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Otago Daily Times
27-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Awards for S. Canty deer farmers
South Canterbury deer farmers have stood out at the Deer Industry New Zealand (DINZ) awards. Peel Forest Estate's Graham Carr won the Deer Industry Award for making the most outstanding contribution to the deer industry in the past year. Raincliff Station husband and wife team Dave and Jane Morgan chimed in by winning the Premier Elworthy Environment Award. Mr Morgan is originally from Wales and with his family also won the Export Velvet Award. Award contestants were nominated unanimously and the winners were presented with their awards at a Queenstown function. Mr Carr's nominee praised his "unwavering" commitment to progress within the wider industry as inspiring and influential. "His contributions have been invaluable and it is no exaggeration to say that the industry would not be as advanced as it is today without his dedication and innovation." Peel Forest Estate added to this by winning the technology and innovation award for the estate's deer milking operation. The deer milking business was begun by Mr Carr and co-founder Mark Faulks with the first drops of deer milk extracted from hinds in 2016. During the awards ceremony the audience heard from the judges about the Morgan family's deer operation. "[They have] a strong family business with impressive farm management of a complex deer farming operation while planning and managing the environmental risks and transitioning for the next generation." Hawke's Bay stalwart Laura Billings won the Matuschka Award as an unsung hero in her region The award nomination pointed to her being the first to help out, organise or just "muck in" with any community project in her quiet and efficient way. "Laura's ability to co-ordinate an event, crossing the t's and dotting the i's is second to none." The environmental awards are held every second year. Deer industry winners: Deer Industry Award 2025: Graham Carr, Peel Forest Estate. Matuschka Award: Laura Billings, Hawke's Bay DFA. Premier Elworthy Environment Award: Dave and Jan Morgan, Raincliff Station. Landcare Trust Award: Kim and Judith Rowe, Brookfields. Duncan NZ Award: Charles and Jane Rau, Matawai Deer Park. Streamlands Export Velvet Award: Dave and Jan Morgan, Raincliff Station. Gallagher Technology and Innovation Award: Deer Milking NZ, Peel Forest Estate. NZDFA Next Generation Award: Dwight Adlam, Mangahao Deer Co.
Otago Daily Times
20-05-2025
- Business
- Otago Daily Times
Deer farmers at top of industry
PHOTO: SUPPLIED South Canterbury deer farmers took home some of the top prizes at the industry awards in Queenstown last week. Graham Carr, of Peel Forest Estate in South Canterbury, pictured, won the New Zealand Deer Industry Award. Peel Forest Estate also won the Technology and Innovation Award for deer milking. Dave and Jan Morgan, of Raincliff Station in South Canterbury, won the Elworthy Environment Award. Raincliff Station also won the Export Velvet Award.
Montreal Gazette
25-04-2025
- Business
- Montreal Gazette
Court ruling a wake-up call for Quebec to work with English universities, not against them, Concordia says
By Buoyed by a partial court victory, Concordia president Graham Carr says the time has come for Quebec's anglophone universities and the Legault government to turn the page and begin working together. 'The decision to seek legal action came after months and months of trying to have data-driven conversations with the government and frustration at the lack of genuine dialogue and collaboration,' Carr told The Gazette. 'My hope is the government will look at this judgment and the larger context and (decide) we can hit reset and take a genuinely collaborative approach to supporting a higher education system that is world-class.' Last year, Concordia and McGill sued the Coalition Avenir Québec government over its university funding overhaul, which specifically targeted English-language institutions. The institutions said the changes hurt their finances, forcing them to make deep budget cuts. On Thursday, Quebec Superior Court Justice Éric Dufour ruled that parts of the funding revamp were 'unreasonable.' The affected measures are the 33-per-cent tuition hike for out-of-province students that took effect in 2024, as well as French proficiency targets for non-Quebec students at English universities, set to begin in the fall of 2025. Dufour gave the provincial government nine months to revise its tuition policy in line with the judgment. He ordered an immediate end to the French-language requirements. However, the judge rejected the anglophone universities' argument that another aspect of the overhaul — concerning the portion of international student fees retained by Quebec — was unlawful. Higher Education Minister Pascale Déry has not commented on the decision. Parties involved in the case have 30 days to appeal. 