relations
    Communications Security Establishment Canada
    media@cse-cst.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Global: How language barriers influence global climate literacy

    Source: The Conversation – UK – By Mario Saraceni, Associate Professor in English Language and Linguistics, University of Portsmouth

    Creativa Images/Shutterstock

    Our planet is getting hotter at an alarming rate. Climate change is one of the most serious global issues today. Its consequences affect every single human being on Earth. So it seems perfectly logical that scientific publications about global warming are written in the global language: English.

    And yet, it is precisely because it is written in English, that climate science is largely inaccessible to the majority of people globally.

    To explain this apparent contradiction, we need to look at some numbers. Nearly 90% of scientific publications globally are in English. This is a staggering dominance of just one language. But English, often called a global language, is only spoken by a minority of the world’s population.




    Read more:
    Indigenous languages must feature more in science communication


    How do we know that most people in the world don’t speak English? English the main language of society in only a handful of countries: the UK, Ireland, the US, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. The population of these countries, combined, amounts to about 400 million – a very small percentage of the world’s population.

    In many other former British colonies, such as India, Nigeria or Malaysia, English exists alongside other languages. In these contexts English tends to be an elite language, used mostly by urban, middle-class, well-educated people. Elsewhere, English functions as a lingua franca, used mostly in transnational communication.

    Given these diverse scenarios, it is extremely difficult to estimate the number of speakers of English with any precision. About 20 years ago, linguist David Crystal suggested that the number may be somewhere between 1 and 2 billion. Even if we take the upper limit of that extremely large range, we’re talking about only one quarter of the world’s population. This means that three out of four people in the world do not speak English.




    Read more:
    Italian government wants to stop businesses using English – here’s why it’s the lingua franca of firms around the world


    That means at least three quarters of the world’s population do not speak the language in which the science about climate change is disseminated globally. At the same time, languages other than English are marginalised and struggle to find space in the global communication of science.

    So this linguistic inequality creates an imbalance in the distribution of scientific knowledge about climate change. But it also reinforces two other types of existing inequality.

    One has to do with the production of scientific knowledge in general, which is disproportionately emanating from the two main Anglophone countries: the US and the UK. Out of the top 100 scientific journals for impact and prestige, 91 are based in these two countries.

    Out of 100 top scientific journals, 91 are published in the UK and the US.
    Sergei25/Shutterstock

    The other form of inequality has to do with social injustice. Scientific literature is almost exclusively written in English. But this language is virtually unknown by most people, especially in developing countries. And so, societies who suffer more from climate change are precisely those where access to scientific literature about it is severely limited.

    What is the solution? Unesco’s Open Science initiative, is attempting to tackle the problem. It aims to “make scientific research from all fields accessible to everyone for the benefits of scientists and society as a whole”. One of its objectives is to “ensure that scientific collaborations transcend the boundaries of geography, language and resources”.

    Breaking language barriers

    Achieving the objectives set by Open Science is no easy task. One approach is to break the barrier of English monolingualism by promoting multilingualism.

    On the one hand, opportunities must be created for scientists from around the world to communicate their research and their scholarship in languages other than English.

    On the other, the great technological advancement made in machine translation, especially with the advent of AI, should be put to use in order to ensure that content is available in languages other than English. This is precisely the goal of Climate Cardinals, a non-profit organisation whose mission is to “make the climate movement more accessible to those who don’t speak English” by translating information into more than 100 languages.

    These kinds of concrete efforts offer hope for climate literacy and, consequently, for action to lessen the impact of climate change.

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

    – ref. How language barriers influence global climate literacy – https://theconversation.com/how-language-barriers-influence-global-climate-literacy-241867

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI United Kingdom: Astra Awards Celebrate Grassroots Innovation23 Oct 2024

    Source: United Kingdom – Royal Air Force

    The Astra Awards celebrated innovation, challenge, and improvement across the RAF at the RAF Museum in London on 17 October 2024.

    Astra is the RAF’s approach to grassroots innovation, which encompasses bureaucracy challenge and continuous improvement. The Astra Awards recognise some of the most inspirational people, ingenious ideas, and the incredible impact they’ve had on our operational output.

    Award Winners

    Astra Unit Award, sponsored by Fujitsu

    Winner: RAF Lossiemouth

    RAF Lossiemouth showcases the future of the Astra Network at a unit level. Enthusiastically grasping the direction to refocus Astra onto grassroots innovation, the team have already made a significant impact on the innovative mindset across the station. Proactively upskilling the existing Continuous Improvement personnel in unfamiliar areas such as additive manufacturing, computer-aided design, and virtual reality, the small team are already proving highly effective in all aspects of grassroots innovation. Positively impacting on people and the operational output across the unit, they are making best use of every asset and opportunity provided to them. To support their work, the team have created an exciting and engaging Astra Hub; a collaborative, innovative space that will allow the whole force to continue to deliver substantial benefits to RAF Lossiemouth and the RAF.

    Astra Innovation Award, sponsored by PA Consulting

    Winner: Project I2T

    Project IMMERSIVE INSTRUCTOR TRAINING, known as I2T, is designed to enhance the delivery of training to Qualified Helicopter Instructors and Qualified Helicopter Crewman Instructors. Significantly modernising the outdated system, the project delivers training using immersive 360-degree video courseware accessed via virtual reality headsets. Developed by Flt Lt Rich Keeling and Dr Jon Allsop at the Central Flying School, it is being implemented by RAF Shawbury to great effect. It is proving to complement the existing training programme and allows instructors to gain skills through repeatable virtual scenarios and error analysis. It bridges the gap between theoretical and real-world flying in a sustainable manner and helps to ensure effective instructors for future helicopter aircrew.

    Astra Challenge Award, sponsored by Boxxe

    Winner: Sergeant Becky Livesey

    Consistently championing change for the benefit of our whole force, Becky has been a driving force behind a challenge to amend outdated policy to support hundreds of individuals with shared parental responsibility. The previous policy only allowed leave to be shared between serving spouses, which did not reflect the changing nature of families and led to personal difficulties and an unstable environment for the children of Service personnel. Her challenge highlighted the negative impact of the policy and was integral to bringing about a significant change. The updated policy now allows leave to be transferred between serving personnel in all three Services who both have parental responsibility for a child, enabling them to use it for childcare purposes. The resulting increase in stability for Service children and the home environment cannot be underestimated, nor can its impact on retention and morale for our people.

    Astra Improvement Award, sponsored by QinetiQ

    Winner: RAF Brize Norton Air Mobility Force Dispatch Optimisation

    The consolidation of key enablers into a centralised dispatch centre at RAF Brize Norton has greatly enhanced communication, professional relationships, and overall efficiency, saving over 15 minutes for every flight from the busy main operating base. The relocation of the Meteorological Office, Jet Plans, and MSC has reduced unnecessary movement and transportation waste, streamlining workflow. The elimination of ‘nav bags’ and the centralisation of Electronic Flight Bags further minimised motion waste. Additionally, process duplication has been removed, reducing rework, and allowing crews to plan without interruption. Crews also save a further 6-8 minutes by no longer needing to visit Load Control, and aircrew now book transport directly, reducing delays. The project has delivered efficiencies for all stakeholders throughout the process.

    Astra Contribution to Operations Award, sponsored by the RAF

    Winner: F-35 Detachment Toolkit

    Recognising the need for rapid deployability in support of ACE, the RAF Marham team developed and delivered a deployable toolkit in support of the F-35 fleet. Employing Lean Six Sigma analysis and modelling high level tool usage across the fleet, they identified the full requirements to ensure the project would deliver a successful product. The team repurposed tools and test equipment from redundant issue centres, obtained funding for a laser etching machine, and procured mobile support units. Owing to their efforts, the F-35 now has a deployable tool capability that was used for the first time in the Iceland Air Policing operation. The capability has increased the potential operational output of the fleet, allowing it to operate effectively in two different locations with minimal impact to the flying programme.

    Astra Ambassador Award, sponsored by the RAF

    Winner: Chief Technician Martyn Sullivan

    Martyn has consistently demonstrated and embodied innovation, challenge, and improvement. His passion for making RAF Coningsby better through well-structured and benefit-led projects has ensured his small team have delivered a positive and lasting impact at unit level. Their demonstrable output adds value across the board. Alongside his commitment to RAF Coningsby, he actively collaborates with the whole force across the RAF, sharing his knowledge and experience and encouraging others to develop their innovative mindset. He created, organised, and delivered courses that developed an internal grassroots innovation network that spans all professions and sections. Furthermore, his exceptional work with industry partners such as BAE Systems has delivered projects that have improved and enhanced the operational output of the Typhoon fleet at both Coningsby and Lossiemouth.

    Spirit of Innovation Award, sponsored by BAE Systems

    Winner: Chief Technician Neil Hunt

    Wing Commander Williamson collected the award on behalf of Chief Technician Hunt. It will be formally presented on unit.

    Neil has shown significant determination and commitment to improvement. After identifying issues with the transportation of F-35 canopies across unit, Neil, alongside Sgt Richard James, developed the F-35 Canopy Transportation Trolley project, which has now been brought into service at RAF Marham. The innovative improvement project has already saved Defence over £600k. Continuing to engage with the Astra improvement process, Neil has submitted a further 13 ideas over the past two years. This includes the F-35 Ejection Seat Transportation Solution, which has once again delivered an effective solution that has delivered significant benefits, saving Defence £1.75m in the first 3 months by removing potential for damage and increasing resource efficiency.

    Neil’s award was collected by Wg Cdr Williamson on his behalf and will be handed over formally on unit.

    Astra Rising Star Award, sponsored by Frazer-Nash Consultancy

    Winner: Elizabeth Garvin

    Beth is new to the Civil Service and the RAF whole force as the Continuous Improvement Facilitator at RAF St Mawgan, who has taken on the role of Astra Ambassador as well as CI Lead. Always keen to learn, she proactively approached the Headquarters CI Team to secure a place on the Lean Six Sigma training course to further develop her skills. Since completing the course, she has rapidly applied her newfound knowledge and skills to delivering improvements across the unit. She has embraced the Astra ethos and amalgamated innovation, challenge, and improvement across all functional areas on unit, developing a growing innovative mindset and culture. Her creation of a regular drumbeat of collaboration opportunities, where she shares insight into activity in other areas, is already proving popular and igniting ideas in others from every area across the unit. Beth epitomises the values and intentions of Astra and grassroots innovation in the RAF whole force.

    Astra People’s Choice Award, sponsored by Babcock

    Winner: D-State Proforma

    Using the tools and techniques of Continuous Improvement, a full review and redesign of the State Demand form at RAF Coningsby was undertaken. The inefficient process saw at least 12 versions of the same form used on unit, with a significant administrative burden for all involved in submitting the 6000+ forms a year. The process was reviewed end-to-end and redesigned to remove unnecessary steps. Considering the needs of all stakeholders, it has simplified the communication flow and established an effective feedback loop. The project has significantly reduced the rejection rate for state demand forms and the potential misallocation of engineering spares. The redesigned form has also saved over 1600 hours per year just at RAF Coningsby and has also been used repeatedly and proven highly successful in the UK and on Op SHADER.

    Astra Team Award, sponsored by Leonardo

    Winner: Ailidh Leather

    Ailidh Leather has been the lead for Project POST ROOM at RAF Cosford, which uses scanning technology to significantly enhance the experience of the Post Room staff and the hundreds of recipients on station. Several years ago, Ailidh identified how technology could transform how mail is processed. With increasing amounts of parcels due to online shopping and inefficient handwritten ledgers, the post room was being swamped with mail leading to long delays in items reaching their intended recipient. Her persistence, determination, and forward thinking have ensured that the project has reached the position it is in today despite numerous setbacks. Through her tenacity, the project is making a real difference to the lives of personnel at Cosford, with potential to be rolled out wider across the RAF.

    Chief of the Air Staff’s Award, sponsored by Astra

    Winner: Air Specialist Class 1 Ross McGrory

    Ross played a pivotal role in Project GAIA, seamlessly transforming it into a Digital Shadow for a deployed medical centre by connecting multiple devices to a central hub. Proactively learning a new programming language, and dedicating a significant amount of his personal time, he developed a working product that provides a critical capability – 24/7 monitoring for emergency medical items such as blood supplies. Ross’s innovative mindset and skillset ensured that the complex system could easily be used by non-technical staff, which is not an easy task. Additionally, as second in command of RAF Leeming‘s Makerspace, which is an integral part of the Astra Hub, he expanded user engagement. He swiftly solved a persistent station issue in just 4 hours, highlighting his technical expertise and commitment to innovation.

