nationalobserver--2020-05-19--Noam Chomsky on Trump, COVID-19, climate change, and the economy

`` A level of sadism that 's hard to describe '' -- that 's how legendary linguist and intellectual Noam Chomsky describes the U.S. Trump administration 's response to the global coronavirus pandemic , known as COVID-19 .
Sitting down on for a Zoom conversation with Canada 's National Observer editor-in-chief Linda Solomon-Wood and 700 audience participants , Chomsky gave a harsh rebuke of President Trump while outlining how the world can emerge from the virus a better , safe and more just society .
Video of Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 pandemic and the future world Noam Chomsky @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a live Zoom call on April 23 , 2020 `` The usual class war is operating right now , '' Chomsky said , of America 's chaotic and uneven response to the COVID-19 crisis .
Now with nearly 90,000 deaths and one fourth of the world 's million cases , the pandemic has aggravated inequality in the U.S. , with wealthy and well-connected people making millions off the virus even as inmates in prisons are forced to buy their own soap and paper towels to protect themselves against disease .
Even in this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Republican leaders were inflicting economic pain on voters in Democratic states while bailing out large corporations .
• Freeland refrains from discussing details on Canada 's ongoing talks with U.S. on border opening • Ontario cancels rest of the school year , no overnight summer camps `` Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell , who 's really the guiding hand , the thinker ... he 's the real evil genius in the administration .
He said the stimulus program can not give money to blue states ... no money for places like New York @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reason , [ McConnell ] said , is that future generations do n't have to pay for mistakes made by states in the past like pension plans for teachers , firefighters , if they want to waste money that way , we 're not going to pay for it , '' Chomsky said .
`` So let 's look at who are we giving money to .
Enterprises like the airline industries which spent the last year gorging on super profits and using it not to benefit consumers , not to build up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to raise money for investors . ''
He said that the `` usual class war '' was in full swing during the pandemic , and that powerful forces were working to make the gap between the rich and poor even more pronounced than ever .
As for how the economic and political landscape in America might change , Chomsky drew parallels between the 1930s and today , and compared how both the Great Depression and the COVID-19 pandemic presented a stark choice to societies in terms of overcoming the crisis .
`` The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much worse than this in fact ... and there were two ways out , '' he said .
`` One way out was fascism .
It spread over a lot of the world .
`` another way was basically New Deal style , welfare state style democracy and liberalism .
That was the way the United States took ( in the 1930s ) ... .
Those are the two ways out .
We ’ re in the same situation now . ''
Chomsky said we will eventually emerge from the pandemic `` at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the frying pain into the fire , humanity would have to confront the other , inescapable problem of climate change .
`` We are not going to escape from the melting of the polar ice caps , the rise in sea levels and the other extremely harmful consequences of global warming , '' he said .
`` The major country in the world , the United States , happens to be in the hands of someone , in fact a party , that wants to exacerbate the crisis .
They want @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis is ) as severe as possible and as imminent as possible and are putting all their efforts into that right as we speak .
If we want that to happen , we can watch and not react .
Canada is hardly blameless in this . ''
In that regard , Chomsky said , U.S. President Donald Trump is building a framework for disasters that may result in a death count higher than even humanity 's worst criminal .
`` Hitler was maybe the worst criminal in human history .
He murdered my @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Roma , homosexuals ... it 's pretty evil , '' Chomsky said .
`` But what does Trump want to do ?
He wants to destroy the prospects for all organized human life .
And in the near future .
That 's what it means to maximize the use of fossil fuels , to cut regulations that might diminish or restrict that danger . ''
He said the people who want to continue down this path appear to operate on the logic that the world is going off a cliff anyway , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it rather than seriously examine ways to mitigate the crisis .
But for all his bleak predictions , Chomsky said doomsday is n't inevitable , and that people are perfectly capable of turning the tide through popular , organized movements .
`` We 've done harder things in the past , '' he said .
`` Activist movements , the Civil Rights movement , the Abolitionist movement , the women ’ s movement and the anti-war movement changed countries enormously .
We ’ re not the same as we were , even 50 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ civilized societies .
We can do this , too .
Take the fossil fuel industry .
Take a look at oil prices ...
The United States , Canada and others could simply socialize the industries , buy them up , not that expensive , and put them out of business .
That would be a great boon to the world .
You can ’ t do it in a day , but you can put the resources you have into developing sustainable energy .
How much would that take ?
There are careful @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much it would take , how much it would cost to carry out policies which would basically control the enormous environmental crisis . ''
He said such a massive change would only take a small percentage of the mobilization required during World War II , so that it was completely doable .
Youth hold the key to structural changes Throughout the hour-long conversation , he fielded questions from National Observer 's audience .
One of the questions was from a 14-year-old asking what his generation could do .
Chomsky said that young people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drivers of changes in the world today .
`` Take a look at who is on the front line to try and prevent the world from being destroyed by the Trump types .
Young people , '' Chomsky said .
`` Take a look at the climate ( change ) strike last October ... Who was out there on the front lines ?
Young people . ''
He spoke of the dramatic moment at the World Economic Forum meeting in Davos , Switzerland , where U.S. President Donald Trump 's speech was followed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Greta Thunberg .
Video of Greta Thunberg : Our House Is On Fire !
| World Economic Forum 2019 Environmental activist Greta Thunberg speaking at the World Economic Forum in Davos , Switzerland on January 25 , 2019 Chomsky praised her for giving an `` accurate , careful '' speech describing the imminent climate crisis .
`` She ended quietly saying , you the people out there are destroying our hope for any life . ''
He said young people like Thunberg , and the 14-year-old listener , who have the power to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis .
`` It ’ s the Greta Thunbergs and the 14-year-olds whose world is being destroyed , and they ’ re on the front line of trying to save it and the older generation is betraying them , '' Chomsky said .
`` They should continue to work energetically to make this clear . ''

"A level of sadism that's hard to describe" -- that's how legendary linguist and intellectual Noam Chomsky describes the U.S. Trump administration's response to the global coronavirus pandemic, known as COVID-19. Sitting down on for a Zoom conversation with Canada's National Observer editor-in-chief Linda Solomon-Wood and 700 audience participants, Chomsky gave a harsh rebuke of President Trump while outlining how the world can emerge from the virus a better, safe and more just society. Video of Noam Chomsky on Trump, COVID-19 pandemic and the future world Noam Chomsky in conversation with Linda Solomon Wood in a live Zoom call on April 23, 2020
Flaws in neoliberal capitalism exposed by COVID-19 "The usual class war is operating right now," Chomsky said, of America's chaotic and uneven response to the COVID-19 crisis. Now with nearly 90,000 deaths and one fourth of the world's million cases, the pandemic has aggravated inequality in the U.S., with wealthy and well-connected people making millions off the virus even as inmates in prisons are forced to buy their own soap and paper towels to protect themselves against disease. Even in this time of crisis, Chomsky said, Republican leaders were inflicting economic pain on voters in Democratic states while bailing out large corporations. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, who's really the guiding hand, the thinker...he's the real evil genius in the administration. He said the stimulus program cannot give money to blue states...no money for places like New York that vote Democratic."
"The reason, [McConnell] said, is that future generations don't have to pay for mistakes made by states in the past like pension plans for teachers, firefighters, if they want to waste money that way, we're not going to pay for it," Chomsky said. "So let's look at who are we giving money to. Enterprises like the airline industries which spent the last year gorging on super profits and using it not to benefit consumers, not to build up the industry, but on stock buybacks to raise money for investors." He said that the "usual class war" was in full swing during the pandemic, and that powerful forces were working to make the gap between the rich and poor even more pronounced than ever. As for how the economic and political landscape in America might change, Chomsky drew parallels between the 1930s and today, and compared how both the Great Depression and the COVID-19 pandemic presented a stark choice to societies in terms of overcoming the crisis. "The Great Depression had an enormous impact, much worse than this in fact...and there were two ways out," he said. "One way out was fascism. It spread over a lot of the world...Another way was basically New Deal style, welfare state style democracy and liberalism. That was the way the United States took (in the 1930s).... Those are the two ways out. We’re in the same situation now."
The looming climate crisis Chomsky said we will eventually emerge from the pandemic "at severe cost." But like jumping out of the frying pain into the fire, humanity would have to confront the other, inescapable problem of climate change. "We are not going to escape from the melting of the polar ice caps, the rise in sea levels and the other extremely harmful consequences of global warming," he said. "The major country in the world, the United States, happens to be in the hands of someone, in fact a party, that wants to exacerbate the crisis. They want to make sure that (the coming crisis is) as severe as possible and as imminent as possible and are putting all their efforts into that right as we speak. If we want that to happen, we can watch and not react. Canada is hardly blameless in this."


nationalobserver--2020-05-19--Ontario cancels rest of the school year, no overnight summer camps

