Latest news with #Sunrise
Vancouver Sun
4 minutes ago
- Politics
- Vancouver Sun
Jobs subsidy for immigration minister's longstanding church raises 'perception' questions: ethics specialist
OTTAWA — When Immigration Minister Lena Metlege Diab dropped by a church kids camp this summer, she came to pose for photos to highlight the funding that came from the Canada Summer Jobs program. It might not have seemed unusual: members of Parliament have a hand in helping organizations in their riding get the summer-job subsidies in the first place. MPs get lists of organizations in their ridings that apply for the subsidy, and recommend who should get it. But Metlege Diab had a more personal relationship with this particular Lebanese parish church in Halifax than just representing it as an MP. She has been a parishioner there since the 1980s. 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. The situation does not seem to violate either the Conflict of Interest Act or codes that public office holders must follow, but one government ethics specialist said it touches on issues around perceptions of conflict, as well as what questions the department responsible for administering the money asks of MPs who may have ties to the organizations whose requests they review. 'Do I think that the minister, in this case, has broken the act or code? No,' said Ian Stedman, who previously worked for Ontario's integrity commissioner and now teaches as an associate professor at York University. 'Do I think that the program may want to protect itself by having a higher bar or a higher standard than the act or code? Yes.' The Canada Summer Jobs program offers a wage subsidy for employers to hire those aged 15 to 30 each summer. This year, the government announced it would spend $25 million more to create another 6,000 spots to combat the country's high youth unemployment rate. How it works is simple: An organization, including religious ones, applies for the subsidy. The department that administers it assesses the application to ensure it meets the criteria and then asks MPs for their feedback based on a recommended list, which, according to the program's website, is to ensure 'local priorities' are met. Their feedback, it says, is then used to inform the government's final decisions. In Metlege Diab's case, a spokeswoman in her Halifax West constituency office said she provided her feedback back in March, two months before Prime Minister Mark Carney promoted her to cabinet. She has represented the riding federally since 2021. 'The final funding decisions by (Employment and Social Development Canada) were made during the writ period,' the spokeswoman wrote, referring to the period during the spring federal election. Her office also confirmed she had been a parishioner of the church in question since its was established in the 1980s 'It was wonderful to visit Our Lady of Lebanon Parish and see how the Canada Summer Jobs program is helping our youth gain valuable work experience while supporting meaningful summer opportunities. Thank you for welcoming me — enjoy the rest of your summer!' Metlege Diab wrote in a recent Facebook post . The government confirmed the church received around $50,000 to fund 10 jobs. Last year, the Conflict of Interest and Ethics Commissioner's office released an advisory opinion directing MPs on when they should refrain from giving their opinion on whether a particular organization should receive funding. It added that an entity is not precluded from applying for government money just because an elected official or appointee has a personal connection to it, like a membership. The office advised that MPs should not provide opinions on applications from groups that employ or are owned by a family member, or where they have a 'private interest.' Stedman says under the rules, 'private interest' is defined in terms of it being a financial interest, which is narrow. He says that narrowness is evident when it comes to the Canada Summer Jobs program, which he said is unique in that the government asks MPs to directly weigh in on a funding decision. 'This is really them saying outright, 'We want you to help influence how our money is spent.'' While federal ethics rules concentrate on the issue of a public officer using their influence to benefit financially, the program itself is about the community. 'It's an organization she cares about. It's a church that she cares about, and the better they do, the longer they survive to be there for her and her community. And she benefits from that in a kind of interpersonal way,' Stedman said. 'It's just not the kind of benefit that's contemplated by the act, which can be unpalatable … for I think our modern take on what conflicts of interest could be.' He said he believes the program, in asking MPs for their recommendations on funding, should also ask whether they have any personal connections to the organizations on the provided lists. 'The public expects that their members of Parliament are going to do everything they can to avoid the perception of a conflict, because we want our government officials to care about public trust in their behaviour, and public trust is about perception as much as it is about reality.' In a statement, Employment and Social Development Canada did not directly say whether it asks MPs about having any personal ties to the organizations whose applications they review, but members are reminded of the rules under the Conflict of Interest Act and Code of Conduct. 'To ensure their recommendations are considered, they must attest to their compliance with the code by completing the required electronic confirmation. The code provides guidance to MPs regarding the disclosure of conflicts of interest and ensures transparency and accountability in their decision-making, including in the Canada Summer Jobs MP recommendation process,' wrote spokeswoman Liana Brault. 'The department provides final recommendations of projects to be funded after examining all applications against program criteria and national priorities and reviewing feedback from members of Parliament.' National Post staylor@ Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
