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CEO Clips - Sitka Gold: Expanding Yukon's Gold Potential

CEO Clips - Sitka Gold: Expanding Yukon's Gold Potential

Globe and Mail10-03-2025

Aggressive Exploration Plans Drive Growth in 2025
Sitka Gold is set for a transformative 2025 exploration season, focusing on its Yukon-based gold project, where the company has already discovered two gold deposits. With 30,000 meters of drilling planned—more than doubling the total drilling completed to date —Sitka aims to further define and expand its resource. Current estimates place the project's gold resources at 1.291 million ounces at 1.01 g/t gold in the indicated category and 1.044 million ounces at 0.94 g/t gold inferred, with no confirmed limits yet.
In addition to its flagship Yukon project, Sitka Gold maintains a diversified portfolio of precious and base metal projects across Canada and the U.S.. The company continues to position itself for long-term success with an ambitious drilling program and a commitment to unlocking new opportunities in mineral exploration.

For more information on Sitka Gold Corp. (TSX.V: SIG, OTCQB: SITKF, FSE: 1RF) please click the request investor info button.

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TACO time
TACO time

Winnipeg Free Press

timean hour ago

  • Winnipeg Free Press

TACO time

Opinion The stock market says, 'Yes.' And the bond market says, 'No.' This sums up much of the recent sentiment about the economy in the United States, and for that matter the global economy, amid the back-and-forth policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. Stocks have largely recovered their losses this year, as investors believe the One Big Beautiful Bill Act — with its tax cuts largely focused on the wealthy — will power a surge in growth. Michael Probst / The Associated Press files The curve of the German stock index DAX is seen in the background as U.S. President Donald Trump is shown on a TV screen at the stock market in Frankfurt, Germany. What's more, many investors ascribe to 'TACO', a term coined by a Financial Times columnist that stands for 'Trump always chickens out,' meaning most of the tariffs threats are bluster meant to make him appear to be a master deal-maker and they won't be here to stay. 'That is quite a diverging opinion from what the bond market is saying,' says Jonathan Baird, Toronto-based editor and publisher of the Global Investment Letter. Bond investors view the One Big Beautiful Bill as a recipe for inflation, eventually adding more than US$3.8 trillion to the annual budget deficit. Tariffs, too, are inflationary, which further make the case for more investors to sell their U.S. bonds. Average investors, not Wall Street, are likely feeling indecisive and maybe even fearful. A dose of caution is warranted, says John De Goey, portfolio manager with Design Wealth Management in Toronto, and author of Stand Up to the Financial Services Industry. Even without Trump-induced mayhem, 'stocks are very expensive and therefore very risky.' He points to the cyclically adjusted price-to-earnings — or CAPE — for the S&P 500. CAPE helps determine if an investment — based on a 10-year average of inflation-adjusted earnings — is valued appropriately. Right now, the S&P 500 is highly overvalued, according to CAPE. De Goey says the metric may not be a good predictor of bear markets. 'But it's extremely reliable for determining what the annualized return will be for the asset class … over the next decade,' he says. 'So when the S&P 500 is in the 30s or higher, the return over the next decade has historically been around zero.' The CAPE for the world's largest stock index has been about 35 in recent weeks. What's more, many seasoned investors see a decade ahead that could be similar to the 1970s when 'stagflation' weighed on markets. Characterized by higher than normal inflation and slow economic growth, stagflation can be toxic for stock and bond returns. 'I would suggest probably being as defensive as you're comfortable being,' says Baird, who expects stagflation to be a problem for the next few years. He doesn't recommend moving all of the portfolio to cash to preserve capital. That is tricky to time correctly on getting out of the market and, even more so, getting back into the market. Broadly, stagflation fighting strategies should focus less on growth stocks. Instead, consider companies selling goods and services consumers can't go without — like groceries and housing. Bonds should have shorter durations to reduce the impact of inflation. Commodity- and currency-based strategies can also provide some upside amid volatility. As well, alternative investments — private equity and credit, private real estate and hedge funds — are increasingly used by portfolio managers. 'The low-hanging fruit is increasing alternatives exposure,' De Goey says, noting these assets are less correlated to stock and bond markets, providing portfolio stability. Previously only available to wealthy investors, alternatives are now widely available as mutual funds and exchange-traded funds (ETFs). 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Developer wants City of Whitehorse to allow a drive-thru in Whistle Bend
Developer wants City of Whitehorse to allow a drive-thru in Whistle Bend

