Latest news with #MCK
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Electoral officer defends online voting for Kanesatake election
The Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) election season is officially underway, with important dates now outlined, but the plan to introduce online voting has already garnered controversy. A section on the MCK website is now dedicated to providing information on the election, which will be held August 2, with advance polls on July 26 and online voting opening July 27 through election day. The deadline to request a mail-in or mobile voting ballot is July 18. 'The first thing we posted was a timeline of the key dates and steps throughout the process as defined in the Custom Electoral Code,' said Graeme Drew, the election's chief electoral officer, noting some minor adjustments had to be made to account for anticipated holidays. Drew has managed around 80 elections and other votes in Indigenous communities since 2014. He is a proponent of providing an online voting option to community members, even if the electoral code does not outline this as an option. 'Given there's threats of another postal strike or pending disruption to that service, that's the only other way that people living away from the community would be able to cast a ballot, and disenfranchising voters is a very serious issue,' he said, noting that more than half of Kanesatake's members live off the territory, according to available statistics. Even when there is no labour threat, he said he has encountered issues with the reliability of mail-in ballots in the past, although these will continue to be offered. He has emphasized that the inclusion of online voting would be an additive method, not taking away from any of the voting means outlined in the Custom Electoral Code. 'With online voting, I've heard people concerned about it, but I haven't heard anybody give me a good reason why. What's the response to, what about your members that can't come in and vote, and if there's a postal strike, how do they get it? They deserve a chance to cast a ballot just like you do,' said Drew. 'If anyone can give me a real good answer for that, I might revisit it, but it's a pretty hard one to argue.' He said the code is 10 years old and suggested perhaps that's why it doesn't name online voting as an option, but he believes the change would stand up to scrutiny. 'I don't make amendments or procedural adjustments to a code like this unless I'm pretty confident that the rationale for it is sound and solid in the event that someone could challenge it,' he said. There is time to discuss it further, however, he said, noting he'll be back in the community for the nomination period in June, and he's always open to changing course while there's still time. 'There has to be more to it, though, than just that it's (not) in the code because to me, that doesn't provide a reasonable solution for my concern, which is that a lot of members might be disenfranchised from being able to vote.' Multiple likely candidates in the upcoming election have publicly criticized the plan to incorporate online voting despite it not being sanctioned by the Kanesatake Custom Electoral Code. 'Online voting is not a legal option for voting in the 2015 electoral code. Therefore, it is illegal and must be revoked as a method of voting, period,' said Amanda Simon, who has already announced her candidacy. 'This is not responsible governance. This is rewriting the rules mid-game - and it undermines trust, law, and the voice of the people,' she said, dismissing fears of a potential postal strike, which she said 'does not grant anyone legal carte blanche.' She said a failure to uphold the code puts the legitimacy of the election at risk. Victor Bonspille, who was ruled to have vacated his seat by the MCK Ethics Commission but still claims the title of grand chief, expressed a similar sentiment on his social media, urging community members to contact the electoral officer and posting his phone number. 'Some people are against it for whatever reason, but we're not taking anything away from the procedures,' said MCK chief Serge Otsi Simon. He acknowledged that the inclusion of online voting could be the basis of contestation, but said that despite this discomfort he still sides with colleagues on Council that the change is justified. He believes the results would be upheld, he added. 'We have members, yes, that live outside, some in Montreal, some in Quebec. We even have some in Florida, Texas, and Arizona,' he said. He said he's seen late mail-in ballots result in disenfranchised voters in the past. 'It's basically offering people a better choice to exercise their right to have a say in who manages the community,' he said. 'I'm really asking, why would you be against people exercising the right to vote through online voting? Isn't that enhancing the democratic process?' Drew has already heard from some Kanesatake members with concerns relating to online voting and to the election timeline. The election date has already been another major point of contention this cycle, with the code explicitly instructing that elections take place the second Saturday of June, while simultaneously defining a term as four years - the previous election was held July 31, 2021. While Drew has acknowledged this discrepancy, he previously affirmed that he believes it is valid to hold the election according to the four-year guideline, and he said it is nevertheless not possible at this point to hold a June election. 'There's nothing we can really do to unwind the clock,' he said. A voter list is being posted today, May 30, and the notice of nomination period goes up June 11, with that period running from June 25-27. A provisional list of candidates is expected June 29, with a final list to follow on July 4, leaving about four weeks before election day. marcus@ Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
