Latest news with #Savoie
Vancouver Sun
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
22 election candidates were provided private security by the federal government
OTTAWA — The federal government provided private security for close protection or to guard the home of 22 candidates in the last federal election amid a rise in threats and intimidation towards politicians. Throughout the campaign, 15 candidates were granted private security service that acted as their bodyguard during campaign events or daily activities, Privy Council Office (PCO) spokesperson Daniel Savoie told National Post. Another two were provided home monitoring services by an unarmed guard, while five met the threshold to receive both services, Savoie said. Start your day with a roundup of B.C.-focused news and opinion. By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder. The next issue of Sunrise will soon be in your inbox. Please try again Interested in more newsletters? Browse here. This was the first federal election during which the federal government offered private security services to candidates. The program was geared toward politicians who believe their security is at risk during the campaign but where the level of threat does not meet the threshold for police protection. To be eligible, candidates had to have been physically attacked, had their property targeted by protesters or vandalized, felt threatened by a 'disruptive, uninvited individual' at home, or had their personal information posted on the internet, for example. Former CSIS national security analyst Stephanie Carvin said she was surprised by how many candidates applied to receive additional private security from a program that was announced right as the election campaign began. 'I'm glad that resource is there, but it's unfortunate that it's needed,' said Carvin, now an associate professor at Carleton University. 'Individuals who are upset with the politics or politicians are increasingly willing to physically confront the people they see as adversaries or with different point of views. Rather than challenging their ideas, they want to physically confront them,' Carvin added. Savoie declined to identify which candidates were granted additional security or which party they represented over concerns it could compromise their safety. But he noted that half (11) were candidates in Ontario, five were in Quebec, four in B.C. and one in both Manitoba and Nova Scotia. Violence, intimidation and threats were the first concerns highlighted by the Security and Intelligence Threats to Elections (SITE) Task Force during a briefing days after the election was called on March 28. 'One concerning trend is the intensification and rise of threats of violence and intimidation directed at Canadian public figures,' said the government's top communications official Laurie-Anne Kempton on March 31. 'Candidates and public office holders should not be dissuaded from exercising their democratic rights because of a perceived or real threat to their personal security,' she added. 'It is in Canada's vital national interest that Canadians running for elected office feel safe.' The RCMP's Gregory O'Hayon said during the same briefing the national police force is 'very well seized' of the issue of threats to candidates but its protective mandate is limited to members of cabinet, party leaders and a few others designated for protection by the minister of public safety. 'The RCMP unfortunately cannot be everywhere, all at once,' O'Hayon said. The national police force has previously said it is dealing with an 'unprecedented' number of threats towards politicians. Roughly three years ago, MPs were offered mobile duress buttons, or 'panic buttons,' in case they were accosted by a threatening individual. That program has since been extended to senators. On Friday, Carvin said there is increased risk that politicians become more separated from the people they serve as threats increase against them. 'In order to get elected, they have to be able to meet people, they have to be able to mingle. And if, you know, our politicians become separate from the population, it just doesn't work,' Carvin said. 'It's the door knocking, it's the events, the campaigning and things like that that make our democracy function.' During the last campaign, Elections Canada also increased availability of security at polling locations in light of ongoing 'tensions' caused by the Israel-Hamas conflict and the historic trade war with the United States. Chief Electoral Officer Stéphane Perrault told reporters on March 24 that the agency proactively pre-approved security spending for returning officers (who administer the elections in each of the 343 federal ridings) to protect polling locations and offices if needed. That's a change from previous elections, where returning officers had to request approval for security expenses as the needs arose, which slowed down the process. National Post cnardi@ Get more deep-dive National Post political coverage and analysis in your inbox with the Political Hack newsletter, where Ottawa bureau chief Stuart Thomson and political analyst Tasha Kheiriddin get at what's really going on behind the scenes on Parliament Hill every Wednesday and Friday, exclusively for subscribers. Sign up here .
