Latest news with #AMO
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Ford wants to override towns and cities. They're saying no — by the dozens
When Councillor Tammy Hwang attended a recent meeting of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), she expected concern about the Ford government's controversial Bill 5. What she didn't expect was how unanimous — and intense — the reaction would be. 'It was a heated and very raucous conversation among political leaders,' said Hwang, who represents the City of Hamilton and sits on the association's board. The board has 41 members representing Ontario municipalities big and small. 'Every single one of us was very concerned and had significant misgivings about Bill 5.' Speaking to her colleagues at last week's Hamilton planning committee meeting, Hwang said the association's policy team 'heard us loud and clear' and discussions will likely continue at its annual conference in August . 'This is not just a Hamilton thing,' she said. 'The other 444 municipalities share in Hamilton's concerns and misgivings about a lot of these policy changes.' That concern is now boiling over into formal opposition. According to an analysis of municipal meeting minutes from across the province by Canada's National Observer, more than 30 municipalities are passing motions, sending letters and urging federal intervention on Bill 5. From urban centres like Hamilton, Guelph and Kingston, to commuter towns, such as Caledon, Orangeville and Shelburne, to rural and cottage-country communities like Wawa, Trent Lakes, and The Archipelago — and inspired by First Nations opposition — resistance to Bill 5 has become a province-wide movement. Hamilton has been one of the most vocal opponents. The city council passed a motion opposing the legislation and sent letters to five provincial ministers. At the centre of their concerns is the creation of 'Special Economic Zones,' which allow the province to override local planning rules, weaken environmental oversight and undermine Indigenous consultation. The criteria for these exemptions remain vague. 'Hamilton is interested in investment and economic growth,' Hwang told Canada's National Observer. 'But we also have some of the most fertile farmland in the province, and we're trying to build a sustainable city. We just want to make sure growth happens in the right places with respect for the land and community needs.' Hwang said the impact of Special Economic Zones will differ in each municipality and expects more pushback from municipalities as people see how Bill 5 affects their communities. Coun. Craig Cassar, who brought forward the motion in Hamilton, described the bill as 'fundamentally undemocratic.' He warned it could disrupt local efforts to protect biodiversity and conservation, pose risks to endangered species and highlighted the lack of meaningful consultation with First Nations. 'This bill is titled Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, and to me, it evokes the image of a wild beast being unleashed — attacking Indigenous rights, endangered species, ecosystems as a whole, and municipal local democratic rights,' Cassar said. 'So, for once, it's actually an appropriately named bill, but for all the wrong reasons.' Hamilton's concern is also shaped by recent history. The Ford government previously attempted to remove protected Greenbelt land within the city as part of what became the $8.3 billion Greenbelt scandal — an effort to open thousands of acres of conservation land to developers. The decision was later reversed following public outcry and a damning Auditor General's report. Cassar said Hamilton's $1.3 billion agri-business sector could be directly affected by development in Special Economic Zones. 'Once you pave over farmland, it's gone forever.' At a recent rally outside Hamilton City Hall — dubbed 'Kill Bill 5' — hundreds gathered to demand the province reverse course. Similar alarm bells are ringing in Dresden, a small town in Chatham-Kent where residents are fighting a proposed landfill near their community. What pushed them over the edge was the discovery that the project was exempt from environmental assessment under Bill 5. 'We've passed motions, sent letters, attended committee hearings,' reads an email response from the Chatham-Kent mayor's office. But Chatham-Kent isn't stopping there. The city is calling on the federal governmen t to intervene — an escalation that underscores just how powerless municipalities feel under the new law. In a letter, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario also voiced its concerns about Bill 5 and urged the province to consult municipalities before enforcing Special Economic Zones. 'Without limits on how SEZs [Special Economic Zones] are identified, and which bylaws would be exempt, municipalities are concerned that the use of SEZs to bypass local deliberation on proposed projects may not deliver on the promise of supporting economic growth,' the letter reads . 'Instead, SEZs may hinder or prevent these projects from moving forward.' Association president and Westport Mayor Robin Jones said while the organization supports economic development, the process must respect local decision-making. 'We understand the need for the government to support economic projects that are going to move forward provincial priorities,' Jones told Canada's National Observer. 