Parents of school-age children in Ontario face a dilemma heading into the summer months , as the province inches forward with its plan to open up more of the economy , while ruling that schools would be shut for the rest of the academic year .
Overnight summer camps have also been cancelled , the provincial government said on Tuesday , although day camps that maintain strict rules around distancing and other protective measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic will be allowed .
“ We can not open schools at this time , ” Premier Doug Ford said at a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ministers .
“ I ’ m just not going to risk it.
” He said that as long as infection trends keep improving , day camps would be allowed to open in July and August , but that overnight camps are a different matter .
“ Unfortunately , we just can ’ t have camps with 500 kids living together right now , ” Ford said .
• Freeland refrains from discussing details on Canada 's ongoing talks with U.S. on border opening • The global pandemic can , and should , transform @ @ @ @ @ @ @ want to “ chance it ” by allowing schools to open in regions of the province that have not recorded a large number of COVID-19 cases .
Canada ’ s most populous province meanwhile kicked off its reopening plan by allowing many retail shops to open and all construction activities to resume , while bars remain closed and restrictions on gatherings at dine-in restaurants , and in hair salons and other businesses remain in place until at least the end of next week .
That leaves parents with jobs in those sectors that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ returning to their jobs and looking after their children .
Ford declined to say whether the province would provide further financial support to parents to help with the extended shutdown of schools .
In early April , it made available a one-off payment of $ 200 per child and $ 250 for students with special needs .
“ I can ’ t give you a definite ‘ no ’ or a definite ‘ yes , ’ but I can tell you everything is on the table all the time , ” he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ end of June His education minister , Stephen Lecce , said the government is working on a plan to reopen schools in September which they will make public before the end of the school year .
Parents in Ontario will have their kids home from school through the end of the academic year , the Ford government says , while many will be asked to return to work as the economy reopens .
“ It is obvious that schools will not look the same , that we have to reimagine education ” to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the safe movement of children , he said .
This could result in smaller class sizes , which the government had been fighting against in a labour dispute with education unions that was disrupting classes before the pandemic hit .
“ Before the end of June , we will unveil a plan of how that will look , what those types of impacts will be and additional educational supports we ’ re going to unveil to help our kids succeed next year , ” Lecce said .
He championed the use of so-called @ @ @ @ @ @ @ interim , meaning he wanted teachers to be available to instruct students in a live sense , rather than posting work to be completed .
Students were told not to report back to schools in Ontario after the March break , and the province launched an online learning portal weeks later , although participation has not been enforced and students can improve their marks with remote work , but not face lower grades .

Parents of school-age children in Ontario face a dilemma heading into the summer months, as the province inches forward with its plan to open up more of the economy, while ruling that schools would be shut for the rest of the academic year. Overnight summer camps have also been cancelled, the provincial government said on Tuesday, although day camps that maintain strict rules around distancing and other protective measures to contain the COVID-19 pandemic will be allowed. “We cannot open schools at this time,” Premier Doug Ford said at a news conference with his education and health ministers. “I’m just not going to risk it.” He said that as long as infection trends keep improving, day camps would be allowed to open in July and August, but that overnight camps are a different matter. “Unfortunately, we just can’t have camps with 500 kids living together right now,” Ford said.
Ford said he did not want to “chance it” by allowing schools to open in regions of the province that have not recorded a large number of COVID-19 cases. Canada’s most populous province meanwhile kicked off its reopening plan by allowing many retail shops to open and all construction activities to resume, while bars remain closed and restrictions on gatherings at dine-in restaurants, and in hair salons and other businesses remain in place until at least the end of next week. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions That leaves parents with jobs in those sectors that are getting back to work torn between returning to their jobs and looking after their children.
Ford declined to say whether the province would provide further financial support to parents to help with the extended shutdown of schools. In early April, it made available a one-off payment of $200 per child and $250 for students with special needs. Parents in Ontario will have their kids home from school through the end of the academic year, the Ford government says, while many will be asked to return to work as the economy reopens. “I can’t give you a definite ‘no’ or a definite ‘yes,’ but I can tell you everything is on the table all the time,” he said. Plan for September to come by end of June His education minister, Stephen Lecce, said the government is working on a plan to reopen schools in September which they will make public before the end of the school year. “It is obvious that schools will not look the same, that we have to reimagine education” to account for the need for distancing and the safe movement of children, he said.
This could result in smaller class sizes, which the government had been fighting against in a labour dispute with education unions that was disrupting classes before the pandemic hit. “Before the end of June, we will unveil a plan of how that will look, what those types of impacts will be and additional educational supports we’re going to unveil to help our kids succeed next year,” Lecce said. He championed the use of so-called “synchronous” online learning in the interim, meaning he wanted teachers to be available to instruct students in a live sense, rather than posting work to be completed.


nationalobserver--2020-05-20--Lawsuits likely if Democrat Biden elected and cancels Keystone XL

Billions of dollars in lawsuits will likely result if Joe Biden is elected U.S. president this November and carries out a threat to cancel the presidential permit allowing operation of the Keystone XL pipeline , Canadian observers say .
The promised action by the leading U.S. Democratic Party candidate , confirmed by his campaign office on Monday , would also deprive U.S. Gulf Coast refineries of a fresh supply of vital Canadian heavy oil , leaving them dependent on imports from countries such as Saudi Arabia and Venezuela , they add .
`` This is all grandstanding and it does @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' said Hal Kvisle , a former CEO of TC Energy and current chairman of both the Business Council of Alberta and oil and gas producer ARC Resources Ltd. '' TC would have a multibillion-dollar lawsuit against the U.S. government if they kill the project that 's already been approved . ''
The company green-lighted Keystone XL on March 31 following the Alberta government 's pledge to take a $ 1.5 billion equity stake and provide a $ 6 billion loan guarantee to ensure work started immediately .
• Ontario cancels rest of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ camps • Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and the economy A month later , TC Energy said it would adjust its plans but forge ahead with construction after a U.S. court ruling that invalidated a nationwide permit allowing pipelines to cross waterways .
The company said Tuesday it had nothing to add to its Monday statement that ignored the comments from the Biden campaign , instead extolling the virtues of Keystone XL as an engine of investment and jobs growth .
The Biden declaration represents a significant risk @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would likely result in Calgary-based TC Energy re-examining how prudent it is to continue construction , said financial analyst Jennifer Rowland of Edward Jones .
Alberta 's backing , however , mitigates the financial concern .
`` I think it becomes potentially a little bit easier for TC to go ahead and spend knowing that the initial money is really being backed by the government , '' she said in an interview .
`` That does take some pressure off so that they can continue .
They can gamble because it 's not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be `` naive '' to think that Biden would n't kill the pipeline simply because it has been partly built .
There are three oil export pipelines currently under construction .
The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is to add 590,000 barrels per day though the Vancouver region , while 370,000 bpd is expected from the Line 3 replacement project through the United States .
But Keystone XL 's 830,000 bpd of capacity , if anything , is more important for Canada , said Dennis McConaghy , a former TransCanada executive and author @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which initial applications were made in 2008 .
`` KXL was always the most strategic of those three pipelines , '' he said on Tuesday .
`` It went to the market that most wants our heavy oil .
It 's a much more direct route , it provides the greatest economy . ''
The project 's potential value in higher oil prices and higher royalties for government make Alberta 's investment worthwhile , in spite of the risk , he said .
Richard Masson , an executive fellow with the School of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said construction of the two other pipelines will satisfy the immediate need but Keystone XL will eventually be required if Alberta 's oilsands output continues to grow at around 100,000 barrels per day each year as forecast .
Spokeswoman Sonja Franklin of oilsands producer Cenovus Energy Inc. says the company wo n't speculate on the outcome of the U.S. election and remains a firm supporter of the pipeline .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 19 , 2020 .

Billions of dollars in lawsuits will likely result if Joe Biden is elected U.S. president this November and carries out a threat to cancel the presidential permit allowing operation of the Keystone XL pipeline, Canadian observers say. The promised action by the leading U.S. Democratic Party candidate, confirmed by his campaign office on Monday, would also deprive U.S. Gulf Coast refineries of a fresh supply of vital Canadian heavy oil, leaving them dependent on imports from countries such as Saudi Arabia and Venezuela, they add. "This is all grandstanding and it doesn't look good on the politicians," said Hal Kvisle, a former CEO of TC Energy and current chairman of both the Business Council of Alberta and oil and gas producer ARC Resources Ltd. "TC would have a multibillion-dollar lawsuit against the U.S. government if they kill the project that's already been approved." The company green-lighted Keystone XL on March 31 following the Alberta government's pledge to take a $1.5 billion equity stake and provide a $6 billion loan guarantee to ensure work started immediately.
A month later, TC Energy said it would adjust its plans but forge ahead with construction after a U.S. court ruling that invalidated a nationwide permit allowing pipelines to cross waterways. The company said Tuesday it had nothing to add to its Monday statement that ignored the comments from the Biden campaign, instead extolling the virtues of Keystone XL as an engine of investment and jobs growth. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The Biden declaration represents a significant risk for the US$8-billion project and would likely result in Calgary-based TC Energy re-examining how prudent it is to continue construction, said financial analyst Jennifer Rowland of Edward Jones.
Alberta's backing, however, mitigates the financial concern. Lawsuits likely if Democrat Biden cancels Keystone XL, Canadian observers warn "I think it becomes potentially a little bit easier for TC to go ahead and spend knowing that the initial money is really being backed by the government," she said in an interview. "That does take some pressure off so that they can continue. They can gamble because it's not their money." Rowland said it would be "naive" to think that Biden wouldn't kill the pipeline simply because it has been partly built. There are three oil export pipelines currently under construction. The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is to add 590,000 barrels per day though the Vancouver region, while 370,000 bpd is expected from the Line 3 replacement project through the United States.
But Keystone XL's 830,000 bpd of capacity, if anything, is more important for Canada, said Dennis McConaghy, a former TransCanada executive and author of a book about the pipeline for which initial applications were made in 2008. "KXL was always the most strategic of those three pipelines," he said on Tuesday. "It went to the market that most wants our heavy oil. It's a much more direct route, it provides the greatest economy."


