nationalobserver--2020-05-21--COVID-19 pandemic highlights need for more public toilets

The COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting the need for more public toilets in communities across Canada , particularly as softening restrictions encourage people to spend more time outside their homes , advocates and experts say .
The health crisis is drawing broader attention to an issue that has long been a barrier for racialized , trans and disabled people , as well those dealing with homelessness or poverty , the experts say .
Scarce access to washrooms was recently raised as a hurdle for essential workers , such as transit and truck drivers who could no longer rely on coffee shops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ closed .
In the early days of Ontario 's lockdown , Toronto Mayor John Tory pleaded with shuttered businesses to allow essential workers to use their bathrooms .
But as some provinces begin to reopen their economies — and residents increasingly venture outside — the demand for restrooms will rise , even though commercial facilities will remain largely off-limits , said Lezlie Lowe , author of `` No Place To Go : How Public Toilets Fail Our Private Needs . ''
• Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the school year , no overnight summer camps `` We do n't have this tradition of on-street , accessible , paid-for-by-municipal-governments bathroom provision .
What we have in Canada is , we have Starbucks and Tim Hortons and McDonald 's and the other cafes and restaurants involved that we go into , '' she said .
`` We really consider those public toilets , but they 're not — they 're publicly accessible toilets , they 're effectively customer toilets . ''
With those still out of commission , `` people are going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the face and realize , 'Oh my god , I was making do all this time with these publicly accessible toilets , ' and now people will hopefully start to realize how bad it is , '' she said .
The dearth of public toilets could also undermine the economic recovery by preventing people from staying out longer and spending more money , Lowe said .
Some Canadian cities , including Toronto and Ottawa , have installed temporary portable washrooms and handwashing stations to help offset the closure of commercial and civic spaces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ opportunities to locate additional portable toilets and handwashing stations at strategic locations across the city , '' Toronto Coun .
Joe Cressy wrote in announcing the new facilities earlier this month .
COVID-19 pandemic highlights need for more public toilets , experts say In Prince George , B.C.
, municipal officials have reopened public washrooms in a downtown plaza for the duration of the pandemic , with the facilities in operation and monitored in the mornings and evenings .
While so-called porta-potties serve an important purpose , they do n't fulfill the same @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which are often used for child care , administering medication and other things , said Emily Scoular , who wrote her master 's thesis at the University of British Columbia on public washrooms .
The costs of building and maintaining public toilets have typically been a deterrent for municipalities , but Scoular said the current situation shows a need to rethink how much of that responsibility has been relegated to private business .
`` You 're asking people to be healthy , leave their homes , get exercise , participate in the public @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and city facilities need to kind of come and meet us on that , '' she said .
`` I know Toronto and Vancouver are closing streets to allow ( physical ) distancing , and that 's one thing that encourages people to leave their houses , but another is making sure needs are met . ''
For some advocates whose calls for more public toilets vastly predate the pandemic , the attention recently given to the issue is an encouraging first step .
`` Maybe this is what it takes to get @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including toilets , '' those behind Ottawa 's `` GottaGo ! ''
campaign wrote in a recent op-ed published in a local community newspaper .
`` A crisis can be an opportunity , so now is the time for all of us to advocate for a network of public toilets that include running water and soap for handwashing . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 21 , 2020 .

The COVID-19 pandemic is highlighting the need for more public toilets in communities across Canada, particularly as softening restrictions encourage people to spend more time outside their homes, advocates and experts say. The health crisis is drawing broader attention to an issue that has long been a barrier for racialized, trans and disabled people, as well those dealing with homelessness or poverty, the experts say. Scarce access to washrooms was recently raised as a hurdle for essential workers, such as transit and truck drivers who could no longer rely on coffee shops and other businesses once those were ordered closed. In the early days of Ontario's lockdown, Toronto Mayor John Tory pleaded with shuttered businesses to allow essential workers to use their bathrooms. But as some provinces begin to reopen their economies — and residents increasingly venture outside — the demand for restrooms will rise, even though commercial facilities will remain largely off-limits, said Lezlie Lowe, author of "No Place To Go: How Public Toilets Fail Our Private Needs."
"We don't have this tradition of on-street, accessible, paid-for-by-municipal-governments bathroom provision. What we have in Canada is, we have Starbucks and Tim Hortons and McDonald's and the other cafes and restaurants involved that we go into," she said. "We really consider those public toilets, but they're not — they're publicly accessible toilets, they're effectively customer toilets." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions With those still out of commission, "people are going to have a sort of slap in the face and realize, 'Oh my god, I was making do all this time with these publicly accessible toilets,' and now people will hopefully start to realize how bad it is," she said.
The dearth of public toilets could also undermine the economic recovery by preventing people from staying out longer and spending more money, Lowe said. COVID-19 pandemic highlights need for more public toilets, experts say Some Canadian cities, including Toronto and Ottawa, have installed temporary portable washrooms and handwashing stations to help offset the closure of commercial and civic spaces. "The city continues to explore opportunities to locate additional portable toilets and handwashing stations at strategic locations across the city," Toronto Coun. Joe Cressy wrote in announcing the new facilities earlier this month. In Prince George, B.C., municipal officials have reopened public washrooms in a downtown plaza for the duration of the pandemic, with the facilities in operation and monitored in the mornings and evenings. While so-called porta-potties serve an important purpose, they don't fulfill the same range of needs as permanent facilities, which are often used for child care, administering medication and other things, said Emily Scoular, who wrote her master's thesis at the University of British Columbia on public washrooms.
The costs of building and maintaining public toilets have typically been a deterrent for municipalities, but Scoular said the current situation shows a need to rethink how much of that responsibility has been relegated to private business. "You're asking people to be healthy, leave their homes, get exercise, participate in the public realm, and I think the city and city facilities need to kind of come and meet us on that," she said. "I know Toronto and Vancouver are closing streets to allow (physical) distancing, and that's one thing that encourages people to leave their houses, but another is making sure needs are met."


nationalobserver--2020-05-21--Canadian Latvia mission continues despite COVID-19

On a recent day in Latvia , a group of Canadian soldiers left a military base near the capital city of Riga .
The column drove about 30 kilometres where they set up and , at one point over the next couple of days , fought back a simulated attack before packing up and returning home .
While a staple of Canadian military training in normal times , this particular exercise was unusual in that most other activities by the Canadian Armed Forces at home and abroad have been suspended or scaled way back in recent months because of COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's three-year-old mission in Latvia is unusual these days , in part because little has actually changed .
Those on the front lines say that is a reflection of how the purpose of the mission — defending eastern Europe from Russian aggression — remains arguably more relevant than ever due to fears Moscow might try to take advantage of the pandemic to advance its own agenda .
`` It is very important to keep that presence because we have not seen any scaling back of Russian forces , '' Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadian Press .
• Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and the economy • Ontario cancels rest of the school year , no overnight summer camps `` There is still an ongoing situation .
Yes , it is probably not as tense as it used to be .
...
But at the same time we are in a situation where we should n't relax and we should n't get complacent .
That is something that the alliance understands and our Canadian friends understand . ''
Canada has 540 troops @ @ @ @ @ @ @ core of a 1,500-strong multinational battlegroup established by the NATO military alliance three years ago .
Similar battlegroups led by Britain , Germany and the U.S. have been established in Estonia , Lithuania and Poland , respectively .
The battlegroups were created after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and began to support separatist forces in Ukraine 's eastern regions .
That sparked concerns the Kremlin could launch similar efforts against the Baltics and other parts of eastern Europe .
The battlegroups are designed to defend against a Russian invasion , but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certainly be overwhelmed in a real war .
Instead , their main utility is to deter against Russian aggression , with the idea that an attack on one would draw in all of NATO .
The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the Canadian Armed Forces to suspend or scale back its operations around the world , including in Ukraine and Iraq where the military has been training local forces .
Thousands of military personnel have been told to stay home in Canada .
At the same time , Canadian military commanders warned early in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to take advantage of COVID-19 by striking while governments around the world are distracted by the pandemic .
Canadian troops in Latvia stay on target as COVID-19 upends other missions The Canadian-led battlegroup in Latvia has been forced to adjust some of its practices because of COVID-19 as well .
Those include more physical distancing , handwashing and having 60 soldiers go through their base , Camp Adazi , disinfecting surfaces every two hours .
Large gatherings such as military parades have also been suspended , while training exercises that once saw Canadian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ battlegroup interact with the local population now steer clear of the public .
`` But we are getting out , '' said Col. Eric Laforest , the commander of the battlegroup , which includes troops from eight other NATO nations .
`` Training keeps on going as you would suspect with the full battlegroup of nine nations and the training just goes as planned .
Commanders have also decided to go ahead with plans to replace the Canadian troops currently in Latvia with a new contingent in mid-July .
Unlike in Ukraine , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fort until COVID-19 ends , there are no plans to scale back the Latvia mission .
`` It was clear from my point of view as a commander here that we could n't change our format , '' Laforest said in an interview .
`` We put proposals back to Ottawa about what a modified mission could look like , but those were dismissed very rapidly .
Everyone realized this mission is different and we are here for the long run and we can actually sustain the operation despite this COVID-constrained environment .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Latvian government , which is worried about the message a reduction would send to Russia .
`` It is very important that there is no change to the size of the Canadian-led battlegroup because that would create the impression our alliance is changing its policy , '' Rinkevics said .
`` That could leave the impression that ( Russia ) can try to test our borders one more time . ''
Canada has committed to leading the battlegroup in Latvia until at least March 2023 .
NATO and European officials have accused @ @ @ @ @ @ @ readiness during COVID-19 , particularly during the early days of the pandemic when the country had only a small number of positive cases .
British warships shadowed seven Russian vessels as they transitted the English Channel and North Sea in March .
NATO intercepted several Russian military aircraft as they approached allied airspace .
There have also been reports of an uptick in Russian misinformation .
Yet Russia has since been hit hard by COVID-19 , with more than 300,000 positive cases .
That represents the second highest number of cases in one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 3,000 people in Russia have died from the respiratory illness .
Rinkevics nonetheless emphasized the importance of maintaining the battlegroup , particularly as Russia has continued to conduct exercises on its side of the border with Latvia despite COVID-19 .
`` It is very important to keep that presence because we have not seen any scaling back of Russian forces , '' he said .
`` We are not out of the woods at all . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21 , 2020 .

