Latest news with #Pan-Canadian
Associated Press
2 days ago
- Business
- Associated Press
Focus Graphite Announces Board Changes and Upcoming International Trade Mission with Natural Resources Canada
Susan Rohac, ICD.D, built one of Canada's largest and most active climate funds, overseeing a Pan-Canadian team of investment professionals and managed a portfolio over $1 billion in assets. Ottawa, Ontario--(Newsfile Corp. - August 18, 2025) - Focus Graphite Inc. (TSXV: FMS) (OTCQB: FCSMF) (FSE: FKC0) ('Focus' or the 'Company'), a leading Canadian graphite developer advancing high-grade projects in Québec, is pleased to announce the appointment of Mrs. Susan Rohac, ICD.D, to its Board of Directors, effective immediately. Mrs. Rohac replaces long-serving director Robin Dow, who has stepped down from the Board to focus on personal pursuits and other interests, and will continue to support a smooth transition. Susan Rohac had an extensive thirty-four (34) plus year career at the Business Development Bank of Canada ('BDC'), holding various leadership roles. Her final role was as Managing Partner of the Climate Tech venture capital fund, which she held from 2017 to May 2025. In this role, she oversaw a pan-Canadian team of investment professionals and managed a portfolio of over $1 billion in assets. This portfolio included a fully deployed $600 million fund I and a $500 million fund II launched in 2022 that focused on investing in Canada's most promising clean technology companies. Susan has invested in a diverse range of climate technologies across various sectors, including energy, mobility, built environment, carbon management, and industry & resource space, including advanced materials and critical minerals. In 2024, Susan was recognized as a Climate Leader by the Clean50 and received the Clean16 award. She holds undergraduate degrees in both science and finance and an executive MBA from the University of Ottawa. In 2024, she also obtained her ICD.D governance designation from the University of Toronto. Passionate about the environment and climate technologies, Susan currently sits on several governance and advisory boards and is actively involved with a few organizations that are aligned with her interests. 'We are delighted to welcome Susan to our Board,' said Jeff York, Founder and Chairman of Focus Graphite. 'She brings a strong track record in corporate finance and scaling industrial technologies, with a deep appreciation for Canada's critical minerals opportunity. Her experience and connections in the industry will be invaluable.' 'I am honored to join Focus Graphite at such an important moment,' said Ms. Rohac. 'The shift to green energy is driving unprecedented demand for secure supplies of critical minerals, and Canada has an opportunity to lead in building a reliable, sustainable graphite supply chain here at home. Beyond batteries, graphite is essential for advanced manufacturing and defense applications that underpin national security. I look forward to working with the team to help strengthen North America's self-sufficiency and reduce reliance on foreign supply.' Mr. York added, 'On behalf of the company and our shareholders, I want to thank Robin for his years of service and leadership. His guidance helped position Focus for its next phase of growth.' Focus Graphite is also pleased to announce its participation in the Canadian Critical Minerals Investment Forum, an international trade mission organized by Natural Resources Canada and Invest in Canada. The event will be held in Tokyo, Japan from August 26-28, 2025, and in Korea from August 29-30, 2025. Focus Graphite is one of only two Canadian graphite companies attending the Forum, which brings together global investors, government officials, and industry leaders to advance critical minerals partnerships. In addition to the Forum, the Company will hold a series of bilateral meetings in both countries to further strategic discussions with potential partners and customers. On August 14 th, 2025, Focus Graphite visited its Lac Knife project site near Fermont, Québec. The Company was pleased to host a representative from Korea Mine Rehabilitation and Mineral Resources Corporation ('KOMIR') alongside its newest board member, Susan Rohac. During the visit, Focus also met with officials from the Town of Fermont to provide a corporate and project update, highlighting recent progress and outlining the Company's pathway toward advancing Lac Knife to a fully permitted mining operation. In connection with Ms. Rohac's appointment, the Company has granted her 250,000 stock options pursuant to its Stock Option Plan. The options are exercisable at a price of $0.35 per common share and will expire on August 17, 2030. They are subject to the terms of the Plan as well as