More money for more homes: Federal government, N.L. announce $44M in construction funding
A $44-million commitment was made between the provincial and federal government's to help build over 280 new homes in the province.
The location of the announcement is the where six affordable rental units will be built, using $300,000 from the province's Affordable Housing Fund.
That fund provides money through low-interest and forgivable loans or contributions to partner organizations.
"A lot of these units that you see here will probably be for seniors," said Avalon MP Ken McDonald, who isn't seeking re-election federally but is "leaning toward running provincially."
But Monday's announcement includes 26 projects total. The province previously contributed 17.9 million. On Monday, the federal government added $26 million.
McDonald said as the population ages, more homes will become available for rent or redevelopment to accommodate cheaper apartments for those struggling to find a place to live.
Avalon MP Ken McDonald and Harbour Grace-Port de Grave MHA Pam Parsons announced the funding on behalf of the federal and provincial governments, adding that McDonald is "leaning toward running provincially" in the upcoming election.
Area MHA Pam Parsons told reporters two more projects are already being planned for Bay Roberts.
"We'll see a significant number of homes as well," she said. "It's good news all around."
Access to housing is a problem in the province. Emergency shelters like the Salvation Army's Wiseman Centre and The Gathering Place in St. John's are constantly at capacity.
Kim Grant, associate executive director of The Gathering Place, said their shelter has 40 beds, but they hope to have more with the opening of 53 transitional and supportive housing rooms within the next two months.
Pam Goodyear at the Salvation Army shelter in St. John's says the shelter's 21 beds fill up every night, but it needs more money to keep up with demand.
The units announced by the government on Monday are projected to cost between $665 and $880 a month.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Toronto Star
6 hours ago
- Toronto Star
Appeals court allows Trump to end temporary protections for migrants from Central America and Nepal
SAN FRANCISCO (AP) — A federal appeals court on Wednesday sided with the Trump administration and stayed a lower court's order keeping in place temporary protections for 60,000 migrants from Central America and Nepal. The 9th U.S. Circuit Court of Appeals in San Francisco granted the emergency stay pending an appeal as immigrants rights advocates allege that the administration acted unlawfully in ending Temporary Protected Status designations for people from Honduras, Nicaragua and Nepal.
Cision Canada
11-08-2025
- Cision Canada
2025 IDA Annual Conference Set to Illuminate Abu Dhabi
A Global Gathering of 7,000+ Financial Insurance Elites ABU DHABI, UAE, Aug. 11, 2025 /CNW/ -- The 2025 International Dragon Award (IDA) Annual Conference will be held with grandeur from August 9 to 12, 2025 in Abu Dhabi, the dynamic capital of the United Arab Emirates and a globally renowned "City of Oil". This landmark event is set to convene over 7,000 delegates—including financial insurance elites, senior executives of insurance companies, and industry experts and scholars from across the world—to explore emerging trends, challenges and opportunities within the insurance industry. In 1998, IMM International officially established the International Dragon Award (IDA), intending to set a fair and objective benchmark for the global insurance industry and to uphold the values of "Paragon, Perfection, Nobility". After over two decades of industry engagement, the IDA has garnered widespread acclaim and respect across the industry, establishing itself as an internationally admired honor among financial insurance practitioners. Today, a number of financial insurance institutions have incorporated IDA into their corporate recognition frameworks. By 2025, over 181,000 financial insurance elites from more than 250 insurance institutions across 17 countries and regions have earned the IDA distinction, including 585 IDA Life Members and 16 inductees into the prestigious IDA Hall of Fame. This year also sees 17 outstanding sales teams receiving the esteemed "IDA Hundred-Elite Team" title. As a premier, high-caliber event of vital significance to the global insurance sector, the IDA Annual Conference celebrates the achievements of its members, while empowering financial insurance practitioners worldwide with cutting-edge industry insights, marketing expertise, and leadership philosophies. Since 2000, IMM International has hosted 24 editions of the conference in major cities across the globe—including Chiang Mai, Singapore, Seoul, Sydney, Kuala Lumpur, Dubai, Melbourne, Bangkok, and multiple cities in China. Its debut in Abu Dhabi in 2025 marks a significant milestone in the conference's global journey. Centered on the theme "Devotion", this year's conference will unite over 120 senior executives from insurance companies, excellent sales agency leaders, top-tier sales agents, and experts and scholars from various fields globally. Featuring over 60 high-value, in-depth sharing sessions—including 12 