Latest news with #cityhall
Reuters
5 days ago
- Business
- Reuters
Europe's busiest cruise port Barcelona to scale back amid overtourism concerns
MADRID/BARCELONA, July 18 (Reuters) - The port of Barcelona, Europe's busiest for cruise ships, will scale back its passenger terminal capacity by 2030 as the city tries to put the brakes on surging arrivals and address concerns about overtourism. The city hall and port authority agreed on Thursday to reduce the number of terminals to five from seven, lowering the port's capacity for simultaneously handling cruise ship passengers to 31,000 from 37,000 by the end of the decade. Barcelona recorded a 21% increase in cruise ship calls and a 20% rise in passengers to 1.2 million people in January-May this year from the same period in 2024, official data showed. That was a sharp acceleration after passenger numbers grew a total 20% in 2018-2024. There have been protests against tourism and debates about overcrowding in the Spanish city. "For the first time in history, limits are being placed on the growth of cruise ships in the city," Mayor Jaume Collboni said, announcing the agreement. The left-wing mayor told Reuters last year he was seeking a new deal with port authorities to reduce the number of one-day cruise calls, in an effort to avoid overcrowding at cultural landmarks such as the Sagrada Familia basilica. Under the new plan, three terminals will be combined into one. The port will prioritise cruise ships that use Barcelona as their home port for departures and arrivals and encourage tourists to stay longer and spend more in the city. The port said the refurbishment would facilitate connecting ships to the local electricity grid, reducing emissions. European Union rules on reducing carbon emissions have set a 2030 deadline for maritime ports to install the infrastructure to provide onshore power supply. Most European ports are lagging in installing them, a study said this week.
CTV News
7 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
London receives payment from OLG for hosting Gateway Casinos
The Gateway Casino in London, Ont. is seen in this undated file image. (File) The city of London has received its latest payment from the province for hosting Gateway Casinos. The Ontario Lottery and Gaming Corporation (OLG) paid city hall more than $1.5 million. It's for the first quarter of the fiscal year, running from April to June.
CTV News
10-07-2025
- Climate
- CTV News
Regina citizen group calls on city hall to handle encampments differently
WATCH: Since heat can be a concern for the homeless, a group is calling on Regina city hall to change the way encampments are handled. Wayne Mantyka explains.
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
Halifax mayor says strong powers would restore ‘democratic accountability'
Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore says a 'strong powers' system – which could greatly increase his authority in the municipality – would improve accountability for city hall. Fillmore, who said he has had informal discussions about the possible strong powers with the Nova Scotia government, told CTV News Atlantic's Todd Battis many people are surprised to learn the mayor is not in charge of city hall, referring to the position as 'really a councillor-at-large.' 'There needs to be a democratic accountability between the people who elect the mayor and the decision-making processes at city hall,' he said. 'Power is concentrated with an unelected CAO (chief administrative officer). There is nobody directly accountable. 'If the voice of the people, through the mayor, is directing the CAO, we're having a very direct line of accountability from the voter to the actions and decisions in city hall. That's what we're seeing Upper Canadian cities.' Ontario allows for strong mayor powers among some municipalities. According to that province's website, those powers can include: ability to appoint a CAO ability to hire municipal division heads ability to create and appoint chairs of committees veto power and council override Fillmore, a former Liberal MP who won the mayoral race last fall with more than 52,000 votes, previously said he did not 'fully understand the barriers' to fulfilling his mandate until he was elected. Fillmore noted he has not formally asked the provincial government for these strong powers. 'We need to evolve quickly,' he said. 'The old way of doing business at city hall is not up to the task. I don't think there's anything wrong with the mayor being accountable.' The concept of strong mayor powers came up at Halifax council this week when Coun. Sam Austin brought forth a motion that, if passed, would direct Fillmore to reach out to the province and ask them to consult council if it is considering implementing those powers. 'This is a very major potential change that could fundamentally impact how people are represented, how decisions are made, and the quality of advice that we get from the civil service,' Austin previously said. Council will vote on the motion at a Thursday morning meeting. Andy Fillmore Halifax Mayor Andy Fillmore spoke with CTV News Atlantic on Jan. 28, 2025. (Source: Callum Smith/CTV News Atlantic) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
CTV News
09-07-2025
- Politics
- CTV News
City hall candidates making the most of Stampede week
Calgary Watch The Stampede can also double up as a political rodeo as city hall candidates want to connect with potential voters. The signs and billboards are going up...
