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National Post
an hour ago
- National Post
Via Rail and union ratify new three-year collective agreement
MONTREAL — Via Rail says new collective agreements have been ratified with about 2,500 unionized workers. Article content The agreements with Unifor's council 4000 and Local 100 cover the period from the start of this year through to the end of 2027. Article content Article content They include a three per cent annual wage increase for each of the next three years, as well as improved working conditions and benefits. Article content Article content Workers at the Crown corporation had voted for a strike mandate, but a walkout was averted in June when the company and union reached a tentative agreement. Article content Article content
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Hundreds of $10K FortisBC heat pump rebates in jeopardy over contractor certification
FortisBC has rejected multiple applications for $10,000 heat pump rebates because of a temporary lapse in the necessary certification of a major Lower Mainland contractor. The CBC has learned the rebates of as many as 200 Moore and Russell customers have been jeopardized by a situation that has resulted in complaints and one small claims lawsuit from people who claim they were guaranteed they would qualify for money they were later denied. "I'm not stoked about it, that's for sure. I'm definitely pissed off," said Jeff Thompson, a North Vancouver man who has spent the past four months trying to figure out who to blame for the rejection of the rebate for his new heat pump. "I would say be wary of Fortis rebates and who you hire. It turns out it's not a straightforward process." 'I was horrified,' says customer Thompson is one of thousands of British Columbians who have taken advantage of rebates offered by FortisBC and the province in recent years to encourage homeowners to replace their old heating and cooling systems with high-performance electric heat pumps. The program has become so popular the province announced plans this week to expand the program this summer to include individual suites in multi-unit residential buildings. But in order to qualify for a rebate, customers need their heat pump to be installed by a contractor certified with B.C.'s Home Performance Contractor Network (HPCN), a database of retrofit contractors that meet specified trade designation and training qualifications. Moore and Russell was certified with the HPCN at the time Thompson agreed to pay the company $20,000 to install his dual fuel pump. And they are certified today. But the HPCN paused the company's certification from March 5 to May 31 — something Thompson says he only learned about after submitting his rebate application. "I was horrified," said Thompson, who told the CBC the offer of a rebate was the main reason he had decided to go with a heat pump in the first place. "It was a huge part because it's half the value of what the install was." Contractor says it never got HPCN's email Moore and Russell general manager Jeremy Slater says he only learned the company's certification had been put on pause in May after complaints started coming across his desk. He says the problem dates back to the departure of an employee late last year. The HPCN requires all technicians to be up to date on four courses involving the basic principles of HVAC technology. "When that person left, we needed to qualify somebody else with those courses with them, and the deadline for having that done lapsed," Slater said. He says the Home Performance Contractor Network sent an email saying the company's account had been put on pause, but claims the email hit a firewall. Regardless, Slater says he never received it. "And HPCN doesn't have a process — even still — to follow up or confirm with a contractor when they put them on hold. They just expect that we would get the email." Despite the change in status, Slater says the company was still listed as a qualified contractor on FortisBC's rebate application menu, which is why customers like Thompson were even able to apply for a rebate in the first place. "So there was no way that a customer could have known that we were put on pause, and there's no way that we could have known we were put on pause, unless we had actually received the email," he said. "Which is concerning for us at Moore and Russell because this could still be going on with other contractors and other homeowners purchasing heat pump equipment from Fortis and any of the rebate programs, as HPCN actually provides governance for all of the rebate programs in B.C." 'It's going to turn me off in the future': homeowner Slater says rebates worth a total of up to $1.5 million could be on the line for as many as 200 of his customers. One of those customers filed a small claims lawsuit against Moore and Russell earlier this month, seeking $10,000 compensation for the heat pump rebate they were denied. "After the installation, FortisBC rejected my rebate application, stating that Moore & Russell was not a certified HPCN contractor, which was a requirement for eligibility," the lawsuit reads. "Had I known this, I would have chosen a different contractor." Coquitlam homeowner Desmond Saisitthidej says FortisBC also denied his rebate because of Moore and Russell's HPCN certification. "I think it's really frustrating," he said. "I think a lot of us did this in good faith, knowing that the rebate was available, knowing Moore and Russell had previously done this and that Fortis had previously paid out — and then to get caught in the quagmire between the two ... It's going to turn me off in the future." FortisBC 'reviewing the matter' FortisBC says the company is dedicated to providing rebates and incentives to adopt higher-efficiency technology. "We are aware of the concerns raised by customers regarding their rebate applications due to the standing of Moore and Russell's membership with the Home Performance Contractor Network," said corporate communications advisor Lauren Beckett. " We appreciate our customers' understanding, and we are reviewing the matter." In a statement, the HPCN said members are required to assign a company administrator as a sole contact for membership-related information. "Company administrators are notified by email if there is a concern with their membership status and provided with instructions and a deadline to rectify the situation as appropriate — this includes multiple follow-up emails," the statement said. "They can also see their membership status at any time in the HPCN Portal." Saisitthidej and Thompson say they hope FortisBC will ultimately pay out the rebate to customers who feel they are paying for someone else's mistake. Slater says he has been in talks with both HPCN and FortisBC. "I would expect that, in the spirit of the program overall, they would honour those rebates for our customers," he said. Slater says he has made changes to avoid a repeat of the problems leading up to the lapse in Moore and Russell's certification, but he also feels FortisBC and HPCN need to address communications issues that saw customers left in the dark about their status. "I would want to know what are we going to do differently so this never happens again," he said.
