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Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
New daycare funding announced during Early Learning and Childcare week
$1.34 million will go towards a new Step Ahead Family Learning Centre in Bath On Monday, June 2, Environment and Climate Change Minister Gillis LePage, Carleton North Mayor Andrew Harvey, Councillor Scott Oakes, and Chair of the Step Ahead Family Learning board, Somer Drost, announced that after seven years in the making, the Step Ahead Family Learning Centre will build a new daycare beside the Bath Community School. The new daycare aims to reduce childcare waitlists and support working parents and guardians by offering affordable and reliable daycare options. 'This new daycare facility will be a game changer for our local families…it will mean that more children will have access to early-learning opportunities, which will help establish the foundation for their lifelong success,' said Harvey. An investment of $840,000 from the Regional Development Corporation is helping to fund the construction of a 743-square-meter accessible facility. The government formally transferred the land to the District of Carleton North for a symbolic cost of just one dollar. The federal government has donated $500,000 through the Canada-New Brunswick Canada-Wide Early Learning and Child Care Agreement, which plans to build 3,400 new early learning childcare centres across the country by March 31, 2026. The location was strategically chosen next to key community assets, like the community pool, Bath Community School playground, and various outdoor trails. 'A network of trails that will support outdoor learning through our newly certified forest school educator. This facility is ideally positioned to enhance the educational experience of our younger swimmers. Its proximity to Bath Community School will also strengthen collaboration between the two institutions,' said Dross. The project aims to immediately offer six infant spaces and six more shortly. Lepage highlighted the importance of the connection between community and childhood education. 'They say that it takes a village to raise a child, and this community has undeniably played a vital role in ensuring that more children have access to safe educational daycare environments,' said LePage. LePage is thrilled to embark on this new journey in early childhood education and aspires for future generations to cherish their learning capacity. 'In 53 more years, hopefully, some new and a lot more kids will have gone through this daycare. And remember, as you do today, of the importance of getting infrastructures,' said LePage. Bath Step Ahead is a non-profit organization serving the community of Bath and the surrounding area. The centre supports early childhood development, healthy parent-child interaction, and family wellness services. 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 .
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Business Standard
4 days ago
- General
- Business Standard
World Environment Day 2025: India leads with massive plastic-free campaigns
As the world prepares to mark World Environment Day on 5 June 2025, the spotlight this year falls squarely on one of the planet's most pressing threats – plastic pollution. With plastic waste choking oceans, piling up in landfills, and entering food chains, this year's theme calls for urgent action to reduce, reuse, and recycle. The global campaign aims to unite governments, communities, and individuals in a shared mission to curb plastic use and safeguard the environment for future generations. Ahead of Environment Day 2025, India has launched a nationwide initiative titled "One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution." Environmentalist and social activist Viral Desai, also known as the "Greenman," will start a 7-day tree-planting campaign on June 5 in honour of World Environment Day, and UP has mobilised 22,000 schools to fight "plastic pollution," among other campaigns that have been started before World Environment Day 2025. What is the theme of World Environment Day 2025? The World Environment Day 2025 theme is 'Beat Plastic Pollution', continued with the #BeatPlasticPollution campaign tagline. This theme draws attention to a worldwide issue that still endangers human health, marine life, and ecosystems. The theme urges all parties involved, from citizens and businesses to legislators to cut back on plastic pollution. The theme for Environment Day 2025 encourages eco-friendly substitutes such as biodegradable packaging, reusable containers, and cloth bags. Everyone is urged by the campaign to make thoughtful decisions that will lessen the use of plastic. In anticipation of World Environment Day 2025, the Union Ministry of Environment, Forests, and Climate Change began a nationwide mass mobilisation campaign on May 23 called "One Nation, One Mission: End Plastic Pollution." In a pre-campaign video, Union Minister for Environment, Forests, and Climate Change Bhupender Yadav urged everyone to embrace sustainable living to eradicate plastic pollution, moving beyond awareness to group action. In an official release, 'This campaign highlights India's unwavering commitment to environmental protection and sustainability, aligned with India's flagship initiative – Mission LiFE (Lifestyle for Environment)". "Tik Tik Plastic" is a powerful