On a recent day in Latvia, a group of Canadian soldiers left a military base near the capital city of Riga. The column drove about 30 kilometres where they set up and, at one point over the next couple of days, fought back a simulated attack before packing up and returning home. While a staple of Canadian military training in normal times, this particular exercise was unusual in that most other activities by the Canadian Armed Forces at home and abroad have been suspended or scaled way back in recent months because of COVID-19. In fact, everything about Canada's three-year-old mission in Latvia is unusual these days, in part because little has actually changed. Those on the front lines say that is a reflection of how the purpose of the mission — defending eastern Europe from Russian aggression — remains arguably more relevant than ever due to fears Moscow might try to take advantage of the pandemic to advance its own agenda. "It is very important to keep that presence because we have not seen any scaling back of Russian forces," Latvian Foreign Minister Edgars Rinkevics said in an interview with The Canadian Press.
"There is still an ongoing situation. Yes, it is probably not as tense as it used to be. ... But at the same time we are in a situation where we shouldn't relax and we shouldn't get complacent. That is something that the alliance understands and our Canadian friends understand." Canada has 540 troops in Latvia, where they form the core of a 1,500-strong multinational battlegroup established by the NATO military alliance three years ago. Similar battlegroups led by Britain, Germany and the U.S. have been established in Estonia, Lithuania and Poland, respectively. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The battlegroups were created after Russia annexed Crimea from Ukraine in 2014 and began to support separatist forces in Ukraine's eastern regions. That sparked concerns the Kremlin could launch similar efforts against the Baltics and other parts of eastern Europe.
The battlegroups are designed to defend against a Russian invasion, but their small size means they would almost certainly be overwhelmed in a real war. Instead, their main utility is to deter against Russian aggression, with the idea that an attack on one would draw in all of NATO. Canadian troops in Latvia stay on target as COVID-19 upends other missions The COVID-19 pandemic has forced the Canadian Armed Forces to suspend or scale back its operations around the world, including in Ukraine and Iraq where the military has been training local forces. Thousands of military personnel have been told to stay home in Canada. At the same time, Canadian military commanders warned early in the pandemic that potential adversaries might try to take advantage of COVID-19 by striking while governments around the world are distracted by the pandemic. The Canadian-led battlegroup in Latvia has been forced to adjust some of its practices because of COVID-19 as well. Those include more physical distancing, handwashing and having 60 soldiers go through their base, Camp Adazi, disinfecting surfaces every two hours. Large gatherings such as military parades have also been suspended, while training exercises that once saw Canadian troops and other members of the NATO battlegroup interact with the local population now steer clear of the public.
"But we are getting out," said Col. Eric Laforest, the commander of the battlegroup, which includes troops from eight other NATO nations. "Training keeps on going as you would suspect with the full battlegroup of nine nations and the training just goes as planned. Commanders have also decided to go ahead with plans to replace the Canadian troops currently in Latvia with a new contingent in mid-July. Unlike in Ukraine, where a small force is holding the fort until COVID-19 ends, there are no plans to scale back the Latvia mission. "It was clear from my point of view as a commander here that we couldn't change our format," Laforest said in an interview.


nationalobserver--2020-05-21--Pandemic response hampered by lack of data-sharing

Difficulties gathering federal data on the spread of COVID-19 has hampered Canada 's response to the pandemic , experts told Members of Parliament over several hours of scathing testimony Wednesday .
The criticism of Canada 's method of gathering crucial information about the number of cases came from several witnesses at the House of Commons health committee .
Canada has struggled to get real-time epidemiological information about how many people have the disease , who they are and what kinds of people are affected the most .
The problem is not new , said University of Toronto epidemiologist David Fisman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ found the lack of data-sharing among provinces in Canada astounding .
`` I ’ ve called it a culture of 'data hugging ' in Canada , and it does need to change .
It harms us all , '' he told the committee .
• Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and the economy • Ontario cancels rest of the school year , no overnight summer camps His team has become accustomed to dealing with data other countries might consider garbage , and they have dubbed themselves `` data @ @ @ @ @ @ @ data is gathered by local jurisdictions , where it 's then communicated to provincial health authorities which finally send it on to the Public Health Agency of Canada .
Often , the information is collected in paper records and faxed up the chain .
But it does n't have to be that way , said University of Ottawa law professor Amir Attaran , who specializes in public health .
`` I believe our most fundamental failing is that pandemic responses are handicapped by a mythological , schismatic , view of federalism , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ epidemiological data , or do a horrid job of testing , collectively we grumble , shrug , and mutter that 'health is provincial ' .
But this is actually wrong . ''
He said the federal cabinet could compel provinces to share their information , but it has n't .
He compared the situation to a map of a minefield the entire country must travel through , with each province holding a small piece .
`` I think you ’ d probably want to know a map of the entire minefield , not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if you were setting out on a journey , '' he said .
A report by the National Advisory Committee on SARS and Public Health warned about Canada 's poor data collection and sharing in the wake of the 2003 outbreak in Ontario .
There was an attempt several years ago to create a better data-sharing program between provinces and the federal government , but it did n't work , Attaran said .
He told the committee it was developed by IBM , the same company responsible for the Phoenix pay system that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ servants .
The experts agreed Canada 's ability to collect timely and accessible information about the pandemic has been a failure .
At an earlier briefing Wednesday , chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said the most important thing is that local jurisdictions have the data they need to respond to outbreaks .
But she acknowledged there are deficiencies in getting that information at the federal level .
`` It is important to get the national picture and to be able to provide that to policy makers as well .
We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ need and are asking for now is more what we call disaggregation , more in depth analysis , '' she said .
`` If you 're fine-tuning your policies to support vulnerable populations that ’ s important . ''
She said the issue is on the radar of Canada 's premiers .

Difficulties gathering federal data on the spread of COVID-19 has hampered Canada's response to the pandemic, experts told Members of Parliament over several hours of scathing testimony Wednesday. The criticism of Canada's method of gathering crucial information about the number of cases came from several witnesses at the House of Commons health committee. Canada has struggled to get real-time epidemiological information about how many people have the disease, who they are and what kinds of people are affected the most. The problem is not new, said University of Toronto epidemiologist David Fisman, who has for a long time found the lack of data-sharing among provinces in Canada astounding. "I’ve called it a culture of 'data hugging' in Canada, and it does need to change. It harms us all," he told the committee.
His team has become accustomed to dealing with data other countries might consider garbage, and they have dubbed themselves "data raccoons." The problem is that data is gathered by local jurisdictions, where it's then communicated to provincial health authorities which finally send it on to the Public Health Agency of Canada. Often, the information is collected in paper records and faxed up the chain. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions But it doesn't have to be that way, said University of Ottawa law professor Amir Attaran, who specializes in public health.
"I believe our most fundamental failing is that pandemic responses are handicapped by a mythological, schismatic, view of federalism," he said. Pandemic response hampered by lack of data-sharing, committee hears "When provinces withhold epidemiological data, or do a horrid job of testing, collectively we grumble, shrug, and mutter that 'health is provincial'. But this is actually wrong." He said the federal cabinet could compel provinces to share their information, but it hasn't. He compared the situation to a map of a minefield the entire country must travel through, with each province holding a small piece. "I think you’d probably want to know a map of the entire minefield, not just your little patch of it, if you were setting out on a journey," he said.
A report by the National Advisory Committee on SARS and Public Health warned about Canada's poor data collection and sharing in the wake of the 2003 outbreak in Ontario. There was an attempt several years ago to create a better data-sharing program between provinces and the federal government, but it didn't work, Attaran said. He told the committee it was developed by IBM, the same company responsible for the Phoenix pay system that has proven a nightmare for federal public servants. The experts agreed Canada's ability to collect timely and accessible information about the pandemic has been a failure.


nationalobserver--2020-05-21--Quadra Island cenotaph plaque stolen in property theft spike