'I am relieved and reassured that on some very critical matters, the judge found in our favour,' Carr said. He said on francization, Quebec's English universities — Concordia, McGill and Bishop's — have long been committed to helping non-Quebec students learn French. Carr said that 'commitment remains.' Concordia is struggling financially. The university has cut millions in spending as it tries to restore a balanced budget by 2028-29, as set out in a recovery plan approved by Quebec's Higher Education Ministry. In February, the university said it still needed 'to realize $21.8 million in additional savings and increased revenue — the equivalent of (three to four per cent) of the university's overall operating budget of $665 million.' Carr said the court judgment will not solve Concordia's money problems. He noted that a drop in applications from out-of-province and international students has hurt his university's finances. More recently, the provincial and federal governments have cut the number of international students that universities can accept. In March, McGill announced it would lay off about 100 employees as it worked to eliminate a projected $45-million deficit for next year. The university said several factors led to the possible shortfall, including the out-of-province tuition increase and a provincial clawback of a portion of tuition revenues. It also pointed to caps on international student admissions at the provincial and federal levels and lower capital grants from Quebec. In a statement sent to students and staff late Thursday, McGill president Deep Saini said his university is reviewing the court decision 'McGill remains firmly committed to playing an essential role in Quebec's economy, talent pipeline, research ecosystem and to contributing to the promotion and vitality of the French language,' Saini said. He thanked the university community for its 'dedication to McGill as we work to protect its mission and place as one of the world's top institutions of higher education.' The Quebec Community Groups Network, which has described the university reform as an 'attack on Quebec's English-speaking community,' welcomed the court decision. 'This is an important ruling on a crucial issue,' Eva Ludvig, president of the umbrella group of anglophone associations, said in a statement to The Gazette. 'It confirms our belief that the government acted rashly last fall in first blaming out-of-province students for the decline in French it perceives, and in imposing a discriminatory tuition burden on these students who contribute mightily to Montreal and Quebec, as well as the English language-institutions that are at the heart of our English-speaking community.' Ludvig said it's telling that the judge was 'so critical of the lack of evidence and data to back up the tuition policy. The government blew it on this one, and the universities' partial victory is well deserved.'
Yahoo
17-04-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Desjardins Group Donates $2.575 Million to Propel Innovation, Entrepreneurship, and Professional Development at Concordia University
MONTREAL, April 17, 2025--(BUSINESS WIRE)--In a constantly evolving society, where socioeconomic challenges are significant, Desjardins Group has reaffirmed its commitment to supporting entrepreneurship and education by making a major donation of $2.575 million to Concordia University. This financial support will drive innovation and professional development initiatives while strengthening a strategic partnership that promises significant benefits for Montreal and Quebec society. As the largest financial co-operative in North America, Desjardins Group has reinforced its dedication to training and supporting the leaders of tomorrow. "This extraordinary commitment by Desjardins Group demonstrates the power of strategic partnerships in building our future," says Concordia President Graham Carr. "Our university's leadership in innovation, education and research ensures that these investments translate into meaningful societal and economic benefits for Montreal, Quebec and beyond." The donation to the Campaign for Concordia: Next-Gen Now will support a suite of initiatives benefiting students, startups and the broader community. "Teaming up with Concordia University to invest in innovation and education means more hands-on opportunities for students to learn and hone their skills. We're creating an environment where ideas can develop into new businesses. We are deeply proud of this partnership. For us, it's a way to help our society meet future challenges," says Guy Cormier, LLD 22, President and CEO of Desjardins Group. Read our full announcement: View our event photos: About Desjardins GroupDesjardins Group is the largest cooperative financial group in North America and the sixth largest in the world, with assets of $470.9 billion as at December 31, 2024. With more than 55,200 skilled employees, it has been named one of Canada's Best Employers by Forbes magazine and by Mediacorp. To meet the diverse needs of its members and clients, Desjardins offers a full range of products and services to individuals and businesses through its extensive distribution network, its online platforms, and its subsidiaries across Canada. Ranked among the world's strongest banks according to The Banker magazine, Desjardins has one of the highest capital ratios and one of the highest credit ratings in the industry. In 2025, Desjardins Group is celebrating its 125th anniversary, marking more than a century of focusing its ambitions and expertise on being there for members and clients. View source version on Contacts For more information (media inquiries only): Public Relations, Desjardins Group514-281-7000, ext. 5553436media@ Sign in to access your portfolio
