nationalobserver--2020-05-04--Fossil fuel firms linked to Trump get millions in coronavirus small business aid

This story was originally published by The Guardian and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration US fossil fuel companies have taken at least $ 50m in taxpayer money they probably won ’ t have to pay back , according to a review of coronavirus aid meant for struggling small businesses by the investigative research group Documented and the Guardian .
A total of $ 28m is going to three coal mining companies , all with ties to Trump officials , bolstering a dying American industry and a fuel that scientists insist world leaders must shift away from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
The other $ 22m is being paid out to oil and gas services and equipment providers and other firms that work with drillers and coal miners .
Melinda Pierce , the legislative director for the Sierra Club , said : “ The federal money Congress appropriated should be going to help small businesses and frontline workers struggling as a result of the pandemic , not the corporate polluters whose struggles are a result of failing business practices and existed long before Covid-19 entered the public lexicon.
” • Did Ontario really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 in long-term care ?
More than 40 Democratic lawmakers have argued that fossil fuel companies should not get any assistance under the coronavirus aid package .
Some Democrats have also warned the forgivable loans being made under Congress ’ Paycheck Protection Program could be a transparency disaster .
anks and lending institutions are distributing the money , so the government says it can not track recipients in real time .
The loans revealed have been made public only through news reports and securities filings by publicly-traded companies , although the Federal Reserve @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So far , it ’ s clear the program is not working as intended .
The funds are aimed at helping small businesses to keep paying their employees and covering other recurring expenses during the economic downturn .
But they have been exploited by large companies forced to return the money amid a public outcry , including the Los Angeles Lakers , Shake Shack and Ruth ’ s Chris Steak House .
The industry aid comes as the Trump administration is reportedly considering a broader bailout for oil and gas corporations , which @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and have watched oil prices nosedive because of a global price war and low demand for gasoline .
The US government could make loans to oil and gas companies , essentially making taxpayers investors in the industry .
The Federal Reserve on Thursday also announced changes to its lending rules that could help indebted petroleum firms .
Fossil fuel firms linked to Trump get millions in coronavirus small business aid “ The idea that oil workers are getting a paycheck is great , ” said Jamie Henn , a spokesman for the Stop @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environment group 350.org .
“ The worry is that the money ’ s going to the top and not going to filter down.
” The $ 50m already paid to fossil fuel companies is a small fraction of the the $ 2.1tn Coronavirus Aid , Relief and Economic Security Act , known as the Cares Act .
But the total assistance to the industry is likely much larger than can currently be tallied and will continue to grow .
Environmental advocates and oversight experts tracking the funds say it ’ s impossible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ assist fossil fuels , including because some firms provide services across multiple industries .
“ All of this is voluntary disclosures by the companies , ” said Jesse Coleman , a senior researcher with Documented .
“ No matter what , it ’ s going to be an incomplete picture of what ’ s going on.
” Coleman said in many cases the fossil fuel companies getting aid have made bad investments and “ now they ’ re going to come crawling hat in hand and say : look at what the coronavirus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s both a bad financial proposition of the Fed and for taxpayers , and a bad situation for the planet mong the coronavirus aid recipients is Hallador Coal , an Indiana-based coal mining company that hired Donald Trump ’ s former environment chief Scott Pruitt as a lobbyist .
The company ’ s former government relations director now works at the energy department .
Hallador is taking $ 10m to fund two months of payroll and other expenses .
Coal mining company Rhino Resources , which was formerly run by Trump ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ David Zatezalo , is receiving $ 10m .
Coal firm Ramaco Resources , whose CEO , Randy Atkins , is on the energy department ’ s National Coal Council , is getting $ 8.4m .
The US coal industry has been in steep decline , driven out of the market by cheap natural gas and environmental concerns .
Trump campaigned on putting coal miners back to work , and his agencies have unsuccessfully explored ways to bail out coal companies , which are seeing their lowest employment levels in modern history .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the environment and climate protections the fossil fuel industry has opposed .
Fossil fuel companies can also take advantage of tax benefits under the coronavirus legislation , including deferring payment of social security and medicare taxes .
The Missouri-based Peabody Energy coal company has said it will speed up collecting an alternative minimum tax refund of $ 24m to 2020 and defer $ 18m of owed taxes .
US taxpayers already subsidize the fossil fuel industry at roughly $ 20bn a year , according to conservative estimates .
The Center for International @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas and plastics industries of “ exploiting the crisis by aggressively lobbying for massive bailouts and special privileges in a desperate attempt to revive an oil and gas industry already in decline ” .
The Institute for Energy Economics and Financial Analysis argues that federal lending to the oil and gas sector would be “ a complete waste of money ” , because it wouldn ’ t fix the industry ’ s underlying financial problems .
Oil industry lobbyists have pushed for changes at the Federal Reserve to let companies with large amounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Program and borrow to pay off existing loans .
In an 15 April letter to the Federal Reserve , the oil trade group the Independent Petroleum Association of America asked for the new provisions , saying “ oil and natural gas producers are not looking for a government handout ; they are seeking a bridge to help survive this economic disruption.
” Environmental advocates say the move would disproportionately benefit small and mid-sized oil and gas companies , such as Occidental Petroleum , which has nearly $ 80bn in liabilities on its balance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the corporations and society initiative at Stanford Graduate School of Business , called the situation the “ classic disaster scenario where an opportunistic administration and industry is taking advantage of a crisis ” .
“ And by the way , these are industries driving climate change .
It ’ s both a bad financial proposition of the Fed and for taxpayers and a bad situation for the planet .
”

This story was originally published by The Guardian and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration US fossil fuel companies have taken at least $50m in taxpayer money they probably won’t have to pay back, according to a review of coronavirus aid meant for struggling small businesses by the investigative research group Documented and the Guardian. A total of $28m is going to three coal mining companies, all with ties to Trump officials, bolstering a dying American industry and a fuel that scientists insist world leaders must shift away from to avoid the worst of the climate crisis. The other $22m is being paid out to oil and gas services and equipment providers and other firms that work with drillers and coal miners. Melinda Pierce, the legislative director for the Sierra Club, said: “The federal money Congress appropriated should be going to help small businesses and frontline workers struggling as a result of the pandemic, not the corporate polluters whose struggles are a result of failing business practices and existed long before Covid-19 entered the public lexicon.”
More than 40 Democratic lawmakers have argued that fossil fuel companies should not get any assistance under the coronavirus aid package. Some Democrats have also warned the forgivable loans being made under Congress’ Paycheck Protection Program could be a transparency disaster. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions anks and lending institutions are distributing the money, so the government says it cannot track recipients in real time. The loans revealed have been made public only through news reports and securities filings by publicly-traded companies, although the Federal Reserve has committed to issuing monthly reports.
So far, it’s clear the program is not working as intended. The funds are aimed at helping small businesses to keep paying their employees and covering other recurring expenses during the economic downturn. But they have been exploited by large companies forced to return the money amid a public outcry, including the Los Angeles Lakers, Shake Shack and Ruth’s Chris Steak House. Fossil fuel firms linked to Trump get millions in coronavirus small business aid The industry aid comes as the Trump administration is reportedly considering a broader bailout for oil and gas corporations, which were already under pressure before the coronavirus and have watched oil prices nosedive because of a global price war and low demand for gasoline. The US government could make loans to oil and gas companies, essentially making taxpayers investors in the industry. The Federal Reserve on Thursday also announced changes to its lending rules that could help indebted petroleum firms. “The idea that oil workers are getting a paycheck is great,” said Jamie Henn, a spokesman for the Stop the Money Pipeline campaign who co-founded the environment group 350.org. “The worry is that the money’s going to the top and not going to filter down.” The $50m already paid to fossil fuel companies is a small fraction of the the $2.1tn Coronavirus Aid, Relief and Economic Security Act, known as the Cares Act. But the total assistance to the industry is likely much larger than can currently be tallied and will continue to grow.
Environmental advocates and oversight experts tracking the funds say it’s impossible to count how much of the money will assist fossil fuels, including because some firms provide services across multiple industries. “All of this is voluntary disclosures by the companies,” said Jesse Coleman, a senior researcher with Documented. “No matter what, it’s going to be an incomplete picture of what’s going on.” Coleman said in many cases the fossil fuel companies getting aid have made bad investments and “now they’re going to come crawling hat in hand and say: look at what the coronavirus did to us”.