Yahoo
16-05-2025
- Entertainment
- Yahoo
UL Lafayette conferring 1,569 degrees during Spring 2025 Commencement ceremonies
LAFAYETTE, La. (KLFY) — The University of Louisiana at Lafayette is celebrating its Spring 2025 graduates during Commencement ceremonies Friday and Saturday. According to the university, a total of 1,569 degrees will be conferred and eight academic colleges commencement ceremonies are being held at the Cajundome and Convention University will confer 1,233 bachelor's degrees. It will also award 285 master's degrees, 34 doctoral degrees, and 17 undergraduate and graduate certificates. Graduates are from 47 Louisiana parishes; 35 states and U.S. territories; and 32 Joseph Savoie, UL Lafayette president, addressed graduates during the College of the Arts ceremony on Friday at the Cajundome Convention Center. 'Congratulations to all of you and thank you for choosing the University of Louisiana at Lafayette as the place where you pursued – and realized – your dreams,' he added that the ceremony offered an opportunity to celebrate graduates' personal achievements at a time when the college is celebrating a significant milestone. 'This year is the 30th anniversary of the College of the Arts. For three decades, this college has been the soul of our University and a vibrant thread in the cultural fabric of Acadiana and beyond,' he explained.'The College of the Arts reminds us that the work of artists, designers, musicians, performers and architects is not one of life's luxuries – it is essential. Art binds. Culture connects. The beauty you create and the spaces you design bring people together. Your work tells stories that need to be told and reflects truths that might otherwise go unseen,' Savoie told graduatesHe also awarded an honorary doctorate of the arts to alum Richard 'Dickie' Landry, an internationally renowned saxophonist, composer, photographer, producer and painter. Landry earned a bachelor's degree in music education from the University in Johnson is UL Lafayette's Outstanding Master's Graduate. She earned a master's degree in psychology from the College of Liberal Arts. Caemon Scott is the University's Outstanding Graduate. He earned a bachelor's degree in strategic communication from the College of Liberal undergraduates earned summa cum laude honors for achieving perfect 4.0 GPAs. Members of the exemplary group, listed by college, are:College of the ArtsAnna Catherine Immel, interior design Sara Elizabeth Louviere, architectural studies Emma Gail Rachal, visual artsB.I. Moody III College of Business Administration Elizabeth Claire Randall, accounting Evan Weber, insurance and risk managementCollege of EngineeringMichael Clovis Hawkins, electrical engineering College of Liberal Arts Ella Rose Gallet, human development and family scienceSydney Katherine Guidry, psychology Rafael Eugenio Hernandez, political science Emily Michelle Lindner, history Liliana Therese Pagan, English Emily Elizabeth Nichols, speech pathology and audiology Cade Gregory Roy, political science Annaclaire Catherine Zerangue, psychologyRay P. Authement College of SciencesPaul Alexander Curry, biology Thanh Quoc Du, computer scienceSeth Jacob Duet, chemistryMoiz Mohammad Fazal-ur-Rehman, biologyKinley Paige Glass, informatics Jacob Glenn Marcinkus, biology Caleigh Anne-marie Meche, computer science Jennifer Camargo Medina, computer science View a list of Spring 2025 graduates. Learn more about Spring 2025 Commencement Close Thanks for signing up! Watch for us in your inbox. Subscribe Now Opelousas officials stress need to renew crucial sales tax Advice for Acadiana businesses amid anticipated thriving travel Bridge on Maple Drive to close for repairs beginning May 19 UL Lafayette conferring 1,569 degrees during Spring 2025 Commencement ceremonies Multiple Arrests in Louisiana 'gas station heroin' investigation Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Local France
17-04-2025
- Climate
- Local France
French Alps hit by heavy Easter snowfall leaving roads and ski resorts blocked
Residents and visitors in the popular ski resort of Tignes were on Thursday confined to their homes and hotels because of heavy snowfall and risk of avalanches – with restrictions in place 'until further notice'. Lockdown applies to 'all neighborhoods, villages, and hamlets in Tignes,' according to the resort's website . 'Travel within the same neighborhood is only permitted between 3pm and 8pm,' the alert added. The resort's ski area has been shut, no shuttle buses are running and schools and nurseries are also closed. Local officials ordered the lockdown as more than a metre of snow has fallen on the resort, as a result of a relatively common weather phenomenon that occurs between one and three times every winter. Forecasters have warned that more than 2m of snow could fall in places before the storm passes , which brought wind and rain to Corsica and south-east France overnight. Elsewhere, between 20 and 40cms of snow fell in the Queyras and Briançonnais regions overnight from Wednesday to Thursday. Advertisement Météo-France placed the Savoie département on orange alert for avalanches on Thursday, particularly in the Haute-Maurienne and Haute-Tarentaise ranges on the Italian border. Better weather is expected, however, on Friday. What about travel disruption? France's roads watchdog Bison Futé has reported the closure of the A40 at Cluses for all vehicles traveling in the direction of Mâcon-Mont Blanc Tunnel-Italy. The The A51 from Monestier de Clermont to Grenoble, which had been closed, has re-opened, regional newspaper the Dauphiné Libéré reports. The Fréjus road tunnel, which was closed on Thursday morning, as the access ramp was completely blocked by trucks and light vehicles reopened around noon, but conditions remain very difficult, officials have said. Keep updated by checking the Savoie préfecture website . #JeudiPhoto | Par tous les temps, la @PoliceNationale est mobilisée dans les #HautesAlpes . Ce matin, au poste frontière de Montgenèvre 🇫🇷🇮🇹, près de 60 cm de ❄️ fraîche sont tombés. Nos équipes sont présentes sur le terrain pour assurer votre sécurité. ⚠️ Prudence en 🚗. — Police nationale 05 (@PoliceNat05) April 17, 2025
New York Times
11-04-2025
- Sport
- New York Times
What did the Edmonton Oilers' minor-league system accomplish in 2024-25?