'Our concern is using a special economic zone contrary to municipal bylaws without the support of the municipality.' The Ford government's push to override local planning rules in the name of economic development isn't new. Christina Bouchard, a doctoral candidate and teacher in political studies at the University of Ottawa, who worked in municipal planning for over a decade, said Bill 5 is just the latest but more aggressive in more than 30 planning reforms introduced by the Ford government since 2018. Similar to Bill 5's Special Economic Zones, the government introduced Bill 66 in 2018 with 'open-for-business by-laws,' which would have allowed municipalities to bypass environmental protections , including Greenbelt safeguards, to fast-track development. After strong public and environmental pushback, the government removed the clause . Bouchard said the province keeps using the same method: cut local rules to speed up development. But instead of simplifying the system, repeated changes have created new challenges for municipalities trying to understand and apply land use laws. Bouchard said the Ford government this approach follows a pattern she calls 'governing by crisis.' 'Since he came into office — first the economic crisis, then the real COVID crisis, then the housing crisis and now the tariff crisis — each time, the government uses it as a reason to 'cut red tape,'' Bouchard said. But she suggested this approach doesn't always address the underlying problems. Social issues are complex and relying on a single solution may not deliver the results the government wants. According to Bouchard, many of the environmental protections and planning policies now being weakened were originally introduced in response to past public concerns about sprawl, gridlock, and the loss of farmland and green space. She said cutting these policies without careful review risks undoing progress made over the past two decades. She also warned that many people may not understand Bill 5's full impact until projects start in their communities. That's when concern and opposition are likely to grow — especially in areas where development could harm drinking water, farmland or local infrastructure. But at that point, it may be too late. Bouchard said not all communities will be equally equipped to push back. Municipalities with fewer resources may struggle to defend their interests if they're bypassed by provincial decisions, raising serious equity concerns in how the bill's impacts are felt across Ontario. Canada's National Observer reached out to Premier Doug Ford's office and the provincial minister of energy for comment but did not receive a response in time for publication. By Abdul Matin Sarfraz & Rory White 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. 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National Observer
3 days ago
- Politics
- National Observer
Municipalities' pushback grows against Ford's council-overriding Bill 5
When Councillor Tammy Hwang attended a recent meeting of the Association of Municipalities of Ontario (AMO), she expected concern about the Ford government's controversial Bill 5. What she didn't expect was how unanimous — and intense — the reaction would be. 'It was a heated and very raucous conversation among political leaders,' said Hwang, who represents the City of Hamilton and sits on the association's board. The board has 41 members representing Ontario municipalities big and small. 'Every single one of us was very concerned and had significant misgivings about Bill 5.' Speaking to her colleagues at last week's Hamilton planning committee meeting, Hwang said the association's policy team 'heard us loud and clear' and discussions will likely continue at its annual conference in August. 'This is not just a Hamilton thing,' she said. 'The other 444 municipalities share in Hamilton's concerns and misgivings about a lot of these policy changes.' That concern is now boiling over into formal opposition. According to an analysis of municipal meeting minutes from across the province by Canada's National Observer, more than 30 municipalities are passing motions, sending letters and urging federal intervention on Bill 5. From urban centres like Hamilton, Guelph and Kingston, to commuter towns, such as Caledon, Orangeville and Shelburne, to rural and cottage-country communities like Wawa, Trent Lakes, and The Archipelago — and inspired by First Nations opposition — resistance to Bill 5 has become a province-wide movement. Hamilton has been one of the most vocal opponents. The city council passed a motion opposing the legislation and sent letters to five provincial ministers. According to an analysis of municipal meeting minutes from across the province by Canada's National Observer, more than 30 municipalities are passing motions, sending letters and urging federal intervention on Bill 5. At the centre of their concerns is the creation of 'Special Economic Zones,' which allow the province to override local planning rules, weaken environmental oversight and undermine Indigenous consultation. The criteria for these exemptions remain vague. 'Hamilton is interested in investment and economic growth,' Hwang told Canada's National Observer. 