Quadra Island RCMP says four times as many thefts have been reported to police compared to this same time last year .
Cpl .
Sean Bulford , Quadra Island RCMP detachment commander , said the overall numbers aren ’ t high but the rate of the increase is significant .
“ Percentage wise , it ’ s a large increase in a place like this , ” said Bulford on Wednesday .
The Quadra detachment , which also polices neighbouring Cortes , Read , and Rendezvous islands , responded to 127 calls for service including 12 reports of theft , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year , Bulford said .
That compared to 136 calls for service and only three reported thefts in the same period last year , he added .
• Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and the economy • Ontario cancels rest of the school year , no overnight summer camps Another anomaly is that the recent thefts involve higher value items , which is unusual for the islands , he said .
More than five thousand dollars in construction materials were stolen from various government wharves and storage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( CIHA ) reported .
RCMP is investigating the theft of expensive tools from a construction site on Quadra as well as a dirt bike stolen from a home on the island .
But the most egregious example of the recent crime rash involved the theft a memorial plaque from the Quadra Legion ’ s cenotaph on West Road , said Bulford .
“ This theft , however , is in a category of its own , and is especially low , ” Bulford stated in a press release Friday .
“ This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ officer called on the suspect to rethink their actions , the impacts on the community and to return the plaque immediately .
“ This theft , however , is in a category of its own , and is especially low .
This was an epic loser move , ” RCMP Cpl .
Sean Bulford on the robbery of a memorial plaque from the Quadra Island Legion 's cenotaph during a recent spike in property crime .
Tom Vaniderstine , Royal Canadian Legion Branch 154 president , said the island was outraged by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think you want to know all the four-letter words I heard , ” Vaniderstine said .
“ People were pretty angry.
” The crime not only disrespected veterans ’ memory , but also was an attack on the Legion , a non-profit that fundraises for the island ’ s causes and provides a hall for many of its significant events , he said .
“ Whether it ’ s funerals , weddings , or memorials ; we ’ ve touched the lives of every family on the island , ” Vaniderstine observed .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to return the plaque to the Legion over the weekend , he said .
A branch member discovered the plaque on the hall 's deck , after it was dropped off anonymously over the weekend .
Though the plaque appears to be copper or bronze , it ’ s actually plastic , and is probably another reason it was returned , said Vaniderstine .
“ They returned it and I suppose that says something , but I ’ m assuming they didn ’ t do it out of the kindness of their heart @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it had any melt value , it probably wouldn ’ t be back.
” The plaque was in good shape and will be re-affixed to the cenotaph , built for the Quadra Legion by volunteers from the 191 Construction Engineering Flight sub-unit of 19 Wing Comox .
The uptick in crime on Quadra is likely due to one or two prolific offenders , said Bulford .
It ’ s too early to say if crimes are on the increase due to desperation driven by the COVID-19 pandemic , or if it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , adding most property crime is fuelled by illicit drug use .
The tools stolen from the construction site were recently located abandoned along the side of Granite Bay Road in the North part of the island , he said .
The tools were marked by the construction company , and the thief likely found they were too hard to sell and so dumped them in a remote area , said Bulford .
Jenny Hartwick , CIHA harbour manager , said the custom aluminum brackets for the Squirrel Harbour dock that went missing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside the home of CIHA board member after the thefts went public .
However , some large timbers and other important construction materials are still missing .
There is the off chance that someone took some of the older timber from various sites thinking it wasn ’ t going to be used , and they were recycling it , said Hartwick .
“ I want to look on the positive side , and hope someone in our community wouldn ’ t intentionally take materials used to support infrastructure that benefits the whole island @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large beams that went missing was slated for the Whaletown dock , so those repairs will inevitably be delayed , Harwick said .
Custom-made aluminum brackets to repair of the Squirrel Cove dock ( above ) were anonymously returned after their theft from Cortes Island Harbour Authority ( CIHA ) went public .
Photo : courtesy of CIHA .
Stealing the 10 x 10 , 20-foot beam was risky move , said Bulford .
It would have required at least two people and a truck to move , and it will likely be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Despite the recent numbers , property crime on Quadra and Cortes is typically lower than other rural communities because the ferry system acts as a bottleneck for off-island thieves .
“ Most rural crime occurs in communities closer to adjacent roads or nearby larger urban centres , ” said Bulford .
Property thefts usually take place at night , and suspects wanting to get off island the next day risk being picked up by cameras or police at the ferry terminal .
Most police calls on Quadra involve disturbances such as reports of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Bulford said .
There ’ s not a lot a serious crime on the islands , but rather a strong sense of community with people who are primarily welcoming and honest , he added .
Officers posted to the detachment enjoy working on the islands .
“ We don ’ t see the constant barrage of negative interactions that can occur in other bigger , busier centres , ” said Bulford .
Members posted on Quadra have worked some difficult postings to get the opportunity to be stationed on the island , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ anonymous gift of four ornamental trees to the detachment as an example of the kindness in the community .
There was no note or explanation , so officers didn ’ t know if they were items found by a resident who then left them at the station .
But after a week , the RCMP determined the trees were meant to be a gift .
As a result , the detachment decided to dedicate the Japanese maple in honour of RCMP Cst .
Heidi Stevenson .
The officer , mother and wife , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gunman who killed 22 people during a rampage in Nova Scotia in April .
“ We ’ ve planted the trees , and we ’ re going to put a little plaque up there by the maple in Cst .
Stevenson ’ s memory , ” Bulford said .

That compared to 136 calls for service and only three reported thefts in the same period last year, he added.
The Quadra detachment, which also polices neighbouring Cortes, Read, and Rendezvous islands, responded to 127 calls for service including 12 reports of theft, between March 1 and May 1 of this year, Bulford said.
“Percentage wise, it’s a large increase in a place like this,” said Bulford on Wednesday.
Cpl. Sean Bulford, Quadra Island RCMP detachment commander, said the overall numbers aren’t high but the rate of the increase is significant.
Quadra Island RCMP says four times as many thefts have been reported to police compared to this same time last year.
RCMP is investigating the theft of expensive tools from a construction site on Quadra as well as a dirt bike stolen from a home on the island.
More than five thousand dollars in construction materials were stolen from various government wharves and storage locations, the Cortes Island Harbour Authority (CIHA) reported.
Another anomaly is that the recent thefts involve higher value items, which is unusual for the islands, he said.
“I don’t think you want to know all the four-letter words I heard,” Vaniderstine said. “People were pretty angry.”
Tom Vaniderstine, Royal Canadian Legion Branch 154 president, said the island was outraged by the theft.
The officer called on the suspect to rethink their actions, the impacts on the community and to return the plaque immediately.
“This theft, however, is in a category of its own, and is especially low,” Bulford stated in a press release Friday. “This was an epic loser move.”
But the most egregious example of the recent crime rash involved the theft a memorial plaque from the Quadra Legion’s cenotaph on West Road, said Bulford.
Community fury probably helped motivate the thief to return the plaque to the Legion over the weekend, he said.
“Whether it’s funerals, weddings, or memorials; we’ve touched the lives of every family on the island,” Vaniderstine observed.
The crime not only disrespected veterans’ memory, but also was an attack on the Legion, a non-profit that fundraises for the island’s causes and provides a hall for many of its significant events, he said.
A branch member discovered the plaque on the hall's deck, after it was dropped off anonymously over the weekend.
Though the plaque appears to be copper or bronze, it’s actually plastic, and is probably another reason it was returned, said Vaniderstine.
“They returned it and I suppose that says something, but I’m assuming they didn’t do it out of the kindness of their heart,” he said.
“If it had any melt value, it probably wouldn’t be back.”
The plaque was in good shape and will be re-affixed to the cenotaph, built for the Quadra Legion by volunteers from the 191 Construction Engineering Flight sub-unit of 19 Wing Comox.
The uptick in crime on Quadra is likely due to one or two prolific offenders, said Bulford.
It’s too early to say if crimes are on the increase due to desperation driven by the COVID-19 pandemic, or if it’s just a momentary jump, he said, adding most property crime is fuelled by illicit drug use.
The tools stolen from the construction site were recently located abandoned along the side of Granite Bay Road in the North part of the island, he said.
The tools were marked by the construction company, and the thief likely found they were too hard to sell and so dumped them in a remote area, said Bulford.
Jenny Hartwick, CIHA harbour manager, said the custom aluminum brackets for the Squirrel Harbour dock that went missing in the robberies, also mysteriously reappeared outside the home of CIHA board member after the thefts went public.
However, some large timbers and other important construction materials are still missing.
There is the off chance that someone took some of the older timber from various sites thinking it wasn’t going to be used, and they were recycling it, said Hartwick.
“I want to look on the positive side, and hope someone in our community wouldn’t intentionally take materials used to support infrastructure that benefits the whole island,” she said.
One of large beams that went missing was slated for the Whaletown dock, so those repairs will inevitably be delayed, Harwick said.
Custom-made aluminum brackets to repair of the Squirrel Cove dock (above) were anonymously returned after their theft from Cortes Island Harbour Authority (CIHA) went public. Photo: courtesy of CIHA.
Stealing the 10 x 10, 20-foot beam was risky move, said Bulford.
It would have required at least two people and a truck to move, and it will likely be difficult to get off the island.
Despite the recent numbers, property crime on Quadra and Cortes is typically lower than other rural communities because the ferry system acts as a bottleneck for off-island thieves.
“Most rural crime occurs in communities closer to adjacent roads or nearby larger urban centres,” said Bulford.
Property thefts usually take place at night, and suspects wanting to get off island the next day risk being picked up by cameras or police at the ferry terminal.
Most police calls on Quadra involve disturbances such as reports of yelling, fighting, arguments or parties, Bulford said.
There’s not a lot a serious crime on the islands, but rather a strong sense of community with people who are primarily welcoming and honest, he added.
Officers posted to the detachment enjoy working on the islands.
“We don’t see the constant barrage of negative interactions that can occur in other bigger, busier centres,” said Bulford.
Members posted on Quadra have worked some difficult postings to get the opportunity to be stationed on the island, he added.
Bulford cited a recent anonymous gift of four ornamental trees to the detachment as an example of the kindness in the community.
There was no note or explanation, so officers didn’t know if they were items found by a resident who then left them at the station.
But after a week, the RCMP determined the trees were meant to be a gift.
As a result, the detachment decided to dedicate the Japanese maple in honour of RCMP Cst. Heidi Stevenson.
The officer, mother and wife, was killed during a confrontation with a gunman who killed 22 people during a rampage in Nova Scotia in April.
“We’ve planted the trees, and we’re going to put a little plaque up there by the maple in Cst. Stevenson’s memory,” Bulford said.
Rochelle Baker/Local Journalism Initiative/Canada's National Observer


nationalobserver--2020-05-21--Montreal researchers are preparing to test potential COVID-19 vaccines