nationalobserver--2020-05-20--Conservation group urging people to report invasive species

As people resume springtime recreational activities including gardening , the Nature Conservancy of Canada is urging them to help minimize the spread of invasive species .
A senior conservation biologist with the organization says people can help by reporting sightings , a simple move that contributes to early detection of species that do n't belong in local habitats .
Dan Kraus says on a global scale , invasive species are the second most serious threat to natural settings and wildlife after habitat loss .
`` One of our best defences against invasive species is early detection and management , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Invasive Species Awareness Week began .
`` So the sooner we can know when a new invasive species arrives , or how an invasive species is spreading across the country , it gives scientists and land managers a chance to move in early and manage it . ''
• Ontario cancels rest of the school year , no overnight summer camps • Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and the economy As examples , he said plants such as Japanese knotweed and European common reed can lower property values @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ash borer are major threats to the health of ash tree populations , especially in urban areas .
`` One of the simple things is just to look in our own backyards to see if we do have some of these plants that can move into natural areas and replace some of our native flora and fauna , '' said Kraus .
He said there are ways people can report invasive species including through the iNaturalist phone app and by uploading photos to help scientists and government agencies identify the species and monitor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the emerald ash borer has gained particular notoriety after ravaging ash tree populations in areas of Quebec , Ontario and Manitoba .
The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the presence of the invasive , tree-destroying beetle in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in 2018 .
Paula Noel , the conservancy 's New Brunswick program director , regards the ash borer as one of the top invasive threats currently in the Atlantic region .
Noel said people should be aware that they can help prevent its potential spread to provinces where it does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador .
Conservation group urging people to report , be aware of invasive species She said one of the key ways it travels is on wood that is transported by people for use as firewood .
At the very least , Noel said people should n't travel great distances with their wood .
`` Emerald ash borer is a very tiny insect , '' Noel said .
`` The adult is about the size of a grain of rice and they ca n't move very far @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many years for them to spread from one region of the province to another . ''
Noel said the insect is a particular concern in many cities and towns that typically have a `` substantial amount '' of ash trees lining streets and in parks .
She said the ash borer can get into black , white and green ash species in the Maritimes .
`` Where this has been spread , up to 99 per cent of ash trees can be killed in an area by this insect , so it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Noel .
In general , Noel said there are other simple things people can do to help reduce the spread of invasive species , such as being aware of what plants they are exchanging with others for their gardens .
In addition , bikers and hikers can do their part by cleaning their boots and bike treads after moving from one area to another to help reduce the spread of invasive seeds .
Kraus said fending off invasive species is a way to counter a homogenization of biodiversity that 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do have plants and animals here in Canada that are special from the Canadian and global perspective , '' he said .
`` Canadians are the only ones who can protect those species and ecosystems , and the more we can do , the more we will help our plants and animals . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 19 , 2020 .

As people resume springtime recreational activities including gardening, the Nature Conservancy of Canada is urging them to help minimize the spread of invasive species. A senior conservation biologist with the organization says people can help by reporting sightings, a simple move that contributes to early detection of species that don't belong in local habitats. Dan Kraus says on a global scale, invasive species are the second most serious threat to natural settings and wildlife after habitat loss. "One of our best defences against invasive species is early detection and management," Kraus said in a recent interview as Invasive Species Awareness Week began. "So the sooner we can know when a new invasive species arrives, or how an invasive species is spreading across the country, it gives scientists and land managers a chance to move in early and manage it."
As examples, he said plants such as Japanese knotweed and European common reed can lower property values, while insects such as the emerald ash borer are major threats to the health of ash tree populations, especially in urban areas. "One of the simple things is just to look in our own backyards to see if we do have some of these plants that can move into natural areas and replace some of our native flora and fauna," said Kraus. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions He said there are ways people can report invasive species including through the iNaturalist phone app and by uploading photos to help scientists and government agencies identify the species and monitor their spread.
In recent years, the emerald ash borer has gained particular notoriety after ravaging ash tree populations in areas of Quebec, Ontario and Manitoba. The Canadian Food Inspection Agency confirmed the presence of the invasive, tree-destroying beetle in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia in 2018. Conservation group urging people to report, be aware of invasive species Paula Noel, the conservancy's New Brunswick program director, regards the ash borer as one of the top invasive threats currently in the Atlantic region. Noel said people should be aware that they can help prevent its potential spread to provinces where it doesn't appear to have landed yet, such as Prince Edward Island and Newfoundland and Labrador. She said one of the key ways it travels is on wood that is transported by people for use as firewood. At the very least, Noel said people shouldn't travel great distances with their wood. "Emerald ash borer is a very tiny insect," Noel said. "The adult is about the size of a grain of rice and they can't move very far on their own. It would take many years for them to spread from one region of the province to another."
Noel said the insect is a particular concern in many cities and towns that typically have a "substantial amount" of ash trees lining streets and in parks. She said the ash borer can get into black, white and green ash species in the Maritimes. "Where this has been spread, up to 99 per cent of ash trees can be killed in an area by this insect, so it is really a devastating infection for these trees," said Noel. In general, Noel said there are other simple things people can do to help reduce the spread of invasive species, such as being aware of what plants they are exchanging with others for their gardens.


nationalobserver--2020-05-20--Warning of N.S. mass shooter's paranoia, guns, prior abuse in warrant

A newly released document details warning signals of paranoid behaviour and unusual stockpiling of guns and gasoline by the man who went on a rampage that killed 22 people in Nova Scotia last month .
In the court document made public Tuesday following an application by media organizations , seven witnesses who 'd encountered Gabriel Wortman either recalled him talking about owning guns or had seen guns at locations including his clinic in Dartmouth , N.S.
, and his property in Portapique , N.S.
, dubbed `` the warehouse . ''
The 40 pages offer disturbing glimpses of his rural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Truro , where the 51-year-old denturist entertained friends and kept a well-stocked bar and a collection of motorcycles .
One witness , who met a Halifax Regional Police officer to give a statement on April 19 , described the gunman as an abusive `` sociopath '' who 'd kept a rifle by the fireplace that was `` like a machine gun . ''
An acquaintance who visited told police that Wortman had installed a security system in his warehouse , though he also showed off his guns and police cars to visitors .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ year , no overnight summer camps • Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and the economy Police have previously stated that beginning on the night of April 18 , the killer used accelerants to light fires in five communities and murdered people with four semi-automatic weapons he was n't licensed to own as he drove about in a replica police car .
He was killed by police before noon on April 19 .
In the court documents , witnesses offered additional figures and details — including two estimates that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gasoline .
Emails from the killer written four days before the mass shooting provided no hint of what was to come .
`` I am currently residing at my cottage in Portapique .
I am enjoying this prelude to retirement , unfortunately not able to get to ... , '' says one message , the last word removed by the Crown lawyers who released the document .
`` I am around in the a.m. 's 9-12 studying the news on U-tube .
Stay safe , Gabe . ''
However , other information gathered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the killer 's state of mind .
A former colleague told police officers the gunman was `` paranoid '' about the COVID-19 pandemic , saying he 'd experienced `` a mental breakdown '' while discussing a deed for a property in Portapique .
The witness was among those who said the killer had talked about various types of guns , assault rifles and handguns in the past .
The witness also said Wortman `` had been disturbed and that he was severely abused as a young boy , '' adding he was `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ psychopath '' and had abused a person whose name is removed from the document .
Two other witnesses told police Wortman had been abusive in the past , though the context , dates and details are not in the court document .
Another witness gave an undated statement to the Halifax Regional Police saying he had met the gunman in 2011 , calling him `` controlling '' and `` paranoid . ''
The witness said Wortman had described ways to get rid of bodies using burning and chemicals .
In addition , on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ supplies that Wortman used to create an RCMP insignia on his replica vehicle described how Wortman had purchased several sheets of reflective blue vinyl .
The witness said that the gunman `` had a police cruiser that he bought at an auction and wanted to do it up like a police car . ''
He said he told Wortman `` he would get in trouble for driving the car with decals , and Gabriel said that he knew and it would be illegal . ''
According to information provided by the gunman 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ violence began when they were having drinks at his warehouse in Portapique and had been talking to friends on a video chat .
Police have previously stated that the female partner was assaulted but managed to escape to the woods , where she hid through the night before speaking to police about Wortman at about 6:30 a.m. on April 19 .
The document adds her comments that Wortman poured gasoline in his cottage and warehouse and she observed that there were several firearms in the front seat of the replica police car he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had a relationship with someone in the RCMP and had one of his uniforms , though it did n't fit .
`` He had a fluorescent yellow jacket and he would put it in the front seat to make it look like he was a police officer , '' she told investigators .
In the reasons given for seeking the search warrant , RCMP Sgt .
Angela Hawryluk describes how the first two officers to arrive on the scene on the night of April 18 encountered a wounded witness who told them he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in uniform driving what they thought was an RCMP vehicle .
This witness , who is not named , told the two officers he and another person noted a building on fire in Portapique and a police vehicle in a nearby blue building that was burning as well .
They had believed the police vehicle was an RCMP officer responding to the emergency .
When they approached , Wortman opened fire on them with his handgun , and they fled .
Minutes later , when they met RCMP officers arriving on the scene @ @ @ @ @ @ @ first suspicion was that it ( the gunman ) was ... Gabe ( Wortman ) because his barn was on fire and he had a look-a-like Taurus that he was calling a police car . ''
The witness told the police officers the replica vehicle had a police number on it .
`` The one ( the car ) that we saw parked was definitely badged , '' the witness is quoted as saying .
The warrant was sought on April 24 to search various buildings owned by Wortman , noting they had @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the assistance of an anthropologist to search the sites .
Large portions of the document , including the identities of witnesses , have been redacted .
It was unsealed after a media consortium , including The Canadian Press , went to court .
The consortium will learn the reasons for the Crown 's redactions in future court hearings and will have the opportunity to contest them .
The document confirmed previous police statements that Wortman did n't have a licence to own the firearms he used , and added that he had never @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report by The Canadian Press was first published May 19 , 2020 .