nationalobserver--2020-05-04--RCMP to draft national policy for emergency alerts

Mounties in Nova Scotia are under scrutiny for not issuing an emergency alert as a gunman rampaged through rural communities , but there 's nothing in the national RCMP handbook to suggest that they should have .
In fact , the RCMP says there are currently no countrywide guidelines for when police should use Canada 's public warning system to broadcast information to cellphones and television screens .
In the wake of the mass murder that claimed 22 lives in Nova Scotia about two weeks ago , the force is looking into developing a national operational policy for using the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ law enforcement and emergency management say authorities must strike a delicate balance between informing the public about potential threats and avoiding unnecessary panic .
And as the tragedy in Nova Scotia shows , they say those judgments are n't always clear cut in the throes of crisis with lives on the line .
`` Make no mistake — none of us have ever experienced the kind of chaos that those officers , first responders and even the critical incident commander faced that night , '' said Terry Flynn , an associate professor of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ontario really need to call in the military for COVID-19 in long-term care ?
`` The critical thing for them is that now , they unfortunately have a mass shooting playbook . ''
Before Canada launched its text-based national alert system in 2018 , Flynn said RCMP considered social media to be the best way to communicate during a crisis .
Reviews of the 2014 shootings in Moncton , N.B.
, and on Parliament Hill found that Twitter was a critical tool for disseminating real-time information to the public and media as both @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vein , Nova Scotia RCMP used Twitter to send out updates as a firearms complaint in the tiny coastal village of Portapique on the evening of April 18 evolved into a shooting and arson spree across central and northern parts of the province .
Mounties have faced questions about why they relied on social media to get the word out when they could have sent an emergency notification to every phone in the province .
Some victims ' relatives have called for the issue to be examined as part of a public inquiry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ McNeil has said emergency officials were ready to issue an alert , but could n't act until the RCMP supplied information .
The Mounties say they were crafting a message when the gunman was fatally shot by police in Enfield , N.S.
, on April 19 after a 13-hour manhunt .
RCMP to draft national policy for emergency alerts after N.S .
shootings Nova Scotia RCMP Superintendent Darren Campbell told reporters Tuesday that the force is conducting a `` full review '' of the use of the emergency alert system in consultation with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Chiefs of Police .
National RCMP spokeswoman Robin Percival said in an email that the force is looking at creating a Canada-wide policy , but said public alert protocols are generally set out by provincial emergency management authorities .
Nova Scotia 's Emergency Management Office did n't immediately respond to a request for details about its protocols .
Flynn , who specializes in crisis management at McMaster , said instituting clear procedures and training about when to issue an emergency alert could save lives in situations where `` seconds count . ''
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ err on the side of caution , Flynn warned flooding people 's with notifications could foster `` alert fatigue , '' potentially prompting some to swipe away warnings about a present threat .
He said this `` cover your behind '' communications strategy may have been a factor in a false alarm last month in Nova Scotia .
Days after the massacre , the province issued an emergency alert about possible shootings in the Halifax area that turned out to be nothing , or in one case , construction noise .
Tom Stamatakis @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said it 's easy to criticize these calls with the benefit of hindsight .
But when you 're fielding multiple gunfire reports a day , he said it 's not always clear whether you 're dealing with a backfiring car or a shooter on the run .
Stamatakis declined to comment on the Nova Scotia killings because the investigation is ongoing , but said emergency alerts are reserved for immediate threats to life and limb , and it 's not an action police take with the push of a button .
While @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public alert protocols , Stamatakis said no handbook can fully prepare police to respond to a fast-changing crisis like a mass shooting .
`` You 're assessing information as it comes in ... and the decisions you make are only as good as the information you 're getting , '' he said .
`` I think it 's way too difficult to come up with some kind of really prescriptive formula that people should follow . ''
Jack Rozdilsky , an associate professor of disaster and emergency management at York University , agrees @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't account for the regional diversity of Canadian policing .
Still , Rozdilsky said he would like to see RCMP incorporate certain research-backed principles to ensure emergency alerts contain information about what the threat is , who is at risk and for how long , what protective actions people need to take and what the consequences are if they do n't .
However , he cautioned that authorities may not want to model these protocols after last month 's tragedy Nova Scotia .
`` The nature of the threat of the mass shooting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maybe beyond the capacity of what we can expect a warning system to deliver . ''
He noted that even before the shootings , the province 's emergency response capacity was already taxed because of the COVID-19 pandemic .
To complicate matters , Rozdilsky said police were dealing with a killer wreaking chaos and carnage across 16 crime scenes , all the while dressed as an RCMP officer and driving a mock-up cruiser .
Sending a province-wide alert about this disguise could have backed up 911 lines with false reports of suspect sightings @ @ @ @ @ @ @ him down , said Rozdilsky .
There was also the potential for `` blue-on-blue '' violence if officers mistook a colleague for the killer .
Grieving families have every right to question what could have been done to avert such unfathomable loss , said Rozdilsky , and authorities owe them answers .
But with so many unknowns , Rozdilsky said he 's reserving judgment until we get a fuller picture of how these horrific events unfolded .
Given these considerations , Rozdilsky said using emergency alert systems can be `` more of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whichever way you decide , the consequences can be serious , or in some cases , possibly fatal .
Rozdilsky pointed January 's false alarm at a nuclear power plant in Pickering , Ont.
, as an example of the panic that can ensue when these warning systems are misused .
He said there 's even a slight risk that a certain number of people may die from heart attacks , car accidents or reckless behaviour when they believe that life-threatening danger is imminent — even if it is n't .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if the technology is employed correctly , '' said Rozdilsky .
`` ( But ) we have to realize we 're still dealing with a complex society made of many different humans ... and that 's why we have to be careful . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 3 , 2020 .

Mounties in Nova Scotia are under scrutiny for not issuing an emergency alert as a gunman rampaged through rural communities, but there's nothing in the national RCMP handbook to suggest that they should have. In fact, the RCMP says there are currently no countrywide guidelines for when police should use Canada's public warning system to broadcast information to cellphones and television screens. In the wake of the mass murder that claimed 22 lives in Nova Scotia about two weeks ago, the force is looking into developing a national operational policy for using the emergency alert system. But experts in law enforcement and emergency management say authorities must strike a delicate balance between informing the public about potential threats and avoiding unnecessary panic. And as the tragedy in Nova Scotia shows, they say those judgments aren't always clear cut in the throes of crisis with lives on the line. "Make no mistake — none of us have ever experienced the kind of chaos that those officers, first responders and even the critical incident commander faced that night," said Terry Flynn, an associate professor of communications at McMaster University.
"The critical thing for them is that now, they unfortunately have a mass shooting playbook." Before Canada launched its text-based national alert system in 2018, Flynn said RCMP considered social media to be the best way to communicate during a crisis. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Reviews of the 2014 shootings in Moncton, N.B., and on Parliament Hill found that Twitter was a critical tool for disseminating real-time information to the public and media as both incidents were unfolding.
In a similar vein, Nova Scotia RCMP used Twitter to send out updates as a firearms complaint in the tiny coastal village of Portapique on the evening of April 18 evolved into a shooting and arson spree across central and northern parts of the province. RCMP to draft national policy for emergency alerts after N.S. shootings Mounties have faced questions about why they relied on social media to get the word out when they could have sent an emergency notification to every phone in the province. Some victims' relatives have called for the issue to be examined as part of a public inquiry into the mass murder. Premier Stephen McNeil has said emergency officials were ready to issue an alert, but couldn't act until the RCMP supplied information. The Mounties say they were crafting a message when the gunman was fatally shot by police in Enfield, N.S., on April 19 after a 13-hour manhunt. Nova Scotia RCMP Superintendent Darren Campbell told reporters Tuesday that the force is conducting a "full review" of the use of the emergency alert system in consultation with the province and the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police. National RCMP spokeswoman Robin Percival said in an email that the force is looking at creating a Canada-wide policy, but said public alert protocols are generally set out by provincial emergency management authorities.
Nova Scotia's Emergency Management Office didn't immediately respond to a request for details about its protocols. Flynn, who specializes in crisis management at McMaster, said instituting clear procedures and training about when to issue an emergency alert could save lives in situations where "seconds count." While it may seem wise for authorities to err on the side of caution, Flynn warned flooding people's with notifications could foster "alert fatigue," potentially prompting some to swipe away warnings about a present threat.


nationalobserver--2020-05-04--Rapid COVID-19 test recalled after Health Canada has concerns

An Ottawa biotech company is voluntarily recalling a rapid test for COVID-19 after Health Canada expressed concern about its effectiveness , dealing a setback to expanded testing in the country .
Spartan Bioscience said Sunday that the concerns centre around the proprietary swab used in the test , but that the Health Canada report out Friday did not raise concerns about the accuracy of the test reagents and portable analyzer device .
The company said it would recall the 5,500 test shipped nationally and work on additional clinical studies to assess the sampling method and swab .
`` Spartan will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address the concerns and bring its test to market , '' the company said in a statement .
• Did Ontario really need to call in the military for COVID-19 in long-term care ?
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said Sunday at a news conference that real-world trials of the test so far have n't delivered necessary outcomes .
`` While the Spartan system , or the device , performed very well in a laboratory setting , and along the specifications the manufacturer had provided , it was in the real-life @ @ @ @ @ @ @ where it did n't perform well . ''
Tam said the recall wo n't affect the national testing goal of 60,000 people a day , since that figure is based on systems already in use , but that it could affect the speed of further test increases and especially affect rural communities where local in-clinic tests would be especially useful .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government has moved to accelerate approvals for testing and other potentially life-saving measures , but also needs to be ready to respond quickly to new @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are being as nimble as we possibly can to respond to what 's working , to what perhaps is n't working as well as we hoped that it would , and we will always need to adjust every step of the way as new information comes in on a daily basis through this pandemic , through this crisis . ''
Health Canada says the product is restricted to research use only until adequate evidence of clinical performance can be provided .
The federal government announced it had approved the hand-held DNA analyzer on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ testing is widely acknowledged as key to understanding the true scope of COVID-19 infection in Canada , and how best to deploy suppression strategies .
Canada was hoping to send the devices to remote and Indigenous communities where access and timely results have been hindered by distance and limited resources .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 3 , 2020 .