main sessions, 43 breakout sessions, and 10 "International Finance Outlook Forum" sessions convening financial experts and senior executives from insurance companies—the event will offer a dynamic, open, and interdisciplinary platform for meaningful exchange of ideas, driving continued prosperity and development across the insurance industry. IDA Grand Celebration: Thousands Rise to Claim their IDA Honor As the global insurance industry navigates new challenges emerging in the 2025 volatile economic climate, a resilient cohort of outstanding insurance professionals has chosen to rise against the headwinds, ultimately earning the prestigious IDA honor with their exceptional performance and unwavering resolve. As the highest tribute to the leading force of the industry, this conference has meticulously curated two signature events: "Honor Salute" and "Dragon Night". During these ceremonial sessions, more than 4,000 IDA members will stride along the Walk of Fame marked by "Paragon, Perfection, Nobility", and step proudly onto the award stage to celebrate a glorious moment shared by dedicated achievers. Guided by the ideals of the IDA honor, these distinguished IDA honorees have diligently fulfilled the noble mission of serving 36 households each year. With remarkable professional expertise and selfless dedication, they have not only provided robust insurance protections for their clients, but also exemplified the highest standards of excellence within the insurance industry. The "Honor Salute" and "Dragon Night" award ceremonies celebrate their individual achievements and highlight the enduring value of their professionalism and services. Among the many accolades, two hold particular distinction: The Worldwide Chinese Life Insurance Lifetime Achievement Award, the highest honor in the global insurance field, is bestowed upon individuals who have dedicated more than 40 years to the industry, made significant contributions, and commanded wide respect. In 2025, this prestigious accolade goes to Mr. Tan Kar Hor, who has held senior executive roles such as general manager, chief executive committee, and chairman at PAMB, CITIC-Prudential Life, AIA Group and other leading insurance companies at home and abroad. His achievements serve as a source of inspiration for insurance practitioners to embrace challenges and press forward with courage. The IDA Hall of Fame recognizes individuals who have earned the IDA distinction for 24 consecutive years or 30 cumulative years. These exemplary honorees are crowned with a commemorative seal as a tribute to their steadfast commitment and pioneering spirit in the insurance profession. Contributing to Industry Legacy, Forging Shared Glory: Official Announcement of Global Rankings for IDA Member Companies In 2024, the IDA released its Inaugural Official Announcement of Global Rankings for IDA Member Companies in Hong Kong, China, revealing key development trends and indicators of excellence within the global financial insurance industry. These insights provide invaluable guidance for financial insurance institutions and sales teams. For insurance institutions, the number of IDA members serves as a critical metric of productivity and quality. The presence of a greater number of IDA members within a financial insurance institution reflects its ability to evolve with the industry trends and maintain steady growth in overall performance & productivity, recruitment & training, and talent retention. To further support industry advancement, the IDA Executive Committee will release the Official Announcement of 2025 Global Rankings for IDA Member Companies at the upcoming Abu Dhabi conference. Meanwhile, the IDA Data Analytics Expert Committee has been officially established, comprising distinguished insurance professionals appointed for their expertise in industry insights and trend analysis, and renowned professionalism and credibility. These experts will collaborate with the IDA Executive Committee to contribute meaningfully to the continued advancement and excellence of the financial insurance sector. This year's official announcement also features the presentation of "IDA World Record" awards, designed to celebrate peak achievements and inspire financial insurance practitioners worldwide to benchmark against top performers, strive for continuous advancement and improvement, and ultimately create their own IDA records. The Official Announcement of Global Rankings for IDA Member Companies embodies the mission and determination of IMM International and IDA to enhance the professional competency, image, and social standing of practitioners in the global financial insurance industry. It defines clear benchmarks for enduring excellence and sustainable growth, while offering financial insurance institutions valuable reference, guidance, and support in institutional mechanisms and product development—ultimately driving the global insurance industry's transformation toward high-quality development. Moving forward, IDA will continue its steadfast commitment to fostering the prosperity, development, and advancement of the global financial insurance sector, partnering with leading institutions and exceptional professionals in their quest for unparalleled excellence.