the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange. [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Image 1: Focus Graphite executives, IOS Geosciences, and a representative from KOMIR visit the Lac Knife project near Fermont, Québec, August 14, 2025 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: [ This image cannot be displayed. Please visit the source: ] Image 2: Focus Graphite executives and IOS Geosciences visit with representatives from the Town of Fermont, QC, August 14, 2025 To view an enhanced version of this graphic, please visit: About Invest in Canada Invest in Canada is Canada's foreign direct investment (FDI) attraction and promotion agency. We find the best to invest in Canada. This means working with our partners across the country and worldwide to attract global companies and support their expansion plans in Canada. About Focus Graphite Advanced Materials Inc. Focus Graphite Advanced Materials is redefining the future of critical minerals with two 100% owned world-class graphite projects and cutting-edge battery technology. Our flagship Lac Knife project stands as one of the most advanced high-purity graphite deposits in North America, with a fully completed feasibility study. Lac Knife is set to become a key supplier for the battery, defense, and advanced materials industries. Our Lac Tétépisca project further strengthens our portfolio, with the potential to be one of the largest and highest-purity and grade graphite deposits in North America. At Focus, we go beyond mining - we are pioneering environmentally sustainable processing solutions and innovative battery technologies, including our patent-pending silicon-enhanced spheroidized graphite, designed to enhance battery performance and efficiency. Our commitment to innovation ensures a chemical-free, eco-friendly supply chain from mine to market. Collaboration is at the core of our vision. We actively partner with industry leaders, research institutions, and government agencies to accelerate the commercialization of next-generation graphite materials. As a North American company, we are dedicated to securing a resilient, locally sourced supply of critical minerals - reducing dependence on foreign-controlled markets and driving the transition to a sustainable future. For more information on Focus Graphite Inc. please visit Investors Contact: Dean Hanisch CEO, Focus Graphite Inc. Jason Latkowcer VP Corporate Development [email protected] Cautionary Note Regarding Forward-Looking Statements Certain statements contained in this press release constitute forward-looking information. These statements relate to future events or future performance. The use of any of the words 'could,' 'intend,' 'expect,' 'believe,' 'will,' 'projected,' 'estimated,' and similar expressions, as well as statements relating to matters that are not historical facts, are intended to identify forward-looking information and are based on the Company's current beliefs or assumptions as to the outcome and timing of such future events. In particular, this press release contains forward-looking information regarding, among other things, the advancement of the Lac Knife project through permitting and development activities, the Company's participation in the Canadian Critical Minerals Investment Forum in Japan and Korea and the potential outcomes of related bilateral meetings, the anticipated benefits of Ms. Rohac's appointment to the Board of Directors, the Company's ability to establish strategic partnerships and secure future customers, and its positioning as a near- and long-term supplier of specialty graphite materials within North America and globally. Forward-looking statements are subject to known and unknown risks, uncertainties, and other factors that may cause actual results, performance, or achievements to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such statements. These risks and uncertainties include, but are not limited to, risks related to market conditions, regulatory approvals, changes in economic conditions, the ability to raise sufficient funds on acceptable terms or at all, operational risks associated with mineral exploration and development, and other risks detailed from time to time in the Company's public disclosure documents available under its profile on SEDAR+.Neither TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. To view the source version of this press release, please visit
Cision Canada
11-08-2025
- Health
- Cision Canada
Expanding Nursys in Canada: advancing nationwide labour mobility
