Service Nunavut portal, more manufacturing among priorities for Government of Nunavut
By William Koblensky Varela, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Nunavut News More manufacturing investments and an online portal called Service Nunavut, where Nunavummiut can potentially access health cards and driver’s licences, are among a list of priorities tabled by Government of Nunavut on March 19. “The exact number of services or functions through that portal is yet to be finalized, but that’s the general gist — removing barriers to services,” Main said. He said the mandate was intentionally light on details, and an upcoming capital budget plan will allocate specific project timelines. Developing a made-in-Nunavut manufacturing strategy is another feature of the territorial government’s new mandate. “We do have some limited manufacturing in Nunavut, as you know, when it comes to processing fish, some other meat processing activities, but very limited...
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School registration policies a ‘barrier’ in Kanesatake
By Hadassah Alencar, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Eastern Door As the school registration period in Kanesatake comes to an end, school staff navigate the restrictions for funding on First Nations students who seek an education in Kanesatake. Since 2012, Indigenous Services Canada (ISC) only allows school funding for Indigenous children who live on Crown land within the J0N 1E0 postal code, a policy school staff say unduly restricts Indigenous children’s ability to learn in Indigenous communities. “It puts up a lot of barriers,” said Kimberly Simon, Ratihén:te High School principal. “There might be some Indigenous students that even live in Oka within the J0N 1E0 area code, but they might not live on Crown land, and or they might be living, let’s say, in a neighbouring town and maybe...
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Invasive grasses may pose deadly risk post-wildfire, UBC researcher says
By Marissa Birnie Invasive grasses are creeping into burnt landscapes years after wildfires and could fuel massive future fires that put people’s lives at risk, a University of British Columbia researcher says. Jennifer Grenz, an assistant professor in the department of forest resources management, co-authored a study that focuses on the aftermath of the McKay Creek wildfire, a 46,000-hectare fire that burned near Lillooet in 2021 during the record-breaking heat dome. The study, published this month in the journal “Fire Ecology,” took place in B.C.’s southern Interior, a region that includes dry forests and grassland and rugged terrain ranging from narrow valleys to tall ridges. Grenz said that while native plants were slow to recover two years after the fire, invasive grasses like cheatgrass are starting to grow onto bare...
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Chartrand speaks at Portage meeting on MMF investments
By Renee Lilley, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Portage Graphic Leader Manitoba Métis Federation (MMF) President David Chartrand has pledged new provincial investments in Portage la Prairie, including a daycare centre, pharmacy, housing and a permanent building for the local government, as the federation prepares for a historic “changemaker” year. Speaking to a crowd of approximately 150 citizens at a Portage Local meeting on March 18, Chartrand said the MMF is scouting locations in the city for a new hub. He noted that the federation is being strategic about the purchase to avoid price gouging. “Without a doubt, we’re coming to invest here in Portage la Prairie for the local and also for daycare centres,” Chartrand said, adding that the city’s Red River Métis community shows a “united front” that gives...
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Port Moody backs Indigenous housing resolution headed to UBCM
By Patrick Penner, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Tri-Cities Dispatch Port Moody council has unanimously endorsed a resolution from the Aboriginal Housing Management Association (AHMA) calling on the province to establish an Indigenous-led housing alliance aimed at tackling homelessness and housing instability for Indigenous people living off-reserve. The motion was approved March 10 following a delegation from AHMA communications and justice studies staffer, Kelly Moon, who asked the city to support the proposal as it advances toward the 2026 Union of B.C. Municipalities (UBCM) convention. The resolution urges the province to create an Indigenous-led, cross-sector housing alliance bringing together senior representatives from housing, health, justice, and social services, alongside Indigenous housing providers and municipalities. Moon told council AHMA’s members already play a major role in providing housing across the province, but...
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Regional chair highlights transit, housing, and innovation in Brock presentation
By Darryl Knight, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Standard Newspaper Regional priorities ranging from housing and transit to economic development and public safety were outlined during a recent update delivered to Brock Township. At council’s meeting on Monday, March 9, Regional Chair John Henry presented Brock councillors with the annual Regional Municipality of Durham update, offering a broad overview of major initiatives and the region’s long-term vision. Mr. Henry highlighted the region’s 10-year strategic plan, which focuses on building strong communities, supporting economic growth and ensuring regional services keep pace with population increases across Durham. “Durham Region continues to grow, and with that growth comes both opportunity and responsibility,” said Mr. Henry. “Our strategic plan is about making sure we build communities that are connected, inclusive and sustainable for generations...
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The great potato giveaway: Métis society looks to distribute 55,000 lbs of potatoes
By Ed Hitchins, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Energeticcity.ca FORT ST. JOHN, B.C. — Amid a snowfall on the first day of spring, locals in Fort St. John gathered around Fort St. John Métis Society offices to get their hands on potatoes. It is part of the society’s work with the Second Harvest donations program, a food rescue group which redirects unsold surplus food to local non-profit organizations, according to its website. Initially, the haul of spuds which came all the way from a Saskatchewan farm was as much as 55,000 lbs of potatoes, of which Chetwynd residents took 10,000 lbs to distribute to the district. Fort St. John Métis Society president, Alana Copeland, spoke to Energeticcity.ca about the large amount, which is being stored at Surerus Pipeline’s warehouses. “We got...
