Latest news with #Olszewski
Calgary Herald
24-06-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Liberal cabinet minister announces $11 million for Alberta businesses
Article content Edmonton Centre Liberal MP and cabinet minister Eleanor Olszewski brought the federal bacon home Tuesday with $11 million in funding to support high tech for seven Alberta businesses and organizations to leverage artificial intelligence (AI), digital adoption and advanced manufacturing. Article content It's the first official announcement from the PrairiesCan portfolio for Olszewski. Elected in April, the freshman member of Parliament was immediately catapulted to ministerial portfolios for emergency management and community resilience and Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) — a fit niche for a province growing its reputation as an innovation hub, tapping her background as a local trailblazer for women as the first female partner at an Edmonton law firm. Article content Article content Article content Olszewski said Canadian companies face 'unprecedented global uncertainty, unprecedented economic unpredictability,' on market access, hiring, and supply chains — not just from tariffs being imposed by U.S. President Donald Trump. Article content Article content 'It's the unpredictability that goes with whether or not there'll be more, whether they'll be higher, whether they'll affect different sectors,' she said. Article content Opportunities come with the challenges, as well as cause for great optimism, she said. Article content 'We've been able to capitalize on some great opportunities and build on leadership that Alberta companies are showing to Alberta, to Canada and to the world,' Olszewski said, citing the seven 'high-growth' companies included in the package. Article content 'Sponsoring companies like this, companies that are advancing technology and innovation, it's really more than bringing just a product or just a service to market because, ultimately, it's really about empowering people and our communities to be resilient, to be adaptable and to be prosperous. Article content Article content 'Whether it's equipping farms in southern Alberta with AI to increase their productivity, or introducing automated production lines to a commercial bakery in Edmonton, today's investments are really about unleashing the incredible ingenuity of Alberta innovators,' she said. Article content Article content PrairiesCan is investing $10,901,711 in repayable and non-repayable funding for seven projects in Alberta to enhance productivity, scale up, boost production efficiencies, and tackle challenges with innovative technologies. Article content These include $1.15 million for 48Hour Discovery, and $2 million for Crust to relocate and install advanced automated production lines. Article content Corey Smith, president and CEO at RAM Elevators + Lifts, said the capital-intensive industry will make good use of $2 million to expand manufacturing capacity. Article content 'All three areas are exploding in North America because people are thinking about aging in place and public accessibility is as top as top of mind as ever. Almost every state or province has legislation around when public spaces need to be accessible by. So this little Edmonton company is well poised to take advantage of the North American market,' Smith said.
Canada Standard
24-06-2025
- Business
- Canada Standard
Minister Olszewski to announce support to enhance business productivity in Alberta
Canada News Centre 23 Jun 2025, 20:42 GMT+10 June 23, 2025 - Edmonton, Alberta The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan), will announce federal investments to bolster the global competitiveness and productivity at cutting-edge Alberta businesses in fields like manufacturing, agri-food, technology and health sciences. Minister Olszewski will be joined by Doug Griffiths, President & CEO , Edmonton Chamber of Commerce; Corey Smith, President & CEO , RAM Elevators + Lifts; and, James Neufeld, Founder & CEO , samdesk. Speakers will take questions from the media following the remarks. Date: Tuesday, June 24, 2025 Time: 10:00 a.m. ( MT ) Location: samdesk 10130 103 St, Unit 750 Edmonton, AB
Hamilton Spectator
04-06-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Ottawa's wildfire aid to First Nations delayed and inadequate, NDP leaders say
As wildfires rage across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, displacing over 26,000 people — many from northern and First Nations communities — leaders say Ottawa's response has been both delayed and inadequate. The discussion reached a peak as NDP MP for Winnipeg Centre, Leah Gazan led an emergency debate on Tuesday in the House of Commons. Gazan accused the federal government of failing to protect Indigenous evacuees and violating their Charter and treaty rights. 'The federal government is obligated to uphold the dignity and well-being of First Nations that are affected by these wildfires,' she said. Gazan said First Nations leaders had told her evacuees — including children, Elders, and those with medical needs — were housed in crowded and poorly equipped facilities, creating risky and unstable situations. Families were split up and people were left without enough help in unfamiliar environments. Delays in evacuation efforts were especially severe in Mathias Colomb First Nation, where residents were flown out by helicopter, 'six people at a time when their airstrip was closed.' 