NewzIntel.com

Category: Canada

  • MIL-OSI USA: Now is the time to press forward. Now is the time to act.

    Source: US International Brotherhood of Boilermakers

    Now is the time to recruit new members and organize new industries, contractors and employers. Now is the time to research new Boilermaker work opportunities and stay on the cutting edge of technology. 

    Tim Simmons, International President

    It is an honor and privilege to have been elected by the International Executive Council as the International President of our union, and I’m grateful for the opportunity to serve each and every member of this distinguished organization.

    It is no secret that the past 18 months have not been pleasant for our union as we address the consequences of past mistakes. I want to reaffirm that the International Executive Council is continuing to work together as never before to ensure fiscal responsibility, foster transparency and make certain all Boilermakers are provided the service they so deserve. We have worked hard over the past months to implement new systems and accountability while focusing on new efforts to educate, recruit and organize, and we will continue to make necessary changes focused on service to members as our top priority.

    But now is not the time for just words. Now is the time to press forward. Now is the time to recruit new members and organize new industries, contractors and employers. Now is the time to expand into new Boilermaker work opportunities and regain lost marketshare. 

    I am calling all Boilermakers to action. We need you to get involved. We need you to go to your union meetings and let your voices be heard—tell us what we can do to better serve you. Be the change you want to see in our union. 

    Every union Boilermaker needs to focus on recruiting and organizing. It is the duty of each and every Boilermaker to recruit and train two new members: one to replace you when you finally lay down the tools of your trade and enter into your well-deserved retirement, and another to grow the organization. Our union’s future and the future of our pensions depend on it.

    Boilermakers are, and will remain, the most versatile, skilled and hard-working crafts-persons our nations have ever seen. The rich history of our union reminds us of how Boilermakers in the United States and Canada worked to expand our respective nations with steam locomotives and went on to power our nations with steam-generated electricity while building the largest fleets to supply and protect them. We will not let adversity stop us. 

    I will not promise the path forward will be easy, but we have faced storms before. Our union holds 144 years of dedication and unwavering unionism, and I look forward to seeing what we accomplish in the next days, months and years ahead. We are Boilermakers, there is nothing we cannot do, and we will come out of this stronger.

    MIL OSI USA News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Sites for New Francophone Schools in Saskatoon and Prince Albert

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on September 25, 2024

    Today, the Government of Saskatchewan and the Conseil des écoles fransaskoises (CÉF) announced that the sites for new Francophone Schools in Saskatoon and Prince Albert have been identified.

    “The sites selected for these schools indicate progress and increased opportunities for our communities,” Education Minister Jeremy Cockrill said. “These schools hold great significance for Saskatchewan’s Francophone community and are essential for maintaining language, culture and identity. We are excited to be a part of these projects that will support Francophone students and their families for years to come.”

    In Saskatoon, the planned location is in the Kensington neighbourhood, adjacent to Lions Century Park. When complete, it will accommodate up to 400 Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 6 students and will provide 51 child care spaces.

    The new CÉF school in Prince Albert will replace École Valois and will be designed to accommodate up to 350 Pre-Kindergarten to Grade 12 students, including 51 child care spaces. It will be located near the Alfred Jenkins Field House.

    Currently, the Ministry of Education, the Ministry of SaskBuilds and Procurement and the CÉF are working with the City of Saskatoon and the City of Prince Albert and will soon begin procuring project managers to ensure the specific needs of the Francophone community and CÉF are fully understood and thoughtfully included in the planning and design of the new schools.

    “We are very pleased to see that the Government of Saskatchewan is recognizing Francophone families’ need for a new school on the west side of the river in Saskatoon and another in Prince Albert close to the Alfred Jenkins Field House,” Conseil Scolaire Fransaskois Chair Alpha Barry said. “These new student facilities will help alleviate some of our education needs. Our school division will continue to work with the Province to ensure that all Fransaskois students have access to the resources and infrastructure they need to ensure their full development.”

    Since 2008, the Government of Saskatchewan has committed approximately $2.6 billion toward school infrastructure projects, including 69 new schools and 32 major renovation projects with an additional seven projects approved through the Minor Capital Renewal Program.

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Giving Albertans a voice in setting policing priorities

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Ensuring Albertans are kept safe is a priority for Alberta’s government, which is why it introduced and passed the Police Amendment Act, 2022 in the fall session of 2022. This important piece of legislation is strengthening RCMP ties to the communities they serve and improving police accountability by mandating civilian governance bodies for municipalities policed by the RCMP. An order in council for the legislation was signed today, with the new regulations coming into force March 1, 2025.

    The creation of the municipal and regional policing committees and the Provincial Police Advisory Board will ensure large and small municipalities have a role in setting province-wide policing priorities and performance goals for the RCMP to ensure service delivery reflects and addresses local needs.

    The changes coming into force through the amendments and new regulations represent a collaborative effort on the part of municipalities, the RCMP and Alberta’s government to improve public safety in communities throughout the province.

    “By creating new civilian governance bodies, we’re responding to Albertans’ long-standing desire for more say in how the RCMP police their communities while advancing a paradigm shift that sees local police across the province as an extension and a reflection of the communities they serve. Unique communities have unique public safety priorities and the creation of civilian governance bodies will address this issue. Creating mandatory civilian governance bodies also ensures accountability, as officers will be held responsible for their actions and behaviour.”

    Mike Ellis, Minister of Public Safety and Emergency Services

    “Amendments to the Police Act support your Alberta RCMP’s ongoing efforts to ensure that communities have a strong voice in their policing priorities. In particular, it will assist our work on local resourcing, responding to calls for mental health and addictions issues, targeting prolific offenders, and dealing with hate crimes. The Alberta RCMP welcomes any changes or enhancements to oversight and governance that help us meet the needs of the communities we serve.”

    Deputy Commissioner Rob Hill, commanding officer, Alberta RCMP

    “Our association’s 265-member communities welcome the provincial government’s effort to build stronger ties between the RCMP and the communities they serve. We hope these policing committees and the Provincial Police Advisory Board lead to improved public safety in communities throughout Alberta.”

    Tyler Gandam, president, Alberta Municipalities

    Municipal and regional policing committees

    Communities with municipal policing contracts and populations of more than 15,000 will be required to appoint municipal policing committees to oversee RCMP service delivery for their area. These committees will work with elected municipal officials to set policing priorities for the community, report on initiatives to support those goals, and create safety plans with their local RCMP detachments, authorities and agencies.

    RCMP-policed communities with populations between 5,000 and 15,000 will be represented by regional policing committees to which they will be required to recruit and appoint members. These civilian committees will represent the interests and concerns of the public to the RCMP leadership in their district, work with local officials to identify and address public safety concerns for their region, and report on the implementation of programs and services to address them.

    The Provincial Police Advisory Board

    Small and rural communities policed by the RCMP with populations under 5,000 will be represented by a new advisory board. The Provincial Police Advisory Board will represent the interests and concerns of Albertans in these communities, support integrated safety planning and liaise with Alberta’s government, the RCMP and municipalities to align policing priorities and resources to help address local concerns and challenges. The 15-person board will include dedicated seats for representatives from Alberta Municipalities, Rural Municipalities of Alberta, and First Nations and Métis communities, as well as community representation for each of the province’s RCMP districts.

    Quick facts

    • The Police Amendment Act, 2022 received royal assent on Dec. 15, 2022, with the aim of improving police accountability, strengthening ties with communities and enhancing public confidence by reforming existing policing practices.
      • The Police Amendment Act, 2022 made a number of amendments to the Police Act, including the creation of civilian governance bodies in jurisdictions policed by the RCMP.
    • The Public Safety Statutes Amendment Act, 2024 received royal assent on May 16, and included amendments that allow for the regulation of municipal police committee memberships.
    • Both the Police Amendment Act, 2022 amendments and the new regulations created to support these municipal and regional civilian governance bodies will come into force on March 1, 2025.

    Related information

    • Modernizing Alberta’s Police Act
    • Keeping Alberta Families and Communities Safe

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Press briefing on the occasion of the ceremony to establish the new Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    Media are invited to attend the ceremony to establish the new Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command with the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, and Major-General Dave Yarker, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Cyber Commander.

    September 25, 2024 – Ottawa, Ontario – National Defence / Canadian Armed Forces

    Establishment ceremony

    Media are invited to attend the ceremony to establish the new Canadian Armed Forces Cyber Command with the Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, General Jennie Carignan, Chief of the Defence Staff, and Major-General Dave Yarker, Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) Cyber Commander.

    Date and Time: Thursday, September 26, 2024 (Please arrive by 9:15 a.m. EDT – ceremony begins at 9:45 a.m. EDT)

    Format: In person at SFC Leitrim, 3545 Leitrim Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2

    Details: Accredited media can register for this event by contacting the Media Relations Office at mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca.

    Press briefing

    The Honourable Bill Blair, Minister of National Defence, will hold a media availability. He will be joined by Major-General Dave Yarker, CAF Cyber Commander.

    Date and Time: Thursday, September 26, 2024, 11:00 a.m. EDT

    Location: CFS Leitrim, 3545 Leitrim Road, Ottawa, ON K1A 0K2

    Details: Participation in this press briefing is reserved for accredited media.

    Simon LafortunePress Attaché and Communications AdvisorOffice of the Minister of National DefenseEmail: Simon.Lafortune2@forces.gc.ca

    Media RelationsDepartment of National DefenceTelephone: 613-904-3333Email: mlo-blm@forces.gc.ca

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Manitobans Encouraged to Participate in Orange Shirt Day Events

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    September 25, 2024

    Manitobans Encouraged to Participate in Orange Shirt Day Events

    The Manitoba government is encouraging Manitobans to honour survivors of the residential school system on Sept. 30 by participating in one of many Orange Shirt Day events taking place across the province, Premier Wab Kinew, minister responsible for Indigenous reconciliation, announced today.

    “Every Child Matters is a call to action to learn from history and ensure the harm caused by the residential school system is never forgotten,” said Kinew. “The Orange Shirt Day events taking place across our province over the next week are incredible learning opportunities and I encourage Manitobans to take part.”

    Orange Shirt Day, also known as the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation, is a day to recognize and reflect on the tragic history and ongoing legacy of residential schools, honour survivors and remember the children who never returned home.

    In December 2023, Manitoba established Orange Shirt Day as a provincial statutory holiday, so that all Manitobans have the opportunity to reflect on the legacy of residentials schools and the profound impacts of that trauma that still exists today, noted the premier.