'But we also have some of the most fertile farmland in the province, and we're trying to build a sustainable city. We just want to make sure growth happens in the right places with respect for the land and community needs.' Hwang said the impact of Special Economic Zones will differ in each municipality and expects more pushback from municipalities as people see how Bill 5 affects their communities. Coun. Craig Cassar, who brought forward the motion in Hamilton, described the bill as 'fundamentally undemocratic.' He warned it could disrupt local efforts to protect biodiversity and conservation, pose risks to endangered species and highlighted the lack of meaningful consultation with First Nations. 'This bill is titled Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, and to me, it evokes the image of a wild beast being unleashed — attacking Indigenous rights, endangered species, ecosystems as a whole, and municipal local democratic rights,' Cassar said. 'So, for once, it's actually an appropriately named bill, but for all the wrong reasons.' Echoes of Greenbelt scandal Hamilton's concern is also shaped by recent history. The Ford government previously attempted to remove protected Greenbelt land within the city as part of what became the $8.3 billion Greenbelt scandal — an effort to open thousands of acres of conservation land to developers. The decision was later reversed following public outcry and a damning Auditor General's report. Cassar said Hamilton's $1.3 billion agri-business sector could be directly affected by development in Special Economic Zones. 'Once you pave over farmland, it's gone forever.' At a recent rally outside Hamilton City Hall — dubbed 'Kill Bill 5' — hundreds gathered to demand the province reverse course. Similar alarm bells are ringing in Dresden, a small town in Chatham-Kent where residents are fighting a proposed landfill near their community. What pushed them over the edge was the discovery that the project was exempt from environmental assessment under Bill 5. 'We've passed motions, sent letters, attended committee hearings,' reads an email response from the Chatham-Kent mayor's office. But Chatham-Kent isn't stopping there. The city is calling on the federal governmen t to intervene — an escalation that underscores just how powerless municipalities feel under the new law. In a letter, the Association of Municipalities of Ontario also voiced its concerns about Bill 5 and urged the province to consult municipalities before enforcing Special Economic Zones. 'Without limits on how SEZs [Special Economic Zones] are identified, and which bylaws would be exempt, municipalities are concerned that the use of SEZs to bypass local deliberation on proposed projects may not deliver on the promise of supporting economic growth,' the letter reads. 'Instead, SEZs may hinder or prevent these projects from moving forward.' Association president and Westport Mayor Robin Jones said while the organization supports economic development, the process must respect local decision-making. 'We understand the need for the government to support economic projects that are going to move forward provincial priorities,' Jones told Canada's National Observer. 'Our concern is using a special economic zone contrary to municipal bylaws without the support of the municipality.' A pattern of planning rollbacks and Ford governs by crisis The Ford government's push to override local planning rules in the name of economic development isn't new. Christina Bouchard, a doctoral candidate and teacher in political studies at the University of Ottawa, who worked in municipal planning for over a decade, said Bill 5 is just the latest but more aggressive in more than 30 planning reforms introduced by the Ford government since 2018. Similar to Bill 5's Special Economic Zones, the government introduced Bill 66 in 2018 with 'open-for-business by-laws,' which would have allowed municipalities to bypass environmental protections, including Greenbelt safeguards, to fast-track development. After strong public and environmental pushback, the government removed the clause. Bouchard said the province keeps using the same method: cut local rules to speed up development. But instead of simplifying the system, repeated changes have created new challenges for municipalities trying to understand and apply land use laws. Bouchard said the Ford government this approach follows a pattern she calls 'governing by crisis.' 'Since he came into office — first the economic crisis, then the real COVID crisis, then the housing crisis and now the tariff crisis — each time, the government uses it as a reason to 'cut red tape,'' Bouchard said. But she suggested this approach doesn't always address the underlying problems. Social issues are complex and relying on a single solution may not deliver the results the government wants. According to Bouchard, many of the environmental protections and planning policies now being weakened were originally introduced in response to past public concerns about sprawl, gridlock, and the loss of farmland and green space. She said cutting these policies without careful review risks undoing progress made over the past two decades. She also warned that many people may not understand Bill 5's full impact until projects start in their communities. That's when concern and opposition are likely to grow — especially in areas where development could harm drinking water, farmland or local infrastructure. But at that point, it may be too late. Bouchard said not all communities will be equally equipped to push back. Municipalities with fewer resources may struggle to defend their interests if they're bypassed by provincial decisions, raising serious equity concerns in how the bill's impacts are felt across Ontario.