TORONTO, Aug. 11, 2025 /CNW/ - Canadian nursing regulators have reached a pivotal milestone in their efforts to establish a national database of nurses that will support public protection, the streamlining of multi-jurisdictional registration and the provision of reliable data used for health workforce planning. With the addition of two new regulators, Nursys in Canada is solidifying its role as a national platform for modernizing nursing regulation and enhancing labour mobility. Recently, the Yukon Registered Nurses Association (YRNA) and the Nova Scotia College of Nursing (NSCN) joined Nursys in Canada. These additions bring the total number of Canadian regulators contributing data to Nursys® to four, with more having completed preparatory steps and expected to join before the end of the year. This expansion is part of a Pan-Canadian effort to enable cross-jurisdictional collaboration and create a more mobile, transparent and efficient nursing workforce. By assigning a unique identifier to each nurse in the country, Nursys simplifies verification for regulators if they become registered in multiple jurisdictions. It also promotes stronger coordination between regulatory bodies across provinces and territories. "Nurses are critical to our health care system" said the Honourable Marjorie Michel, Minister of Health. "With more nursing regulators now contributing to Nursys in Canada, we're advancing critical steps so qualified nurses can more easily work where they're needed most. Through this national database, we are improving workforce mobility within Canada's health care system, so Canadians can get the health care they deserve, when and where they need it." That emphasis on workforce mobility is also shared by Canada's Chief Nursing Officer. "With over two million dollars in funding from Health Canada, the Nursys in Canada project is an important initiative to support health workforce planning in Canada," said Dr. Leigh Chapman, Chief Nursing Officer of Canada. "The unique identifier database is designed to streamline the process for verification of nursing licensure, support nurses' labour mobility and multi-jurisdictional licensure, and improve the integrity of nursing data. We are encouraged by the collaboration of nursing regulatory bodies across Canada in working to build a unified, Pan-Canadian system to support nurses, regulators and the public." Early participants, such as the College of Nurses of Ontario (CNO) and the British Columbia College of Nurses and Midwives (BCCNM), have helped lay the groundwork for this cross-country collaboration. With their support, regulators can now seamlessly verify registration statuses and share information, a capability that is increasingly vital to building a responsive and resilient health care system nationwide. "We are deeply appreciative of the leadership provided by CNO and BCCNM in advocating for, implementing and sharing the Nursys platform in Canada," said Jerome Marburg, CEO of YRNA. "Having a national database for all disciplines of nursing across Canada and North America significantly enhances our abilities as regulators to protect patients and the public while at the same time helping significantly improve labour mobility, reduce administrative time and burden, and enhance our ability to analyze regulatory trends and health human resource information. YRNA is proud to be the first early adopter, outside of CNO and BCCNM, to come on board." NSCN echoed these sentiments, underscoring the positive impact the platform is having at a provincial level. "The Nova Scotia College of Nursing was pleased to launch Nursys in Canada in June, as it is a pivotal advancement in the protection of Nova Scotians," said Douglas Bungay, NSCN's CEO & Registrar. "We rely on information from other nursing regulators when making registration and licensing decisions about applicants and Nursys in Canada provides us with access to real-time information for those who have practiced as a nurse in the U.S. and elsewhere in Canada." A shared vision "Onboarding more Canadian regulators is a powerful step toward a truly interconnected nursing landscape," said Silvie Crawford, CNO's Registrar/Executive Director & CEO. "By sharing registration data nationally, we're supporting a system where nurses can move more freely, and regulators can more cohesively protect the public and strengthen the workforce." Driven by Canadian Nurse Regulators Collaborative in partnership with CNO, BCCNM and the National Council of State Boards of Nursing in the U.S., the initiative reflects a shared vision: a more connected, national infrastructure for nursing regulation that respects privacy while enabling accountability. "We found the Nursys in Canada team incredibly generous and helpful throughout the process of integration," said Marburg. "If we, as one of the smallest regulators in Canada, can do it, our fellow nursing colleagues can too!" Looking ahead, the goal is to onboard most Canadian nursing regulators by 2026, further propelling Canada toward a more unified and flexible health care workforce.
