Latest news with #JenniferMcCarron


CBC
16-07-2025
- Business
- CBC
Charlottetown police offering free tuition to some cadets, but there's a 5-year catch
Four police cadets will have their tuition covered by a new sponsorship program being offered through Charlottetown Police Services, the city's interim police chief says. The sponsorship will cover the cost of tuition at the Atlantic Police Academy, amounting to about $32,900 per year, said Jennifer McCarron. "Our numbers are low and we can fit it in our budget to actually send them to the academy this year," McCarron said. The police service will pays the tuition cost upfront, and the province will reimburse the cost when the cadets graduate from the 32-week program, she said. Those cadets won't have to pay back any of the money as long as they graduate from the program and commit to serving with the Charlottetown police force for five years, McCarron said. The police service will begin screening its applications in early October, with the cadets set to begin at the academy in January 2026. An information session with more details is scheduled for August 6 at the Murchison Centre on St. Pius X Avenue off St. Peters Road. An advantage for local police The City of Summerside already has a sponsorship program in place to send cadets to the Atlantic Police Academy. McCarron said this kind of sponsorship program is the new normal for police academy admissions in Atlantic Canada. According to the Atlantic Police Academy's website, the recommended pathway to admissions is by applying through a police agency in one of the Atlantic provinces. Charlottetown police use the same standards and application process as the academy, McCarron said, noting that the main difference for the local police service is that it takes a more active role in recruiting and doing background checks. She said getting to see and meet the applicants before they start to go through the program is an advantage for the city's police force. "It used to be [that] we wouldn't meet them until they were here for on-the-job training. This way, we get to meet them, get to know them a bit through this whole process, and we kind of know what we're getting when they graduate," she said. Nationwide shortages Charlottetown's police service has faced challenges keeping its numbers up, McCarron said, noting that it's part of a larger trend. "Every police department across Canada has a shortage. Policing is not as attractive as it used to be, so now we have to attract," she said. While retirement is typically the main reason officers leave the Charlottetown police, McCarron said the local force also lost eight people to the RCMP in the past year. She said Charlottetown tries to rotate its current officers between divisions within the force to give them a chance to try different things throughout their careers. While the new sponsorship program is mainly focused on recruitment, there are also retention benefits, she said. "It also helps older officers as well, when younger officers start, because they have different points of view," McCarron said. "We have officers that have been here for 25, 30 years.… When you put them with a cadet, they learn just as much as a cadet does."


CBC
05-06-2025
- General
- CBC
A talk with the woman who will be leading Charlottetown's police force as of June 16th
Jennifer McCarron will soon be the first woman to ever lead Charlottetown Police Services, as its current chief moves over to municipal management ranks. McCarron, who takes over as acting chief on June 16, sat down to talk with Louise Martin of CBC News: Compass.


