Latest news with #IanMcDonald
CTV News
9 hours ago
- General
- CTV News
Fenced off and shut out: Elizabeth Ziegler families continue to wait for engineering report
The Waterloo Region District School Board says it plans on sharing the findings of a structural engineering report on Elizabeth Ziegler Public School later this week. Families have been waiting for the report, which they hope will shed some light on the future of the shuttered school. 'It's been three months since the original issue was found and there have been structural assessments that have been happening,' said Ian McDonald, whose daughter used to attend Elizabeth Ziegler. 'The challenge is, we're a few weeks past the deadline that the board set to report on what those findings are.' Elizabeth Ziegler Public School in Waterloo façade damage Part of the exterior of Elizabeth Ziegler Public School in Waterloo appeared to be missing on March 4, 2025. (Dave Pettit/CTV News) His daughter now has to take the bus to Sandowne Public School. 'Sandowne is on the other side of the highway. So, the kids are busing across and will bus again next year,' McDonald explained. Some of the students are still learning at Elizabeth Ziegler in portables behind the school. But McDonald's daughter already knows she'll be going to Sandowne again next year, along with hundreds of other students, as the school board has extended the closure of Elizabeth Ziegler. Elizabeth Ziegler Public School in Waterloo A fence blocked off access to Elizabeth Ziegler Public School in Waterloo, Ont. on March 4, 2025 due to structural testing. (Dave Pettitt/CTV News) 'It's really the lack of information that's been a problem,' said McDonald. 'I'm worried there's a lack of urgency and accountability in the board and in the trustees at this phase of the process.' That frustration comes from the fact that a structural engineering report has yet not been released, especially due to concerns about the safety of the building's façade. McDonald praised the teachers and staff at both schools for making the transition as smooth as possible. The fact that the board missed self-imposed deadlines for releasing the report, he noted, also impacts staff and leaves them in limbo too. Until Monday, the board had repeatedly said it had not yet received the report from the engineering firm, which was why nothing had been released. 'I think we're already thinking about 2026-27. That's 15 months away. When this originally happened, it was 18 months,' said McDonald. 'But if the issues here are more significant and the school needs to be torn down or otherwise, something that might take multiple years, I think we deserve to know so we can make better plans.' He also worries about how much money may be spent in the assessment phase and any eventual repairs, and wonders what will be left to make his daughter's school experience a good one upon a return to Elizabeth Ziegler – if there even is one.
Yahoo
28-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Bright Minds Biosciences to Present at the 2025 Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference
NEW YORK and VANCOUVER, British Columbia, May 28, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- Bright Minds Biosciences, Inc. ('Bright Minds,' 'BMB' or the 'Company') (NASDAQ: DRUG), a pioneering company focused on developing highly selective 5-HT2 agonists for the treatment of drug-resistant epilepsy, depression, and other central nervous system (CNS) disorders, today announced that Ian McDonald, Chief Executive Officer, and Jan Torleif Pedersen, Chief Scientific Officer, will present at the 2025 Jefferies Global Healthcare Conference in New York City as follows: Date: Thursday, June 5, 2025 Time: 8:10m ET Webcast: Click Here To schedule a 1x1 meeting with the Company, please contact your Jefferies representative at healthcareconference@ The live and archived webcast will be accessible from the Company's website at under Events and Presentation. The replay of the webcast will be accessible for 60 days. About Bright Minds Biosciences Bright Minds Biosciences is a biotechnology company developing innovative treatments for patients with neurological and psychiatric disorders. Our pipeline includes novel compounds targeting key receptors in the brain to address conditions with high unmet medical need, including epilepsy, depression, and other CNS disorders. Bright Minds is focused on delivering breakthrough therapies that can transform patients' lives. Bright Minds Biosciences has developed a unique platform of highly selective serotonergic agonists exhibiting selectivity at different serotonergic receptors. This has provided a rich portfolio of NCE programs within neurology and psychiatry. Contact Information Investor RelationsLisa M. WilsonT: 212-452-2793E: lwilson@ Alex VasilkevichChief Operating OfficerBright Minds Biosciences Inc.T: 414-731-6422E: alex@ in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