4 days ago
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Signs installed on Mercier, other bridges urge to seek help if in distress
New signs on the Mercier Bridge to urge individuals in distress to seek help are part of a larger initiative for bridges in the area. The signs, installed in April, are there to let people know about the Suicide Crisis Helpline, which can be reached anywhere in Canada in French or English simply by calling or texting 9-8-8. On the Mercier, the signs are not only in English and French, but also Kanien'kéha, a request made by the Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) when Jacques Cartier and Champlain Bridges Incorporated (JCCBI) approached Council about installing the placards on the federal side of the bridge. 'I said this is Kahnawake, how about putting our language on there? They agreed to that. This is our land. It's respect for the community to have this in our language,' said Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) chief Arnold Boyer, who leads the infrastructure, transport, and operations portfolio. 'They had no problem with that. We got it translated and they put it on.' The variations on the message include: 'There is hope. We're here to help you.' (Ká:ien' ne kahrharáhtshera'. Enkwarì:wawa'se'.); 'Need help? We're here to listen.' (Íhsehre ken aiesaié:nawa'se'? Eniakwatahónhsatate'.); 'Going through a hard time? We're here to help you.' (Sa'nikonhro'ktá:'on ken? Enkwaié:nawa'se'.); and 'Feeling distressed? Talk to us.' (Tisa'nikónhrhare' ken? Tetewahthá:ren.) 'There's always somebody there 24/7 to listen to somebody in distress,' said Boyer, casting it as part of a broader effort to raise awareness about mental health and ensure folks who are struggling can be connected with the help they need. 'The message is out there. Somebody's there to listen to you and talk with you,' he said. The Jacques Cartier Bridge and the Champlain Bridge have also received the suicide prevention signs. 'It's a concern on bigger bridges,' said JCCBI spokesperson Nathalie Lessard. 'We want to make sure that we do everything we can to improve the safety or security of all of our users. Signage like that is up on bridges all over the world. It's not something that's prevalent in Quebec. Although we seem to be innovating, we're not actually.' She noted that although JCCBI doesn't manage the Champlain Bridge, the corporation was happy to be able to work with that operator to ensure the messaging around the service is the same across area bridges, and other bridge owners are also invited to reach out, Lessard added. In this province, the hotline is operated by the Quebec Suicide Prevention Association in partnership with the government, with the three-digit federal number redirecting to those services. In addition to the hotline, which is reachable by phone or text at 988, the signs also direct people in crisis to the online resource . marcus@ Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
26-05-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Rice attends energy summit
Advocating for Indigenous people to have at least 50 percent equity in renewable energy projects was a key message shared by Mohawk Council of Kahnawake (MCK) chief Paul Rice at last week's Canadian Renewable Energy Association (CanREA) Summit, where he and other Indigenous leaders spoke with major stakeholders in the industry. 'We're independent, sovereign nations, and in discussions of these projects, we need to be treated as such,' said Rice. 'That was really the message underlying the concept of minimum mandatory equity participation.' Rice attended the panel last Thursday in Montreal and spoke on the panel 'Indigenous Communities: Essential Actors in the Energy Transition?' which was moderated by Hydro Quebec's Emilie Senechal. He was joined by Jean Roy of Kruger Energy as well as Jacques Tremblay, grand chief of the Wolastoqiyik Wahsipekuk Nation. Rice said the panel discussion led to productive points about moving forward in renewable energy partnerships while acknowledging the complex history of how major energy players have interacted with First Nations. 'We talked about how these investments need to happen on the renewable energy front, you need to involve nations, you need to fully inform them of the projects and provide financial benefits,' Rice said. 'Historically, these projects were forced on these communities, and it's not until more recently that we're seeing more of those benefits shared with nations.' Elsewhere at the summit, Rice learned from other stakeholders about energy initiatives that could be of benefit to the community. One area he was particularly interested in was Hydro Quebec's plans for investing more in solar energy. 'It was good to hear some information with respect to solar, and that's a natural next step for the community's renewable energy portfolio,' Rice said. 