An Ottawa biotech company is voluntarily recalling a rapid test for COVID-19 after Health Canada expressed concern about its effectiveness, dealing a setback to expanded testing in the country. Spartan Bioscience said Sunday that the concerns centre around the proprietary swab used in the test, but that the Health Canada report out Friday did not raise concerns about the accuracy of the test reagents and portable analyzer device. The company said it would recall the 5,500 test shipped nationally and work on additional clinical studies to assess the sampling method and swab. "Spartan will be working as quickly as possible to address the concerns and bring its test to market," the company said in a statement. Spartan declined an interview request.
Chief public health officer Dr. Theresa Tam said Sunday at a news conference that real-world trials of the test so far haven't delivered necessary outcomes. "While the Spartan system, or the device, performed very well in a laboratory setting, and along the specifications the manufacturer had provided, it was in the real-life setting, in the clinical setting, where it didn't perform well." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Tam said the recall won't affect the national testing goal of 60,000 people a day, since that figure is based on systems already in use, but that it could affect the speed of further test increases and especially affect rural communities where local in-clinic tests would be especially useful.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the federal government has moved to accelerate approvals for testing and other potentially life-saving measures, but also needs to be ready to respond quickly to new information. Rapid test for COVID-19 recalled after Health Canada expresses concerns "That is why we are being as nimble as we possibly can to respond to what's working, to what perhaps isn't working as well as we hoped that it would, and we will always need to adjust every step of the way as new information comes in on a daily basis through this pandemic, through this crisis." Health Canada says the product is restricted to research use only until adequate evidence of clinical performance can be provided. The federal government announced it had approved the hand-held DNA analyzer on April 13. The need for greater testing is widely acknowledged as key to understanding the true scope of COVID-19 infection in Canada, and how best to deploy suppression strategies.


nationalobserver--2020-05-04--Fort McMurray cleans up flood damage on anniversary of 2016 wildfire evacuation

As residents of Fort McMurray continued to assess their flood-damaged homes and businesses and began the difficult task of cleaning them this weekend , they also marked the anniversary of the start of an evacuation that emptied the northern Alberta city four years ago .
`` It was evident on May 3 , 2016 and it is evident today : we are a region of resilience , '' Mayor Don Scott said in a news release from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo on Sunday .
Many of the evacuation orders that began last weekend due to the spring ice @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The flooding affected low-lying areas of Fort McMurray including its downtown , and close to 13,000 people had to leave their homes .
The Canadian Red Cross has been handing out cleanup kits that contain latex and work gloves , sponges , garbage bags , mops and scrub brushes .
A boil-water advisory for the city remains in effect , so oil company CNOOC International supplied a tanker truck that pumped out potable water to people who brought jugs on Saturday .
A supermarket downtown , forced to close but not damaged @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food bank , which distributed the items from the back of a semi-trailer on Saturday .
• Did Ontario really need to call in the military for COVID-19 in long-term care ?
`` The recent river breakup flood has reminded me of the incredible generosity of our residents .
That generosity was on display on that evacuation day four years ago , where neighbour helped neighbour , and it continues today , '' Scott said .
The municipality announced on the weekend that emergency housing provided through the Red Cross was being extended @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are n't safe to live in .
The fire in northern Alberta ignited deep in the bush on May 1 , 2016 , and exploded into a ferocious blaze that forced the evacuation of the entire city two days later .
More than 80,000 people fled as towering flames licked at their homes and crackled along the only highway out of the city .
Flames consumed nearly 2,600 dwelling units , which were mostly residential .
Chief administrative officer Jamie Doyle said the fire evacuation was one of the most challenging days the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But he also said that between COVID-19 and the flooding , staff have also been very busy in the emergency operations centre this year .
`` Like May 3 four years ago , these emergency responses can be incredibly stressful on our staff , particularly if they have been directly impacted as a resident , '' Doyle said in the municipality 's news release .
Fort McMurray cleans up from flood on anniversary of 2016 wildfire evacuation `` If you have the opportunity , I encourage you to express your thanks to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a first responder . ''
Sunday also marked the beginning of Emergency Preparedness Month in Alberta .
Municipal Affairs Minister Kaycee Madu said Albertans know first-hand that a wildfire , flood , tornado or pandemic can significantly impact their day-to-day lives .
`` And the historic flooding that we have seen in northern Alberta is an important reminder that we must be prepared for the worst , '' Madu said in a statement on Sunday .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 3 , 2020 .

As residents of Fort McMurray continued to assess their flood-damaged homes and businesses and began the difficult task of cleaning them this weekend, they also marked the anniversary of the start of an evacuation that emptied the northern Alberta city four years ago.
"It was evident on May 3, 2016 and it is evident today: we are a region of resilience," Mayor Don Scott said in a news release from the Regional Municipality of Wood Buffalo on Sunday.
Many of the evacuation orders that began last weekend due to the spring ice breakup on nearby rivers were lifted Friday. The flooding affected low-lying areas of Fort McMurray including its downtown, and close to 13,000 people had to leave their homes.
The Canadian Red Cross has been handing out cleanup kits that contain latex and work gloves, sponges, garbage bags, mops and scrub brushes. A boil-water advisory for the city remains in effect, so oil company CNOOC International supplied a tanker truck that pumped out potable water to people who brought jugs on Saturday.
A supermarket downtown, forced to close but not damaged, gave away free produce to the food bank, which distributed the items from the back of a semi-trailer on Saturday.


nationalobserver--2020-05-04--Trudeau planning legislation on municipal handgun bans

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended his assault-rifle ban on Sunday and promised to go even further by targeting handguns and tightening border security with new legislation introduced in the Parliament .
Yet he stopped short of providing a timeline for when such measures would be introduced , saying only that the federal Liberal government would move forward with legislation `` when Parliament allows . ''
The comments came during the prime minister 's daily COVID-19 news conference after the government on Friday outlawed a wide range of assault-style weapons .
The ban did not require parliamentary approval and was instead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Some have said the ban does n't go far enough and should include handguns while others have argued that it targets legal gun owners and that Ottawa should instead focus on the smuggling of illegal weapons at the border and stronger jail sentences .
Trudeau acknowledged his government has more work to do when it comes to guns in Canada , which was why it was working on legislation that will deal with the border , gun storage and handguns .
• Did Ontario really need to call in the military for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will that legislation be introduced , however , appears to be anyone 's guess .
`` We know there is more to do on strengthening gun control in this country which is why we 're going to be moving forward when Parliament allows it with stronger measures around borders , stronger measures around safe storage , '' Trudeau said .
`` Measures around handguns to permit municipalities to ban handguns within their city limits . ''
Legislation will also need to be introduced around a two-year amnesty and a buyback program that will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covered by Friday 's ban to receive compensation for turning in the designated firearms or keep them through a grandfathering process .
The Liberal government will move forward on that front `` at the first opportunity when the House turns its attention to things other than '' COVID-19 , Trudeau said .
The House of Commons has limited its sitting to one in-person and two virtual per week due to the pandemic .
The assault-rifle ban came only weeks after one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canadian history , when a man @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people in Nova Scotia on April 18 and 19 .
Police have indicated the man had two rifles and several handguns on his possession at the time .
Some have accused the prime minister of using the tragedy to instigate a ban while Parliament is largely consumed with the COVID-19 pandemic , while others have questioned why the government waited so long .
The Liberals promised in the last election campaign to ban assault rifles and introduce legislation allowing cities to ban handguns .
Trudeau refused to apologize for the ban after Ontario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ targeted legal gun owners .
He suggested Ottawa should instead focus on smuggling of illegal weapons at the border and strengthening jail sentences for gun crimes .
`` We 've seen far too many mass shootings in which military-style-assault weapons were used to kill innocent Canadians .
In Sainte-Foy .
Recently in Nova Scotia .
Back at l'Ecole Polytechnique 30 years ago , '' Trudeau said .
`` We 've seen far too many cases in which these guns have caused devastation to families and communities .
That 's why it was time @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that we were able to do through regulations so it did n't require legislation . ''