    To mark the historic event, the Manitoba government allocated up to $800,000 to establish the Orange Shirt Day Fund. The fund provides one-time grant funding for projects and initiatives that raise awareness of Orange Shirt Day and create opportunities for Manitobans to come together in observation, reflection and commemoration.

    Events supported by this fund are taking place throughout the province. To find one near you, visit www.gov.mb.ca/inr/osd.html#events.

    The premier noted the investment aligns with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission of Canada: Calls to Action and specifically responds to Call to Action No. 80 to establish a statutory holiday in honour of survivors, their families and communities to ensure the public commemoration of the history and legacy of residential schools remains a vital component in the truth and reconciliation process.

    This initiative also aligns with commitments made in the November 2023 speech from the throne to advance truth and reconciliation in Manitoba.

    Manitobans are encouraged to wear orange to work or school on Sept. 30 in honour of residential school survivors, their families and communities and those who never returned home.​​​​​​​​

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    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Highway Hotline Introduces New Highway Condition Terminology

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Released on September 25, 2024

    Saskatchewan’s Highway Hotline has updated the terminology it uses to describe winter driving conditions. 

    The new terminology offers more clear and concise messaging that will help drivers make decisions about winter travel. The updated language is also more consistent with neighbouring provinces, which will make using the Hotline easier for people traveling across western Canada. 

    “The Highway Hotline is used millions of times throughout the year to help travelers plan ahead,” Highways Minister Lori Carr said. “These changes will help drivers make an informed decision while having better consistency with our neighbouring provinces and national standards.”

    The new primary conditions include:

    • Bare – Road appears black, means all wheels of a passenger vehicle are on a bare surface. 
    • Partly Covered – Road appears yellow, means two wheels of a passenger vehicle are on a snow or ice-covered surface. 
    • Covered – Road appears pink, means all wheels of the vehicle are on snow or ice. 
    • Travel Not Recommended – Road appears blue, means that visibility is less than 250 metres and could become impassable. 
    • Closed – Road appears red, means the highway is impassable. 

    The colour white was removed because it did not show up well on the digital maps. The maps will continue to indicate poor visibility using a dotted line.

    During winter driving season, road conditions are updated a minimum of four times daily or whenever there are known changes that affect drivers.

    The Highway Hotline has existed for more than 50 years. It provides information on highway conditions, road closures, construction zones, ferries and border crossings. As of February 2024, it now allows users to track the progress of plows involved in snow removal and ice treatment. This real-time information helps drivers make informed decisions to protect their safety. 

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    For more information, contact:

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Bringing mobile lung screening to rural Alberta

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    [embedded content]

    Alberta’s government is committed to providing high-quality health care services for all Albertans, no matter where they live in the province. To ensure Albertans can get the care they need close to home, Alberta’s government and the Alberta Cancer Foundation are partnering with the not-for-profit 19 to Zero to support mobile lung health units that will bring screening services to underserved communities across the province.

    Investing in mobile services available in rural and remote communities will increase the likelihood of early detection and treatment, improving health outcomes and bridging gaps in the health care system. The mobile screening program will receive $1.5 million from Alberta’s government, which will be matched by the Alberta Cancer Foundation.

    “We are committed to ensuring every Albertan has access to the health care services they need when and where they need them. These mobile units will help bridge existing gaps in the health care system and improve outcomes for Albertans in rural and remote areas.”

    Adriana LaGrange, Minister of Health

    “Living outside of a big city shouldn’t mean less access to vital testing and screening services. Early detection is key to successful cancer treatment, and these specialized mobile clinics will bring essential diagnostics to thousands of Albertans in rural, Indigenous and underserved communities each year.”

    Wendy Beauchesne, CEO, Alberta Cancer Foundation

    The mobile lung health units will travel to and service underserved, high-priority communities across the province. Patients in these communities often experience lengthy travel times to reach their closest diagnostic centres, which can lead to delayed diagnoses and the suboptimal management of lung conditions.

    “19 to Zero is excited to be partnering to provide mobile health services for lung cancer and lung health testing. Many Albertans face health care access challenges, particularly in rural and remote areas, and this mobile unit will help improve equitable access across the province.”

    Theresa Tang, co-founder and CEO, 19 to Zero

    The mobile units include a converted medical sprinter van for pulmonary function testing (PFT) and a custom-built diagnostic imaging truck. The units will be designed and operated by Aceso Medical, and they will use mobile internet and Starlink to integrate with Connect Care, ensuring instant access to test results for radiologists and pulmonologists.

    The mobile lung health units will provide PFT and computed technology (CT) scans, which are critical diagnostic tools for identifying and managing lung diseases like chronic obstructive pulmonary disease and lung cancer. Across Canada, these services are predominantly available in urban centres, leaving rural and remote communities without access close to home.

    Alberta’s government will work with health care partners and local leadership to help determine areas of need for mobile visits. A website will be developed where the location and schedule of the units will be available.

    The pulmonary function testing van is expected to be operational and on the road in spring 2025, with the CT truck following in late summer. Once operational, these mobile units will be able to complete more than 4,000 PFTs and up to 6,000 CT scans per year.

    Alberta’s government is committed to improving outcomes for Albertans diagnosed with cancer and will continue to engage in partnerships to leverage the growing life sciences sector.

    Quick facts

    • Alberta’s government is providing $1.5 million to support the mobile units. These funds will be matched by the Alberta Cancer Foundation.
      • $1 million in 2024-25
      • $500,000 in 2025-26
    • PFTs are non-invasive tests that measure lung volume, lung capacity, rates of flow and gas exchange in patients. These tests help health care providers diagnose and develop treatment plans for various lung conditions.
    • Low-dose CT scans provide detailed images to identify small nodules and other abnormalities that might be missed by standard X-rays. They are vital tools in the early detection of lung cancer and other life-critical diseases.
    • Units will be staffed by qualified nurses, CT technicians and respiratory therapists.
    • The 41-foot mobile CT truck will be the first of its kind focused on lung health in Canada.
    • One in 13 Albertans will develop lung cancer in their lifetime and more than 1,500 lives are lost each year due to this disease.

    Related information

    • Cancer Care Alberta
    • Alberta Cancer Foundation
    • 19 to Zero

    Multimedia

    • Watch the news conference

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Fort Qu’Appelle — Fort Qu’Appelle RCMP: two arrested after robbery

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On September 23, 2024 at approximately 4:05 p.m., Fort Qu’Appelle RCMP received a report of a robbery at a business in Balcarres, SK.

    Investigation determined two adult females entered the business, assaulted an employee with a golf club and stole two bottles of liquor. The victim reported non-life-threatening injuries to police.

    The suspects fled in a vehicle.

    Officers immediately responded and located the vehicle travelling near Balcarres. They activated their emergency lights and attempted a traffic stop. The vehicle did not stop and turned into a field. Officers boxed the vehicle in, then arrested the females without further incident.

    One of them threatened a police officer while being transported to the detachment.

    As a result of continued investigation, 19-year-old Serenity Fink from Balcarres and 38-year-old Isabelle Starr from Fort Qu’Appelle are each charged with:

    • one count, robbery, Section 344(1)(b), Criminal Code; and
    • one count, flight from police, Section 320.17, Criminal Code.

    Fink is also charged with:

    • one count, operation of a conveyance while impaired, Section 320.14(1)(a), Criminal Code; and
    • one count, operation while impaired over 80 mg, Section 320.14(1)(b), Criminal Code.

    Starr is also charged with one count, uttering threats, Section 264.1(1)(a), Criminal Code.

    They were remanded into custody to appear via video in Fort Qu’Appelle Provincial Court on September 26, 2024.

    Indian Head RCMP, White Butte RCMP and the File Hills Police Service assisted with this investigation.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI: Ninepoint Partners Announces First Closing of Ninepoint 2024 Short Duration Flow-Through Limited Partnership II

    Source: GlobeNewswire (MIL-OSI)

    TORONTO, Sept. 25, 2024 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Ninepoint Partners LP (“Ninepoint”) is pleased to announce that the Ninepoint 2024 Short Duration Flow-Through Limited Partnership II (the “Partnership”) has completed the first closing in connection with its offering of Class A and Class F limited partnership units (the “Units”) pursuant to a prospectus dated September 18, 2024. The Partnership issued 508,296 Units for aggregate gross proceeds of $12,707,400. The Partnership will have a second closing in respect of the Units on or about October 17, 2024. The Units are being offered at a price per Unit of $25.00 with a minimum subscription of 100 Units ($2,500).

    The Partnership intends to provide liquidity to limited partners through a roll-over to the Ninepoint Resource Fund Class in the period between January 15, 2026 to February 28, 2026.

    Investment Objective of the Partnership
    The Partnership’s investment objective is to achieve capital appreciation and significant tax benefits for limited partners by investing in a diversified portfolio of Flow-Through Shares (as defined in the Prospectus) and other securities, if any, of Resource Issuers (as defined in the Prospectus).

    Attractive Tax-Reduction Benefits
    Flow-through partnerships are one of the most effective tax reduction strategies available to Canadians. Ninepoint anticipates that investors participating in the Partnership will be eligible to receive a tax deduction of approximately 100% of the amount invested.

    Resource Expertise
    The Partnership will be sub-advised by Sprott Asset Management LP (“Sprott”), one of Canada’s leading investment advisors in small and mid-cap resource companies. Over its long history of investing in the resource sector, Sprott has developed relationships with hundreds of companies. Its experienced team of portfolio managers is supported by a team of technical experts with extensive backgrounds in mining and geology.

    Portfolio manager Jason Mayer will manage the portfolio of the Partnership and will be supported by Sprott’s broader team of experienced resource investment professionals.

    Agents
    The offering is being made through a syndicate of agents led by RBC Dominion Securities Inc. which includes CIBC World Markets Inc., TD Securities Inc., National Bank Financial Inc., Scotia Capital Inc., BMO Nesbitt Burns Inc., Manulife Wealth Inc., iA Private Wealth Inc., Raymond James Ltd., Richardson Wealth Limited, Canaccord Genuity Corp., Desjardins Securities Inc., Ventum Financial Corp. and Wellington-Altus Private Wealth Inc.

    About Ninepoint Partners LP
    Based in Toronto, Ninepoint Partners LP is one of Canada’s leading alternative investment management firms overseeing approximately $7 billion in assets under management and institutional contracts. Committed to helping investors explore innovative investment solutions that have the potential to enhance returns and manage portfolio risk, Ninepoint offers a diverse set of alternative strategies spanning Equities, Fixed Income, Alternative Income, Real Assets, F/X and Digital Assets.