    Hundreds gathered in Sunderland Hall at the RAF Museum for an evening of reward and recognition, showcasing grassroots innovation and sharing ideas. Grassroots innovation activities from the whole force were on display to ignite the innovative mindset of our people and encourage collaboration to bring meaningful change.

    Personnel from across the whole force were joined by international allies from the United States Air Force (USAF), Royal Australian Air Force, and Royal Canadian Air Force. Members of the USAF currently based in the UK also joined RAF personnel in demonstrating grassroots innovation projects in their area. The USAF’s AFWERX team are working closely with the RAF’s Astra Team to encourage collaboration on common problem sets, with the first joint grassroots innovation projects already being planned.

    MIL OSI United Kingdom –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Health System Impact Fellows work to bring changes to our health systems

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    News release

    Canadians deserve access to high-quality health care. To achieve this, improvements often begin with research that examines how health care services are organized, regulated, managed, financed, and delivered.

    45 highly skilled researchers join health system organizations to help address pressing priorities and improve care for people in Canada

    October 29, 2024 | Ottawa, Ontario | Canadian Institutes of Health Research

    Canadians deserve access to high-quality health care. To achieve this, improvements often begin with research that examines how health care services are organized, regulated, managed, financed, and delivered.

    Today, the Honorable Mark Holland, Minister of Health, announced an investment of over $4.3M to help transform Canada’s health systems through the Health System Impact Program. This funding comes from the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) and partners, Michael Smith Health Research BC and the Fonds de recherche du Québec – Santé.

    The Health System Impact Program focuses on health system transformation to ensure that people in Canada have access to the highest quality care. Through this initiative, PhD trainees, postdoctoral researchers and early-career researchers will collaborate with health organizations across the country to lead projects aimed at generating evidence to improve Canada’s health systems, services and policies. For the 2024 cycle, CIHR is supporting 25 PhD trainees and 20 postdoctoral researchers who are embedded in 34 health organizations and connected to 19 universities across Canada.

    These researchers will address a variety of critical health system issues, including optimizing primary health care, improving quality in long-term care homes, supporting the health workforce, advancing equity in cancer care, leveraging digital health opportunities, predicting antimicrobial resistance using machine learning, mitigating the health impacts of climate change, ensuring cultural safety in health care, enhancing mental health services, and more.

    Quotes

    “I would like to congratulate the 2024 cohort of CIHR Health System Impact Fellows. It’s so exciting to see these future research leaders join health system organizations to help tackle pressing priorities and improve care for Canadians. Their dedication to evidence-informed health system improvement and improving access to care for all people in Canada is inspiring, and their skills will contribute to real-world solutions and stronger health systems.”

    The Honourable Mark Holland
    Minister of Health

    “Each year, the contributions of Health System Impact Fellows invigorate our health systems with fresh insights and innovative solutions. It’s inspiring to see our next generation of health researchers thrive in this dynamic environment. They are not just advancing Learning Health Systems; they are helping to reshape the future of health care in Canada, ensuring it is more responsive, equitable, and driven by evidence.”

    Dr. Tammy Clifford
    Acting President, Canadian Institutes of Health Research

    “Our long-standing partnership with CIHR on this fellowship is supporting researchers and strengthening evidence-informed policy throughout BC. The program equips PhD trainees and postdoctoral researchers to translate research into practice and drive positive outcomes in health care environments. That’s an important outcome — building both research and health system capacity.”

    Dr. Bev Holmes
    President & CEO, Michael Smith Health Research BC

    Quick facts

    • CIHR’s Health System Impact program began in 2017 and to date, 328 fellows (111 PhD trainees and 217 postdoctoral researchers) and 12 early-career researchers have been or are currently embedded within 139 health system organizations and connected to 25 universities.  

    • Through this program, fellows receive unparalleled mentorship from senior decision-makers from health system organizations and academic experts from across the country.

    • The Health System Impact program is led by the CIHR Institute of Health Services and Policy Research.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    Matthew Kronberg
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Honourable Mark Holland
    Minister of Health
    343-552-5654

    Media Relations
    Canadian Institutes of Health Research
    mediarelations@cihr-irsc.gc.ca

    At the Canadian Institutes of Health Research (CIHR) we know that research has the power to change lives. As Canada’s health research investment agency, we collaborate with partners and researchers to support the discoveries and innovations that improve our health and strengthen our health care system.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Scott Shortliffe to the Standing Senate Committee on Transport and Communications

    Source: Government of Canada News

    For our part, the CRTC imposes requirements that help CBC/Radio-Canada meet its mandate in both official languages, across all its services. The CRTC renewed CBC/Radio-Canada’s broadcasting licence in July 2022 and modified some of its requirements.

    Ottawa, Ontario
    October 29, 2024

    Scott Shortliffe, Executive Director, Broadcasting
    Canadian Radio-television and Telecommunications Commission (CRTC)

    Check against delivery

    Good morning and thank you for inviting us to appear before your committee.

    Before I begin, I would like to thank the Algonquin Anishnaabeg people for having me here as a guest on their unceded, unsurrendered territory. I would also like to thank the Anishnaabeg people for being stewards of the land and waters in this area since time immemorial.

    I am joined today by my colleague Michael Craig, Director of Television Programming.

    As you know, the CRTC is an independent, quasi-judicial tribunal that regulates the Canadian communications sector in the public interest. The CRTC holds public consultations on telecommunications and broadcasting matters and makes decisions based on the public record.

    On the broadcasting side, we are implementing the Online Streaming Act and modernizing Canada’s broadcasting framework. This is in addition to our ongoing work in broadcasting, which includes issuing licences and determining the conditions of service under which broadcasters are allowed to operate in Canada. One of those broadcasters, of course, is the Canadian Broadcasting Corporation, or CBC/Radio-Canada, whose programming is the subject of today’s meeting.

    For our part, the CRTC imposes requirements that help CBC/Radio-Canada meet its mandate in both official languages, across all its services. The CRTC renewed CBC/Radio-Canada’s broadcasting licence in July 2022 and modified some of its requirements.

    The CRTC imposed enhanced reporting requirements on CBC/Radio-Canada to allow stakeholders to assess its performance in meeting its mandate, in particular for Indigenous peoples, racialized persons, the 2SLGBTQI+ community, and others. At the same time, the CRTC removed some of the requirements where CBC/Radio-Canada had routinely exceeded those requirements, such as those on independent production. To ensure compliance, we receive detailed annual reports from CBC/Radio-Canada on different aspects of its licences, in addition to other reporting requirements.

    In September 2022, the Governor in Council directed the CRTC to reconsider certain aspects of CBC/Radio-Canada’s licence conditions. This was after petitions were filed by stakeholders raising concerns about some of the conditions. Specifically, the Governor in Council asked how the CRTC would ensure that CBC/Radio-Canada would continue to make a significant contribution to local news, children’s programming, original French-language programming and independent programming.

    Following the referral back, Parliament passed the Online Streaming Act. We are currently reviewing those elements of the licence touched on by the reconsideration, while also examining how the Online Streaming Act can help us ensure that these elements are addressed. We are continuing to monitor CBC/Radio-Canada’s activities through its annual reporting. Currently, these activities meet or exceed the CBC/Radio-Canada requirements.

    While the review process is ongoing, let me assure the Committee that the CRTC prioritizes the issues connected to CBC programming that you are studying, especially the availability of local and regional radio, television, and online services. The availability of local content is a key priority of our work in implementing the Online Streaming Act.

    The changes that are needed to the broadcasting framework are substantial and complex. There are many interconnected issues to be addressed. That’s why we are consulting widely while also moving quickly.

    In June, we released a major decision that will require online streaming services to make a base contribution to Canadian broadcasting. That funding will go to funds that have a proven track record of successfully supporting regional and local news, independent and emerging artists, and other areas of immediate need.

    Additionally, we will soon be launching public consultations on issues of importance to Canadians, such as providing more flexibility to traditional radio broadcasters by updating regulatory requirements, and updating the definition of Canadian content for the audiovisual sector. We will also have proceedings considering the relationships between small, medium and large players in the traditional broadcasting system, including online streaming companies, as well as looking at radio and audio streaming in Canada, including how to define audio content and how to support Canadian music.

    We look forward to hearing from Canadians on these issues.

    We have also prioritized our work around the Online New Act, noting that it will provide help to news organizations across Canada, including CBC/Radio-Canada. Just yesterday, we issued a decision on Google’s exemption request, clearing the way for it to provide funding to the Canadian Journalism Collective to be distributed to Canadian news organizations.

    Thank you again for the opportunity to appear today. The CRTC is focused on what Canadians need from their broadcasters and broadcasting system.

    Thank you.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: AutoScheduler Adds Vice President of Customer Success to Reinforce Focus on Successful Customer Implementations

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    AUSTIN, Texas, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AutoScheduler.AI, an innovative Warehouse Orchestration Platform and WMS accelerator, announces that Ian Johnston has joined the company as the Vice President of Customer Success. He will replace Stephen Zujkowski, who is retiring. Ian has over a decade of experience in supply chain operations, logistics management, and strategic leadership. He will use his expertise to help AutoScheduler’s customers gain value and success from deploying AutoScheduler solutions. He will be the face of success for all AutoScheduler’s customers, ensuring the talented implementation team continues delivering exceptional services and fostering true partnerships.

    “As a leader within Amazon, Ian has demonstrated a deep understanding of operational planning and championed many technology implementations that enabled transformative changes within numerous operations,” says Keith Moore, CEO of AutoScheduler.AI. “His rich and diverse experience in leading and supporting innovation and a keen understanding of driving customer excellence make him a perfect fit for this pivotal role at AutoScheduler.AI.”

    “I am looking forward to setting new benchmarks for excellence in customer success with the best project delivery experiences, clear communications, and robust customer relationships, enabling AutoScheduler.AI to be the market leader in warehouse orchestration,” says Ian Johnston, Vice President, Customer Success, AutoScheduler.AI. “I am dedicated to driving value for clients through our innovative solutions and aligning AutoScheduler’s capabilities with customer needs.”

    As Vice President of Customer Success, Ian oversees the strategy, execution, and management of all aspects of customer deployment and satisfaction. He will ensure that customers derive maximum value from AutoScheduler, leading to improved fulfillment, better labor utilization, and lower costs. As the leader in the Customer Success organization, he will drive measurable positive business outcomes, customer satisfaction, retention, and expansion across the customer base.

    Before joining AutoScheduler.AI, Ian served as Director of Supply Chain at Amazon, overseeing North America’s largest heavy bulky logistics network, which included managing demand forecasting, capacity management, and product development for the U.S. and Canada. Ian’s leadership contributed to significant advancements in operational efficiency, including the development of several novel planning products that enhanced forecast accuracy and capacity flexibility, reducing Amazon’s cost to serve and improving delivery speeds. Prior to Amazon, Ian served as a Marine Infantry Officer, where he led combat operations in Afghanistan and deterrence operations in Southeast Asia. He later served at the White House, supporting two administrations and several high-profile events.

    Ian holds an MBA from the University of Virginia’s Darden School of Business, a BA in Political Science with a minor in Spanish from The Citadel, and is actively pursuing a Master of Science in Real Estate at the University of San Diego.

    About AutoScheduler.AI
    AutoScheduler.AI orchestrates warehouse activities directly on top of your WMS, optimizing operations for peak performance. Developed alongside industry leaders like P&G and successfully deployed at prominent companies such as Pepsi, General Mills, and Unilever, our AI and Machine Learning platform seamlessly integrates with your existing systems. Focused on labor planning, inventory workflow, human-robotics interaction, and space utilization, we streamline operations, reducing travel and inventory handling while maximizing OTIF rates and labor efficiency. With prescriptive analytics driving insights, our clients harness the power to enhance efficiencies and generate value across their supply chains. Reach out to us at info@autoscheduler.ai for more information.

