New marine monitoring hub in Nunavut part of $816 million federal spending plans
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News The federal government is promising to spend $816 million on four new Arctic long‑range marine radar sites and a hub in Iqaluit, but no details were provided on potential community benefits or future employment figures. Decisions on how the Maritime Domain Awareness Hub will benefit Iqaluit have to be made by an Inuit-Crown Partnership special committee co-chaired by Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and Canadian Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada. “This is not just Defence in isolation making investments over on the side. Maybe that was a sort of an approach in years gone by, but that’s not the approach now,” said Defence Minister David McGuinty at the Transport Canada hangar in Iqaluit on May 22. The funding will be disbursed...
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Motion Picture Association slams CRTC rules on Canadian content investment
By Alessia Passafiume The industry lobby group representing big American streaming services slammed new revenue rules on Friday forcing them to invest in Canadian content while some Canadian industry organizations said the rules are in line with what this country has required for decades. The groups are reacting after Canada’s broadcast regulator, the CRTC, said Thursday large TV streaming services must contribute 15 per cent of their Canadian revenues to Canadian content. That’s three times the initial contribution requirement the CRTC set out in 2024, which is being challenged in court by streamers including Apple, Amazon and Spotify. The CRTC made the decisions as part of its implementation of the Online Streaming Act, which the United States has identified as a trade irritant ahead of negotiations with Canada. The Motion...
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Nunavut will get 725 homes in deal with federal government instead of 750
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News The federal government will spend $241 million to fulfill its portion of an agreement with the Government of Nunavut to finance up to 725 homes, GN Housing Minister Cecile Lyall told the Nunavut Legislative Assembly on May 21. However, that’s a decrease from the agreement-in-principle announced on Jan. 30, when the federal government said it would spend $250 million on 750 homes. This marks the official signing of the Build Canada Homes agreement with the Nunavut Housing Corporation, as the previously announced figures were only preliminary. GN financing amounted to $230 million under January’s agreement-in-principle, but Lyall didn’t clarify whether the territorial government had changed its contribution. “This agreement will not solve every challenge, but it is an important step...
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The latest on Alberta’s vote on whether to have binding separation referendum
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has announced there will be a separation question on an Oct. 19 referendum. Albertans will be asked if the province should stay in Canada or if they want a future binding referendum on separation. Here are the latest developments (all times are MT): 10:30 a.m. Rob Anderson, the chief of staff for Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, says many wanted to see her directly put a binding separation question on the ballot this fall. But he says it just isn’t possible. Anderson says in a social media post that he thinks a binding question would have been struck down by the courts within weeks, because of the ongoing legal challenge involving a separatist petition and First Nations He says holding a referendum on maybe having a future...
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Filmmaker seeks to empower Indigenous communities with training program
By Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca MOBERLY LAKE, B.C. — A filmmaker is looking to empower local First Nations communities through his filmmaking program. Farhan Umedaly is a filmmaker with West Vancouver’s VoVo Productions, a company he helped found in 2009 with backgrounds in microbiology, sustainability and music production. From an Ismaili background, Umedaly and his family came to Canada as refugees. A filmmaker for 18 years, his projects include the 2015 film The Last Stand for Lelu, about the struggles of the Lax Kw’alaams Band of Lelu Island against the provincial government’s push for an LNG terminal. He told Energeticcity.ca his Empowering Filmmaking program, set to take place over a week in June at West Moberly First Nations, is based on a principle of service – something important to...
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Beyond regulation: Why committed leadership will decide Canada’s energy future
By Amir Bahman Radnejad and Brenda Nguyen The Canadian government’s discussion paper, Getting Major Projects Built in Canada, represents a significant and long overdue shift in how it approaches major infrastructure and energy development. After years of slow, fragmented and unpredictable project approvals, the recognition that Canada’s regulatory system has undermined competitiveness and discouraged investment is both accurate and welcome. Investor surveys in Canada’s resource sector consistently identify regulatory uncertainty and approval delays as major deterrents to investment. If implemented effectively, the proposed reforms — particularly efforts to reduce duplication, co-ordinate consultations, establish clearer timelines and move toward a “one project, one review” framework — could enhance Canada’s appeal to energy investors and move the country closer to its ambition of becoming an “energy superpower.” But regulatory reform alone won’t...
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Carney says ‘Canada is working’, as Alberta readies for referendum
Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the thorny issue of Alberta’s separatist movement on Friday with a metaphorical plea for unity, saying it’s time to build up the country together. He likened the federation to the Parliament buildings: currently under renovation. Carney, while on a construction site tour of Parliament, didn’t directly mention the plan announced by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith to hold a vote in the fall about whether to have a binding referendum on separation. But the prime minister insisted the country can be improved by working closely with the province on his economic agenda. “We’re renovating the country as we go,” Carney said in the Library of Parliament, gesturing up toward construction work in the Centre Block. “Alberta being at the centre of that is essential.” Carney talked...
