logo
Hundreds sign petition in support of Yukon's Raven ReCentre

Hundreds sign petition in support of Yukon's Raven ReCentre

CBC15-03-2025

A Yukon facility that helps process recyclables is calling for transparency on why it's been excluded from a government contract and hundreds of Yukoners are standing behind them.
Raven ReCentre has launched a petition, tabled Thursday in the Yukon Legislature, calling for answers on why it can no longer service community depots.
Shannon Powell, Raven's executive director, said the government's action was sudden and the non-profit hasn't been able to get an answer on why it's been blocked.
She said she hopes the territory, and specifically Community Services Minister Richard Mostyn, will provide a proper response to the public through the petition.
"I am looking forward to seeing what he replies to the Yukoners that signed this petition on why these actions are being taken, in a meaningful way, because so far we have not had that," Powell said.
The petition has 622 signatures and Powell says even more residents have reached out since it's been tabled. She says Raven has always had strong community connections and is grateful to all those who have shown their support.
She says they're expecting a response from Mostyn in the coming weeks.
In addition to the petition, Yukon's ombudsman is investigating. Powell says they're still in the early stages of that investigation and expect it to take about 90 days.
Powell says Raven isn't asking for preferential treatment, just equal access.

Orange background

Try Our AI Features

Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:

Comments

No comments yet...

Related Articles

News Moving Wall Street: New Fed Chair? Also Tesla Robotaxi Hits Austin
News Moving Wall Street: New Fed Chair? Also Tesla Robotaxi Hits Austin

Globe and Mail

time2 days ago

  • Globe and Mail

News Moving Wall Street: New Fed Chair? Also Tesla Robotaxi Hits Austin

Bloomberg Reports Bessent Could Replace Powell as Fed Chair Bloomberg reported Tuesday that current Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent is a possible contender to replace current Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell. If the Bloomberg report is accurate, Bessent would likely face significant pushback. First, a cornerstone of the Fed Chair position is that it is independent and free from influence from the President and other parts of government. With President Trump's continuous suggestion that Powell has been too much of a 'hawk' and has been far too slow in cutting interest rates, making the case for Bessent could be difficult. Second, though the President appoints the Fed Chair, they must be confirmed by the senate. Though the Republicans hold a majority in the Senate, that majority is razor thin. Regardless, talks are likely in the early stages, and Jerome Powell has said that he will serve out the remainder of his term, which does not expire until May 2026. US-China Trade Talks Continue Trade representatives from the world's two largest economies sat down for a second straight day of talks in London. According to US Commerce Secretary Howard Lutnick, talks are progressing in a positive direction thus far. The two most powerful nations have seen 'breakthrough' discussions on tech and rare earth exports (two of the strongest points of contention). Meanwhile, reports emerged today that the US and India are close to signing an interim trade deal after four days of negotiation. First Tesla Robotaxi Spotted in Austin Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell) stock Tesla ( TSLA ) and its controversial CEO, Elon Musk, have been in the news for all the wrong reasons recently. Musk, who served as a temporary 'special government employee' and created the 'Department of Government Efficiency' (DOGE) under the Trump Administration took to his X platform to voice his frustration about Trump's 'Big Beautiful Bill.' Musk argued that the bill is filled with 'pork,' or reckless spending. However, Musk didn't stop there. Instead, he resorted to personal attacks, suggesting that President Donald Trump was implicated in the Epstein Files, before deleting his tweet. The most recent dust-up is just the latest in a flurry of frustrating headlines and 'tape bombs' that have plagued Musk and Tesla recently. First, Musk and Tesla faced backlash and vandalism as left-leaning Americans believed Musk's DOGE went too far with spending cuts. Second, Tesla investors have become increasingly frustrated as Tesla's long-awaited robotaxi debut has seen numerous delays and doubts from Wall Street. However, after TSLA shares plunged last week and lost $150 billion in market cap in a single day (the largest one-day loss in TSLA history), shares are rebounding as each of the two recent issues seem to have resolutions: Musk Walks Back Trump Criticism: Earlier this week TSLA shares bounced after Musk retracted his Trump criticisms. Meanwhile, Trump commented on the situation saying he 'Wishes Elon well.' Tesla Robotaxi Spotted in Texas: A driverless Tesla Model Y robotaxi was seen on a public road in Austin, Texas, for the first time Tuesday. After several posts circulated on Musk's X, Musk commented, ' These are unmodified Tesla cars coming straight from the factory, meaning that every Tesla coming out of our factories is capable of unsupervised self-driving.' Meanwhile, while Alphabet's ( GOOGL ) Waymo robotaxi service is off to a big lead versus Tesla, it's not without problems. Several Waymo robotaxis were seen being driven by humans out of Los Angeles after many were lit on fire amid the recent riots. In addition, news stories broke recently in San Francisco about Waymo cars malfunctioning at night and honking for no reason, waking up nearby residents trying to sleep. Trump Unveils 'Invest America' Plan On Monday, CEOs from Dell Technologies ( DELL ), Goldman Sachs ( GS ), and Uber Technologies ( UBER ) joined President Trump at the White House to announce the 'Invest America' plan. The plan aims to democratize capitalism by giving newborn Americans a $1,000 investment account. You can read more about Invest America here. CPI Due Wednesday Morning To the surprise of many investors, inflation numbers have been moving in a positive direction despite the ongoing tariff policies and trade negotiations. That said, investors will get more information when the consumer price index (CPI) numbers are released Wednesday at 8:30 am EST. Bottom Line From the potential shifts in Fed leadership to the progress of global trade talks to Tesla's latest moves, investors will be monitoring how these dynamic forces impact the financial landscape. Only $1 to See All Zacks' Buys and Sells We're not kidding. Several years ago, we shocked our members by offering them 30-day access to all our picks for the total sum of only $1. No obligation to spend another cent. Thousands have taken advantage of this opportunity. Thousands did not - they thought there must be a catch. Yes, we do have a reason. We want you to get acquainted with our portfolio services like Surprise Trader, Stocks Under $10, Technology Innovators, and more, that closed 256 positions with double- and triple-digit gains in 2024 alone. See Stocks Now >> Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report The Goldman Sachs Group, Inc. (GS): Free Stock Analysis Report Dell Technologies Inc. (DELL): Free Stock Analysis Report Tesla, Inc. (TSLA): Free Stock Analysis Report Alphabet Inc. (GOOGL): Free Stock Analysis Report Uber Technologies, Inc. (UBER): Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research (