    Contact:
    Becky Boyd
    MediaFirst PR
    Becky@MediaFirst.Net
    Cell: (404) 421-8497

    A photo accompanying this announcement is available at https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/199e4f06-1419-40e1-8665-b27f4eb199cd

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: New CINQ by Coinstar™ Digital Wallet Launches Crypto and Stablecoin Capabilities Powered by Zero Hash

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    CHICAGO, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Zero Hash, the leading crypto and stablecoin infrastructure platform, today announced its partnership with Coinstar®, LLC, a global financial services leader, to embed crypto payments capabilities within CINQ by Coinstar™, a new digital wallet designed to expand how consumers use and manage their finances. This collaboration allows up to 9,500 of Coinstar’s 17,000+ network of kiosks across the U.S. to facilitate cash-to-crypto transactions.

    Through a partnership with Zero Hash, CINQ by Coinstar has launched with the initial ability to purchase cryptocurrency and stablecoins with cash at more than 9,500 Coinstar kiosks across the U.S., or through the CINQ by Coinstar mobile app. Users of the CINQ by Coinstar app, powered by Zero Hash, can seamlessly move in, out and between cash, stablecoins and crypto. A broader range of digital payment services for the CINQ by Coinstar wallet are expected to follow in 2025 as recently announced by Coinstar.

    The overarching objective of the partnership is to provide a seamless mechanism of dollar digitalization to the large percentage of underbanked and underserved households within the United States. Specifically: 

    • The unbanked who now have access to an electronic cash account
      • 6% of Adult Americans are unbanked; 24.6 million Americans are underbanked (Source: Fed Reserve, 2024)
    • The immigrant remitting money home
      • About half of all remittances are cash-based among the most common users (Source: Visa, 2023)

    “Zero Hash is delighted to partner with Coinstar, a household brand in money transformation for more than 30 years. Its vast network of self-serve kiosks and mobile apps will help further expand access to the underbanked and immigrants looking to remit funds. Upwards of 50% of remittances are cash-based and the multiple “hops” in remittance often mean these transfers incur high fees. Linking this cash infrastructure to the “network of networks” which is crypto and stablecoins, provides a key unlock for cheaper and quicker remittances for example,” said Edward Woodford, CEO and Founder at Zero Hash. “ CINQ by Coinstar has been able to seamlessly embed our regulatory compliant infrastructure to support new ways for cash-preferred customers to move safely and seamlessly between fiat and crypto use cases.”

    Powered by Zero Hash’s identity verification service, every customer is validated before cash can be entered into the kiosk for crypto, stablecoin and fiat transactions. Additional controls include Documentary Verification and Liveness Verification before certain services may be enabled. Users can buy over 25 crypto and stablecoin assets with paper currency at Coinstar kiosks in major grocery stores across North America as well as through the CINQ by Coinstar mobile app. Users can also connect multiple bank accounts, with Zero Hash’s platform facilitating USD deposits via ACH, allowing users to hold balances in cash or crypto and easily manage their financial needs.

    “Zero Hash has been an incredible partner in helping us extend our trusted services into the digital world,” said Kevin McColly, CEO of Coinstar. “Their secure and industry leading crypto and stablecoin infrastructure has allowed us to seamlessly bridge the gap between cash and cryptocurrency, making it easier for our customers to access and manage their finances.” 

    There are two ways to get started buying cryptocurrency through Zero Hash at Coinstar kiosks:

    1. Download the CINQ by Coinstar app, verify your account and visit a Coinstar kiosk with your cash. Or connect your bank account in the app and get started immediately.
    2. Visit a Coinstar kiosk, select cryptocurrency from the options and choose CINQ by Coinstar to get started with your crypto purchase through Zero Hash. Enter your mobile number at the kiosk and last 4 SSN or Date of Birth, then download the CINQ by Coinstar app and complete your account setup.

    To learn more about CINQ by Coinstar and follow along for additional product innovations, visit www.cinqwallet.com, or to find a CINQ by Coinstar enabled kiosk, visit our kiosk finder here.1 

    1: The CINQ by Coinstar wallet is available in all 50 states. However, Zero Hash enabled Kiosks are not currently available in all states, including the state of New York.  Transactional limits may also apply.

    About Zero Hash  
    Zero Hash is the leading crypto and stablecoin infrastructure provider that seamlessly connects fiat, crypto and stablecoins in one platform, enabling a better way to move and transfer money and value globally.

    Through its embeddable infrastructure, start-ups, enterprises and Fortune 500 companies build a diverse range of use cases: cross-border payments, commerce, trading, remittance, payroll, tokenization, wallets and on and off-ramps.

    Zero Hash Holdings is backed by investors, including Point72 Ventures, Bain Capital Ventures, and NYCA.

    Zero Hash LLC is a FinCen-registered Money Service Business and a regulated Money Transmitter that can operate in 51 US jurisdictions. Zero Hash LLC and Zero Hash Liquidity Services LLC are licensed to engage in virtual currency business activity by the New York State Department of Financial Services. In Canada, Zero Hash LLC is registered as a Money Service Business with FINTRAC.

    Zero Hash Australia Pty Ltd. is registered with AUSTRAC as a Digital Currency Exchange Provider, with DCE registered provider number DCE100804170-001.  This registration enables Zero Hash to offer its crypto services in Australia.  Zero Hash Australia Pty Ltd. is registered on the New Zealand register of financial service providers, with Financial Service Provider (FSP)  number FSP1004503.  A FSP in New Zealand is a registration and does not mean that Zero Hash Australia Pty Ltd. is licensed by a New Zealand regulator to provide crypto services.  Zero Hash Australia Pty Ltd.’s registration on the New Zealand register of financial service providers does not mean that Zero Hash Australia is subject to active regulation or oversight by a New Zealand regulator.  Zero Hash Europe B.V. is registered as a Virtual Asset Services Provider (VASP) registration by the Dutch Central Bank (Relation number: R193684).  Zero Hash Europe Sp. Zoo is registered as a VASP by the Tax Administration Chamber of Poland in Katowice (Registration number RDWW – 1212).

    Connect with Zero Hash
    Website | Twitter | LinkedIn | Medium

    Zero Hash Contact

    Shaun O’keeffe

    (855) 744-7333

    media@zerohash.com

    Zero Hash Disclosures
    Zero Hash services and product offerings, including the availability of kiosk services, may not be available in all jurisdictions. Zero Hash accounts are not subject to FDIC or SIPC protections, or any such equivalent protections that may exist outside of the US. Zero Hash’s technical support and enablement of any asset is not an endorsement of such asset and is not a recommendation to buy, sell, or hold any crypto asset. The value of any cryptocurrency, including digital assets pegged to fiat currency, commodities, or any other asset, may go to zero. Zero Hash is not registered with the SEC or FINRA. Zero Hash does not provide any securities services and is not a custodian of securities, including security tokens, on behalf of customers. 

    About Coinstar, LLC
    Coinstar® is a global leader in money transformation and the largest physical self-serve financial network with a digital wallet, CINQ by Coinstar. Through its digital wallet, mobile app and network of 24,000 kiosks in North America and Europe, Coinstar offers a wide range of financial services which enable users to transform their physical currency. Its reliable payment solutions offer one-stop shopping experiences at convenient kiosk locations including coin conversion to cash, NO FEE eGift cards and charitable donations as well as account transfer services powered by our bank partners. Users can also move money and transact more seamlessly in the digital world through CINQ by Coinstar with the ability to buy, sell and transfer cryptocurrencies in its initial rollout. For brand advertisers, Coinstar offers adPlanet™ Retail Media Group, which enables lead generation on the interactive kiosk screen and a digital out of home network that delivers advertising via high-definition screens on top of Coinstar kiosks at select retail and grocery locations. For more information on Coinstar, visit www.coinstar.com.

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Seizure of contraband and unauthorized items at Millhaven Institution

    Source: Government of Canada News (2)

    On October 24, 2024, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, a package containing contraband and unauthorized items was seized at Millhaven Institution, a maximum-security federal institution.

    October 29, 2024 – Kingston, Ontario – Correctional Service Canada

    On October 24, 2024, as a result of the vigilance of staff members, a package containing contraband and unauthorized items was seized at Millhaven Institution, a maximum-security federal institution.

    The items seized included tobacco, crystal methamphetamine, an edged weapon, as well as a cell phone and cell phone accessory. The total estimated institutional value of this seizure is $196,400.

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

    CSC has heightened measures to prevent contraband from entering its institutions in order to help ensure a safe and secure environment for everyone. CSC also works in partnership with the police to take action against those who attempt to introduce contraband into correctional institutions.

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

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

    Mike Shrider
    Regional Communications Manager
    Regional Headquarters, Ontario
    GEN-ONT-MEDIA@csc-scc.gc.ca
    613-530-6941

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: IAM Air Transport, Rail Leaders Elected to Top ITF Positions as Transportation Workers Unite in Global Solidarity; Put Women, Young Workers at Forefront

    Source: US GOIAM Union

    IAM air transport and rail industry leaders from across the United States and Canada were elected to top positions at the recent International Transport Workers’ Federation (ITF) Global Congress.

    The IAM, North America’s largest transportation union, is taking a leading role worldwide as transport workers find themselves at the forefront of multiple crises – from war, political instability and the rise of far-right governments to the climate crisis.

    “The IAM has long known that our strength relies greatly on workers uniting worldwide to confront the multi-national corporations we deal with every day,” said IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President Richie Johnsen. “Together with the ITF and its affiliates in the transportation sector, we are closer than ever to balancing the scales for industry workers across the globe.”

    The Congress, held in Marrakech, Morocco, focused on building a comprehensive vision for the ITF for the next five years. Six critical demands – rights, equality, safety, accountability, sustainability and a future that works for workers – are forming the basis to build a safer, fairer and more sustainable transport industry.

    “As the theme of this ITF Congress says, the IAM has always been proud to move the world forward,” said IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff Edison Fraser. “As we turn the page from a global pandemic, it is more important than ever that transportation workers across the world unite.”

    The following IAM leaders were elected to ITF positions:

    • Richie Johnsen, IAM Air Transport Territory General Vice President: ITF Executive Board
    • Edison Fraser, IAM Air Transport Territory Chief of Staff: ITF North America and Caribbean Civil Aviation Chairperson
    • Arthur Maratea, TCU/IAM National President: ITF Railway Workers Section Co-Chair
    • Julie Frietchen, IAM Women’s and Young Workers Director: ITF North America Regional Representative USA – Women’s Committee
    • Keith Aiken, IAM Canadian Airline Coordinator: ITF Vice Chairperson – Ground Handling Committee
    • Zach Coker, IAM District 142 Organizing Director: ITF North America Regional Representative USA – Young Workers

    “Rail workers are standing up and fighting back against corporate greed and the short-sighted profit goals of Wall Street,” said TCU/IAM National President Arthur Maratea. “It’s critical that these fights be waged on at a global scale and with the backing of every rail worker across the world.”

    The ITF represents 18.5 million transport workers worldwide from more than 150 countries.

    “Women and young people are helping to lead a worldwide resurgence of union activism,” said IAM Women’s and Young Workers Director Julie Frietchen. “In the IAM and the ITF, we are proud to be leading the way toward making our diversity our greatest strength.”

    Click here for more coverage of ITF’s 46th Congress, the first of which to be held in the Arab world.

    “The strength of the IAM has always been our ability to bring workers together and fight for a common cause,” said IAM Canadian Airline Coordinator Keith Aiken. “Transportation workers in Canada and across the globe are ready for a new era of worker power that transforms our industries for the betterment of working families and passengers.”

    Share and Follow:

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: New NASA Instrument for Studying Snowpack Completes Airborne Testing

    Source: NASA

    The Rocky Mountains in Colorado, as seen from the International Space Station. Snowmelt from the mountainous western United States is an essential natural resource, making up as much as 75% of some states’ annual freshwater supply.

    Summer heat has significant effects in the mountainous regions of the western United States. Melted snow washes from snowy peaks into the rivers, reservoirs, and streams that supply millions of Americans with freshwater—as much as 75% of the annual freshwater supply for some states.

    But as climate change brings winter temperatures to new highs, these summer rushes of freshwater can sometimes slow to a trickle.

    “The runoff supports cities most people wouldn’t expect,” explained Chris Derksen, a glaciologist and Research Scientist with Environment and Climate Change Canada. “Big cities like San Francisco and Los Angeles get water from snowmelt.”

    To forecast snowmelt with greater accuracy, NASA’s Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO) and a team of researchers from the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, are developing SNOWWI, a dual-frequency synthetic aperture radar that could one day be the cornerstone of future missions dedicated to measuring snow mass on a global scale – something the science community lacks.

