Latest news with #communitygroups
CTV News
3 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
City of Ottawa staff recommending against proposed ban on municipal fossil fuel advertising
The City of Ottawa is not recommending a ban on fossil fuel advertisements on municipal property after community groups had called on the city to remove them over concerns for the environment. The decision comes after staff conducted a review of the city's new Advertising Using City Assets and Programs Policy that included a motion from Coun. Shawn Menard regarding the ads last year. Various community and environmental groups had urged the city to ban the promotion of fossil fuels and the sponsorship of those companies in city facilities after the advertisements were spotted on ice rink boards and OC Transpo buses. In a memo to councillors on the finance and corporate services committee in response to Menard's motion, staff said the City of Ottawa's advertising policy must comply with federal and municipal laws. 'Unlike the Federal regulations restricting advertising of tobacco, there are no Federal laws that prohibit or severely restrict fossil fuel advertising,' wrote Dan Chenier, the city's general manager of recreation, cultural and facility services. 'As any prohibitions or significant restriction on fossil fuel advocacy advertising would constitute a limit on the right to freedom of expression under section 2(b) of the Charter, a reviewing Court would consider whether the limit is reasonable in a free and democratic society.' Staff say municipal law must comply with new provisions under the federal Competition Act targeting 'greenwashing,' a term for misleading or false environmental claims in advertising. Under the rules, a business wanting to that claims to be 'net-zero by 2050' would have to substantiate it with a concrete plan and backed by an international recognized methodology, for example. Companies who don't comply could face substantial penalties. Staff recommend updating the city's advertising policy to clarify the federal greenwashing provisions, to pre-screen advertisers for compliance, and provide greater clarity around the new rules on the city's website. Chenier writes that the city is not aware of other municipalities that have banned fossil fuel ads. Toronto and Montreal have also taken steps to comply with federal greenwashing rules, the memo says.
BBC News
4 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Worthing community groups urged to check grant eligibility
Community groups and organisations are being urged to find out if their projects are eligible for council message from Worthing Borough Council comes as the authority reopens its Community Infrastructure Levy (CIL) Neighbourhood for up to £5,000 from the pot of £145,000 will open in September, but groups are being invited to express their interest fund is made up of a proportion of the payments collected from developers building in the area so the impact felt by residents can be offset. The council is looking for projects that provide direct benefits to the community and environment and also build "inclusive and connected" workshops are being held across the borough so groups can find out more about the than £200,000 was given to community groups through the CIL Neighbourhood Fund in 2024.
BBC News
7 days ago
- Business
- BBC News
Council rejects residents' bid to own Netherton Village Hall
A plan by Huddersfield residents to take over a local "eyesore" and turn it into a community asset looks set to fail, after the council said it was "preparing to sell" Netherton Village boarded-up hall, on Meltham Road, has been out of use for several years, and was previously earmarked for disposal when Kirklees Council was grappling with a £47m black hole in its budget in 2023/ the time, the council had indicated, for some sites, it was open to the idea of a Community Asset Transfer - effectively handing a building over to local have raised a petition calling for the hall to be transferred to the community, but the council say it will be sold later this year. A petition, currently being circulated, calls on the council to restore the derelict hall and hand its ownership and management over to the community, so it can become a place "to be proud of".The petition outlines how the hall could "empower" residents, setting out eight benefits of a community-owned village hall, including increased usage and providing an economic boost to the wider area, by attracting the petition receives 3,000 signatures, it will be debated by full council, according to the Local Democracy Reporting signatory wrote: "The place is currently an eyesore. "It is slap-bang in the middle of the shops and right next to the bus stop, drawing people's attention to it. "I remember the days when it was used by various groups based in the community."I hope those days return before the building gets any worse." Future reinvestment However, asked whether the council would be open to the idea of a Community Asset Transfer in the case of Netherton Village Hall, the local authority made it clear its intention is to auction the property. Joanne Bartholomew, service director for development at Kirklees Council, said: "While a Community Asset Transfer has been explored for Netherton Village Hall in the past, this was not taken forward - and we are now preparing to sell the building later this year. "We hope that this auction will be successful, and this money can be reinvested into positive schemes for Kirklees' future." Listen to highlights from West Yorkshire on BBC Sounds, catch up with the latest episode of Look North.
Associated Press
23-05-2025
- Sport
- Associated Press
FIFA orders fines and stadium sanctions against six nations in World Cup qualifying
ZURICH (AP) — FIFA fined six soccer federations 20,000 to 26,500 Swiss francs ($24,400 to $32,200) each for discrimination offenses at World Cup qualifying games in March. Albania's federation also was ordered to cut the capacity of its stadium by 20%, or fill the seats with 'community and/or special interest groups.' Albania's next home game is against Serbia on June 7. Ecuador, which hosts Brazil on June 5, must cut capacity by 25% or fill the section with community groups, FIFA said in published sanctions from its disciplinary panel. Paraguay, Romania, Bosnia-Herzegovina and Indonesia also were fined and ordered to reduce stadium capacity at their next home games in World Cup qualifying. The acts of discrimination were not specified by FIFA. Qialifiers resume in two weeks for the 2026 World Cup being co-hosted by the United States, Canada and Mexico. ___ AP soccer:
Yahoo
21-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Measure C transformed roads in Clovis. What happens if renewal vote fails?
