Latest news with #Baltzer
National Observer
3 days ago
- Politics
- National Observer
Who shoulders responsibility to prevent wildfire disasters: government or individuals?
As climate change continues to raise the risk of extreme wildfires, a debate has arisen over who bears the responsibility to prevent disasters: government or individuals? Wildfires have been raging across Canada all summer, including in the Atlantic region that hasn't historically seen as many fires as the rest of the country, prompting restrictions that aim to reduce risk of human-caused ignition. In Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, last week provincial governments banned hiking, fishing and using vehicles in the woods in addition to their existing bans on open fires. Both provinces are actively battling multiple blazes. Their provincial governments have received a flood of feedback from people expressing confusion and frustration, and some have claimed the restrictions represent an infringement on their personal freedoms. Jennifer Baltzer, a Wilfrid Laurier University biology professor and Canada Research Chair in forests and global change who is from Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley, said it's reasonable to expect these sorts of government-imposed restrictions as climate change results in hotter and dryer summers. 'As we experience conditions on the ground that are riskier… people are going to have to modify their behaviour to help mitigate potential accidental ignitions,' she said in an interview Thursday. However, Baltzer said governments have a lot of work to do to tackle the root cause of the worsening fire seasons: climate change. 'We really need to be implementing much stronger climate change mitigation policies than governments currently are. Because that's ultimately the solution to this,' she said. A day after the Nova Scotia restrictions were implemented, Halifax-based Ecology Action Centre criticized the ban and called on the province to address wildfire risk by making long-term investments in sustainable forestry management and climate adaptation, along with ramping up funding for local fire services. 'Serious moments demand thoughtful, long-term responses — not blunt tools and heavy-handed bans,' reads the statement shared on social media. 'This ban is a poor mechanism for addressing the underlying problem of dry, dangerous conditions. It leaves Nova Scotians wondering: is this what we should expect now? Will growing drought risk mean fewer and fewer opportunities to access and enjoy nature?' A follow-up statement from the centre said the province needs to ensure local fire services, which are largely volunteer-based in Nova Scotia, have adequate funding and up-to-date gear. The Ecology Action Centre said no one was available to be interviewed Wednesday and Thursday. The centre's executive director Maggy Burns said in an emailed statement hot and dry conditions are a reality that is not going away, and it may be necessary to restrict activity to keep communities safe. 'But Nova Scotians deserve an evidence-backed, long-term and clearly communicated plan to address the climate emergency, including wildfire,' she said Thursday. Speaking to reporters Wednesday in Ottawa, Alberta Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner criticized the restrictions in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia while accusing Ottawa of "inaction" on wildfires. Rempel Garner said that while she understands the fear Maritimers feel, restricting individuals' movements is "not right." "Whenever there's a major crisis, what the Liberal government has done by their inaction has conditioned Canadians to expect that the only response they can see out of their federal government is to restrict their movement," Rempel Garner told reporters. Both restrictions were implemented by provincial governments. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston brushed off the criticisms at a press conference later Wednesday. "I find it remarkable, the interest in travelling in Nova Scotia woods by people who aren't in Nova Scotia and probably haven't been here much in their life," Houston told reporters. "We're only concerned with keeping people safe. We'll do what's necessary to protect lives, and that's what we're doing in this case." Baltzer said Atlantic Canadians may have to get used to such precautions, while considering ways they can reduce wildfire risk around their homes. This can include removing flammable materials or thinning out some forested areas. "I think some of these things aren't probably such a hot of a topic (in Atlantic Canada) compared to Western Canada where fire regularly comes through the system… but I think across the country we can expect wildfire to become a more important issue that we're all going to have to be dealing with as the climate warms and dries," she said. "It's going to require both really strong policy action on the part of governments to mitigate climate change as fast as possible, and also on the community level, some personal action to help minimize risk."
Winnipeg Free Press
3 days ago
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Who bears responsibility to prevent wildfire disasters: government or individuals?