    For more information on Ninepoint Partners LP, please visit www.ninepoint.com or for inquiries regarding the offering, please contact us at (416) 943-6707 or (866) 299-9906 or invest@ninepoint.com.

    Certain statements included in this news release constitute forward-looking statements, including, but not limited to, those identified by the expressions “expects”, “intends”, “anticipates”, “will” and similar expressions to the extent that they relate to the Partnership. The forward-looking statements are not historical facts but reflect the Partnership’s, Ninepoint’s and Sprott’s current expectations regarding future results or events. These forward-looking statements are subject to a number of risks and uncertainties that could cause actual results or events to differ materially from current expectations. Although the Partnership, Ninepoint and Sprott believe the assumptions inherent in the forward-looking statements are reasonable, forward-looking statements are not guarantees of future performance and, accordingly, readers are cautioned not to place undue reliance on such statements due to the inherent uncertainty therein. Neither the Partnership, nor Ninepoint or Sprott undertake any obligation to update publicly or otherwise revise any forward-looking statement or information whether as a result of new information, future events or other such factors which affect this information, except as required by law.

    This offering is only made by prospectus. The Partnership’s prospectus contains important detailed information about the securities being offered. Copies of the prospectus may be obtained from one of the dealers noted above. Investors should read the prospectus before making an investment decision.

    The MIL Network –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Prime Minister announces the appointment of a senator

    Source: Government of Canada – Prime Minister

    The Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today announced that the Governor General, Her Excellency the Right Honourable Mary Simon, appointed Suze Youance as an independent senator to fill a vacancy in the Senate for Quebec.

    Ms. Youance is originally from Haiti and immigrated to Canada in 2006, making a name for herself in the fields of engineering, teaching, and research. She has worked for several engineering firms and has taught for many years at the École de technologie supérieure in Montréal. She is also a dedicated volunteer, a television personality, and the recipient of several awards, including the Casimir Gzowski gold medal from the Canadian Society for Civil Engineering.

    Ms. Youance was recommended by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments and chosen using a merit-based process open to all Canadians. Introduced in 2016, this process ensures senators are independent, and are able to tackle the broad range of challenges and opportunities facing the country.

    Quote

    “I congratulate Ms. Youance on her appointment to the Senate. Her experience will make her a strong voice for Quebec and for people across the country.”

    Quick Facts

    • The Senate is the Upper House in Canada’s parliamentary democracy.
    • Candidate submissions were reviewed by the Independent Advisory Board for Senate Appointments, which provided recommendations to the Prime Minister. The Board is guided in its work by public, transparent, non-partisan, and merit-based criteria to identify highly qualified candidates for the Senate.
    • With today’s announcement, there have been 88 independent appointments to the Senate made on the advice of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. All of them were recommended by the Board.
    • Under the Canadian Constitution, the Governor General appoints individuals to the Senate. By convention, senators are appointed on the advice of the Prime Minister.
    • Once appointed by the Governor General, new senators join their peers to examine and revise legislation, investigate national issues, and represent regional, provincial and territorial, and minority interests – important functions in a modern democracy.

    Biographical Note

    Associated Links

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: RCMP Headquarters — A 41-year-old woman from Queens County PEI charged with sexual assault

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    A 41-year-old woman from Queens County, PEI, has been charged with sexual assault and sexual interference on a person under the age of 16 in Queens County, PEI.

    On September 14, 2024, the PEI RCMP’s Major Crime Unit, began an investigation investigation into sexual offences against a youth. On September 24, 2024 an arrest and charges were laid. The accused has been charged with the following offences and will appear in Charlottetown Provincial Court on October 28, 2024.

    1. Sexual Assault
    2. Sexual Interference
    3. Invitation to sexual touching
    4. Permitting person under 19 to consume cannabis contrary to the Cannabis Control Act

    The accused was released on strict conditions before a Justice of the Peace.

    Police believe that this case is isolated to one victim and there is not a threat to the greater public.

    “The PEI RCMP are committed to a victim-centered approach when investigating sexual offences. Our priority is to ensure the dignity, privacy, and well-being of victims throughout the process. With this in mind, we will not be providing any further details that could lead to the identification of the victim, which includes the name of the accused,” Said Cpl Gavin Moore, Media Relations Officer for the PEI RCMP.

    If you have information that may assist the investigation please contact your local detachment or to remain anonymous contact Crime Stoppers at 1-800-222-TIPS (8477).

    The investigation is ongoing.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Tracy — Police make quick arrest following break, enter and theft

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Police quickly arrested a 27-year-old man from Upper Tracy, N.B., and stolen property was recovered following a break, enter and theft in Tracy, N.B.

    On September 22, 2024, at approximately 10:30 p.m., the Oromocto RCMP responded to a report of a break, enter and theft in progress at a camp on Peltoma Settlement Road in Tracy.

    When members arrived in the area, the property owner was able to provide video surveillance footage, and a suspect was immediately identified. A short time later, members located the suspect, a 27-year-old man, and arrested him in the same area without incident. The suspect’s vehicle was also captured on camera, and located parked in a nearby driveway with the stolen items, including a firearm, inside.

    As a result of the home owner’s quick action in calling police and providing detailed information, police were able to quickly locate and arrest the suspect and recover the stolen property.,” said Sgt. Stéphane Esculier with the Oromocto RCMP Detachment. “We understand that not all crimes can be reported while they are in progress, however, calling us as soon as possible and providing a detailed description of the events can make a big impact on the investigation.”

    The New Brunswick RCMP is committed to intelligence led policing, and this investigation is the latest in a series of police actions aimed at reducing property crimes in the province. The public plays a large role in helping achieve positive outcomes such as this one, and the Oromocto RCMP would like to thank the public for reporting crime and suspicious activity in their communities.

    Anyone with information about, or who suspects, illegal activity in their neighbourhood is asked to contact their local police. Information can also be provided anonymously through Crime Stoppers at 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 –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Manitoba Government Announces Recruitment for Prairie Green Landfill Search Team

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    September 25, 2024

    Manitoba Government Announces Recruitment for Prairie Green Landfill Search Team

    The Manitoba government is partnering with the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs (AMC) to recruit team members for the Prairie Green Landfill search, Premier Wab Kinew, minister responsible for Indigenous reconciliation, announced today.

    “With the posting of these positions, we are continuing our work to search the Prairie Green Landfill for the remains of Morgan Harris and Marcedes Myran, who deserve a dignified final resting place,” said Kinew. “This work will not be easy, and these jobs will require emotional intelligence and compassion. I encourage Manitobans to apply to help the search and bring Morgan and Marcedes home.”

    Multiple full- and part-time term positions are available for general search technicians, forensic anthropology search technicians and forensic anthropology search assistants. AMC will oversee recruitment for general search technicians, with funding support from the Manitoba government. The premier noted specialized training will be provided for all successful applicants.

    In honouring Grand Chief Cathy Merrick’s legacy, both AMC and the Manitoba government have agreed to include a quote that was written for this issue prior to her passing.

    “We are deeply committed to working in partnership with the families of Morgan Harris, Marcedes Myran, and Mashkode Bizhiki’ikwe, alongside the province, in securing skilled search technicians to ensure the safe and respectful return of their loved ones,” said Grand Chief Cathy Merrick, Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs. “The significance of this work cannot be overstated, as it marks a vital step towards healing for the affected families, Nations, and communities. Our efforts will continue to be guided by a First Nations-led approach, ensuring their loved ones are brought home and honoured in ceremony with the respect and dignity they so rightfully deserve.”

    General search technicians will report directly to forensic anthropology search team leaders. Applicants are not expected to have extensive experience in the area, and family and community members who want to be a part of the search are encouraged to apply.

    Two search teams will be led by forensic anthropology search technicians and include team members with varying degrees of experience. Forensic anthropology search technicians and assistants are specialized positions that require specific education and experience, the premier noted. Both search teams will be led by a forensic anthropologist/search director.

    All applicants are encouraged to apply; however, first consideration for these competitions will be given to Indigenous people. Due to the nature of the work, emotional supports will be available.

    To view the job postings and apply, visit www.gov.mb.ca/govjobs/.

    – 30 –

     

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: The Children Have to Hear Another Story. A retrospective of the work of Alanis Obomsawin at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal.

    Source: Government of Canada News

    The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) are proud to unveil the MAC’s brand-new exhibition, Alanis Obomsawin: The Children Have to Hear Another Story, which will be open to the public from September 26, 2024, to January 26, 2025, in the MAC’s temporary space at Place Ville Marie.

    Montreal, September 18, 2024 – The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) are proud to unveil the MAC’s brand-new exhibition, Alanis Obomsawin: The Children Have to Hear Another Story, which will be open to the public from September 26, 2024, to January 26, 2025, in the MAC’s temporary space at Place Ville Marie. The exhibition dedicated to the work of Abenaki documentary filmmaker, activist, and singer Alanis Obomsawin, one of the most acclaimed Indigenous directors in the world, will be accompanied by an exclusive mural by artist Caroline Monnet: Wàbigon.

    After having enjoyed great success in Berlin, Vancouver, and Toronto, The Children Have to Hear Another Story will highlight the work of Alanis Obomsawin in the heart of Montreal. Decade by decade, this retrospective provides an exhaustive panorama of her cinematographic, visual, and musical work. The exhibition looks at the motivations of the artist, who distinguished herself from a very young age with her strength and courage. The 1960s followed, a period during which she became known to the public as an artist and activist for Indigenous rights, and the subsequent decades were just as significant, showing the evolution of her trajectory and thinking. “All my life, I have been mainly interested in education, because it is through education that we develop, that we learn hatred or love.” – Alanis Obomsawin

    The exhibition presents 13 of the 64 films Obomsawin made at the NFB, including her first, Christmas at Moose Factory (1971), which depicts a Cree community through the drawings and voices of its children; Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance (1993), which was filmed behind the barricades during the Oka crisis; and We Can’t Make the Same Mistake Twice (2016), which follows a court case First Nations representatives filed against the federal government. These films are accompanied by archival documents shedding new light on their creative process, children’s drawings from Moose Factory, and masks, engravings, and monotypes by the artist.