The 42
06-05-2025
- Sport
- The 42
FAI make Oireachtas presentations amid growing dissent over aligned calendar season
A LETTER CIRCULATED to members of the Oireachtas on Friday, 25 April, from a newly founded group called the Grassroots Amateur Football Clubs of Ireland (GAFCI), has accused the FAI of 'irresponsible if not reckless' actions relating to the soon-to-be implemented aligned calendar season. The 42 understands that the FAI remain intent on pressing ahead with the stated aim of beginning the move to a January-December registration period on a phased basis from the start of 2026. In the letter, the group stressed that they were not a breakaway league, but rather a representative body for 600 grassroots clubs from 17 counties with a mandate to campaign on a solitary issue. 'To retain the right of our clubs and leagues to determine their own playing season,' it says in the letter, seen by The 42. Their chairperson is Sarah Duffy of the Wicklow & District Football League, Ian McDonald from Killeshin AFC in Laois is named as secretary, while the committee comprises of Chris Collins (Vale Wanderers AFC – Carlow), J.P Cushen (Stradbally Town AFC – Laois), Bernie Dempsey (Southend United AFC – Kilkenny), Thomas Doyle (Ballymurphy Celtic AFC – Carlow), Greg Donaghy & Jamie Farrell (Bunclody AFC – Wexford), and Aoife O'Neill (St. Patricks AFC – Carlow). The same weekend that the letter was sent, details of the correspondence also began to filter through to those in the FAI. The timing coincided with around 90 TDs and Senators from all parties preparing to welcome the association's chief executive, David Courell, League of Ireland academy director Will Clarke, and FAI grassroots director Ger McDermott for presentations on Wednesday, 30 April. Packie Bonner, independent FAI director and chair of the international and high-performance committee, was also in attendance but did not make a presentation. CEO Courell spoke for an initial 15 to 20 minutes, detailing updates on governance as well as Euro 2028, while Clarke also provided a 15-minute update on their stated timeframe for an updated funding document for League of Ireland academies. Then it was the turn of McDermott to make his presentation, and the questions that followed relating to the aligned calendar and its impact on grassroots football dominated the remaining half an hour. That was partly because of the GFACI letter sent ahead of the meeting, in which they articulated their issues with the aligned calendar season, that will see kids from under-five to under-12 move to a new registration period from January 2026, with 13 to 16-year-olds following in 2027, and a fully aligned pathway up to professional League of Ireland level by 2028. Advertisement GAFCI laid out their concerns in stark terms. 'Currently over 75% of leagues in the State play the traditional winter season,' the letter reads. 'The Leinster Football Association (LFA) are on record as describing the vote as being flawed. Professional League of Ireland clubs have indicated they voted en bloc to support the resolution. 'If the professional clubs abstained, the resolution would have been resoundingly defeated. We fully support the professional clubs right to choose the summer season which they have been doing for over 20 years, unfortunately for our clubs and communities despite a plea from the LFA prior to the vote to reject the motion it was narrowly passed (57%) with bloc support from the professional clubs' delegates.' Sinn Féin deputy leader Pearse Doherty, also the party's spokesperson on finance and public expenditure and reform, was one of those TDs who received the letter and questioned the FAI on their plans. 'Their (FAI) plan on paper makes absolutely perfect sense,' Doherty told The 42. 'It's going to meet the reality on the ground that people are telling me it's not possible and it will lead to less participation in soccer and in particular areas like women's sport. 'And that is seriously, seriously problematic. Not only for sport but also for the FAI if that's what actually transpires. 