Vancouver Sun
4 hours ago
- Climate
- Vancouver Sun
B.C. Wildfires 2025: Firefighters battle new out-of-control blaze on mountain in Mission
Firefighters are battling a new out-of-control wildfire that ignited north of Mission on Mount Crickmer. In a Facebook post Thursday, the City of Mission said the fire is about 90 square metres in size, and located within the city's municipal forest. The B.C. Wildfire Service is conducting aerial water drops on the fire and has sent a four-person crew to the site, according to the post. The city said staff are providing logistical support to the service and is ready to provide additional resources if required. 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. The suspected cause of the fire, which was discovered Wednesday, is lightning, according to the B.C. Wildfire Service. Wildfire officials say the fire is considered out of control and is expected to spread. In its latest update, the service says unsettled weather conditions are forecast for most of the province on the weekend, with thunderstorms and rain in eastern B.C. By Sunday, warmer and more seasonal conditions are expected to return, promoting gradual drying, wildfire officials said. As of Friday morning, there were 68 active wildfires in B.C., with four new blazes ignited in the last 24 hours. There are no wildfires of note but seven are considered out of control. ticrawford@
Vancouver Sun
5 hours ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Park board pushes back on Kits Pool reservation system complaints, but says it's open to modifications
The Vancouver park board is pushing back after complaints about Kitsilano Pool's reservation system, but it also says it's open to making some changes. Earlier this week, after the park board declined to hear a motion about ending the advanced-booking system, Mayor Ken Sim issued a public statement calling on Premier David Eby to fulfil his previous commitment to fold the park board into city operations, and said the city was 'exploring all options' to eliminate the reservation system and bring back drop-in access. On Tuesday, Laura Christensen, the park board chairperson, responded to Sim's broadside with a letter of her own, addressed to Eby, stating: 'I have personally received significant positive feedback from residents who use and appreciate the booking system.' 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. She said the pool reserves 20 per cent of its capacity for drop-ins, and only one drop-in slot this summer — 6 p.m. on July 12 — had to turn away visitors. Those who reserve in advance don't need to wait in line, she wrote, and drop-in visitors typically only wait for the duration it takes to process payments. Christensen said that for the week of July 8 to 17 the pool served more than the 'baseline' number of patrons expected based on pool capacity in 30 out of 40 sessions and that Leisure Access Pass (LAP) users, low-income residents who are provided with free and reduced-cost programs, are also able to reserve online. Park board manager Steve Jackson said Thursday that his staff is working hard to find a 'sweet spot' that will work for all users of the city's popular seaside pool. ' We are trying to find a solution that works with everyone and asking how do we make this pool the best for as many people as possible?' Jackson said the booking system, which reserves 80 per cent of the slots daily for those who book online, works for many — especially those who don't live in the neighbourhood but come to use the pool from other parts of Vancouver. 'There is a real equity issue here and the reservation system is about making sure that this is a facility that is open to all, especially people who come from other parts of the city,' said Jackson. Jackson said staff are looking at data, and listening to public feedback, but it's unlikely the pool will drop the reservation system entirely. 'The ultimate goal is to find an approach that works for the majority. We are collecting data and we are going to potentially make modifications throughout the summer,' said Jackson. Staff are looking at possibilities such as extending the length of the slots (currently, users can book for 2.5 hours and there are four, 30-minute 'turnover' times a day when lifeguards get a break and cleaning is done); finding a way to deal with reservation no-shows; and improving drop-in access, said Jackson. Jackson is urging pool-users to share feedback with staff, including lifeguards, cashiers and park board team members. In a statement Thursday, the Housing and Municipal Affairs Ministry said: 'Local governments are responsible for managing their recreational facilities. We know how important it is for local governments to have all the tools they need to provide appropriate governance. The province continues to work with the City of Vancouver on its request.' dryan@
Vancouver Sun
5 hours ago
- General
- Vancouver Sun
North Vancouver's first luxury mansion, the Nye house, is for sale for $4.495M
