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CBC
2 days ago
- Business
- CBC
High-tech housing project to share site with controversial First Nation grow op
A federal government agency is funding an experimental housing project on the site of a controversial, large-scale marijuana grow op in the Haudenosaunee community of Six Nations in southwest Ontario. Next Generation Manufacturing Canada, a federal agency under Industry, Science and Economic Development Canada, provided a $3.7 million grant to the Toronto-based construction firm Horizon Legacy for the project. Horizon Legacy has partnered with Six Nations architect Brian Porter and his firm Two Row Architect. But the project is set for a plot of land shared with a new marijuana plantation that's facing community pressure to shut down. Legacy Farms has become a lightning rod for controversy in Six Nations since greenhouses began to go up this year. Residents object to its over 70 sprawling greenhouses and the constant traffic of trucks, and are unhappy at the prospect of further large-scale construction in the community, which is about 100 kilometres southwest of Toronto. Horizon Legacy says the $10 million, 30-unit project will be "the largest multi-storey Indigenous housing development" in the country, and be constructed with robotics. Neighbours fight to get rid of massive marijuana grow-op 9 hours ago Duration 4:58 A massive marijuana grow operation in the heart of Six Nations of the Grand River is raising concerns that the cannabis industry is getting out of control. CBC's Jorge Barrera investigates where it came from and meets the community members fighting to shut it down. Horizon Legacy CEO Nhung Nguyen told CBC News she's aware of "issues" with the location, but hopes any controversy won't overshadow the potentially cutting-edge project which, she says, could revolutionize construction in First Nations. "This technology will be, we believe, transformational for Canada," said Nguyen. Horizon Legacy is developing the use of a robotic arm, called Val 2.0, that acts like a portable 3D printer, pouring out a special concrete mix to build walls and structures. The company recently used it for a row-house project in Gananoque, Ont. The project in Six Nations will be the first time the technology will be used to raise load-bearing walls. If successful, the project could be replicated in other First Nations, allowing rapid housing construction in a sector facing a labour shortage, she said. The construction firm has no connection to Legacy Farms, says Nguyen. The building will be called Eh ni da se, which means "new moon" in the language of the Cayuga, according to Horizon Legacy's website. The Cayuga are one of the six nations that make up the Haudenosaunee Confederacy, which maintains a traditional governance structure separate from elected band councils. Legacy Farms is owned by Porter's son Aaron Porter, and is licensed by the Six Nations Cannabis Commission. The commission was created by the elected band council to regulate cannabis production and retail on the reserve. The band, in an exercise of sovereignty, created its own cannabis rules outside of federal and provincial laws. Resident Nancy Porter — a distant relative of both men — has rallied community members to shut down Legacy Farms. The grow op, with its berm and greenhouses, mars her horizon and looms in her kitchen window. "It's like a pain that won't go away," she said. She says she sees trucks rumbling by every day with grow op supplies and white vans shuttling in workers from outside the territory. Its construction disrupted the land's natural drainage, causing flooding along neighbouring properties, including her yard. She only found out about the housing project when she was informed by CBC News. Neither the community nor the band council were notified of the project by Horizon Legacy or Brian Porter. No notification was required. She says the new project also needs to be shut down. "What is the big deal, hiding everything?" she said. Several generations of Porter's direct family — her parents, grandparents and great-grandparents — farmed soy and wheat on the land that's now the site of the grow op and housing project. As a child she used to roam and play throughout the property, she says. The grow op sits partly on what was once her family's land — sold last year by her brother. She says the band council and commission have ignored her questions and concerns. Neither the council nor commission responded to CBC News's requests for comment. "I ain't going to live another year through this," she said. "Something's got to give." Some community members say the Legacy Farms controversy proves the cannabis industry in Six Nations is out of control, and have raised questions about the influx of workers from outside the reserve. Aaron Porter says those migrant workers come through an agency and that he's checked to make sure they are all legally allowed to work in Canada. He would not provide the name of the agency, but says he's shared it with the Cannabis Commission. "I wouldn't bring criminals into a community that I love," he said. And Brain Porter says neither development is exceptional by Six Nations standards — where no zoning regulations exist. Community members build what they want on their own lands, he says. "I've got lots of friends that had great views of natural areas and then someone purchased the property and converted it into something else and they didn't have a say over it," he said. Porter notes that just to the northeast of the property, along Chiefswood Road, one of the main arteries through the community, is the Ohsweken Speedway. It's owned by a Six Nations member who built it on family lands. The racetrack roars to life every Friday night from May to September. Just down from the Speedway sits the sprawling cigarette factory and warehouse buildings of Grand River Enterprises, which ships tobacco products around the globe. "There are factories going up weekly, right in the interior of all these lots," he said. "There's no process for building permits. So there's lots of construction happening here. The vast majority, none of the members know about it." Health Canada and Ontario's Ministry of the Attorney General say they have no agreements with Six Nations allowing it to license marijuana producers or retailers. The issuing of cannabis licences by First Nations communities — outside of federal and provincial frameworks — has not been tested in court.