CBC

time7 hours ago

  • CBC

Developer wants City of Whitehorse to allow a drive-thru in Whistle Bend

Social Sharing A Whitehorse developer says it is "vital" that the city approve a zoning amendment that would allow for a new drive-thru restaurant in the Whistle Bend neighbourhood. Northern Vision Development's request is now before city council. It's for a 2.3-hectare parcel of land that fronts Whistle Bend Way, one of the main entrances to the neighbourhood. The vacant property is currently zoned for commercial use, which would allow restaurants, grocery stores or convenience stores, but not a drive-thru. The company's CEO Michael Hale says a drive-thru is "needed" because it would help ensure that the larger development of the property is economically viable. "[Fast food chains] are the kinds of businesses that can sign long-term leases, because they're confident that the community is going to continue to come to them," said Hale. He says he's heard from residents that what they want in the neighbourhood is a grocery store. He says the company is planning to include one on the property, but that those businesses tend to produce less revenue per square foot than drive-thrus. "[Grocery stores] take up a lot of economically, it's much more important to have these small, high-volume businesses — because those are in a position to pay lease rates that justify the development," said Hale. He said Northern Vision Development will spend somewhere in the ballpark of $50 to $70 million developing the property. "So you need at least 20 to 25 years of predictable revenue, even just to service the debt," said Hale. At a committee meeting this week, city councillors asked whether the company already had a drive-thru business interested in setting up shop there. Hale said there are several that are potentially interested. Potential traffic, environment impacts There are currently no food and beverage retailers in the Whistle Bend subdivision which is home to more than 4,000 residents. It's the newest and fastest-growing neighbourhood in Whitehorse and it's projected to grow to as many as 10,000 people by 2030. It's already home to more people than Dawson City and Watson Lake combined. Erin Suggitt has been living in Whistle Bend for five years. She says having walkable food and beverage options is long overdue. "It feels forgotten, to be honest. When we moved in we were told other things were coming really quickly, then they kept getting re-zoned to residential instead of commercial," said Suggitt. She says she has no problem with a drive-thru in the residential neighbourhood. "I have kids, and drive-thrus are convenient," she said. She just hopes the zoning will consider rush hour. "Traffic here gets a little crazy so I hope they're making sure it doesn't hold up anything else," she said. As part of its application, Northern Vision Development undertook a traffic impact assessment. According to the developer and the City of Whitehorse staff who reviewed the application, it shows a drive-thru "would not adversely affect the safe functioning of adjacent roadways." City staff also considered the potential environmental impacts of a drive-thru, in light of the city's Climate Action Plan which aims to reduce green house gas emissions. Darcy McCord, the city's acting manager of planning and sustainability services, said drive-thrus "encourage idling," but said the difference in greenhouse gas emissions between a drive-thru and sit-down restaurant are overall "anticipated to be negligible." Hale also suggested that customers who go to a drive-thru in Whistle Bend would likely be seeking out a fast food dinner either way. "It's just, are they doing it in their own community, or are they going to line up downtown?" Hale said. City councillors are expected to discuss the zoning application in the coming weeks. A public hearing will also have to take place as part of the process, though a date for that has not yet been set.

Japan Trials First Full-Flat Sleeper Bus
Japan Trials First Full-Flat Sleeper Bus