    Quotes 

    “It is essential to support museums and exhibitions that promote Canadians’ access to heritage to learn from the past and shape the future. I am very proud that, thanks to our government’s investment, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal highlights the work of Indigenous artist and filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin and offers visitors a unique opportunity to discover the impact of her film work over the decades.” − The Honorable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage

    “It is an honour and privilege for me to present this retrospective exhibition of Alanis Obomsawin in the city where she has lived and worked for 70 years. A prominent figure in our cultural, political, and social landscape, Alanis is a model and inspiration for so many Indigenous and non-Indigenous filmmakers, artists, and activists. We know her for her films; the exhibition allows us to discover the singer, the storyteller, and the depth and richness of her commitment to Indigenous people across Canada.” – Lesley Johnstone, curator of the exhibition at MAC  “The NFB has been Alanis Obomsawin’s creative home for nearly 60 years. This exceptional artist has been a true trailblazer whose work has led to greater recognition of Indigenous peoples, ensuring their experiences and their hopes are seen, heard, and better understood. Her documentaries have chronicled the social and cultural changes experienced by Indigenous peoples and even played a role in bringing about these important changes. Ms. Obomsawin’s essential and accessible films continue to inspire new generations of filmmakers, both in Canada and around the world.”– Suzanne Guèvremont, Government Film Commissioner and NFB Chairperson 

    Organized by Richard Hill and Hila Peleg, Alanis Obomsawin: The Children Have to Hear Another Story is made possible through a partnership between Haus der Kulturen der Welt, Berlin, Art Museum at the University of Toronto, and Vancouver Art Gallery in collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada and with the generous support of CBC/Radio-Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts. This project has been made possible in part by the Government of Canada. The exhibition at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal is curated by Lesley Johnstone, with Marjolaine Labelle, and has been made possible by the Government of Québec.

    A Mural by Caroline Monnet 

    Alongside the exhibition, the MAC will unveil an exclusive mural by Caroline Monnet: Wàbigon, which means “a flower blooms” in Anishinaabemowin and which pays homage to the major influence of Alanis Obomsawin. Caroline Monnet, an artist of Anishinaabe and French origin, created a monumental photographic portrait of eight Indigenous women and a child in an enchanted forest. Pictured are Acho Dene Koe First Nation chef and artist Swaneige Bertrand with her daughter Aja-Eyal Ferron; the artist’s sister, Émilie Monnet, an interdisciplinary performer; Caroline Monnet herself; the Guinean-Wendat dancer and choreographer Aïcha Bastien N’Diaye; Eeyou (Cree) writer and artist Virginia Pésémapéo Bordeleau; Atikamekw visual artist Catherine Boivin; Inuk singer-songwriter Elisapie Isaac; and Innu soprano Elisabeth St-Gelais.

    “This work highlights the buds that Alanis has opened during her impressive career. It is also a reaction against the excesses of industrialization. It is characterized by inventiveness, the presence of rhythms, colours, and ornamentations inspired by flora and fauna.” – Caroline Monnet

    About the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC)

    For 60 years, the MAC has brought together local and international artists, their works, and diverse audiences, celebrating art as an essential component of life in Montreal and Quebec. With the Museum’s head office in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles undergoing a major architectural transformation, the MAC has temporarily relocated its activities to Place Ville Marie, another of the city’s emblematic sites. Throughout the renovations, the Museum has been reaching the public through temporary exhibitions highlighting exceptional artists and presenting a variety of practices. The MAC at Place Ville Marie also offers a wide range of educational services, creative workshops, and community awareness activities. www.macm.org  

    About the National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

    Founded in 1939, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is a one-of-a-kind producer, co-producer, and distributor of distinctive, engaging, relevant, and innovative documentary and animated films. As a talent Incubator, it is one of the world’s leading creative centres. The NFB has enabled Canadians to tell and hear one another’s stories for more than eight decades, and its films are a reliable and accessible educational resource. The NFB is also recognized around the world for its expertise in preservation and conservation, and for its rich and vibrant collection of works, which form a pillar of Canada’s cultural heritage. To date, the NFB has produced more than 14,000 works, 7,000 of which can be streamed free of charge at nfb.ca. The NFB and its productions and co-productions have earned more than 7,000 awards, including 11 Oscars and an Honorary Academy Award for overall excellence in cinema.

    Credit: Richard Cardinal: Cry from a Diary of a Métis Child, 1986 (production photograph). Courtesy of the National Film Board of Canada and Alanis Obomsawin.

    -30-

    For all interview requests or questions regarding the exhibition, please contact:
     Thara Communications | relations.presse@macm.org
    Thara Tremblay-Nantel | 514-208-6897
    Solneige Diaz | 514-449-7219

    For all questions regarding the NFB:
     Marie-Claude Lamoureux, press officer
    m.lamoureux@onf.ca | 438-304-6358

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Annual closure of St. Andrews Lock and Dam

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to advise users of the annual closure of the St. Andrews Lock and Dam for the season.

    For immediate release

    Lockport, Manitoba, September 25, 2024 – Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to advise users of the annual closure of the St. Andrews Lock and Dam for the season.

    As of Monday, October 14, at midnight, the St. Andrews Lock and Dam will be closed to marine vessels until spring or summer 2025.

    Following the closure, the drawdown of the river section between Lockport and Winnipeg will commence. As a result, the Red and Assiniboine rivers, in the Winnipeg area and north to Lockport, will experience fluctuation in their water levels. If winter conditions begin before the closure of the lock or the dam winter setting, the curtains will be completely lifted with little notice and the water level will drop.

    Owners of vessels, barges and all property on the Red and Assiniboine rivers, and their tributaries, are advised to protect their property.

    The gated areas below the dam may be closed because of high, turbulent waters and dangerous currents, severe weather or operational requirements. Once closed, these areas will remain closed until the spring.

    PSPC thanks users for their patience.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: RM of De Salaberry — St-Pierre-Jolys RCMP respond to fatal two-vehicle collision

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    On September 24, 2024, at approximately 4:25 pm, St-Pierre-Jolys RCMP received a report of a two-vehicle collision at the intersection of Highway 23 and Provincial Road 200, located in the RM of De Salaberry.

    The investigation has determined that a vehicle, travelling northbound on Provincial Road 200, failed to stop at the intersection and was struck by a westbound SUV.

    The 43-year-old male driver of the westbound vehicle, from Mitchell, was not physically injured.

    Three of the four occupants in the northbound vehicle, a 32-year-old male, a 31-year-old male and a yet to be identified female, all from Winnipeg, were pronounced deceased on scene. A 32-year-old female passenger was transported to hospital with serious injuries where she remains in stable condition.

    St-Pierre-Jolys RCMP, along with a Forensic Collision Reconstructionist, continue to investigate.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Global: How better community engagement can improve emergency management in Canada

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Sayra Cristancho, Associate Professor, Department of Surgery and Faculty of Education Scientist, Centre for Education Research & Innovation, Western University

    Environmental, social and public health emergencies are becoming more frequent and severe around the world. The rapid pace at which emergencies are occurring, compounded by social crises like homelessness, addictions and mental health, are over-stressing our emergency management systems. However, as a society we cannot let this reality become an excuse.

    In response, the World Health Organization (WHO) has called for community engagement. And yet, despite a thriving legacy of volunteerism, Canada is lagging behind. Canada is the only G7 country without a national health security and emergency agency. And without such coordinating agency, communities are left to scramble when emergencies strike.

    When emergencies arise, the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF) are often called up to provide much needed support. However, the military is supposed to be called upon only when demand exceeds provincial capacity. Yet provinces have come to view the CAF as their first, rather than their last resort. Every time the CAF is called for assistance, it diverts time and resources away from attending to Canada’s national security tasks.

    If not the CAF, then what should be the source of this labour? There are four basic models Canada could follow. One of them pertains to mobilizing volunteer and skilled labour at the community level. The reality is that ordinary citizens always find their way to get involved, making emergency management a community concern. This is what the WHO refers to as a “whole-of-society approach.”

    Those in charge of devising the national emergency management strategy are confronted with two major uncertainties: the evolution of grass-roots initiatives to tackle community emergencies, and the lack of integration of those initiatives into emergency management systems.

    Community volunteers still feel that they work as “add-ons” rather than from within emergency management plans. The massive participation of citizens during forest fires and flood emergencies, and the increasing involvement of ordinary citizens in volunteer emergency response groups confirm that Canada enjoys a vibrant civil society. With its access to local networks, and its ability to mobilize others, community volunteers represent a unique and cost-effective resource.

    The Cobourg Community Centre Clinic

    Volunteers in communities across Canada are emotionally invested to help and engage during emergencies, particularly when they perceive poor coordination or lapses in authority by official response organizations.

    This was the case, as colleagues and I recently documented, of the Cobourg Community Centre (CCC) COVID-19 vaccination response in Ontario.

    This community initiative involved 600 volunteers who stepped up to help their community build and run a vaccination clinic when the community sensed that vaccination plans were not moving quickly enough. The Cobourg Rotary Club in partnership with the Northumberland Hills Hospital devised this initiative which involved retrofitting the community centre to serve as a clinic, organizing, and managing volunteer tasks, and assisting health-care providers in distributing vaccines.

    We interviewed volunteers, health-care providers, Rotary club members, public health unit staff, hospital staff, local businesses and city employees to capture the stories behind the clinic. These stories became the catalyst for positioning the CCC as a model of community engagement for crisis response.

    Several lessons were identified but likely the most insightful one for formal emergency agencies and government was the realization that emergency response is not always a complex and difficult task. In the case of the CCC, it was not difficult to drive seniors to the vaccination clinic. It was not difficult for volunteers to assist with documentation at the mobile clinics. It was not difficult for retired teachers to use stuffed toys so children wouldn’t be scared by the vaccine. And it was not difficult for local businesses to donate materials and labour so that the clinic was built according to protocol.

    Therefore, instead of making emergency response seem unduly complex for volunteers, emergency agencies ought to welcome their involvement. In fact, it might even be wise for emergency agencies to learn about the way community volunteers respond – since it seems they can be effective – to welcome their input, and thus enhance a community’s emergency response capacity.

    Three strategies communities can implement to get started

    If you and others would like to help prepare your community to become an effective partner to official emergency responders, here are some strategies to help organize your efforts:

    1. Foster ongoing relationships with community partners, not just during crisis.

    Remember that everyone brings expertise to the table and that partnerships may involve groups you don’t always think of. Therefore, welcome community partners as part of task forces. It helps the community see a different side of government organizations despite their reputation for being slow to pivot, or too bureaucratic.