'The helicopters are too slow and too small. We need the Canadian Armed Forces to step in now. Every hour we wait puts lives at risk,' said Gordie Bear, chief of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation in a press release on May 30. 'Our community is in immediate danger. We have over 2,300 people stranded with no road access and no way out by plane.' Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, Eleanor Olszewski defended the response, calling it 'one of the fastest federal responses in recent memory.' Olszewski said the military was deployed immediately after the province asked for help. 'Our government acted swiftly when called upon,' Olszewski said. She said evacuations in remote areas took longer because 'when the landing strip could not accommodate larger planes, we had to source smaller ones, and so the evacuation was necessarily slower.' Gazan said that the current crisis is reflective of federal inaction during extreme weather events. She pointed to the 2011 floods in Lake St. Martin First Nation, when thousands were displaced for years and many could not return home for more than a decade. The long-term displacement led to mental health issues, family separation, and exploitation — especially among women and girls. She is concerned that the fire season arriving earlier, lasting longer and being harder to manage is 'the new normal.' She called for a national wildfire fighting force and a Youth Climate Court to help Canada respond to extreme weather and support climate resilience. Other MPs supported Gazan's concerns. Lori Idlout, NDP MP for Nunavut, said climate change is making disasters like these wildfires more frequent and severe, overwhelming local and provincial responders and raising concerns about housing, space and healthcare for those fleeing the fires. She said the debate is especially important for Nunavut, since many residents rely on Winnipeg for medical care and are now competing for resources with thousands of wildfire evacuees. 'My constituents must not fall through the cracks as Winnipeg sees a huge influx of people who require healthcare,' she said. Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, said during the debate the department gives advance payments so communities can act quickly during emergencies without waiting to be paid back. The Emergency Management Assistance Program covers eligible wildfire costs, including evacuation support and culturally sensitive services like mental health care, traditional food, language interpretation and child care. Gull-Masty also pointed to the FireSmart program, which supports fire training, fuel management and vegetation clearing projects in First Nations communities. 'Preparedness is key. These supports are about building strength before disaster strikes, so that communities can mitigate the impact to the greatest extent possible. It's not only to ensure that they have the ability to respond, but that they also have the capacity to recover and thrive,' she said. Wildfire activity remains high across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, with dry conditions and lightning sparking new blazes. Manitoba Wildfire Service reported more than 100 active fires as of June 3. Sonal Gupta / Local Journalism Initiative / Canada's National Observer 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. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Hamilton Spectator
04-06-2025
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
NDP criticizes Ottawa's wildfire aid to First Nations
As wildfires rage across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, displacing over 26,000 people — many from northern and First Nations communities — leaders say Ottawa's response has been both delayed and inadequate. The discussion reached a peak as NDP MP for Winnipeg Centre, Leah Gazan led an emergency debate on Tuesday in the House of Commons. Gazan accused the federal government of failing to protect Indigenous evacuees and violating their Charter and treaty rights. 'The federal government is obligated to uphold the dignity and well-being of First Nations that are affected by these wildfires,' she said. Gazan said First Nations leaders had told her evacuees — including children, Elders, and those with medical needs — were housed in crowded and poorly equipped facilities, creating risky and unstable situations. Families were split up and people were left without enough help in unfamiliar environments. Delays in evacuation efforts were especially severe in Mathias Colomb First Nation, where residents were flown out by helicopter, 'six people at a time when their airstrip was closed.' 'The helicopters are too slow and too small. We need the Canadian Armed Forces to step in now. Every hour we wait puts lives at risk,' said Gordie Bear, chief of Mathias Colomb Cree Nation in a press release on May 30. 'Our community is in immediate danger. We have over 2,300 people stranded with no road access and no way out by plane.' Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience, Eleanor Olszewski defended the response, calling it 'one of the fastest federal responses in recent memory.' Olszewski said the military was deployed immediately after the province asked for help. 