'The issue is that it's not something that the [grassroots] clubs don't understand what the FAI are putting forward, and I challenged the FAI on that. I also challenged them on the fact that the amateur level wasn't confused when they voted en masse against this. When this was agreed, people understood what was being proposed. 'By starting the league in January, the concern on the ground is that that is going to cause serious issues in terms of clubs' ability to continue.' This point was reflected in the letter sent by GAFCI, who stated that they 'forecast a loss of up to 40-50% of teams and volunteers and some clubs informing us they face closure'. Further to this, the group also accused the FAI of being 'irresponsible if not reckless' for failing to 'carry out a risk assessment of the impact a drop in participation numbers, volunteers and ability of clubs to fundraise to meet both ongoing liabilities and future developments as a result of substantial loss of members.' The letter to members of the Oireachtas also stated that 'we have had much feedback from clubs with huge concerns at the financial impact the loss of 40-50% of teams and volunteers will have on clubs. 'In particular, many clubs have taken out significant loans from financial institutions to purchase land, build all-weather pitches, clubhouses etc. A significant drop in club membership and volunteer numbers will see clubs struggle to meet ongoing repayments, leaving clubs and trustees in extremely vulnerable positions.' Related Reads 'You could say it's the impossible job' - Damien Duff on FAI search for new Chief Football Officer Landscape of Irish football has changed and Marc Canham's replacement must reflect that 'It's important we all listen' - Stephen Bradley on Dermot Desmond's letter to Shamrock Rovers' members The FAI maintained in earlier media briefings, as well as in the face of questions from TDs and Senators, that they were not forcing leagues into a summer soccer-only calendar, and that they would be able to work in tandem to draw up fixture lists in a flexible way that would allow for more games in a variety of ways throughout the year. One of the concerns laid out by GFACI and later some of those Oireachtas members was that it would not be workable for leagues to halt during summer months and resume afterwards as it would result in a drop off in interest as 'only teams competing for honours will return with sufficient numbers.' It was pointed out that leagues around the country already take an enforced break in December and January due to Christmas and inclement weather, and most were unable to organise any kind of football during this period as a result. McDermott, the FAI grassroots director, impressed many of those in attendance by laying out a 'clever' and 'clear' plan according to Doherty, although the TD insisted the alignment issue needed to be resolved 'within the code.' Last month, McDermott laid out why the FAI remained steadfast on their timeline and plan in the face of pushback. 'The common one that we are getting is summer football, summer football is coming up a lot but there's a narrative around summer football whereas what we are saying is align the registration period and play football when you know you can play football so that piece is getting a bit lost, clarifying that is important when we sit down with the leagues. 'We are taking the opportunity to clarify that. It's a blank calendar with an aligned registration period and let's start filling it in together. Another one would be other sports, GAA in particular. Now particularly when you look at the map of the country and where there are clear pathways and where there aren't clear pathways, or more importantly for the children's game where we're not providing anywhere near enough football. We have an obligation to provide opportunities for kids to play. 'Having months of the year where there is little to no football provision, that's not good for participation or for the overall development of Irish football. Where there might be a concern around participation levels, we have close to 250,000 registered to play the game. There's probably another 100,000 or so playing outside of the system, the Irish sports monitor would show us that. 'That's one metric for participation, for me another key metric for children's participation is how much football do you get to play if you want, and where that number is low as a percentage of the 52 weeks of the year, we feel it's important to address that. 'It will help the health of the nation, help people have more choice, will help that football is provided in a good positive enjoyable environment and will help long term player development as well.'