Montreal Gazette
06-08-2025
- Health
- Montreal Gazette
Opinion: Provinces must align on health care, not just trade
Op Eds We can borrow a line from Charles Dickens to describe our current state of politics in this country: 'It was the best of times, it was the worst of times.' The 'worst of times' describes the international trade turmoil caused by Donald Trump's fluctuating tariffs and erratic deal-making, with significant implications for our economy. What is less frequently discussed is 'the best of times' impact — the unity the U.S. president's actions has created among premiers and the federal government. Pan-Canadian trade barriers are falling, and interprovincial project ideas abound. This is good news for Canada, even as a possible trade deal with the United States presumably wends closer. As patient-partners in health research, and part of a non-profit organization that helps cancer patients receive essential treatments, we ask: If we can find equal footing among the provinces and territories on trade, why not on health care? Why can't we streamline access to medically necessary treatment for patients across the country who are badly in need of them? For many, this is a matter of life or death. At the moment, provincial and territorial governments make their own decisions about what drugs to reimburse for eligible people and under what conditions. There are many instances across the country where governments don't reimburse people for essential medications at all, leaving patients to find the money on their own. This includes cancer treatments. Sometimes this means people must go without necessary drugs or necessary food. This is the 'choice' our so-often-called 'patchwork quilt' of coverage sometimes provides. The federal government also has its own drug plans for groups under its jurisdiction — and recently, for contraceptives and diabetes medication through the 2024 Pharmacare Act (in provinces that have finalized their agreements with the federal government). Now that we have decided to become Team Canada on trade, there is no reason not to extend this to drug access. During his election campaign, Prime Minister Mark Carney talked about 'Canada Strong,' his plan to unite, secure, protect and build Canada, including comprehensive measures to build and protect our health care system. He talked about adding doctors, building hospitals and delivering better mental health services. He said we would build a stronger health care system. A stronger health care system includes ensuring that people in Canada have equal access to medically necessary services, and that the coverage is portable across the country. These are among the five key principles underpinning the Canada Health Act. Provinces are already on board for getting people medically necessary treatments. Last month, Ontario Premier Doug Ford, who heads the Council of the Federation, comprising all provincial and territorial premiers, said one of their aims is to accelerate getting life saving medications to people who need them. So if every level of government supports the need for medically necessary services — and drug treatments should surely fit into that category — why are we not tearing down the barriers to our patchwork quilt of public drug reimbursement plans? Where you live in the country should not determine whether or not you receive essential medications. Access to health care in Canada — including life-saving medications — should be seamless across provincial and territorial borders. It is not only the right thing to do for patients, but it is also a boon to the economy — getting people healthy and contributing to our society in any way they can. So we ask Carney and the Council of the Federation: If we can find practical solutions to remove trade barriers that are bad for our economy, why can't we find a practical solution to the barrier of unequal access to medically necessary treatments across this country, too?
Cision Canada
15-07-2025
- Business
- Cision Canada
VIA RAIL CELEBRATES 120 YEARS OF THE OCEAN AND LOOKS TO THE FUTURE OF PASSENGER RAIL IN CANADA Français
HALIFAX, NS, July 15, 2025 /CNW/ - VIA Rail Canada (VIA Rail) marked a historic milestone today at its Halifax Station, celebrating 120 years of continuous service by The Ocean, Canada's oldest named passenger train. For more than a century, The Ocean has served as a vital link for communities across the Maritimes, carrying generations of Canadians and their stories across beautiful landscapes. "This isn't just a train, it's a thread that's woven together families, communities, and memories for 120 years," said Jonathan Goldbloom, Chairperson of VIA Rail's Board of Directors. "From soldiers leaving for war, to families reuniting at the holidays, to students heading off to start new chapters, The Ocean has carried them all. Today we honour that proud legacy and renew our commitment to keeping Canadians connected for generations to come." The celebration comes as VIA Rail undertakes the most significant modernization in its history, following the Government of Canada's historic investment in 2024 to renew VIA Rail's Pan-Canadian fleet. This transformative project will deliver modern, accessible, and sustainable trains to passengers across the country: from Halifax to Vancouver, and to the remote and northern communities that rely on passenger rail