Latest news with #Lemay
Global News
5 days ago
- General
- Global News
New Montreal square lined with orange cones after reports of tripping, injuries
A brand new Montreal public square that is designed to resemble a 'suspended blossoming meadow' is lined with orange construction cones after reports that people were tripping over its concrete terrain. The Place des Montrealaises, which was inaugurated in mid-May, was billed as a tribute to influential Montreal women and a passageway connecting Old Montreal with downtown. But the site may have turned into a sore spot for Mayor Valérie Plante's administration after La Presse reported this week that people have fallen and hurt themselves in an unmarked rain gutter that runs alongside the concrete sidewalk. The city's reflective pylons and orange tape didn't stop Karen Rowan from tripping in the shallow channel as she crossed to take a picture midday Wednesday. The British tourist said the square's design was 'absolutely stunning' but 'maybe a little too artistic,' acknowledging that the gutter was hard to see. Story continues below advertisement 'A bit of a hazard, isn't it?' said Rowan, who was unhurt by her brief stumble. The city confirmed Wednesday that it had received four reports for 'security issues' at the square since its opening, including that of a 74-year-old man who told La Presse he'd fractured three ribs in a fall. Get breaking National news For news impacting Canada and around the world, sign up for breaking news alerts delivered directly to you when they happen. Sign up for breaking National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy A city spokesperson also said they would add new signs in a few days and a permanent fix within weeks. The square is a sloping concrete expanse punctuated by sunken flower beds, ramps, ledges and steps. Framed by city hall in the background, the space leads down to a grassy area with a spot for a stage and a mirrored monument to women who marked history. 'The Place des Montréalaises transforms an urban landscape long scarred by a sunken expressway with suspended blossoming meadow, rejoining disconnected districts and their majestic landmarks to one another,' architecture firm Lemay wrote on its site. 'Arranged on an inclined plane, the meadow is filled with 21 sections of indigenous plants to explore by foot, each chosen to represent a female Montrealer of influence.' But on Wednesday, another emblem of the city was drawing attention: orange traffic cones. The cones, which have become so ubiquitous in Montreal that miniature versions are sold in souvenir shops, were placed at intervals in the rain channel on Wednesday to try to prevent stumbles. Story continues below advertisement Bernard Cormier and Christine Durocher, who were heading to an appointment, worried the gutter and sunken flower beds will catch inattentive people off guard. 'It's one of the issues today, you have to think about people who are on their phones,' Cormier said. 'If this was made 20 years ago would people be hurt? I think we were more conscious of our environments (then).' Durocher suggested the site had been designed by 'conceptual artists who didn't reflect on the practical.' However, the couple praised the square's ambience and its scenic views of downtown. 'It's a great gathering place,' Cormier said, as dozens of people lounged on the grassy areas and the steps in the bright summer sun. The head of opposition party Ensemble Montreal has criticized the city's planning and said safety can't be an afterthought. 'We deserve a city that is accessible and adapted to the needs of all,' wrote Soraya Martinez Ferrada on X. 'We deserve better.' The mayor said Tuesday that she was 'disappointed that we see orange cones, but mostly that people are hurt.' Plante told reporters that workers would soon be installing protective equipment over the rain gutter in order to help prevent injuries. She maintained that the new public square was 'an absolutely magnificent, fabulous place,' adding 'I want people to come see and use it.'
Associated Press
25-05-2025
- Business
- Associated Press
Lemay has rapidly developed an impressive portfolio of projects across the Emirates and Saudi Arabia markets
Lemay: Blending global expertise with Middle Eastern Cultural Identity 'Lemay's Dubai and Riyadh offices have created exclusive opportunities!'— Amro El Chabti, EMBA, ARCHITECT, Senior Partner, Middle East ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES, May 25, 2025 / / -- Lemay, an internationally recognized architecture and design firm known for fostering innovation in communities worldwide, is celebrating the first anniversary of its expansion into the Middle East. With thriving studios in Dubai and Riyadh, Lemay has rapidly developed an impressive portfolio of projects across the Emirates and Saudi Arabia. The firm's regional portfolio includes 'The Mist' & Victory Tower in Dubai, Motoon's Tahlia offices, Moon Tower & Alargan Tower in Riyadh. Beyond the Arabian Peninsula, Lemay has left its distinctive mark on the Hassan II Mosque seaside promenade and the Ain Diab corniche in Casablanca, Morocco, as well as the Grande-Côte development plan in Senegal and a sustainable district master plan in El Menia, Algeria. Lemay brings its distinctive North American approach to its designs, where inclusive architecture harmonizes with diverse topographies, histories and communities. This creates an authentic experience where environment, cultural identity, and community values converge seamlessly into one cohesive vision. At the heart of every Lemay project is NET POSITIVE™ – the firm's signature methodology combining health and well-being, reduced ecological footprint, social acceptability, cost savings, and significant returns on investment. Amro El Chabti serves as Lemay's Senior Partner for the Middle East, bringing two decades of architectural and management expertise to the role with notable successes in the hospitality, residential and commercial sectors. His impressive portfolio includes H Resort Beau Vallon in Seychelles, Marriott Courtyard Hotel in New York, St. Regis Beach Resort and the expansion of Dubai International Airport, one of the busiest global crossroads for international flights. 'Amro's leadership has proven invaluable to our delivery of bold architectural and design services' says President Louis T. Lemay. 'His knowledge of local markets and extensive experience in project management, design and planning, have played a key role in Lemay's successful entry into this dynamic region'. 'After a full year at the helm of Lemay's Dubai and Riyadh offices, I am proud of how we have created opportunities to share our transdisciplinary approach, our commitment to sustainability and design excellence with the world,' says Amro El Chabti, who has been with Lemay since 2013. 'By working with local visionaries, partners and collaborators, we are meeting the growing demands of a new clientele with the highest levels of quality'. About Lemay Lemay has been imagining new ways to create spaces that engage users and bring people together since 1957. Over 400 architects, designers, industry leaders, and change-makers work tirelessly to cultivate innovation in their own backyards, and in communities around the world. Inspired and strengthened by transdisciplinary creativity, the firm has also developed its very own NET POSITIVETM approach to guide teams towards sustainable solutions that shape a better future. With the human experience at its heart, Lemay strives to design with empathy and create spaces to grow. Source: Amro El Chabti, EMBA, ARCHITECT, OAA, PMP, - Senior Partner, Middle East Contact: Alexandre Dumas Alexandre dumas Conseil (ADC) 1 514 898-4636 [email protected] Yvan Huneault [email protected] 1 514 992-5495 Alexandre Dumas Alexandre Dumas Conseil +1 514-898-4636 email us here Legal Disclaimer: EIN Presswire provides this news content 'as is' without warranty of any kind. We do not accept any responsibility or liability for the accuracy, content, images, videos, licenses, completeness, legality, or reliability of the information contained in this article. If you have any complaints or copyright issues related to this article, kindly contact the author above.