When Thomas Nye joined the British army during the Boer War around 1900, he was a labourer in Vancouver. When the war ended in 1902, he was offered a military land grant. He chose district lot 2026 in North Vancouver, a large area in upper Lonsdale. And the former labourer became one of North Van's most prominent early developers. Naturally he built a mansion to mark his new-found stature. It was started in 1908 and finished in 1912, at the peak of the Lower Mainland's prewar boom. Designed by architect Henry Blackladder, the 6,200 sq. ft. mansion was like a bit of Shaughnessy on the north shore of Burrard Inlet. It was built in the Tudor revival style, with two floors of granite on the exterior. Inside it was all grand rooms – the pocket doors in the living room extend 3.6 metres. The cost was $6,500, at a time when many houses cost $1,000. 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. Perched high on a giant lot at 230 Carisbrooke Rd., it offered marvellous vistas, partly because the surrounding area had burned in a fire that had spread down from Grouse Mountain — there wasn't much development in upper Lonsdale at the time. But the boom went bust in 1913, and Nye wound up selling the home after living in it for only a couple of years. Against all odds, it's still here a century later, and has just gone on the market for $4,495,000. The home had a fire in the 1990s and has been through a pair of extensive renovations. It has the feel of an old mansion, but has been modernized, particularly in the kitchen. Originally the home would have been dark inside, which was the style in 1912. The current owners took down a wall between the sunroom and the dining room and converted it to a large, light-filled modern kitchen. It's so large, a nook in the bay window has room for a couple of chairs. Many of the rooms have been reimagined for the modern world. Owner Paul Giesbrecht uses the original den or library — he calls it the whisky room — as his office. There are seven bedrooms in the home, including two in a basement suite with tall ceilings and exposed granite on part of the walls. The master bedroom is now on the third floor, a large expanse with a spectacular bathroom — Giesbrecht jokes the shower is big enough for six. Giesbrecht raised the ceilings to match the roofline, and the master bedroom even comes with a small balcony. 'This has a good view of the fireworks, this little balcony,' he said. You have to look through a pair of 10-storey high redwoods to see the fireworks, though. The address of the house is now 3545 Dowsley Court, named after a former owner who developed a cul-de-sac to the northeast of the mansion in the 1950s and '60s. Two smaller Tudor houses were also built on the Carisbrooke side of the original grounds in 1989. The current main entrance is on the western side of the home, facing its immaculate lawn and more colossal trees. Nye would have approved. He made his fortune selling many of the lots on North Vancouver's Grand Boulevard during the early 1900s boom. 'He was the sales guy who bought the land and was subdividing and selling it,' said heritage expert Don Luxton. '(He was) trying to get people to build big, expensive, exclusive houses, as people were doing at that time, kind of based on Shaughnessy.' Giesbrecht thinks Nye's mansion might have been a show home for the high-end neighbourhood Nye wanted to build. But it never happened because of an economic slump around the First World War. 'There was only a brief period of time where (houses like this) were being built,' said Luxton. 'The market collapsed. They were building in 1909, '10, '11 '12, and then everything crashed in 1913. And nobody built big houses (like the Nye House) again.' Nye left North Vancouver to run the Garibaldi Lodge by Daisy Lake, between Squamish and Whistler, around 1914. His former house went through several owners and iterations — at one point it was the private Kingsley boarding school for boys, as well as a kindergarten. Nye was one of five brothers who were born in England that immigrated to B.C. in 1890. In the 1891 census, he's listed as a plumber. His former home is now a designated heritage site. But it isn't the only heritage Nye house in North Vancouver. Thomas's niece Mollie lived in a lovely craftsman in Lynn Valley that was built by her father Jack in 1913. She bequeathed it to the district, and it's now a beloved community centre. jmackie@
Vancouver Sun
7 hours ago
- Business
- Vancouver Sun
Trump's steel tariffs against Canada have been working just how he wants
For the hundreds of Canadian steelworkers who lost their jobs this year amid President Donald Trump's trade war, talk of reaching a trade deal between Canada and the U.S. is coming too little, too late. For Trump, the effects — driving down imports, boosting the U.S. steel industry and winning concessions from Canada — seem to be getting him what he wants. Initially faced with a 25 per cent tariff on exports to the U.S., which ballooned to 50 per cent in June , Canadian steel is desperate for a resolution. Trump imposed the levies under Section 232 of the Trade Expansion Act, declaring steel imports a threat to national security and citing the need to protect American industry. His rationale was that curbing imports would reduce supply and ramp up prices, giving U.S. steel additional revenue to invest in strengthening domestic production. About US$7.7 billion ($10 billion) in Canadian steel and iron was exported to the U.S. last year, with the American market worth 90 per cent of Canadian exports. 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. While Prime Minister Mark Carney's team has been trying to get the steel tariffs lifted, he has lately tried managing expectations, publicly acknowledging that any trade deal will likely involve tariffs . Negotiating teams are staring down an Aug. 1 deadline, when Trump said he'll be hitting Canada with yet more tariffs — on top of the steel, aluminum, lumber, copper, autos, and energy already being whacked, as well as any goods not exempted by the U.S.