HALIFAX – As climate change continues to raise the risk of extreme wildfires, a debate has arisen over who bears the responsibility to prevent disasters: government or individuals? Wildfires have been raging across Canada all summer, including in the Atlantic region that hasn't historically seen as many fires as the rest of the country, prompting restrictions that aim to reduce risk of human-caused ignition. In Nova Scotia and New Brunswick, last week provincial governments banned hiking, fishing and using vehicles in the woods in addition to their existing bans on open fires. Both provinces are actively battling multiple blazes. Their provincial governments have received a flood of feedback from people expressing confusion and frustration, and some have claimed the restrictions represent an infringement on their personal freedoms. Jennifer Baltzer, a Wilfrid Laurier University biology professor and Canada Research Chair in forests and global change who is from Nova Scotia's Annapolis Valley, said it's reasonable to expect these sorts of government-imposed restrictions as climate change results in hotter and dryer summers. 'As we experience conditions on the ground that are riskier… people are going to have to modify their behaviour to help mitigate potential accidental ignitions,' she said in an interview Thursday. However, Baltzer said governments have a lot of work to do to tackle the root cause of the worsening fire seasons: climate change. 'We really need to be implementing much stronger climate change mitigation policies than governments currently are. Because that's ultimately the solution to this,' she said. A day after the Nova Scotia restrictions were implemented, Halifax-based Ecology Action Centre criticized the ban and called on the province to address wildfire risk by making long-term investments in sustainable forestry management and climate adaptation, along with ramping up funding for local fire services. 'Serious moments demand thoughtful, long-term responses — not blunt tools and heavy-handed bans,' reads the statement shared on social media. 'This ban is a poor mechanism for addressing the underlying problem of dry, dangerous conditions. It leaves Nova Scotians wondering: is this what we should expect now? Will growing drought risk mean fewer and fewer opportunities to access and enjoy nature?' A follow-up statement from the centre said the province needs to ensure local fire services, which are largely volunteer-based in Nova Scotia, have adequate funding and up-to-date gear. The Ecology Action Centre said no one was available to be interviewed Wednesday and Thursday. The centre's executive director Maggy Burns said in an emailed statement hot and dry conditions are a reality that is not going away, and it may be necessary to restrict activity to keep communities safe. 'But Nova Scotians deserve an evidence-backed, long-term and clearly communicated plan to address the climate emergency, including wildfire,' she said Thursday. Speaking to reporters Wednesday in Ottawa, Alberta Conservative MP Michelle Rempel Garner criticized the restrictions in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia while accusing Ottawa of 'inaction' on wildfires. Rempel Garner said that while she understands the fear Maritimers feel, restricting individuals' movements is 'not right.' 'Whenever there's a major crisis, what the Liberal government has done by their inaction has conditioned Canadians to expect that the only response they can see out of their federal government is to restrict their movement,' Rempel Garner told reporters. Both restrictions were implemented by provincial governments. Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston brushed off the criticisms at a press conference later Wednesday. 'I find it remarkable, the interest in travelling in Nova Scotia woods by people who aren't in Nova Scotia and probably haven't been here much in their life,' Houston told reporters. Wednesdays What's next in arts, life and pop culture. 'We're only concerned with keeping people safe. We'll do what's necessary to protect lives, and that's what we're doing in this case.' Baltzer said Atlantic Canadians may have to get used to such precautions, while considering ways they can reduce wildfire risk around their homes. This can include removing flammable materials or thinning out some forested areas. 'I think some of these things aren't probably such a hot of a topic (in Atlantic Canada) compared to Western Canada where fire regularly comes through the system… but I think across the country we can expect wildfire to become a more important issue that we're all going to have to be dealing with as the climate warms and dries,' she said. 'It's going to require both really strong policy action on the part of governments to mitigate climate change as fast as possible, and also on the community level, some personal action to help minimize risk.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 15, 2025.
