Quebec considering raise in retirement age to 62
Consultations have begun into what should be the minimum eligibility age for the Quebec Pension Plan.
Labour groups in Quebec are already raising concerns after the province said it is thinking of raising the retirement age from 60 to 62.
"What we are proposing — and it's for consultation right now — starting at 62 years old, you can get a part of your pension with a big penalty," - says Quebec Premier François Legault.
To get a full pension, the age of retirement is 65. Currently, Quebecers can retire as early as 60, but with a penalty.
The Quebec solidaire and the Parti Québécois are proposing cutting the tax rate for a portion of income as an incentive for older workers to stay on the job.
Quebec's finance minister said his mind isn't made up yet on the change, but it is possible some workers might have to end up with two extra years on the job.
#Quebec
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Consultations have begun into what should be the minimum eligibility age for the Quebec Pension Plan.
Labour groups in Quebec are already raising concerns after the province said it is thinking of raising the retirement age from 60 to 62.
"What we are proposing — and it's for consultation right now — starting at 62 years old, you can get a part of your pension with a big penalty," - says Quebec Premier François Legault.
To get a full pension, the age of retirement is 65. Currently, Quebecers can retire as early as 60, but with a penalty.
The Quebec solidaire and the Parti Québécois are proposing cutting the tax rate for a portion of income as an incentive for older workers to stay on the job.
Quebec's finance minister said his mind isn't made up yet on the change, but it is possible some workers might have to end up with two extra years on the job.
#Quebec
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Some migrants bused to Canada already heading back to NYC
Despite the free ride, some migrants are getting frustrated with conditions and opting to return to New York City, where shelters and services have been strained by 43,000 asylum seekers in the past year.
One of the key factors influencing this decision is the cold climate and snow.
The unofficial border crossing at Plattsburgh has become a hotspot with nearly 4,700 people heading from the US to Montreal in December and surrendering themselves to authorities and claiming asylum.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Despite the free ride, some migrants are getting frustrated with conditions and opting to return to New York City, where shelters and services have been strained by 43,000 asylum seekers in the past year.
One of the key factors influencing this decision is the cold climate and snow.
The unofficial border crossing at Plattsburgh has become a hotspot with nearly 4,700 people heading from the US to Montreal in December and surrendering themselves to authorities and claiming asylum.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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National Assembly names Quebec's first Commissioner of the French language
The National Assembly voted in favour of naming Benoît Dubreuil Quebec’s first Commissioner of the French language.
His term is seven years. He starts the job March 1.
The vote followed several months of negotiations and manoeuvring by the various parties. The final vote was 95 in favour, 17 against.
#Quebec
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The National Assembly voted in favour of naming Benoît Dubreuil Quebec’s first Commissioner of the French language.
His term is seven years. He starts the job March 1.
The vote followed several months of negotiations and manoeuvring by the various parties. The final vote was 95 in favour, 17 against.
#Quebec
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Bid to open warming centres 24/7 for the unhoused rejected by Toronto city council
In a 15-11 vote, council rejected a Board of Health recommendation to expand warming centre hours and to declare homelessness a public health crisis.
Coun. Ausma Malik said the decision will mean people who are unhoused will continue to be put at risk, especially during extreme cold weather.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
In a 15-11 vote, council rejected a Board of Health recommendation to expand warming centre hours and to declare homelessness a public health crisis.
Coun. Ausma Malik said the decision will mean people who are unhoused will continue to be put at risk, especially during extreme cold weather.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Forwarded from Blood Meridian
🇵🇪🇨🇦11 people arrested in Peru and Canada for alleged drug trafficking
A police investigation that began in Montreal last June led to the dismantling of an alleged drug-trafficking network that was capable of transporting major quantities of cocaine from Peru to Canada.
Six Quebecers were among the 11 people arrested in Peru and Canada. A series of raids in Peru also led to the seizure of handguns, vehicles and cash.
Four Peruvians and a Venezuelan were also detained in the Peru.
Between June 2022 and January 2023, Peru’s national police force and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police seized a total of 165 kilograms of cocaine that the group had transported or was trying to transport.
About 60 kilos of those kilos were seized in Quebec.
#Peru #Canada
☠️ Blood Meridian
A police investigation that began in Montreal last June led to the dismantling of an alleged drug-trafficking network that was capable of transporting major quantities of cocaine from Peru to Canada.