A newly released document details warning signals of paranoid behaviour and unusual stockpiling of guns and gasoline by the man who went on a rampage that killed 22 people in Nova Scotia last month. In the court document made public Tuesday following an application by media organizations, seven witnesses who'd encountered Gabriel Wortman either recalled him talking about owning guns or had seen guns at locations including his clinic in Dartmouth, N.S., and his property in Portapique, N.S., dubbed "the warehouse." The 40 pages offer disturbing glimpses of his rural property, located 44 kilometres west of Truro, where the 51-year-old denturist entertained friends and kept a well-stocked bar and a collection of motorcycles. One witness, who met a Halifax Regional Police officer to give a statement on April 19, described the gunman as an abusive "sociopath" who'd kept a rifle by the fireplace that was "like a machine gun." An acquaintance who visited told police that Wortman had installed a security system in his warehouse, though he also showed off his guns and police cars to visitors.
Police have previously stated that beginning on the night of April 18, the killer used accelerants to light fires in five communities and murdered people with four semi-automatic weapons he wasn't licensed to own as he drove about in a replica police car. He was killed by police before noon on April 19. In the court documents, witnesses offered additional figures and details — including two estimates that Wortman had bought $800 worth of gasoline. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Emails from the killer written four days before the mass shooting provided no hint of what was to come.
"I am currently residing at my cottage in Portapique. I am enjoying this prelude to retirement, unfortunately not able to get to ...," says one message, the last word removed by the Crown lawyers who released the document. Warning signs of N.S. mass shooter's paranoia, guns, prior abuse noted in warrant "I am around in the a.m.'s 9-12 studying the news on U-tube. Stay safe, Gabe." However, other information gathered by police paints a darker picture of the killer's state of mind. A former colleague told police officers the gunman was "paranoid" about the COVID-19 pandemic, saying he'd experienced "a mental breakdown" while discussing a deed for a property in Portapique. The witness was among those who said the killer had talked about various types of guns, assault rifles and handguns in the past.
The witness also said Wortman "had been disturbed and that he was severely abused as a young boy," adding he was "very smart, cheated and was a psychopath" and had abused a person whose name is removed from the document. Two other witnesses told police Wortman had been abusive in the past, though the context, dates and details are not in the court document. Another witness gave an undated statement to the Halifax Regional Police saying he had met the gunman in 2011, calling him "controlling" and "paranoid." The witness said Wortman had described ways to get rid of bodies using burning and chemicals.


nationalobserver--2020-05-20--COVID-19 travel ban lifted for northeast Saskatchewan

Phase two of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan is starting on Tuesday , except for the northwest of the province .
Restrictions in the province are gradually being lifted in five phases .
The northeast and north central areas are now on the same reopening schedule as the rest of the province and are now also in phase two .
`` Following consultation with a number of leaders in communities further to the east ( of the northwest area ) but also in Saskatchewan 's north the travel restrictions for the north-central and the northeastern part of the province including the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay are now being lifted , '' Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said .
“ I think it ’ s both good and bad , ” La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich told Canada ’ s National Observer shortly after the announcement was made .
Woytowich cautioned that although reopening looks good on the surface and could help economically , access to healthcare and quality of life will be impacted if the virus is spread to residents by visitors .
“ It ’ s good for economics , family can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the flipside is that ( so far ) we ’ ve felt safe .
It ’ s a good thing , but I ’ m also a little wary of it.
” • Ontario cancels rest of the school year , no overnight summer camps • Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and the economy La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich cautioned that although reopening looks good on the surface and could help economically , access to healthcare and quality of life will be impacted if the virus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock .
He said that when a presumptive case was announced in the Lac La Ronge area on May 14 everybody was suddenly scared .
That case was later found to be negative but he said it served as a reminder of the importance of continuing to follow social distancing guidelines and to abide by the public health order .
Woytowich is also concerned over whether the region can afford an increase in cases potentially brought on by increased travel from the south .
“ If somebody that we knew @ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to Saskatoon to the hospital .
Can we afford that ?
” He said it 's one thing for somebody from Saskatoon to come north to a cabin and end up getting COVID-19 , because then they go back home to their families in the city .
“ If somebody from La Ronge gets it and we end up in Saskatoon , then how can our family go and see them ?
” Woytowich said .
He said that he wasn ’ t aware that the announcement would be made today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called beforehand either .
Although the announcement came as a surprise , he said he hadn ’ t expected a call , and it was not an entirely unexpected development .
“ We ’ re going to have people now coming up from the south that want to go to their recreational cabins and they ’ re going to come up .
They ’ ve been calling , ” Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette .
Woytowich said that there is a lot of travel between La Ronge and northwest communities such as Pinehouse .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ lot .
We are the economic center of the region , ” Woytowich said .
Moe said that travel restrictions will remain in place for the northwest , for now .
`` Community leaders and volunteers , healthcare workers , public safety officers and many others continue to do a great job in La Loche and in many other northern communities as they work together to control the spread of COVID-19 , '' Moe said .
Restrictions that were put in place for residents in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District ( NSAD ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of that district , where most new COVID-19 cases are now located .
Northwest communities that remain restricted include La Loche , Beauval , Buffalo Narrows , Île-à-la-Crosse and Pinehouse .
“ It 's so new to even the ( Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency ) staff that work with the roadblocks that they ’ re just making sure that they have the information… It looks like they ’ ve opened it up and I think it will surprise some people , ” Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette told National Observer in an interview after @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office has received lots of emails and calls from cabin owners wanting to come up and he ’ s warning residents to continue following social distancing guidelines .
“ We ’ re going to have people now coming up from the south that want to go to their recreational cabins and they ’ re going to come up .
They ’ ve been calling , ” Vermette said .
“ There has been a lot of pressure put on the government from people down south to get up here to their cabins.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ think there will be more movement between the north and the south of the province as a result of the change .
`` I would suspect that there will be people that will go not only to the community of La Ronge but ( to ) other communities .
As well , you 'll see people in those ( northern ) communities that will come south to southern communities ...
The road travels both ways , '' Moe said .
The La Ronge town council was criticized for not consulting with the neighbouring @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northern Village of Air Ronge or the general public when they asked the province not to include La Ronge in NSAD travel restrictions .
The council decision was reversed and restrictions were in place again , until the Thursday announcement from the province .
Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock .
Further restrictions were lifted in the province over the May long weekend .
As of Friday , golf courses and drive-in theatres were able to begin operations .
Beginning May 22 , owners and employees of outfitting operations are allowed to travel to outfitting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
On Tuesday , Saskatchewan had seven new confirmed cases of COVID-19 , bringing the provincial total to 599 .
According to the Saskatchewan government , businesses that can now begin operation include retail businesses , shopping malls , select personal services such as a hairstylist or barber , as well as public markets and farmers ' markets .
In the northwest part of the NSAD , restrictions remain in place .
This includes all non-critical travel , including those with primary residences into and out of the NSAD , as well as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Northwest residents are ordered to remain in their local communities and to practice appropriate physical distancing .
Travel related to the delivery of essential services will continue to be permitted .
As of May 20 , supply limits on prescription drugs that were introduced to guard against drug shortages will be lifted .
The Saskatchewan Health Authority is resuming services such as outpatient physiotherapy appointments , kidney health services , some laboratory services , home care and expanded immunizations .
Travel restrictions imposed by communities such as the Lac La Ronge Indian Band @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place and are at the discretion of those communities .
On March 30 , Lac La Ronge Indian Band ( LLRIB ) Chief Tammy Cook-Searson declared a no visitors rule and restricted access to the First Nation 's territory .
This policy remains in place until further notice from the First Nation .
LLRIB council elections are currently underway .
Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock .
Anyone wishing to travel to an Indigenous community in the region should check to see if there is a no visitors rule or restricted access before doing so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ COVID-19 situation in Saskatchewan , visit www.saskatchewan.ca/COVID19 .