Montreal researchers have begun recruiting participants to test potential COVID-19 vaccines , a key step in the eventual production of a vaccine .
The Vaccine Study Centre at the McGill University Health Centre on Friday emailed out a request for research participants who wanted to be a part of future COVID-19 studies .
“ These are difficult times and many of us who are not on the front lines feel that we could do more and want to help … being a participant in important clinical research for COVID-19 is one of them , ” the email reads .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ future COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials , you are helping our MUHC researchers find a solution to stopping this deadly virus.
” The researchers encouraged recipients to share the email , hoping to gather a significant pool of potential candidates .
They ’ re preparing for clinical studies , which will probably begin in late June or early July , according to Dr. Brian Ward , director of the centre .
Researchers are racing to produce a viable COVID-19 vaccine and many of them will be ready to test their candidate vaccines on humans @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The MUHC ’ s vaccine centre will be among those that will coordinate the testing of the vaccines .
• Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and the economy • Ontario cancels rest of the school year , no overnight summer camps The initial studies will only require several dozen people and can be completed in a few weeks , Ward said .
It will start with a phone call .
A recruiter will screen willing participants to see if they meet the inclusion criteria .
If they do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some blood tests — to make sure they have no diseases they ’ re unaware of .
“ Basically , you just need to be normal healthy to participate in these early studies , ” Ward said .
Researchers will first test to see how much of the vaccine to give as a dose while monitoring the selected participants ’ health and understanding if it prompts the desired immune system reaction .
Full-scale testing of the vaccine ’ s effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 will take more people and more time .
Similar trials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is aware of six companies that are currently performing human trials of a COVID-19 vaccine .
One American firm , Moderna , began trials in mid-march and has already reported promising results , but the company says that a vaccine suitable for the general public is still many months away .
By the summer , Ward expects about a dozen more players will be ready to test their candidate vaccines in humans .
One such company , Medicago , is based in Quebec .
In addition to his duties at the MUHC , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Medicago .
He described the small company as a “ minnow ” in the global pharmaceutical ocean , but he was optimistic about the early progress they have made toward a vaccine .
Evidence suggests humans gain no lasting immunity after they ’ ve been infected by any of the common coronaviruses that circulated before SARS-cov-2 , Ward said , so a vaccine will probably be critical if society is to overcome the new virus .
But the existence of vaccines that work against COVID-19 will probably lead to division , Ward added @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s largest pharmaceutical companies can produce hundreds of millions of doses , the supply will be insufficient to inoculate the world .
First responders and health-care workers are the obvious choices to be the first to receive a vaccine , Ward said , but once they receive it there will be contention as to who gets it next .
The richest people , and the richest societies , will likely win that fight , Ward said , even though those who are poorest tend to be more gravely affected .
“ In the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ clear that it ’ s blacks and Hispanics who are getting creamed by this virus , ” Ward said .
“ That ’ s because they don ’ t have the liberty to work from home .
Is it going to be the African-American bus driver who gets the first dose of vaccine or is it going to be Donald Trump ’ s businessman buddy ?
”

Montreal researchers have begun recruiting participants to test potential COVID-19 vaccines, a key step in the eventual production of a vaccine. The Vaccine Study Centre at the McGill University Health Centre on Friday emailed out a request for research participants who wanted to be a part of future COVID-19 studies. “These are difficult times and many of us who are not on the front lines feel that we could do more and want to help … being a participant in important clinical research for COVID-19 is one of them,” the email reads. “By signing up to receive information on future COVID-19 vaccine clinical trials, you are helping our MUHC researchers find a solution to stopping this deadly virus.” The researchers encouraged recipients to share the email, hoping to gather a significant pool of potential candidates. They’re preparing for clinical studies, which will probably begin in late June or early July, according to Dr. Brian Ward, director of the centre. Researchers are racing to produce a viable COVID-19 vaccine and many of them will be ready to test their candidate vaccines on humans in the summer, Ward said. The MUHC’s vaccine centre will be among those that will coordinate the testing of the vaccines.
The initial studies will only require several dozen people and can be completed in a few weeks, Ward said. It will start with a phone call. A recruiter will screen willing participants to see if they meet the inclusion criteria. If they do, they will be invited to do some blood tests — to make sure they have no diseases they’re unaware of. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “Basically, you just need to be normal healthy to participate in these early studies,” Ward said.
Researchers will first test to see how much of the vaccine to give as a dose while monitoring the selected participants’ health and understanding if it prompts the desired immune system reaction. Full-scale testing of the vaccine’s effectiveness in preventing COVID-19 will take more people and more time. Montreal researchers are preparing to test potential COVID-19 vaccines Similar trials have already taken place elsewhere. Ward is aware of six companies that are currently performing human trials of a COVID-19 vaccine. One American firm, Moderna, began trials in mid-march and has already reported promising results, but the company says that a vaccine suitable for the general public is still many months away. By the summer, Ward expects about a dozen more players will be ready to test their candidate vaccines in humans. One such company, Medicago, is based in Quebec. In addition to his duties at the MUHC, Ward is the chief medical officer at Medicago. He described the small company as a “minnow” in the global pharmaceutical ocean, but he was optimistic about the early progress they have made toward a vaccine. Evidence suggests humans gain no lasting immunity after they’ve been infected by any of the common coronaviruses that circulated before SARS-cov-2, Ward said, so a vaccine will probably be critical if society is to overcome the new virus. But the existence of vaccines that work against COVID-19 will probably lead to division, Ward added, because even if the world’s largest pharmaceutical companies can produce hundreds of millions of doses, the supply will be insufficient to inoculate the world.


nationalobserver--2020-05-21--Will we embrace the silver lining of COVID-19?

Witnessing widespread suffering and death from the COVID-19 pandemic , it is hard to discern a positive .
Yet , alongside the dire statistics , the reports of anguish and torment , and the disruption , unusually positive lessons are being learned .
And not a moment too soon .
AIR Worldwide , which models catastrophe risks for the insurance industry , projected up to two million symptomatic cases of COVID-19 worldwide and deaths between 10,000 and 30,500 from March 18 to April 1 .
Consider the Italian community of Vo , site of the first death in that country @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , all 3,300 residents were tested , three per cent were infected – 40 per cent of them asymptomatic – and everyone was quarantined .
A repeat test found another 0.3 -per cent , all asymptomatic , and they too were quarantined .
There have been zero further cases .
Singapore and Taiwan , though close to China , have achieved amazingly low case counts and deaths without shuttering most business and social activities .
Political leaders around the world grasp that they achieved success through rapid , robust , comprehensive and community-centred @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Alongside dire # COVID19 statistics , the reports of anguish and torment , and the disruption , unusually positive lessons are being learned .
But there are important lessons embedded in our response to COVID-19 .
These lessons can help humanity address other , so far intractable threats to our survival : the climate crisis , poverty and growing inequity between rich and poor , rampant overconsumption of the planet ’ s resources , and mounting and all-pervasive pollution .
The transformative impulse sparked by confronting COVID-19 can be brought to bear @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The French publication Lundi Matin published a piece in which the coronavirus furiously chastises us : “ Either you use the time I ’ m giving you to envision the world of the aftermath in light of what you ’ ve learned from the collapse that ’ s underway , or the latter will go extreme.
” Environmentalist Bill McKibben exhorts banks and large corporations to join in the fight against climate change .
Renowned British epidemiologist Michael Marmot sees a new path to simultaneously addressing poverty and the climate crisis : ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ differently … we must not go back to the status quo ante.
” Well-known journalist George Monbiot calls COVID-19 “ nature ’ s wake-up call to complacent civilization … This coronavirus reminds us that we belong to the material world.
” Closer to home , respected Victoria-based public health physician Trevor Hancock , one of the co-founders of the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment , believes that we can springboard from our response to COVID-19 to change how our economic system is damaging the ecosystem , pointing out in his weekly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of this pandemic is actually likely to improve overall population health .
Economist Marshall Burke has shown that sharply reduced air pollution in China ’ s Hubei province , where COVID-19 began , may well have saved more lives than have been lost to the virus .
COVID-19 offers humanity a golden opportunity to restructure our relationship with our planet .
We have seen global collaboration and rapid , decisive and altruistic action by governments around the world .
Will we seize this opportunity ?