    2. Maintain a repository of community members’ skills, don’t leave it to chance.

    During crisis, this repository or database will facilitate decision-making regarding distribution of tasks among volunteers and discover unique skills that otherwise would go unnoticed in a large community.

    3. Communicate through diverse channels, even if it feels redundant.

    Emergencies are emotionally draining for everyone. Frequent feedback and debriefing help strengthening engagement and morale. Therefore, use multiple and existing channels, such as huddles, newsletters, appreciation events, etc., and encourage community leaders to spread information to the larger community.

    Communities have shown that they play a vital role to large and small emergency responses: from COVID-19 tracing and vaccination, to organizing post-flood volunteer recovery efforts via digital platforms. However, community initiatives are often not recognized by emergency response organizations, and as a result community volunteers are often under-utilized.

    This tension over how to engage community volunteers to effectively respond to crisis and work with formal emergency response teams requires we all change how we think.

    Contemporary emergency management demands all hands-on deck. As the Cobourg Community Centre clinic initiative demonstrated, instead of warding off community volunteers, the focus should be on ensuring they are ready to respond and educated on the scope of their involvement.

    Throughout her academic career, Sayra Cristancho has received tri-council research funding from the Canadian government as we all research funding from the Royal College of Physicians and Surgeons of Canada and internal research funding from Western University.

    – ref. How better community engagement can improve emergency management in Canada – https://theconversation.com/how-better-community-engagement-can-improve-emergency-management-in-canada-239042

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Global: Oilsands workers are resistant to sustainable jobs, new research finds

    Source: The Conversation – Canada – By Parker Muzzerall, PhD Candidate, Department of Sociology, University of British Columbia

    Like it or not, the energy transition is happening.

    The International Energy Agency predicts global fossil fuel production will reach its peak by 2030. Governments around the world — including Canada’s — are racing to implement policies aimed at achieving a net-zero energy economy by 2050.

    To reach that target, Canada has a lot of work to do.

    In 2022 alone, Canada emitted 708 megatonnes of CO2-eq (carbon dioxide equivalent, which measures the global warming potential of different greenhouse gases). On the production side, oil and gas extraction accounted for 3.5 per cent of Canada’s GDP and the oil and gas industry directly employed around 150,000 Canadians.

    While oil and gas production isn’t going to stop tomorrow, or even by the end of this decade, Canada must put policies in place today to ensure that those most dependant on the oil and gas industry are supported as the country — and the world — moves away from fossil fuels.

    Sustainable jobs

    In June 2024, the Canadian government took an important first step at doing so by giving royal assent to the Sustainable Jobs Act. Over the next few years, the act is intended to create a suite of policy programs aimed at ensuring all Canadians have equal opportunity and access to decent, well-paying jobs in a net-zero future.

    While the Sustainable Jobs Act is primarily intended to support oil and gas workers, my recent study published in the journal Environmental Sociology identifies one important problem: oil and gas workers like the jobs they already have.

    Since the 2015 Paris Agreement, the phrase “just transition” has become common shorthand in policymaker, academic and activist circles to describe policies like the Sustainable Jobs Act that explicitly seek to support vulnerable citizens through the renewable energy transition.

    In fact, the Sustainable Jobs Act was originally referred to as the Canadian Just Transition plan before the name was changed after the idea of a “just transition” became the target of fierce opposition from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith.

    Talking to oilsands workers

    Smith’s opposition to the term “just transition,” and also to the eventual Sustainable Jobs Act, is rooted in a fundamental belief that the Canadian oil and gas industry is not going anywhere and that the federal government should not interfere in the lives of hard-working Albertans.

    These beliefs, and the emotions underlying them, made appearances in my interviews with oilsands workers, too.

    Through 18 interviews with a diverse cross-section of oilsands employees — ranging from accounts managers to process operators — it was obvious that these hard-working people also remain optimistic about the long-term economic viability and need for the oilsands industry.

    More importantly, they are also strongly opposed to the idea of a just transition because, as one participant put it, “it’s almost like an incentive to leave oil and gas behind.”

    Beneath this concern, the participants also expressed a belief and a sense of frustration that the federal government and Canadians in other parts of the country do not care about them and their feelings of being excluded from Canada’s vision for the future. These feelings were underscored by a strong sense of regional pride in the Fort McMurray community and its oilsands industry.

    While climate advocates may shake their heads — or fists — at these findings, the feelings of my participants make perfect sense when you consider that, for these workers, the energy transition represents not just a threat to their livelihood but a threat to their community and way of life.

    As multiple participants made clear, without the oilsands, Fort McMurray would become a “ghost town.”

    Localizing transition policies

    So, what should policymakers and climate advocates committed to an equitable energy transition do with the knowledge that the workers for whom sustainable jobs are intended are not, in fact, all that interested in sustainable jobs?

    The answer lies, at least in part, in reframing how we think about transition policies.

    Large, national-level efforts like the Sustainable Jobs Act are effective at setting high-level policy priorities. But without specific plans to account for the vast geographic diversity in the Canadian energy economy, policy packages like this can also drive regional animosity by making some communities feel like decarbonization “sacrifice zones.”

    Instead, we need to embed transition planning within a place-based approach to regional and community development. This means creating pathways for all communities to thrive in a low-carbon future. This is particularly true for single-resource and rural communities with economies that are often highly reliant on fossil fuels and tend to be located farther away from green jobs.

    It’s easy for these regions to feel excluded from Canada’s vision for a net-zero future. And that’s not fair. No community should be decarbonized into a ghost town.

    Passing the Sustainable Jobs Act was an important first step. Creating sustainable jobs that are regionally accessible, locally meaningful and economically desirable is the next big hurdle.

    Parker Muzzerall receives funding from The Social Sciences and Humanities Research Council of Canada.

    – ref. Oilsands workers are resistant to sustainable jobs, new research finds – https://theconversation.com/oilsands-workers-are-resistant-to-sustainable-jobs-new-research-finds-239057

    MIL OSI – Global Reports –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Death of male in custody of Calgary Police Service

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    On that date, at approximately 12:56 a.m., CPS responded to a call on the non-emergency line from a hotel in south Calgary asking for assistance in removing an unwanted person from the lobby.

    A lone officer (officer 1) was first to arrive and entered the lobby to find the man standing near the check-in desk. The interaction between the male and the officer was captured on body-worn camera. The male is standing with his hands in full view and does not possess any weapons. The officer orders the male to leave the lobby by issuing commands such as “out” and “walk out.” The male continues to stand at his location in the lobby and act in a confused fashion, such as attempting to pick up items off the floor that were clearly non-existent.

    After approximately 30 seconds of speaking with the male, the officer points his conducted energy weapon (CEW) at the male and orders the male to leave the lobby. The male raises his hands and confirms he’ll leave and asks the officer not to shoot him. The male then begins to leave the lobby with the officer still pointing the weapon at him. The male is walking slowly towards the main door with his hands raised while stating to the officer, ”I don’t want to die.” The lone officer tells the male to stop talking and continues to point the weapon at him.

    Two other officers (officers 2 and 3) with CPS arrive on scene and begin walking through the main doors towards the male. At this point, the male stops walking but continues to state that he doesn’t want to die. Officer 1 then holsters his CEW and attempts to grab the male. At no point during the interaction had the male been identified, nor was he ever told he was being detained or under arrest. The male physically resists being grabbed and then is tackled by officer 2, who then punches the male in the head while both are on the ground.

    During this time, officers 1 and 3 deploy their CEWs. Over the next approximately 3 1/2 minutes, the three officers and the male are involved in a physical altercation with various uses of force resorted to by the officers. Once the male is detained on the floor, handcuffs and leg restraints are applied.

    Numerous other CPS officers arrive on scene to assist. The male is noted to be bleeding from the mouth and vomits. A spit mask is applied while the male is lying face down on the floor. EMS attend and administer a sedative to the male via needle approximately 7 minutes after the male has been handcuffed. This is administered to the male while he is still lying face down. The male is then left face down in handcuffs, leg restraints and a spit mask for about another three minutes until it is noted that he is unresponsive. The male was then provided medical care but declared deceased at the scene.

    ASIRT’s investigation will examine the use of force by the officers. No additional information will be released.

    ASIRT’s mandate is to effectively, independently and objectively investigate incidents involving Alberta’s police that have resulted in serious injury or death to any person, as well as serious or sensitive allegations of police misconduct.

    This release is distributed by the Government of Alberta on behalf of the Alberta Serious Incident Response Team.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Manitoba Government Renews Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Strategy

    Source: Government of Canada regional news

    Manitoba Government Renews Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder Strategy

    – – –
    New Plan Centres Around Lived and Living Experience, Promotes Dignity: Fontaine

    The Manitoba government is releasing its renewed five-year Fetal Alcohol Spectrum Disorder (FASD) Strategy, which includes immediate investments and ongoing funds for timely and effective supports for Manitobans affected by FASD and alcohol use in pregnancy, Families Minister Nahanni Fontaine announced today.

    “FASD is the most common developmental disability in Canada,” said Fontaine. “But with the right supports, people with FASD can thrive. By centring this strategy around the voices of people with lived and living experience and prioritizing investments in prevention, early intervention and diagnosis, Manitoba’s renewed FASD Strategy will reduce stigma, promote dignity and improve long-term outcomes for Manitobans impacted by FASD.”

    The minister noted Manitoba’s renewed FASD Strategy includes investments in community awareness, wraparound supports for pregnant people and families, and increased specialized supports across the life of people impacted by FASD.

    This includes a $172,000 budget increase for the InSight Mentoring Program, which provides three years of mentorship to help pregnant people stop or reduce alcohol use during pregnancy. The additional funding will support expanded programming at sites in Winnipeg, Portage la Prairie, Dauphin, The Pas, Flin Flon and Thompson including three Indigenous-led service providers offering culturally grounded services. This investment will enable the Aboriginal Health and Wellness Centre in Winnipeg to support an additional 15 families and offer Indigenous cultural and spiritual support services for participants, aligning with the Truth and Reconciliation Commission’s call to governments to develop culturally appropriate FASD prevention programs, the minister noted.

    FASD is a lifelong disability that impacts people exposed to alcohol prenatally. People with FASD often experience challenges with cognitive and executive functioning that, without appropriate supports, can leave people more likely to experience mental health issues, substance use disorders, contact with law enforcement and a lack of stable housing supports.