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Carney says ‘co-operative federalism’ is working, as Alberta preps for referendum
Prime Minister Mark Carney addressed the thorny issue of Alberta’s separatist movement in the form of a metaphor this morning — likening Canada to the Parliament buildings: currently under renovation. Carney, while on a construction site tour of the Library of Parliament, didn’t directly mention Alberta’s plan to hold a vote on whether to have a binding referendum on separation. He listed contributions made by Albertans to the country and said Canada is currently working the “spirit of co-operative federalism,” with Alberta at the centre of that work. Alberta Premier Danielle Smith announced in a televised address Thursday there will be separation question on an Oct. 19 referendum. Albertans won’t directly vote on whether Alberta should leave Canada but will be asked if the province should hold a future binding...
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CRTC triples streamers’ financial contributions to Canadian content
By Anja Karadeglija Large online streaming services must contribute 15 per cent of their Canadian revenues to Canadian content, the federal broadcast regulator said Thursday. That’s three times the five-per-cent initial contribution requirement the CRTC set out in 2024, which is being challenged in court by major streamers, including Apple, Amazon and Spotify. Contribution requirements for traditional broadcasters, which currently pay between 30 and 45 per cent, will be lowered to 25 per cent. “The total contributions are expected to stabilize the funding at more than $2 billion in support of Canadian and Indigenous content, such as French-language content and news,” the regulator said in a press release. The CRTC also set out rules on how the money must be spent for both streamers and broadcasters, including contributions toward production...
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‘Very good news,’ that High Court will hear B.C. mineral claims case, Eby says
By The Canadian Press The B.C. government needs clarity from the Supreme Court of Canada on a landmark mineral rights claim, Premier David Eby says. But the lawyer representing the challenger says that they would have preferred the province respect the lower court’s decision. Eby said Thursday it is very good news that the High Court will hear its appeal of a ruling that found the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the provincial mineral claims regime are “inconsistent.” The B.C. Court of Appeal ruled in December that the provincial Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Act, or DRIPA, should be “properly interpreted” to incorporate the UN declaration into the laws of B.C. with immediate legal effect. That ruling set off the appeal from the...
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Plea to missing Webequie man: ‘Let us know you’re OK’
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SNnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY — In a ballroom at the Superior Inn, Destiny Rae broke from a plea for help in the search for Kelsey Anderson to deliver a message directly to her missing boyfriend: Please call. “I’ve been searching … and I’m not leaving until I find you,” Rae said into reporters’ microphones during a news conference held Thursday afternoon by Webequie First Nation and Nishnawbe Aski Nation. “You’re loved and you didn’t need to think that you weren’t … So please just let us know you’re OK. Let us know you’re all right. “Because we need to know, we need to hear you, we need to see you.” Kelsey Anderson was last seen in the afternoon of Saturday, May 9, at a...
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Manitoba politician calls Saskatchewan farmer who killed Colten Boushie a victim
By Steve Lambert A Manitoba legislature member faced criticism Thursday for saying the farmer who killed Colten Boushie in a high-profile case in Saskatchewan was a victim. Opposition Progressive Conservative member Josh Guenter made the comment while debating a resolution in the legislature about the rights of people to defend their homes with force if necessary. Eric Redhead, a member of the NDP government, accused Guenter of engaging in rhetoric that could lead to more deaths like that of Boushie, a Cree man shot a decade ago near Biggar, Sask. Gerald Stanley was acquitted of second-degree murder after testifying that he thought Boushie and others were on his property to steal vehicles. Stanley said his gun went off accidentally when he confronted Boushie. “The farmer was the victim, and he...
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CRTC triples streamers’ financial contributions to Canadian content
By Anja Karadeglija Large TV streaming services like Netflix must contribute 15 per cent of their Canadian revenues to Canadian content, the federal broadcast regulator said Thursday. That’s three times the five-per-cent initial contribution requirement the CRTC set out in 2024, which is being challenged in court by major streamers, including Apple and Amazon. Contribution requirements for traditional broadcasters, which currently pay between 30 and 45 per cent, will be lowered to 25 per cent. “The total contributions are expected to stabilize the funding at more than $2 billion in support of Canadian and Indigenous content, such as French-language content and news,” the regulator said in a press release. The CRTC made the decisions as part of its implementation of the Online Streaming Act, which the U.S. has identified as...