-Mexico-Canada trade agreement (USMCA). With the deadline less than a week away, Trade Minister Dominic LeBlanc was in Washington on Thursday for the latest trade discussions. The talks, said one Canadian government source, who spoke on condition of anonymity, ' have been volatile.' So far, the Canadian steel industry has been one of the hardest hit by Trump's tariffs, and it's bracing for things to get uglier. 'By the end of May, before we even hit the 50 per cent tariffs, we saw a 30 per cent decline in production across the country,' said Catherine Cobden, president and CEO of the Canadian Steel Producers Association (CSPA). She doesn't have the June numbers yet, but she expects it be ' much worse.' Canadian producers can't afford to absorb the 50 per cent tariff on six million tonnes of production, the amount that was destined for the U.S. market and is now subject to the levy, Cobden explains. While some analysts expected the U.S. market to keep buying heavily taxed Canadian steel to satisfy demand until domestic production increased to fill the gap, that's not playing out in practice. At least not yet. 'The customers on the other end aren't always willing or able to pay, and they expect the steel companies to absorb that,' Cobden said. 'I talk to our members every day, and the situation is that the order books, for those shipments to the United States, are essentially drying up.' So far, the downturn has led to more than 1,000 industry layoffs, said Cobden. She said she now fears that the problems will continue to mount as investment dries up and the industry shrinks. In Trump's first term in 2018, U.S. steel ramped up production after the president hit Canadian imports with tariffs of 25 per cent. It seems to be happening again. According to the American Iron and Steel Institute (AISI), which supports tariffs, U.S. mills have been churning out steel at historic rates. In mid-June, weekly raw steel production hit a three-year peak, and the mill capacity utilization rate has averaged around 76.2 to 78 per cent. If it can be sustained near the 78 per cent mark, it will have exceeded last year's 76.4 per cent, edging closer to the 80 per cent benchmark the Commerce Department wants. Imports, meanwhile, have dropped 6.2 per cent compared to this time last year. The 2018 tariffs also saw U.S. steelmakers invest over US$20 billion in modernization efforts, according to the Steel Manufacturers Association, and created 1,000 American jobs, according to the North American Industry Classification System, while saving others from disappearing. Other studies, however, have questioned the long-term effectiveness of tariffs for job creation. So far this year, the results have been mixed, with a few plant closings and nearly 2,000 job losses mixed with some paused productions and a few summer ribbon-cuttings. Other American industries are taking a hit, though. A lot of things are made with steel, so price increases impact loads of other industries, most notably automotive and housing. With steel-related input prices rising, the average American car price is expected to jump by nearly US$2,000. Housing construction is set to drop by four per cent, according to the National Association of Home Builders. Some analysts question the logic of disrupting supply lines and causing trade uncertainty in a bid to ramp up domestic production. Andrew Hale, a senior policy analyst at Heritage Foundation, acknowledges that the U.S. steel industry needs to modernize, but he says tariffs won't help solve the underlying problems. 'We have horrific regulations and zoning laws,' he says. 'All sorts of things prohibit us from building new blast furnaces for the production of refined steel.' 'There's so much red tape,' he adds, noting that it's impossible to quickly rejig supply lines, as Trump has suggested. Last week, Carney introduced new protections against offshore steel importers, with tariffs on even free-trade partners that export steel to Canada over a set quota, and a 25 per cent tax on any steel from any country – except the U.S. – that was originally melted and poured in China. These measures offer some help to the domestic industry, said the CSPA's Cobden. They're also a signal to Washington, which has long complained that Canada is a back door to the U.S. market for steel from China. But Cobden thinks Canada needs to be ready to hit the U.S. with tariffs, too, if there's no deal before Aug. 1. Still, she's optimistic that this war can't last forever. 'Over time, one has to believe (the U.S.) is going to have to start doing steel trade with somebody. And our hope is it will be Canadian steel companies,' she says. It's time to build big, build bold, and build the strongest economy in the G7 — using Canadian steel. Hale, at the Heritage Foundation, agrees, pointing to the level of integration between the countries and the shortfall in U.S. production. 'We created this whole NAFTA, now USMCA, trade area, and the whole auto industry and other industries were built around that to have this, effectively, single market,' he says. Trump has already pushed back tariff deadlines this year. In April, after he announced sweeping 'Liberation Day' global tariffs, the U.S. bond market collapsed and the S&P 500 plummeted to its lowest level since the pandemic . U.S. Treasury Secretary Scott Bessent pushed for a 90-day tariff pause. Markets are back to historic highs, but Hale says to watch for signs of market volatility again heading into next week. 'If you're going to lift the pause and implement these tariffs and maintain them, then the same thing could happen again,' he said. National Post tmoran@ Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. Please bookmark and sign up for our daily newsletter, Posted, here .