Witnessing widespread suffering and death from the COVID-19 pandemic, it is hard to discern a positive. Yet, alongside the dire statistics, the reports of anguish and torment, and the disruption, unusually positive lessons are being learned. And not a moment too soon. AIR Worldwide, which models catastrophe risks for the insurance industry, projected up to two million symptomatic cases of COVID-19 worldwide and deaths between 10,000 and 30,500 from March 18 to April 1. Despite these daunting numbers, there are some wonderful happenings.
Here be miracles Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Combative Ontario Premier Doug Ford has astonished everyone by abandoning partisan politics in favour of a clear, progressive and compassionate response to the COVID-19 crisis. He says this experience has changed him, and that these changes will be sustained.
Consider the Italian community of Vo, site of the first death in that country from COVID-19. Guided by health experts, all 3,300 residents were tested, three per cent were infected – 40 per cent of them asymptomatic – and everyone was quarantined. A repeat test found another 0.3 -per cent, all asymptomatic, and they too were quarantined. Alongside dire #COVID19 statistics, the reports of anguish and torment, and the disruption, unusually positive lessons are being learned. There have been zero further cases. Singapore and Taiwan, though close to China, have achieved amazingly low case counts and deaths without shuttering most business and social activities. Political leaders around the world grasp that they achieved success through rapid, robust, comprehensive and community-centred actions, overwhelmingly embraced by their citizens. Change is in the air But there are important lessons embedded in our response to COVID-19. These lessons can help humanity address other, so far intractable threats to our survival: the climate crisis, poverty and growing inequity between rich and poor, rampant overconsumption of the planet’s resources, and mounting and all-pervasive pollution.
The transformative impulse sparked by confronting COVID-19 can be brought to bear on these more deeply existential problems. The French publication Lundi Matin published a piece in which the coronavirus furiously chastises us: “Either you use the time I’m giving you to envision the world of the aftermath in light of what you’ve learned from the collapse that’s underway, or the latter will go extreme.” Who’s saying what Thoughtful commentators now abound.


nationalobserver--2020-05-21--Airports could benefit from new large business relief loan program, Morneau says

Canadian airport authorities could benefit from the federal government ’ s newest COVID-19 financing aimed at large businesses , according to Finance Minister Bill Morneau and the Crown corporation overseeing the program .
Airports were singled out multiple times by government sources on Wednesday as Morneau unveiled the details of the federal Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility ( or LEEFF ) .
The new program is meant to provide loans to companies with at least $ 300 million in annual revenues and a large Canadian footprint .
The government wants to ensure that the “ millions of Canadians ” who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said Morneau , as well as the workers at their suppliers .
“ It 'll be available to organizations , including organizations like airports , that have extreme challenges , ” Morneau said during a press conference in Ottawa .
• Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and the economy • Ontario cancels rest of the school year , no overnight summer camps His department , Finance Canada , also mentioned in a press release that the LEEFF program would be open to large , for-profit firms , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , such as airports.
” Finally , a subsidiary of the Canada Development Investment Corporation , the federal Crown corporation tasked with administering the program , noted on its website that “ certain not-for-profit enterprises , such as airports , could also be eligible.
” Airports have been hammered by the pandemic , as passenger travel has decreased in line with public health orders .
The Canadian Airports Council , the industry group representing airport authorities , told the Commons finance committee this month that passenger traffic plummeted by 90 per cent in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over $ 2 billion .
Airport authorities are non-profits because Transport Canada owns the 23 airports in the National Airport System , and leases them to non-profit entities like the Vancouver International Airport Authority .
That authority recently announced it was seeking voluntary layoffs among the 500 employees who work on things like operations and finance , and said in March that it was expecting a 40- to 50-per-cent decline in passengers this year , according to the Vancouver Sun .
Canadian airport authorities could benefit from the federal government ’ s newest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ according to Finance Minister Bill Morneau and the Crown corporation overseeing the program .
Zoë Weber , senior communications specialist at the Vancouver airport authority , could not immediately provide comment to National Observer on the new federal loan program before publication .
Other airports are seeing a similar drop in passengers : Halifax Stanfield International Airport president Joyce Carter told the committee that its volume had dropped to 200 travellers in early May from a daily average of 11,000 .
The federal government announced March 30 that rent payments for the 21 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ waived until December .
But Carter said during the committee appearance that this rent relief would not be enough , and more support was needed , including for capital debt obligations .
“ Airports have moved quickly to reduce operating expenses , including closing sections of our facilities and cutting wages and staff , but many of our costs are fixed , ” she said .
“ Costs related to safety , security , and runway maintenance can not be cut in proportion to reduced traffic.
” Requests for comment about Morneau ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the Victoria Airport Authority and the Prince George Airport Authority were not returned before publication .
Morneau also announced Wednesday that the application process for the loan program was now open .
The government also provided new details about eligibility .
Companies must be “ large Canadian employers ” that have a “ significant impact ” on the economy , either through having “ significant operations ” or “ supporting a significant workforce ” in Canada , according to a federal government fact sheet on the program .
Corporations in the financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provided through two mechanisms , with 80 per cent representing an unsecured loan and 20 per cent representing a secured loan .
The aggregate loan must be at least $ 60 million , but there is no ceiling .
The unsecured loan will have a five per cent interest rate in the first year , increasing to eight per cent in the second year , and by two per cent per year each year after .
The borrower will have to submit to a lengthy list of requirements , including restrictions on share @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also have to agree to respect existing pension plans and collective bargaining agreements , and publish an annual climate‑related financial disclosure report .
And publicly traded companies will have to issue stock warrants , that would provide the option to buy equity or cash equivalent totalling 15 per cent of the amount that ’ s received .
“ The idea behind the warrant is to make sure that if a firm does well , that Canadians and Canadian taxpayers share in that upside , ” said Morneau .
Finally , the government corporation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right to appoint an observer to the board of directors of the company accepting the loan .
The Greater Vancouver Board of Trade declined comment on this story .
David van Hemmen , director of advocacy and stakeholder relations , said the organization is geared towards smaller businesses .
The Business Council of British Columbia could not immediately provide comment before publication , said Colin Wong , director of external and strategic communications .

Canadian airport authorities could benefit from the federal government’s newest COVID-19 financing aimed at large businesses, according to Finance Minister Bill Morneau and the Crown corporation overseeing the program. Airports were singled out multiple times by government sources on Wednesday as Morneau unveiled the details of the federal Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (or LEEFF). The new program is meant to provide loans to companies with at least $300 million in annual revenues and a large Canadian footprint. The government wants to ensure that the “millions of Canadians” who work for big companies will stay employed, said Morneau, as well as the workers at their suppliers. “It'll be available to organizations, including organizations like airports, that have extreme challenges,” Morneau said during a press conference in Ottawa.
His department, Finance Canada, also mentioned in a press release that the LEEFF program would be open to large, for-profit firms, “as well as certain not-for-profit businesses, such as airports.” Finally, a subsidiary of the Canada Development Investment Corporation, the federal Crown corporation tasked with administering the program, noted on its website that “certain not-for-profit enterprises, such as airports, could also be eligible.” Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Airports have been hammered by the pandemic, as passenger travel has decreased in line with public health orders.
The Canadian Airports Council, the industry group representing airport authorities, told the Commons finance committee this month that passenger traffic plummeted by 90 per cent in April and revenue losses are estimated at over $2 billion. Canadian airport authorities could benefit from the federal government’s newest COVID-19 financing aimed at large businesses, according to Finance Minister Bill Morneau and the Crown corporation overseeing the program. Airport authorities are non-profits because Transport Canada owns the 23 airports in the National Airport System, and leases them to non-profit entities like the Vancouver International Airport Authority. That authority recently announced it was seeking voluntary layoffs among the 500 employees who work on things like operations and finance, and said in March that it was expecting a 40- to 50-per-cent decline in passengers this year, according to the Vancouver Sun. Other airports are seeing a similar drop in passengers: Halifax Stanfield International Airport president Joyce Carter told the committee that its volume had dropped to 200 travellers in early May from a daily average of 11,000. The federal government announced March 30 that rent payments for the 21 National Airport System airport authorities would be waived until December.
But Carter said during the committee appearance that this rent relief would not be enough, and more support was needed, including for capital debt obligations. “Airports have moved quickly to reduce operating expenses, including closing sections of our facilities and cutting wages and staff, but many of our costs are fixed,” she said. “Costs related to safety, security, and runway maintenance cannot be cut in proportion to reduced traffic.”


nationalobserver--2020-05-21--Rebuild the economy with green innovation, cleantech companies urge