    SNOWWI aims to fill this technology gap. In January and March 2024, the SNOWWI research team passed a key milestone, flying their prototype for the first time aboard a small, twin-engine aircraft in Grand Mesa, Colorado, and gathering useful data on the area’s winter snowfields.

    “I’d say the big development is that we’ve gone from pieces of hardware in a lab to something that makes meaningful data,” explained Paul Siqueira, professor of engineering at the University of Massachusetts, Amherst, and principal investigator for SNOWWI.

    SNOWWI stands for Snow Water-equivalent Wide Swath Interferometer and Scatterometer. The instrument probes snowpack with two Ku-band radar signals: a high-frequency signal that interacts with individual snow grains, and a low-frequency signal that passes through the snowpack to the ground. 

    The high-frequency signal gives researchers a clear look at the consistency of the snowpack, while the low-frequency signal helps researchers determine its total depth.

    “Having two frequencies allows us to better separate the influence of the snow microstructure from the influence of the snow depth,” said Derksen, who participated in the Grand Mesa field campaign. “One frequency is good, two frequencies are better.”

    The SNOWWI team in Grand Mesa, preparing to flight test their instrument. From an altitude of 4 kilometers (2.5 miles), SNOWWI can map 100 square kilometers (about 38 square miles) in just 30 minutes.

    As both of those scattered signals interact with the snowpack and bounce back towards the instrument, they lose energy. SNOWWI measures that lost energy, and researchers later correlate those losses to features within the snowpack, especially its depth, density, and mass.

    From an airborne platform with an altitude of 2.5 miles (4 kilometers), SNOWWI could map 40 square miles (100 square kilometers) of snowy terrain in just 30 minutes. From space, SNOWWI’s coverage would be even greater. Siqueira is working with Capella Space to develop a space-ready SNOWWI for satellite missions.

    But there’s still much work to be done before SNOWWI visits space. Siqueira plans to lead another field campaign, this time in the mountains of Idaho. Grand Mesa is relatively flat, and Siqueira wants to see how well SNOWWI can measure snowpack tucked in the folds of complex, asymmetrical terrain.

    For Derksen, who spends much of his time quantifying the freshwater content of snowpack in Canada, having a reliable database of global snowpack measurements would be game-changing.

    “Snowmelt is money. It has intrinsic economic value,” he said. “If you want your salmon to run in mountain streams in the spring, you must have snowmelt. But unlike other natural resources, at this time, we really can’t monitor it very well.”

    For information about opportunities to collaborate with NASA on novel, Earth-observing instruments, see ESTO’s catalog of open solicitations with its Instrument Incubator Program here.

    Project Leads: Dr. Paul Siqueira, University of Massachusetts (Principal Investigator); Hans-Peter Marshall, University of Idaho (Co-Investigator)

    Sponsoring Organizations: NASA’s Earth Science Technology Office (ESTO), Instrument Incubator Program (IIP)

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Elsipogtog — Man arrested and charged in connection with Elsipogtog arson and mischief

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Elsipogtog RCMP Detachment has arrested a 29-year-old man in connection with an arson and mischief in Elsipogtog.

    On October 23, 2024, at approximately 8:20 p.m., members working at the Elsipogtog RCMP Detachment heard a loud bang. A short time later, it was discovered that the detachment building and one unmarked police vehicle had been vandalized. The same night at approximately 8:41 p.m., police received a report of a residence on fire on Levi Street in Elsipogtog.

    Upon investigation, police were able to identify a person of interest. A 29-year-old man from Elsipogtog First Nation was located and arrested without incident.

    On October 25, 2024, 29-year-old Sonny Travis Bayley Francis appeared in Moncton Provincial Court where he was charged with:

    – Arson
    – Two counts of mischief under $5000
    – Three counts of failure to comply with a release order

    He was remanded in custody and is scheduled to return to court on November 8, 2024, for a bail hearing.

    Anyone with information that could help further the investigation is asked to contact the Elsipogtog RCMP Detachment at 506-523-8282. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at www.crimenb.ca.

    The investigation is ongoing.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Azincourt Energy Options Advanced Uranium Project in Labrador

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — AZINCOURT ENERGY CORP. (“Azincourt” or the “Company”) (TSX.V: AAZ, OTC: AZURF), is pleased to announce that it has entered into a definitive property option agreement with BR Corporation Pty Ltd. (the “Optionor”), an arms-length party, pursuant to which it has been granted the option (the “Option”) to acquire up to a one-hundred percent interest in and to a mineral claim block located in the Province of Newfoundland and Labrador, commonly known as the “Snegamook Project” (the “Project”).

    The Project is strategically located to the southeast of Snegamook Lake within Labrador’s Central Mineral Belt and less than 1 km south of the Two Time Zone Project (Indicated and Inferred resource of 5.55 Mlb U3O8, June 2008)*, formerly held by Silver Spruce Resources Inc., and consists of a mineral claim block comprised of 17 contiguous claims covering 423 hectares. The Central Mineral Belt in Labrador also hosts Paladin Energy Limited’s recently acquired Michelin deposit (Measured and Indicated resource of 82.2Mlb U3O8).* Readers are cautioned that past results or discoveries on properties in proximity to the Project are not necessarily indicative of the presence of similar mineralization on the Project.

    Exploration work on the Project between 2006 and 2008 consisted of airborne geophysics, prospecting, lake sediment and soil sampling, radon gas surveys and diamond drilling. The exact number of holes completed on the current Project has not yet been verified. Drilling to follow up a radon gas anomaly identified the “Snegamook Zone” uranium occurrence located 1.3 km along strike to the southeast of the Two Time Zone Project. 17 drill holes intersected a 20 to 50 m wide section of uranium bearing brecciated and altered monzodiorite with moderate to strong chlorite, hematite and carbonate alteration, the same geological setting as the Two Time Zone Project. 

    Four mineralized lenses were traced over a strike length of 300 meters and to a vertical depth of 200 meters. The lenses are shallow dipping (15 to 20 degrees west) and vary in width from five to 53 meters with values ranging from 225 to 771 ppm U3O8. Individual one meter sample values range from 50 to 1,110 ppm U3O8, with the widest section in drill hole SN-08-8 averaging 206 ppm U3O8 over 73 meters. The zones appear to be disrupted to the south and down dip by steeply dipping fault structures that displace the basement gneiss but remain open to the north.

    Two drill holes (SN-08-18 and SN-08-20) tested a radon gas anomaly 500 meters to the south of the Snegamook Zone. They intersected nine meters (210 to 219 m) of 552 ppm U3O8 and five meters (191 to 196 m) of 224 ppm U3O8. Higher grade zones, 0.11% U3O8 over 3 m and 0.11% U3O8 over 2 m, were located within the highlighted zone in SN-08-18. 

    No work has been conducted on the Project since 2008. The Company’s initial focus will be on the compilation of all historic exploration data on the Project followed by the design and implementation of an initial drill campaign to verify and expand the historical mineralization.

    “We are excited to add the Snegamook Project to our portfolio,” said Vice President, Exploration Trevor Perkins. “The Central Mineral Belt in Labrador has seen a resurgence in activity recently and is relatively underexplored. It is exciting to get involved in an area that will potentially see the next wave of uranium discoveries in Canada,” continued Mr. Perkins.

    “We have been seeking a second uranium project for some time and Snegamook meets some important criteria for us,” said CEO, Alex Klenman. “The Project offers proven shallow mineralization proximal to a known deposit. It provides exploration upside for both expansion and for new discoveries. In the mid-2000s the region was quite active with uranium exploration activity and now once again there are some large companies leading exploration efforts in the area. This initial land position allows Azincourt to establish a foothold in this emerging Canadian uranium camp,” continued Mr. Klenman.

    Pursuant to terms of the Option, the Company can acquire a one-hundred percent interest in the Project by completing a series of share issuances and incurring certain expenditures on the Project, as follows:

      Common Shares Exploration Expenditures
    On the grant of the Option 15,000,000 Nil
    Within nine months 15,000,000 Nil
    Within twenty-one months 15,000,000 $250,000
    Within thirty-three months 15,000,000 $750,000
         

    Following exercise of the Option, the Project will be subject to a two percent net smelter returns royalty, half of which may be purchased back at any time for a one-time cash payment of $1,000,000 to the underlying optionors.

    All securities issued in connection with the Option will be subject to a four-month-and-one-day statutory hold period. A finder’s fee totaling 5,100,000 common shares is payable by the Company to an arms-length third party in connection with the Option, of which 1,633,333 shares are payable upon closing of the Option with the remaining common shares issuable upon completion of the share issuances owing on the nine, twenty-one and thirty-three month anniversaries in order to maintain the Option in good standing. The Option remains subject to the approval of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”).

    Figure 1: Snegamook Project Location Map – Central Mineral Belt, Labrador, Canada.

    Figure 2: Snegamook and Two Time Zone mineralization map. (Silver Spruce Resources news release dated August 12, 2008)

    Non-Brokered Private Placement

    The Company also announces that it will offer up to 66,666,667 units of the Company by way of non-brokered private placement at a price of $0.015 per unit for gross proceeds of up to $1,000,000 (the “Private Placement”). Each Unit will be comprised of one common share (a “Share”) and one common share purchase warrant (a “Warrant”). Each Warrant will be exercisable at a price of $0.05 into one common share for a period of 36 months from the date of issue.

    The gross proceeds of the Private Placement will be used for general working capital and exploration work on the Project. The gross proceeds will not be used for any payments to non-arm’s length parties of the Company nor for any payment relating to persons conducting investor relations activities.

    In connection with the Private Placement, the Company may pay finders’ fees to eligible third parties that have assisted in introducing subscribers to the Company. All Common Shares to be issued in connection with the Private Placement will be subject to a four-month-and-one-day statutory hold period in accordance with applicable securities laws. Completion of the Private Placement remains subject to the approval of the Exchange. It is expected that the Private Placement will not result in the creation of a new control person of the Company.

    Grant of Restricted Share Units

    The Company also announces the grant of 15,000,000 restricted share units (“RSUs”) to directors, management and consultants under the Company’s shareholder-approved incentive plans. The RSUs will vest and convert into Common Shares on the date that is twelve months from the date of issuance. The grant of such RSUs is intended to align compensation of directors, management and consultants with the interests of shareholders.

    Qualified Person

    The technical information in this news release has been prepared in accordance with the Canadian regulatory requirements set out in National Instrument 43-101 and reviewed on behalf of the company by C. Trevor Perkins, P.Geo., Vice President, Exploration of Azincourt Energy, and a Qualified Person as defined by National Instrument 43-101.

    About Azincourt Energy Corp.

    Azincourt is a Canadian-based resource company specializing in the strategic acquisition, exploration, and development of alternative energy/fuel projects. The Company has been a uranium explorer for over a decade and is currently active at its majority-owned joint venture East Preston uranium project located in the Athabasca Basin, Saskatchewan.

    *The historical interpretation and drill intersections described here in have not been verified and are extracted from news releases issued by Silver Spruce Resources Inc on April 24, 2008, and August 12, 2008, as well as annual Management Discussion and Analysis documents filed on www.sedarplus.ca, and disclosure published on the website for Paladin Energy Limited (www.paladinenergy.com.au). The Company has not completed sufficient work to confirm and validate any of the historical data from the Snegamook occurrence. The Company considers the historical work a reliable indication of the potential of the Project and the information may be of assistance to readers.

    ON BEHALF OF THE BOARD OF AZINCOURT ENERGY CORP.

    “Alex Klenman”
    Alex Klenman, President & CEO

    For further information please contact:

    Alex Klenman, President & CEO
    Tel: 604-638-8063
    info@azincourtenergy.com

    Azincourt Energy Corp.
    1430 – 800 West Pender Street
    Vancouver, BC V6C 2V6
    www.azincourtenergy.com

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward-Looking Statements

    This news release may contain certain “Forward-Looking Statements” within the meaning of the United States Private Securities Litigation Reform Act of 1995 and applicable Canadian securities laws. When or if used in this news release, the words “anticipate”, “believe”, “estimate”, “expect”, “target, “plan”, “forecast”, “may”, “schedule” and similar words or expressions identify forward-looking statements or information. Such statements represent the Company’s current views with respect to future events and are necessarily based upon a number of assumptions and estimates that, while considered reasonable by the Company, are inherently subject to significant business, economic, competitive, political, and social risks, contingencies and uncertainties. Many factors, both known and unknown, could cause results, performance, or achievements to be materially different from the results, performance or achievements that are or may be expressed or implied by such forward-looking statements. The Company does not intend, and does not assume any obligation, to update these forward-looking statements or information to reflect changes in assumptions or changes in circumstances or any other events affecting such statements and information other than as required by applicable laws, rules, and regulations. 