environmental awareness campaign that has been introduced in Mumbai. A short film starring Bollywood star Ajay Devgn has been released as part of the promotion. Ahead of the World Environment Day 2025, set to take place on June 5, 2025, the BMC posted the short film on the social media site X (Twitter) on Sunday. Every citizen is urged to take action by the short film and its message, protect the environment, use less plastic, and ensure a healthier planet for future generations. With an emphasis on this year's worldwide theme, "Ending Plastic Pollution," East Coast Railway (ECoR) has launched a comprehensive awareness and action campaign from May 22 to June 5 in honour of World Environment Day 2025. This program highlights Indian Railways' dedication to pollution prevention and environmental sustainability by promoting a plastic-free environment in trains, station premises, and railway stations. • Viral Desai's 'Tree Plantation' campaign In honour of World Environment Day, environmentalist and social activist Viral Desai, also referred to as the "Greenman," will launch a 7-day tree-planting campaign on June 5. The initiative to plant 1,000 trees at Surat and Navsari in Gujarat demonstrates Desai's persistent dedication to urban greening and conservation. The program will increase green space and increase public awareness of residents' ecological responsibility. The initiative is highly strategic, promoting ecological improvement, civic engagement, and climate resilience. • UP organises its education system for a huge environmental awareness campaign 1. The state's Directorate of Environment has mandated all 75 districts to execute student-centred activities under the 2025 theme, "End Plastic Globally." 2. A 100-foot collaborative art piece created from recycled materials, 45-minute expert-led workshops, and 12 street plays performances by school groups are all part of the main event at Lucknow's Regional Science Centre, Aliganj. It is anticipated that 30 schools in Lucknow will send around 5,000 students to the main event. 3. Sushant Sharma, the director of environment, confirmed that 22,000 government schools, state-wise, will have local events simultaneously. Additionally, 147 recognised NGOs are organising community cleanup campaigns at significant bodies of water. During awareness walks facilitated by National Service Scheme volunteers, urban local bodies will distribute 50,000 cloth bags in marketplaces. 4. Using microscopes and interactive displays, environmental experts from Lucknow University will lead special workshops that explain the 100-year degradation cycle of plastic items. For student-led plantation campaigns, the state horticulture department has set aside 25,000 saplings, along with monitoring systems to check the survival rates of the saplings for 6 months after the event. To commemorate World Environment Day 2025 and promote the 'Fit India Movement', the Department of Youth Services and Sports (YSS) J&K planned many exciting events in several UT districts. 132 people participated in Ramban's cyclothon, and Rajouri's Sundays on Cycle for all zones promoted eco-friendly transportation.
United News of India
28-05-2025
- Politics
- United News of India
Odisha: Pradhan urges Yadav to develop Industrial, coal, heat-affected areas as urban forests
Bhubaneswar, May 28 (UNI) Union Education Minister Dharmendra Pradhan has urged Union Minister for Environment, Forests and Climate Change, Bhupender Yadav, to take immediate steps to develop urban forests under the 'Nagar Van Yojana' (NBY) in Odisha's industrial, coal mining, and heat-affected regions. During a meeting with Yadav in New Delhi on Wednesday, Pradhan proposed the development of urban forests in the industrial belt of Sambalpur–Jharsuguda–Brajrajnagar, the coal mining areas of Angul–Dhenkanal, and the heat-prone regions of Titilagarh and Balangir under the NBY initiative. Pradhan also sought Yadav's personal intervention to develop the Debrigarh Wildlife Sanctuary as part of a tiger reserve, alongside the proposed expansion of the Sambalpur Zoo. In his letter to the Environment Minister, Pradhan noted that the above-mentioned regions are experiencing extreme heat as a result of climate change, which is adversely impacting public health. He praised the Ministry's Urban Forest Scheme, designed to support the development of green spaces in areas managed by municipal corporations, councils, and urban local bodies (ULBs). Aligning with Prime Minister Narendra Modi's 'One Earth, Many Efforts' vision, Pradhan emphasised that the establishment of urban forests would significantly contribute to environmental sustainability and the overall well-being of communities. Highlighting the Prime Minister's call for "Lifestyle for Environment (LiFE)", Pradhan reiterated the importance of both individual and collective action in addressing climate challenges. He also proposed the launch of a massive public awareness campaign to encourage community participation in tree plantation drives and environmental education, timed with World Environment Day on June 5. According to Pradhan, this initiative would act as a catalyst for widespread implementation of the Urban Forest Scheme in Odisha's vulnerable regions. He urged Yadav to prioritise the creation of urban forests in the identified clusters to provide a sustainable and natural solution to combat the intensifying heat waves through large-scale afforestation. UNI DP ARN