Winnipeg Free Press
08-08-2025
- Winnipeg Free Press
Manitoba Hydro's generating capacity may be hampered by increasingly frequent and severe drought
Manitoba is the last stop for a tangle of waterways that pour from the Rocky Mountains and out across the North American plains and Prairies, a catchment for water that passes through numerous provinces and U.S. states. The province receives 70 per cent of its water from other jurisdictions, leaving Manitoba vulnerable to upheavals, whether climate-related or political in nature. During a drought, this tangle of factors can lead to significant ramifications that can negatively impact the generating capacity — and profitability — of Manitoba Hydro. Tim Smith for The Narwhal Manitoba Hydro power lines lead away from the Kettle Generating Station along the Nelson River overtop of forest just outside Gillam. Last year, the utility lost $157 million due to the effects of extremely arid conditions hampering its ability to generate and sell electricity. This summer, flows across much of the province are significantly lower as the Prairies once again struggle with widespread drought. And while Alberta and Saskatchewan have always met or exceeded the amount of water they're required to share under existing agreements, the current impacts could be a taste of what's to come. Climate models predict increased instability across the Prairies, with more-frequent and longer droughts mixed with periods of flooding. That's coupled with a growing population and evermore demand for water, energy and electricity. With all of this uncertainty, it doesn't take much to tip the scales in a province where almost all — more than 96 per cent — of its electricity comes from hydro. 'In our very preliminary analysis, even a five per cent decrease in inflow to the Manitoba Hydro system… will have a significant impact on power generation,' Masoud Asadzadeh, a professor in the department of civil engineering at the University of Manitoba, said in an interview. With his research focusing on simulation, design and analysis of water-engineering systems, Asadzadeh said more groundwork needs to be done to facilitate the tough, but necessary, conversations around water sharing in an era of climate change. Along the rivers tracked by Manitoba Hydro, flow levels are significantly lower than at the same time last year, while the utility maintains levels at dammed lakes to meet winter demand. Hydro is watching the situation. 'While we've seen below-normal spring and summer precipitation so far, we aren't making predictions right now,' spokesman Riley McDonald said in an emailed response to questions. McDonald said the utility has been able to meet provincial electrical demand and export contracts in previous low-water years, but the reduced generation hampers its ability to sell excess power on the open market, impacting revenues. McDonald didn't say whether a threshold exists at which Manitoba Hydro would be unable to meet provincial demand, and the province directed the question back to utility. He did say the system is designed to ensure necessary generation based on the worst drought conditions recorded since 1912 — in 2003-04, Manitoba Hydro lost a record $436 million due to drought conditions. Asadzadeh said the real 'nightmare scenario' for Hydro is severe, multi-year droughts across the Prairies. Manitoba's own drought management strategy highlights a study of tree rings that shows a multi-decade drought plagued the Red River Basin in the 1500s. 'It is difficult to comprehend the catastrophe that would occur if Manitoba and the rest of the Canadian Prairies were to experience such a severe, multi-decade drought today,' the strategic action plan notes. At the same time, the increasing electrification of heating and transportation is expected to increase demand on the Manitoba Hydro grid, according to the utility's 2023 Integrated Resource Plan. 'Manitoba Hydro's energy and capacity resources are limited. We already anticipate not renewing some of our current contracts for exports of electricity as that surplus energy will be increasingly required to meet your needs here in Manitoba,' then president and CEO Jay Grewal wrote in the introduction to the report. Drought and demand, however, aren't the only factors impacting the province. Alberta and Saskatchewan are obligated to pass on roughly half of the estimated water that flows through their territories. Alberta moves along 50 per cent to Saskatchewan, which then shifts 50 per cent to Manitoba. So far, the system has worked, with both provinces meeting or exceeding obligations. But variability is the norm. In wet years, Alberta can pass along far more water than is required, but in drier years, it skirts the minimum threshold. It delivered 56 per cent of its natural flow to Saskatchewan during the drought in 2001, for example. Each province has its own system for regulating water use, and faces its own internal stresses, demands and interests. It's a system Tricia Stadnyk, the Canada Research Chair in hydrological modelling at the University of Calgary, has called 'fragmented.' The 'dual threat of climate change and increasing demand pressures,' she wrote in The Conversation, could stretch the Prairies' water-sharing agreement to the breaking point. The Canadian Press files Netley Creek and the Red River enter Lake Winnipeg just north of Winnipeg. But the agreement offers some stability, at least when compared to similar accords with the United States, from where some of Manitoba's rivers flow. North Dakota, for example, can petition a joint commission to reduce flow to Manitoba from the Souris River. And along the Red River, there is no formal agreement between the two nations to share water. 'Apportionment on the Red River is challenging due to the fact that there may be very limited or no flow to apportion during severe drought,' according to the province's drought management strategy. A Manitoba government spokesperson said the province works with Alberta, Saskatchewan and the federal government through the Prairie Provinces Water Board to manage transboundary water. 'Western provincial officials remain in regular contact during dry periods, to share water management information and updates,' the spokesperson said by email. The water board, however, has no regulatory authority. In the case of a dispute between provinces, it will be referred to the Federal Court of Canada. There is also increased demand on the system as Alberta and Saskatchewan look to expand irrigation, which consumes vast quantities of water. In Alberta, irrigation accounts for approximately 43 per cent of all water allocations. Fossil fuel production has access to 13 per cent. All of this occurs amid the backdrop of climate change, which Manitoba's water management strategy warns is 'expected to make extreme heat and drought-driven water shortages more frequent and severe.' Each and every factor could impact hydroelectric generation and the utility's bottom line. Asadzadeh said there has to be more adaptability built into water management on the Prairies, particularly with the increased uncertainty brought by climate change. 'These agreements will protect people, because the more water is used by different sectors, the more competition happens,' he said. 'And if (extreme) drought happened, that competition might change its shape from competition to disagreement at some point.' Asadzadeh said when conflict arises, it's often the more-vulnerable communities that are most impacted, and consequently, he said there should be more focus placed on Indigenous water rights in times of drought. Wednesdays What's next in arts, life and pop culture. Planning ahead for extreme drought is something the water board is at least considering. A spokesperson said the board has taken part in an extreme drought scenario exercise in 2022, including 'how discussions between jurisdictions and other stakeholders can inform actions that might need to be taken should water use need to be prioritized.' It's not at all clear where Manitoba Hydro would slot into on that list of priorities. This story has been co-published with The Narwhal. drew@