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau defended his assault-rifle ban on Sunday and promised to go even further by targeting handguns and tightening border security with new legislation introduced in the Parliament. Yet he stopped short of providing a timeline for when such measures would be introduced, saying only that the federal Liberal government would move forward with legislation "when Parliament allows." The comments came during the prime minister's daily COVID-19 news conference after the government on Friday outlawed a wide range of assault-style weapons. The ban did not require parliamentary approval and was instead published in regulations in the Canada Gazette. Some have said the ban doesn't go far enough and should include handguns while others have argued that it targets legal gun owners and that Ottawa should instead focus on the smuggling of illegal weapons at the border and stronger jail sentences. Trudeau acknowledged his government has more work to do when it comes to guns in Canada, which was why it was working on legislation that will deal with the border, gun storage and handguns.
Exactly when will that legislation be introduced, however, appears to be anyone's guess. "We know there is more to do on strengthening gun control in this country which is why we're going to be moving forward when Parliament allows it with stronger measures around borders, stronger measures around safe storage," Trudeau said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "Measures around handguns to permit municipalities to ban handguns within their city limits."
Legislation will also need to be introduced around a two-year amnesty and a buyback program that will allow the current owners of assault rifles covered by Friday's ban to receive compensation for turning in the designated firearms or keep them through a grandfathering process. Trudeau says legislation on municipal handgun bans coming The Liberal government will move forward on that front "at the first opportunity when the House turns its attention to things other than" COVID-19, Trudeau said. The House of Commons has limited its sitting to one in-person and two virtual per week due to the pandemic. The assault-rifle ban came only weeks after one of the deadliest mass shootings in Canadian history, when a man dressed as an RCMP officer killed 22 people in Nova Scotia on April 18 and 19. Police have indicated the man had two rifles and several handguns on his possession at the time. Some have accused the prime minister of using the tragedy to instigate a ban while Parliament is largely consumed with the COVID-19 pandemic, while others have questioned why the government waited so long.
The Liberals promised in the last election campaign to ban assault rifles and introduce legislation allowing cities to ban handguns. Trudeau refused to apologize for the ban after Ontario Premier Doug Ford on Saturday said it targeted legal gun owners. He suggested Ottawa should instead focus on smuggling of illegal weapons at the border and strengthening jail sentences for gun crimes. "We've seen far too many mass shootings in which military-style-assault weapons were used to kill innocent Canadians. In Sainte-Foy. Recently in Nova Scotia. Back at l'Ecole Polytechnique 30 years ago," Trudeau said.


nationalobserver--2020-05-04--Provinces begin easing COVID-19 lockdown restrictions

A much anticipated new phase in the COVID-19 pandemic starts today with several provinces beginning the process of slowly loosening @ @ @ @ @ .
Quebec , which accounts for more than half of Canada 's coronavirus cases , @ @ @ @ @ , is reopening retail stores outside Montreal while those in the greater Montreal area are @ @ @ @ @ .
Ontario , the other epicentre for the virus , is allowing a small list @ @ @ @ @ reopen , including garden centres with curbside pick-ups , lawn care and landscaping companies , @ @ @ @ @

A much anticipated new phase in the COVID-19 pandemic starts today with several provinces beginning the process of slowly loosening some of their lockdown restrictions.
Quebec, which accounts for more than half of Canada's coronavirus cases, including deaths from the illness, is reopening retail stores outside Montreal while those in the greater Montreal area are to reopen on May 11.
Ontario, the other epicentre for the virus, is allowing a small list of mostly seasonal businesses to reopen, including garden centres with curbside pick-ups, lawn care and landscaping companies, and automatic car washes.
Manitoba's museums, libraries and retail businesses — including restaurant patios — can re-open today, though at only half capacity. The province, along with Saskatchewan and Alberta, are also letting non-essential medical activities, such as dentistry and physiotherapy to resume.
British Columbia has yet to release its reopening plan, however, Premier John Horgan is promising details this week.


nationalobserver--2020-05-04--Education, COVID and Quebec and why we shouldn’t open schools

Quebec has been hardest hit by COVID-19 in Canada .
The wave of illness that washed up from the province ’ s early March break , tied to outbreaks in New York and France , set the stage for Canada ’ s worst outbreak .
Even now , at week eight of the outbreak , Quebec ’ s new infection rate remains high : Several hundred people are infected daily and , as of Sunday there were more than 31,865 confirmed cases .
Quebec ’ s death rate remains high , too , with 2,205 people dead as of Sunday @ @ @ @ @ @ @ death rates combined .
The situation is especially bad in the province ’ s long-term care facilities in the greater Montreal region .
Outbreaks in hospital units are increasingly threatening patients hospitalized for other reasons .
And yet , amid a stretch of unprecedented death , the province has decided to open daycares and elementary schools on May 11 ( one week later in Montreal ) .
The details of how children will go back to school have been thin .
Classes will be capped at 15 , but there ’ s been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ll do with the students who flow over this cap .
There have been no promises made for personal protective equipment for staff or students , no information about hiring extra custodial workers to carry out a new sanitization routine and nothing about how the province plans to enforce physical distancing , an especially difficult task with small hallways and cubby holes crammed together .
• Did Ontario really need to call in the military for COVID-19 in long-term care ?
The Quebec government , backed by the province ’ s association of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be a low-risk move and , on the balance of everything , better for kids .
And , it won ’ t be mandatory , so kids who have compromised immune systems , or who have parents who simply prefer to wait , can stay home .
But it ’ s made Quebec an outlier : The province with the highest number of infections , highest number of deaths and the highest number of hospitals and long-term facilities experiencing outbreaks will also be the only province where students are going back to school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parents , me included , extremely suspicious .
While the pediatric doctors have argued that the harm students might experience at home thanks to domestic violence , poor nutrition and lack of stimulation is greater than the risk posed by the virus , there is little proof the government is interested in addressing these important issues .
There have been no investments made to help feed hungry kids or create new programs to intervene in domestic violence .
They could have first reopened parks , hired people to disinfect the play structures and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to enjoy playgrounds again .
They could have started with allowing families to carefully open their social circles with other families .
They could have given families money for craft supplies .
All of these measures would have helped to stimulate our children as they ride out the pandemic at home .
They also could have created a fund for parents to pay for babysitting to offer some relief .
They could have created a summer camp-style school for everyone who needed childcare .
They could have asked staff from community health @ @ @ @ @ @ @ kids registered in schools in their areas and see what we need .
School could have been opened more gradually , even if they kept the May 11 date in mind .
They could have started with students who have complex disabilities , and kept the schools otherwise empty so that these students would have the chance to be at school safely .
They could have mandated that school be outdoors , a great way to stimulate learning and also reduce the spread of the virus .
They could have started with high @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bring people together , since high school kids are less likely to drool on one another in class .
`` Amid a stretch of unprecedented death , Quebec has decided to open daycares and elementary schools on May 11 ( one week later in Montreal ) . ''
It ’ s clear that this decision is being made in the best interest of Quebec ’ s economy and not its children .
It might not hurt children , if the theories about COVID-19 not being as much of a threat to kids turn @ @ @ @ @ @ @ simply don ’ t know yet .
If the goal was to help ensure the safety and mental health of children , they have decided on the riskiest option available .
What ’ s worse , by opening schools , the provincial government can claim it is improving children ’ s mental health , safety and nutrition simply by returning to the status quo faster than any other province .
It might be a smart political ploy , especially in a province where the Coalition Avenir Québec ’ s voter base does not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and deaths in Montreal , but it also could set in motion new outbreaks .
Children might be at least risk ( though we have no idea what the long-term effects on them will be ) , but their parents aren ’ t .
Neither are their grandparents .
Perhaps more concerning than the schools being open is why they ’ re being open : To allow manufacturing and construction to return to normal .
Opening schools is the easiest way to ensure the CAQ ’ s other promise — to reopen the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ no surprise they chose May 11 as the first day of school and the first day of the economy ’ s reopening .
Already , we can see there is an emerging crisis in various industries : They are the new centres of outbreaks .
Workers have died in mining , in meat packing and in manufacturing , due to coronavirus outbreaks at their worksites .
We need to learn to live in pandemic normal , but not by rushing to restore our previous normal lives .
Pandemic normal will mean there will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requires more investment in social programs and crucially , to slow the pace at which we attempt to reestablish our old lives .
If we ’ re almost through the first wave of the illness ( and even that is up for debate in Quebec ) , we need to be proactive and avoid hurling ourselves towards the second wave on the relative calm that our collective has so far managed to create .