Scoop
01-05-2025
- Sport
- Scoop
Festival Of Disability Sport Celebrates All Abilities This May
The Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport is an inclusive celebration of adaptive sports taking place this May in Tauranga. The festival brings together physically disabled athletes from across New Zealand and celebrates ability at all levels across a range of sports. Held on Saturday 10th and Sunday 11th May 2025, the event will take place across three venues. Mercury Baypark Arena sees a two-day Wheelchair Rugby and Wheelchair Basketball Tournament, Boccia, Cricket, Rugby League, Badminton and Inclusive Play. Bowls, Petanque and Croquet will be held at Club Mount Maunganui and Sailing at Sulphur Point. 'The annual festival is a wonderful opportunity for our whaikaha (physically disabled) athletes to connect and provides them with a platform to showcase their passion and skills', says Festival Co-ordinator Suzanne Morrison from Parafed Bay of Plenty. 'Whether you are there to participate or spectate, it is going to be a lot of fun and we welcome everyone to join us in celebrating these wonderful athletes.' 'Across the various activities, we have a mix of ages and abilities, including our Play Programme for the youth members.' A highlight of the festival is the have-a-go sessions which are fully inclusive for all to enjoy. Anybody with a physical disability, including low vision and hearing impairments are welcome along with their whanau and friends. Parafed Bay of Plenty Executive Officer, Ian McDonald says that it is wonderful to see the festival grow to over 150 athletes in 2024. 'Over the last five years since the festival started, we have continued to add more sports which shows the growth in disability sports. Being able to offer a wide range of sports for people to try at grassroots level is vital. With pathways through to the Paralympics, sport can offer life changing experiences for our physically disabled community.' A new addition this year is Physical Disability Rugby League. The festival includes a league skills and drills session with The Warriors Community Team and Bay of Plenty Rugby League. The event is supported by the Tauranga Western Bay Community Event Fund (TWBCEF) which has supported the festival for over three years. The fund is a partnership between local funders Acorn Foundation, BayTrust, TECT, Tauranga City Council and Western Bay of Plenty District Council with the core purpose of supporting community-led events and that encourages participation for free or at low-cost. 'Events like the Festival of Disability Sport are incredibly important for connection, celebration, and empowerment. Sport gives people a strong sense of purpose and achievement, and we're proud to support this event through our event funding. It's about creating a more inclusive community where everyone has the opportunity to participate,' says Nelita Byrne, Manager, Venues and Events at Tauranga City Council. The festival concludes with an awards evening on Saturday night for tournament attendees, community groups and award nominees. The awards recognize outstanding achievements, performance and service in festival sporting codes over the last twelve months. Event Details: Healthvision Festival of Disability Sport • Saturday 10th & Sunday 11th May 2025. • Events held at Mercury Baypark Arena, Club Mount Maunganui & Sulphur Point • See for the full schedule of events.
The Courier
01-05-2025
- Business
- The Courier
Dundee's EQ announces third acquisition in 12 months
Dundee accountants EQ has announced its third acquisition in 12 months as its ambitious growth plans continue. EQ has merged with Edinburgh's McDonald Gordon & Co, as part of the company's strategy to triple turnover from £11 million to £30m over the next four years. The expanding firm has also announced four new partners as part of efforts to strengthen its leadership team. McDonald Gordon & Co was established in 1980 by Ian McDonald and the late Alan Gordon. Alan was a well-known figure both in business and Scottish football, having played for both Dundee and Dundee United, and Edinburgh's Hearts and Hibs. The 15 members of staff in Edinburgh will come under the EQ banner, who are looking to expand their presence in central Scotland. In the last year EQ has acquired a number of Scottish firms, including Douglas Home & Co and Grangemouth-based Yates & Co. They also have offices in Dundee, Forfar and Glenrothes EQ chief executive Craig Nicol said: 'Bringing McDonald Gordon & Co into EQ is a considered and strategic move that reflects our ongoing commitment to supporting Scotland's SME sector. 'Their long-standing reputation, loyal client base and shared values make them an ideal fit. 'This partnership enhances our reach across central Scotland and ensures more business owners have access to the depth of expertise and resource EQ can offer.' McDonald Gordan & Co was established in 1980, by the late Alan Gordon who had played for both Dundee and Dundee United. Raymond Paterson, director at McDonald Gordon & Co, commented: 'We took our time in choosing the right partner for the next chapter of our business. 'EQ stood out as a major player in the SME space, with values that align strongly with our own. 'Joining EQ gives us access to greater resources, specialist knowledge and the backing of a larger team, all of which will benefit our clients immensely.' Brian Duffy, director at McDonald Gordon & Co, added: 'This move isn't just about scale, it's about shared vision. 'EQ has the infrastructure and investment behind it to help us do even more for our clients, while preserving the close, personal service we've always delivered. 'We're excited about what's next.'
