Latest news with #Gelinas
Calgary Herald
4 days ago
- Business
- Calgary Herald
'Indispensable': New Nonprofit Chamber CEO highlights sector's contributions to Alberta economy
Angie Gelinas' first week as the CEO of the Nonprofit Chamber started off with a bang. Article content It was also the week of the chamber's second annual summit for leaders in the nonprofit sector. Focused on topics of funding for the sector and the nonprofit workforce, the summit convened 150 leaders from a range of nonprofits, government ministries, funders and private stakeholders across the province. Article content Article content 'I took away from that, that there's a lot more work we need to do to think about how we change systems and policies,' she said. Article content Gelinas is no stranger to the nonprofit sector. Her career, which spans a bevy of roles in arts and culture, the Saskatchewan government, the Calgary Stampede and public sector agencies, has placed her alongside the sector for decades such that her new role feels like a culminative peak of all that she has accomplished so far. 'It's a very unique role that takes advantage of everything that I've been doing so far,' she said. Article content Her goal? To rebrand the nonprofit sector as 'indispensable.' Article content 'We're at this place right now with the nonprofit sector, where there's . . . both acute pressure . . . and there's this possibility all at the same time. There's rising demand for so many services, yet I think it's intersected with rising innovation,' she said. Article content Article content Positioning the sector as essential means strengthening relationships across government and the business community, 'maybe in ways we haven't done before,' she said, taking advantage of the organization's own move to rebrand last year as the Nonprofit Chamber, after being long known as the Calgary Chamber of Voluntary Organizations. Article content 'It enhances what the chamber has been doing provincially from a policy perspective,' she said. Article content The non-profit sector, despite often acting as a provider and service in times of crisis, is not yet thought of as a contributor to solutions. 'Tariffs for example . . . we automatically thought about the government's response and the business's response, but the non-profit sector, which in Alberta contributes $5.5 billion annually, doesn't often get thought of at the same time,' she said. Article content The most common narrative that gets pushed is the idea of a non-profit asking for money. 'I think we have to balance that narrative with everything we contribute to the Albertan economy,' she said. 'To make sure the work gets recognition, get the resources and the respect it deserves.'
Yahoo
29-03-2025
- Yahoo
Two arrested for prostitution at Plainfield wellness spa: What charges are they facing?
Two women face prostitution charges following an extensive investigation into the 'Wellness Spa' in Plainfield. The Plainfield Police Department's special investigations unit was investigating the 'Wellness Spa' this month after the department received multiple complaints from concerned citizens regarding allegations of illegal sexual activities. On March 24, members of the Plainfield Police Department special investigations unit along with detectives assigned to the Connecticut State Police statewide organized crime investigative task force executed a search warrant at 26 Railroad Ave. in Plainfield. Plainfield Police said the search warrant execution was the culmination of an investigation that included extensive surveillance along with undercover operations based on allegations of prostitution. According to Plainfield Police, Detective Jones and his Currency Detection K-9 Freda assisted with the search of the premises and found $811 in prostitution proceeds in different secreted areas. Trooper Yeung from the Connecticut State Police assisted with language translation, prisoner processing and post-Miranda warning interviews. Detectives seized evidence consistent with prostitution from the scene. In addition, two arrests were made: Liu Fangfang, 39, of Whitestone, New York, was charged with conspiracy to commit prostitution, and Fang Wang, 38, also of Whitestone, New York, was charged with prostitution. Troy Gelinas, a lieutenant in the Plainfield Police Department, said the two women who were arrested were not the owners of the spa and no other workers were there when they were arrested. He added that none of the women's clients will be charged. Gelinas said the women appeared to be living at the spa, as police found a bed, television and shower there. Since both women had Whitestone, New York addresses, Gelinas believes they were not commuting to Plainfield every day. In addition, Gelinas is unsure if Wellness Spa is licensed or if any legal spa activities were taking place there. He was unable to comment regarding whether or not human trafficking is suspected. Gelinas said Wang and Fangfang are unlikely to face any additional charges at this time. According to the gov website, there is no "Wellness Spa" licensed to operate in Plainfield. Both Wang and Fangfang secured $1,000 bonds, pending their appearances at Danielson Superior Court April 7. Plainfield Police said the Connecticut Department of Labor was contacted and made aware of this incident. This article originally appeared on The Bulletin: Two New York women arrested for prostitution at Plainfield spa
CBC
08-03-2025
- Politics
- CBC
French River mayor to receive King Charles medal at International Women's Day event
French River mayor Gisèle Pageau will receive the King Charles III Coronation Medal Saturday at an event marking International Women's Day. The medal is presented to individuals who have made a significant contribution to Canada or to a particular province, territory, region or community of Canada, or have made an outstanding achievement abroad that brings credit to Canada. "I'm quite surprised and I guess in awe because there's a lot of fantastic women out there that certainly deserve the prize," Pageau said. "And I'm quite honoured, actually." Pageau has been the mayor of French River, a rural community of 2,800 south of Sudbury, since 2018. She was previously the director of human rights and education for the Communications, Energy, and Paperworkers Union of Canada (now Unifor), according to a biography provided by the Sudbury East Chamber of Commerce, which is hosting the event where she'll receive the medal. She also mentored women through the United Nations Canadian labour team. In addition, Pageau worked at Laurentian University as a communications and special events coordinator for university advancement. Nickel Belt MPP to present the award While there, she was president of the Laurentian University Staff Union where she negotiated the first provincial pay equity plan for university women. Pageau said she believed her work on pay equity might be behind her nomination for the King Charles medal. But Nickel Belt MPP France Gélinas, who will present the medal to Pageau, also praised her leadership in the French River community. Specifically, she commended Pageau for her successful effort to keep the OPP station in Noëlville open after news emerged in 2023 of plans to shutter it. "I helped her put a petition together," Gelinas said. "I would say every single resident of the French River has signed this petition." Pageau also organized a town hall that gave people the opportunity to speak about the importance of the police station, she said. "Her door is always open," Gelinas said. "She listens to what people's needs are with a view of how can she be helpful and useful to move things forward." Chamber executive director Jill D'Amour said Pageau has done a lot throughout her career to help other people. "She's very thoughtful," D'Amour said. "She's always looking to make sure that, you now, she's able to help in anyway that she can." Pageau will speak at Saturday's event about the need to continue working for women's equality, she said. "We're far from reaching equality yet," she said. "But my message is that, you know, you can't impose change. You have to build it though, in my opinion, listening, learning, and finding common ground. So, you know, we have space for diverse voices and we have to foster collaboration, and we have to, at the end of the day ... ensure that every person feels heard and valued. And I think if we do those things we'll narrow the gap."