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Hawaii’s worst flooding in 20 years threatens dam, prompts evacuations as more rain looms
By Jennifer Sinco Kelleher And Audrey Mcavoy HONOLULU (AP) — As Hawaii endures its worst flooding in more than 20 years, officials are urging people in hard-hit areas to “LEAVE NOW.” The warning early Saturday came after heavy rains fell on soil already saturated by downpours from a winter storm a week ago. Still more rain was expected during the weekend, officials said. Muddy floodwaters smothered vast stretches of Oahu’s North Shore, a community world-renowned for its big-wave surfing. Raging waters lifted homes and cars and prompted evacuation orders for 5,500 people north of Honolulu. Authorities cautioned that a 120-year-old dam could fail. The National Weather Service issued a flash flood warning early Saturday with light to moderate showers expected to turn heavy in some places. Gov. Josh Green said...
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Amanda Lathlin, the first First Nations woman elected to Manitoba’s legislature, dies
A member of Manitoba’s government caucus and the first First Nations woman elected to the province’s legislature has died. The Manitoba NDP Caucus says in a statement Saturday that Amanda Lathlin, who represented the northern riding of The Pas—Kameesak, died at 49 after taking a leave of absence last month due to health issues. The statement says Lathlin was a former band councillor for Opaskwayak Cree Nation and in 2015 became the first First Nations woman ever elected to the legislature. It says she worked to advance legislation extending paid leave for mothers recovering from miscarriages and improving access to sexual assault care in northern communities. A cause of death was not given in the statement. Premier Wab Kinew says Lathlin helped pave the way for other Indigenous women to...
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Lake Huron expected to drop one foot below long-term average
By Jacqueline M. St. Pierre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Manitoulin Expositor MANITOULIN—The shoreline tells the truth long before policy reports do. Walk the beaches of Manitoulin in early spring and you begin to see it: the lake pulled back just a little farther from the rocks, docks stretching a few boards longer into the water, shoals rising where boaters remember deeper channels. It is not dramatic. Not yet. According to the US Corps of Army Engineers, Lake Huron is expected to be four to seven inches below last year’s levels and 11 to 12 inches below its long-term average. The latest monthly water level bulletin from the Canadian Hydrographic Service, part of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, shows the Lake Michigan–Huron system—hydrologically one lake—sitting low in its long-term seasonal average...
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Lake Huron expected to drop one foot below long-term average
by Jacqueline M. St. Pierre, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Manitoulin Expositor MANITOULIN—The shoreline tells the truth long before policy reports do. Walk the beaches of Manitoulin in early spring and you begin to see it: the lake pulled back just a little farther from the rocks, docks stretching a few boards longer into the water, shoals rising where boaters remember deeper channels. It is not dramatic. Not yet. According to the US Corps of Army Engineers, Lake Huron is expected to be four to seven inches below last year’s levels and 11 to 12 inches below its long-term average. The latest monthly water level bulletin from the Canadian Hydrographic Service, part of Fisheries and Oceans Canada, shows the Lake Michigan–Huron system—hydrologically one lake—sitting low in its long-term seasonal average...
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Gov. Gen. Mary Simon honours broadcaster, sex worker champion at Rideau Hall
By The Canadian Press A former Supreme Court justice, a medical pioneer, a broadcaster and a champion for sex workers joined the Order of Canada during a ceremony at Rideau Hall on Thursday. Gov. Gen. Mary Simon said it’s a privilege to present these individuals with their awards as their names join a long list of distinguished Canadians who have helped the country “move together toward reconciliation, truth and inclusion.” “You push boundaries and inspire us to reach higher, and through acts of generosity that support people in need, you remind us of the power of compassion,” Simon said during her speech at Thursday’s investiture ceremony. Retired Supreme Court justice Rosalie Silberman Abella was invested as a companion of the Order of Canada for her work on constitutional law, and...
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KSCS hits one-year mark for First Nations Child and Family Services Settlement Agreement
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Kahnawake Shakotiia’takehnhas Community Services (KSCS) has reached the one-year mark since the start of the claims period for the First Nations Child and Family Services Settlement Agreement. Louise Mayo, the First Nations Child and Family Services liaison officer with KSCS, says she has spent the past year working in the community to raise awareness about the settlement and ensure eligible community members know they can apply. “Our goal is to try to get as much as 100 percent coverage as possible so that by the year 2028 everyone in the community is aware of this settlement agreement and has the choice to apply or not,” Mayo said. This includes anyone impacted by the removal of a child through a child welfare agency...