Epoch Times
19-05-2025
- Politics
- Epoch Times
Mixed Messages and Clarifications From First Week of New Cabinet
News Analysis Prime Minister Mark Carney appointed a mix of old and new faces to his cabinet this week, and both had a hand in raising some controversy when talking to media, with some issuing clarifications later. After an election heavily focused on bringing back affordability for Canadians and building the country's economic potential, what some ministers said about pipelines and housing generated mixed reactions. The new cabinet was sworn in on May 13 at Rideau Hall, with a total of 29 ministers, including Carney as prime minister, supported by 10 secretaries of state. The next day, the 39 top officials had their first cabinet meeting on Parliament Hill. As is customary, some stopped to speak with the large group of reporters amassed outside the cabinet room looking for clues on the direction of government policy. While some remained careful in their comments, and stressed the importance of 'getting back to work,' like Minister of Women Rechie Valdez, others went further by taking a diverging stance from the prime minister's when responding to questions. Related Stories 5/15/2025 5/14/2025 That was the case for Canadian Identity Minister Steven Guilbeault, who was reconfirmed in the role this week after first taking on the portfolio in March. Guilbeault had previously overseen the Canadian Heritage portfolio, but he is more widely known for his role as minister of environment and climate change in recent years. Before the cabinet meeting, Guilbeault was asked by reporters to react to Alberta Premier Danielle Smith saying he's 'anti-pipeline' and to give his opinion on how to deal with the issue of national unity. 'On pipelines, people should remember that we bought a pipeline, Trans Mountain, and that is only used right now at about 40 percent capacity,' Guilbeault replied. 'So I think before we start talking about building an entire new pipeline, maybe we should maximize the use of existing infrastructure.' Smith Then-Minister of Environment and Climate Change Steven Guilbeault responds to a question during a news conference in Ottawa on June 14, 2023. Adrian Wyld/The Canadian Press Guilbeault's comments came the day after Carney had told CTV News in an interview that he's in favour of building new pipelines if there's a 'consensus.' 'Because I understand the need for that consensus, I'm a prime minister who can help create that consensus,' he said. Carney also opened the door to reviewing legislation such as the Impact Assessment Act to help projects get approved faster. The legislation has been opposed by some provinces, including Alberta and Saskatchewan, saying it drives away resource development projects due to its regulatory burden. Guilbeault said on the matter that 'these are important conversations that we will need to have in the coming weeks.' Guilbeault had His first act as prime minister was to set the consumer carbon tax rate to zero. Guilbeault had championed the carbon tax during his tenure as environment minister and was one of its strongest defenders. Housing Minister Issues Clarification Alongside resource projects, housing was also a key topic discussed during the election campaign. Carney put out an elaborate With this focus on boosting housing affordability, new Housing Minister Gregor Robertson made When asked by reporters on his way to the cabinet meeting if he thinks home prices need to go down, he replied: 'No, I think that we need to deliver more supply, make sure the market is stable.' Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada Gregor Robertson poses for a photo after a cabinet swearing in ceremony at Rideau Hall in Ottawa, on May 13, 2025. The Canadian Press/Spencer Colby 'The Government of Canada has not been building affordable housing since the 90s, and we created a huge shortage across Canada, that's where the big need is right now,' he said. Robertson later sought to clarify his comments. He 'The question wasn't 'should homes be more affordable?' Of course they should,' he added. Robertson served as Vancouver mayor from 2008 to 2018 and he said the city had led the country in co-ops, rental-only zoning, and social housing. He also mentioned launching Canada's first empty homes tax, which he said created thousands of rental units. Conservatives, in turn, have criticized his tenure as mayor, saying home prices increased substantially during his time in office. The average price for a home in Vancouver during Robertson's tenure increased by around $1.5 million, according to In reaction to comments made by ministers in the media scrums around cabinet, a Liberal strategist said it will take time for ministers to settle in their roles. 'It generally takes Ministers a few weeks to get up to speed on their new portfolios which tend to both complex and nuanced by definition,' Charles Bird, principal at Earnscliffe Strategies, told The Epoch Times in an email. 