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

    Photos accompanying this announcement are available at:

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/61a29d68-48bd-4716-a71a-30b0c384078a

    https://www.globenewswire.com/NewsRoom/AttachmentNg/06b89c9f-54d3-414e-a915-1a46e8e0ebb7

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: IC Mobile Partners with Openmind Networks to Launch Advanced Messaging Platform

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    DUBLIN, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Openmind Networks, a global leader in messaging platform solutions, is excited to announce a new partnership with IC Mobile, one of Canada’s top aggregator telecommunications companies. Openmind Networks has supplied its state-of-the-art messaging systems software and Short Message Service Center with Application Router ensuring all IC Mobile customers will have the benefit of advanced messaging systems.

    IC Mobile has been at the forefront of telecommunications innovation for over 15 years, leading the business messaging market in Canada. As the telecommunications industry rapidly evolves, IC Mobile remains dedicated to providing cutting-edge and reliable messaging services to their business clients. By selecting Openmind Networks as a key supplier, IC Mobile reinforces its commitment to the highest standards of security, reliability, and user experience in messaging.

    “The partnership with Openmind Networks will help bolster our market share in business messaging and enhance our offerings as the landscape evolves,” said Duncan McCready, President of IC Group. “Openmind Networks is a leading innovator in messaging systems, and we are delighted with their delivery within our time-to-market requirements.”

    Openmind Networks’ advanced messaging systems software is tailored to meet the needs of telecom providers worldwide. Focusing on security, reliability, and scalability, Openmind Networks enables operators to deliver seamless messaging experiences while protecting customer data and privacy.

    “We are excited to be chosen as the messaging system software provider for IC Mobile,” said Alex Duncan, CEO of Openmind Networks. “This partnership provides a fantastic opportunity to deliver high-quality messaging products to the North American market and explore new ways to enhance the end-user messaging experience.”

    For more information about Openmind Networks and its communication platform solutions, please visit www.openmindnetworks.com.

    About IC Mobile

    IC Mobile is a trusted carrier partner with direct connections to every Canadian mobile operator. They offer brands, marketing platforms, CPaaS providers, and more a single-point API that provides access to 100% of mobile users in Canada. IC Mobile is also the only business messaging platform that ensures full data localization in Canada, with all operations based within the country to keep all data local.

    About Openmind Networks

    Openmind Networks is an independent technology company focused on providing mobile messaging software solutions for the world’s largest telecom companies. Boasting a highly experienced team of messaging experts, Openmind Networks has consistently led the way in bringing new innovations to the mobile messaging industry for more than two decades.

    Openmind Networks is responsible for delivering more than 1.5 billion messages daily with a global customer base including the world’s largest mobile operators, wholesalers, aggregators, social media providers and software firms.

    Media Contact

    Brendan Tobin
    Director of Marketing
    Openmind Networks
    +353 1 633 0070
    brendan.tobin@openmindnetworks.com

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Fredericton — The New Brunswick RCMP’s Internet Child Exploitation Unit

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The mandate for the New Brunswick RCMP’s Internet Child Exploitation (ICE) Unit is to locate, assist, and support child victims of online sexual abuse, and identify those who are criminally responsible. The unit includes 11 investigators, including one each from Saint John Police Force and Kennebecasis Regional Police Force, one analyst, and one support staff. ICE has been operational since 2007.

    Between 2015 and 2023, there was a dramatic increase of reported child-related sexual exploitation files, including 568 new investigations in 2023 compared to 132 in 2015, an increase of 330% year over year. In 2023, as part of the provincial budget announcement, new positions and resources were allocated to the New Brunswick RCMP, which included funding for additional positions within the ICE Unit.

    With youth relying more and more on social media for socializing and entertainment, there are more ways for criminals to target children for the purpose of sexual exploitation and share explicit content involving children.

    “This increase in positions has proven to be very positive for us, and for New Brunswickers,” says Cpl. Hans Ouellette of the New Brunswick RCMP. “With these incremental positions and support, we have more resources available to pursue those who are trying to harm our youth.”

    Since 2021, the New Brunswick RCMP’s ICE Unit has executed 73 search warrants, resulting in 52 arrests and 103 charges laid. There is an average of over 70 reports of sextortion per week in Canada.

    “It is important for parents and guardians to speak with their children about how to stay safe when using the internet,” continues Cpl. Ouellette. “We understand that it may be difficult for youth to talk about these types of incidents, but it is vital to notify police as soon as possible if you have been a victim of online extortion or online sexual abuse of any kind.”

    For more information on how to protect yourself and your children online, please visit the following links:

    • RCMP Internet Safety
    • Cybertip.ca
    • Protectkidsonline.ca
    • Needhelpnow.ca
    • Dontgetsextorted.ca

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Government of Canada announces the appointment of new members to the National Advisory Council on Poverty 

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    Today, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Jenna Sudds, announced the appointment of two new members to the National Advisory Council on Poverty. Marie Christian will hold the position of member with particular responsibilities for children’s issues, and Lindsay Kretschmer will hold the position of general member.

    October 29              Ottawa, Ontario              Employment and Social Development Canada

    Canada is building a future where poverty is eradicated and where every generation is given a fair chance to succeed. In 2019, the Government of Canada established the National Advisory Committee on Poverty to support the implementation of Opportunity for All: Canada’s First Poverty Reduction Strategy.

    Today, the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Jenna Sudds, announced the appointment of two new members to the National Advisory Council on Poverty. Marie Christian will hold the position of member with particular responsibilities for children’s issues, and Lindsay Kretschmer will hold the position of general member.

    The Minister also announced the reappointment of two other Council members—general member Kwame Julius McKenzie, and Council Chairperson Scott MacAfee.

    Minister Sudds thanks the two outgoing members, Sylvie Veilleux and Rachelle Metatawabin, for their contributions throughout their terms.

    The Council plays a crucial role in supporting the implementation of the Poverty Reduction Strategy by engaging with Canadians and producing an annual report to provide an update on the progress achieved toward reducing poverty. This year’s report was tabled on Monday, October 28th.

    The Minister thanks the Council for its report. She continues to listen to the Council’s recommendations to create a Canada where everyone has the opportunity to succeed. 

    Quotes

    “New members bring fresh perspectives on how to tackle and reduce poverty in Canada. We remain steadfast in our commitment to making sure that no one is left behind, and we recognize the dedication of those working with us to achieve this goal. Together, we will keep acting with urgency, delivering for Canadians, and building a stronger, more inclusive Canada—one where everyone has the chance to succeed.”

    – Minister of Families, Children and Social Development, Jenna Sudds

    “This past year, the National Advisory Council on Poverty heard first-hand how more and more people are in survival mode, seeking some sort of stability amid rising costs. We hope our fifth annual report provides a compelling sense of urgency for continued courageous action to eradicate poverty. Canada must urgently act to improve the areas of people’s lives they are struggling with now—for example, the rising costs of housing and food. This includes adapting and evolving current efforts and keeping in mind and at heart the importance of preventing more people from experiencing the trauma of poverty. As we welcome new members to the Council, we remain committed to holding the Government of Canada accountable to Canadians for lowering poverty.”

    – National Advisory Council on Poverty Chairperson, Scott MacAfee

    Quick facts

    • The Poverty Reduction Strategy established Canada’s Official Poverty Line and set concrete poverty reduction targets to measure poverty and track progress. The targets are:

      • a 20% reduction in poverty relative to 2015 levels by 2020; this target was met earlier than expected;
      • a 50% reduction in poverty relative to 2015 levels by 2030, in line with the United Nations Sustainable Development Goals.
    • The Poverty Reduction Strategy also committed to establishing the National Advisory Council on Poverty, whose mandate is to provide independent advice to the Government, to annually report on the progress achieved toward the Government’s poverty reduction targets and to continue a dialogue with Canadians on poverty.  

    • Council members were selected through an open, transparent and merit-based process that represents Canada’s diversity. Members include Indigenous people, racialized people and people with lived experience of poverty. 

    • In the 2024 report, the Council presents six recommendations along three overarching themes:

      • Meeting vital needs to thrive: This includes measures to address the rising cost of living, to better meet basic housing needs and increase food security.
      • Improving access to benefits and the delivery of services: This includes the need for low-barrier and equitable measures to facilitate access to benefits and services, and additional supports to system navigation initiatives and the non-profit sector. 
      • Building strong communities and enabling equity: This includes creating a plan to address poverty inequality to decrease the poverty rate in marginalized groups.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For media enquiries, please contact:

    Geneviève Lemaire
    Press Secretary
    Office of the Minister of Families, Children and Social Development
    genevieve.lemaire@hrsdc-rhdcc.gc.ca

    Media Relations Office
    Employment and Social Development Canada
    819‑994‑5559
    media@rhdcc-hrsdc.gc.ca
    Follow us on X (Twitter)
    Follow us on Facebook

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Valdez to make important announcement on health care for Indigenous communities 

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business, will make an important announcement on bringing new health care innovations to Indigenous communities across British Columbia.

    October 29, 2024 – Toronto, Ontario 

    The Honourable Rechie Valdez, Minister of Small Business, will make an important announcement on bringing new health care innovations to Indigenous communities across British Columbia.

    A media availability will follow the announcement.

    Date: Wednesday, October 30, 2024

    Time: Event will start at 2:30 pm (ET). Media are asked to arrive at 2:15 pm (ET).

    Location:

    Rogers Communications
    The Velma Rogers Graham Theatre
    333 Bloor Street East
    Toronto, Ontario

    Members of the media are asked to contact ISED Media Relations at media@ised-isde.gc.ca to confirm their attendance.

    Media representatives wishing to attend must present credentials.

    Callie Franson
    Senior Communications Advisor and Issues Manager
    Office of the Minister of Small Business
    callie.franson@ised-isde.gc.ca
    613-297-5766

    Media Relations
    Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada
    media@ised-isde.gc.ca

    Follow Canada Business on social media.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI USA: NASA Helps Find Thawing Permafrost Adds to Near-Term Global Warming

    Source: NASA

    Earth’s far northern reaches have locked carbon underground for millennia. New research paints a picture of a landscape in change.
    A new study, co-authored by NASA scientists, details where and how greenhouse gases are escaping from the Earth’s vast northern permafrost region as the Arctic warms. The frozen soils encircling the Arctic from Alaska to Canada to Siberia store twice as much carbon as currently resides in the atmosphere — hundreds of billions of tons — and most of it has been buried for centuries.
    An international team, led by researchers at Stockholm University, found that from 2000 to 2020, carbon dioxide uptake by the land was largely offset by emissions from it. Overall, they concluded that the region has been a net contributor to global warming in recent decades in large part because of another greenhouse gas, methane, that is shorter-lived but traps significantly more heat per molecule than carbon dioxide.

    The findings reveal a landscape in flux, said Abhishek Chatterjee, a co-author and scientist at NASA’s Jet Propulsion Laboratory in Southern California. “We know that the permafrost region has captured and stored carbon for tens of thousands of years,” he said. “But what we are finding now is that climate-driven changes are tipping the balance toward permafrost being a net source of greenhouse gas emissions.”
    Carbon Stockpile
    Permafrost is ground that has been permanently frozen for anywhere from two years to hundreds of thousands of years. A core of it reveals thick layers of icy soils enriched with dead plant and animal matter that can be dated using radiocarbon and other techniques. When permafrost thaws and decomposes, microbes feed on this organic carbon, releasing some of it as greenhouse gases.
    Unlocking a fraction of the carbon stored in permafrost could further fuel climate change. Temperatures in the Arctic are already warming two to four times faster than the global average, and scientists are learning how thawing permafrost is shifting the region from being a net sink for greenhouse gases to becoming a net source of warming.
    They’ve tracked emissions using ground-based instruments, aircraft, and satellites. One such campaign, NASA’s Arctic-Boreal Vulnerability Experiment (ABoVE), is focused on Alaska and western Canada. Yet locating and measuring emissions across the far northern fringes of Earth remains challenging. One obstacle is the vast scale and diversity of the environment, composed of evergreen forests, sprawling tundra, and waterways.

