NationTalk

Canada ‘blindsided’ by new U.S. border rules on dogs, Holland says – GLOBAL

July 17, 2024

As Canadians prepare for new rules around dogs crossing the border coming into effect on Aug. 1, Health Minister Mark Holland slammed the regulations, stating they were not “thought through well.”

Canada was “surprised and blindsided” by the U.S. announcement of new regulations, Holland said while speaking to the media on Wednesday. The rules state that dogs entering the U.S. must be at least six months old and meet rabies vaccination requirements.

“I’m quite concerned about the regulations that are being brought in by the United States, requiring, as of Aug. 1, a number of new measures for folks bringing their dogs across the border,” Holland said.

“As people would be aware today, when you drive across the border with your dog, there’s not a lot of questions and you’re able to go back and forth, and that makes a good deal of sense, because Canada isn’t a source country for rabies. We are a rabies-free country.”

Fleet Modernization – Newly Acquired Boeing Next-Generation 737-800 Aircraft Makes Inaugural Freight Delivery to Nunavik

SAINT-LAURENT, QC, July 16, 2024 – Air Inuit today announced the first of three Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s acquired in 2023 entered into service, arriving at Kuujjuaq Airport today with its inaugural delivery of essential freight to be distributed in communities across Nunavik.

The B737-800 has been outfitted to serve exclusively as a freighter aircraft with a main deck cargo door, operating primarily between Montreal and Air Inuit’s cargo hubs in Kuujjuaq and La Grande. The newly added aircraft has a capacity of 23,000 kilograms.

As part of its ongoing fleet modernization program, Air Inuit will eventually phase out its B737-200s which are being replaced with three B737-800 NG aircraft to improve passenger experience, ensure reliable freight delivery and reduce fuel emissions by nearly 40 per cent.

“By equipping these aircraft with customized features based on Air Inuit’s unique requirements and knowhow, we are ensuring the perennity of our fleet as we fulfill our mission as an essential service,” said Christian Busch, president and CEO of Air Inuit.

“Air Inuit serves as a critical infrastructure for the people of Nunavik, and today is a powerful demonstration of how we are continuously improving the quality of our service in ways that meet customer needs while acting as a responsible company when it comes to environmental considerations,” said Executive Chairman, Noah Tayara.

The two other B737-800 NG aircraft will operate using an innovative combi configuration pioneered by Air Inuit to provide comfortable passenger service and reliable freight delivery simultaneously. Both are scheduled to go into service in 2025.

“Seeing the first of three Boeing Next-Generation 737-800s begin operating is a moment of pride on behalf of the Inuit of Nunavik, and a reminder of our never-ending goal to always seek new ways to improve while also doing our part to reduce our ecological footprint,” said Pita Aatami, President of Makivvik.

About Air Inuit

Founded by the Inuit of Nunavik in 1978, Air Inuit, a wholly owned subsidiary of Makivvik, was created to provide air connections between Nunavik’s 14 coastal villages and the South, to promote trade and to preserve Inuit culture. With more than 1,175 employees and a fleet of 36 aircraft, Air Inuit is committed to the development of this immense territory and the prosperity of its people by providing support to various community organizations, cultural events, educational and sports programs, as well as the implementation of employment access programs for Inuit people.

MEDIA INQUIRIES: Tim Duboyce, Massy Forget Langlois Public Relations, c: 514 604-9282, tduboyce@mflrp.ca

NT4

The guidance for RSV vaccines has changed. Here’s what Canadian seniors need to know – CTV

July 16, 2024

Health officials recently changed the guidelines for respiratory syncytial virus vaccines. Here’s what Canadians need to know about the guidance and the virus itself.

New guidance on vaccines
As of July 12, the National Advisory Committee on Immunization (NACI) now recommends RSV vaccines for individuals who are 75 years old and older, especially those who have a greater risk of developing severe RSV.

Based on current evidence and expert opinion, NACI said in a news release, it also strongly recommends vaccines for those aged 60 and older who live in nursing homes and other chronic care facilities.

