Latest news with #DavidJ.McGuinty
Cision Canada
22-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
Government of Canada sells Rimouski Armoury for student housing Français
GATINEAU, QC, /CNW/ - Everyone deserves a place to call home. However, Canada's housing crisis is making it increasingly difficult for many people across the country to access housing. Post-secondary students are no exception: in many regions, they are struggling to find affordable housing that meets their needs. As part of its plan to build more homes, the Government of Canada is identifying federal properties that have the potential for housing and is making them available through the Canada Public Land Bank. Today, the Honourable Joël Lightbound, Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement and the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of National Defence, announced that the Rimouski Armoury in Rimouski, Quebec, has been sold to Immeubles Must Urbain Inc., which is planning to build student housing while also preserving the heritage of the existing building. Public Services and Procurement Canada added the former National Defence property to the Canada Public Land Bank in August 2024, as part of the Public Lands for Homes Plan, an ambitious, whole-of-government approach to addressing the housing crisis by building more homes and making it easier to rent or own a home. Through the Canada Public Land Bank, we are providing access to federal properties in a transparent way to all stakeholders: large developers, small companies, Indigenous communities and organizations, non-profit organizations, academic institutions, provinces, territories and municipalities, and Canadian citizens. This is allowing us to accelerate the federal government's established disposal process. To date, we have received hundreds of initial inquiries for properties currently listed in the land bank. These inquiries span properties located across most provinces and territories. Quotes "Since launching the Canada Public Land Bank in August 2024, we have identified 90 federal properties that are available for housing development. I'm pleased to announce the sale of the Rimouski Armoury, which will be developed into student housing to provide affordable options for students in the region. This is one example of how our whole-of-government approach is addressing the country's housing crisis." The Honourable Joël Lightbound Minister of Government Transformation, Public Works and Procurement "To address the shortage in housing supply, we must do things differently and work in partnership to build more housing, faster. Since the launch of the Canada Public Land Bank, 90 federal properties have been identified to meet housing needs. This announcement of the sale of the Rimouski Armoury, which will be converted into affordable housing for students, is a clear example of our commitment to putting federal assets to work for the needs of Canadians." The Honourable David J. McGuinty Minister of National Defence Quick facts The former National Defence armoury in Rimouski, Quebec, is a heritage building that has been unused since 2005. The property is located near the University of Quebec at Rimouski, at 65 Saint-Jean-Baptiste Street East, Rimouski, Quebec. The private developer who purchased the property is proposing to build 24 student housing units while preserving the building's heritage. A key component of Canada's Housing Plan is the new Public Lands for Homes Plan. This initiative aims to partner with all levels of government, homebuilders and housing providers to build homes, faster, on surplus and underused public lands across the country. Associated links Public lands for homes Follow us on X (Twitter) Follow us on Facebook
Yahoo
07-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Canada announces new aid to Ukraine worth approximately US$25.5 million
Canada is providing Ukraine with military aid worth over 35 million Canadian dollars (approximately US$25.5 million). Source: Canada's Defence Ministry press service, as reported by European Pravda Details: Canadian Defence Minister David J. McGuinty took part in the 28th meeting of the Ukraine Defence Contact Group (also known as the Ramstein Format). At the meeting, McGuinty announced that Canada is providing Ukraine with military aid worth 35 million Canadian dollars. He said that 30 million Canadian dollars (US$21.9 million) will be spent on Coyote and Bison armoured personnel carriers, as well as new equipment and ammunition from Canadian companies. This is in addition to the previous transfer of 64 Coyote armoured vehicles, which arrived in Ukraine in December 2024. Another 5 million Canadian dollars (US$3.6 million) will go towards electronic warfare kits from the Canadian defence industry. Background: At the 28th Ramstein meeting, held at NATO headquarters, Ukraine and its partner countries agreed to create a defence production mechanism. The US secretary of defence ignored the Ramstein meeting for the first time. Support Ukrainska Pravda on Patreon!
Associated Press
28-02-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Government of Canada invests in youth crime prevention in Montréal
OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 28, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, Patricia Lattanzio, Member of Parliament for Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, on behalf of the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety, announced an investment of up to $1.39 million over five years to the Maison de jeunes de Saint-Léonard through the Crime Prevention Action Fund (CPAF). This investment will support at-risk youth aged 10-18 in the Saint-Léonard borough of Montréal by offering targeted services to help prevent a life of crime, including raising awareness of the risks associated with gangs through workshops, offering sports, self-development, cultural and artistic activities, providing referrals to mental health supports, providing psychosocial intervention support in small groups and collaborating with area organizations on mentoring programs. The CPAF supports evidence-based crime prevention initiatives in communities that address known risk and protective factors associated with crime among vulnerable groups of the population, especially children and youth, and chronic offenders. Quotes 'By providing the financial support to local organizations to engage with at-risk youth and provide them with the tools to succeed in life, we have a tremendous opportunity to prevent young people from entering a life of crime and to create safer and healthier communities.' - Patricia Lattanzio, Member of Parliament for Saint-Léonard—Saint-Michel, on behalf of the Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety. 'Thanks to our funding, we've been able to imagine a neighborhood where young people choose to build rather than destroy. With our project, every activity becomes a concrete alternative to gang recruitment, the isolation of vulnerable young people and crime. Every action taken is another step towards a better future. Together, we are transforming risks into opportunities and giving the young people of Saint‑Léonard back the keys to their success.' - Hadhémi Kasraoui, Acting Executive Director, Maison de jeunes de Saint-Léonard Quick Facts The CPAF is one of four programs under the National Crime Prevention Strategy, which supports strategically selected projects that contribute to preventing and reducing crime in Canada and to increasing knowledge about what works in crime prevention.