Yukon, B.C. Agree to Link Grids Through New $2B Power Line
Yukon, B.C. Agree to Link Grids Through New $2B Power Line

Canada Standard

time03-06-2025

  • Canada Standard

Yukon, B.C. Agree to Link Grids Through New $2B Power Line

The Yukon and British Columbia governments have agreed to jointly plan a transmission line connecting their power grids, with project costs in the billions and a timeline of over a decade. A local management consultant says there may be better ways to meet the territory's electricity needs. The Yukon-BC Grid Connect project aims to enable two-way electricity transmission, enhancing energy security and offering "mutual economic prosperity," the premiers of the two governments said in a joint statement. Signed May 23, their Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) "will guide intergovernmental collaboration" through the exploration and planning phases of connecting the two grids. "It's an agreement between both premiers' offices at the political level, just that this is a priority," Yukon Premier Ranj Pillai told Yukon News. The planned 765-kilometre, 200-kilovolt transmission line is expected to cost around $2 billion and will take more than 10 years to complete. It will require close cooperation with Indigenous communities along the route, and will be guided by "advancing reconciliation with affected First Nations, including through Indigenous partnerships and ownership," says the joint statement. Last year, the federal government announced $40 million for a feasibility study of the power line. The study will update one released in 2015, in which consultancy firm Midgard said it "cannot see a plausible scenario, given the assumptions, where Yukon profitably imports electricity." Midgard also questioned the reliability risks the territory would face if it depended on another jurisdiction for its electricity supply. Now, Pillai is pitching the power line as "a nation-building project" that would benefit all of Canada by boosting Arctic and northern sovereignty and security. Proponents also emphasize the environmental benefits, noting that the corridor would facilitate the flow of clean electricity northward. This could reduce reliance on liquefied natural gas (LNG) imports for mining operations in the region, allowing operators to market their resources as lower carbon, writes Yukon News. The MOU doesn't come with any financial commitment. But with the transmission line's price tag roughly equal to the territory's total annual budget, the cost cannot "be put on the back of Yukoners," said Pillai, who called for more funding from Ottawa. In an interview last fall, Yukon Member of Parliament Brendan Hanley said connecting the grids would allow the territory to export surplus energy and diversify its energy sources as the climate becomes more variable. Currently, Yukon is isolated from the North American grid and primarily powered by hydroelectric dams. But rising demand and low reservoir water levels have increased the proportion of energy it sources from fossil fuels. The territory also relies on rented diesel generators to meet peak power demand. With the grid connection years away, opposition leaders have questioned how Yukon will address its immediate energy challenges, Yukon News reported last fall. Economist Keith Halliday writes the massive transmission line is but one possible solution to the territory's energy troubles. Clean energy needs could also be met by building several smaller, "bite-size" projects in the area to add to the territory's own capacity. "Instead of huge surplus intertie capacity in the initial years, you build up generation capacity in small steps as demand for electric vehicles and heat grows," Halliday says. These smaller projects would create long-term employment in the Yukon economy, rather than the powerline construction jobs that would disappear when the project is finished. "Instead of outsourcing power jobs to B.C., you create well-paid engineering and union jobs here," Halliday writes. "Instead of B.C. investors getting the returns, they go to Yukon First Nations development corporations and our private sector." Source: The Energy Mix