'Our government acted swiftly when called upon,' Olszewski said. She said evacuations in remote areas took longer because 'when the landing strip could not accommodate larger planes, we had to source smaller ones, and so the evacuation was necessarily slower.' Gazan said that the current crisis is reflective of federal inaction during extreme weather events. She pointed to the 2011 floods in Lake St. Martin First Nation, when thousands were displaced for years and many could not return home for more than a decade. The long-term displacement led to mental health issues, family separation, and exploitation — especially among women and girls. She is concerned that the fire season arriving earlier, lasting longer and being harder to manage is 'the new normal.' She called for a national wildfire fighting force and a Youth Climate Court to help Canada respond to extreme weather and support climate resilience. Other MPs supported Gazan's concerns. Lori Idlout, NDP MP for Nunavut, said climate change is making disasters like these wildfires more frequent and severe, overwhelming local and provincial responders and raising concerns about housing, space and healthcare for those fleeing the fires. She said the debate is especially important for Nunavut, since many residents rely on Winnipeg for medical care and are now competing for resources with thousands of wildfire evacuees. 'My constituents must not fall through the cracks as Winnipeg sees a huge influx of people who require healthcare,' she said. Mandy Gull-Masty, Minister of Indigenous Services Canada, said during the debate the department gives advance payments so communities can act quickly during emergencies without waiting to be paid back. The Emergency Management Assistance Program covers eligible wildfire costs, including evacuation support and culturally sensitive services like mental health care, traditional food, language interpretation and child care. Gull-Masty also pointed to the FireSmart program, which supports fire training, fuel management and vegetation clearing projects in First Nations communities. 'Preparedness is key. These supports are about building strength before disaster strikes, so that communities can mitigate the impact to the greatest extent possible. It's not only to ensure that they have the ability to respond, but that they also have the capacity to recover and thrive,' she said. Wildfire activity remains high across Manitoba and Saskatchewan, with dry conditions and lightning sparking new blazes. Manitoba Wildfire Service reported more than 100 active fires as of June 3. Sonal Gupta / Local Journalism Initiative / Canada's National Observer 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. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
Calgary Herald
20-05-2025
- Politics
- Calgary Herald
'Great sense of responsibility': Edmonton's Olszewski goes from political abyss to Carney's cabinet
Just a few months ago, Eleanor Olszewski was set to run again as a federal Liberal candidate in Edmonton Strathcona. She'd run in the NDP stronghold before and lost. Article content Article content She was expected to lose again and go back to her job as a lawyer. Article content Fast forward to the present, and Olszewski is the lone Alberta MP to be in Prime Minister Mark Carney's cabinet. She's a prime example of how politics can change in a very short period of time. Article content Article content When Randy Boissonnault announced he would not stand for reelection in Edmonton Centre, the party asked Olszewski to move from Strathcona to a riding in which the Liberals had a much better chance to win. She became the only Liberal to win a seat in the Edmonton area. Article content Article content With Carney needing to show that he's serious about national unity, and having a cabinet filled with ministers from across the country, Olszewski found herself in pole position for a minister's job. Five days before the swearing-in ceremony, she found out she was going to be the minister of emergency management and community resilience, and will also oversee Prairies Economic Development Canada. There's no understating the importance of being the lone Alberta Liberal cabinet minister. Olszewski has to represent the interests of a province which has filed numerous court challenges against the federal government, and where the spectre of a separation referendum in 2026 has the country as a whole talking about national unity. Meanwhile, Canada is under threat from the protectionist policies of U.S. President Donald Trump. Article content Article content Despite the political gulf between the provincial Conservatives and the federal Liberals, there is one thing on which Olszewski and Premier Danielle Smith can agree — that the relationship between Ottawa and Alberta needs a reset. But where they differ is how to best achieve that goal. Smith does so with bluster and through the courts. Olszewski believes it can be best achieved by the two parties sitting down and being willing partners rather than adversaries. Article content Article content 'It's an incredible honour to be chosen to represent Alberta in cabinet,' she said. 'It's a role that I do not take lightly. It comes with a great sense of responsibility. I want to be a strong voice for Alberta. I want to move forward with respect to the relationship between Alberta and the federal government, and to show Albertans that the relationship can be based on respect and collaboration.'