Six Quebecers were among the 11 people arrested in Peru and Canada. A series of raids in Peru also led to the seizure of handguns, vehicles and cash.
Four Peruvians and a Venezuelan were also detained in the Peru.
Between June 2022 and January 2023, Peru’s national police force and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police seized a total of 165 kilograms of cocaine that the group had transported or was trying to transport.
About 60 kilos of those kilos were seized in Quebec.
#Peru #Canada
☠️ Blood Meridian
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B.C. fines Teck Coal $16 million for contaminating Kootenay waterways
The B.C. Ministry of Environment has imposed three administrative penalties on Teck Coal Limited for failing to have water treatment facilities ready by a required date to limit emissions of nitrate and selenium from its Fording River operations in the Elk Valley.
Overexposure to selenium may cause disorders such as hair loss, muscle weakness, reduced brain function and nail deformities, according to Health Canada.
#BritishColumbia
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The B.C. Ministry of Environment has imposed three administrative penalties on Teck Coal Limited for failing to have water treatment facilities ready by a required date to limit emissions of nitrate and selenium from its Fording River operations in the Elk Valley.
Overexposure to selenium may cause disorders such as hair loss, muscle weakness, reduced brain function and nail deformities, according to Health Canada.
#BritishColumbia
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Ontario dairy farmer launches petition to end ‘milk dumping’
One week after a video went viral on social media showing fresh milk being dumped down the drain, another farmer John Van Dyk launched an online petition to end ‘milk dumping.
“Let’s end the farmgate waste due to ‘over-quota’ milk. Supply management is the ideal system to prevent a dairy farmer from wasting thousands of litres of milk. With a strategy and some investments. Our sector can have a positive impact on the environment, generate more revenue growth and develop new markets for our great product.” - the petition reads.
Van Dyk suggests creating a milk ‘pool’ in case some farmers don’t send as much milk as their quota allows.
He also proposes to allow donating to food banks or processing the excess milk in other ways.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
One week after a video went viral on social media showing fresh milk being dumped down the drain, another farmer John Van Dyk launched an online petition to end ‘milk dumping.
“Let’s end the farmgate waste due to ‘over-quota’ milk. Supply management is the ideal system to prevent a dairy farmer from wasting thousands of litres of milk. With a strategy and some investments. Our sector can have a positive impact on the environment, generate more revenue growth and develop new markets for our great product.” - the petition reads.
Van Dyk suggests creating a milk ‘pool’ in case some farmers don’t send as much milk as their quota allows.
He also proposes to allow donating to food banks or processing the excess milk in other ways.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Maple Chronicles
Canadian farmer forced to dump 30,000 liters of milk because of quotas
“Right now we are over our quotum, um, it’s regulated by the government and by the DFO (Dairy Farmers of Ontario). Look at this milk running away. Cause it’s the end of the month. I dump…
“Right now we are over our quotum, um, it’s regulated by the government and by the DFO (Dairy Farmers of Ontario). Look at this milk running away. Cause it’s the end of the month. I dump…
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Farmers seek repayment of $34 million fertilizer tariff
The Ontario Bean Growers, along with farming organizations from Quebec and Atlantic Canada are seeking a repayment of the $34 million the federal government collected as a tariff designed to punish Russia and Belarus.
Ontario farmers say it didn’t hurt Russia at all, instead driving up the price of Canadian food.
Canada is the lone G7 nation that’s placed tariffs on Russian fertilizer, in fact, the tariff is still in place.
While farmers believe they’ll have enough time to find other fertilizer suppliers this year, they simply didn’t have time to find a new supplier last spring.
The Trudeau government says they’ve already sent the $34 million fertilizer tariff money to Ukraine.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The Ontario Bean Growers, along with farming organizations from Quebec and Atlantic Canada are seeking a repayment of the $34 million the federal government collected as a tariff designed to punish Russia and Belarus.
Ontario farmers say it didn’t hurt Russia at all, instead driving up the price of Canadian food.
Canada is the lone G7 nation that’s placed tariffs on Russian fertilizer, in fact, the tariff is still in place.
While farmers believe they’ll have enough time to find other fertilizer suppliers this year, they simply didn’t have time to find a new supplier last spring.