Quebec has been hardest hit by COVID-19 in Canada. The wave of illness that washed up from the province’s early March break, tied to outbreaks in New York and France, set the stage for Canada’s worst outbreak. Even now, at week eight of the outbreak, Quebec’s new infection rate remains high: Several hundred people are infected daily and, as of Sunday there were more than 31,865 confirmed cases. Quebec’s death rate remains high, too, with 2,205 people dead as of Sunday, higher than all other provinces’ death rates combined. The situation is especially bad in the province’s long-term care facilities in the greater Montreal region. Outbreaks in hospital units are increasingly threatening patients hospitalized for other reasons. And yet, amid a stretch of unprecedented death, the province has decided to open daycares and elementary schools on May 11 (one week later in Montreal). The details of how children will go back to school have been thin. Classes will be capped at 15, but there’s been no announcement made on what they’ll do with the students who flow over this cap. There have been no promises made for personal protective equipment for staff or students, no information about hiring extra custodial workers to carry out a new sanitization routine and nothing about how the province plans to enforce physical distancing, an especially difficult task with small hallways and cubby holes crammed together.
The Quebec government, backed by the province’s association of pediatric doctors, argues that this will be a low-risk move and, on the balance of everything, better for kids. And, it won’t be mandatory, so kids who have compromised immune systems, or who have parents who simply prefer to wait, can stay home. But it’s made Quebec an outlier: The province with the highest number of infections, highest number of deaths and the highest number of hospitals and long-term facilities experiencing outbreaks will also be the only province where students are going back to school before September. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions This has made many parents, me included, extremely suspicious. While the pediatric doctors have argued that the harm students might experience at home thanks to domestic violence, poor nutrition and lack of stimulation is greater than the risk posed by the virus, there is little proof the government is interested in addressing these important issues. There have been no investments made to help feed hungry kids or create new programs to intervene in domestic violence.
They could have first reopened parks, hired people to disinfect the play structures and allowed families the chance to finally be able to enjoy playgrounds again. They could have started with allowing families to carefully open their social circles with other families. They could have given families money for craft supplies. All of these measures would have helped to stimulate our children as they ride out the pandemic at home. "Amid a stretch of unprecedented death, Quebec has decided to open daycares and elementary schools on May 11 (one week later in Montreal)." They also could have created a fund for parents to pay for babysitting to offer some relief. They could have created a summer camp-style school for everyone who needed childcare. They could have asked staff from community health units to check in on parents with kids registered in schools in their areas and see what we need. School could have been opened more gradually, even if they kept the May 11 date in mind. They could have started with students who have complex disabilities, and kept the schools otherwise empty so that these students would have the chance to be at school safely. They could have mandated that school be outdoors, a great way to stimulate learning and also reduce the spread of the virus. They could have started with high schools if the goal was to slowly bring people together, since high school kids are less likely to drool on one another in class. It’s clear that this decision is being made in the best interest of Quebec’s economy and not its children. It might not hurt children, if the theories about COVID-19 not being as much of a threat to kids turn out to be true, but we simply don’t know yet. If the goal was to help ensure the safety and mental health of children, they have decided on the riskiest option available. What’s worse, by opening schools, the provincial government can claim it is improving children’s mental health, safety and nutrition simply by returning to the status quo faster than any other province.
It might be a smart political ploy, especially in a province where the Coalition Avenir Québec’s voter base does not overlap with the worst of the outbreaks and deaths in Montreal, but it also could set in motion new outbreaks. Children might be at least risk (though we have no idea what the long-term effects on them will be), but their parents aren’t. Neither are their grandparents. Perhaps more concerning than the schools being open is why they’re being open: To allow manufacturing and construction to return to normal. Opening schools is the easiest way to ensure the CAQ’s other promise — to reopen the economy — is possible. It was no surprise they chose May 11 as the first day of school and the first day of the economy’s reopening.


nationalobserver--2020-05-04--Canada should copy President Roosevelt and create a nature corps

In March 1933 , U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt asked Congress to establish the Civilian Conservation Corps ( CCC ) as part of his plan to put unemployed people back to work on nature conservation projects .
It was the depth of the Great Depression , the longest , worst , and most widespread economic collapse of the 20th century .
One in four working-age citizens were jobless and the country was in crisis , but Roosevelt argued that investing in nature conservation was `` essential to our recovery program . ''
Over the next decade , the CCC employed more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trees were planted , soil erosion on 40 million acres of farmland was slowed , streams were stocked , nearly 4,000 sites and historic structures were restored , campgrounds , visitor centres , picnic areas and hiking trails were built — all while providing night classes for workers .
Perhaps most impressively , 800 new state parks were developed .
The CCC became the most popular of Roosevelt ’ s New Deal programs .
It was exactly the kind of big-picture thinking the United States needed during one of its worst moments , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ big-picture thinking that Canada needs from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today .
It is time for a Canadian nature corps .
• Did Ontario really need to call in the military for COVID-19 in long-term care ?
Like Roosevelt in his day , Canada ’ s prime minister faces an economic crisis of unprecedented proportions and needs to get the country back to work .
And , like Roosevelt , Trudeau understands that urgent ecological problems need to be addressed .
Last week , the prime minister echoed these sentiments when he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a health crisis does n't mean we can neglect the environmental crisis . ''
It is true the prime minister made this statement while announcing measures to support the oil and gas industry .
He was probably referring to the monumental task of confronting climate change when he said it , but there is no doubt that Trudeau has been clear about his commitment to defend nature .
In recent years , the federal government has entered into agreements to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the creation of protected areas across @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of protecting 10 per cent of the country ’ s oceans by 2020 and it has initiated the most ambitious nature protection initiative in Canadian history by committing to protect 25 per cent of Canada ’ s land , fresh-water bodies , and oceans by 2025 , and 30 per cent by 2030 .
The federal government also announced plans to launch Canada ’ s first meaningful effort to promote nature-based climate solutions , including planting two billion trees and putting in place measures in forests , grasslands , agricultural lands , wetlands @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gas pollution and promote natural restoration .
Unfortunately , wildlife populations continue to decline across Canada and these ambitious goals and efforts will not be realized unless nature is incorporated into the government ’ s social and economic pandemic recovery process .
Trudeau should include a Canadian nature corps as part of his emerging plans to get the country back to work .
`` A Canadian nature corps is not only an investment in nature , it will create jobs , build healthier and more resilient communities , and leave Canada and Trudeau @ @ @ @ @ @ @ legacy . ''
Hundreds of thousands of jobs can be created if we work with nature .
We can support landowners in their efforts to restore wetlands and rivers bordering their farms .
We can put rural communities to work replanting over the scars left behind by unused logging roads , support Indigenous-led conservation , help ranchers survive the ongoing economic crisis while restoring endangered grasslands , and invest in the health of our coastal communities by rebuilding coastal ecosystems .
At a time when people are anxious to get out of their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ invest in maintaining , repairing , and retro-fitting visitor centres , camping grounds , trails , and other infrastructure in urban and rural parks .
We can put thousands of people to work removing invasive species and restoring populations of endangered wildlife .
The longest lasting legacy of Roosevelt ’ s Civilian Conservation Corps was the establishment of hundreds of new parks .
This is a goal our federal government has already set for itself , and which Canadians overwhelmingly support , so let ’ s get it done .
A Canadian nature @ @ @ @ @ @ @ nature , it will create jobs , build healthier and more resilient communities , and leave Canada and Trudeau ’ s government with a lasting natural legacy .