service. "This new fleet isn't just about replacing trains from the 1950s; it's about creating the kind of passenger experience Canadians deserve in the 21st century," said Mario Péloquin, President and CEO of VIA Rail. "Comfortable. Accessible. Energy-efficient. These investments will ensure that the next generation can create cherished memories on The Ocean and all our iconic routes." The restoration of Halifax Station, unveiled as part of the anniversary festivities, embodies this balance of honouring the past while preparing for the future. "This anniversary reminds us that while our tracks may be made of steel, what we're really building is connection: between people, communities, and this country we all share," added Goldbloom. As part of today's event, VIA Rail invited families, train enthusiasts, and Halifax residents to tour The Ocean and explore its historic and modern offerings. "Passenger rail has a bright future in this country," said Péloquin. "And we're proud to help shape it, with our partners, our employees, and most of all, our passengers." For 120 years, The Ocean has been a symbol of resilience, connection, and Canadian ingenuity. With the largest fleet renewal in its history now underway, VIA Rail is laying the tracks for an even more sustainable and inclusive future for passenger rail from coast to coast to coast. Quote " The Ocean is a vital link connecting communities, supporting local economies, and driving regional development. Investments in modern, accessible rail service are helping to strengthen economic opportunities and build a more connected, resilient Canada." The Honourable Chrystia Freeland, Minister of Transport and Internal Trade To access the media kit follow this link. About VIA Rail VIA Rail Canada's mandate is to operate the national passenger rail service on behalf of the Government of Canada, and to provide a safe, accessible, efficient, reliable, sustainable, and environmentally responsible service that meets the needs of Canadian passengers. VIA Rail operates intercity trains connecting over 400 communities across Canada and ensuring rail transportation services to regional and remote communities. The Corporation safely transported over four million passengers in 2024 and has been awarded nine Safety Awards and three Environment Awards by the Railway Association of Canada. For more, visit our website:
Miami Herald
20-06-2025
- Automotive
- Miami Herald
BluWave-ai Launches the Pan-Canadian EV Everywhere Infrastructure Cube
Creates Cloud-Based Software Platform to Seamlessly Connect Users, EVs and their Utilities to Electricity Grids Across Canada Creating a Pan-Canadian Pool of EV-Enabled Storage for Off Taking Renewable Energy OTTAWA, ONTARIO / ACCESS Newswire / June 20, 2025 / BluWave-ai announced the launch of the Pan-Canadian BluWave-ai EV Everywhere Infrastructure Cube, a cloud-based platform designed to transform the country's electric vehicles (EV) into a massive distributed energy storage network. The platform seamlessly connects EV drivers and their vehicles with utilities and grids across Canada, creating a virtual pool of EV-enabled storage that far exceeds the scale of planned utility deployments. Currently, Canada's electricity infrastructure operates largely as isolated provincial grids. As EV adoption accelerates, unmanaged charging threatens to overwhelm local grids; especially in urban centers. The BluWave-ai EV Everywhere Infrastructure Cube addresses this by creating a unified, cross-country cloud platform that coordinates EV energy use across Canada, leveraging the investments made by private EV owners. BluWave-ai automatically charges EVs using real-time AI deployed on the platform when surplus renewable power is available locally (such as during periods of high solar or wind generation) and likewise pauses or delays charging in areas where the grid is under stress. Participating utilities can send localized congestion signals, enabling the platform to adjust charging behavior dynamically across thousands of vehicles. EV drivers who opt-in to the platform receive rewards while helping balance the grid. According to Statistics Canada, over one million EVs will be on Canadian roads in 2025. This collective pool of EVs, if coordinated across the country, can provide 1.1 GW of demand response power at any point and 88GWh of storage on a weekly basis.* "As of January 2024, all electricity grids in Canada combined for only 356MW of storage according to CANREA, which roughly implies EV based storage in the 2.5-3x magnitude of utility scale storage in Canadian grids." said Devashish Paul, CEO and Founder of BluWave-ai. "Prior to this, there was no standardized way for EV users to connect with utilities, and no automated system to balance driver needs with the provincial grids' stability on a country-wide scale. Using deep tech AI systems, we created and launched this platform to unify electrified transportation and smart grids into the Pan-Canadian energy corridor, harnessing the power of citizen-owned assets to build a more resilient and renewable-powered country." How the Infrastructure Cube Works The BluWave-ai EV Everywhere Infrastructure Cube is a cloud platform that prevents grid overload from simultaneous EV charging in congested areas and by off taking excess renewables during periods of high generation and low loads through AI managed