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Deep Isolation Nuclear Disposal Company CEO to Appear Live on Bloomberg Businessweek on May 23 at 3:20 p.m. ET
BERKELEY, Calif., May 22, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Deep Isolation, a leading innovator in nuclear waste disposal technology, announced today that CEO Rod Baltzer will appear live on Bloomberg Businessweek this Friday, May 23 at 3:20 p.m. ET. The interview will be broadcast nationally via Bloomberg Radio and simulcast on Bloomberg's YouTube channel. Tune in live on Bloomberg Radio or watch the simulcast interview on YouTube to hear Baltzer discuss how Deep Isolation's technology works, why it matters, the company's future plans, and the growing role of nuclear waste solutions amid rising public and private interest in nuclear energy. The segment will spotlight Deep Isolation's patented deep borehole disposal technology — a safe, cost-effective, and scalable solution for the permanent disposal of high-level radioactive waste. As nuclear energy gains momentum in the global transition to clean power, solving the back end of the fuel cycle has become more urgent than ever. Deep Isolation's technology leverages proven directional drilling techniques and a strong IP portfolio to deliver up to 70% cost savings compared to traditional mined repositories, while significantly improving safety and reducing environmental impact. 'As the U.S. and other nations accelerate the deployment of advanced reactors, solving the waste challenge is essential to realizing nuclear's full potential,' said Baltzer. 'I'm excited to share how Deep Isolation is enabling this future and what's ahead for us as we move toward commercialization.' About Deep IsolationNamed as one of Goldman Sachs' Top 30 Startups in carbon capture, hydrogen power, and nuclear energy, Deep Isolation is the first company commercializing nuclear waste disposal in deep boreholes. It offers a uniquely tailored solution to help countries complete the necessary steps to dispose of their waste inventories. With 87 patents issued to date, it leverages proven drilling practices to safely isolate waste deep underground in horizontal, vertical, or slanted borehole repositories. For more information, visit media inquiries, please contact: media@
Epoch Times
29-04-2025
- Health
- Epoch Times
Another Canadian Veteran Says He Was Offered Medically Assisted Dying Unprompted
A Canadian Armed Forces veteran who served two tours in Afghanistan has come forward and revealed he was offered medical assistance in dying (MAID) by Veterans Affairs back in 2019, joining a growing number of Canadian veterans who say they were offered the procedure unprompted. David Baltzer, who served with the Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry, told the podcast Operation Tango Romeo that a Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) agent brought up MAID during a phone call on Dec. 23, 2019. 'He's like, 'You have a lot of problems. You've tried everything, you've done all this stuff ... Have you ever thought about medically assisted suicide?' Baltzer recalled during the April 8 podcast episode. 'As soon as he said that, I lost it. I said, 'Are you kidding me?'' Baltzer said the offer, which came after learning his Earnings Loss Benefit from VAC was being terminated, made him consider, 'Is my life worth living?' He said the incident caused him to decide to 'go hard and just do whatever I can and get ahead in life at that time.' Baltzer said he has also heard 'through the grapevine' about other Canadian veterans being offered MAID, but that he has not met anyone personally. Related Stories 4/25/2025 4/25/2025 Canada's medically assisted dying regime came under intense scrutiny in late 2022, when a military veteran revealed they were offered MAID during a call by a VAC agent. The veteran said they had been seeking treatment for a traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder. Then, in October 2022, the House of Commons Veterans Affairs Committee heard from a witness that a VAC agent had told a veteran that they could receive MAID. CAF veteran and former paralympian Christine Gauthier also revealed to the committee in December 2022 that she was offered the procedure when trying to get a new wheelchair ramp installed in her home. Gauthier, who is a paraplegic, said she was told, 'If you were so desperate, madam, we can offer you medical assistance in dying.' Gauthier was the In March 2023, the that said an internal investigation found four incidents in which MAID was 'inappropriately raised.' The report said all the incidents stemmed from one employee 'who is no longer employed with the Department,' and concluded that 'this is not a widespread, systemic issue.' Canada's MAID regime was set to be expanded to include people whose mental illness was their sole medical condition, but a month before that deadline, Ottawa introduced to extend the date to March 17, 2024. Then, in January 2024, Ottawa announced it would to give more preparation time for medical providers and provinces, but has not said what the new timeline would be. The fifth on MAID in Canada found that 15,343 people received the procedure in 2023, which was a 15.8 percent increase from 2022; 96 percent of MAID provisions were for individuals whose natural death was 'reasonably foreseeable,' and the median age was 77.7 years.