In March 1933, U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt asked Congress to establish the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) as part of his plan to put unemployed people back to work on nature conservation projects. It was the depth of the Great Depression, the longest, worst, and most widespread economic collapse of the 20th century. One in four working-age citizens were jobless and the country was in crisis, but Roosevelt argued that investing in nature conservation was "essential to our recovery program." Over the next decade, the CCC employed more than three million people. Two billion trees were planted, soil erosion on 40 million acres of farmland was slowed, streams were stocked, nearly 4,000 sites and historic structures were restored, campgrounds, visitor centres, picnic areas and hiking trails were built — all while providing night classes for workers. Perhaps most impressively, 800 new state parks were developed. The CCC became the most popular of Roosevelt’s New Deal programs. It was exactly the kind of big-picture thinking the United States needed during one of its worst moments, and it is exactly the kind of big-picture thinking that Canada needs from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau today. It is time for a Canadian nature corps.
Like Roosevelt in his day, Canada’s prime minister faces an economic crisis of unprecedented proportions and needs to get the country back to work. And, like Roosevelt, Trudeau understands that urgent ecological problems need to be addressed. In mid April the prime minister echoed these sentiments when he said: "Just because we're in a health crisis doesn't mean we can neglect the environmental crisis." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions It is true the prime minister made this statement while announcing measures to support the oil and gas industry. He was probably referring to the monumental task of confronting climate change when he said it, but there is no doubt that Trudeau has been clear about his commitment to defend nature.
In recent years, the federal government has entered into agreements to invest hundreds of millions of dollars in the creation of protected areas across Canada. It has surpassed the goal of protecting 10 per cent of the country’s oceans by 2020 and it has initiated the most ambitious nature protection initiative in Canadian history by committing to protect 25 per cent of Canada’s land, fresh-water bodies, and oceans by 2025, and 30 per cent by 2030. "A Canadian nature corps is not only an investment in nature, it will create jobs, build healthier and more resilient communities, and leave Canada and Trudeau’s government with a lasting natural legacy." The federal government also announced plans to launch Canada’s first meaningful effort to promote nature-based climate solutions, including planting two billion trees and putting in place measures in forests, grasslands, agricultural lands, wetlands, and coastal areas to sequester greenhouse gas pollution and promote natural restoration. Unfortunately, wildlife populations continue to decline across Canada and these ambitious goals and efforts will not be realized unless nature is incorporated into the government’s social and economic pandemic recovery process. Trudeau should include a Canadian nature corps as part of his emerging plans to get the country back to work. Hundreds of thousands of jobs can be created if we work with nature. We can support landowners in their efforts to restore wetlands and rivers bordering their farms. We can put rural communities to work replanting over the scars left behind by unused logging roads, support Indigenous-led conservation, help ranchers survive the ongoing economic crisis while restoring endangered grasslands, and invest in the health of our coastal communities by rebuilding coastal ecosystems.


nationalobserver--2020-05-04--Town reverses position, asks to be included in travel restrictions

The town of La Ronge , Sask.
, stepped in line with its neighbours on Sunday as council voted to request that the province include it in travel restrictions for the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District ( NSAD ) .
In doing so , La Ronge switches gears after having previously asked to be excluded from travel restrictions in the far north .
Last week , the town of La Ronge sent a letter to Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe asking that the province redraw the boundaries of a public health order to exclude the municipality from increased restrictions on travel .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health order on Thursday that includes tightened travel restrictions for northern residents covering all communities in the NSAD — except La Ronge and Stony Rapids .
Sask .
Premier Scot Moe and Dr. Saqib Shahab announced tightened travel restrictions for northern residents followed by confusion and conflict in the La Ronge area when residents found out they were exempted .
Photograph by Canadian Press/Michael Bell .
Now La Ronge is asking for that exemption to be removed so the town is included in the travel restrictions .
Until a letter is sent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exemption remains in place .
The public health order states northern residents must remain in their local communities and practise social distancing .
Exceptions will be made only for critical trips , such as collecting groceries and going to medical appointments .
La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich told National Observer he is sorry for supporting the original motion to request an exemption without first consulting partner communities .
La Ronge mayor Ron Woytowich 's town council came under fire from two neighbouring communities after asking the province of Saskatchewan for an exemption from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ district .
Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock .
“ We work together for so many things .
We have one fire department and it goes everywhere .
We have one garbage dump and everybody uses it .
Same with the water .
And then suddenly we didn ’ t even bother working with them on something as important as that and I really feel bad about that , I personally do , ” Woytowich said .
The letter also asked that the town be “ consulted on any matter in advance that will have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ronge drew fire from neighbouring communities of Lac La Ronge Indian Band and the northern village of Air Ronge , which share infrastructure , entry and exit points with La Ronge as part of a tri-community .
Leaders of Lac La Ronge and Air Ronge told National Observer that La Ronge town council hadn ’ t consulted them before sending the letter .
“ The reopen Saskatchewan plan has to put people first .
We know that the business community is struggling and we know that that ’ s temporary , but when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one , that is permanent , '' Jordan McPhail .
La Ronge council sent a letter to the premier requesting for public health lines to be redrawn and to spare them from new travel restrictions in the far north region .
Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock .
La Ronge council members said the province announced the town would be exempted before telling them about it .
They also said the province should have consulted further before putting La Ronge in the spotlight with a travel exemption that was broadcast nationwide .
“ I changed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 10 minutes after I got home that night .
I realized I made a mistake and that , quite frankly , we were interested in all these cabin owners and everything else and their ability to come , when the truth is that the town of La Ronge should only be concerned with ( residents ) , ” Woytowich said .
“ With this decision , the town has gotten on the same page as the village and the band so that we can all work together to make sure that we don @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Concerns for the tourism industry , local business and property owners were cited in the letter to the premier .
View of the Montreal River in Air Ronge .
Many tourists are drawn here for the fishing and cottage owners are an important part of the regional economy in summertime .
Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock .
The letter also expressed a desire for the town to be “ rewarded rather than punished ” for following social-distancing guidelines and not having a reported case in the community to date .
The special meeting on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Klassen to talk about addressing “ COVID-19 related issues ” with Lori Carr , MLA for Estevan and minister of government relations , who was not present .
The motion that was ultimately passed following significant amendment was put forward by Klassen , who also heads the Lac La Ronge Cottage Owners ’ Association .
Until being amended the motion fell short of the wording necessary to reverse the exemption that was previously requested and was revised following extensive debate to which reporters were not privy .
Klassen had previously told CBC Saskatoon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hurt cottage owners and that the province had “ overreacted ” to the ongoing COVID-19 outbreak in La Loche by putting restrictions on the entire administrative district .
He was not identified as a councillor in the article .
The mayor said that the argument of “ I ’ m only going to La Ronge ” would have risked becoming a loophole for people travelling to other parts of the north that aren ’ t open .
“ Whether you agree with it or not , at least everybody ’ s on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... the town of La Ronge joining all the other communities in the same battle should make it easier for our provincial government to work with everybody without having somebody throw the equivalent of a monkey in the ointment.
” The Sunday motion further recommends that checkpoints be set up on the highways to the south and north of La Ronge , with locations decided through consultations with Lac La Ronge Indian Band and Air Ronge .
It also requests that data collection from these checkpoints be shared with tri-community leadership and for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with known cases of COVID-19 .
Jordan McPhail sits on the La Ronge town council .
His amendment stipulating that La Ronge request for travel exemptions to be reinstated passed by majority vote .
Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock .
“ We had a good showing from the council and ultimately we were successful today , ” said councillor Jordan McPhail .
McPhail has consistently supported travel restrictions .
It was ultimately McPhail ’ s amendment to the motion that made the request for the exemption to be lifted .
Mayor Woytowich credited him @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the light .
“ The reopen Saskatchewan plan has to put people first .
We know that the business community is struggling and we know that that ’ s temporary , but when you close a casket on a loved one , that is permanent .
We have to make sure that the people of our municipalities and our province are put first , ” McPhail said .
“ I want to thank the public for reaching out to the council .
Since last week , my phone has been blowing up … @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it 's the local heroes that have stayed engaged and reached out to their leaders to make sure that their voices are being heard at that table .
”