After the Great Recession struck in 2008 , then-U.S. president Barack Obama threw US $ 112 billion into green-energy-focused economic-recovery measures .
The investment boosted renewable energies , created jobs for laid-off workers and cut pollution levels .
Now , with COVID-19 grinding the economy to a halt and governments making historic injections of public money to prevent a total collapse , green-technology companies are hoping the Canadian government will make a similar bet .
More than 200 organizations representing more than 2,000 green companies have signed onto Resilient Recovery , a campaign launched last week that aims to push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or cleantech , as the country recovers from its virus-related shutdown .
“ Done right , stimulus and recovery efforts can achieve multiple things , ” said Sarah Petrevan , a policy director at Clean Energy Canada , a think tank based out of Simon Fraser University that is co-leading the campaign .
`` We have to look at this through a climate lens . ''
• Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and the economy • Ontario cancels rest of the school year , no overnight summer @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across Canada in March , the federal government has unveiled a series of stimulus packages aimed at helping businesses ride out the pandemic .
Though there hasn ’ t been a package aimed specifically at cleantech , the government did earmark $ 250 million for innovative startups , which could help some smaller cleantech companies .
Larger companies may get some help in the form of wage subsidies and access to credit .
Those measures are mostly aimed at helping businesses survive the emergency rather than driving an economic recovery — which makes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the thick of the pandemic , Petrevan said .
But the government has also signalled climate will be a central focus of its economic rebuild when the time comes .
`` When the recovery begins , Canada can build a stronger and more resilient economy by investing in a cleaner and healthier future for everyone , '' Moira Kelly , a spokeswoman for Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson , told the Canadian Press .
Other countries , including Denmark , Germany , the United Kingdom and South Korea have already announced their intent to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their economic recoveries .
Resilient Recovery penned an open letter earlier this month , urging Ottawa and the provinces to focus on the climate as Canada starts to talk about what reopening will look like .
Not only can financial support help cleantech companies survive the current economic shock , it can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions , cut pollution that causes health problems and create much-needed jobs , the letter says .
Over 200 organizations representing more than 2,000 green companies have signed on to Resilient Recovery , a campaign pushing for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from COVID-19 .
Resilient Recovery also points to the idea of creating a new normal , one that ’ s cleaner and better for the climate .
Signatories to the letter include a range of companies , from small startups to established companies like Siemens .
“ Solving the climate crisis is going to take a whole bunch of different kinds of solutions , ” Petrevan said .
“ Whoever comes up with those solutions will lead in the transition of the economy and how economies around the world adapt … Canada should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it can export.
” Sarah Petrevan of Clean Energy Canada says that if done well , Canada 's economic recovery after COVID-19 can also boost green industry and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions .
Photo courtesy Sarah Petrevan 'These types of companies have a bright future ' In 2008 , prosperity in Canada ’ s oil and gas sector helped the country recover from the Great Recession .
But a lot has changed since then , and we are now in the midst of a climate crisis , Petrevan said .
The drivers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different .
In 2008 , the crisis was driven by financial markets tanking .
What ’ s happening now is a much larger economic pause , Petrevan said .
The oil and gas industry is currently suffering from a double-pronged problem that has driven the sector into global collapse .
A drop in demand due to the pandemic , combined with the effects of a price war plunged Canadian crude prices to near-zero levels last month .
This time around , Canada ’ s economic recovery should be driven by zero- or low-emissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Letellier , president and CEO of Innergex , a renewable-energy company that has signed onto Resilient Recovery .
“ Cleantech and renewable energy is a much better proposal than depleting resources that will eventually be gone , ” he added .
The cleantech sector may face opposition on that front : the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers ( CAPP ) , an extraordinarily powerful and well-funded lobby group representing oil and gas companies operating in Canada , is also pushing Ottawa hard for help , arguing that oil and gas is a major @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So far , oil and gas companies have received $ 1.7 billion in federal stimulus funds to speed the cleanup of aging wells and $ 750 million to reduce methane emissions .
Resilient Recovery isn ’ t engaging in lobbying the same way CAPP does , although some individual companies do that on their own on a smaller scale .
But Letellier said his company signed onto the campaign because cleantech companies can more effectively advocate for themselves as a group .
“ By ourselves , we can do our little part , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada , seeing this tremendous force behind all these companies … These types of companies have a bright future .
”

After the Great Recession struck in 2008, then-U.S. president Barack Obama threw US$112 billion into green-energy-focused economic-recovery measures. The investment boosted renewable energies, created jobs for laid-off workers and cut pollution levels. Now, with COVID-19 grinding the economy to a halt and governments making historic injections of public money to prevent a total collapse, green-technology companies are hoping the Canadian government will make a similar bet. More than 200 organizations representing more than 2,000 green companies have signed onto Resilient Recovery, a campaign launched last week that aims to push Canadian governments to invest in clean technology, or cleantech, as the country recovers from its virus-related shutdown. “Done right, stimulus and recovery efforts can achieve multiple things,” said Sarah Petrevan, a policy director at Clean Energy Canada, a think tank based out of Simon Fraser University that is co-leading the campaign. "We have to look at this through a climate lens."
Since widespread COVID-19 shutdowns took hold across Canada in March, the federal government has unveiled a series of stimulus packages aimed at helping businesses ride out the pandemic. Though there hasn’t been a package aimed specifically at cleantech, the government did earmark $250 million for innovative startups, which could help some smaller cleantech companies. Larger companies may get some help in the form of wage subsidies and access to credit. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Those measures are mostly aimed at helping businesses survive the emergency rather than driving an economic recovery — which makes sense, as Canada is still in the thick of the pandemic, Petrevan said. But the government has also signalled climate will be a central focus of its economic rebuild when the time comes.
"When the recovery begins, Canada can build a stronger and more resilient economy by investing in a cleaner and healthier future for everyone," Moira Kelly, a spokeswoman for Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson, told the Canadian Press. Over 200 organizations representing more than 2,000 green companies have signed on to Resilient Recovery, a campaign pushing for government investments in cleantech during the recovery from COVID-19. Other countries, including Denmark, Germany, the United Kingdom and South Korea have already announced their intent to invest in green measures as part of their economic recoveries. Resilient Recovery penned an open letter earlier this month, urging Ottawa and the provinces to focus on the climate as Canada starts to talk about what reopening will look like. Not only can financial support help cleantech companies survive the current economic shock, it can help reduce greenhouse gas emissions, cut pollution that causes health problems and create much-needed jobs, the letter says. Resilient Recovery also points to the idea of creating a new normal, one that’s cleaner and better for the climate. Signatories to the letter include a range of companies, from small startups to established companies like Siemens. “Solving the climate crisis is going to take a whole bunch of different kinds of solutions,” Petrevan said.
“Whoever comes up with those solutions will lead in the transition of the economy and how economies around the world adapt … Canada should look at cleantech as an important thing it can export.” Sarah Petrevan of Clean Energy Canada says that if done well, Canada's economic recovery after COVID-19 can also boost green industry and help reduce greenhouse gas emissions. Photo courtesy Sarah Petrevan


nationalobserver--2020-05-21--High school grads struggle with uncertain futures, prom cancellations

Every June , the graduating classes of School District 72 gather on the ocean shoreline of Campbell River for a group portrait in their formal wear , just before prom .
Beforehand , couples or classmates do a fashion promenade along the park ’ s walkway , while friends , family , teachers and coaches snap photos of the students in their gowns and suits in the afternoon sun before they head off to their formal dinner .
In the COVID-19 era of physical distancing , the school district made official last week what students had been anticipating , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the class of 2020 .
Between Carihi Secondary , Timberline Secondary and Robron Centre , the district has approximately 420 students eligible for graduation this June .
• Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and the economy • Ontario cancels rest of the school year , no overnight summer camps “ I saw it coming , but it ’ s still disappointing , ” said Carihi Secondary graduate Amelia Nimmon .
Of all the social events connected to graduation , the foreshore photo was the one the student @ @ @ @ @ @ @ most .
“ It ’ s been a tradition for a long time .
It ’ s very celebratory and everyone is super excited and dressed up , ” Nimmon said .
“ I just wanted to go because I would get to see everyone in their dresses , and take pictures with teachers and friends.
” “ It ’ s so you can get those memories that last … even though it sounds a bit cheesy.
” Instead , Nimmon and childhood friend Ruby Nickoloff are starting to brainstorm plans for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with close friends and dates somewhere outdoors later in the summer .
“ Sort of a backyard prom , ” said Nickoloff .
“ Just because we ’ re not having a normal prom , doesn ’ t mean not having a prom at all.
” “ I had a very solid plan where I knew what ’ d I ’ d be doing for the next two years .
But now , everything fell apart and I have no idea what 's going to be happening , ” Carihi Secondary School graduate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ her future .
Carihi Secondary grad Kailen Crosson says while prom being cancelled is disappointing , more important concerns around future employment and post-secondary schooling are hanging in the balance due to COVID-19 .
Photo : Rochelle Baker .
Carihi grad Kailen Crosson , who is on the graduation committee , said Grade 12 students went into the March spring break unaware there wouldn ’ t be any opportunity as a group to say goodbye to one another .
Not only prom , but also some of the school ’ s larger traditional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ grad dodge ball tournament , planned after spring break , were also cancelled .
Plus other big projects students had invested time and money into were also nixed , such as the theatre department ’ s production of the musical Newsies , said Crosson , who was stage manager for the show .
“ It ’ s really disappointing that prom and graduation aren ’ t going to happen as milestones like they are supposed to , ” Crosson said .
“ But honestly , for me , there are so many bigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ right now.
” Crosson , also from Quadra Island , was slated to attend University of King 's College in Halifax , N.S.
, and live in residence .
As well , she had work in a local resort lined up to help pay for tuition and living costs .
But the resort ’ s restaurant will likely scale back , due COVID-19 ’ s hit on tourism , and only hire core staff this summer , Crosson said .
It ’ s also still not clear if she will be allowed to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or if her classes are moving online , she added .
“ Right now , I ’ m in limbo and can ’ t do anything to prepare , ” the 17-year-old said .
“ I ’ m just taking it one day at a time.
” Nimmon , who was heading to the University of British Columbia in September , finds herself in similar circumstances around schooling and work .
As does Nickoloff , who was headed to the University of Victoria .
While Nickoloff expects to hear if UVic will allow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , UBC informed Nimmon it will be pushing her classes online , and first-year students won ’ t be living on campus come September .
“ I was looking forward to moving and living in Vancouver , ” Nimmon said .
“ It was a wonderful opportunity to broaden my horizons and get off Quadra … nothing against Quadra.
” She plans to take her online classes while continuing to live with her family and look for work , but there ’ s little available locally at the moment , she said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ the same pressures being felt by post-secondary students across Canada .
Many students are experiencing job loss or unemployment during the pandemic , according to a recent Statistics Canada survey .
A total of 49 per cent of the students participating in the survey said they ’ d lost a job prospect .
Of the students that already had a job , 48 per cent reported losing it or being laid off , while 26 per cent reported they were working reduced hours .
A full 92 per cent of the post-secondary students @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their courses were moved online .
All three of the Quadra graduates are applying for the federal government ’ s Canada Emergency Student Benefit ( CESB ) , which opened for registration May 15 .
Nickoloff said the application process and the eligibility guidelines were a bit vague , and she ’ s a bit anxious she ’ ll have to pay the funds back in the future .
“ But I ’ m not as worried about the thought of paying them back , as much as I am about not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ I ’ ve always had a job before and it makes me nervous not having one.
” The CESB fund provides $ 1,250 a month to eligible students or new graduates , or $ 2,000 for students with dependents or disabilities , May through August for those who don ’ t qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit ( CERB ) .
All three Carihi grads said they are also still waiting to see how the district is going to roll out commencement ceremonies , as physical distancing rules ban gatherings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 72 hopes to provide more details to Grade 12 graduates and their families before the end of next week , said Jennifer Patrick , the district ’ s communication officer in an email Tuesday .
Administrative teams at the district ’ s secondary schools are working collaboratively to create a meaningful , alternative way to mark commencement for the graduating class of 2020 , Patrick said .
“ Our schools are working to ensure that there is a cap and gown commencement where students have the opportunity to cross the stage and be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ their achievements , ” she said .
Commencement will be scheduled , even if in a modified form , at the end of June and will still feature some traditional elements of the ceremony .
Students are still nominating their class valedictorians and selecting guest speakers , Patrick noted .
In the meantime , the Quadra high school grads are working to adjust to the constant change and ambiguity the pandemic is inflicting on them during this transitional stage of their lives .
“ It ’ s hard to process that for first @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t know what I ’ m going to be doing in the fall , or even next month in June , ” Crosson said .
“ I had a very solid plan where I knew what ’ d I ’ d be doing for the next two years .
But now , everything fell apart and I have no idea what 's going to be happening .
”