    The Manitoba government currently invests $15.5 million annually in the FASD Strategy, which ensures government and community programs and initiatives are working together toward the common goal of supporting Manitobans affected by FASD and alcohol use in pregnancy. An interdepartmental FASD committee supports a whole-of-government approach to FASD awareness, prevention and support.

    September is FASD Awareness Month in Canada, which raises awareness about the risks of drinking alcohol during pregnancy, highlights prevention and support efforts, and encourages individuals to learn more about FASD and its impacts.

    To read Manitoba’s Renewed FASD Strategy for 2024 to 2029, visit: www.gov.mb.ca/fs/fasd/mbstrategy.html.

    To learn more about the InSight Mentoring Program, visit www.gov.mb.ca/fs/fasd/insight.html.

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Annual Closure of St. Andrews Lock and Dam

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to inform users of the annual seasonal closure of the St. Andrews Lock and Dam.

    For immediate release

    Lockport, Manitoba, September 25, 2024 – Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) wishes to advise users of the annual seasonal closure of the St. Andrews Lock and Dam.

    As of midnight on Monday, October 14, St. Andrews Lock and Dam will be closed to marine navigation until spring or summer 2025.

    Following the closure, the water level drawdown of the Lockport to Winnipeg section of the river will begin. As a result, the Red and Assiniboine Rivers in the Winnipeg area and north to Lockport will experience fluctuations in water levels. If winter conditions begin before the lock closure or the dam is winterized, the curtains will be fully raised without notice and water levels will drop.

    Owners of boats, barges and other equipment on the Red and Assiniboine Rivers, and their tributaries, are hereby advised to protect their property.

    Fenced areas downstream of the dam may also be closed under the following conditions: high water levels, turbulence, dangerous currents, adverse weather conditions or if operational needs require it. Access to sites that have been closed will be prohibited until spring.

    SPAC thanks users for their patience.

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Translation: Children Need to Hear a Different Story: A Retrospective of Alanis Obomsawin’s Work at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal.

    MIL OSI Translation. Canadian French to English –

    Source: Government of Canada – in French 1

    The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) are proud to unveil Alanis Obomsawin: Children Must Hear Another Story, the MAC’s newest exhibition that will be open to the public from September 26, 2024 to January 26, 2025 in the MAC’s temporary space at Place Ville Marie.

    Montreal, September 18, 2024 – The Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal (MAC) and the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) are proud to unveil Alanis Obomsawin: Children Must Hear Another Story, the MAC’s newest exhibition that will be open to the public from September 26, 2024 to January 26, 2025, in the MAC’s temporary space at Place Ville Marie. The exhibition, dedicated to the work of Abenaki documentarian, activist and singer Alanis Obomsawin, one of the world’s most acclaimed Indigenous filmmakers, will be accompanied by Wàbigon, an exclusive mural by artist Caroline Monnet.

    After enjoying great success in Berlin, Vancouver and Toronto, Children Must Hear Another Story will highlight the work of Alanis Obomsawin in the heart of the Montreal metropolis. Divided by decades, this retrospective provides an exhaustive panorama of her cinematographic, visual and musical work. The exhibition focuses in particular on the motivations of the artist, who distinguished herself by her strength and courage from a very young age; followed by the 1960s, a period during which she became known to the public as an artist and activist for indigenous rights, then the subsequent periods, just as significant, which allow us to follow the evolution of her trajectory and her thinking.

    “My whole life I have been primarily interested in education, because it is through education that we develop, that we learn to hate or love.” – Alanis Obomsawin

    The exhibition presents 13 of the 64 films Alanis Obomsawin made at the NFB, including her first, Christmas at Moose Factory (1971), which depicts the Cree community through the drawings and voices of its children; Kanehsatake: 270 Years of Resistance (1993), filmed behind the barricades during the Oka Crisis; and You Can’t Make the Same Mistake Twice (2016), which follows the lawsuit brought against the federal government by First Nations representatives. These films are accompanied by archival documents that shed new light on the process of their creation; drawings by children from Moose Factory; and masks, prints and monotypes by the artist.

    Quotes

    “Supporting museums and exhibitions that provide Canadians with access to heritage is essential to learning from the past and shaping the future. I am very proud that, thanks to our government’s investment, the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal is showcasing the work of Indigenous artist and filmmaker Alanis Obomsawin and offering visitors a unique opportunity to discover the impact of her film work over the decades.” − The Honourable Pascale St-Onge, Minister of Canadian Heritage

    “It is an honour and a privilege for me to present this retrospective exhibition of Alanis Obomsawin in the city where she has lived and worked for 70 years. A leading figure in our cultural, political and social landscape, Alanis is a role model and inspiration for so many Indigenous and non-Indigenous filmmakers, artists and activists. We know her for her films; the exhibition allows us to discover the singer, the storyteller, and the depth and richness of her commitment to Indigenous peoples across Canada.” – Lesley Johnstone, exhibition curator at the MAC

    “The NFB has been Alanis Obomsawin’s creative home for nearly 60 years. This exceptional artist paved the way for true recognition of Indigenous peoples, so that their realities and aspirations could be seen, heard and better known. Her documentary films bear witness to the social and cultural changes experienced by First Peoples and have contributed in their own way to these major transformations. Ms. Obomsawin’s essential and accessible work continues to inspire new generations of filmmakers in Canada and around the world.” – Suzanne Guèvremont, Government Film Commissioner and Chair of the NFB

    Organized by Richard Hill and Hila Peleg, the exhibition Alanis Obomsawin: Children Must Hear Another Story is made possible through a partnership between the Haus der Kulturen der Welt (Berlin), the Art Museum at the University of Toronto and the Vancouver Art Gallery, in collaboration with the National Film Board of Canada and with the generous support of CBC/Radio-Canada and the Canada Council for the Arts. This project was made possible in part by the Government of Canada. The exhibition at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal is organized by Lesley Johnstone, with Marjolaine Labelle, and made possible by the Government of Quebec.

    A mural by Caroline Monnet

    In conjunction with the exhibition, the MAC will unveil an exclusive mural by Caroline Monnet that pays tribute to Alanis Obomsawin’s major influence: Wàbigon, which means “a flower blooms” in Anishinaabemowin. Caroline Monnet, an artist of Anishinaabe and French descent, has created a monumental photographic portrait of eight Indigenous women and a child in an enchanted forest. It features Acho Dene Koe First Nation chief and artist Swaneige Bertrand with her daughter Aja-Eyal Ferron; the artist’s sister, Émilie Monnet, an interdisciplinary performer; Caroline Monnet herself; Guinean-Wendat dancer and choreographer Aïcha Bastien N’Diay; Eeyou (Cree) writer and artist Virginia Pésémapéo Bordeleau; Atikamekw visual artist Catherine Boivin; Inuk singer-songwriter Elisapie Isaac; and Innu soprano Elisabeth St-Gelais.

    “This work highlights the buds that Alanis has managed to deploy during her impressive career. It is also a reaction against the excesses of industrialization. It is characterized by inventiveness, the presence of rhythms, colors and ornamentations inspired by fauna and flora.” – Caroline Monnet, artist

    The press kit and visuals can be downloaded here.

    About the Montreal Museum of Contemporary Art (MAC)

    For 60 years, the MAC has brought together local and international artists, their works and diverse audiences, celebrating art as an essential component of life in Montreal and Quebec. With the Museum’s headquarters in the heart of the Quartier des spectacles undergoing a major architectural transformation, the MAC has temporarily relocated its activities to Place Ville Marie, another iconic location in the city. Throughout the renovations, the Museum is reaching out to the public through temporary exhibitions highlighting exceptional artists and presenting a variety of practices. The MAC at Place Ville Marie also offers a wide range of educational services, creative workshops and community outreach activities. www.macm.org

    About the National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

    Founded in 1939, the NFB produces, co-produces and distributes distinctive, engaging, relevant and innovative documentaries and animated films. It is an incubator of talent and one of the world’s largest creative laboratories. For more than eight decades, the NFB has provided Canadians with the opportunity to share their stories and connect with one another. Its films are also a trusted and accessible educational resource. The NFB also has world-renowned expertise in preservation and conservation, and a rich living collection of works that constitute an important pillar of Canada’s cultural heritage. To date, the NFB has produced more than 14,000 works, 7,000 of which are available online for free at nfb.caThe NFB and its productions and co-productions have won over 7,000 awards, including 11 Oscars and an honorary Oscar recognizing the organization’s excellence in all areas of cinematography.

    Credit: Richard Cardinal: The Cry of a Métis Child, 1986 (production still). Courtesy of the National Film Board of Canada and Alanis Obomsawin.

    -30-

    For all interview requests or questions regarding the exhibition, please contact: Thara Communications | relations.presse@macm.orgThara Tremblay-Nantel | 514-208-6897Solneige Diaz | 514-449-7219

    For all questions concerning the NFB: Marie-Claude Lamoureux, press officerm.lamoureux@nfb.ca| 438-304-6358Children need to hear another story. A retrospective of Alanis Obomsawin’s work at the Musée d’art contemporain de Montréal.

    EDITOR’S NOTE: This article is a translation. Apologies should the grammar and/or sentence structure not be perfect.

    MIL Translation OSI

  • MIL-OSI Security: Shamattawa — Update 2- Shamattawa RCMP searching for missing child

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    It is with great sadness that we share the following information on the search for Johnson Redhead.

    Earlier this evening, at 7:45pm, searchers located 6-year-old Johnson deceased. His body was found in a marshy area, approximately 3.5km from the school where he was last seen.

    We extend our deepest condolences to his family, the community of Shamattawa First Nation, and to everyone grieving his loss.

    The search for Johnson Redhead, 6, continues.

    RCMP Police Service Dog Phlex has arrived in the community with his handler and is involved in the search. Two drones are now in the community and being used and a helicopter will be en route as soon as the weather allows. In addition, more officers out of Thompson are also on their way to join the search.

    “This search has not stopped in intensity from the moment we received the report up to the present,” said Sergeant Mark Svaren, Shamattawa RCMP Detachment Commander. “Within minutes of the report, Shamattawa RCMP officers were engaged with the community in the search, and I cannot stress enough how community involvement has been strong and steady from the moment it was realized that Johnson was missing.”

    On September 18, 2024, at approximately 12:30 pm, Shamattawa RCMP received a report that a six-year-old boy was missing. Johnson Redhead had attended the local school and attended the breakfast program until 9:00 am, but did not arrive in class after the program ended.