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Fort Simpson homeless shelter plans for new building
By Claire McFarlane, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio Architectural plans for a new homeless shelter in Fort Simpson are ready. Now operators say they need funding and a plot of land to make it a reality. “It will be a major addition to the town when we have a really big, beautiful new building like that,” said Chuck Blyth, president of the Dehcho Society for Wellness and Sustainable Development. He said the architectural plans are inspired by a shelter in Dawson City, Yukon, which includes both emergency shelter beds and transitional housing units, allowing residents to move along the housing continuum. Blyth said the shelter has received funding from the territorial government to address much-needed repairs at the existing building. The shelter is currently being run out of a...
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New program training Indigenous housing inspectors in the North
By Claire McFarlane, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Cabin Radio When Stan Knight worked as an RCMP officer in northern Manitoba and Nunavut, he said he noticed the degree to which proper housing – or a lack thereof – can influence social issues. Now retired from police work, he started Zachary Knight Enterprises and the Inspector in a Box program to improve housing conditions and build a skilled workforce across the North. The program trains Indigenous home inspectors in isolated communities to document the condition of an existing home, then create a scope of work and list of repairs required to bring the home to a livable standard. While there is a fee to take the program, Knight said his company can help communities and First Nations apply for grants to...
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Mining in Nunavik depends on Inuit leadership, better transportation: professor
By Dominique Gené, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunatsiaq News While Nunavik can be a key contributor to Canada’s mining future, unlocking that potential requires better transportation to the south and the mobilization of a new generation of Inuit leaders, says a geologist and emeritus professor at the University of Quebec. Michel Jébrak opened the Nunavik Mineral Exploration Fund’s mining workshop in Kuujjuaq on Wednesday with a presentation on how global politics shape Arctic mining — especially in Nunavik. “Inuit communities must have the expertise, funding, and decision-making power to shape mining development,” he said in a French interview, after his talk. “Good development is development done by the people.” About 100 people attended Wednesday’s events, including mayors, landholders from several communities, representatives of the regional government, the Cree Nation of...
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Cocktail of pills, caffeine and fire retardant put B.C. chinook salmon at risk: study
British Columbia researchers found more than 200 contaminants in water and chinook salmon tissue samples collected from five sites in the Lower Fraser River estuary including everything from cocaine and antidepressants to caffeine and flame retardants. They say some of the “cocktail” that the juvenile fish are swimming in presents a possible risk to the young fish themselves and is concerning for the endangered whales that eat them. The study, to be published in Environmental Toxicology and Chemistry, is believed to be the largest screening of its kind in the Lower Fraser River and was done by researchers from the Fisheries Department, Simon Fraser University, the Raincoast Conservation Foundation and Environment and Climate Change Canada. Senior author Tanya Brown said of the contaminants found, 16 were deemed “priority contaminants,” meaning...
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College celebrates successes while navigating enrolment shifts
By Mike Stimpson, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, SNnewswatch.com THUNDER BAY — Confederation College has seen a steep drop in enrolment by international students, but college president Michelle Salo says the province has come through with more money to help soften the financial blow. The college’s 2026 Report to Community says the eight-campus institution had 3,456 full-time students enrolled in post-secondary programs in 2025-26, down by 870 from the previous year. International student enrolment dropped by more than 1,000 in those years, to 947 in 2025-26 from 2,014 in 2024-25. Salo acknowledged there has been “a significant decline in the international enrolment,” and it’s had an impact on college finances. “It definitely has a negative impact,” she said after presenting the community report to an audience in a college lecture theatre,...
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Alberta is to vote on whether to hold a separation referendum. Here’s how we got here
By Dayne Patterson Premier Danielle Smith announced Thursday that Albertans will be going to the polls Oct. 19 to vote on whether there should be a future binding referendum on the province quitting Canada. Here’s a timeline of pivotal moments in Alberta’s separatism debate: Oct. 28, 1980 — The federal government ignites widespread alienation in Alberta with the National Energy Program, which seeks to cushion the shock of high oil prices through a system that artificially depresses prices for the oil-dependent province. Albertans view it as a federal money grab. Feb. 17, 1982 — Gordon Kesler of the Western Canada Concept Party of Alberta wins a provincial byelection in the riding of Olds-Didsbury on a platform of Alberta separating from Canada. Later that year, he loses his seat in the...
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Referendum on a referendum: Albertans to vote on putting separation on another ballot
By Lisa Johnson and Jack Farrell Premier Danielle Smith says Albertans will be going to the polls in October to cast their vote on separation – but they won’t actually be voting on whether to separate. Instead, they’ll be choosing whether or not it’s time to hold a binding referendum on quitting Canada. Smith made the announcement in a televised address Thursday night, saying it’s the best solution to fight for the country while giving a justifiable voice to those who no longer feel that Canada works for them. “Kicking the can down the road only prolongs a very emotional and important debate,” Smith said in the pre-recorded speech. “Muzzling the voices of hundreds of thousands of Albertans wanting to be heard is unjustifiable in a free and democratic society....
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