'We're definitely looking at opportunities to do with solar energy.' He said that it's important the MCK is well-versed in various types of renewable energy, as it could play a major role in the push for more financial security within the community. 'For us, our objective is to have a number of these projects so that we have multiple streams of income coming into the territory, and we're able to finance multiple projects to generate significant own-source revenue for the community,' he said. 'That supports our objective of financial independence and financial sovereignty, so that we're less reliant on government funding which comes with restrictions and all kinds of paternalistic processes and protocols.' The MCK has a growing renewable energy portfolio, being the co-owners of the Hertel-New York Transmission Line alongside Hydro Quebec, as well as involvement in the Les Jardins and Des Cultures wind farms. The summit provides opportunities to network with other major players in the renewable energy world to prepare for more growth in the future, Rice said, something that he also did at the eighth annual First Nations Major Projects (FNMP) Coalition Conference in Toronto at the end of last month. At that conference, he also led with a strong message that First Nations should have a minimum 50 per cent equity in projects. 'People were very interested, it's still early days in these types of relationships with nations and governments and the private sector talking about wanting to do something more positive, but at the end of the day we're not doing this so that we can get lip service from the government and private sector,' he said. 'We want to make sure that we're receiving more than our fair share from these projects and I want to see the government and private sector put their money where their mouth is.' eve@ Eve Cable, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Hamilton Spectator
26-05-2025
- General
- Hamilton Spectator
Input sought on housing pilot in Kanesatake
Following an announcement in November that the Mohawk Council of Kanesatake (MCK) had secured funding for new social housing, community input is being solicited on plans for a pilot project to build the homes with local labour. 'We want them to be part of the process because it helps buy in,' said MCK chief Amy Beauvais, who is on the housing portfolio. 'It helps them be aware of what's going on every step of the way, so we'll have less likelihood of people saying we had no idea. We don't want that. We don't want people feeling like they're left in the dark. We want them to feel like they're right there with us moving this forward.' The meeting takes place tonight, (Friday, May 23), and will include an overview of the project and a workshop. 'It's a pilot project, so we are proposing that we change from the typical stick homes to rammed earth. We will be identifying the benefits of it,' Beauvais said. When the idea was announced, Beauvais explained the material is durable, energy-efficient, and resistant to fire and mold. 'It's a solution that's been needed because of the housing crisis,' said Beauvais. 'Within that housing crisis there's mold issues and other things that the rammed earth is addressing, that's going to help. I think it's a very logical, viable, feasible solution for the community,' said Beauvais. 'I wish we could build more, but it's got to start somewhere, and I'm hoping it'll gain momentum and people will see how amazing these homes actually are going to be for the community.' The plans resulted in the project being moved to a different funding stream meant to support innovation, according to Beauvais, necessitating a feasibility study that is expected to wrap up around September. 'It's unfortunate, but it also gives us more time to prepare and more time for the schooling aspect to be set up too,' Beauvais said. The proposal includes an intention to bring a skills training certificate (AEP) program to the community that could serve to enhance not only the community's housing stock but also its labour force, according to Beauvais. This could prove useful in the long run if the project were to be replicated year after year, she said. The pilot project is expected to see two to three triplexes built, for a total of six to nine units. A location on MCK-managed land has been selected for these, Beauvais said, but she would not elaborate further. 'It won't be out of place,' she said. Prospective tenants may be asked to put in a certain number of hours into the construction. 'That idea was put forth to give the tenant more of a personal connection with where they're going to be living, so it's not just a house, it's a home,' said Beauvais. Tenants will be selected according to a points system, Beauvais said, which is currently being devised. It could include factors such as how many family members there are, how many children under 18 years old, whether there are disabilities, and other criteria. 'I hope that the community sees it for what I see it as. It's more than just a project. It's more than just housing. This is meant to unite our people again. It's meant to give hope, to show that there is a better tomorrow coming.' The meeting takes place at Ratihén:te High School tonight, May 23, from 6 p.m. to 8 p.m. Pizza and beverages will be offered, and families are welcome. marcus@ Marcus Bankuti, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Yahoo
22-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Is McKesson (MCK) a Buy as Wall Street Analysts Look Optimistic?