    Cracks in the Sink
    The new study was undertaken as part of the Global Carbon Project’s RECCAP-2 effort, which brings together different science teams, tools, and datasets to assess regional carbon balances every few years. The authors followed the trail of three greenhouse gases — carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide — across 7 million square miles (18 million square kilometers) of permafrost terrain from 2000 to 2020.
    Researchers found the region, especially the forests, took up a fraction more carbon dioxide than it released. This uptake was largely offset by carbon dioxide emitted from lakes and rivers, as well as from fires that burned both forest and tundra.
    They also found that the region’s lakes and wetlands were strong sources of methane during those two decades. Their waterlogged soils are low in oxygen while containing large volumes of dead vegetation and animal matter — ripe conditions for hungry microbes. Compared to carbon dioxide, methane can drive significant climate warming in short timescales before breaking down relatively quickly. Methane’s lifespan in the atmosphere is about 10 years, whereas carbon dioxide can last hundreds of years.
    The findings suggest the net change in greenhouse gases helped warm the planet over the 20-year period. But over a 100-year period, emissions and absorptions would mostly cancel each other out. In other words, the region teeters from carbon source to weak sink. The authors noted that events such as extreme wildfires and heat waves are major sources of uncertainty when projecting into the future.
    Bottom Up, Top Down
    The scientists used two main strategies to tally greenhouse gas emissions from the region. “Bottom-up” methods estimate emissions from ground- and air-based measurements and ecosystem models. Top-down methods use atmospheric measurements taken directly from satellite sensors, including those on NASA’s Orbiting Carbon Observatory-2 (OCO-2) and JAXA’s (Japan Aerospace Exploration Agency)Greenhouse Gases Observing Satellite.
    Regarding near-term, 20-year, global warming potential, both scientific approaches aligned on the big picture but differed in magnitude: The bottom-up calculations indicated significantly more warming.
    “This study is one of the first where we are able to integrate different methods and datasets to put together this very comprehensive greenhouse gas budget into one report,” Chatterjee said. “It reveals a very complex picture.”
    News Media Contacts
    Jane J. Lee / Andrew WangJet Propulsion Laboratory, Pasadena, Calif.818-354-0307 / 626-379-6874jane.j.lee@jpl.nasa.gov / andrew.wang@jpl.nasa.gov
    Written by Sally Younger
    2024-147

    MIL OSI USA News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Hanwell  — RCMP seeking public’s help following break, enter and theft

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    The Keswick RCMP Detachment is seeking the public’s assistance in connection with a break, enter and theft in Hanwell, N.B.

    The break, enter and theft is believed to have occurred on October 20, 2024, between 4 a.m. and 5 a.m., at a business on Route 640 in Hanwell.

    An individual forcibly gained entry to the business by breaking the glass of the front door. An unknown number of items were stolen.

    Police are now releasing surveillance footage photos of the individual, in hopes that someone may recognize them. The individual is described as a man with a thin build. At the time of the theft, he was wearing black clothing, a black helmet and black gloves. He was also carrying a black backpack and riding a bicycle.

    Anyone who lives in the area and witnessed suspicious activity at the time of the incident, who has surveillance footage from the time of the incident, or who has information that could help further the investigation is asked to contact the Keswick RCMP at 506-357-4300. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers by calling 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), by downloading the secure P3 Mobile App, or by Secure Web Tips at www.crimenb.ca.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Glovertown — Off-duty RCMP officer charged with impaired operation by Glovertown RCMP

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Following a single-vehicle crash that occurred on the Trans-Canada Highway near Glovertown on October 27, 2024, charges of impaired operation have been laid against an off-duty RCMP officer, 34-year-old Travis Plant.

    At approximately 10:45 a.m. on Sunday, Glovertown RCMP responded to the report of a single-vehicle crash and attended the scene. Plant, who was the operator of the vehicle, failed a roadside breath test. He was arrested for impaired operation and was transported to the detachment where he provided breath samples that were more than one and a half times the legal limit.

    Plant was released from custody and is set to appear in court at a later date. His driver’s licence was suspended and the vehicle was seized and impounded. Plant’s current duty status remains under review. SIRT-NL has been notified.

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Security: Pond Inlet — Search for Pond Inlet resident suspended

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Pond Inlet (Mittimatalik) Nunavut
    Date: 2024-10-29
    File: 2024-1463470

    On October 13, 2024, in consultation with partner agencies, Nunavut Emergency Management (NEM) concluded the search for Rico Akpaleapik. He was last seen on October 2, in Pond Inlet and was reported missing on October 4, 2024.

    Immediately after Akpaleapik was reported missing, local Ground Search and Rescue (GSAR) volunteers were dispatched, assisted by the Canadian Rangers. Additional agencies were engaged on this file including the Joint Rescue Coordination Centre (JRCC) and the Canadian Coast Guard. Through this partnership, aerial and water assets were deployed to support the ground search. The RCMP sent in multiple police officers to assist with the search, which included the use of aerial drones and a Police Dog Unit that was flown in from Quebec.

    RCMP would like to thank all those who were involved in this search, most notably the local Ground Search and Rescue team. The RCMP continue to investigate this missing person file and ask any one with information which may assist with the investigation to please contact Pond Inlet RCMP at 867-899-0123

    MIL Security OSI –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Coco Pool Corp. and Viridian Metals Corp. Announce TSXV Conditional Acceptance and Filing of Filing Statement for Their Qualifying Transaction

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Not for distribution to U.S. news wire services or for dissemination in the United States

    VANCOUVER, British Columbia, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Coco Pool Corp. (“Coco”) (TSXV: CCPC.P), a capital pool company, is pleased to announce that it has received conditional acceptance from the TSX Venture Exchange (“TSXV”) for the closing of its proposed amalgamation transaction with Viridian Metals Corp. (“Viridian”) which transaction (the “Transaction”) is intended to constitute Coco’s Qualifying Transaction (within the meaning of Policy 2.4 – Capital Pool Companies of the TSX Venture Exchange (the “Exchange”).

    Coco has filed a filing statement that is dated effective October 28, 2024 (the “Filing Statement”) and certain additional documents, including a 43-101 Technical Report on Viridian’s Kraken Project with the TSXV and on Coco’s SEDAR+ profile at www.sedarplus.ca.

    Further to its comprehensive news release dated August 2, 2024, Coco will acquire Viridian by way of a three cornered amalgamation of Coco, 16217494 Canada Inc., a wholly owned subsidiary of Coco, and Viridian under the Canada Business Corporations Act. In connection with the Qualifying Transaction, Coco will change its name to Viridian Metals Inc. (the “Resulting Issuer”). It is anticipated that the common shares of the Resulting Issuer will trade under the ticker “VRDN”.

    All details of the Transaction as disclosed in Coco’s comprehensive news release dated August 2, 2024 remain the same other than Viridian is currently conducting an additional non-brokered private placement (the “Viridian Private Placement”) of between 714,286 and 1,428,571 units of Viridian (“Viridian Units”), at a price of $0.35 per Viridian Unit for aggregate gross proceeds of a minimum of $250,000 and a maximum $500,000. Each Viridian Unit is comprised of one common share of Viridian (each a “Viridian Share”) and one half of one common share purchase warrant, with each whole warrant (each a “Viridian Warrant”) entitling the holder thereof to acquire one Viridian Share at a price of $0.45 for a period of 60 months from the date of issuance.

    “Receiving conditional approval for our TSXV listing marks an important step in Viridian’s growth strategy. We are excited about the future as we move closer to unlocking the potential of our assets and bringing value to our shareholders. We look forward to continuing our journey as a publicly traded company on such a respected exchange,” said Tyrell Sutherland, CEO, Viridian Metals.

    The Viridian Private Placement is expected to close prior to the completion of the Transaction and the Viridian Shares and Viridian Warrants comprising the Viridian Units will be exchanged for common shares and common share purchase warrants of the Resulting Issuer, as applicable, pursuant to the terms of the amalgamation agreement entered into between the parties as described in the Filing Statement. The closing of the Viridian Private Placement is a condition precedent to the closing of the Transaction.

    It is now currently anticipated that, immediately prior to the closing of the Transaction, there will be approximately between 46,619,224 and 47,333,509 Viridian Shares issued and outstanding (including Viridian Shares issued pursuant to the Viridian Private Placement) and between 9,022,081 and 9,379,224 Viridian Warrants issued and outstanding (including Viridian Shares issued pursuant to the Viridian Private Placement). The value of the consideration for the Viridian Shares pursuant to the Transaction is between $12,120,998.20 (assuming completion of the minimum amount of the Viridian Private Placement) and $12,306,712.30 (assuming completion of the maximum amount of the Viridian Private Placement).

    The fully diluted capitalization of the Resulting Issuer is expected to be as follows:

    Description of Issue Number of Resulting Issuer Shares After Giving Effect to the Transaction Assuming Minimum Viridian Private Placement Percentage of Total Number of Resulting Issuer Shares After Giving Effect to the Transaction Assuming Maximum Viridian Private Placement

    Percentage of Total

    Outstanding Coco Consolidated Shares prior to the Amalgamation 2,852,000 4.84% 2,852,000 4.75%
    Issuable to the Viridian Shareholders 46,619,224 79.13% 47,333,509 78.91%
    Issuable on the exercise of existing Coco stock Options 285,196 0.48% 285,196 0.48%
    Issuable on the exercise of existing Coco Warrants 138,000 0.23% 138,000 0.23%
    Issuable on the exercise of Viridian Warrants 9,022,081 15.31% 9,379,224 15.64%
    Fully diluted share capital 58,916,501 100.00% 59,987,929 100.00%

    Additional information in respect of the Transaction, Coco, Viridian and the Resulting Issuer can be found in the Filing Statement. In accordance with the policies of the TSXV, Coco’s common shares are currently halted from trading and will remain so until such time as required by TSXV policies.

    Coco Shareholder Meeting

    Coco was required to hold a meeting to seek approval of the shareholders of Coco (the “Coco Shareholders”) of certain matters in respect of the Transaction.

    Coco held its annual general and special meeting on September 12, 2024 where, along with resolutions commonly placed before shareholders at an annual general meeting, the Coco Shareholders approved, conditional upon the completion of the Transaction:

    (ii) the name change of Coco to “Viridian Metals Inc.”;
    (iii) the consolidation of the common shares of Coco on the basis of 0.46 of a post consolidation common share for each pre consolidation common share;
    (iv) the election of directors of the Resulting Issuer following the closing of the Transaction as agreed between Viridian and Coco and as set out in the Filing Statement; and
    (v)  the adoption of a new omnibus equity incentive plan of the Resulting Issuer.

    The completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions including, but not limited to, the required approvals of the shareholders of Viridian, receipt of all required regulatory approvals, including final Exchange approval, and satisfaction of other customary closing conditions. Assuming all conditions for closing are satisfied, closing of the Transaction is expected to occur on or about November 4, 2024 or such other date as Coco and Viridian may determine.

    Further Information

    Coco will provide further details in respect of the Transaction in due course by way of a subsequent news release, however, Coco will make available to the Exchange, all information, including financial information, as may be requested or required by the Exchange.

    For further information, please contact:

    All information contained in this news release with respect to Coco and Viridian was supplied by the respective party, for inclusion herein, without independent review by the other party, and each party and its directors and officers have relied on the other party for any information concerning the other party.

    Completion of the Transaction is subject to a number of conditions, including but not limited to, Exchange acceptance and if applicable pursuant to Exchange Requirements, majority of the minority shareholder approval. Where applicable, the Transaction cannot close until the required shareholder approval is obtained. There can be no assurance that the Transaction will be completed as proposed or at all.

    Investors are cautioned that, except as disclosed in the management information circular or filing statement to be prepared in connection with the Transaction, any information released or received with respect to the Transaction may not be accurate or complete and should not be relied upon. Trading in the securities of a capital pool company should be considered highly speculative.

    The TSX Venture Exchange has not in any way passed upon the merits of the proposed Transaction and has neither approved nor disapproved the contents of this news release.

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

    This news release does not constitute an offer to sell or a solicitation of an offer to buy any of the securities in the United States. The securities have not been and will not be registered under the United States Securities Act of 1933, as amended (the “U.S. Securities Act”) or any state securities laws and may not be offered or sold within the United States or to U.S. persons unless registered under the U.S. Securities Act and applicable state securities laws or an exemption from such registration is available.