The Trudeau government says they’ve already sent the $34 million fertilizer tariff money to Ukraine.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Canadians now expect to need $1.7M in order to retire
This is the largest sum since BMO first started surveying Canadians about their retirement expectations 13 years ago.
It's also a drastic increase from the $1.4 million in savings Canadians expected to need for their nest eggs just two years ago (a 20 per cent increase).
The results reflect Canadians' concerns about current economic conditions, particularly inflation and higher prices.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
This is the largest sum since BMO first started surveying Canadians about their retirement expectations 13 years ago.
It's also a drastic increase from the $1.4 million in savings Canadians expected to need for their nest eggs just two years ago (a 20 per cent increase).
The results reflect Canadians' concerns about current economic conditions, particularly inflation and higher prices.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Prescott council to debate oath of allegiance to King
Prescott council will discuss a motion later in February calling for the abolition of the obligatory oath to the King when municipal politicians take office.
The notice of motion highlights that to assume elected municipal office a person has to take the declaration of office, which includes Section 4:
“I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third.”
Prescott council suggests amending the Ontario Municipal Act by removing Section 4 from the Declaration of Office or making it optional.
If approved, a copy of the motion would be sent to Ontario Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister and would be circulated to all municipalities in Ontario.
#Ontario
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Prescott council will discuss a motion later in February calling for the abolition of the obligatory oath to the King when municipal politicians take office.
The notice of motion highlights that to assume elected municipal office a person has to take the declaration of office, which includes Section 4:
“I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third.”
Prescott council suggests amending the Ontario Municipal Act by removing Section 4 from the Declaration of Office or making it optional.
If approved, a copy of the motion would be sent to Ontario Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister and would be circulated to all municipalities in Ontario.
#Ontario
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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🇯🇵Advocates urge to ban shipping horses to Japan for slaughter
Up to 4,000 horses are shipped annually by air from Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg to Japan for human consumption. They sell for $8,000-9,000 each. Exported horses are fattened in Japan before being slaughtered, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Advocacy groups are calling on Marie-Claude Bibeau, the minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, to fulfil a December 2021 mandate letter from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau telling her to "ban the live export of horses for slaughter."
The petition calling for this practice to be banned will be presented in the House of Commons after it expires on February 7.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Up to 4,000 horses are shipped annually by air from Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg to Japan for human consumption. They sell for $8,000-9,000 each. Exported horses are fattened in Japan before being slaughtered, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Advocacy groups are calling on Marie-Claude Bibeau, the minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, to fulfil a December 2021 mandate letter from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau telling her to "ban the live export of horses for slaughter."
The petition calling for this practice to be banned will be presented in the House of Commons after it expires on February 7.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Saskatchewan company greenlights Canada's first large-scale geothermal power plant
The procurement and engineering work has already begun on the first phase of a 25-megawatt power facility in southeast Saskatchewan, close to the U.S. border. The project will be supported by a previously announced five-megawatt power purchase agreement with SaskPower — the first geothermal power contract in Canada.
Construction and drilling on the first five-megawatt phase will begin in the fourth quarter of this year, with first power production expected by the summer of 2024.
Once complete, the project will be capable of powering 25,000 households.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The procurement and engineering work has already begun on the first phase of a 25-megawatt power facility in southeast Saskatchewan, close to the U.S. border. The project will be supported by a previously announced five-megawatt power purchase agreement with SaskPower — the first geothermal power contract in Canada.
Construction and drilling on the first five-megawatt phase will begin in the fourth quarter of this year, with first power production expected by the summer of 2024.
Once complete, the project will be capable of powering 25,000 households.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Doctors are 'drowning in paperwork'
Doctors Manitoba, a doctor's advocacy organization, is urging the province to act to reduce the amount of administrative work physicians are tasked with: doing paperwork, completing electronic medical records and other time-consuming bureaucratic practices.
The call from Doctors Manitoba is supported by a recent report that says doctors across the country spend 18.5 million hours on unnecessary administrative work every year — the equivalent of 55.6 million patient visits.
🔹If governments across Canada set a target to reduce administrative workload by 10 per cent, that could cut down on fatigue and burnout, improve the quality of patient care and free up doctors for the equivalent of 5.5 million patient visits a year.
🔹In Manitoba, a 10 per cent reduction would open the equivalent of 177,000 patient visits annually.