Investors often turn to recommendations made by Wall Street analysts before making a Buy, Sell, or Hold decision about a stock. While media reports about rating changes by these brokerage-firm employed (or sell-side) analysts often affect a stock's price, do they really matter? Let's take a look at what these Wall Street heavyweights have to say about McKesson (MCK) before we discuss the reliability of brokerage recommendations and how to use them to your advantage. McKesson currently has an average brokerage recommendation (ABR) of 1.47, on a scale of 1 to 5 (Strong Buy to Strong Sell), calculated based on the actual recommendations (Buy, Hold, Sell, etc.) made by 17 brokerage firms. An ABR of 1.47 approximates between Strong Buy and Buy. Of the 17 recommendations that derive the current ABR, 13 are Strong Buy, representing 76.5% of all recommendations. Check price target & stock forecast for McKesson here>>>The ABR suggests buying McKesson, but making an investment decision solely on the basis of this information might not be a good idea. According to several studies, brokerage recommendations have little to no success guiding investors to choose stocks with the most potential for price appreciation. Do you wonder why? As a result of the vested interest of brokerage firms in a stock they cover, their analysts tend to rate it with a strong positive bias. According to our research, brokerage firms assign five "Strong Buy" recommendations for every "Strong Sell" recommendation. In other words, their interests aren't always aligned with retail investors, rarely indicating where the price of a stock could actually be heading. Therefore, the best use of this information could be validating your own research or an indicator that has proven to be highly successful in predicting a stock's price movement. With an impressive externally audited track record, our proprietary stock rating tool, the Zacks Rank, which classifies stocks into five groups, ranging from Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) to Zacks Rank #5 (Strong Sell), is a reliable indicator of a stock's near -term price performance. So, validating the Zacks Rank with ABR could go a long way in making a profitable investment decision. In spite of the fact that Zacks Rank and ABR both appear on a scale from 1 to 5, they are two completely different measures. The ABR is calculated solely based on brokerage recommendations and is typically displayed with decimals (example: 1.28). In contrast, the Zacks Rank is a quantitative model allowing investors to harness the power of earnings estimate revisions. It is displayed in whole numbers -- 1 to 5. It has been and continues to be the case that analysts employed by brokerage firms are overly optimistic with their recommendations. Because of their employers' vested interests, these analysts issue more favorable ratings than their research would support, misguiding investors far more often than helping them. In contrast, the Zacks Rank is driven by earnings estimate revisions. And near-term stock price movements are strongly correlated with trends in earnings estimate revisions, according to empirical research. In addition, the different Zacks Rank grades are applied proportionately to all stocks for which brokerage analysts provide current-year earnings estimates. In other words, this tool always maintains a balance among its five ranks. Another key difference between the ABR and Zacks Rank is freshness. The ABR is not necessarily up-to-date when you look at it. But, since brokerage analysts keep revising their earnings estimates to account for a company's changing business trends, and their actions get reflected in the Zacks Rank quickly enough, it is always timely in indicating future price movements. In terms of earnings estimate revisions for McKesson, the Zacks Consensus Estimate for the current year has increased 2% over the past month to $37.10. Analysts' growing optimism over the company's earnings prospects, as indicated by strong agreement among them in revising EPS estimates higher, could be a legitimate reason for the stock to soar in the near term. The size of the recent change in the consensus estimate, along with three other factors related to earnings estimates, has resulted in a Zacks Rank #2 (Buy) for McKesson. You can see the complete list of today's Zacks Rank #1 (Strong Buy) stocks here >>>> Therefore, the Buy-equivalent ABR for McKesson may serve as a useful guide for investors. Want the latest recommendations from Zacks Investment Research? Today, you can download 7 Best Stocks for the Next 30 Days. Click to get this free report McKesson Corporation (MCK) : Free Stock Analysis Report This article originally published on Zacks Investment Research ( Zacks Investment Research Error 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