    Cautionary Statement Regarding Forward Looking Information

    This news release contains statements which constitute “forward-looking information” within the meaning of applicable securities laws, including statements regarding the plans, intentions, beliefs and current expectations of Coco and Viridian with respect to future business activities and operating performance.

    Often, but not always, forward-looking information can be identified by the use of words such as “plans”, “expects”, “is expected”, “budget”, “scheduled”, “estimates”, “forecasts”, “intends”, “anticipates”, or “believes” or variations (including negative variations) of such words and phrases, or statements formed in the future tense or indicating that certain actions, events or results “may”, “could”, “would”, “might” or “will” (or other variations of the forgoing) be taken, occur, be achieved, or come to pass. Forward-looking information includes information regarding: (i) expectations regarding whether the Transaction will be consummated, including whether conditions to the consummation of the Transaction will be satisfied including, but not limited to, the necessary regulatory approvals and the timing associated with obtaining such approvals, if at all; (ii) the business plans and expectations of the Resulting Issuer; and (iii) expectations for other economic, business, and/or competitive factors. Forward-looking information is based on currently available competitive, financial and economic data and operating plans, strategies or beliefs as of the date of this news release, but involve known and unknown risks, uncertainties, assumptions and other factors that may cause the actual results, performance or achievements of Viridian, Coco or the Resulting Issuer, as applicable, to be materially different from any future results, performance or achievements expressed or implied by the forward-looking information. Such factors may be based on information currently available to Viridian, Coco and the Resulting Issuer, including information obtained from third-party industry analysts and other third-party sources, and are based on management’s current expectations or beliefs. Any and all forward-looking information contained in this news release is expressly qualified by this cautionary statement.

    Investors are cautioned that forward-looking information is not based on historical facts but instead reflect Viridian and Coco’s respective management’s expectations, estimates or projections concerning future results or events based on the opinions, assumptions and estimates of management considered reasonable at the date the statements are made. Forward-looking information reflects Viridian’s and Coco’s current beliefs and is based on information currently available to Viridian and Coco and on assumptions it believes to be not unreasonable in light of all of the circumstances. In some instances, material factors or assumptions are discussed in this news release in connection with statements containing forward-looking information. Such material factors and assumptions include, but are not limited to:, Viridian, Coco or the Resulting Issuer; completion of the Transaction; satisfying the conditions precedent and covenants in the Amalgamation Agreement; satisfying the requirements of the Exchange with respect to the Transaction; meeting the minimum listing requirements of the Exchange, and anticipated and unanticipated costs and other factors referenced in this news release and the Filing Statement, including, but not limited to, those set forth in the Filing Statement under the caption “Risk Factors”. Although Viridian and Coco have attempted to identify important factors that could cause actual actions, events or results to differ materially from those described in forward-looking information, there may be other factors that cause actions, events or results to differ from those anticipated, estimated or intended. Forward-looking information contained herein is made as of the date of this news release and, other than as required by law, Viridian and Coco disclaim any obligation to update any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or results or otherwise. There can be no assurance that forward-looking information will prove to be accurate, as actual results and future events could differ materially from those anticipated in such statements. Accordingly, readers should not place undue reliance on forward-looking information.

    Should one or more of these risks or uncertainties materialize, or should assumptions underlying the forward-looking information prove incorrect, actual results may vary materially from those described herein as intended, planned, anticipated, believed, estimated or expected. Although Viridian and Coco have attempted to identify important risks, uncertainties and factors which could cause actual results to differ materially, there may be others that cause results not to be as anticipated, estimated or intended. Viridian and Coco do not intend, and do not assume any obligation, to update this forward-looking information except as otherwise required by applicable law.

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI: Nicola Wealth Real Estate and Townline Celebrate Completion of Meridian Residential Project in Coquitlam, B.C.

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    Vancouver, BC, Oct. 29, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Nicola Wealth Real Estate (NWRE) and Townline are pleased to announce the completion of Meridian, a landmark 37-storey residential rental apartment project located at 515 Cottonwood Avenue in Coquitlam, B.C. The project, a joint venture between NWRE and Townline, brings 267 thoughtfully designed rental homes to the thriving Burquitlam neighbourhood, including nine units leased to BC Housing to support affordable housing. The 267 homes include a mix of market rental units and units which are dedicated to supporting middle-income households.

    Situated just a four-minute walk from the Burquitlam SkyTrain Station on the Evergreen Line, Meridian offers convenient access to public transit, nearby amenities like SFU, Burnaby Lake, Burnaby Mountain, and Douglas College, as well as popular recreational spots such as Rocky Point Park.

    “We are thrilled to have partnered with Townline on this significant project. Their expertise in development and construction has been invaluable, and together we’ve delivered a high-quality residential community that will meet the needs of renters in the lower mainland,” said Mark Hannah, Executive Managing Director and Head of Real Estate at Nicola Wealth.

    Rick Ilich, Founder and CEO of Townline, added, “We are proud to partner with Nicola Wealth to bring these amenity-rich homes to a growing, transit-oriented community. We look forward to building on Meridian’s success and partnering on future projects with the industry leaders at Nicola Wealth Real Estate.”

    Meridian is set to welcome its first residents in November 2024. Designed with renters in mind, Meridian offers 1-3 bedroom homes, including townhomes, all equipped with premium finishes and a wide range of modern conveniences.

    Retail Component 

    In addition to its residential offering, Meridian boasts approximately 10,000 square feet of commercial retail space, which is fully leased to popular tenants including Dos Bros, Pur&Simple, and Anytime Fitness.

    With modern interiors, generous outdoor spaces, and a host of amenities designed to enhance residents’ quality of life, Meridian is poised to be a vibrant community hub in Burquitlam.

    Building Features and Amenities

    Residents of Meridian will enjoy exclusive access to a variety of high-end amenities located on the 3rd and 37th floors, including:

    • A state-of-the-art fitness room, yoga studio, and strength area
    • Rooftop Sky Lounge with panoramic views of Metro Vancouver and Burnaby Mountain
    • Outdoor patios with grilling stations, a firepit lounge, and terrace dining area
    • Co-working spaces, study rooms, games rooms, and lounges
    • A dog run, parcel lockers, secure underground parking with EV-ready stalls, and keyless entry systems for enhanced security and convenience

    About Nicola Wealth Real Estate

    Nicola Wealth Real Estate (NWRE) is the in-house real estate team of Nicola Wealth, a premier Canadian financial planning and investment firm with over $16.4 billion (CAD) of assets under management as at October 29, 2024. NWRE has an experienced and innovative team that sources and asset manages a growing portfolio of properties in major markets across North America spanning a diversified range of asset classes which include industrial, self-storage, multi-family rental apartment, retail, seniors housing, and office. The Nicola Wealth Real Estate portfolio now exceeds $10 billion gross asset value. For more information, please visit realestate.nicolawealth.com.

    About Townline

    Townline is known for its innovative living solutions and unparalleled attention to detail. For over 40 years, every Townline project – from single-family homes and townhomes to concrete high-rise towers and mixed-use communities – has been defined by a strong focus on homeowner and tenant experience, purposeful design, and an unwavering commitment to enriching the cities and communities we build in. This is the Townline Way.

    The Townline Way is defined by our honesty, attention to detail, and thoughtfulness in all that we do. Our strong relationships are an important part of this – with our customers, our tenants, our partners, and our communities. Townline is deeply involved at each stage of every project, with in-house development, finance, construction, marketing, sales and leasing, asset management, property management and customer care teams.

    Attachments

    • Nicola Wealth Real Estate and Townline are pleased to announce the completion of Meridian, a landmark 37-storey residential rental apartment project located at 515 Cottonwood Avenue in Coquitlam, B.C.
    • Nicola Wealth Real Estate and Townline Celebrate Completion of Meridian Residential Project in Coquitlam

    The MIL Network –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Banking: Apple’s new Mac mini is more mighty, more mini, and built for Apple Intelligence

    Source: Apple

    Headline: Apple’s new Mac mini is more mighty, more mini, and built for Apple Intelligence

    October 29, 2024

    PRESS RELEASE

    Apple’s all-new Mac mini is more mighty, more mini, and built for Apple Intelligence

    The compact, do-it-all desktop now features the power of M4 and M4 Pro, and marks an important environmental milestone as the first carbon neutral Mac

    CUPERTINO, CALIFORNIA Apple today unveiled the all-new Mac mini powered by the M4 and new M4 Pro chips, and redesigned around Apple silicon to pack an incredible amount of performance into an even smaller form of just 5 by 5 inches. With M4, Mac mini delivers up to 1.8x faster CPU performance and 2.2x faster GPU performance over the M1 model.1 With M4 Pro, it takes the advanced technologies in M4 and scales them up to tackle even more demanding workloads. For more convenient connectivity, it features front and back ports, and for the first time includes Thunderbolt 5 for faster data transfer speeds on the M4 Pro model. The new Mac mini is also built for Apple Intelligence, the personal intelligence system that transforms how users work, communicate, and express themselves while protecting their privacy. And marking an important environmental milestone, Mac mini is Apple’s first carbon neutral Mac with an over 80 percent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions across its materials, manufacturing, transportation, and customer use.2 Starting at just $599 with 16GB of memory, the new Mac mini is available to pre-order today, with availability beginning November 8.

    “The new Mac mini delivers gigantic performance in an unbelievably small design thanks to the power efficiency of Apple silicon and an innovative new thermal architecture,” said John Ternus, Apple’s senior vice president of Hardware Engineering. “Combined with the performance of M4 and the new M4 Pro chip, enhanced connectivity on both the front and back, and the arrival of Apple Intelligence, Mac mini is more capable and versatile than ever, and there is nothing else like it.”

    Small, but Fierce

    The new Mac mini footprint is less than half the size of the previous design at just 5 by 5 inches, so it takes up much less space on a desk. The super-compact system is enabled by the incredible power efficiency of Apple silicon and an innovative thermal architecture, which guides air to different levels of the system, while all venting is done through the foot.

    When compared to the best-selling PC desktop in its price range, Mac mini is up to 6x faster at one-twentieth the size.1 For a wide range of users, from students to aspiring creatives and small business owners, the Mac mini with M4 is a tiny powerhouse. Mac mini with M4 features a 10-core CPU, 10-core GPU, and now starts with 16GB of unified memory. Users will feel the performance of M4 in everything they do, from multitasking across everyday productivity apps to creative projects like video editing, music production, or writing and compiling code.

    When compared to the Mac mini with Intel Core i7, Mac mini with M4:

    • Applies up to 2.8x more audio effect plugins in a Logic Pro project.1
    • Delivers up to 13.3x faster gaming performance in World of Warcraft: The War Within.1
    • Enhances photos with up to 33x faster image upscaling performance in Photomator.3

    When compared to the Mac mini with M1, Mac mini with M4:

    • Performs spreadsheet calculations up to 1.7x faster in Microsoft Excel.1
    • Transcribes with on-device AI speech-to-text up to 2x faster in MacWhisper.1
    • Merges panoramic images up to 4.9x faster in Adobe Lightroom Classic.4

    Introducing M4 Pro for Pro-Level Performance 

    For users who want pro-level performance, Mac mini with M4 Pro features the world’s fastest CPU core5 with lightning-fast single-threaded performance. With up to 14 cores, including 10 performance cores and four efficiency cores, M4 Pro also provides phenomenal multithreaded performance. With up to 20 cores, the M4 Pro GPU is up to twice as powerful as the GPU in M4, and both chips bring hardware-accelerated ray tracing to the Mac mini for the first time. The Neural Engine in M4 Pro is also over 3x faster than in Mac mini with M1, so on-device Apple Intelligence models run at blazing speed. M4 Pro supports up to 64GB of unified memory and 273GB/s of memory bandwidth — twice as much bandwidth as any AI PC chip — for accelerating AI workloads. And M4 Pro supports Thunderbolt 5, which delivers up to 120 Gb/s data transfer speeds on Mac mini, and more than doubles the throughput of Thunderbolt 4.