What is RSV?
RSV is a common contagious virus that often causes bronchiolitis, a lung infection, and pneumonia.

B.C. doctor calls on the province to cover obesity medications – CBC

A petition from Dr. Ali Zentner asking for more PharmaCare coverage has received almost 1,000 signatures

Jul 17, 2024

A B.C. doctor is calling on the province to cover weight management medications in order to fix what she calls a “two-tiered system” for obesity care.

Dr. Ali Zentner, a diabetes and obesity specialist with Vancouver-based Revolution Medical Clinic, has started a petition to demand the inclusion of medications like semaglutide and liraglutide in B.C. PharmaCare.

They are anti-diabetic and anti-obesity drugs that can cost patients up to $450 per month out of pocket.

And even more costly is the serious health problems that patients can develop due to obesity and the treatments needed to address them, which Zentner and a patient say add to the case for covering these drugs.

Around 23 per cent of adults in B.C. are obese, according to 2018 data from Statistics Canada.

Civeo Announces Second Quarter 2024 Earnings Conference Call

HOUSTON & CALGARY, Alberta–Jul. 16, 2024– Civeo Corporation (NYSE:CVEO) announced today that it has scheduled its second quarter 2024 earnings conference call for Tuesday, July 30th, at 10:00 a.m. Central Time (11:00 a.m. Eastern Time). During the call, Civeo will discuss financial and operating results for the second quarter 2024, which will be released before the market opens on Tuesday, July 30, 2024.

By Phone:

Dial 877-423-9813 inside the U.S. or 201-689-8573 internationally and ask for the Civeo call or provide the conference ID: 13747979# at least 10 minutes prior to the start time.

A replay will be available through August 6th by dialing 844-512-2921 inside the U.S. or 412-317-6671 internationally and using the conference ID 13747979#.

By Webcast:

Connect to the webcast via the Events and Presentations page of Civeo’s Investor Relations website at www.civeo.com.

Please log in at least 10 minutes in advance to register and download any necessary software.

A webcast replay will be available after the call.

About Civeo:

Civeo Corporation is a leading provider of hospitality services with prominent market positions in the Canadian oil sands and the Australian natural resource regions. Civeo offers comprehensive solutions for lodging hundreds or thousands of workers with its long-term and temporary accommodations and provides food services, housekeeping, facility management, laundry, water and wastewater treatment, power generation, communications systems, security and logistics services. Civeo currently operates a total of 24 lodges and villages in Canada, Australia and the U.S., with an aggregate of approximately 26,000 rooms. Civeo is publicly traded under the symbol CVEO on the New York Stock Exchange. For more information, please visit Civeo’s website at www.civeo.com.

View source version on businesswire.com: https://www.businesswire.com/news/home/20240716207303/en/

Regan Nielsen
Civeo Corporation
Vice President, Corporate Development & Investor Relations
713-510-2400

NT4

High Levels of Manganese Detected in Nahanni Butte’s Drinking Water

Nahanni Butte (July 16, 2024) – The Chief Environmental Health Officer advises all residents of Nahanni Butte that infants, children under five, and pregnant women should not drink the community’s tap water.

This advisory is a precaution due to high levels of manganese detected in the community’s drinking water. Long-term exposure of high levels of manganese can cause neurological effects in young children. This issue arose because of a failure in the old water treatment process.

A new filtration system has been installed, and manganese levels are expected to decrease in the coming months. The Chief Environmental Health Officer, along with the community government, will continue to monitor the situation and provide formal notice when lifting this Public Health advisory.

Recommendations:

Infants, children under five, and pregnant women should use bottled water for drinking, preparing baby formula, preparing food, and hot and cold beverages and ice cubes.
Adults and older children are at a lower risk but should still take precautions.
Everyone can use tap water for showering, bathing, and washing, but infants and children under five should avoid swallowing the water.

Safe Water Alternatives:

Use water processed by treatment devices certified by the Standards Council of Canada (SCC) such as:

Reverse osmosis
Ion exchange/water softeners
Oxidizing filters

Note: Boiling will not make the water safe. It may increase manganese concentrations. “Brita” type drinking water filters with activated carbon will not remove manganese safely.