'For successful Ministers, preconceived notions quickly give way to a more fulsome understanding of the dynamics at play and a willingness to engage stakeholders and to hear different perspectives.' Budget Plan Minister of Finance and National Revenue François-Philippe Champagne on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on May 14, 2025. The Canadian Press/Justin Tang Another cabinet member who made waves around the cabinet meeting on May 14 was Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne. Asked by reporters if he would table a budget before Parliament goes on break for the summer, he listed a chain of events which didn't include presenting a budget. He said there would be a 'middle class' tax cut"—referring to the government's plan to cut the lowest income tax bracket by 1 percent, the speech from the throne which outlines the government's agenda, and a Fall Economic Statement. 'Canadians have seen the priorities that we have outlined during the campaign. Priorities are not going to be different,' Champagne said. Since creating budgets are among the most important tasks of a government, Champagne's announcement must have been in full coordination with Carney. But it was the item most heavily criticized by the Opposition this week, with Conservatives saying it contradicts Carney's position during the election that it's important to have a plan. 'Mr. Carney said during the election campaign that he had a plan, and he took great delight in saying that a slogan is not a plan. Well, a budget is a plan,' Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre told reporters in Ottawa on May 15. He added not having a budget sends a 'bad signal' to investors and credit rating agencies. Scotiabank Vice President and economist Derek Holt wrote in a May 15 In a media appearance on CTV News, Champagne said that with the Liberals' planned tax cut and the upcoming throne speech and Fall Economic Statement, there will be 'no surprises' for Canadians on what the government plans to do. Former Minister Issues Clarification Liberal MP Nathaniel Erskine-Smith speaks in Ottawa on Nov. 15, 2022. The Canadian Press/Patrick Doyle There was another Liberal MP who issued a clarification after generating many headlines with his comments on social media. After Carney announced his new cabinet on May 13 and left former Housing Minister Nate Erskine-Smith out of cabinet, the Toronto MP Erskine-Smith had announced early last year that he wouldn't seek re-election, but he changed his mind after former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau assigned him as housing minister late last year. Carney kept Erskine-Smith in that post in his first cabinet announced on March 14. In an interview with CBC News on May 15, Erskine-Smith said that in his May 13 social media post, he had also congratulated the new cabinet members, and that he hopes his comments aren't taken 'out of context.' 'That overall statement I hope was positive, and just a note for certain colleagues, I mean, there are great people around that cabinet table,' he said.
Indian Express
17-05-2025
- General
- Indian Express
How Kolkata improved its air quality within 6 years
(Written By Adrija Datta) Over a span of six years, Kolkata has demonstrated a remarkable turnaround in its air quality, transforming from one of the most polluted cities in the country in 2019 to being nationally recognised for its improved environmental standards in 2025. This progress has earned the city the third-highest performance-based incentive from the Union Ministry of Environment, Forest, and Climate Change. In 2019, Kolkata was listed among the Top 10 most polluted cities by the National Clean Air Programme (NCAP). At the time, the city's annual average PM10 level was recorded at 100 micrograms per cubic meter. Additionally, the annual average AQI at the Fort William green zone automated air monitoring station reached 343 in 2019 –categorised as 'very poor'. In contrast, in May 2025, the PM10 level ranges between 47 and 50 micrograms per cubic meter, and the AQI stands at a significantly improved 73. Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee, in a post on her X handle, congratulated the citizens and agencies of Kolkata for their collective efforts. 'Kolkata again shows the way! Grateful to the people of Kolkata for their support. Let's all – citizens and agencies alike – keep up the effort for a cleaner, greener city!' she wrote. Mayor Firhad Hakim echoed this sentiment while outlining the initiatives taken by the state government to address the pollution crisis. According to his X post, a multi-pronged approach was implemented to achieve these results. Measures included stringent and immediate actions for solid waste management, deployment of water sprinklers and mist cannons, mandatory use of scaffolding nets at construction sites, and the phasing out of older vehicles in favour of electric alternatives by the Kolkata Municipal Corporation and the State Transport Department. Other steps included the commitment to plant one crore saplings, installation of a dedicated construction and demolition waste processing plant, and continuous surveillance over polluting industries within the city. As part of the Central Government's urban air quality initiative, a total grant of Rs 21.02 crore was released to West Bengal in May. Of this, Rs 15.78 crore was allocated to Kolkata, while Asansol received Rs 5.24 crore. 'We left no stone unturned to improve the AQI of Kolkata,' Mayor Hakim stated. 'However, the battle is still on, and I appeal to all the citizens to come forward. It is not only a mission of the Government but also of all the citizens of Kolkata,' he added. (Adrija Datta is an intern with The Indian Express)