The primary role of a minor-league team is to develop NHL players. It's a high-stress job for AHL managers and coaches. No blue-chip prospects this year? So what. Find players, develop them for NHL recall and then do it again. Winning is important to the AHL Bakersfield Condors, but the club is at the mercy of the parent Edmonton Oilers when it comes to recalls. The hockey Gods have mercilessly rained blows down on the 2024-25 Bakersfield club with myriad injuries and subsequent recalls. Advertisement Ran out of players? So what. Find players, develop them for NHL recall and then do it again. What did the Oilers' minor-league system accomplish this season? How many Condors saw the light of day in the NHL? Here's the list, starting with the players classified as NHL rookies by the league. The young winger played his first full pro season in the AHL at age 20. It was quality. His 0.79 points per game reflects a successful season, and represents the highest points-per-game total by a Condors rookie at 20 since Cooper Marody and Tyler Benson delivered career seasons in 2018-19. Savoie played sparingly in Edmonton (0-1-1 in four games), proving he could match the NHL speed and make plays in a small window of opportunity. He should be a legit option for a call-up during the postseason. The Condors coaching staff developed him well, as Savoie has thrived in all areas. The organization may want to slow-play Savoie after the Kailer Yamamoto experience, but he's NHL-ready. He's a rare top-end skill player to spend an entire year in the minors; Savoie is a prohibitive favourite to be an NHL regular on a feature line next year. Before being returned to Bakersfield on Thursday afternoon, Rodrigue played in two games, including a start this week. His totals (.862 save percentage, 3.10 GAA) aren't strong, but he made some big saves and played in front of a badly undermanned Edmonton club. Rodrigue is the latest goaltender to make it to the NHL through Edmonton's system. He joins Stuart Skinner (Oilers starter), Laurent Brossoit and Dylan Wells as Condors prospect goalies who have appeared in an NHL game. The NHL experience moves Rodrigue into an area that allows him more prominence as a recall option, either in Edmonton or another NHL city. The NHL rules exclude players who are technically rookies but have aged out of the restrictions stated in the Calder Trophy guidelines. A key Oilers player development piece is part of this group in 2024-25. Advertisement There are very few players in the AHL with the skills of Savoie, so the league's most commonly successful players are the ones who can refine their abilities, iron out the mistakes and offer the parent NHL team a low-risk, inexpensive option in a complementary role. Condors coach Colin Chaulk and his staff can have the most impact on the Oilers roster by helping develop players like Philp. Like previous AHL-to-NHL successes who have made the grade with the Oilers, Philp's AHL performances include impact-level play at even strength, the heart of the game. He's a bigger player, a centre, he's fast enough to disrupt play, strong enough to win battles and smart enough to be in good places on the ice defensively. His 29 even-strength points in 2024-25 in 52 games reflect his success offensively. Although he's not a similar player-type, the intelligent two-way ability displayed by Philp recalls another Alberta Golden Bears grad who has played for the Oilers recently, Derek Ryan. Philp is the type of player who finds his way in the AHL. He's a trusted forward who will cheat for defence. He had several NHL looks this year, playing in 13 games (two assists) with the Oilers. He's a probable for next season's roster, representing successful development for the AHL club. Brown was signed as an 'NHL 7th/AHL 1st' option and has played that role in eight NHL and 37 AHL games this season. His struggles in coverage while in Edmonton opened up the options to other defenders (Travis Dermott, an example). Brown has been an effective AHL blueliner, and at 31, has great value in a mentor role. The veteran winger had a strong AHL season (23-28-51 in 59 games) and got into seven NHL games for Edmonton. He's one of the best scorers in the minors, but a depth winger with some grit and two-way ability for the NHL team. A rugged veteran at 30, there may be NHL games in his future next season as a recall option. Advertisement He has played in just one game with the Oilers this season, but his Thursday recall suggests he could see more NHL action as the season draws to a close. Dineen is a quality puck-moving defender in the AHL (9-34-43 in 59 games with the Condors this year) but will be deployed in a support role with the Oilers. Third pair, depth minutes and crisp outlets will be the ask from Oilers coaches. He's 26, and a good enough player to have an NHL career (currently at 35 games in the league). The Condors have had seasons where the recalls had more impact, but the Oilers are a veteran group trying to win a championship. The hesitation to play Savoie (who looked impressive in his audition) or Philp (who's an NHL player, he just needs a chance) this season should be viewed as more delay than a failure in development. The Condors did a fine job with both of the still-developing forwards. Savoie was deployed heavily at even strength and on special teams, with the coaching staff making