For information on manganese in drinking water, please see:

Manganese in Drinking Water

For more information, contact:

Andrew Wind

Manager Communications

Health and Social Services

Andrew_Wind@gov.nt.ca(link sends e-mail)

NT4

TELUS announces PureFibre services are coming to the Township of Langley

JULY 16, 2024

Vancouver, B.C. – TELUS is excited to announce that TELUS PureFibre services will soon be available in the Township of Langley, Kwantlen First Nation’s McMillan Island 6 and Katzie First Nation’s Katzie 2 communities. This marks a significant milestone in TELUS’ ongoing efforts to bring Western Canada’s fastest and most reliable internet technology to even more communities, residents and businesses. To date, more than 1.9 million homes and businesses in British Columbia have access to TELUS PureFibre, including over 280,000 in rural areas. Soon, the Township of Langley will have access to the same life-changing benefits and exciting possibilities that TELUS’ world-leading technology is enabling.

“As a proud resident of the Township of Langley, I couldn’t be more excited to help bring TELUS’ PureFibre services to the region,” said Daryl Storey, Vice President of Investment Returns Excellence, TELUS. “This new infrastructure will support critical, transformational change in the region, and open the door to new possibilities to participate and thrive in today’s digital economy.”

This project is being conducted with the support of the Township of Langley’s Mayor and Council, Kwantlen First Nation, and Katzie First Nation. Over the coming weeks, residents and businesses can expect to see construction notices and communications from Fibre Connect, the company operating the fibre-to-the-premise network, and Ledcor Technical Services, the primary construction contractor. Once the project is complete, TELUS will engage newly connected residents and businesses to help them find the services that will best meet their needs, such as PureFibre Gigabit internet, Optik TV, Smart Home Security and other technology solutions.

“The Township of Langley is thrilled to work with TELUS, Fibre Connect and other partners to help the expansion of PureFibre in our communities,” said Township of Langley Mayor Eric Woodward. “This significant investment in the Township of Langley’s future will help our growing community get connected and deliver much-needed service residents have long been looking for.”

A 100 per cent pure fibre-to-the-premise (FTTP) network ensures that every part is built with state-of-the-art fibre optics, extending right up to the connection point at the home or business. This guarantees customers the fastest and most capable network available. Unlike traditional copper lines, where download speeds outpace upload speeds, fibre-optic cables provide equally fast upload and download capabilities. This particularly benefits video conferencing, remote work, online education and telehealth. Beyond convenience, it enhances opportunities by leveling the playing field: small businesses can compete globally, students can access more resources, and content creators can share their vision without compromise.

The new fibre-optic infrastructure will also serve as the backbone of TELUS’ wireless network, laying the groundwork for 5G technologies in the years to come, and ensuring that people living in the Township have the tools they need to fully participate in the digital economy. PureFibre is also 85% more energy-efficient than copper, and more durable against extreme weather and environmental factors, making it a more sustainable and reliable technology.

For more information about the TELUS PureFibre network and its benefits, visit telus.com/purefibre

About TELUS
For more information, please contact:
Tricia Lo
TELUS Media Relations
tricia.lo@telus.com

Nick Hosseinzadeh
Township of Langley
nhosseinzadeh@tol.ca

NT4

Bull Riding in the Rockies action starts this Friday – Columbia Valley Pioneer

Jul 17, 2024

The Calgary Stampede may be over, but the cowboys have arrived and the rodeo is just about to start in downtown Invermere.

The 24th annual Bull Riding in the Rockies starts up at 4:30 on Friday, July 19 and there will be plenty of bull riding, music, Indigenous dancers and tasty chow to make for a great evening for the entire family.

The event is the biggest fundraiser of the year for the Columbia Valley Rockies, the Kootenay International Junior Hockey League Junior A team, and president Brett Holt said despite a few early setbacks everything is absolutely on track.