Yahoo
19-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Taxes 2025: As business owners face more reporting complexity, here are some changes to be aware of
Filing taxes is complicated enough for the average Canadian. For business owners, it's getting even more complex. 'One theme we're seeing in changes to business taxation is towards more reporting complexity, which makes the compliance more costly for business owners,' Luigi De Rose, national private business tax leader at PwC Canada, said in an interview with Yahoo Finance Canada. 'We're seeing that with a lot of changes happening in our tax system.' Navigating the changes, as well as hundreds of deductions and credits that business owners may be able to take advantage of, is critical for business owners. 'There are more than 400 credits and deductions available. It's hard to know them if you're not working in taxes on a daily basis,' H&R Block tax expert Yannick Lemay said in an interview. 'And these don't include the expenses you can claim as a business owner. There are many expenses specific to your business that will reduce your taxable income on your tax return.' The most important thing for business owners – which also applies to individuals – is to start early, says Lemay. 'Do not wait until the last minute,' he said. 'There's a lot of information you will need for your taxes, especially as a business owner, so you want to get on it early … it will definitely make things easier when it comes to filing your taxes.' While the deadline for most individual taxpayers is on April 30, self-employed tax returns are due on June 15. However, taxes owed by those who are self-employed must still be paid by April 30. For corporations, taxes must be filed within six months of the end of their tax year, which corresponds to its fiscal period. One change that many business owners are likely grateful not to have to worry about this year is the increase to the capital gains inclusion rate. The Liberal government proposed hiking the tax rate for capital gains for corporations, trusts and individuals from one-half to two-thirds. For individuals, the tax would have applied on gains of more than $250,000. Although the capital gains legislation never passed, the Canada Revenue Agency (CRA) had planned to enforce the change until it reversed course in January, delaying the move until next Carney's victory in the Liberal leadership race has put the final nail in the coffin for Ottawa's controversial plan to hike the inclusion rate on capital gains. The proposed change has nonetheless caused confusion among business owners, says Lemay, as many still received tax slips that mentioned June 25, the date when the change was supposed to go into effect. And while the change to the inclusion rate is no longer happening, the proposed increase to the Lifetime Capital Gains Exemption limit is still slated to take place – from $1 million to $1.25 million. Another change may also impact gig workers who earn income through companies such as Uber, Lyft, and Skip the Dishes. This year, these platforms are required to submit to the CRA the total income an individual has made through the app. This is the first year that the CRA has implemented this requirement, and while it doesn't change how gig workers should file their taxes, it's important that they know that income needs to be reported. 'Some people believe that they don't have to report all their business income if they are not meeting the threshold of $30,000 where you need to register for GST and HST,' Lemay said. 'That's not true. All income is reportable in your tax return, so this may make a difference for people who were not aware that they should declare their gig income.' When it comes to those additional tax complexities, De Rose points to new rules around how corporations calculate the amount of interest and financing expenses that can be deducted from taxable income, known as excessive interest and financing expense limitations. "There are a whole bunch of rules and exceptions that need to be met, and calculations that need to be done," De Rose said. "That's just one example of the additional complications that taxpayers need to administer when doing their tax filings." Given the many complexities business owners face at tax time, De Rose recommends they hire a professional firm to assist with tax compliance. 'It's not something you should do lightly, or by engaging someone who does tax on a part-time basis,' De Rose said. 'The rules are complicated and the potential penalties are significant, so it's worth the investment to hire a professional to help you manage your tax burden.' Correction: A previous version of this story stated the capital gains hike would be applied only to gains of more than $250,000 for corporations and trusts. That exemption applies only to individuals. The story has been updated. Alicja Siekierska is a senior reporter at Yahoo Finance Canada. Follow her on X @alicjawithaj. Download the Yahoo Finance app, available for Apple and Android. Sign in to access your portfolio