certain a veteran centre with skill and two-way ability was on his line. That wasn't easy, as injuries (specifically to Lane Pederson) made a strong centre depth chart less able as the season wore along. Philp commanded more playing time when injuries hit through his own fine play, and delivered (15-15-30 in 52 games) while outscoring opponents at even strength. His season represents exactly the type of campaign that earned a ticket to the NHL for minor leaguers over many years. What wasn't accomplished? The biggest disappointments this season involve Roby Jarventie not getting a recall, but that was due to injury. It's also unfortunate Phil Kemp didn't get another NHL look in what will be his walk year. Bottom line? The Condors didn't screw up Savoie's development, in fact he had a strong year. Philp found his game again and his foot speed returned as the new year arrived. The Oilers have another goaltender to ponder in Rodrigue and are already signing pieces for next year's team. Will the Condors management and coaches return for 2025-26? Too soon to know. The development staff can point to successes, though, even if those players didn't see much time in the NHL in 2024-25. (Photo of Olivier Rodrigue: Perry Nelson / Imagn Images)
CBC
19-03-2025
- Business
- CBC
PC Opposition attacks Liberal tariff plan, won't say what they'd do
Social Sharing The day after New Brunswick's Liberal government tabled a budget with a $549 million deficit, the Opposition Progressive Conservatives had virtually nothing to say about it. The PCs instead devoted most of their time in the legislature Wednesday to criticizing the Liberals for their response to the threat of U.S. tariffs. But the PCs didn't often any concrete proposals of their own — other than the revival of an oil pipeline and a natural gas industry they've been championing for more than a decade. "For many New Brunswickers who have been looking for action and looking for leadership, the premier has failed to meet the moment," said PC MLA Bill Oliver, one of several who used their allocated time to criticized Premier Susan Holt. WATCH | 'Thumbs down to elbows up': Tories slam Holt on tariffs: "It looks like the premier has turned thumbs down to 'elbows up,'" added his colleague Bill Oliver, referring to the popular slogan adopted by Canadians in the trade war. Holt unveiled a tariff "action plan" on March 4 that includes funds to retrain any laid-off workers and money to help exporters adapt if they are hit with tariffs on products they sell into the U.S. market. So far, she has avoided more dramatic moves, such as threatening to cut off — or slapping a surcharge on — electricity exports that allow 58,000 residents of northern Maine to turn on their lights and heat their homes. "It appears that the premier and the deputy premier are more concerned with the power bills of folks in northern Maine who voted for Donald Trump than they are with the New Brunswickers who actually voted for them," said PC MLA Sherry Wilson. But speaking to reporters later, PC Leader Glen Savoie said his party was not endorsing a surcharge on, or cutting of, power transmission to Maine. He said Wilson's comment was a tongue-in-cheek way of highlighting Liberal inaction. The premier said during question period that she had met with Savoie and Green Leader David Coon on the issue and Savoie had not offered any alternative ideas the government could pursue. "I have yet to hear any suggestions from the opposition on what we should be doing differently, on things we should be adding," Holt said. "If they think that we haven't budgeted sufficient amounts at $162 million, do they have better estimates for what they think this might cost?" The PCs had called for the legislature to be called back earlier than its scheduled March 18 date for more debate on the tariff response, something the government turned down. On Wednesday, all parties agreed to an emergency debate on tariffs that would continue into the evening. Savoie complained that the legislature will break for a weeks of committee debate on budget estimates on March 28, leaving little time for more discussion of the tariff response. He also rejected Holt's comment that the PCs should propose something specific if they think her package is lacking. "They are government," Savoid said. "They are supposed to be leading this. Our job is supposed to be to hold them to account." Holt's government introduced legislation Wednesday to lower interprovincial trade barriers on alcohol. Once adopted, the bill will allow New Brunswickers to order alcohol products directly from outside the province and eliminate limits on how much alcohol someone can bring in to the province. The government has promised other measures to lower interprovincial trade barriers as a way of mitigating the impact of tariffs on trade with the U.S. The Opposition PCs said trade measures on alcohol are not enough PC MLA Kris Austin introduced a non-binding motion that, if passed, would call on the government to lift the decade-old moratorium on natural gas development as a way to help Canada have more energy independence from the U.S. Holt told reporters that because the tariff issue is "still in flux" — with a U.S. decision on broadening the measures expected April 2 — it's early to get into detailed accounting of how her relief package is working or which businesses are using it.