Yahoo
12-02-2025
- Yahoo
Reflecting on the dangers of Alaska's aviation
A plane flies over the town after taking off from the dirt runway on Sept. 14, 2019, in Kivalina, Alaska. (Photo by) It's heartbreaking when you hear about another crash like the recent one near Nome. For people in rural Alaska, flying is the only way to stay connected, and it's a huge part of their daily lives. This tragedy raises a vital question: Are we doing enough to protect those who depend on flying in some of the most remote and perilous conditions in the U.S.? As the plane, en route from Unalakleet to Nome, lost contact shortly after notifying air traffic control, radar showed a sudden loss of speed and altitude. The Emergency Locator Transmitter , which usually signals distress upon exposure to seawater, failed to activate, complicating rescue efforts. Despite freezing temperatures overnight, the response from local and federal agencies – including the Nome Volunteer Fire Department, FBI, and U.S. Coast Guard – was swift. However, the limited access to the crash site delayed efforts, highlighting concerns about outdated technology, such as the frequent non-distress Emergency Locator Transmitter alerts. The recovery of the wreckage and confirmation of fatalities is tragic. This is not the first rural Alaskan crash, nor will it be the last. Alaska's vast, often inaccessible terrain, paired with unpredictable weather, makes air travel a lifeline for many communities — placing them at higher risk when something goes wrong. In Alaska, flying isn't a luxury; it's essential. With most communities cut off from road systems, small planes are the only means of transport for people and goods. From high school sporting events to vital services, air travel is a necessity. According to the National Transportation Safety Board, between 1990 and 2015, Alaska accounted for over a third of U.S. commuter and air taxi accidents, including more than 20% of fatalities. Yet, as the need for flights increases, these risks are often overlooked. For example, Bering Air serves 32 villages in Western Alaska, connecting them with hubs in Nome, Kotzebue, and Unalakleet . Current systems, though helpful, rely on outdated technology and infrastructure ill-equipped to handle Alaska's harsh conditions. The swift response from the Coast Guard and Alaska National Guard was commendable, but limited access to the crash site delayed rescue efforts. Lt. Col. Brian Porter, director of operations for the Civil Air Patrol's Alaska Wing, highlighted a significant issue in Alaska's aviation safety: Many Emergency Locator Transmitter notifications are 'non-distress' alerts, often triggered by unintentional activation of the beacon or inadequate servicing. As Porter noted in a Jan. 16, 2025, article from the Alaska National Guard, 'Every ELT notification is treated as a real distress call until rescue personnel can confirm it is a false alert.' False alerts can complicate rescue operations, diverting valuable resources and putting responders at risk in Alaska's treacherous terrain. Regular servicing and proper registration of ELTs, Porter emphasized, are important steps in minimizing these unnecessary disruptions. Investing in updated technology, policies that ensure regular aircraft inspections, modernized ELTs, and real-time tracking systems are some steps in addressing the unique challenges of aviation safety in Alaska's remote environment. Though Alaska's leaders have shared their condolences, the ongoing challenges with aviation safety remind us all that more needs to be done. Investing in things like better funding for safety programs and more thorough crew training could go a long way in reducing future risks. This crash is not an isolated incident. It is part of a troubling pattern of airborne accidents across the U.S., underscored by a recent dismantling of TSA protocols and cuts to safety measures. These tragedies bring up deeper questions about aviation safety — not only in Alaska, but nationwide. As we mourn the lives lost, it is time to consider the ongoing need for improvements in air travel safety across Alaska. Alaskans deserve policies that address the unique challenges of remote communities and protect those who rely on air travel, no matter how extreme the conditions. SUBSCRIBE: GET THE MORNING HEADLINES DELIVERED TO YOUR INBOX