    A large-scale search was immediately initiated by community members and RCMP. Searchers combed through wooded areas, trails, roads, sheds, and construction equipment looking for the child. RCMP officers obtained video footage from the school in an attempt to ascertain which direction Johnson went or the circumstances surrounding him leaving school property.

    ATVs and vehicles are being used to search as well as searchers covering areas on foot.

    The RCMP Search and Rescue Team as well as the Office of the Fire Commissioner, with several volunteers from Winnipeg Volunteer Search and Rescue (WinSar) are en route to the community via air to assist with the search. The Canadian Rangers have also been engaged and will attend the community to assist with the search.

    If you have information, please call Shamattawa RCMP at 204-565-2351, Crime Stoppers anonymously at 1-800-222-8477, or secure tip online at www.manitobacrimestoppers.com.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Grand Falls-Windsor — Grand Falls-Windsor RCMP investigates break, enter and theft at Glen’s Ultramar in Bishop’s Falls, seeks public’s assistance identifying suspect

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Grand Falls-Windsor RCMP is investigating a break, enter and theft that occurred during the early morning hours of September 24, 2024, at Glen’s Ultramar and Convenience on Main Street in Bishop’s Falls.

    At approximately 3:45 a.m. on Monday, a lone suspect arrived on the parking lot of the business, operating what appears to be a moped motorbike. The suspect obtained a fire extinguisher from the outside property and used it to smash a window of the business. The suspect stole two boxes of Jack Link’s pepperoni product that were located inside the store, within reach of the broken window, and departed the property.

    The suspect was wearing a sweater with two colors, black or a darker color on the top portion and grey or a lighter color on the bottom portion. The suspect was wearing a helmet, possibly blue in color.

    The investigation is continuing. Residents are asked to check all available surveillance footage around the time of the crime for a matching vehicle or other suspicious activities.

    Anyone having information about this crime or the identity of the suspect is asked to contact Grand Falls-Windsor RCMP at 709-489-2121. To remain anonymous, contact Crime Stoppers: #SayItHere 1-800-222-TIPS (8477), visit www.nlcrimestoppers.com or use the P3Tips app.

    MIL Security OSI –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Defense News: CNO, NAVSOUTH Strengthen Partnerships at Inter-American Naval Conference in Brazil

    Source: United States Navy

    RIO DE JANIERO – Chief of Naval Operations Adm. Lisa Franchetti and Commander U.S. Naval Forces Southern Command/U.S. 4th Fleet (USNAVSOUTH) Rear Adm. Carlos Sardiello, participated in the 31st Inter-American Naval Conference (IANC), Sep. 23-25, joining naval leaders from 18 countries from across the Western Hemisphere.

    IANC, hosted this year by Brazil, serves as a forum for partner nations to discuss maritime security challenges and promote hemispheric solidarity.

    “This conference has been crucial to strengthening our bonds of friendship, collaboration and partnership for more than half a century,” said Franchetti. “We are all united by our shared values, our shared geography, and our shared stake in the continued stability, security and prosperity of the Western Hemisphere and our world.”

    The theme for this year’s conference is ‘Naval challenges and strategies to ensure operational readiness in the face of new technologies and the expansion of the navies’ responsibilities: strategic planning, doctrine development, and professional training in the medium and long term.’

    Franchetti emphasized the importance of working together as part of a security and warfighting ecosystem to address shared challenges, as outlined in her recently released Navigation Plan for America’s Warfighting Navy, noting that every Navy and Coast Guard has a role to play as a vital link in the maritime chain.

    “In this increasingly turbulent and unpredictable world, security through partnership is essential because no single nation can handle our maritime challenges alone,” said Franchetti in her remarks. “It is critical that we, the global maritime community, work together to align our efforts in a way that can benefit us all. And you will have no stronger partner than the United States Navy and the United States Marine Corps team.”

    As part of the visit, Adm. Marcos Sampaio Olsen, Commander of the Brazilian Navy, hosted the delegates aboard the multipurpose amphibious ship NDM Bahia (G40) for a celebratory dinner and performance by the Brazilian Marine Corps Symphonic Band.

    Franchetti also participated in bilateral meetings with her Head of Navy counterparts from Argentina, Brazil, Canada, Chile, and Colombia, and she had meaningful discussions with leaders from Ecuador, El Salvador, Guatemala, Honduras, and Mexico. Meanwhile Sardiello participated in bilateral engagements with The Netherlands, Panama, Peru and Urugay, and had meaningful discussions with leaders from the Dominican Republic and Paraguay.

    During their engagements Franchetti and Sardiello discussed the role of USNAVSOUTH in employing maritime forces in cooperative maritime security operations in order to maintain access, enhance interoperability, and build enduring partnerships that foster regional security in the U.S. Southern Command area of responsibility.

    “This conference promotes an important permanent, professional interaction among Heads of Navy on a regular basis so that we can find solutions to problems that no one nation can solve on their own,” said Sardiello. “The security environment has changed since 1959, and we are very focused on today’s challenges to the security and welfare in our region.”

    IANC was established in 1959 to strengthen the bonds of friendship, partnership, and collaboration among Western Hemisphere naval leaders through the exchange of ideas and knowledge. 

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  • MIL-OSI Canada: Climate change fuels August heat waves across Canada – Results from Canada’s Rapid Extreme Weather Event Attribution system demonstrate that human-caused climate change made heat waves at least 10 times more likely in August in some instances

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Analysis from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Rapid Extreme Weather Event Attribution has shown that, in all cases, human-caused climate change made heat waves in August 2024 more likely to have occurred. In some instances, it was at least 10 times more likely.

    September 25, 2024– Ottawa, Ontario

    Analysis from Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Rapid Extreme Weather Event Attribution hasshown that, in all cases, human-caused climate change made heat waves in August 2024 more likely to have occurred. In some instances, it was at least 10 times more likely.

    This system uses climate models to compare today’s climate with a pre-industrial one to explain how much human-caused climate change affected the likelihood of each heat wave.

    In three cases, human-caused climate change made heat waves far more likely to occur. This means that human influence on the climate made the following events at least 10 times more likely to happen:

    Inuvik, Northwest Territories (August 6 to 10)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 26.5 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 13.0 °C

    Kitikmeot, Nunavut (August 7 to12)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 25.0 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 12.4 °C

    Kivalliq, Nunavut (August 8 to 14)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 27.1 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 12.2 °C

    In seven cases, human-caused climate change made the heat waves much more likely to occur. This means that human influence on the climate made the following events at least two to 10 times more likely to happen:

    Atlantic Canada (August 24 to 27)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 23.9 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 6.7 °C

    Eastern Ontario (July 31 to August 2)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 29.2 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 5.8 °C

    Fort Smith, Northwest Territories (August 8 to 13)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 26.9 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 9.2 °C

    Northern British Columbia (August 7 to 11)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 23.6 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 7.0 °C

    Northern Quebec (August 13 to 16)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 23.6 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 7.8 °C

    Southern Quebec (July 27 to August 3)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 28.3 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 7.6 °C

    Yukon (August 5 to 9)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 24.1 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 8.9 °C

    Finally, human-caused climate change made the following heat wave more likely to occur. This means that human influence on the climate made the following event at least one to two times more likely to happen.

    Manitoba (July 30 to August 1)

    • Peak daily high temperature during the heat wave: 28.3 °C
    • Degrees above normal daily high temperature*: 6.4 °C

    * The normal daily high temperature is an average over 1991–2020 of all of the region-averaged daily high temperatures in the month surrounding the event.

    Prolonged heat waves are a major contributor to more intense wildfires across Canada. The 2023 wildfires in Canada burned almost 15 million hectares of forest and cost Canadians tens of billions of dollars in damages.[1] Understanding how human influence on the climate has increased the chance of a particular heat wave, soon after it occurs, can help inform adaptation strategies and heat wave response procedures for a changing climate while the event and its impacts are still top of mind.

    We urge the public to regularly monitor weather forecasts, take all weather alerts seriously, and get prepared for weather-related events by developing an emergency plan and being ready to adjust their travel plans. Canadians can download the WeatherCAN app to receive weather alert notifications directly on their mobile devices. Alerts help Canadians prepare to face severe weather events, save lives, and reduce the impacts on property and livelihoods.

    [1] Jain, P., Barber, Q.E., Taylor, S.W. et al. Drivers and Impacts of the Record-Breaking 2023 Wildfire Season in Canada. Nature Communications 15, 6764 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1038/s41467-024-51154-7

    Media Relations
    Environment and Climate Change Canada
    819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
    media@ec.gc.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: Minister Champagne and Executive Vice-President Vestager meet in Montréal to strengthen strategic cooperation

    Source: Government of Canada News

    Discussion topics included competition, artificial intelligence, digital partnership and research opportunities

    Discussion topics included competition, artificial intelligence, digital partnership and research opportunities

    September 25, 2024 – Montréal, Quebec

    The Canada–European Union relationship is based on shared values, a long history of close cooperation and strong people-to-people ties. As key strategic partners, Canada and the European Union share a similar vision to ensure a responsible digital transition, make our economies more competitive and create new middle-class jobs for our people.

    The Honourable François-Philippe Champagne, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry, met with Margrethe Vestager, the European Commission’s Executive Vice-President for A Europe Fit for the Digital Age and Commissioner for Competition, in Montréal to discuss issues of mutual interest and address bilateral and global issues, such as artificial intelligence, economic security, digital partnership, competition policy, and research and innovation.

    In the morning, Minister Champagne and Executive Vice-President Vestager attended the unveiling of the new Anyon MonarQ quantum computer at the École de technologie supérieure. The Minister highlighted how Canada and the European Union can continue to invest in talent, research and innovation to solve some of the world’s greatest challenges and build a better future for everyone.

    They also participated in a fireside chat organized by the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations, during which they discussed the close Canada–European Union relationship, ongoing challenges on the global and domestic scene, and ways Canada and the European Union can work together to build fair marketplaces and deploy safe and responsible new technologies.

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

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: NFB proud distributor of restored version of Les ordres and other works by renowned filmmaker Michel Brault

    Source: Government of Canada News

    In 1974, Michel Brault’s feature docudrama Les ordres (Orders) was released. Today, highlighting the 50th anniversary of this major work and Cannes award winner, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is also pleased to announce that the version of the film restored by Éléphant: mémoire du cinéma québécois will be available for distribution at festivals, film clubs and other venues.