B.C. youth representative says official inaction led to boy’s torturous death in foster care – Daily Guardian

July 17, 2024

British Columbia’s representative for children and youth is calling for a complete overhaul of the province’s foster care model following the torture and death of an 11-year-old boy in 2021.

In a report published Tuesday, representative Jennifer Charlesworth called the Fraser Valley boy’s death at the hands of caregivers who were approved by the provincial government “completely preventable,” saying official missteps contributed to the child’s death.

Last year, a provincial court judge in Chilliwack, B.C., described the foster home where the boy and his sister were abused as a “house of horrors.”

Update 12: Alberta wildfire information update (July 16, 3:30 p.m.)

Hot, dry weather across Alberta will likely lead to increased wildfire activity in the Forest Protection Area this week. Albertans must follow all fire bans and restrictions to avoid new fire starts.

Alberta Emergency Alerts

As of July 16, at 2 p.m., there are no new emergency alerts.
Little Red River Cree Nation’s State of Local Emergency, declared via Band Council Resolution on July 10, remains in effect.
- The response continues to be led by Little Red River Cree Nation with Alberta Emergency Management Agency First Nations field officers providing support.
Albertans are encouraged to download the Alberta Emergency Alert mobile app, which immediately pushes all alerts out to subscribers.

Current situation

Little Red River Cree Nation remains under a state of local emergency, declared via Band Council Resolution.
An evacuation order remains in effect for the Garden River community.
Semo Complex Fire (HWF061) is classified as out of control at 44,000 hectares in size, and it is still approximately 9 kilometres from Highway 58 and 30 kilometres northwest of Garden River.
More than 200 firefighters and support staff, 11 helicopters, and 43 pieces of heavy equipment are actively responding to the Semo Complex wildfires.
Personnel and aircraft have been imported from other jurisdictions through mutual aid agreements to support incident management and fire suppression efforts across northern Alberta.
Since January 1, there have been 801 wildfires recorded in the Forest Protection Area that have burned more than 279,000 hectares.
Of these wildfires, 25 are classified as out of control, 30 are being held, 36 are under control, 2 have been turned over and 708 have been extinguished.
While lightning is a major cause of wildfires at this time of year, extra caution is urged to prevent any additional fire starts that will add to the already extreme wildfire situation.
As of July 15, there are four wildfires of note in the Forest Protection Area. Information on these wildfires can be found by visiting the Alberta Wildfire Status Dashboard.

Fire bans

A fire ban is in place for the entire Forest Protection Area of Alberta.
Cities, towns, villages and summer villages, as well as federal lands, such as national parks, are exempt from this ban.
These jurisdictions have the authority to issue their own bans and may have complementary bans in place.
Albertans should visit the website or social media for their local municipality to confirm if a fire ban is in effect in their area.
For information on activities prohibited under this ban, visit alberta.ca/fire-bans.

Support for evacuees

Residents of Little Red River Cree Nation, Garden River community have been on an evacuation order since July 10, declared via Band Council Resolution and are now eligible for emergency evacuation payments.
Applications open July 17.
Residents are encouraged to apply online at evacuationpayment.alberta.ca/. Residents who have left the area can access any local Alberta Supports office from 8:15 a.m. to 4:30 p.m. for assistance applying for an emergency evacuation payment. Alberta Supports office locations are available at alberta.ca/alberta-supports.
In-person applications will be also accepted from 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. in High Level at the Best Western Hotel (9616 AB-58) and at John D’Or Prairie School on July 17 and 18.
Evacuees are officially eligible for evacuation payments, but applications don’t open until tomorrow.

Roads and highways

There are currently no highway closures.
Visit 511.alberta.ca for up-to-date information on road closures and travel advisories.

Health care

There are currently no hospital closures.

Education

There are currently no school closures.

Emergency Preparedness

Get ready for emergencies and disasters by taking simple steps now. To be prepared, Albertans need to know what to do, where to go and have enough supplies for a week or more. Supplies include food, water, medications and important documents. Include supplies for pets as well.
Read more about emergency preparedness.

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