That would go a long way to improve access to care and reduce record levels of burnout seen in doctors.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Doctors Manitoba, a doctor's advocacy organization, is urging the province to act to reduce the amount of administrative work physicians are tasked with: doing paperwork, completing electronic medical records and other time-consuming bureaucratic practices.
The call from Doctors Manitoba is supported by a recent report that says doctors across the country spend 18.5 million hours on unnecessary administrative work every year — the equivalent of 55.6 million patient visits.
🔹If governments across Canada set a target to reduce administrative workload by 10 per cent, that could cut down on fatigue and burnout, improve the quality of patient care and free up doctors for the equivalent of 5.5 million patient visits a year.
🔹In Manitoba, a 10 per cent reduction would open the equivalent of 177,000 patient visits annually.
That would go a long way to improve access to care and reduce record levels of burnout seen in doctors.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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🇨🇦🇺🇸Canada confirms takedown of 'high-altitude object' over Lake Huron
The U.S. military shot down a fourth high-altitude object in just over a week on Sunday, this time closer to heavily populated areas in southern Ontario and the U.S. East Coast.
Canadian Defence Minister Anita Anand said in a statement Sunday evening that a "high-altitude object" was detected in U.S. airspace over Lake Huron.
"NORAD launched Canadian and U.S. aircraft to investigate and the object was taken down in U.S. airspace by U.S. aircraft," Anand said.
The move marks the most recent incident in which U.S. fighter jets shot an object out of the sky, starting with a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4.
Unidentified cylindrical objects were shot down over Alaska and Yukon on Feb. 9 and 10.
#US
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The U.S. military shot down a fourth high-altitude object in just over a week on Sunday, this time closer to heavily populated areas in southern Ontario and the U.S. East Coast.
Canadian Defence Minister Anita Anand said in a statement Sunday evening that a "high-altitude object" was detected in U.S. airspace over Lake Huron.
"NORAD launched Canadian and U.S. aircraft to investigate and the object was taken down in U.S. airspace by U.S. aircraft," Anand said.
The move marks the most recent incident in which U.S. fighter jets shot an object out of the sky, starting with a suspected Chinese surveillance balloon off the coast of South Carolina on Feb. 4.
Unidentified cylindrical objects were shot down over Alaska and Yukon on Feb. 9 and 10.
#US
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John Tory steps down as Toronto's mayor
John Tory resigned as Toronto’s mayor on Friday after admitting to a relationship with a former office member.
Tory said he had an affair with the woman during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. It mutually ended earlier this year. The employee is suggestedly a 31-year-old former advisor in the mayor’s office.
Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie is expected to take over as acting mayor until a by-election is held.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
John Tory resigned as Toronto’s mayor on Friday after admitting to a relationship with a former office member.
Tory said he had an affair with the woman during the course of the COVID-19 pandemic. It mutually ended earlier this year. The employee is suggestedly a 31-year-old former advisor in the mayor’s office.
Deputy Mayor Jennifer McKelvie is expected to take over as acting mayor until a by-election is held.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Alberta broke oil production records in 2022
Alberta set an annual record for oil production last year with an output of approximately 3.73 million barrels daily in crude oil.
The data reveal that the province officially beat its previous oil production record set in 2021 and nearly doubled the amount of oil it produced in 2010.
Alberta is also expected to ship out an additional 500,000 barrels per day upon completing the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project in the third quarter of 2023.
#Alberta
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Alberta set an annual record for oil production last year with an output of approximately 3.73 million barrels daily in crude oil.
The data reveal that the province officially beat its previous oil production record set in 2021 and nearly doubled the amount of oil it produced in 2010.
Alberta is also expected to ship out an additional 500,000 barrels per day upon completing the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project in the third quarter of 2023.
#Alberta
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Who could replace John Tory as mayor of Toronto?
A byelection will take place within 60 days of the mayor's office being declared vacant. Tory has not yet formally resigned his post, but speculation is already swirling about some of the candidates who may vie to take his place.
Among the potential candidates are:
▪️Gil Penalosa
▪️Michael Ford
▪️Josh Matlow
▪️Brad Bradford
▪️Chloe Brown
🍁 Maple Chronicles
A byelection will take place within 60 days of the mayor's office being declared vacant. Tory has not yet formally resigned his post, but speculation is already swirling about some of the candidates who may vie to take his place.