Between Carihi Secondary, Timberline Secondary and Robron Centre, the district has approximately 420 students eligible for graduation this June.
In the COVID-19 era of physical distancing, the school district made official last week what students had been anticipating, and cancelled prom and its attendant group activities for the class of 2020.
Beforehand, couples or classmates do a fashion promenade along the park’s walkway, while friends, family, teachers and coaches snap photos of the students in their gowns and suits in the afternoon sun before they head off to their formal dinner.
Every June, the graduating classes of School District 72 gather on the ocean shoreline of Campbell River for a group portrait in their formal wear, just before prom.
“It’s been a tradition for a long time. It’s very celebratory and everyone is super excited and dressed up,” Nimmon said. “I just wanted to go because I would get to see everyone in their dresses, and take pictures with teachers and friends.”
Of all the social events connected to graduation, the foreshore photo was the one the student from Quadra Island was looking forward to most.
“I saw it coming, but it’s still disappointing,” said Carihi Secondary graduate Amelia Nimmon.
Carihi grad Kailen Crosson, who is on the graduation committee, said Grade 12 students went into the March spring break unaware there wouldn’t be any opportunity as a group to say goodbye to one another.
“Sort of a backyard prom,” said Nickoloff. “Just because we’re not having a normal prom, doesn’t mean not having a prom at all.”
Instead, Nimmon and childhood friend Ruby Nickoloff are starting to brainstorm plans for a smaller, modified and socially distant prom with close friends and dates somewhere outdoors later in the summer.
“It’s so you can get those memories that last … even though it sounds a bit cheesy.”
“It’s really disappointing that prom and graduation aren’t going to happen as milestones like they are supposed to,” Crosson said.
Plus other big projects students had invested time and money into were also nixed, such as the theatre department’s production of the musical Newsies, said Crosson, who was stage manager for the show.
Not only prom, but also some of the school’s larger traditional social events, such as the annual grad dodge ball tournament, planned after spring break, were also cancelled.
“But honestly, for me, there are so many bigger things that are hanging in the balance right now.”
Crosson, also from Quadra Island, was slated to attend University of King's College in Halifax, N.S., and live in residence.
As well, she had work in a local resort lined up to help pay for tuition and living costs.
But the resort’s restaurant will likely scale back, due COVID-19’s hit on tourism, and only hire core staff this summer, Crosson said.
It’s also still not clear if she will be allowed to live in residence at her university, or if her classes are moving online, she added.
“Right now, I’m in limbo and can’t do anything to prepare,” the 17-year-old said. “I’m just taking it one day at a time.”
Nimmon, who was heading to the University of British Columbia in September, finds herself in similar circumstances around schooling and work.
As does Nickoloff, who was headed to the University of Victoria.
While Nickoloff expects to hear if UVic will allow students to live on campus next week, UBC informed Nimmon it will be pushing her classes online, and first-year students won’t be living on campus come September.
“I was looking forward to moving and living in Vancouver,” Nimmon said. “It was a wonderful opportunity to broaden my horizons and get off Quadra … nothing against Quadra.”
She plans to take her online classes while continuing to live with her family and look for work, but there’s little available locally at the moment, she said.
Quadra’s local graduates are facing the same pressures being felt by post-secondary students across Canada.
Many students are experiencing job loss or unemployment during the pandemic, according to a recent Statistics Canada survey.
A total of 49 per cent of the students participating in the survey said they’d lost a job prospect.
Of the students that already had a job, 48 per cent reported losing it or being laid off, while 26 per cent reported they were working reduced hours.
A full 92 per cent of the post-secondary students in the survey reported some or all of their courses were moved online.
All three of the Quadra graduates are applying for the federal government’s Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB), which opened for registration May 15.
Nickoloff said the application process and the eligibility guidelines were a bit vague, and she’s a bit anxious she’ll have to pay the funds back in the future.
“But I’m not as worried about the thought of paying them back, as much as I am about not getting it all,” Nickoloff said.
“I’ve always had a job before and it makes me nervous not having one.”
The CESB fund provides $1,250 a month to eligible students or new graduates, or $2,000 for students with dependents or disabilities, May through August for those who don’t qualify for the Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB).
All three Carihi grads said they are also still waiting to see how the district is going to roll out commencement ceremonies, as physical distancing rules ban gatherings of 50 people or more.
District 72 hopes to provide more details to Grade 12 graduates and their families before the end of next week, said Jennifer Patrick, the district’s communication officer in an email Tuesday.
Administrative teams at the district’s secondary schools are working collaboratively to create a meaningful, alternative way to mark commencement for the graduating class of 2020, Patrick said.
“Our schools are working to ensure that there is a cap and gown commencement where students have the opportunity to cross the stage and be given their diploma with personalized recognition of their achievements,” she said.
Commencement will be scheduled, even if in a modified form, at the end of June and will still feature some traditional elements of the ceremony.
Students are still nominating their class valedictorians and selecting guest speakers, Patrick noted.
In the meantime, the Quadra high school grads are working to adjust to the constant change and ambiguity the pandemic is inflicting on them during this transitional stage of their lives.
“It’s hard to process that for first time in my life, I don’t know what I’m going to be doing in the fall, or even next month in June,” Crosson said.
“I had a very solid plan where I knew what’d I’d be doing for the next two years. But now, everything fell apart and I have no idea what's going to be happening.”
Rochelle Baker/Local Journalism Initiative/Canada's National Observer


nationalobserver--2020-05-21--Court gives Conservative leadership candidate a new chance

An Ontario court has put another curve into the long and winding road of the Conservative leadership race , potentially adding a fifth candidate to the ballot with three months left in the contest .
In a ruling released early Wednesday , Ontario Superior Court Justice Paul Perell said longtime conservative activist Jim Karahalios can be a candidate , if he can meet certain criteria in the next 14 days .
Karahalios was disqualified in March , just before the deadline for candidates to register , a deadline that also came as the COVID-19 pandemic tightened its grip on Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
He was booted after appealing a set of conditions placed on his remaining a contestant , which followed his campaign 's controversial accusations about Erin O'Toole 's campaign chair .
Walied Soliman , a prominent Toronto lawyer , worked years ago on the legalities of financing arrangements that satisfy Islamic restrictions on charging interest .
Those restrictions are grounded in Islamic law , known as Shariah .
• Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and the economy • Ontario cancels rest of the school year , no overnight @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work , linked it with other more controversial interpretations of Islamic law , and issued a letter to supporters suggesting Soliman was promoting the use of Shariah law in Canada .
When he was criticized for that , his campaign put out a poster showing him being chased by a multiracial group wielding torches and bats .
The two instances were the subject of a complaint by the O'Toole campaign , which alleged Karahalios 's campaign materials were racist and Islamophobic , hurt the party and violated the rules of the race .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ happened next , laying out a detailed timeline of deliberations and rulings that followed in two stages .
First , a decision from the Conservatives ' chief returning officer , Derek Vanstone , who said that despite the party 's commitment to free speech , Karahalios crossed a line .
Vanstone stopped short of kicking Karahalios out of the race , instead setting out a series of conditions , including a $ 50,000 penalty and an increased compliance deposit of $ 150,000 to the party instead of the $ 100,000 required for other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this in a week , with the contest deadline of March 25 fast approaching , and as fundraising opportunities vanished under COVID-19 restrictions .
Karahalios , who has long been popular among the party 's grassroots in Ontario for successful political advocacy campaigns there , had been close to raising the $ 300,000 entry fee and had all the signatures of supporters he needed to run .
But raising the additional money would be tough , court heard .
So , he appealed the conditions placed on him to a dispute resolution committee @ @ @ @ @ @ @ And it , in turn , disqualified him .
Karahalios decided to take the party to court , arguing the decision was procedurally unfair and made in bad faith and that the dispute committee had no power to eject him .
In his ruling , Perell agreed neither the dispute committee nor the returning officer had the power to kick Karahalios out `` The authority to disqualify is reserved to the eighteen members of the ( leadership organizing committee ) which has never formally or properly considered the matter of Mr. Karahalios ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wrote .
The upshot , Perell said , is that Karahalios needs to do what he refused to do the first time : comply with the sanctions from the chief returning officer .
If he does so within 14 days , than he is a verified candidate in the race , Perell said .
In a statement Wednesday , Karahalios appeared to be thinking the issue over .
`` I am currently reviewing the court 's ruling to assess how I can best re-enter the race in a competitive manner that respects the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the race as clarified by the court , and the will of Conservative party members , '' he said .
In his ruling , Perell said the full leadership organizing committee could still revisit Karahalios ' candidacy .
Conservative party spokesman Cory Hann said the party was pleased the decision found the process afforded to Karahalios was fundamentally fair and there was nothing to the allegation there was bad faith on the part of party officials .
O'Toole 's campaign said only that the matter was between Karahalios and the organizing committee .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ candidates in the race : Toronto lawyer Leslyn Lewis , Ontario MP Derek Sloan and former MP and cabinet minister Peter MacKay .
The party is now conducting the leadership election entirely by mail , with the ballots expected to be shipped out by early July .
They must be back by Aug. 21 , and the announcement of the winner is expected shortly after .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on May 20 , 2020 .