CBC
30-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Jennifer McCarron named interim chief of Charlottetown Police Services
Charlottetown's police force will soon be under new leadership. Deputy Chief Jennifer McCarron has been appointed interim chief of police, making her the first woman to lead the department in its history, the city said in a news release Friday. Her appointment was made by current Chief Brad MacConnell, who will step down from the role to become Charlottetown's Chief Administrative Officer on June 16, the same day McCarron officially takes over. McCarron has been with the department for more than 30 years and has served as the city's deputy police chief since April 2021. In her current role, she oversees major crime, street crime, bylaw, property and identification units, the release said. "It's an honour to step into this role during this time of change," McCarron was quoted as saying in the release. "I'm committed to providing steady leadership, supporting our dedicated officers and staff, and continuing to serve the community." The city said it will launch a competition for a permanent police chief in the coming weeks.
Yahoo
14-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc (THBRF) Q3 2025 Earnings Call Highlights: Strong Revenue ...
Revenue: $45.5 million for Q3 2025, a 29% increase from $35.4 million in the same period last year. Year-to-Date Revenue: $138.3 million, a 22% increase from $113.5 million for the first nine months of the previous year. Production Services Revenue: $34.6 million for Q3, a 6% year-on-year increase. Licensing and Distribution Revenue: $10.8 million for Q3, a 302% increase from the same period last year. Gross Margin: 24.2% for Q3, compared to 23.3% in the same period last year. Net Income: $2.2 million for Q3, compared to a profit of $5,000 in the same period last year. Adjusted EBITDA: $5.9 million for Q3, up from $3.3 million in the same period last year. Year-to-Date Adjusted EBITDA: $14.2 million, a 46% increase from $9.7 million in the previous year. Warning! GuruFocus has detected 3 Warning Signs with THBRF. Release Date: May 13, 2025 For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. Thunderbird Entertainment Group Inc (THBRF) reported a 29% increase in revenue for Q3 2025, reaching $45.5 million compared to $35.4 million in the same period last year. The company achieved a 46% increase in adjusted EBITDA for the nine-month period, rising from $9.7 million to $14.2 million. Thunderbird's diversified business model, including partnerships with major buyers and a mix of scripted and unscripted content, mitigates risk and supports growth. The company is debt-free, providing financial flexibility to pursue growth opportunities and weather market uncertainties. Thunderbird is embracing artificial intelligence as a positive tool for content creation, indicating a forward-thinking approach to industry trends. The potential introduction of tariffs on non-US-produced content creates uncertainty and could impact future production plans. Licensing and distribution revenue decreased by 22% year-to-date, reflecting weaker demand for unscripted IP shows. The company faces pricing pressures from vendors, particularly for software used in production workflows, which could affect cost management. Despite revenue growth, the gross margin for the nine months ended March 31 decreased to 21.7% from 22.9% in the same period last year. The uncertain environment, including potential tariffs and market disruptions, necessitates a cautious approach to cash management, limiting immediate opportunities for share buybacks. Q: Have you noticed a greater hesitation to greenlight new shows due to the potential for tariffs, and is it true that the Trump administration is only proposing tariffs on feature films? A: Jennifer McCarron, CEO, stated that there are currently no details available regarding the tariffs, and it's unclear if they will affect the entire movie industry or just feature films. There is no immediate impact on Thunderbird's business, but the uncertainty is acknowledged. Simon Bodymore, CFO, added that the industry is waiting to see how the situation unfolds, highlighting the current market uncertainty. Q: What are your thoughts on the Normal Course Issuer Bid (NCIB)? A: Jennifer McCarron explained that, given the current uncertainties, Thunderbird is prioritizing maintaining a strong cash position over share buybacks. The company believes that there are more beneficial ways to use their cash to create shareholder value and ensure financial stability. Q: How might artificial intelligence (AI) impact Thunderbird, and are there efforts to increase the company's visibility among investment managers? A: Jennifer McCarron expressed that Thunderbird is embracing AI as a positive tool for content creation, similar to past innovations like 3D animation. Regarding visibility, she acknowledged the company's potential as an "undiscovered gem" and mentioned ongoing efforts to enhance investor relations and share Thunderbird's story. Q: Can you provide more details on the company's financial performance and outlook? A: Simon Bodymore reported a 29% increase in Q3 revenue to $45.5 million and a 46% rise in adjusted EBITDA to $5.9 million. Despite potential tariff impacts, Thunderbird maintains a strong balance sheet with no corporate debt, providing flexibility to pursue growth opportunities and weather market uncertainties. Q: What is Thunderbird's strategy for navigating industry headwinds and ensuring long-term resilience? A: Jennifer McCarron emphasized Thunderbird's focus on diversification across products, content genres, and partnerships. The company is leveraging its strong relationships with major buyers and exploring new mediums like podcasts and video games to expand its reach and capitalize on industry disruptions. For the complete transcript of the earnings call, please refer to the full earnings call transcript. This article first appeared on GuruFocus. Sign in to access your portfolio