Among the potential candidates are:
▪️Gil Penalosa
▪️Michael Ford
▪️Josh Matlow
▪️Brad Bradford
▪️Chloe Brown
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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🇺🇸Quebec tells Eric Adams to stop buying NY migrants bus tickets
“Any form of assistance to migrants crossing the border where it is strictly forbidden to do so should stop immediately,” - Premier Francois Legault said.
“We understand that the situation of migrants in New York poses major challenges, but the situation in Quebec and particularly in Montreal is even worse and constitutes an important humanitarian issue.”
It was reported earlier this month that Adams was using taxpayer funds to get bus tickets for migrants to travel upstate to Plattsburgh.
#US #Quebec
🍁 Maple Chronicles
“Any form of assistance to migrants crossing the border where it is strictly forbidden to do so should stop immediately,” - Premier Francois Legault said.
“We understand that the situation of migrants in New York poses major challenges, but the situation in Quebec and particularly in Montreal is even worse and constitutes an important humanitarian issue.”
It was reported earlier this month that Adams was using taxpayer funds to get bus tickets for migrants to travel upstate to Plattsburgh.
#US #Quebec
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Premiers accept federal health-care funding proposal
PM Justin Trudeau met with Canada's premiers last week to pitch a plan to send roughly $46.2 billion in new money to the provinces and territories over 10 years to help prop up a faltering health-care system.
Premiers met Monday to discuss the proposal. Ottawa will now hold bilateral meetings with individual provinces to finalize funding agreements.
"We've accepted this for now. But we do recognize that this is not a long-term solution to the health-care funding that is needed within our country," - said Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson.
#healthcare
🍁 Maple Chronicles
PM Justin Trudeau met with Canada's premiers last week to pitch a plan to send roughly $46.2 billion in new money to the provinces and territories over 10 years to help prop up a faltering health-care system.
Premiers met Monday to discuss the proposal. Ottawa will now hold bilateral meetings with individual provinces to finalize funding agreements.
"We've accepted this for now. But we do recognize that this is not a long-term solution to the health-care funding that is needed within our country," - said Manitoba Premier Heather Stefanson.
#healthcare
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Majority oppose MAID expansion to mentally ill
The Angus Reid poll released on Monday shows how Canadians react to the Trudeau government’s plan to offer assisted dying to patients with incurable mental illness:
🔹51% of respondents oppose the initiative
🔹31% support it
🔹18% don’t know or aren’t sure
Support rose by 9% compared to 2016, when Angus Reid first asked the question.
The release came two weeks after it was announced that the MAID expansion would be delayed until 2024.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The Angus Reid poll released on Monday shows how Canadians react to the Trudeau government’s plan to offer assisted dying to patients with incurable mental illness:
🔹51% of respondents oppose the initiative
🔹31% support it
🔹18% don’t know or aren’t sure
Support rose by 9% compared to 2016, when Angus Reid first asked the question.
The release came two weeks after it was announced that the MAID expansion would be delayed until 2024.
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Canada seeking to recover two shot down objects
Canada is searching for two object shot down over the Yukon territory on Feb. 11 and over Lake Huron on Feb. 12.
▪️The search is being conducted in a “fairly large area” of Yukon, roughly between the towns of Dawson City and Mayo. The Royal Canadian Air Force has deployed a CC-130H Hercules, two CC-138 Twin Otters, a CH-148 Cyclone, and a CH-149 Cormorant aircraft to support efforts to recover the debris.
▪️A Canadian Coast Guard vessel carrying RCMP investigators, as well as a drone team, will help locate debris that the is believed to be in the Canadian waters of Lake Huron.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Canada is searching for two object shot down over the Yukon territory on Feb. 11 and over Lake Huron on Feb. 12.
▪️The search is being conducted in a “fairly large area” of Yukon, roughly between the towns of Dawson City and Mayo. The Royal Canadian Air Force has deployed a CC-130H Hercules, two CC-138 Twin Otters, a CH-148 Cyclone, and a CH-149 Cormorant aircraft to support efforts to recover the debris.
▪️A Canadian Coast Guard vessel carrying RCMP investigators, as well as a drone team, will help locate debris that the is believed to be in the Canadian waters of Lake Huron.
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