Morocco World
5 days ago
- Business
- Morocco World
Huawei, Moroccan Government Close National Hackathon for Civil Society Digitalization
Marrakech – The National Hackathon for civil society digitalization concluded Friday at Rabat's National Training and Meetings Center, marking the end of a three-day event focused on advancing digital transformation among civil society organizations across Morocco. Organized by Huawei Morocco in partnership with the Ministry Delegate to the Head of Government in charge of Relations with Parliament, the event brought together 45 associations from all regions of the country. The initiative aimed to support the digital transformation of civil society organizations through concrete technological projects developed with assistance from technical mentors and Huawei experts. Minister Delegate Mustapha Baitas delivered remarks at the closing ceremony, followed by a speech from Jason Chen, Vice-President of Huawei Morocco. The ceremony also included the announcement of winners, certificate distribution, and a press opportunity. The Tawada Association for Development and Culture from Tounfite in Midelt Province secured first place in the competition. 'After a very intense competition, we were able to win first place at this national event,' Ali Ait Errouh, President of Tawada Association, told Morocco World News (MWN). Ait Errouh explained that his association's winning project, titled 'Warmlink,' targets residents of rural areas, villages, and mountain communities. 'We earned this top ranking with merit, and the project we presented is a promising initiative through which the association will establish a digital platform based on volunteerism,' he said. The Association of Ighata took second place with their project focused on creating a digital platform for people with special needs. 'Our project focused on people with special needs. We aim to create a digital platform specifically for them, which would serve as a comprehensive database,' Houcine Aboubakr, president of the Association of Ighata, told MWN. Aboubakr pointed out the critical need for such a platform, noting that people with special needs currently face serious challenges in the digital space. 'Our first goal with this platform is to create a digital profile for each person, including their name, type of disability, and GPS location,' he explained. The platform will also identify specific needs, whether related to mobility, psychological support, or intellectual challenges, and include information about education and health status, including health insurance coverage. 'We observed that most people with special needs still have to pay out of pocket for healthcare, even though there are programs like AMO and others available. Our goal is to address these gaps through this digital platform,' Aboubakr added. The hackathon, which ran for three days, stressed the growing importance of digital solutions for civil society organizations in their future projects. Tags: digitalization in MoroccoHuawei Morocco
Morocco World
09-07-2025
- Health
- Morocco World
Morocco Overhauls Health Insurance System with New Unified Structure
Rabat — Morocco's Chamber of Councilors approved sweeping reforms to the country's basic health insurance system on Tuesday. The approval marks a significant step toward implementing King Mohammed VI's vision of universal social protection coverage. The new legislation, known as Bill 54.23, transforms how Morocco manages its mandatory health insurance (AMO) system. The Ministry of Health and Social Protection announced that this reform represents a major legislative turning point in strengthening social protection governance across the kingdom. Single management authority takes control The centerpiece of the reform places all basic health insurance schemes under one roof. The National Social Security Fund (CNSS) will now supervise the entire system, replacing the previous fragmented approach. Officials believe this unified management structure will boost both efficiency and transparency in healthcare delivery. 'This consolidation eliminates the confusion and delays that patients often faced when dealing with multiple insurance bodies,' ministry officials explained in their statement. Students and young adults see expanded coverage The new law eliminates the separate student insurance scheme while protecting existing beneficiaries' rights. However, young adults will benefit from extended coverage, as the age limit for dependents increases from 26 to 30 years old. This change means thousands of young Moroccans can remain on their parents' insurance plans for four additional years, providing crucial support during early career transitions. AMO Tadamon program gets clear guidelines The legislation clarifies access conditions for the 'AMO Tadamon' program, which serves citizens unable to afford insurance contributions. The bill maintains protections for public sector employees and their families while establishing clearer pathways for vulnerable populations to access healthcare. Smooth transition for mutual insurance companies Recognizing that change takes time, the law includes provisions for mutual insurance companies during the transition period. This ensures patients continue receiving care while the system prepares for an integrated, complementary insurance model. The reform also allows the managing authority to fund health prevention and awareness campaigns, connecting insurance management with broader public health initiatives. Building toward Health Dignity for all Ministry officials frame these changes as essential steps toward guaranteeing 'health dignity' for every Moroccan citizen, especially as it aligns with Framework Law 09.21, which mandates creating a single management body for social protection schemes and updating related legislation. Next steps in social protection expansion This health insurance reform forms part of King Mohammed VI's broader social protection expansion initiative, with a unified management structure that creates a foundation for future improvements in healthcare access, quality, and equity across Morocco.