Toronto Sun
25-04-2025
- Health
- Toronto Sun
Another combat vet who says he was offered medical suicide comes forward
Two-tour Afghanistan combat veteran David Baltzer was offered medically-assisted suicide in Dec. 2019 — making him one of the first CAF soldiers offered MAID by a VAC caseworker Canadian Armed Forces combat veteran David Baltzer on duty in Afghanistan in 2006. Photo by HANDOUT OTTAWA — He came seeking help, but he says he was instead offered death. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS ONLY Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. SUBSCRIBE TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Subscribe now to read the latest news in your city and across Canada. Unlimited online access to articles from across Canada with one account. Get exclusive access to the Toronto Sun ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition that you can share, download and comment on. Enjoy insights and behind-the-scenes analysis from our award-winning journalists. Support local journalists and the next generation of journalists. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors Don't have an account? Create Account Nearly three years after the story first became public, another Canadian Forces veteran has stepped forward alleging Veterans Affairs Canada (VAC) offered him medical assistance in dying (MAID.) David Baltzer, who served two tours in Afghanistan with the elite Princess Patricia's Canadian Light Infantry (PPCLI,) told the Toronto Sun he was offered MAID in Dec. 23, 2019 — possibly making him among the first Canadian soldiers offered therapeutic suicide by the federal government. 'It made me wonder, were they really there to help us, or slowly groom us to say 'here's a solution, just kill yourself,' Baltzer told the Sun. The offer stemmed from a disagreement Baltzer had with his existing caseworker, with the topic of MAID coming up during a Dec. 23, 2019 phone call with a different VAC agent. Your noon-hour look at what's happening in Toronto and beyond. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'I was in my lowest down point, it was just before Christmas,' he told the Sun. 'He says to me, 'I would like to make a suggestion for you. Keep an open mind, think about it, you've tried all this and nothing seems to be working, but have you thought about medical-assisted suicide?'' The suggestion, Baltzer said, left him reeling. 'It just seems to me that they just want us to be like 'f–k this, I give up, this sucks, I'd rather just take my own life,'' he said. 'That's how I honestly felt.' Originally from St. Catharines, Ont., Baltzer enlisted at 17, eventually moving west and joining 2 PPCLI at CFB Shilo in Manitoba. In 2006, Baltzer was among Canada's first troops deployed to Afghanistan as part Operation Athena, where he served two tours and saw plenty of combat. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'We went out on long-range patrols trying to find the Taliban, and that's exactly what we did,' he said, recalling his first taste of combat. 'The best way I can describe it, it was like Black Hawk Down — all of the sudden the s–t hit the fan and I was like 'wow, we're fighting, who would have thought? Canada hasn't fought like this since the Korean War.' Upon returning home, Baltzer was offered counselling and therapy by VAC, which he said was of little help. Baltzer, like many combat vets, turned to alcohol and substance abuse to deal with his trauma — but is doing well today. A key figure shedding light on the VAC MAID scandal was CAF veteran Mark Meincke, whose trauma-recovery podcast Operation Tango Romeo broke the story. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. 'Veterans, especially combat veterans, usually don't reach out for help until like a year longer than they should've,' Meincke said, telling the Sun he waited over two decades before seeking help. 'We're desperate by the time we put our hands up for help. Offering MAID is like throwing a cinderblock instead of a life preserver.' Meincke said Baltzer's story shoots down VAC's assertions blaming one caseworker for offering MAID to veterans, and suggests the problem is far more serious than some rogue public servant. 'It had to have been policy. because it's just too many people in too many provinces,' Meincke told the Sun. 'Every province has service agents from that province.' The exact number of veterans offered MAID isn't known. This advertisement has not loaded yet, but your article continues below. In a 2022 briefing VAC said it was between four and 20, but Meincke personally knows of five, and said the actual number's likely close to 20. An internal investigation determined in 2023 that responsibility lied with just one caseworker, who they said was no longer employed with VAC. Read More Baltzer said VAC needs top-to-bottom reform, and a good place to start is replacing civilian caseworkers with military veterans, who can better relate to those scarred by the horrors of war. 'I remember saying to them, 'if it wasn't for us you wouldn't have a job, so maybe you should be more helpful,;' Baltzer recalled with a laugh. 'We served our country, it's their job to serve us.' bpassifiume@ X: @bryanpassifiume RECOMMENDED VIDEO Canada Sunshine Girls Sunshine Girls Toronto Maple Leafs World
