Latest news with #LoriWilliams
CTV News
27-05-2025
- General
- CTV News
Throne speech may have ‘painted a different picture' of Canada for Trump: analyst
Political analyst Lori Williams on how King Charles' throne speech about Canada's identity may impact U.S. President Trump's view of the country.
CBC
23-05-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Calgary Police Commission won't say if former chief received severance pay
The Calgary Police Commission has declined to say if former chief Mark Neufeld received a severance payment after he resigned this spring with two years left on his contract. CBC News asked the commission if Neufeld was paid out for the remainder of his two years under contract, and received a statement in response. "While the Calgary Police Commission certainly understands the interest in Chief Neufeld's recent resignation, we are not legally able to provide any further details as it is a confidential personnel matter," it reads. Ward 7 Councillor Terry Wong was also asked about severance pay for Neufeld but did not provide any details. "You have to appreciate employment contracts are employment contracts between an organization and a person's individual rights," he said. CBC News first reported Neufeld's resignation on May 2, after it obtained a copy of an email sent to members of the force letting them know his resignation had been accepted. Neufeld was sworn in on June 10, 2019. His contract was supposed to run until 2027. Political analyst argues police should provide more answers Lori Williams, a political analyst at Mount Royal University, said it's "entirely appropriate" for taxpayers to expect more information about severance payments for high-profile public figures. "There's an understandable expectation on the part of the public that this information be available," she said. "They also want to know, especially at a time when affordability is such an issue for many people, that their precious tax dollars are being spent wisely." Williams added the lack of information raises questions about the reasons for Neufeld's departure from the force. "The fact that there aren't any answers forthcoming does lead to speculation that something untoward occurred," she said. "We have no idea." Williams also said it's important that the Calgary Police Service manages concerns raised by the public to maintain public trust. The City of Calgary and CPS have provided details on severance pay for executives on some previous occasions. Mayor Jyoti Gondek's former chief of staff, Stephen Carter, received approximately $100,000 in severance pay after he was dismissed in 2022. Severance pay numbers were also made public when two deputy police chief positions were eliminated by former police chief Rick Hanson after he took charge of the force in 2007. One former deputy chief, Dean Young, received $362,744 in severance pay. Another, Peter Davison, took home $341,923.
Yahoo
29-04-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Asheville Tourists to take the field as Asheville Snot Otters for one-day rebrand, fundraiser
The Asheville Tourists will have a new, snotty identity for one day only. On June 6, the Tourists will undergo a name change to play as the Asheville Snot Otters, a nod to the rare eastern hellbender salamander. The Tourists will don custom jerseys and caps with a unique logo featuring a snot-covered salamander. Advertisement The game-worn Snot Otters jerseys will be auctioned off prior to the game with proceeds going toward the Western North Carolina Nature Center. The Asheville Tourists will take the field as the Asheville Snot Otters on June 6 for one game only with custom jerseys, which will be auctioned off to benefit the Western North Carolina nature center. Alternate identities are common in Minor League Baseball, and the Tourists, the Single-A affiliate of the Houston Astros, are no stranger to donning a different uniform. Every season, the Tourists undergo name changes to play a game as the Beer City Tourists and a game as the Asheville Hippies, both inspired by Asheville's local culture. The WNC Nature Center reopened in March after being closed for nearly six months because of damage from Tropical Storm Helene. Flooding from the storm damaged roads and destroyed the main bridge to the Nature Center, leaving it inaccessible for months. Advertisement Despite 40 downed and leaning trees, as well as damage to fencing or boardwalks, all of the animals survived the storm and no enclosures were destroyed. What is a Snot Otter? The Tourists' new alternate identity gets its name from the rare eastern hellbender, a type of aquatic giant salamander native to Western North Carolina. Hellbenders have several nicknames, including snot otters, mud puppies and devil dogs. The hellbender is just one of three giant salamander species in the world. The salamander is known for living among the large, flat river rocks of Western North Carolina — and the broader southern Appalachian region — and can grow up to two feet, making it the largest North American amphibian. Advertisement Hellbender populations were devastated by Tropical Storm Helene, washing away habitats and worsening the species' condition, Lori Williams, a biologist and hellbender expert with the North Carolina Wildlife Resources Commission, previously told the Citizen Times. As a result of Helene, the U.S Fish and Wildlife Service has proposed the Hellbender, already at risk with low populations, to be placed on the list of endangered species. Evan Gerike is the high school sports reporter for the Asheville Citizen Times. Email him at egerike@ or follow him on X, formerly Twitter, @EvanGerike. This article originally appeared on Asheville Citizen Times: Asheville Tourists to play as Snot Otters, auction off jerseys
CBC
28-04-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Election day in Calgary: what voters need to know before going to the polls