Phase two of the Re-Open Saskatchewan Plan is starting on Tuesday, except for the northwest of the province. Restrictions in the province are gradually being lifted in five phases. The northeast and north central areas are now on the same reopening schedule as the rest of the province and are now also in phase two. "Following consultation with a number of leaders in communities further to the east (of the northwest area) but also in Saskatchewan's north the travel restrictions for the north-central and the northeastern part of the province including the communities of La Ronge, Air Ronge, Pelican Narrows and Sandy Bay are now being lifted," Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said. “I think it’s both good and bad,” La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich told Canada’s National Observer shortly after the announcement was made. Woytowich cautioned that although reopening looks good on the surface and could help economically, access to healthcare and quality of life will be impacted if the virus is spread to residents by visitors. “It’s good for economics, family can go back and forth and everything else, but the flipside is that (so far) we’ve felt safe. It’s a good thing, but I’m also a little wary of it.”
La Ronge Mayor Ron Woytowich cautioned that although reopening looks good on the surface and could help economically, access to healthcare and quality of life will be impacted if the virus is spread to residents by visitors. Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock. He said that when a presumptive case was announced in the Lac La Ronge area on May 14 everybody was suddenly scared. That case was later found to be negative but he said it served as a reminder of the importance of continuing to follow social distancing guidelines and to abide by the public health order. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Woytowich is also concerned over whether the region can afford an increase in cases potentially brought on by travel from the south. “If somebody that we knew got it, they would end up going to Saskatoon to the hospital. Can we afford that?”
He said it's one thing for somebody from Saskatoon to come north to a cabin and end up getting COVID-19, because then they go back home to their families in the city. “We’re going to have people now coming up from the south that want to go to their recreational cabins and they’re going to come up. They’ve been calling,” Cumberland MLA Doyle Vermette. “If somebody from La Ronge gets it and we end up in Saskatoon, then how can our family go and see them?” Woytowich said. He said that he wasn’t aware that the announcement would be made today, and that the town had not been called beforehand either. Although the announcement came as a surprise, he said he hadn’t expected a call, and it was not an entirely unexpected development. Woytowich said that there is a lot of travel between La Ronge and northwest communities such as Pinehouse. “We rely on these communities a lot. We are the economic center of the region,” Woytowich said.
Moe said that travel restrictions will remain in place for the northwest, for now. "Community leaders and volunteers, healthcare workers, public safety officers and many others continue to do a great job in La Loche and in many other northern communities as they work together to control the spread of COVID-19," Moe said. Restrictions that were put in place for residents in the Northern Saskatchewan Administration District (NSAD) are now limited to the western half of that district, where most new COVID-19 cases are now located. Northwest communities that remain restricted include La Loche, Beauval, Buffalo Narrows, Île-à-la-Crosse and Pinehouse.


nationalobserver--2020-05-20--Canada needs to step up for women foreign activists at risk during COVID-19

Reem Alksiri is a Syrian-born lawyer who now lives in Vienna , Austria .
Like millions of other Syrians , she was forced from her home by war and the brutality of a regime that instead of protecting its citizens has bombed , imprisoned and tortured them .
Reem works to release women currently imprisoned in Syria .
She also works to document and collect witness testimonies from survivors in order to prosecute and hold to account those responsible for human-rights violations perpetrated against women prisoners .
How COVID-19 is impacting women political prisoners in Syria is what preoccupies Reem @ @ @ @ @ @ @ women have disappeared , with many presumed to be imprisoned in Syria — held in overcrowded and unhygienic prisons .
In many war-torn countries around the world , the pandemic is being used as a cover for the increased persecution of women human-rights defenders and adding to their already-heavy burden .
Canada has been too slow to respond to these global threats .
“ ( Syria ’ s regime ) gets to say that the prisoners died of the coronavirus — not from torture , not from the bad conditions where more than @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” Reem explained to me by telephone .
“ It is a form of murder to target activists — and especially women activists — by keeping them in jail.
” • Ontario cancels rest of the school year , no overnight summer camps • Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and the economy The women Reem seeks to free from Syria ’ s notorious jails are accused of “ crimes ” that otherwise should be called civic engagement .
They are jailed simply for protesting in the streets or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ human-rights abuses .
What makes these women threatening is the fact that they are women — and choose to challenge the status quo .
Predictably , once in jail , they are subject to a range of sexual violence , including rape .
In Iran , authorities have released 85,000 “ low-level ” detainees to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus .
However , many women political prisoners — including globally respected human-rights activists Nasrin Sotoudeh and Narges Mohammadi — have been kept behind bars in crowded prisons where the coronavirus flourishes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were already poor prior to the COVID-19 pandemic , and are now deadly .
In Colombia , feminist peace activist Carlota Isabel Salinas Pérez was murdered outside her home on March 24 after collecting foodstuffs for families in need .
In Yemen , the shelling of the women ’ s section of the Central Prison in Taiz on April 5 left at least five women and one child dead .
The women who responded to this tragedy are the same women sounding alarm bells about the lack of clean water for Yemenis to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( Syria ’ s regime ) gets to say that the prisoners died of # COVID19 — not from torture , not from the bad conditions where more than 20 people are in one cell .
It is a form of murder to target activists — and especially women activists . ''
The militarized response to the pandemic favoured by some governments — including curfews and roadblocks , street policing and surveillance — only puts more women activists at risk of repression and imprisonment .
Those who seek to silence women can more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic response .
Recently , Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne highlighted this vulnerability and expressed concern about “ excessive use of force and violations of fundamental rights and freedoms that have already occurred in some countries during the implementation of lockdowns.
” This is a good first step , but Canada must also live up to the promise of its feminist foreign policy by putting women at the centre of its global COVID-19 responses and initiatives .
Calling on countries like Iran , Syria and Yemen to release detained women human-rights @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canada is serious about human rights — including now , during a global pandemic .
Supporting local women ’ s movements in conflict zones is also critically important to ensuring that women activists are protected while helping communities cope with the coronavirus and simultaneously working for peace .
Finally , Canada must keep its eyes on the bigger picture .
Inexplicably , in the midst of the coronavirus pandemic , Canada lifted its moratorium on military exports to Saudi Arabia — a leading player in the protracted conflict in Yemen , the world @ @ @ @ @ @ @ war has resulted in the death and injury of thousands of civilians , and has led the population to the brink of famine .

Reem Alksiri is a Syrian-born lawyer who now lives in Vienna, Austria. Like millions of other Syrians, she was forced from her home by war and the brutality of a regime that instead of protecting its citizens has bombed, imprisoned and tortured them. Reem works to release women currently imprisoned in Syria. She also works to document and collect witness testimonies from survivors in order to prosecute and hold to account those responsible for human-rights violations perpetrated against women prisoners. How COVID-19 is impacting women political prisoners in Syria is what preoccupies Reem now. Currently, an estimated 7,000 women have disappeared, with many presumed to be imprisoned in Syria — held in overcrowded and unhygienic prisons. In many war-torn countries around the world, the pandemic is being used as a cover for the increased persecution of women human-rights defenders and adding to their already-heavy burden. Canada has been too slow to respond to these global threats. “(Syria’s regime) gets to say that the prisoners died of the coronavirus — not from torture, not from the bad conditions where more than 20 people are in one cell,” Reem explained to me by telephone. “It is a form of murder to target activists — and especially women activists — by keeping them in jail.”
The women Reem seeks to free from Syria’s notorious jails are accused of “crimes” that otherwise should be called civic engagement. They are jailed simply for protesting in the streets or organizing to put to an end to human-rights abuses. What makes these women threatening is the fact that they are women — and choose to challenge the status quo. Predictably, once in jail, they are subject to a range of sexual violence, including rape. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions In Iran, authorities have released 85,000 “low-level” detainees to prevent the spread of the novel coronavirus. However, many women political prisoners — including globally respected human-rights activists Nasrin Sotoudeh and Narges Mohammadi — have been kept behind bars in crowded prisons where the coronavirus flourishes.
The conditions for women political prisoners were already poor prior to the COVID-19 pandemic, and are now deadly. “(Syria’s regime) gets to say that the prisoners died of #COVID19 — not from torture, not from the bad conditions where more than 20 people are in one cell. It is a form of murder to target activists — and especially women activists." In Colombia, feminist peace activist Carlota Isabel Salinas Pérez was murdered outside her home on March 24 after collecting foodstuffs for families in need. In Yemen, the shelling of the women’s section of the Central Prison in Taiz on April 5 left at least five women and one child dead. The women who responded to this tragedy are the same women sounding alarm bells about the lack of clean water for Yemenis to protect themselves against the coronavirus. The militarized response to the pandemic favoured by some governments — including curfews and roadblocks, street policing and surveillance — only puts more women activists at risk of repression and imprisonment. Those who seek to silence women can more easily do so under the cover of the pandemic response. Recently, Canadian Foreign Affairs Minister François-Philippe Champagne highlighted this vulnerability and expressed concern about “excessive use of force and violations of fundamental rights and freedoms that have already occurred in some countries during the implementation of lockdowns.”
This is a good first step, but Canada must also live up to the promise of its feminist foreign policy by putting women at the centre of its global COVID-19 responses and initiatives. Calling on countries like Iran, Syria and Yemen to release detained women human-rights defenders would send an important signal that Canada is serious about human rights — including now, during a global pandemic. Supporting local women’s movements in conflict zones is also critically important to ensuring that women activists are protected while helping communities cope with the coronavirus and simultaneously working for peace.