Japan Forward

time7 hours ago

  • Japan Forward

Japan Trials First Full-Flat Sleeper Bus

Japan's first trial run of a highway bus with full-flat seats is now underway, aiming to challenge the common view of night buses as cramped and tiring. The seats were jointly developed by Kochi-based operator Kochi Ekimae Kanko, a local model-making company, and a machinery manufacturer. Made entirely in Kochi, they meet the full-flat seating guidelines introduced by the Ministry of Land, Infrastructure, Transport and Tourism in November 2024. Since March, Kochi Ekimae Kanko has been operating a weekly round trip between Tokyo and Kochi on a trial basis, receiving positive feedback. With hotel prices climbing due to increasing inbound tourism, the service also aims to appeal to cost-conscious travelers. The full-flat seats are called Sommeil Profond, French for "deep sleep." Two rows of seats, front and back, convert into bunk-style beds, creating a private space similar to a capsule hotel. A large coach was remodeled to accommodate 24 seats across 12 bunk-style units arranged in three rows. The trial service began on March 11, running once a week between Tokyo and Kochi or Tokushima. The longest stretch of the trip takes about 13.5 hours one way. Passengers can stay fully reclined the entire time. Each seat is enclosed by curtains for privacy and comes with amenities like a blanket and pillow, offering a semi-private experience. The regular fare is expected to be around ¥13,000 JPY (about $90 USD), though the trial price has been set between ¥7,000 and ¥7,500. On the morning of May 21, the trial bus arrived at Kochi Station fully booked with passengers traveling for sightseeing or business. Yukari Ikezawa, a 37-year-old office worker from Kochi who took the round trip, said, "The vibrations bothered me a little, but on the way back, I was so tired I slept soundly. I felt much less fatigued compared to a regular bus." A company representative added, "These seats significantly reduce fatigue compared to standard ones. And since passengers can sleep while traveling, it also helps cut down on hotel expenses." Seats arranged to make full-flat "beds." (Courtesy of Kochi Ekimae Kanko) About 30 years ago, Kochi Ekimae Kanko's Chairman Kuninori Umehara saw sleeper buses during a visit to China. The company considered bringing the concept to Japan but had to put the idea on hold due to the lack of a legal framework at the time. Around 10 years ago, the company confirmed that there were no regulations on seat reclining angles. This opened the door to the idea of converting traditional seat designs into fully flat beds, and development began. Creating bus seats involves specialized knowledge and technical skills. To take on the challenge, the company partnered with local model maker Thermal Kobo and industrial machinery manufacturer Kakiuchi. Together, they repeatedly refined prototypes that could fold flat, maximize cabin space, and meet safety standards. They also consulted closely with Japan's transport ministry. It was determined that as long as the seats could return to an upright position, the bus would pass inspection under the Road Transport Vehicle Act. At the time, international safety standards for vehicle seating were based on a 25-degree seatback angle, and there was no established method to assess the safety of fully flat seats. However, as global discussions around safe seating in various postures began to grow, the ministry anticipated rising demand and introduced formal guidelines in November 2024.​​ The guidelines require the following: A fall-prevention plate that can withstand 900 kilograms of force Two-point seatbelts Padding and safety features to prevent falls from the head and sides Clear evacuation routes and secure luggage storage Kochi Ekimae Kanko refined its design to meet these standards and successfully turned the concept into reality. Since the trial began, buses equipped with Sommeil Profond seats have been nearly full. Surveys show that about 80% of users gave the ride high marks, especially for reduced fatigue and improved sleep quality. The most common complaint, however, was the narrow bed size. In bed mode, each seat measures 180 cm (5.9 ft) in length, 48 cm in width, and 51 to 73 cm in height, depending on the seat. Some larger passengers reportedly have to curl up to fit. "There's definitely room for improvement," said a company representative. "But seat size is closely tied to pricing, so we have to be careful when considering any changes to the design." Wider seats would improve comfort but reduce the total number of seats. Since operating costs per bus trip — such as fuel — are mostly fixed, fewer seats would lead to higher fares. For reference, a standard 28-seat, three-row bus charges about ¥10,000 on the Kochi–Tokyo route. The full-flat model accommodates 24 seats, allowing fares in the ¥13,000–¥14,000 range. Passengers have also requested more storage space and power outlets. The company is reviewing these suggestions and plans to expand service this fall with two buses offering four round trips per week. Looking ahead, Kochi Ekimae Kanko aims to market the Sommeil Profond model nationwide. Talks are already underway with bus operators in Tohoku and Kyushu, and interest has been strong. A representative said, "Eventually, we believe half of all overnight highway buses could adopt full-flat seating. By switching between upright and flat modes, these buses could even serve as a new option for inbound tourism. We want to keep improving and expand this model across Japan." ( Read the article in Japanese . ) Author: Koji Maekawa, The Sankei Shimbun

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