Quebec issues warning about diseases from ticks, mosquitoes
A sign advising hikers of Ticks is shown on a trail in the woods in the Eastern Townships west of Montreal, Wednesday, Oct. 16, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Graham Hughes GMH flag wire: true flag sponsored: false article_type: pubinfo.section: cms.site.custom.site_domain : thestar.com sWebsitePrimaryPublication : publications/toronto_star bHasMigratedAvatar : false firstAuthor.avatar :
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Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
B.C. economy will get a kick out of hosting FIFA World Cup games, government says
VICTORIA – There is less than a year to go before Vancouver is on the global stage hosting seven FIFA World Cup soccer games, and leaders are promoting the economic benefits of spending hundreds of millions of dollars on the international showcase. A joint statement from B.C. Tourism Minister Spencer Chandra Herbert and Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim says one million additional out-of-province visitors are expected between 2026 and 2031, generating more than $1 billion in spending. The statement says more than 18,000 jobs could be generated in that same period. It says FIFA predicts that preparing for and hosting the tournament could contribute $1.7 billion in economic benefits for B.C., including a $980-million increase in gross domestic product and $610 million in 'labour income.' Sim says the city's direct costs of hosting seven games 'remain on track' after the budget ballooned in 2024. Last year, organizers announced the estimated cost of hosting the event more than doubled to between $483 million and $581 million, including costs for the city, the province and stadium upgrades. The province estimates the net core provincial cost of hosting remains similar to earlier predictions, in the range of $85 million to $145 million. Royce Chwin, president of Destination Vancouver, says in the statement that hosting the games will have lasting benefits. Monday Mornings The latest local business news and a lookahead to the coming week. 'FIFA World Cup 26 is more than a series of matches. It's a catalyst for economic activity, international visibility, and community pride. Hosting seven games will energize our downtown core, including hotels, restaurants, venues, and surrounding neighbourhoods,' he said. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 24, 2025
Winnipeg Free Press
4 days ago
- Winnipeg Free Press
Maine governor tells N.B. that drop in Canadian tourism hurting small businesses
FREDERICTON – On a visit to New Brunswick, the governor of Maine issued renewed pleas for Canadian tourists to return to the United States, despite their apparent anger over the political climate. Janet Mills says the words of Donald Trump are not those of the American people, and that many of them were 'appalled' when the president called for Canada to become the '51st state.' Trump has said several times that he wants to make Canada the '51st state' and that he would use economic force to achieve it, and has imposed sweeping tariffs on Canadian goods, including on steel and aluminum. Mills is on a three-day charm offensive to Canada where she is scheduled to meet with premiers of New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. She told a group at Fredericton's Cyber Centre she understands how insulted Canadians must feel but says there are small businesses across the border in Maine whose families come from parts of Canada, including New Brunswick and Quebec, who are being hit hard. Wednesdays Columnist Jen Zoratti looks at what's next in arts, life and pop culture. Numbers released by the U.S. federal border crossing on Friday, showed 85,000 fewer Canadians entered Maine in May than in the same month a year ago, a drop of about 27 per cent. This report by The Canadian Press was first published June 24, 2025.
Global News
4 days ago
- Global News
Banff rock slide survivor says friend who died saved his life: ‘I'm still shocked'
A survivor of a rock slide last week in Banff National Park is remembering his 33-year-old roommate, who didn't make it out alive from under the rubble, as a kind and generous friend. Khaled Elgamal says Hamza Benhilal of Surrey, B.C., was one of two people who died after a slab of mountain gave way Thursday, raining rock down on hikers at Bow Glacier Falls, about 40 kilometres north of Lake Louise, Alta. in Banff National Park. 'He was my friend but also like my big brother,' said 28-year-old Elgamal, in an interview Monday from a hospital bed in Calgary where he is recovering from a fractured pelvis and shoulder, cuts and scrapes. 'I'm still shocked,' said Elgamal. 'I'm still getting flashbacks of the scene.' View image in full screen Khaled Elgamal and Hamza Benhilal are shown in this handout photo. Elgamal (left) who survived a rock slide in Banff National Park, credits his 33-year-old friend Benhilal, who didn't make it out alive, for saving his life. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Handout - Khaled Elgamal He said he met Benhilal in 2022 when they were enrolled in the same online master of business administration program at University Canada West. Story continues below advertisement Elgamal was living in Egypt and Benhilal was in Morocco, but they both moved to B.C. in 2022 and became housemates. Elgamal, now a financial adviser, and Benhilal, an engineer, had just arrived in Banff for a vacation and a hotel worker recommended they visit Bow Glacier Falls, as the site's parking lot is usually less crowded. 'We didn't even have it on our bucket list for that day. We were planning to go to Lake Louise,' Elgamal said. He said a third friend on the trip decided to stay behind at the hotel, and he and Benhilal drove to the falls. 1:46 Bow Glacier Falls rock slide witness calls scene 'pretty chaotic' 'We took a bunch of pictures at the lake first and then started the hike to the waterfall.' Story continues below advertisement Shortly afterward, while still on the mountain, Elgamal said they heard a loud sound. 'It sounded like a thunderstorm.' Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy When he turned around, Elgamal said he saw a large boulder fall from the mountain and shatter into pieces when it hit the ground. Benhilal was in front of him and screamed at Elgamal to run. 'He saved me by screaming,' Elgamal said. 'I froze like a deer in headlights.' Elgamal said he turned and ran a few steps, and a rock hit his feet and he fell to the ground. He looked up and saw his friend for the last time running and eventually disappearing in the dust. View image in full screen Two people were killed and three others were injured in the rock slide that happened last Thursday (June 19, 2025) at Bow Glacier Falls in Banff National Park. Parks Canada Elgamal said he was in and out of consciousness on the ground as stones hit his head and body. 'Every time a rock was hitting me, I was blacking out.' Story continues below advertisement The slide eventually stopped and Elgamal stayed on the ground, breathing heavily. 'I was bleeding and looking around,' he said. He then forced himself to get up. With a bleeding head, wobbly legs and in severe pain, Elgamal said he made his way through the dust and down the mountain. He slipped on some wet stones on his way down but continued following the sound of others screaming at the base. Other hikers came running to him and told him to lie down and breathe, and they put their jackets on him. 'I was soaked in blood and barely managing myself,' he said, adding he vomited a few times. 'It was the most painful experience I've had.' Elgamal told the others that he couldn't find his friend. He learned on Saturday that Benhilal was killed. Parks Canada said the body was recovered from the rubble on Friday. View image in full screen 70-year-old Jutta Hinrichs, a retired university professor from Calgary, was also killed in the rock slide at Bow Glacier Falls, about 40 kilometres north of Lake Louise, in Banff National Park. Provided to Global News Another hiker, Jutta Hinrichs, a 70-year-old retired university professor from Calgary, was found dead at the site the day of the rock slide. Story continues below advertisement 2:14 Friends, colleagues remember woman killed in Bow Glacier Falls rock slide Officials with Parks Canada have said there was nothing that could have prevented or predicted the slide and that it was the result of geological forces common in mountain areas. The area around the falls remained closed Monday. The Bow Glacier Falls hiking trail is a nine-kilometre route that runs along the edges of Bow Lake and is used by tourists and day-trippers. Elgamal said hospital workers have told him he will likely be discharged in the coming days. He said Benhilal's mother and one of his five brothers are set to arrive in Alberta this week to arrange his funeral. Elgamal said he can't believe his friend is gone, and he has been having nightmares about the rockfall every night since it happened. Story continues below advertisement Support and visits from other hikers who helped him at the site of the slide have helped, he said.