    When compared to the Mac mini with Intel Core i7, Mac mini with M4 Pro:

    • Performs spreadsheet calculations up to 4x faster in Microsoft Excel.1
    • Executes scene-edit detection up to 9.4x faster in Adobe Premiere Pro.3
    • Transcribes with on-device AI speech-to-text up to 20x faster in MacWhisper.1
    • Processes basecalling for DNA sequencing in Oxford Nanopore MinKNOW up to 26x faster.1

    When compared to the Mac mini with M2 Pro, Mac mini with M4 Pro:

    • Applies up to 1.8x more audio effect plugins in a Logic Pro project.1
    • Renders motion graphics to RAM up to 2x faster in Motion.6
    • Completes 3D renders up to 2.9x faster in Blender.6

    Upgraded Connectivity and Display Support 

    The new Mac mini features a wide array of ports to drive any setup. It includes front-facing ports for more convenient access, including two USB-C ports that support USB 3, and an audio jack with support for high-impedance headphones. On the back, Mac mini with M4 includes three Thunderbolt 4 ports, while Mac mini with M4 Pro features three Thunderbolt 5 ports. Mac mini comes standard with Gigabit Ethernet, configurable up to 10Gb Ethernet for faster networking speeds, and an HDMI port for easy connection to a TV or HDMI display without an adapter. With M4, Mac mini can support up to two 6K displays and up to one 5K display, and with M4 Pro, it can support up to three 6K displays at 60Hz for a total of over 60 million pixels.

    A New Era with Apple Intelligence on the Mac

    Apple Intelligence ushers in a new era for the Mac, bringing personal intelligence to the personal computer. Combining powerful generative models with industry-first privacy protections, Apple Intelligence harnesses the power of Apple silicon and the Neural Engine to unlock new ways for users to work, communicate, and express themselves on Mac. It is available in U.S. English with macOS Sequoia 15.1. With systemwide Writing Tools, users can refine their words by rewriting, proofreading, and summarizing text nearly everywhere they write. With the newly redesigned Siri, users can move fluidly between spoken and typed requests to accelerate tasks throughout their day, and Siri can answer thousands of questions about Mac and other Apple products. New Apple Intelligence features will be available in December, with additional capabilities rolling out in the coming months. Image Playground gives users a new way to create fun original images, and Genmoji allows them to create custom emoji in seconds. Siri will become even more capable, with the ability to take actions across the system and draw on a user’s personal context to deliver intelligence that is tailored to them. In December, ChatGPT will be integrated into Siri and Writing Tools, allowing users to access its expertise without needing to jump between tools.

    Apple Intelligence does all this while protecting users’ privacy at every step. At its core is on-device processing, and for more complex tasks, Private Cloud Compute gives users access to Apple’s even larger, server-based models and offers groundbreaking protections for personal information. In addition, users can access ChatGPT for free without creating an account, and privacy protections are built in — their IP addresses are obscured and OpenAI won’t store requests. For those who choose to connect their account, OpenAI’s data-use policies apply.

    The First Carbon Neutral Mac 

    The new Mac mini is Apple’s first carbon neutral Mac, marking a significant milestone toward Apple 2030, the company’s goal to be carbon neutral across the entire carbon footprint by the end of this decade.

    Mac mini is made with over 50 percent recycled content overall, including 100 percent recycled aluminum in the enclosure, 100 percent recycled gold plating in all Apple-designed printed circuit boards, and 100 percent recycled rare earth elements in all magnets. The electricity used to manufacture Mac mini is sourced from 100 percent renewable electricity. And, to address 100 percent of the electricity customers use to power Mac mini, Apple has invested in clean energy projects around the world. Apple has also prioritized lower-carbon modes of shipping, like ocean freight, to further reduce emissions from transportation. Together, these actions have reduced the carbon footprint of Mac mini by over 80 percent.2 For the small amount of remaining emissions, Apple applies high-quality carbon credits from nature-based projects, like those generated by its innovative Restore Fund.

    In another first for Mac mini, the packaging is now entirely fiber-based, bringing Apple closer to its goal to remove plastic from its packaging by 2025.

    An Unrivaled Experience with macOS Sequoia

    macOS Sequoia completes the new Mac mini experience with a host of exciting features, including iPhone Mirroring, allowing users to wirelessly interact with their iPhone, its apps, and notifications directly from their Mac.7 Safari, the world’s fastest browser,8 now offers the Highlights feature, which quickly pulls up relevant information from a site; a smarter, redesigned Reader with a table of contents and high-level summary; and a new Video Viewer to watch videos without distractions. With Distraction Control, users can hide items on a webpage that they may find disruptive to their browsing. Gaming gets even more immersive with features like Personalized Spatial Audio and improvements to Game Mode, along with a breadth of exciting titles, including the upcoming Assassin’s Creed Shadows. Easier window tiling means users can stay organized with a window layout that works best for them. The all-new Passwords app gives convenient access to passwords, passkeys, and other credentials — all stored in one place. And users can apply new, beautiful built-in backgrounds for video calls, which include a variety of color gradients and system wallpapers, or upload their own photos.

    Pricing and Availability

    • Customers can pre-order the new Mac mini with M4 and M4 Pro starting today, Tuesday, October 29, on apple.com/store and in the Apple Store app in 28 countries and regions, including the U.S. It will start arriving to customers, and in Apple Store locations and Apple Authorized Resellers, beginning Friday, November 8.
    • Mac mini with M4 starts at $599 (U.S.) and $499 (U.S.) for education. Additional technical specifications are available at apple.com/mac-mini.
    • Mac mini with M4 Pro starts at $1,399 (U.S.) and $1,299 (U.S.) for education. Additional technical specifications are available at apple.com/mac-mini.
    • New accessories with USB-C — including Magic Keyboard ($99 U.S.), Magic Keyboard with Touch ID ($149 U.S.), Magic Keyboard with Touch ID and Numeric Keypad ($179 U.S.), Magic Trackpad ($129 U.S.), Magic Mouse ($79 U.S.), and Thunderbolt 5 Pro Cable ($69) — are available at apple.com/store.
    • Apple Intelligence is available now as a free software update for Mac with M1 and later, and can be accessed in most regions around the world when the device and Siri language are set to U.S. English. The first set of features is in beta and available with macOS Sequoia 15.1, with more features rolling out in the months to come.
    • Apple Intelligence is quickly adding support for more languages. In December, Apple Intelligence will add support for localized English in Australia, Canada, Ireland, New Zealand, South Africa, and the U.K., and in April, a software update will deliver expanded language support, with more coming throughout the year. Chinese, English (India), English (Singapore), French, German, Italian, Japanese, Korean, Portuguese, Spanish, Vietnamese, and other languages will be supported.
    • With Apple Trade In, customers can trade in their current computer and get credit toward a new Mac. Customers can visit apple.com/shop/trade-in to see what their device is worth.
    • AppleCare+ for Mac provides unparalleled service and support. This includes unlimited incidents of accidental damage, battery service coverage, and 24/7 support from the people who know Mac best.
    • Every customer who buys directly from Apple Retail gets access to Personal Setup. In these guided online sessions, a Specialist can walk them through setup, or focus on features that help them make the most of their new device. Customers can also learn more about getting started with their new device with a Today at Apple session at their nearest Apple Store.

    About Apple Apple revolutionized personal technology with the introduction of the Macintosh in 1984. Today, Apple leads the world in innovation with iPhone, iPad, Mac, AirPods, Apple Watch, and Apple Vision Pro. Apple’s six software platforms — iOS, iPadOS, macOS, watchOS, visionOS, and tvOS — provide seamless experiences across all Apple devices and empower people with breakthrough services including the App Store, Apple Music, Apple Pay, iCloud, and Apple TV+. Apple’s more than 150,000 employees are dedicated to making the best products on earth and to leaving the world better than we found it.

    1. Testing was conducted by Apple in September and October 2024. See apple.com/mac-mini for more information.
    2. Carbon reductions are calculated against a business-as-usual baseline scenario: No use of clean electricity for manufacturing or product use, beyond what is already available on the latest modeled grid; Apple’s carbon intensity of key materials as of 2015; and Apple’s average mix of transportation modes by product line across three years. Learn more at apple.com/2030.
    3. Results are compared to previous-generation 3.2GHz 6-core Intel Core i7-based Mac mini systems with Intel Iris UHD Graphics 630, 64GB of RAM, and 2TB SSD.
    4. Results are compared to previous-generation Mac mini systems with Apple M1, 8-core CPU, 8-core GPU, 16GB of RAM, and 2TB SSD.
    5. Testing conducted by Apple in October 2024 using shipping competitive systems and select industry-standard benchmarks.
    6. Results are compared to previous-generation Mac mini systems with Apple M2 Pro, 12-core CPU, 19-core GPU, 32GB of RAM, and 8TB SSD.
    7. Available on Mac computers with Apple silicon and Intel-based Mac computers with a T2 Security Chip. Requires that iPhone and Mac are signed in with the same Apple Account using two-factor authentication, iPhone and Mac are near each other and have Bluetooth and Wi-Fi turned on, and Mac is not using AirPlay or Sidecar. Some iPhone features (e.g., camera and microphone) are not compatible with iPhone Mirroring.
    8. Testing was conducted by Apple in August 2024. See apple.com/safari for more information.

    Press Contacts

    Michelle Del Rio

    Apple

    mr_delrio@apple.com

    Starlayne Meza

    Apple

    starlayne_meza@apple.com

    Apple Media Helpline

    media.help@apple.com

    MIL OSI Global Banks –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Taché Celebrates Construction of New Community Centre

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    October 29, 2024

    Taché Celebrates Construction of New Community Centre

    – – –
    Provincial Investment of $13.3 Million Helping to Bring Communities and Families Together


    LORETTE—The governments of Canada, Manitoba and the Rural Municipality (RM) of Taché celebrated the official groundbreaking for the new Taché Community Centre project today, Municipal and Northern Relations Minister Ian Bushie announced today, alongside partners from the RM of Taché.

    “It’s so exciting to see a growing community such as the RM of Taché getting a state-of-the-art facility that will foster a sense of community and encourage healthy living,” said Bushie. “Our government congratulates the people and leadership of Taché who have been working so hard to make this centre a reality. On behalf of the province, we are proud of the work you have done, and today we proudly celebrate your success.”

    RM of Taché Mayor Armand Poirier along with several councillors broke ground on the joint project that will serve as a central hub for the surrounding communities, providing a wide range of recreational services to residents from Lorette, Landmark, Ste. Geneviève, Ross, Linden and beyond.

    “The RM of Taché is proud to partner with Manitoba and the Government of Canada on the journey toward building the new Taché Community Centre, a project that is very close to our hearts,” said Poirier. “This centre will be a place where our residents can come together, celebrate and create lasting memories. It is a project that embodies the spirit of community and the value we place on providing spaces that serve the diverse needs of our population.”

    Once the construction site is fully prepared, construction will get underway in the weeks ahead with anticipated completion in the summer of 2026, noted Bushie. The new Taché Community Centre will include a new arena and skating rink, community library, seniors’ centre, multipurpose area and canteen.

    – 30 –

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 25, 2025
  • MIL-OSI Canada: Saskatchewan Power Corporation Fined $840,000 for Worker Fatalities

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on October 29, 2024

    Saskatchewan Power Corporation was sentenced on October 18, 2024, in Weyburn Provincial Court for violating The Occupational Health and Safety Regulations, 1996.

    In May 2024, Saskatchewan Power Corporation was found guilty of violating:

    • clause 12 (a) (being an employer at a place of employment, fail to provide and maintain plant, systems of work and working environments that ensure, as far as is reasonably practicable, the health, safety and welfare at work of the employer’s workers, resulting in the deaths of workers);
    • clause 12 (c) (being an employer at a place of employment, fail to provide any information, instruction, training and supervision that is necessary to protect the health and safety of workers at work, resulting in the deaths of workers); and
    • clause 192 (2) (h) (being an employer, require or permit a worker to be raised or lowered by any aerial device or elevating work platform or to work from a device or platform held in an elevated position unless the worker is provided with and is required to use a personal fall arrest system that meets the requirements of Part VII, resulting in the deaths of workers).

    As a result, the Court imposed a fine of $300,000 with a surcharge of $120,000 on the first count and $150,000 on each of the other two counts with a surcharge of $60,000 on each of those charges, for a total amount of $840,000.

    The charges stemmed from a worksite incident that occurred on October 8, 2020, in Weyburn, Saskatchewan. Two workers were fatally injured when they fell to the ground from the bucket of a bucket truck.

    -30-

    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

    January 25, 2025
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