Yahoo
30-01-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Several Insiders Invested In Fairfax India Holdings Flagging Positive News
When a single insider purchases stock, it is typically not a major deal. However, when multiple insiders purchase stock, like in Fairfax India Holdings Corporation's (TSE:FIH.U) instance, it's good news for shareholders. While we would never suggest that investors should base their decisions solely on what the directors of a company have been doing, logic dictates you should pay some attention to whether insiders are buying or selling shares. View our latest analysis for Fairfax India Holdings The insider Brian Porter made the biggest insider purchase in the last 12 months. That single transaction was for US$78k worth of shares at a price of US$15.57 each. That implies that an insider found the current price of US$17.26 per share to be enticing. That means they have been optimistic about the company in the past, though they may have changed their mind. We do always like to see insider buying, but it is worth noting if those purchases were made at well below today's share price, as the discount to value may have narrowed with the rising price. Happily, the Fairfax India Holdings insiders decided to buy shares at close to current prices. Fairfax India Holdings insiders may have bought shares in the last year, but they didn't sell any. You can see a visual depiction of insider transactions (by companies and individuals) over the last 12 months, below. If you click on the chart, you can see all the individual transactions, including the share price, individual, and the date! There are plenty of other companies that have insiders buying up shares. You probably do not want to miss this free list of undervalued small cap companies that insiders are buying. Over the last quarter, Fairfax India Holdings insiders have spent a meaningful amount on shares. Not only was there no selling that we can see, but they collectively bought US$81k worth of shares. This is a positive in our book as it implies some confidence. Looking at the total insider shareholdings in a company can help to inform your view of whether they are well aligned with common shareholders. A high insider ownership often makes company leadership more mindful of shareholder interests. Our data suggests Fairfax India Holdings insiders own 0.2% of the company, worth about US$3.6m. We prefer to see high levels of insider ownership. It's certainly positive to see the recent insider purchases. We also take confidence from the longer term picture of insider transactions. We would certainly prefer see higher levels of insider ownership but analysis of the insider transactions suggests that Fairfax India Holdings insiders are expecting a bright future. In addition to knowing about insider transactions going on, it's beneficial to identify the risks facing Fairfax India Holdings. For example, Fairfax India Holdings has 2 warning signs (and 1 which makes us a bit uncomfortable) we think you should know about. But note: Fairfax India Holdings may not be the best stock to buy. So take a peek at this free list of interesting companies with high ROE and low debt. For the purposes of this article, insiders are those individuals who report their transactions to the relevant regulatory body. We currently account for open market transactions and private dispositions of direct interests only, but not derivative transactions or indirect interests. Have feedback on this article? Concerned about the content? Get in touch with us directly. Alternatively, email editorial-team (at) article by Simply Wall St is general in nature. We provide commentary based on historical data and analyst forecasts only using an unbiased methodology and our articles are not intended to be financial advice. It does not constitute a recommendation to buy or sell any stock, and does not take account of your objectives, or your financial situation. We aim to bring you long-term focused analysis driven by fundamental data. Note that our analysis may not factor in the latest price-sensitive company announcements or qualitative material. Simply Wall St has no position in any stocks mentioned. Sign in to access your portfolio