An Ontario court has put another curve into the long and winding road of the Conservative leadership race, potentially adding a fifth candidate to the ballot with three months left in the contest. In a ruling released early Wednesday, Ontario Superior Court Justice Paul Perell said longtime conservative activist Jim Karahalios can be a candidate, if he can meet certain criteria in the next 14 days. Karahalios was disqualified in March, just before the deadline for candidates to register, a deadline that also came as the COVID-19 pandemic tightened its grip on Canada, forcing numerous revisions to the race. He was booted after appealing a set of conditions placed on his remaining a contestant, which followed his campaign's controversial accusations about Erin O'Toole's campaign chair. Walied Soliman, a prominent Toronto lawyer, worked years ago on the legalities of financing arrangements that satisfy Islamic restrictions on charging interest. Those restrictions are grounded in Islamic law, known as Shariah.
Karahalios used Soliman's past work, linked it with other more controversial interpretations of Islamic law, and issued a letter to supporters suggesting Soliman was promoting the use of Shariah law in Canada. When he was criticized for that, his campaign put out a poster showing him being chased by a multiracial group wielding torches and bats. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The two instances were the subject of a complaint by the O'Toole campaign, which alleged Karahalios's campaign materials were racist and Islamophobic, hurt the party and violated the rules of the race.
Perell's ruling shed light on what happened next, laying out a detailed timeline of deliberations and rulings that followed in two stages. Court gives Conservative leadership candidate crack at entering race First, a decision from the Conservatives' chief returning officer, Derek Vanstone, who said that despite the party's commitment to free speech, Karahalios crossed a line. Vanstone stopped short of kicking Karahalios out of the race, instead setting out a series of conditions, including a $50,000 penalty and an increased compliance deposit of $150,000 to the party instead of the $100,000 required for other candidates. Karahalios had to do all this in a week, with the contest deadline of March 25 fast approaching, and as fundraising opportunities vanished under COVID-19 restrictions. Karahalios, who has long been popular among the party's grassroots in Ontario for successful political advocacy campaigns there, had been close to raising the $300,000 entry fee and had all the signatures of supporters he needed to run.
But raising the additional money would be tough, court heard. So, he appealed the conditions placed on him to a dispute resolution committee within the leadership race organizing team. And it, in turn, disqualified him. Karahalios decided to take the party to court, arguing the decision was procedurally unfair and made in bad faith and that the dispute committee had no power to eject him. In his ruling, Perell agreed neither the dispute committee nor the returning officer had the power to kick Karahalios out


nationalobserver--2020-05-22--Canadian oilfield services sector facing 'immense amount of pain'

Canada 's oilfield services sector is in for `` an immense amount of pain '' over at least the next year thanks to low North American oil and gas exploration activity amid a worldwide glut of cheap crude , according to a report from CIBC .
Drilling and well completion companies stand to suffer the most as producers will be reluctant to reverse cuts in spending and production linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and its affect on fuel demand , the analysts warn .
`` There is no way to sugarcoat it .
The oilfield services sector is in for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ balance of 2020 and into 2021 , '' the report says .
`` This will be felt across the sector and while some sub-segments will be more impacted than others ( i.e .
drilling/completion services lines ) , no one will be immune , especially with the broad-based shut-ins of existing production . ''
On Thursday , Calgary-based STEP Energy Services Ltd. was the latest oilfield service provider to report a series of measures to deal with sharply lower demand that began in mid-March .
• Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Empty streets during COVID-19 show how we ’ ve been poisoning ourselves The measures include job cuts , wage rollbacks , parked equipment and reduced capital spending in its hydraulic fracturing and coiled tubing well service operations in Canada and the U.S .
It is also seeking relief from its lenders because it could potentially breach its debt-to-adjusted-earnings covenants within the next two quarters , triggering a possible demand for immediate repayment of all amounts due .
`` Volatile market conditions have created uncertainty for our clients and they have responded by announcing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work programs , '' said STEP in a statement .
`` Natural gas prices have strengthened of late which could support additional work later in the year ; however , this is not expected to offset the decline in demand for services from oil-directed work . ''
In a note , analyst Ian Gillies of Stifle FirstEnergy said STEP 's results were in line with expectations , but the bank covenant warning is worrying for investors .
`` The outlook for North American hydraulic fracturing remains extremely challenging due to the material uncertainty @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said .
The authors of the CIBC report said the services sector downturn is made worse by expectations of `` a prolonged trough '' in activity as demand for new oil and gas production is delayed by the need to draw down crude storage and as idled wells are reactivated .
It said shares in the services companies it covers are down between 15 and 70 per cent since early March , some of which is justified by the cost of challenges to come , but some due to `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ongoing equipment retirements are expected to allow the North American services sector to eventually match capacity with demand , it said .
At STEP , adjusted earnings before interest , taxes , depreciation and amortization fell by 12 per cent to $ 22.8 million in the three months ended March 31 , despite a 10 per cent increase in consolidated revenue to $ 194 million .
It attributed the decrease to a $ 2.5 million provision for bad debt and $ 1.9 million in severance for unspecified workforce reductions in Canada and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in U.S. benchmark oil prices to above US $ 30 per barrel , STEP says it has further reduced its 2020 capital program to $ 15.5 million , down from $ 24 million previously and its initial plan of $ 47 million .

Canada's oilfield services sector is in for "an immense amount of pain" over at least the next year thanks to low North American oil and gas exploration activity amid a worldwide glut of cheap crude, according to a report from CIBC. Drilling and well completion companies stand to suffer the most as producers will be reluctant to reverse cuts in spending and production linked to the COVID-19 pandemic and its affect on fuel demand, the analysts warn. "There is no way to sugarcoat it. The oilfield services sector is in for an immense amount of pain over the balance of 2020 and into 2021," the report says. "This will be felt across the sector and while some sub-segments will be more impacted than others (i.e. drilling/completion services lines), no one will be immune, especially with the broad-based shut-ins of existing production." On Thursday, Calgary-based STEP Energy Services Ltd. was the latest oilfield service provider to report a series of measures to deal with sharply lower demand that began in mid-March.
The measures include job cuts, wage rollbacks, parked equipment and reduced capital spending in its hydraulic fracturing and coiled tubing well service operations in Canada and the U.S. It is also seeking relief from its lenders because it could potentially breach its debt-to-adjusted-earnings covenants within the next two quarters, triggering a possible demand for immediate repayment of all amounts due. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "Volatile market conditions have created uncertainty for our clients and they have responded by announcing material reductions in capital expenditures and cancelled work programs," said STEP in a statement.
"Natural gas prices have strengthened of late which could support additional work later in the year; however, this is not expected to offset the decline in demand for services from oil-directed work." 'Immense amount of pain' predicted for Canadian oilfield services sector In a note, analyst Ian Gillies of Stifle FirstEnergy said STEP's results were in line with expectations, but the bank covenant warning is worrying for investors. "The outlook for North American hydraulic fracturing remains extremely challenging due to the material uncertainty surrounding the global economy and crude prices," he said. The authors of the CIBC report said the services sector downturn is made worse by expectations of "a prolonged trough" in activity as demand for new oil and gas production is delayed by the need to draw down crude storage and as idled wells are reactivated. It said shares in the services companies it covers are down between 15 and 70 per cent since early March, some of which is justified by the cost of challenges to come, but some due to "indiscriminate selling" by spooked investors.
Ongoing equipment retirements are expected to allow the North American services sector to eventually match capacity with demand, it said. At STEP, adjusted earnings before interest, taxes, depreciation and amortization fell by 12 per cent to $22.8 million in the three months ended March 31, despite a 10 per cent increase in consolidated revenue to $194 million. It attributed the decrease to a $2.5 million provision for bad debt and $1.9 million in severance for unspecified workforce reductions in Canada and the United States.