nationalobserver--2020-05-20--Ecojustice urges Ford government to undo COVID-19 environmental rollbacks

Green law charity Ecojustice is urging the Ontario government to undo the province ’ s dismantling of environmental protections during the COVID-19 pandemic , calling them an unnecessary overreach that leaves the public in the dark .
On April 1 , citing the pandemic , the government suspended a broad swath of environmental protection law , effectively allowing the province to push forward environmentally significant projects or policy changes — even those that don ’ t relate to COVID-19 — without consulting or notifying the public .
But the law already allows the government to skip public consultation if a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ecojustice staff lawyer Rob Wright .
The only conditions are that the government notifies the auditor general and the public and explains its reasoning — stipulations that aren ’ t included in the exemption Ontario passed last month .
“ Things that are not COVID-19 related can be proposed without there being public knowledge , ” Wright said .
“ That ’ s way overreaching what ’ s needed to deal with the COVID emergency.
” • Ontario cancels rest of the school year , no overnight summer camps • Noam Chomsky on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the economy The exemption suspends a large swath of the Environmental Bill of Rights , a piece of legislation that gives the public the power to have a say in environment-related decision-making and hold the government accountable for what it does or fails to do .
The exemption expires 30 days after Ontario ’ s current state of emergency ends ( the state of emergency is currently extended to June 2 , but the government can choose to leave it in place longer as the pandemic continues ) .
Andrew Buttigieg , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said the government chose to suspend part of the Environmental Bill of Rights because the built-in emergency exemption might not cover all measures the government could need to address COVID-19 .
( When asked by National Observer last month , Buttigieg didn ’ t give examples of what kind of projects or measures the loosened rules would be used for . )
He also said the avenue the government chose is more efficient ; the time it would take to assess whether the emergency exemption applies “ has the potential to add @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision-making is necessary , ” Buttigieg said .
“ This will ensure our government can quickly respond to the needs of regulated businesses that may be experiencing impacts due to COVID-19 , so they can continue important operations and ensure goods and services can be delivered to people in Ontario.
” “ It ’ s really the fear of the unknown , ” Wright said .
“ We won ’ t know if there ’ s a major or minor decision.
” Queen 's Park , which houses the Legislative Assembly of Ontario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ photo by Alex Tétreault Ecojustice filed its application for a review of the rollbacks on May 14 , acting on behalf of Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment , and Gord Miller , a former Ontario environmental commissioner .
The suspension of environmental protection rules allows the government to make changes that don ’ t relate to the pandemic without telling the public .
It has already been used to allow industry to delay reporting their greenhouse gas emissions .
# onpoli The environmental commissioner is an independent watchdog role .
Miller @ @ @ @ @ @ @ years under Progressive Conservative and Liberal governments , said he worries the rollbacks will be used to make changes that can ’ t be undone and won ’ t be discovered for months or years .
For example , he said , the government could quietly approve environmentally harmful projects such as mines .
It could also change policies that protect vital ecosystems .
“ A forest could get cut down and no one will know until it ’ s done , ” Miller said .
Dr. Samantha Green , a practicing family @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadian Physicians for the Environment , said the exemptions could be used to allow air pollution increases that could cause higher rates of heart and lung disease .
That could undermine public health efforts , she said — especially as studies have shown COVID-19 hits high-pollution areas harder .
It also denies the public the chance to weigh in and voice concerns about such changes , she added .
“ We know there ’ s a direct link between air pollution and mortality , ” Dr. Green said .
“ I see this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis.
” Last week , using the exemption , the Progressive Conservative government gave industry an extension on deadlines for reporting their greenhouse gas emissions .
The switch aligns Ontario with a similar federal extension that was granted in April , the province said .
“ This is exactly why I sounded the alarm when the environment minister removed public oversight of environmental decisions last month , ” said Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner in a statement Tuesday .
“ He should explain to us why the COVID-19 pandemic should stop Ontario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ greenhouse gas emissions reporting was posted publicly .
When asked if the government had used the exemption to make any changes that it hadn ’ t told the public about , Buttigieg did not provide a direct answer .
“ We are committed to continuing public transparency on environmental decision-making during this temporary measure and will continue to post information notices on the Environmental Registry for measures that are related to COVID-19 , ” he said .
“ During this time , ministries are expected to continue to post regular proposal notices , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ do not require the same urgent action.
” Miller said the public has no guarantee the government will keep its word , as the exemption means it doesn ’ t have to .
“ We ’ re in a blackout period , ” he said .
Ecojustice lawyers are calling on Premier Ford & Ontario Minister of Environment , Conservation & Parks to review & revoke the province 's controversial decision to limit public participation in environmental decision making during COVID-19 .
https : //t.co/KCn7YT8cI8 @ CAPE_Doctors — Ecojustice ( @ ecojustice_ca ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ days to decide whether to review decision Ecojustice ’ s application for Yurek to review the rollbacks falls under a section of the Environmental Bill of Rights that hasn ’ t been suspended by the government .
Before Premier Doug Ford ’ s Progressive Conservatives were elected in 2018 , such a move had more power .
Reviews used to be conducted by the environmental commissioner , whose position the Ford government gutted last year .
Now , that responsibility falls to the minister whose department made the decision , meaning the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s not got the teeth it would ’ ve had back in the old days , ” Wright said of the application .
“ But it ’ s powerful.
” Yurek now has 60 days to decide whether the issue merits a review .
If it does , the province must give Ecojustice a reply within 30 days of completing the probe .

Green law charity Ecojustice is urging the Ontario government to undo the province’s dismantling of environmental protections during the COVID-19 pandemic, calling them an unnecessary overreach that leaves the public in the dark. On April 1, citing the pandemic, the government suspended a broad swath of environmental protection law, effectively allowing the province to push forward environmentally significant projects or policy changes — even those that don’t relate to COVID-19 — without consulting or notifying the public. But the law already allows the government to skip public consultation if a public health emergency demands it, said Ecojustice staff lawyer Rob Wright. The only conditions are that the government notifies the auditor general and the public and explains its reasoning — stipulations that aren’t included in the exemption Ontario passed last month. “Things that are not COVID-19 related can be proposed without there being public knowledge,” Wright said. “That’s way overreaching what’s needed to deal with the COVID emergency.”
The exemption suspends a large swath of the Environmental Bill of Rights, a piece of legislation that gives the public the power to have a say in environment-related decision-making and hold the government accountable for what it does or fails to do. The exemption expires 30 days after Ontario’s current state of emergency ends (the state of emergency is currently extended to June 2, but the government can choose to leave it in place longer as the pandemic continues). Andrew Buttigieg, a spokesperson for Environment Minister Jeff Yurek, said the government chose to suspend part of the Environmental Bill of Rights because the built-in emergency exemption might not cover all measures the government could need to address COVID-19. (When asked by National Observer last month, Buttigieg didn’t give examples of what kind of projects or measures the loosened rules would be used for.) Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions He also said the avenue the government chose is more efficient; the time it would take to assess whether the emergency exemption applies “has the potential to add procedural delays in a context where urgent decision-making is necessary,” Buttigieg said.
“This will ensure our government can quickly respond to the needs of regulated businesses that may be experiencing impacts due to COVID-19, so they can continue important operations and ensure goods and services can be delivered to people in Ontario.” The suspension of environmental protection rules allows the government to make changes that don’t relate to the pandemic without telling the public. It has already been used to allow industry to delay reporting their greenhouse gas emissions. #onpoli “It’s really the fear of the unknown,” Wright said. “We won’t know if there’s a major or minor decision.” Queen's Park, which houses the Legislative Assembly of Ontario, is shown in 2018. File photo by Alex Tétreault Government used exemption to change greenhouse gas reporting deadlines Ecojustice filed its application for a review of the rollbacks on May 14, acting on behalf of Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, and Gord Miller, a former Ontario environmental commissioner.
The environmental commissioner is an independent watchdog role. Miller, who held the position for 15 years under Progressive Conservative and Liberal governments, said he worries the rollbacks will be used to make changes that can’t be undone and won’t be discovered for months or years. For example, he said, the government could quietly approve environmentally harmful projects such as mines. It could also change policies that protect vital ecosystems. “A forest could get cut down and no one will know until it’s done,” Miller said.