WIRED
13-06-2025
- Politics
- WIRED
The High-Flying Escalation of CBP's Predator Drone Flights Over LA
Jun 13, 2025 11:48 AM Custom and Border Protection flying powerful Predator B drones over Los Angeles further breaks the seal on federal involvement in civilian matters typically handled by state or local authorities. An MQ-9 Reaper drone with Customs and Border Protection awaits the next mission over the US-Mexico border on November 4, 2022, at Fort Huachuca, Arizona. Photograph:On Wednesday, United States Customs and Border Protection confirmed to 404 Media that it has been flying Predator drones over Los Angeles amid the LA protests. The military drones, a CBP statement said, 'are supporting our federal law enforcement partners in the Greater Los Angeles area, including Immigration and Customs Enforcement, with aerial support of their operations.' State-level law enforcement agencies across the US use various types of drones and other vehicles, like helicopters, to conduct aerial surveillance, and other agencies use drones in their operations as well. For example, the California Department of Forestry and Fire Protection 'doubled its use of drones' this year, according to the office of Governor Gavin Newsom, as part of efforts to combat forest fires. However, CBP's MQ-9 Reaper drones, also known as Predator B drones, are military-caliber UAVs used for aerial reconnaissance that can be armed. In 2020, during President Donald Trump's first administration, CBP flew a Predator drone over Minneapolis during the George Floyd protests. And, in the intervening years, researchers have tracked Department of Homeland Security Predator drones flying over various US cities with no clear explanation. In the case of LA, Trump has deployed more than 700 active-duty Marines and federalized the National Guard, sending nearly 4,000 guardsmen to California over Newsom's objections. In combination with these actions, the presence of the CBP drones paints a picture of expanding federal involvement—and potentially control—over what are typically state matters. 'Military gear has been used for domestic law enforcement for a long time, but flying military gear over LA at a time when the president has sent military units against the wishes of the governor is noteworthy," says Matthew Feeney, a longtime emerging technologies researcher and advocacy manager at the nonpartisan UK civil liberties group Big Brother Watch. 'If the federal government portrays immigration as a national security issue, we shouldn't be surprised if it openly uses the tools of national security—i.e., military hardware—in response.' Carrying powerful cameras and other sensors, Predator drones can record clear, detailed footage of events like protests from high altitudes. CBP's 'Air and Marine Operations (AMO) is providing aerial support to federal law enforcement partners conducting operations in the Greater Los Angeles area,' CBP told WIRED in a statement responding to questions about whether the operation over LA is routine or anomalous. 'AMO's efforts are focused on situational awareness and officer safety support as requested.' Patrick Eddington, a senior fellow in homeland security and civil liberties at the Cato Institute, warns that 'the more the protests spread to other cities, the more of that kind of surveillance we'll see.' CBP told 404 Media this week that 'AMO is not engaged in the surveillance of first amendment activities.' That statement aligns with a commitment the US Department of Homeland Security made in December 2015. 'Unmanned aircraft system-recorded data should not be collected, disseminated or retained solely for the purpose of monitoring activities protected by the US Constitution, such as the First Amendment's protections of religion, speech, press, assembly, and redress of grievances (e.g., protests, demonstrations),' a DHS 'Privacy, Civil Rights & Civil Liberties Unmanned Aircraft Systems Working Group' wrote at the time. In practice, though, it is unclear how the Predator surveillance could 'support' ICE agents and other federal law enforcement without monitoring the protests and capturing images of protesters. While researchers note that the use of Predator drones over LA is not unprecedented—and, at this point, perhaps not surprising—they emphasize that this pattern of activity over time only makes it more likely that the federal government will deploy such monitoring in the future, regardless of how a state is handling a situation. 'It's not new or even all that unexpected from a spooked Trump administration, but it's still a terrible use of military technology on civilian populations,' says UAV researcher Faine Greenwood. 'It's basically continuing a worrying trend, but also people should be angry about it and refuse to normalize it.'