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
BSTR Miner Launches XRP and Litecoin Cloud Mining Platform, Opening New Avenues for Global Passive Income
PHOENIX, Arizona, July 17, 2025 — Cloud mining provider BSTR Miner today rolled out a new platform dedicated to XRP and Litecoin (LTC) mining, designed to make crypto earnings more accessible to individuals worldwide. With contract options starting at just $10 and no technical experience required, the service targets both first-time users and experienced investors looking to diversify. 'Most people think mining is reserved for large data centers or crypto insiders,' said BSTR Miner CEO. 'We're turning that idea upside down. Whether you're a teacher in Ohio or a student in Manila, you can now participate in XRP and LTC mining without owning a single machine.' A Fresh Take on Crypto Accessibility XRP is gaining global recognition as a bridge asset in international settlements, while Litecoin remains one of the fastest and most efficient blockchain networks for everyday transactions. By focusing on these two currencies, BSTR Miner is betting on practicality and performance. Key Features Include: Direct XRP-Based Mining Contracts can be purchased directly using XRP, allowing users to avoid unnecessary conversion fees. Payouts can be received in XRP, BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT, USDC, DOGE, SOL, BCH， and other major cryptocurrencies. Optimized Litecoin Performance Powered by the Scrypt algorithm and Litecoin's rapid block intervals, the system uses AI to dynamically allocate hash power for maximum returns—particularly valuable for DeFi use cases and micro-transactions. Eco-Conscious Infrastructure As of Q2 2025, 62.4% of BSTR's global mining operation is powered by renewable energy. Independent audits verify the company's green energy commitments, which is 'non-negotiable for modern investors.' Flexible Plans, Transparent Returns Rather than forcing users into long-term lock-ins, BSTR Miner provides a variety of contract durations and amounts. Returns are calculated daily and visible in real time via the platform's mobile app or web dashboard. Note: Full contract terms available at Security Without Compromise The platform runs on a security stack that includes McAfee-grade encryption, Cloudflare DDoS protection, cold wallet segregation, and 3-of-5 multisignature verification. Withdrawals are enabled once user earnings reach $100, with daily tracking and alerts available. 'We've taken infrastructure seriously,' 'In 2023, when part of the U.S. grid went down, we maintained 98.71% uptime. That kind of reliability is why institutions are starting to take notice.' What's Driving Demand XRP whale activity surges: According to blockchain analytics firm WhaleMap, over 2.7 million XRP wallets are now active, with significant institutional flows observed over the past 6 months. Litecoin's Quiet Evolution: LTC's implementation of MWEB (MimbleWimble Extension Blocks) has made it more appealing for use cases in privacy-preserving transactions and even smart contracts—something previously thought unachievable on Litecoin. How to Get Started Sign Up: Create a free account at and claim a $10 bonus. Fund Wallet: Deposit any supported crypto (XRP, BTC, ETH, LTC, USDT, USDC, DOGE, SOL, BCH). Choose a Contract: Pick a mining plan that suits your budget and timeline. Track and Withdraw: Monitor your earnings in real time; withdraw once your balance hits $100. About BSTR Miner With over 8.5 million users across 120+ countries, BSTR Miner provides scalable, secure, and eco-conscious mining infrastructure for both retail and institutional clients. Its mining solutions span Bitcoin, Ethereum, XRP, Litecoin, Solana ， USDT-TRC20, USDC, USDT-ERC20, BCH, DOGE, and 10+ other assets. The company continues to lead in uptime reliability, security, and ease of access—especially for users priced out of traditional mining setups. Website: Media Contact: info@ Disclaimer: The information provided in this press release is not a solicitation for investment, nor is it intended as investment advice, financial advice, or trading advice. Cryptocurrency mining and staking involves risk. There is potential for loss of funds. It is strongly recommended you practice due diligence, including consultation with a professional financial advisor, before investing in or trading cryptocurrency and securities.