energy flow. Visualized as a cube, the platform connects four key faces of the energy ecosystem: EV Users: Individual drivers can onboard to the platform to receive rewards and Vehicles: The system is compatible with major EV brands, including Hyundai, Kia, Tesla, MINI, Jaguar, and BMW, using their native telematics with more on the roadmap, including delivery EV's and large transitUtility Providers: Local utilities can register to send real-time data on grid congestion, enabling automated load Operators: The platform provides a macro-level view, allowing system-wide grid constraints to be managed effectively with live feeds of electricity loads and generation types streamed into the system. Any combination of the above can work 24x7 with our AI-based automated management taking into account the needs and limitations from all sides. At the intersection from any direction are unique AI predictors and optimizers working in real-time to balance and optimize the needs of all parties - from individual driver preferences to the needs of local utilities rolled up to system-level grid stability. The underlying technology is supported by a suite of 36 patents filed with the USPTO, 10 of which have been granted and specifically USPTO pending patent: 18/806,264 and Canada pending patent 3,258,465 which support the system to connect both personal EV's and EV Fleets seamlessly to grids. The BluWave-ai EV Everywhere Infrastructure Cube builds on the successful deployment of the BluWave-ai EV Everywhere platform and Canada's first ever AI-enabled aggregated EV demand response conducted in the Hydro Ottawa utility in the IESO grid in Ontario, Canada. Industry Leaders Welcome Pan-Canadian Energy Storage Platform "BluWave-ai is a shining example of the Nation of Builders we're cultivating in Canada -ambitious founders creating frontier technologies with global relevance," said Claudio Rojas, CEO of the National Angel Capital Organization (NACO). "Their selection as a NACO Moonshots Venture underscores our belief that Canadian-led innovation can power a more self-reliant, resilient, and prosperous future. The release of the Pan-Canadian EV Everywhere Infrastructure Cube is a powerful reflection of this vision-scaling AI-enabled platforms that enhance grid resilience, accelerate the energy transition, and reinforce Canada's digital and economic sovereignty." "BluWave-ai has delivered another creative energy solution to a challenging problem opening the way to EV mass adoption, while increasing clean energy access' said Suzanne Grant, executive Director of Capital Angel Network (CAN), the largest group of early stage private angel investors in the National Capital Region," said Suzanne Grant, Executive Director of Capital Angels Network, "BluWave-ai has another first of its kind 'Built in Canada for the World' solution in the hot energy storage market. Their solutions are being adopted by energy utilities as part of the critical infrastructure grid key to Canada's energy superpower aspirations. CAN investors shared BluWave-ai's vision since supporting their oversubscribed $1.3M Pre Seed Round in 2019 and participating in their 2022 $9.5M Series A round to scale their (now successful) international deployments' added Grant, 'CAN angels believe in Canadians investing in Canadians and are bringing valuable mentorship, network, as well as, personal risk capital as partners with Canadian founders building for scale and impact" "Invest Ottawa is proud to collaborate with BluWave-ai-a bold Canadian scale-up harnessing AI to deliver sustainable energy solutions with global impact. The new EV Everywhere Infrastructure Cube exemplifies triple-bottom-line innovation," said Sonya Shorey, CEO at Invest Ottawa, " It drives economic growth, strengthens our national energy resilience, and accelerates our transition to a clean, inclusive future. This is the kind of leadership we need to build a strong, sustainable Canadian economy." How to Join the Platform For EV Drivers: Drivers in Canada and the US can join the network by downloading the EV Everywhere mobile app v2.0 and linking their vehicle to receive rewards and gain insights into their energy use. The app offers features for optimized charging, cost savings, and carbon footprint for AndroidDownload for iPhoneFor Utilities and System Operators: Interested parties can become collaborators through standardized APIs for real-time data exchange. The platform is hosted in Canada and can be accessed by contacting BluWave-ai at info@ Platform Availability The BluWave-ai EV Everywhere Infrastructure Cube is currently deployed with hyper-localized support in Prince Edward Island, Nova Scotia, Ontario, and British Columbia, with general coverage available for the rest of Canada. The platform is also export-ready and is being deployed in Puerto Rico, USA, with support for other US grids. Read more technical information on the BluWave-ai EV Everywhere Infrastructure Cube. Note 1: BluWave-ai Analyst results from 2023-2025 grid connected vehicle usage and Statistics Canada projections on vehicle deployments: ~80 kWh storage usage per ZEV .weekly energy use per ZEV (avg. mileage of 20,000 km per year, ~4.8 km/kWh)7.2 kW avg. peak charging speed for home L2 15% of vehicles connected to grid based on BluWave-ai analysis yields 1 kW per EV of average power connection to grid SOURCE: BluWave-ai