The town of La Ronge, Sask., stepped in line with its neighbours on Sunday as council voted to request that the province include it in travel restrictions for the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District (NSAD). In doing so, La Ronge switches gears after having previously asked to be excluded from travel restrictions in the far north. Last week, the town of La Ronge sent a letter to Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe asking that the province redraw the boundaries of a public health order to exclude the municipality from increased restrictions on travel. As a result, Moe announced a public health order on Thursday that includes tightened travel restrictions for northern residents covering all communities in the NSAD — except La Ronge and Stony Rapids. Sask. Premier Scot Moe and Dr. Saqib Shahab announced tightened travel restrictions for northern residents followed by confusion and conflict in the La Ronge area when residents found out they were exempted. Photograph by Canadian Press/Michael Bell. Now La Ronge is asking for that exemption to be removed so the town is included in the travel restrictions. Until a letter is sent and approved by the province, the exemption remains in place.
The public health order states northern residents must remain in their local communities and practise social distancing. Exceptions will be made only for critical trips, such as collecting groceries and going to medical appointments. La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich told National Observer he is sorry for supporting the original motion to request an exemption without first consulting partner communities. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich's town council came under fire from two neighbouring communities after asking the province of Saskatchewan for an exemption from new travel restrictions in the northern administrative district. Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock.
“We work together for so many things. We have one fire department and it goes everywhere. We have one garbage dump and everybody uses it. Same with the water. And then suddenly we didn’t even bother working with them on something as important as that and I really feel bad about that, I personally do,” Woytowich said. “The reopen Saskatchewan plan has to put people first. We know that the business community is struggling and we know that that’s temporary, but when you close a casket on a loved one, that is permanent," Jordan McPhail. The letter also asked that the town be “consulted on any matter in advance that will have an impact on our community.” La Ronge drew fire from neighbouring communities of Lac La Ronge Indian Band and the northern village of Air Ronge, which share infrastructure, entry and exit points with La Ronge as part of a tri-community. Leaders of Lac La Ronge and Air Ronge told National Observer that La Ronge town council hadn’t consulted them before sending the letter. La Ronge council sent a letter to the premier requesting for public health lines to be redrawn and to spare them from new travel restrictions in the far north region. Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock. La Ronge council members said the province announced the town would be exempted before telling them about it. They also said the province should have consulted further before putting La Ronge in the spotlight with a travel exemption that was broadcast nationwide.
“I changed my mind (about the vote) 10 minutes after I got home that night. I realized I made a mistake and that, quite frankly, we were interested in all these cabin owners and everything else and their ability to come, when the truth is that the town of La Ronge should only be concerned with (residents),” Woytowich said. “With this decision, the town has gotten on the same page as the village and the band so that we can all work together to make sure that we don’t get the virus here.” Concerns for the tourism industry, local business and property owners were cited in the letter to the premier.


nationalobserver--2020-05-05--Feds vow to fix gap in commercial rent-relief program

Canada ’ s federal government says it ’ s working to fix a gap in its COVID-19 commercial rent-relief program that bars landlords from applying if they don ’ t have mortgages .
The gap in the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance ( CECRA ) program was highlighted on Tuesday by two members of Parliament during a meeting of the House of Commons government operations committee .
Toronto-area Liberal MPs Majid Jowhari and Yasmin Ratansi said they have been hearing from businesses in their ridings that property owners without mortgages have been reluctant to participate .
Leah Anderson , assistant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ branch at Finance Canada , responded that the government has been working to fine-tune the program since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced it late last month .
“ We are working on an alternative mechanism for those who do n't have mortgages , ” Anderson said .
• Education , COVID and Quebec and why we shouldn ’ t open schools • Town reverses position , asks to be included in travel restrictions The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation ( CMHC ) , the Crown corporation that is running the rent-relief program , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the CECRA that , “ for those property owners who do not have a mortgage , an alternative mechanism will be implemented.
” CMHC has added “ further details ” on its website since Trudeau announced the program , Anderson said , indicating that landlords should get in touch so alternate arrangements can be made .
Trudeau announced the CECRA as a way to take the pressure off some businesses , charities and nonprofits that are worried they can ’ t keep up with rent payments on their offices or shops .
Through @ @ @ @ @ @ @ covers 75 per cent of commercial rent over three months .
B.C .
Finance Minister Carole James has said the program will launch in the province in mid-May and be able to offer $ 300 million in combined federal-provincial relief .
The program operates by giving out forgivable loans to landlords , and includes several eligibility requirements , one of which is that landlords currently have a mortgage loan secured by the property .
Tenant eligibility is also restricted in terms of what impact the virus has had on revenue , and other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 5,000 small businesses in his riding of Richmond Hill , and many of those have been working with landlords to come up with a deal to secure their shops .
Canada ’ s federal government says it ’ s working to fix a gap in its COVID-19 commercial rent-relief program that bars landlords from applying if they don ’ t have mortgages .
But , he said , “ from the feedback we ’ re getting , a lot of landlords are not embracing the rent subsidy program that ’ s being proposed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ don ’ t have mortgages against that land , so they don ’ t qualify.
” Ratansi , the MP for Don Valley East , also pointed out that many small landlords don ’ t have mortgages .
“ So they don ’ t think they should take advantage of this commercial rent relief , so they don ’ t give relief to their tenants , ” she said .
“ What should we do about it ?
How do I convince my businesses to stay open , or take advantage ( of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ probably not willing to take advantage of it ?
” Anderson said the government was “ continuing to flesh out the program design ” and hearing feedback such as that raised by the MPs .
“ That ’ s very clear , and a mechanism is being designed so they can also apply as well as mortgaged property owners , ” she said .
Later during the committee meeting , Conservative Party digital government critic Ziad Aboutief , the MP for Edmonton Manning , also said “ it seems like the landlords are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ... we have been receiving a lot of calls in that regard , ” although he did not mention that it was connected to a mortgage issue .
Aboutief asked Anderson if the program had been properly communicated to property owners ahead of time .
“ The program is expected to launch in mid-May , so CMHC will be administering the program , and it ’ s working carefully on the program parameters , ” Anderson said .
“ We are hearing a lot from both landlords and tenants about the operationalization of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ from many landlords that they find it ’ s a great opportunity , otherwise they would have been faced perhaps with tenants being able to pay nothing — those that have been deemed non-essential , forced to close , have significant revenue declines.
” NDP national revenue critic Matthew Green , MP for Hamilton Centre , also asked Anderson why the government hasn ’ t offered a program to renters in the residential market .

Canada’s federal government says it’s working to fix a gap in its COVID-19 commercial rent-relief program that bars landlords from applying if they don’t have mortgages. The gap in the Canada Emergency Commercial Rent Assistance (CECRA) program was highlighted on Tuesday by two members of Parliament during a meeting of the House of Commons government operations committee. Toronto-area Liberal MPs Majid Jowhari and Yasmin Ratansi said they have been hearing from businesses in their ridings that property owners without mortgages have been reluctant to participate. Leah Anderson, assistant deputy minister in the financial sector policy branch at Finance Canada, responded that the government has been working to fine-tune the program since Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced it late last month. “We are working on an alternative mechanism for those who don't have mortgages,” Anderson said.
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corporation (CMHC), the Crown corporation that is running the rent-relief program, has also written on its webpage for the CECRA that, “for those property owners who do not have a mortgage, an alternative mechanism will be implemented.” CMHC has added “further details” on its website since Trudeau announced the program, Anderson said, indicating that landlords should get in touch so alternate arrangements can be made. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Trudeau announced the CECRA as a way to take the pressure off some businesses, charities and nonprofits that are worried they can’t keep up with rent payments on their offices or shops. Through a deal with the provinces, it covers 75 per cent of commercial rent over three months.
B.C. Finance Minister Carole James has said the program will launch in the province in mid-May and be able to offer $300 million in combined federal-provincial relief. Canada’s federal government says it’s working to fix a gap in its COVID-19 commercial rent-relief program that bars landlords from applying if they don’t have mortgages. The program operates by giving out forgivable loans to landlords, and includes several eligibility requirements, one of which is that landlords currently have a mortgage loan secured by the property. Tenant eligibility is also restricted in terms of what impact the virus has had on revenue, and other considerations. Jowhari said he has about 5,000 small businesses in his riding of Richmond Hill, and many of those have been working with landlords to come up with a deal to secure their shops. But, he said, “from the feedback we’re getting, a lot of landlords are not embracing the rent subsidy program that’s being proposed by the government. Some of them don’t have mortgages against that land, so they don’t qualify.” Ratansi, the MP for Don Valley East, also pointed out that many small landlords don’t have mortgages. “So they don’t think they should take advantage of this commercial rent relief, so they don’t give relief to their tenants,” she said.
“What should we do about it? How do I convince my businesses to stay open, or take advantage (of the CECRA) when the landlord is probably not willing to take advantage of it?” Anderson said the government was “continuing to flesh out the program design” and hearing feedback such as that raised by the MPs. “That’s very clear, and a mechanism is being designed so they can also apply as well as mortgaged property owners,” she said. Later during the committee meeting, Conservative Party digital government critic Ziad Aboutief, the MP for Edmonton Manning, also said “it seems like the landlords are not participating, or refusing to participate...we have been receiving a lot of calls in that regard,” although he did not mention that it was connected to a mortgage issue.


nationalobserver--2020-05-05--B.C. seafood processors not in the same boat when it comes to COVID-19 impacts