nationalobserver--2020-05-20--Canadian snowpack gets thinner every decade

It may not feel like it the morning after a blizzard , but Canada gets less snow than it used to — a lot less .
That 's the conclusion of scientists at Environment Canada , who have just published what they say is the most precise estimate of global snowfall yet .
`` It seems like it should be easy , right ?
You just stick a ruler in the snow , '' said Chris Derksen , a co-author of the study published Wednesday in the journal Nature .
Unlike rain , snow depth can vary widely over just @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as wind .
As well , some snow is heavy with moisture and some is dry powder .
• Ontario cancels rest of the school year , no overnight summer camps • Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and the economy And the world 's network for snow observation is sparse , Derksen said .
Add to that the difficulty of trying to estimate snow depth from satellite observations and you 've got the beginnings of what has been a 15-year project for Derksen 's team .
`` Snow @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` We had quite a few data sets that estimated snow mass , but they were based on different techniques and they did n't agree with each other very well . ''
Working with Finnish colleagues , the federal researchers combined satellite data and on-the-ground measurements .
On average , they conclude , the world gets about 3,000 billion tonnes of snow every year .
But that 's not a static number , at least not in North America .
Snowfall has n't changed much over Eurasia since 1980 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the United States .
Over the last 39 years , snowfall in the two countries has dropped by about 4.6 billion tonnes a year .
The paper is silent on how many shovelfuls that is , but Derksen said it 's about enough to fill almost two million Olympic-sized swimming pools with snowmelt .
The steepest drops are in the eastern part of the continent .
Parts of the west have actually seen slight increases .
Derksen said regions with less snow are n't necessarily drying out .
Climate change has been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and some of what used to fall as snow now comes down as rain .
`` The amount of precipitation is not decreasing . ''
But snow is a lot easier to manage , he said .
`` When ( snow ) melts , we can manage our reservoir levels and trap that meltwater .
As soon as it rains , it runs off in streams . ''
That difference has important consequences for big-city water supplies as well as flood threat management .
The 2013 Calgary flood is an example of what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ early in the season , said Derksen .
The paper does have its uncertainties .
It is unable to say much about snowpack in the mountains , for example .
But Derksen said the work goes a long way to understanding that most Canadian of elements .
And it should help managers plan as snowfall changes along with the rest of the climate .
`` What this study has tried to do is narrow that uncertainty . ''

It may not feel like it the morning after a blizzard, but Canada gets less snow than it used to — a lot less. That's the conclusion of scientists at Environment Canada, who have just published what they say is the most precise estimate of global snowfall yet. "It seems like it should be easy, right? You just stick a ruler in the snow," said Chris Derksen, a co-author of the study published Wednesday in the journal Nature. But no. Unlike rain, snow depth can vary widely over just a few metres depending on factors such as wind. As well, some snow is heavy with moisture and some is dry powder.
And the world's network for snow observation is sparse, Derksen said. Add to that the difficulty of trying to estimate snow depth from satellite observations and you've got the beginnings of what has been a 15-year project for Derksen's team. "Snow is a tricky thing to measure," he said. "We had quite a few data sets that estimated snow mass, but they were based on different techniques and they didn't agree with each other very well." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Working with Finnish colleagues, the federal researchers combined satellite data and on-the-ground measurements.
On average, they conclude, the world gets about 3,000 billion tonnes of snow every year. Canadian snowpack gets thinner every decade: Environment Canada study But that's not a static number, at least not in North America. Snowfall hasn't changed much over Eurasia since 1980, but it is declining in Canada and the United States. Over the last 39 years, snowfall in the two countries has dropped by about 4.6 billion tonnes a year. The paper is silent on how many shovelfuls that is, but Derksen said it's about enough to fill almost two million Olympic-sized swimming pools with snowmelt. The steepest drops are in the eastern part of the continent. Parts of the west have actually seen slight increases. Derksen said regions with less snow aren't necessarily drying out. Climate change has been shortening the season for a while, and some of what used to fall as snow now comes down as rain.
"The amount of precipitation is not decreasing." But snow is a lot easier to manage, he said. "When (snow) melts, we can manage our reservoir levels and trap that meltwater. As soon as it rains, it runs off in streams."


nationalobserver--2020-05-20--Greens question why Ford government paused environmental oversight during COVID-19

The Progressive Conservative government should restore the environmental protections it suspended last month , Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said Wednesday .
The government paused part of Ontario 's environmental protection law on April 1 , saying it could hinder efforts to respond to COVID-19 .
The change allows the province to temporarily push forward environmentally significant projects or policy changes without consulting or notifying the public even if they do n't relate to the pandemic .
`` I ’ m concerned that the government could be using the COVID crisis to undermine environmental protections , '' Schreiner said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the province 's decision last week to use the suspension to delay a deadline for industry to report their greenhouse gas emissions .
Environment Minister Jeff Yurek fired back , saying the deadline was pushed back to align Ontario with a similar federal extension that was granted last month and to help businesses adjust to the pandemic .
He also said Schreiner does n't care about protecting businesses .
`` He 's become a politician in sheep 's clothing , '' said Yurek .
`` He comes across as this gentle person… but @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s playing politics .
• Ontario cancels rest of the school year , no overnight summer camps • Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and the economy `` I ’ m not sure if the member opposite really cares about businesses during this pandemic , but we do . ''
Yurek also said the Green leader did n't raise issues with the suspension of environmental oversight when it was first announced .
`` Special interest groups got ahold of him and now it 's bad , '' he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at length about proposed protections for local businesses struggling amid COVID-19 , told National Observer in an interview after the fact that hundreds of people and special interest groups have written to him with concerns about the suspension of environmental protections .
He wrote to Yurek with concerns on April 9 and followed up with an email , but got no response , he added .
`` I thought it was important to at least give a voice to those people and groups who are concerned about this and give the minister the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Instead , he attacked my character , '' Schreiner said .
`` Now I ’ m more concerned than I was before , to be honest with you ...
The fact that he lashed out the way he did makes me think we have struck a nerve .
I am following up with the minister to have a conversation . ''
A spokesperson for Yurek , Andrew Buttigieg , said the minister is always open to discussions with members of opposing parties .
`` I ’ m concerned that the government could be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ protections , '' Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said .
# onpoli `` ( Yurek ) has always had productive meetings with Mr. Schreiner since taking over the environment file , '' Buttigieg said .
Ontario Premier Doug Ford ( left ) and Environment Minister Jeff Yurek in 2018 .
Yurek said the government rolled back environmental protections to help businesses weather COVID-19 .
File photo by Alex Tétreault Greenhouse gas emissions reporting will only be pushed back a month , Yurek says The government 's temporary exemption suspends a major portion @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , which gives the public the power to have a say in environment-related decision-making .
The specific section that is currently paused covers the public 's right to be notified and consulted .
It also means the government does n't have to consider environmental values when it makes decisions .
The exemption expires 30 days after Ontario 's current state of emergency ends .
The state of emergency is now extended to June 2 , but the government may choose to leave it in place longer , depending on the severity of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said that although the government does not have to notify or consult the public as long as the exemption remains , it will remain transparent about what it 's doing .
The government will post notices of COVID-19 related actions that could affect the environment on Ontario 's Environmental Registry , and ministries are still expected to consult the public on measures that are n't related to the virus .
During question period Wednesday , Schreiner raised concerns about the fact that the delay in reporting greenhouse gas emissions happened without public consultation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the move could interfere with Ontario 's commitments to do so under the Paris Agreement , as the change does n't say when industry will have to submit their reports .
`` It wasn ’ t hidden , '' Yurek said , noting that the delay was posted online .
The environment minister also said the deadline would only be postponed for one month .
`` The idea was to line up the reporting structure for industry in Ontario with the changes the federal government did because of the pandemic by extending by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We did n't want to overburden industry in this province , which is having a hard time bringing in the people to do the reporting because of the pandemic . ''
Schreiner later told National Observer he was satisfied with Yurek 's answer about the deadline change for greenhouse gases , but that he remains concerned about the motivations behind the pause on environmental oversight .
`` I want to try to understand why the minister responded in the way he did , '' Schreiner said .
`` I want to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to be assured , that no environmental protections will be undermined.
” Meanwhile , the environmental law charity Ecojustice has filed an application for Yurek to review the decision to suspend environmental protections .
Yurek now has 60 days to decide whether to revisit the issue .