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Tewatohnhi’saktha Launches Indigenous Women Entrepreneur Fund
By Lucas-Matthew Marsh, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, Iori:wase Tewatohnhi’saktha launched a new loan and grant program designed to help Indigenous women entrepreneurs start and grow their business. Katsi’tsaié:ri Paul, Tewatohnhi’saktha’s Indigenous Women Entrepreneur Project Development Officer, explained that the Indigenous Women Entrepreneur Fund will support participants from the earliest stages of developing a business plan through to launching and operating their business. “The program is here to support Indigenous women entrepreneurs from the idea stage all the way to running their business,” Paul said. According to Paul, the fund was created to help address the systemic barriers that disproportionately impact Indigenous women when trying to start businesses. “The challenges for Indigenous women include balancing family responsibilities and sometimes not being taken seriously by banks or the community,” Paul said. Tewatohnhi’saktha...
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First Nation seeks transparency as questions loom over Sarnia, Ont., pipeline leak
By Jordan Omstead The size of a Sarnia, Ont., pipeline leak remained unclear days after it was first reported, a nearby First Nation said as it issued a call for transparency. Aamjiwnaang First Nation demanded answers about a March 11 spill it said took place along the southern fence line of Suncor’s Sarnia refinery last week, adjacent to its reserve. In a news release this week, the First Nation said reports confirm it led fuel product to leak into the ground and St. Clair River. “There is no end in sight. No cause of the leak has been reported to Aamjiwnaang, and we still do not know how large of a spill occurred,” the First Nation’s statement read Tuesday. “Aamjiwnaang demands answers.” Suncor says its preliminary investigation indicated the source...
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Highways should be part of Canadian defence: NOMA
By Sandi Krasowski, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter, The Chronicle-Journal In a recent letter to Prime Minister Mark Carney, the Northwestern Ontario Municipal Association (NOMA) urges the federal government to recognize Highway 11, Highway 17, and the Highway 11/17 corridor as critical national infrastructure by designating the corridor as dual-use transportation infrastructure that supports both civilian mobility and national defence readiness. Rick Dumas, mayor of Marathon and NOMA president, referred to a Carney announcement for Canada to reach five per cent for defence spending by 2035. “We believe that the critical infrastructure of Canada is the Trans-Canada corridor. And we’re looking at a dual purpose and dual use of the highway to simply move our military as well as our civilians, up and down the Trans-Canada corridor,” he said. “A serious...
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Vancouver Island First Nations gain control of three Clayoquot Sound forestry areas
By Brenna Owen Tyson Atleo, a hereditary leader of the Ahousaht First Nation, says the creation of three new forestry areas to be managed by his community and two others on the west coast of Vancouver Island marks the realization of a long-standing promise. Atleo recalls assuring the community more than 15 years ago that “we would find a pathway forward to regaining control over some of our forest resources.” The vision is to manage the forests of Clayoquot Sound, a globally recognized biosphere that includes Tofino, B.C., in a way that reflects the nation’s interest in ecological integrity and balance it with access to economic opportunity, he said. The total combined area of the three new tree farm licenses is about 52,000 hectares, with Ahousaht set to manage about...
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Manitoba NDP, Tories trade accusations and insults in testy legislature session
By Steve Lambert Insults and accusations have been flying in the Manitoba legislature this week in an atmosphere so noisy that Speaker Tom Lindsey has complained that he is having a hard time hearing what’s being said. The governing New Democrats accused Opposition Progressive Conservative Leader Obby Khan on Tuesday of using bigoted and transphobic language, after he criticized Health Minister Uzoma Asagwara. The NDP accused Khan of uttering the phrase “whatever you are” to Asagwara, who is non-binary, and calling Asagwara a terrible person. The alleged remark was made while politicians were yelling and heckling, and did not register on a recording of the proceedings. Khan denied the accusation Tuesday and elaborated on Wednesday. He told reporters he was telling the NDP to repeat their comments outside the legislature...
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Critics urge Ottawa to help Inuit resist Chinese surveillance, economic dependence
By Dylan Robertson The Carney government is leaving Inuit communities at risk of Chinese surveillance and economic dependence and isn’t facing up to the threat China poses to the North, critics say. “Inuit communities are central to the challenge. Yet they are often not provided with the resources, information or technical support needed to fully assess these complex Chinese investment proposals,” said Elizabeth Donkervoort, director of the China Strategic Risks Institute think tank. “We need to make sure that Inuit and Indigenous communities are genuine partners in addressing these issues,” she told a March 9 news conference on Parliament Hill. Donkervoort’s group released a report earlier this month arguing that Ottawa must help Inuit resist Beijing’s attempts to extend its influence across the Canadian Arctic. The report says those attempts...
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N.S. Oscar winner Tamara Deverell says province’s cuts to arts will hurt the economy
By Devin Stevens One of Nova Scotia’s newest Oscar winners says the provincial government’s decision to cut funding for arts and culture will not only impact the development of young talent, but will also hurt the economy. Tamara Deverell won the Academy Award for production design along with Dartmouth set decorator Shane Vieau over the weekend for the pair’s work on director Guillermo del Toro’s Frankenstein. Her win comes a few weeks after the province tabled a budget with more than $130-million in grant reductions, including the scrapping of millions of dollars for the arts and culture sector. After public backlash, Premier Tim Houston’s government reversed more than $50-million worth of cuts to programs impacting people with disabilities, African Nova Scotians and Indigenous groups, but reductions to arts programs remain...
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