Island seafood processors on B.C.
’ s Pacific coast say they are working to adapt to rapidly shifting market demands and heightened safety protocols , but some companies are taking a bigger hit from COVID-19 than others .
Cam Pirie , general manager of Walcan Seafood on Quadra Island , says the company is looking to adapt and expand its domestic market as COVID-19 decimates demand from restaurant and export markets for seafood products .
“ That ’ s a priority right now , to get into Canadian markets with a focus on local fishing , local processing and distribution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said .
Walcan has set up online ordering for local customers on Quadra Island , and in Campbell River on neighbouring Vancouver Island , for products with appeal for Canadian consumers such as shrimp , tuna , salmon products and B.C .
spot prawns .
However , Walcan also typically processes wild caught seafood products for the restaurant and export market such as herring or salmon roe , sea cucumber or sea urchin that are unlikely to appeal to local or regional consumers , Pirie said .
• Education , COVID and Quebec @ @ @ @ @ @ @ schools • Town reverses position , asks to be included in travel restrictions “ It ’ s not easy , most Canadians aren ’ t interested ... there ’ s a very small domestic market , ” he said .
Walcan Seafood on Quadra Island is looking to shift production away from COVID-19 impacted export markets for things like fish roe and sea urchin , to focus on products like salmon , tuna and prawns for local and regional consupmtion .
File photo : courtesy of Walcan Seafood .
Walcan is looking to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arise , Pirie said .
As the COVID-19 crisis unfolded , the company had just wrapped up its herring processing cycle .
To weather the shifts in demand , the company is focusing solely on processing salmon products until the start of spot prawn season , at the beginning of June .
But in the meantime , the number of staff working at the Quadra Island plant has dropped by nearly two-thirds , down from 80 employees to 25 , Pirie said .
Some of that drop in staffing is because employees were @ @ @ @ @ @ @ if they needed to during the crisis , he added .
“ That ’ s a priority right now , to get into Canadian markets with a focus on local fishing , local processing and distribution , and local consumption , ” Walcan Seafood 's GM Cam Pirie on shifting away from export markets during the pandemic .
“ We told them if they were afraid to come to work , or had family responsibilities… that ’ s OK , '' Pirie said .
“ We could them lay off and rehire them @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to work.
” It ’ s still uncertain how shifting to domestic markets will play out , as local consumers probably aren ’ t willing or able to pay the same price point for items such as B.C .
spot prawns , that the export market was able to meet , Pirie said .
Walcan has also had to absorb extra costs associated with meeting the pandemic ’ s health and distancing protocols , Pirie said .
The company made changes around how it transports workers from the ferry terminal to the plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as well as paying for more personal protective equipment ( PPE ) and installing extra hand-washing stations .
The federal government announced a COVID-19 aid package of $ 62.5 million for Canada 's fish and seafood processors on April 25 .
The Canadian Seafood Stabilization Fund is geared to help processors access short-term financing to pay for maintenance and inventory costs ; add storage capacity for unsold product , comply with new health and safety measures ; and to support new manufacturing measures and responses to new market demands and requirements .
It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or if the new funds are going to be helpful , Pirie said .
“ They have earmarked those funds for the sector , but until we see those details about how to apply , and what programs will be subsided , we can ’ t say , ” he said .
There is no timeline for when details of the aid package will be established , but it is being developed as quickly as possible , a Ministry of Fisheries and Oceans spokesperson said last week .
Nationally , seafood processing and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in revenues and employs 26,429 people , according to 2018 data .
The total value of fish and seafood exports in Canada was $ 7.4 billion in 2019 .
While the collapse of the export market has hurt Walcan , some processing companies tied to domestic retail markets are not feeling the same pain .
Brown ’ s Bay Packing Company on Vancouver Island , north of Campbell River , has not suffered severe disruptions to production and staffing due to COVID-19 , said co-owner and managing director David Stover .
The company @ @ @ @ @ @ @ either already supply , or have made the shift to supplying , a fresh , domestic grocery market that has not dropped amid the coronavirus crisis , Stover said .
Brown ’ s Bay processes approximately 55,000,000 pounds of salmon per year , Stover said .
And although there have been some economic implications due to COVID-19 , they have not been significant enough that Brown ’ s Bay will need to access the federal government ’ s seafood stabilization fund , he said .
“ We ’ ve made a decision as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fortunate to be working in these difficult times , ” Stover said .
“ We can ’ t in good conscience ask for grant funding when we are in full production… and I think there are people that need it far more than we do.
” However , there are still costs associated with the health crisis , Stover added .
The company tripled its payroll to allow workers more flexibility to stay home if they had family commitments during the pandemic .
“ With a bigger crew list we can manage what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ production ) needs are , ” Stover said .
There are also costs associated with the increased PPE requirements , staggering employee start and break times , and processing line changes , he said .
“ COVID-19 has negatively ( impacted ) our margins , but we ’ re lucky to have work and a business right now , ” Stover said .
“ I can ’ t quantify the costs , we won ’ t know , probably , for many months what the measures will have cost us , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Maintaining staff health is a priority , and employees are screened in the parking lot before coming into work , Stover said .
“ If they have any issue , I mean any issue , allergic to pollen or have sniffles , they have the freedom to remain at home… in fact , we didn ’ t want them at work , ” he said .
COVID-19 infections have hit other Canadian food processing sectors , including the meat processing industry in Alberta and B.C .
Cargill shut down its beef packing plant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , after an outbreak of COVID-19 resulted in more than 900 employees contracting the virus and one death .
B.C .
health authorities are also trying to curb outbreaks at a number of poultry processing plants in the Lower Mainland and Fraser Valley .
Shawn Hall , of the B.C .
Salmon Farmers ’ Association , said the federal funding announcement is appreciated by the industry .
“ We look forward to understanding better what resources may become available , ” Hall said .
Companies processing B.C .
farmed salmon took measures to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ producing essential food because it was the correct thing to do under circumstances , he said .
“ That said , these undertakings are costly and any relief would be welcome , ” Hall said .
Pirie said things are changing in seafood processing so rapidly due to COVID-19 , it ’ s hard to pinpoint what federal supports are immediately needed .
“ I need a crystal ball to show me where things are going , ” Pirie said .
“ But what I want is greater access to grocery and retail @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certification and marketing ( supports ) .
” Walcan and its workers are an essential service and they are working hard to stay safe and put food on people ’ s plates during the pandemic , Pirie said .
“ Of course , if we had an outbreak in our plant we ’ d have to close , ” he said .
“ I ’ d like to think on teeny , tiny Quadra Island that it won ’ t happen , but everybody hopes and thinks that , until it does .
@

Island seafood processors on B.C.’s Pacific coast say they are working to adapt to rapidly shifting market demands and heightened safety protocols, but some companies are taking a bigger hit from COVID-19 than others. Cam Pirie, general manager of Walcan Seafood on Quadra Island, says the company is looking to adapt and expand its domestic market as COVID-19 decimates demand from restaurant and export markets for seafood products. “That’s a priority right now, to get into Canadian markets with a focus on local fishing, local processing and distribution, and local consumption,” Pirie said. Walcan has set up online ordering for local customers on Quadra Island, and in Campbell River on neighbouring Vancouver Island, for products with appeal for Canadian consumers such as shrimp, tuna, salmon products and B.C. spot prawns. However, Walcan also typically processes wild caught seafood products for the restaurant and export market such as herring or salmon roe, sea cucumber or sea urchin that are unlikely to appeal to local or regional consumers, Pirie said.
“It’s not easy, most Canadians aren’t interested ... there’s a very small domestic market,” he said. Walcan Seafood on Quadra Island is looking to shift production away from COVID-19 impacted export markets and focus more on products for local and regional consumption. File photo: courtesy of Walcan Seafood. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Walcan is looking to adapt to constantly changing conditions as they arise, Pirie said. As the COVID-19 crisis unfolded, the company had just wrapped up its herring processing cycle.
To weather the shifts in demand, the company is focusing solely on processing salmon products until the start of spot prawn season, at the beginning of June. “That’s a priority right now, to get into Canadian markets with a focus on local fishing, local processing and distribution, and local consumption,” Walcan Seafood's GM Cam Pirie on shifting away from export markets during the pandemic. But in the meantime, the number of staff working at the Quadra Island plant has dropped by nearly two-thirds, down from 80 employees to 25, Pirie said. Some of that drop in staffing is because employees were given the opportunity to take time off if they needed to during the crisis, he added. “We told them if they were afraid to come to work, or had family responsibilities… that’s OK," Pirie said. “We could them lay off and rehire them when they were able to come back to work.” It’s still uncertain how shifting to domestic markets will play out, as local consumers probably aren’t willing or able to pay the same price point for items such as B.C. spot prawns, that the export market was able to meet, Pirie said.
Walcan has also had to absorb extra costs associated with meeting the pandemic’s health and distancing protocols, Pirie said. The company made changes around how it transports workers from the ferry terminal to the plant in the north of the island, as well as paying for more personal protective equipment (PPE) and installing extra hand-washing stations. The federal government announced a COVID-19 aid package of $62.5 million for Canada's fish and seafood processors on April 25.