The Progressive Conservative government should restore the environmental protections it suspended last month, Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said Wednesday. The government paused part of Ontario's environmental protection law on April 1, saying it could hinder efforts to respond to COVID-19. The change allows the province to temporarily push forward environmentally significant projects or policy changes without consulting or notifying the public even if they don't relate to the pandemic. "I’m concerned that the government could be using the COVID crisis to undermine environmental protections," Schreiner said in question period Wednesday, pointing to the province's decision last week to use the suspension to delay a deadline for industry to report their greenhouse gas emissions. Environment Minister Jeff Yurek fired back, saying the deadline was pushed back to align Ontario with a similar federal extension that was granted last month and to help businesses adjust to the pandemic. He also said Schreiner doesn't care about protecting businesses. "He's become a politician in sheep's clothing," said Yurek. "He comes across as this gentle person… but at the end of the day he’s playing politics.
"I’m not sure if the member opposite really cares about businesses during this pandemic, but we do." Yurek also said the Green leader didn't raise issues with the suspension of environmental oversight when it was first announced. "Special interest groups got ahold of him and now it's bad," he added. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Schreiner, who has spoken at length about proposed protections for local businesses struggling amid COVID-19, told National Observer in an interview after the fact that hundreds of people and special interest groups have written to him with concerns about the suspension of environmental protections. He wrote to Yurek with concerns on April 9 and followed up with an email, but got no response, he added.
"I thought it was important to at least give a voice to those people and groups who are concerned about this and give the minister the chance to answer publicly those concerns. Instead, he attacked my character," Schreiner said. "I’m concerned that the government could be using the COVID crisis to undermine environmental protections," Ontario Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner said. #onpoli "Now I’m more concerned than I was before, to be honest with you... The fact that he lashed out the way he did makes me think we have struck a nerve. I am following up with the minister to have a conversation." A spokesperson for Yurek, Andrew Buttigieg, said the minister is always open to discussions with members of opposing parties. "(Yurek) has always had productive meetings with Mr. Schreiner since taking over the environment file," Buttigieg said. Ontario Premier Doug Ford (left) and Environment Minister Jeff Yurek in 2018. Yurek said the government rolled back environmental protections to help businesses weather COVID-19. File photo by Alex Tétreault
Greenhouse gas emissions reporting will only be pushed back a month, Yurek says The government's temporary exemption suspends a major portion of Ontario's Environmental Bill of Rights, which gives the public the power to have a say in environment-related decision-making. The specific section that is currently paused covers the public's right to be notified and consulted. It also means the government doesn't have to consider environmental values when it makes decisions. The exemption expires 30 days after Ontario's current state of emergency ends. The state of emergency is now extended to June 2, but the government may choose to leave it in place longer, depending on the severity of the pandemic.


nationalobserver--2020-05-21--Trudeau urges commercial landlords to help tenants through rental assistance

Canada 's commercial landlords got a request and a warning from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to buy into rental assistance program launching next week , as part of a handful of moves in one day to get billions in federal aid to companies large and small .
The program opens for application on Monday , designed to provide forgivable loans to landlords that offer a 75-per-cent break on rent , with June payments due in a few days .
Business groups have warned of leery landlords unlikely to take part in the program , which is delivered jointly with provinces @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadian Federation of Independent Business on Wednesday suggested the program could make the difference between surviving or succumbing to the COVID-19 pandemic for half of small businesses .
A similar number of small businesses were concerned about being unable to pay June 's rent without further help .
`` The closer we get to June 1 , the more stressful things are getting and the more business failures we will see , '' Laura Jones , the organization 's executive vice-president , said in a statement .
`` We 're begging governments to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' of the rent relief program .
• Noam Chomsky on Trump , COVID-19 , climate change , and the economy • Ontario cancels rest of the school year , no overnight summer camps Speaking outside his Ottawa residence , Trudeau said further business closures through the pandemic could end up slowing an eventual economic recovery , rather than aiding in a rebound .
He said commercial landlords could find themselves out of cash in the future if they evict tenants now .
`` With many people discovering that we can work from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of vacancies in commercial buildings over the coming months and years , '' Trudeau said .
`` That 's why making sure we 're supporting the businesses we have now to be able to stay in their spaces as we slowly restore our economy is going to be important , and we certainly expect landlords to be part of the solution . ''
The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. is to release information on the program next week , with payments to landlords expected to arrive by June 1 , the Commons finance @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for federal aid has hit $ 151.7 billion , with tens of billions more in loans to put a floor under the economy to help in a rebound .
A top central banker said Wednesday that revival could `` occur in fits and starts , '' the result of `` repeated loosening and tightening of containment measures . ''
Trudeau asks commercial landlords to give tenants help through new program Timothy Lane , deputy governor of the Bank of Canada , said some sectors may bounce back quickly , and fuel broader changes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Other sectors , including travel and energy , may feel longer-lasting effects .
`` It is also unclear how long it will take for jobs to return after containment measures are lifted .
Many people have lost their jobs in the shutdown , and this is deeply concerning , '' he said in a speech , based on a text released by the bank .
Federal figures released Wednesday showed a benefit for hard-hit workers now has more than 8.1 million applicants who have received over $ 38.4 billion — pushing the Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 35-billion budget .
A $ 73-billion wage subsidy program designed to keep workers on company payrolls — and off the CERB — has now approved 215,661 claims , providing $ 5.7 billion in aid to companies to cover 75 per cent of wages for almost 2.8 million workers .
`` We 've been clear , we 're trying to support workers .
We 're asking that employers work to minimize that loss of jobs , '' Finance Minister Bill Morneau said Wednesday during a morning news conference in Toronto .
`` Our best-case @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we preserve firms , we preserve jobs and we get ourselves through this time and face up to what will be the next challenge . ''
More aid became available Wednesday for Canada 's largest corporations as the government began accepting applications for a bridge financing program that will hand out loans starting at $ 60 million — with no upper limit — to companies with revenues of over $ 300 million .
Recipients will have to give the government the option to purchase shares in publicly traded companies worth 15 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cash equivalent .
Privately held companies will pay the same in fees .
The government will also have the right to have observers on boards of directors .
The terms of the program are designed to ensure `` that if the firm does well , that Canadians , and Canadian taxpayers , share in that upside , '' Morneau said in unveiling the details .

Canada's commercial landlords got a request and a warning from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to buy into rental assistance program launching next week, as part of a handful of moves in one day to get billions in federal aid to companies large and small. The program opens for application on Monday, designed to provide forgivable loans to landlords that offer a 75-per-cent break on rent, with June payments due in a few days. Business groups have warned of leery landlords unlikely to take part in the program, which is delivered jointly with provinces and territories. A survey from the Canadian Federation of Independent Business on Wednesday suggested the program could make the difference between surviving or succumbing to the COVID-19 pandemic for half of small businesses. A similar number of small businesses were concerned about being unable to pay June's rent without further help. "The closer we get to June 1, the more stressful things are getting and the more business failures we will see," Laura Jones, the organization's executive vice-president, said in a statement. "We're begging governments to move quickly to create additional help outside" of the rent relief program.
Speaking outside his Ottawa residence, Trudeau said further business closures through the pandemic could end up slowing an eventual economic recovery, rather than aiding in a rebound. He said commercial landlords could find themselves out of cash in the future if they evict tenants now. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "With many people discovering that we can work from home ... there may be a lot of vacancies in commercial buildings over the coming months and years," Trudeau said.
"That's why making sure we're supporting the businesses we have now to be able to stay in their spaces as we slowly restore our economy is going to be important, and we certainly expect landlords to be part of the solution." Trudeau asks commercial landlords to give tenants help through new program The Canada Mortgage and Housing Corp. is to release information on the program next week, with payments to landlords expected to arrive by June 1, the Commons finance committee was told Tuesday. The budget for federal aid has hit $151.7 billion, with tens of billions more in loans to put a floor under the economy to help in a rebound. A top central banker said Wednesday that revival could "occur in fits and starts," the result of "repeated loosening and tightening of containment measures." Timothy Lane, deputy governor of the Bank of Canada, said some sectors may bounce back quickly, and fuel broader changes in the economy that aids productivity. Other sectors, including travel and energy, may feel longer-lasting effects. "It is also unclear how long it will take for jobs to return after containment measures are lifted. Many people have lost their jobs in the shutdown, and this is deeply concerning," he said in a speech, based on a text released by the bank.
Federal figures released Wednesday showed a benefit for hard-hit workers now has more than 8.1 million applicants who have received over $38.4 billion — pushing the Canada Emergency Response Benefit further beyond its $35-billion budget. A $73-billion wage subsidy program designed to keep workers on company payrolls — and off the CERB — has now approved 215,661 claims, providing $5.7 billion in aid to companies to cover 75 per cent of wages for almost 2.8 million workers. "We've been clear, we're trying to support workers. We're asking that employers work to minimize that loss of jobs," Finance Minister Bill Morneau said Wednesday during a morning news conference in Toronto.