For nearly four decades, Measure C has funded some of Clovis' biggest transportation projects — such as road maintenance, bicycle lanes, and Clovis Roundup Transit. After a failed 2022 renewal, the county-wide half-cent sales tax will be back on the ballot next year for its last shot. Voters will decide whether to keep the transportation tax, which would otherwise expire in 2027. Currently, there are dual efforts to put measures on the ballot. The Fresno Council of Governments and Measure C opposition community groups, which are both holding community meetings and gathering input for their own proposals, diverged on the transportation tax spending priorities. Interest groups are also stepping in to work out the differences between the two organizations. Without the tax, a significant portion of the county's transportation-related projects — especially in major cities such as Fresno and Clovis that were favored by Measure C allocations — would lose tens of millions of dollars per year in road maintenance and expansion. Here's how Measure C impacts Clovis. Approved by county voters in 1986, Measure C supports transportation-related improvements in Fresno County. The half-cent sales tax has raised more than $2.1 billion in local funds, and brought another $8 billion in matching funds from state and federal sources. The measure has funded local road repairs, airport upgrades, public transit, highway expansions, projects to make streets around schools safer to walk and bike to be safe and easier to walk, as well as discounted transit rates for seniors, said Kendall Flint, consultant from Fresno County's Measure C Committee. 'You can use Measure C funds to leverage, in other words, you take that money and say to the state or federal government, 'We're going to put some money up here, we're going to use that to leverage for other grants,'' Flint said. 'Without this type of money in the reserves, you're not able to access those (matching) funds.' The tax dollars are used exclusively for transportation investment and cannot be used for parks, fire, police, or other purposes, Flint said. Measure C costs an average household under $8 per month, according to the Measure C Committee. Taxable goods include clothing, furniture, and toys. There are also exemptions under Measure C, such as fresh food and medicine. About 25% of the tax revenues come from visitors outside the county, such as tourists travelling to the national parks, Flint said at a recent Clovis City Council meeting. Large-scale projects funded by Measure C include the expansion of Willow Avenue from Nees Avenue up to Copper Avenue, widening Shaw Avenue from McCall to Leonard to DeWolf Avenue, and the planned widening of Herndon Avenue from Temperance Avenue to Locan Avenue in 2026. From 2007 to 2024, Clovis received more than $41 million in funding directly from Measure C, according to the committee website. Approximately 8% of the measure is allocated to Clovis annually, said Chad McCollum, Clovis' housing and communications director for economic development. Occasionally, the city also receives additional funds for major street improvements, but the grants are competitive. 'Measure C plays a key role in annual maintenance efforts,' McCollum said. 'These include resealing and slurry-sealing neighborhood streets, ensuring local roads remain in good condition, as well as the restriping of all city bike lanes to maintain safe and accessible routes for cyclists.' In 2024, the tax dollars were used to upgrade 147 curb return ramps for ADA compliance, he said. Voters rejected an attempt to renew Measure C in 2022. The measure needed two-thirds voter approval to pass but only gained 58% of 'yes' votes. Critics said the renewal process lacked community engagement and transparency. Opposition campaigns, such as the No on Measure C committee, criticized the proposed spending plan in 2022 for not doing enough to prioritize public transportation, climate-friendly solutions, or rural communities. This year, besides Measure C, there's another transportation-related sales tax measure moving into the limelight. Transportation For All, formed by environmental justice advocates and community groups that opposed Measure C in 2022, recently held its first of 40 'community visioning sessions' throughout the summer to gather community input on priorities. The group says its process is more inclusive and democratic, and that residents' and taxpayers' voices are heard in their formulation of the expenditure plan. Meanwhile, the county's transportation officials named a Measure C steering committee, whose 23 members are primarily industry insiders and executives from labor groups and community organizations, to draft an expenditure plan. Meetings will be livestreamed with several community meetings planned. Clovis officials say the needs of the community and project list would take about a year to formulate. The city's Development and Community Investment budget, forecasts projects five years out and designates anticipated funding sources including Measure C. Clovis relies heavily on Measure C to fund the city's transportation system. Without Measure C, Clovis will lose approximately $4 million every year for road maintenance and other transportation-related improvements, as well as $2 million per year for Clovis Transit, according to city officials. 'Clovis takes pride in maintaining high-quality roads and reliable transit services,' McCollum said. 'Without these crucial funds, Clovis will face significant challenges in sustaining road maintenance and public transit, impacting residents' daily lives and the city's overall infrastructure.'
