Latest news with #EmergencyPreparedness

Chicago weather: Possible thunderstorms, haze heading to Chicago this weekend

Yahoo

4 days ago

Climate
Yahoo

Chicago weather: Possible thunderstorms, haze heading to Chicago this weekend

CHICAGO - The Chicago area could see showers and thunderstorms Friday evening as a cool front moves in from Wisconsin. There's also a chance of haze and smoke from Canadian wildfires drifting south. Full Forecast Some of the evening storms could be strong, with gusty winds and small to moderate hail. Temperatures are expected to drop to around 52 degrees overnight, with showers tapering off late. The weekend looks sunny and dry, with highs in the 70s on Saturday and Sunday. A brief return of smoke and haze is possible at times. Monday and Tuesday are expected to warm up, with temperatures climbing near 90 degrees in some neighborhoods before another cold front cools things off by midweek. Stay safe and be prepared for shifting conditions as the week progresses.

Western premiers meet in Yellowknife to talk trade, energy and Arctic security

Yahoo

21-05-2025

Business
Yahoo

Western premiers meet in Yellowknife to talk trade, energy and Arctic security

YELLOWKNIFE — Premiers from Western Canada are to meet Wednesday to kick off a two-day conference in Yellowknife. Set to attend are Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, British Columbia's David Eby, Saskatchewan's Scott Moe, Manitoba's Wab Kinew, Nunavut's P.J. Akeeagok, Yukon's outgoing Premier Ranj Pillai and Northwest Territories Premier R.J. Simpson. This annual conference comes two weeks before all Canada's premiers are to meet with Prime Minister Mark Carney in Saskatoon. A statement from Simpson's office last week said the western leaders are set to discuss a range of issues, including Arctic sovereignty, energy security, international trade and emergency preparedness. Housing, economic corridors and tariffs are also on the agenda. Smith said the meeting is taking place at a "critical moment" for Alberta, in the wake of last month's federal election. She said she plans to advocate for new pipelines. "We cannot afford federal overreach into provincial jurisdiction to continue or damaging federal policies to impact the upward trajectory of our economies," Smith said Tuesday in a statement. "I will be at the table to advocate for Alberta's interests, particularly the importance of new pipelines, in an effort to put the power of our economy back in the hands of western Canadians.' Eby said Tuesday that Western Canada is "leading the country, being the engine of the economy for Canada," but he lamented talk of western separatism in the lead-up to the meeting. 'I think it's really unfortunate that at this moment, when Western Canada is stepping into the spotlight, that there's any discussion at all about leaving Canada,' Eby told an unrelated news conference. 'I mean, to advance that at the moment, it's strange.' Akeeagok said in an email he's looking to push the conversation forward on Arctic security and infrastructure projects needed to strengthen it. The long-discussed Grays Bay Road and Port proposal, which would connect Yellowknife to the eastern Arctic coast by road, would help unlock the North's vast economic potential, he said. "The Arctic holds incredible promise and, through strategic investments in critical infrastructure, we can responsibly access key resources, including critical minerals," he said. A spokesperson for Moe said the premier plans to discuss items he recently urged Carney to act on, including strengthening the Criminal Code, giving provinces full responsibility for the industrial carbon levy, repealing clean electricity regulations and expanding pipelines. Moe has said he also wants Carney to immediately begin negotiations with China to remove Beijing's tariffs on Canadian agricultural goods. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 21, 2025. — By Jack Farrell in Edmonton, with files from Jeremy Simes in Regina The Canadian Press Sign in to access your portfolio

5 things to know about Ottawa's new rules for festivals and events

CTV News

11-05-2025

Entertainment
CTV News

5 things to know about Ottawa's new rules for festivals and events

The City of Ottawa is proposing new rules for food trucks, exemptions for bar and restaurant owners to host after-hours events and allowing for late-night noise exemptions when outdoor festivals are affected by weather delays to help the city shake the image as the town that fun forgot. A new report recommends the implementation of a new Special Events Bylaw and a Highway Events Bylaw to regulate festivals, events and other activities indoors, outdoors and on roadways across Ottawa. The bylaw would replace the current Special Events on Private and Public Property Bylaw. There were 228 events in the City of Ottawa last year, up seven per cent from the year before. The Ottawa Festival Network says large festivals support approximately 70,000 jobs and generate over $320 million in spending annually. 'Staff's review indicates that while the existing bylaws have largely been effective, growing demand and increasing complexity of events necessitate updates to improve operational efficiency and enhance public safety,' the report says. A joint meeting of the Emergency Preparedness and Protective Services Committee and the Public Works and Infrastructure Committee will discuss the proposal on May 15. CTV News Ottawa looks at five proposed changes for special events in Ottawa: Late-night noise exemptions Festivals and events will be allowed to keep the party going after 11 p.m. in the event of severe weather, power failures or other 'unforeseen delays.' Currently, noise exemptions are allowed until 11 p.m. Sunday to Thursday and 1 a.m. on Friday and Saturdays. Staff say event organizers asked for 'additional flexibility' when outdoor events are impacted by weather, power failures, technical difficulties or transportation delays for artists and athletes. The new bylaw will allow event organizers to extend their event until midnight if the event is impacted by 'unavoidable delays' beyond their control. Under the proposal, the director of Bylaw and Regulatory Services, in consultation with the ward councillor, will be able to approve a 60-minute extension. Food trucks on the move The proposed new bylaw would provide 'more opportunities' for food trucks and mobile vendors to set up at block parties, street festivals, night markets and other events on roadways, according to staff. 'Under the recommended changes, one licensed food truck or mobile vendor would be able to participate in a block party without requiring additional permits or approvals,' says the report. 'Multiple food trucks or mobile vendors would be able to participate in other highway events without requiring additional permits or approvals.' After-hours events in bars and restaurants The City of Ottawa is proposing reducing the red tape for bar and restaurant owners and special events operators to offer late-night events. The city currently requires events 'where any part of the event takes place between the hours of 3 a.m. and 9 a.m.' to obtain an All-Night Dance Event licence. However, staff note the Ontario government has enacted new rules for licensed establishments to serve until 3 a.m. on New Year's Day, and the Alcohol and Gaming Commission of Ontario may also issue periodic extensions to hours of operations for licensed establishments and Special Event Permits for unlicensed venues celebrating events. To remove duplicate requirements for inspections and approvals, the city's new bylaw would create an exemption within the All-Night Dance Event Licence for venues operating under an AGCO licence or permit, so they wouldn't require a new permit from the city. 'Safer Events' training The new Special Events Bylaw will require staff and volunteers to complete the Ottawa Public Health 'Safer Events' training course prior to working or volunteering at events. The annual requirement will apply to all staff and volunteers 12 and older. The Ottawa Public Health training course provides information to help reduce risks associated with mental health, violence, and substance use, according to the city. 'Equipping special event staff and volunteers with this knowledge supports earlier and more effective intervention, thereby reducing harm for patrons, risk for event organizers and service demand for emergency services,' staff say. Weekday road closures The City of Ottawa will be changing the rules for road closures on weekdays, giving staff and the ward councillor the authority to close roads. Currently, parades and sporting events are not permitted on a city street during weekday peak period traffic hours, and sidewalk sales are prohibited between 7 a.m. and 9 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and 5:30 p.m. during weekday periods. Under the new Highway Events Bylaw, the general manager of Public Works and the ward councillor can approve the closure of an arterial road or major collector between 6 a.m. and 6 p.m. on weekdays for events. The City of Ottawa is also proposing new rules for demonstrations, no longer requiring organizers to obtain a special event permit. The new rules would require 'voluntary notification' to the city ahead of a planned demonstration or event.