We use trackers to collect some of your data in order to enhance your experience through personalized content and advertising. If you wish to limit online tracking on our platforms, please review your device and browser privacy settings before continuing your visit. Calgary New Polling stations are open in Alberta from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Millions of voters across Canada will go to the polls on Monday to choose a new federal government. Polling stations are open from 7:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. in Alberta. Canadians can find out where to go to vote in their riding on the Elections Canada website, or by calling Elections Canada at 1-800-463-6868. The list of candidates for the 37 ridings around Alberta has been set for weeks in a recently updated electoral map. Riding boundaries are updated every 10 years to reflect population changes, with the most recent change coming since that last federal vote four years ago. Some Alberta ridings have seen significant changes to their boundaries, such as Yellowhead along the province's western border. There are also two new southern Alberta ridings — Airdrie-Cochrane and Calgary McKnight, which is largely taken from the southern portion of Calgary Skyview. In 2021, Calgary and the rest of southern Alberta went almost entirely Conservative blue, with the lone exception of Calgary Skyview, where voters elected a Liberal MP. This year, the most hotly contested ridings in Calgary that analysts will be watching are in Centre, Confederation, McKnight and Skyview. Voters will need to prove their identity and address when they arrive at their polling station. They can do this with government-issued ID that includes an address and photo, like a driver's licence. Otherwise, voters can use a combination of various documents including something to confirm their identity like a student card, employee ID or library card, along with proof of address through documents like a voter information card, lease agreement or utility bill. While some voters may be working on election day, employers are required by law to give employees a three-hour window to vote. If voters make a mistake while filling out their ballot, they can exchange it once for a new ballot. Affordability top of mind for voters The future of the country is largely top of mind for voters, says Lori Williams, Mount Royal University associate professor of policy studies. Voters' forward-looking perspective in this election is largely connected to affordability, Williams says. But while some connect affordability to domestic matters like housing and the cost of living, when other voters talk about affordability, they're concerned with Canada's relationship with the U.S. and tariffs imposed on the country by its southern neighbour. "That future of Canada, tied up with affordability, seems to be a common thread that runs across a range of voter concerns," Williams said. She added Calgarians are also particularly interested in which party can best support Alberta's economy, and how parties meet the challenge to balance the needs of the energy industry and the environment. CBC's Party Platform Tracke r compares the policies that each major party is proposing to voters on a range of issues. The CBC Vote Compass can show Canadians how their views compare to the major parties' policies. Both the Liberal and Conservative leaders' campaigns visited Calgary earlier this month. At Liberal Leader Mark Carney's campaign stop, he pitched that Alberta could be the heart of a new superpower in both clean and conventional energy to a crowd of more than 1,000 at the Red & White Club at McMahon Stadium. On Friday night, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre held a rally that was attended by more than 3,000 supporters, where he pledged his party would "stand up" for the West. "Here in Alberta, we're used to being a flyover province. We kind of get forgotten. There's not usually a lot of seats up for grabs here," said pollster Janet Brown, noting that Alberta has received increased interest in this campaign. "Especially at the end of an election, [parties] usually zero-in on those locations where there's a lot of seats up for grabs." Record high advance polling numbers Elections Canada reported nearly 7.3 million advanced voters in this writ period, according to preliminary counts, which marks a new record for the country. The total included more than 815,000 Albertans which was about 169,000 more than advanced voter numbers in 2021. More than 33,700 of those votes came from the Calgary Crowfoot riding — the highest turnout recorded among Alberta ridings during this year's advanced voting period, and fourth highest in the country. Overall voter turnout among eligible electors in Canada dropped to 62.6 per cent in 2021, from 67 per cent in 2019, and 68.3 per cent in 2015. The 2015 mark was the highest turnout Canada had seen since 1993. After a drop in turnout four years ago, Wiliams believes the higher level of interest and concern in this year's election across the country will lead to more votes cast on Monday. "I do expect voter turnout to be high, particularly in those ridings that are competitive," Williams said. Up-to-date election results will be available on the CBC News app, and on the CBC News website. Election day coverage can also be found on CBC TV, CBC News Network, Gem and YouTube beginning at 4 p.m. MT.
Edmonton Journal
27-04-2025
- Politics
- Edmonton Journal
Calgary voters head to the polls Monday: What you need to know
Article content Voters across Calgary will head to the polls Monday to cast their ballots in a federal election marked by tight local races and a high level of voter engagement. This election is shaping up to be more competitive than in recent years in Calgary ridings, where Conservatives typically have a strong grip. Mount Royal University political science professor Lori Williams expects high voter turnout across Calgary, driven by closely contested ridings and voter concerns about affordability and issues related to the United States.