Associated Press
05-02-2025
- Politics
- Associated Press
Government of Canada expands plan to strengthen border security
OTTAWA, ON, Feb. 4, 2025 /CNW/ - Today, the Honourable David McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety, highlighted measures to further strengthen security at the border, expanding on the $1.3 billion Border Plan the Government of Canada announced in December. The new measures include: The appointment of a Fentanyl Czar, who will engage with U.S. counterparts, and enhance operational collaboration and efficiency in combatting fentanyl, in order to enhance law enforcement tools to combat organized crime in Canada. The listing of organized crime cartels having an impact in Canada as terrorist entities under the Criminal Code. The Royal Canadian Mounted Police (RCMP) investigates criminal activities by those who threaten the safety and security of Canadians. Listing is an important tool that will support criminal investigations and strengthen the RCMP's ability to prevent and disrupt the activities of the cartels. Canada is launching the Canada-U.S. Joint Strike Force to combat organized crime, fentanyl and money laundering. The Prime Minister signed a new intelligence directive on organized crime and fentanyl that will be supported by Canada's investment of $200 million in new capacity to allow Public Safety Canada and the Communication Security Establishment to gather intelligence on transnational organized crime and share with our American partners and law enforcement across the continent. Ensuring 24/7 eyes on the border through round-the-clock surveillance and by mobilizing law enforcement and civilian forces with new and modernized equipment. Nearly 10,000 frontline personnel are working on protecting the border. These measures contribute to and expand on Canada's Border Plan, which through its $1.3 billion investment, has and will continue to increased resources dedicated to border security – this includes procurement of Black Hawk helicopters, drones, mobile surveillance towers, as well as addition of personnel and new canine teams. The Canada-U.S. border is the most secure in the world. The Government of Canada will continue to do whatever it takes to keep it that way. Quote 'Canada and the United States share the most secure border in the world and we are committed to making it even stronger. The measures expand on Canada's Border Plan and its unprecedented $1.3 billion dollar investment.' - The Honourable David J. McGuinty, Minister of Public Safety Quick Facts Budget 2024 provided $743.5 million over five years, including $159.5 million ongoing, to support the stability and integrity of Canada's asylum system, increasing processing and decision-making capacity. To reinforce the integrity of our immigration system and reduce fraud, we heightened scrutiny of visitor visa applications from countries with the highest rates of abuse. Our swift actions have led to an: 89% drop in illegal U.S. crossings by foreign nationals in Canada from June to December 2024 a 61% increase in refusals for high-risk countries an 18% drop in asylum claims by Canadian visa holders (from 7,174 claims in October 2024 to 5,832 in November 2024). The Safe Third Country Agreement (STCA) has been in effect since 2004 and is an important tool for Canada and the U.S. to work together on the orderly management of asylum claims made in our countries. In March 2023, the STCA was expanded to apply across the entire Canada-U.S. land border, including internal waterways, such as the Great Lakes. Health Canada's new Canadian Drug Profiling Centre will allow for more laboratory capacity by allowing for more specialized forensic analysis of seized illegal synthetic drug samples. Analysis will go beyond identifying the components of a sample, and look at markers to help determine where substances were manufactured. Health Canada's new Precursor Risk Management Unit will increase oversight over precursor chemicals and distribution channels, and monitor emerging illegal drug trends. The CBSA announced its intention to launch its first preclearance operation in 2025. Preclearance supports the national security and economic prosperity of both Canada and the U.S. by facilitating the secure and efficient movement of people and goods across the border.
Associated Press
31-01-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Government of Canada launches consultations on expanding security clearances at ports to strengthen our borders
OTTAWA, ON, Jan. 31, 2025 /CNW/ - Canada's ports play a vital role in ensuring the efficient flow of goods, fostering international trade, and providing well-paying jobs for Canadians. The Government of Canada is taking steps to further strengthen our borders and to protect Canada's infrastructure, trade, employees, and communities. Today, the Minister of Transport and Internal Trade, the Honourable Anita Anand, announced a public consultation to gather feedback on expanding security screening requirements at Canada's ports. These proposed changes would enhance security. Consultations will be open until March 31, 2025. Currently, only individuals with specific occupations and those requiring access to highly restricted areas at Canada's ports are required to hold a Transportation Security Clearance. The consultation will explore strengthening security with more background security checks at Canadian ports and marine facilities. The Government of Canada continues to take decisive action to address any illicit activity in our ports. These efforts safeguard our supply chains and reinforce Canada's reputation as a trusted global trading partner. Quotes 'We are consulting on expanding security clearances at our ports. These proposed changes would further enhance security at our borders.' The Honourable Anita Anand Minister of Transport and Internal Trade 'Canada's border is strong, and we're making it even stronger. These proposed changes would further strengthen our borders and protect Canada's infrastructure, trade, workers, and communities.' The Honourable David J. McGuinty Minister of Public Safety Quick facts The Marine Transportation Security Clearance Program (MTSCP) enhances the security of our marine transportation system with measures to address insider threats, adding to a strong and secure marine industry that is a significant factor in Canada's economic growth. Currently, persons with certain occupations, such as those who plan or direct the movement of cargo at container terminals, or who can create, alter or control maintenance of cargo documentation, as well as and those who require access to enhanced restricted areas at marine facilities must hold a Transportation Security Clearance.