Powell defends Federal Reserve in Princeton speech amid onslaught of attacks from Trump
Powell defends Federal Reserve in Princeton speech amid onslaught of attacks from Trump

Winnipeg Free Press

time25-05-2025

  • Winnipeg Free Press

Powell defends Federal Reserve in Princeton speech amid onslaught of attacks from Trump

WASHINGTON (AP) — Federal Reserve Chair Jerome Powell defended the central bank's response to the COVID-19 pandemic Sunday in a Princeton University commencement speech in which he also praised government employees and U.S. universities, both of which have been targeted by the Trump administration. Powell and the central bank have been subject to extensive criticism in recent weeks by President Donald Trump and a potential successor, former Fed governor Kevin Warsh. In his speech, Powell, who noted he graduated from Princeton 50 years ago, specifically defended the central bank's decision to cut its key interest rate to nearly zero in response to the pandemic. It also launched an asset-purchase program that involved buying trillions of dollars of Treasury bonds and mortgage-backed securities, intended to keep longer-term interest rates low. 'With little warning, economies around the world came to a hard stop,' Powell said, referring to the pandemic. 'The possibility of a long, severe, global depression was staring us in the face. Everyone turned to the government, and to the Federal Reserve in particular as a key first responder.' Powell also singled out longtime government employees for praise: 'Career civil servants at the Fed who are veterans of previous crises stepped forward and said, 'We got this,'' he said. Trump has subjected Powell to a stream of attacks for several months because the Fed has kept its key rate unchanged this year, after cutting it three times at the end of 2024. Trump has said there is 'no inflation' so the Fed should reduce borrowing costs. Earlier this month, Trump called Powell a 'fool' for not cutting rates and last week called the Fed chair 'Too Late Powell.' Powell has not responded to Trump's attacks, which has previously won him support among Republicans on Capitol Hill. In his Sunday speech, he defended American universities, which have come under sharp attacks from the Trump administration as research grants and other funding have been cut for several Ivy League universities, including Princeton. 'Our great universities are the envy of the world and a crucial national asset,' Powell said. 'Look around you. I urge you to take none of this for granted.' Late last month, Warsh, who served as one of the Fed's governors from 2006 to 2011, slammed the central bank for letting inflation spike to its highest level in four decades in 2022. Warsh is considered a leading candidate to become the next Fed chair when Powell's term ends in May 2026. 'Each time the Fed jumps into action, the more it expands its size and scope,' Warsh said in a speech on the sidelines of the International Monetary Fund's spring meetings. 'More debt is accumulated … more institutional lines are crossed and the Fed is compelled to act even more aggressively the next time.' The Fed does not issue debt, but Warsh and other Fed critics argue that its purchase of Treasury bonds enabled to federal government to borrow and spend more. Powell has acknowledged that the Fed could have moved quicker to raise interest rates once inflation began to rise in 2021. Still, on Sunday, he defended the Fed's pandemic record. 'Through the joint efforts of many, we avoided the worst outcomes,' Powell said. 'It is hard to imagine the pressure people face at a time like that. Their collective efforts saved our economy, and the career civil servants involved deserve our respect and gratitude; it is my great honor to serve alongside them.'

DOWNLOAD THE APP

Get Started Now: Download the App

Ready to dive into the world of global news and events? Download our app today from your preferred app store and start exploring.
app-storeplay-store