    50th anniversary of a masterpiece of Quebec cinema

    September 24, 2024 – Montreal – National Film Board of Canada (NFB)

    In 1974, Michel Brault’s feature docudrama Les ordres (Orders) was released. Today, highlighting the 50th anniversary of this major work and Cannes award winner, the National Film Board of Canada (NFB) is also pleased to announce that the version of the film restored by Éléphant: mémoire du cinéma québécois will be available for distribution at festivals, film clubs and other venues.

    In fact, the NFB now shares distribution rights with Éléphant on a number of works by Brault—the restored version of not just Les ordres but also Entre la mer et l’eau douce, Quand je serai parti… vous vivrez encore and the documentary series Le son des Français d’Amérique, co-directed with André Gladu.

    The NFB thanks the Brault family for entrusting it with the distribution of these works. In addition, the NFB will continue to conserve and highlight Michel Brault’s seminal, NFB-produced films as well, many of which are available on nfb.ca.

    Quotes

    “Michel Brault is one of Quebec’s greatest creators: a master of cinéma direct, a consummate cameraperson, an outstanding DOP, a director who made his mark in both drama and documentary at the NFB and in the private sector. This new distribution agreement will help the NFB bring his films to more audiences than ever, and especially to new generations. The 50th anniversary of Les ordres reminds us of the importance of such works for our collective memory.” – Suzanne Guèvremont, Government Film Commissioner and NFB Chairperson

    “The Brault family would like to express its gratitude to the NFB and its partners, Éléphant and the Cinémathèque québécoise, for their part in the promotion, conservation and protection of the exceptional legacy left to us by our father. Thank you on behalf of all of Michel’s children and grandchildren.”

    Quick Facts

    Les ordres (Orders)

    Press kit: mediaspace.nfb.ca/epk/orders

    Drawing on the testimonies of some 50 civilians who were detained after the War Measures Act was invoked in Quebec in October 1970, Les ordres (Orders) blurs the line between documentary and drama to tell the story of five fictional characters (three men and two women) from their arrest through to their release. The film won the award for Best Director at the 1975 Cannes Film Festival.

    Special screening for the film’s 50th anniversary

    Taking place Wednesday, September 25, at 6:30 p.m. at Cinéma RGFM Beloeil in Salle 1 Michel-Brault, with the Brault family and special guests in attendance.

    Information and tickets

    A film about Michel Brault

    Drawing on the NFB’s archives and supported by its team, the film Michel Brault – L’instinct de vue, written and directed by Frédérick Pelletier and co-produced by ACPAV and the NFB, is part biopic, part personal essay. It will help remind us all of Brault’s essential place in world cinema, at a time when his work and his creative approach still exert a decisive influence on filmmakers here and abroad.

    About Michel Brault (1928–2013)

    His name appears in the credits of more than 200 productions. By turns cameraman, cinematographer, director and producer, Michel Brault has been involved in four of the 10 best Canadian films of all time, either as the director or the DOP.

    He joined the NFB in 1956 and went on to shoot some 40 short or medium-length films. In addition to Claude Jutra, his main partners were Jacques Giraldeau, Fernand Dansereau, Louis-Georges Carrier, Claude Fournier and Gilles Groulx. He teamed up with the latter in 1958 to make Les Raquetteurs, a film that was to decisively impact the NFB’s French Program, which from then on championed the cinéma direct movement that Brault and his colleagues were credited with founding.

    After a stint in France working with Jean Rouch and Mario Ruspoli, Brault co-directed Pour la suite du monde and L’Acadie, l’Acadie?!? (English title: Acadia Acadia?!?, 1971) with Pierre Perrault.

    Brault’s work as cameraman and DOP was impressive, to say the least, and included Mon oncle Antoine (1971) and Kamouraska (1973), directed by Claude Jutra; Mourir à tue-tête (English title: A Scream from Silence, 1979), directed by Anne-Claire Poirier; Le Temps d’une chasse (1972) and Les Bons débarras (1979), directed by Francis Mankiewicz; Louisiane (1984), directed by Philippe de Broca; Threshold (1981), No Mercy (1986) and Dead Man Out (1989), directed by Dick Pearce; and The Great Land of Small (1986), directed by Vojtěch Jasný.

    Brault directed his first feature-length drama in 1967, Entre la mer et l’eau douce. This was followed by Les ordres (English title: Orders) in 1974, a masterpiece that won him the Best Director award at Cannes and four Canadian Film Awards, today known as the Canadian Screen Awards.

    Between 1974 and 1980, he teamed up with director André Gladu to make a 27-episode documentary series on the traditional music of North America’s French-speaking communities.

    Brault returned to fiction with Les Noces de papier (1989), Montréal vu par… (as co-director, 1991), Shabbat Shalom! (1992), Mon amie Max (1994) and Quand je serai parti… vous vivrez encore (The Long Winter, 1999).

    In 1996, he returned to the documentary format with Ozias Leduc, Painter of the Soul’s Seasons, an hour-long film on the celebrated artist, followed in 2002 by La Manic.

    Brault was honoured time and again in recognition of his contribution to cinema. The many awards he received over the years include the Prix Victor-Morin (Société Saint-Jean-Baptiste de Montréal, 1975), the Molson Prize (Canada Council for the Arts, 1980), the Quebec-Alberta Award (1986), the Prix Albert-Tessier (Les Prix du Québec, 1986), the Governor General’s Award in 1996, and the Order of Quebec (2003).

    – 30 –

    Lily Robert
    Director, Communications and Public Affairs, NFB
    C.: 514-296-8261| l.robert@nfb.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Canada: A sustainable enhancement of shoreline in Hiawatha First Nation

    Source: Government of Canada News

    News release

    Hiawatha First Nation, Ontario, September 25, 2024 —Hiawatha First Nation has received over $430,000 through the Natural Infrastructure Fund to restore more than 3 kilometers of shoreline along Rice Lake to protect wildlife and reduce shoreline erosion.

    By working with nature, the Hiawatha First Nation is supporting and protecting biodiversity and human well-being. This restoration project incorporates native plants to reduce further shoreline erosion, while creating a protected habitat for various frog and fish species, as well as wild rice, a cultural keystone species. A medicine garden, walkway, pier, and benches will also increase access to nature, boost community use of shoreline for conducting cultural practices, and create a welcoming and relaxing space for the community.

    Hiawatha First Nation is working to restore the land to not only ensure a more sustainable future, but also create a peaceful place for community members to enjoy nature and ensure the land and wildlife is protected for many generations. 

    Quotes

    “I am honoured to support this investment with the Hiawatha First Nation to restore the shoreline of Rice Lake. Investing in infrastructure, like this shoreline restoration project, is vital for the sustainability of our environment. It will support biodiversity through the restoration of the natural habitats of plants and animals and with the addition of the medicine garden, create a healthy, sustainable and welcoming environment for all community members.”

    The Honourable Sean Fraser, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

    “Restoring the shoreline with native species is vital for many reasons. Firstly, it is our responsibility, as given to us by the Creator, to take care of the waters, and when we restore lakeshores with native plants, we improve the health of our lakes. Shoreline restoration helps to improve water quality by removing pollutants and nutrients from run-off.  Also, by restoring our shoreline with native species, we in turn will have healthy and stable ecosystems that leads to strong habitats and food chains. Shoreline restoration is about taking care of water, lands and all living creatures.”

    Laurie Carr, Chief, Hiawatha First Nation 

    Quick facts

    • The federal government is committed to making our communities more livable, sustainable, and resilient by investing in the protection and restoration of natural environments.

    • The federal government is investing $437,500 in this project through the Natural Infrastructure Fund (NIF).

    • NIF supports projects that use natural or hybrid approaches to increase resilience to climate change, mitigate carbon emissions, protect and preserve biodiversity and wildlife habitats, and promote Canadians’ access to nature.

    • Examples of natural infrastructure include urban forests, street trees, wetlands, living dikes, bioswales, and naturalized coastal restoration.

    • Hybrid infrastructure incorporates elements of engineered grey infrastructure to enhance or support natural infrastructure and/or the use of ecosystem processes. Examples of hybrid infrastructure include green roofs and walls, and naturalized stormwater ponds.

    • A minimum of 10% of the overall program envelope will be allocated to Indigenous-led projects.

    Associated links

    Contacts

    For more information (media only), please contact:

    Sofia Ouslis
    Communications Advisor
    Office of the Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities
    Sofia.ouslis@infc.gc.ca

    Media Relations
    Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada
    613-960-9251
    Toll free: 1-877-250-7154
    Email: media-medias@infc.gc.ca
    Follow us on Twitter, Facebook, Instagram and LinkedIn
    Web: Housing, Infrastructure and Communities Canada

    Hayley Vogler
    Capital Projects Manager
    Hiawatha First Nation
    705-295-4421
    capitalmanager@hiawathafn.ca

    MIL OSI Canada News –

  • MIL-OSI Security: Oakhill — Lunenburg District RCMP charge a man with multiple offences, including impaired operation and assault

    Source: Royal Canadian Mounted Police

    Lunenburg District RCMP has charged a man with multiple offences after he struck several vehicles attempting to flee police. There were no injuries reported from this incident.

    On September 23 at approximately 12:15 p.m., officers responded to a report of a suspected impaired driver who was observed hitting a parked tractor in Mader’s Cove.

    Officers located the vehicle, a beige Lincoln Town Car, in Blockhouse, and attempted a traffic stop but the driver refused to stop for police and fled the area.

    At approximately 12:50 p.m., officers again located the vehicle, now pulled over on the side of Hwy. 103 near Oakhill. Officers took steps to prevent the driver from attempting to flee again and putting the public at risk. The driver struck and damaged two of the police cars involved, and continued to resist arrest after exiting his vehicle. He was safely arrested and later refused to provide a breath sample.

    Adam Vanderzwaag, 40, of Conquerall Mills, has been charged with the following:

    • Impaired Operation of a Conveyance
    • Flight from Police
    • Dangerous Operation of a Conveyance
    • Assault Peace Officer With a Weapon (2 counts)
    • Resist Arrest
    • Obstruct Justice
    • Failure or Refusal to Comply with Demand
    • Disarming a Peace Officer

    Vanderzwaag appeared at Bridgewater Provincial Court on September 24. His next court appearance is scheduled for October 23.

    Highway 103 was closed between Exits 12 and 11 following this incident, but was reopened after approximately one hour.

    Police appreciated calls from the public that assisted in identifying and locating this vehicle. Road safety is a shared responsibility. If you suspect an impaired driver, it’s an emergency; call 911.

    MIL Security OSI –