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Winnipeg Free Press
04-07-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Western alienation deeply rooted
A few years ago, as the COVID-19 pandemic peaked and patriotism grew divisive, it might have drawn more snark online: tens of thousands of Winnipeggers at The Forks for Canada Day, waving the Maple Leaf, scarfing beaver tails and belting out O Canada. But it's been year of whiplashes for a country known for its almost sleepy stability. A year of unravelling alliances, annexation talk and old-school protectionism in the political arena, and three-fights-in-nine-seconds in the more familiar one. Now, it's 'elbows up' and suddenly those red-and-white flags aren't so taboo. A Probe poll commissioned by the Free Press in June suggests feelings of Canadian patriotism, while ebbing a little since March, still run high. In the same poll, however, just 51 per cent of federal Conservative voters in Manitoba said they were more likely to mark Canada Day in a bigger way, while 67 per cent of federal Liberal voters and 57 per cent federal NDP voters expressed this sentiment. Meanwhile, just 29 per cent of federal Conservative voters in Manitoba said they felt prouder to be Canadian today than they did this time last year, while 86 per cent of federal Liberal voters and 78 per cent of federal NDP voters in the province expressed this sentiment. These findings, based on a random and representative sample of 1,000 Manitoba adults, were Canada Day firecrackers next to the real bombshell the poll dropped. It found that a majority of federal Tory (56 per cent) and provincial Progressive Conservative (52 per cent) supporters in Manitoba would likely vote to leave Canada. Overall, about one in four Manitobans share this feeling, though these views barely register among NDP and Liberal voters. The results spotlight a political rift that runs deeper than sharp policy differences. 'There's a pretty profound streak of alienation and discontent that runs through this,' Curtis Brown, principal at Probe Research, told the Free Press shortly before Canada Day. 'But, I mean, we've certainly been living through really strange and uncertain times in the last six months, and people's attitudes have shifted a lot. 'The existential moment seems to have passed in people's minds, the hardcore elbows-up sentiments, (there's) not the fervour of it,' he adds. 'And as people celebrate Canada Day, and they think about what Canada is all about, and where they want to see it go — something's changed.' ● ● ● It's easier to see things taking root once you get into the countryside. Kelly Saunders, professor and chair of Brandon University's political science department, isn't surprised by Probe's findings that one in four Manitobans back western separatism, a feeling strongest in rural areas. 'Every time I go to national conferences, I go there as some little shlump from Brandon,' she says with a laugh. 'The disdain! No wonder we get frustrated.' A certain populist branch of western sovereigntism — quick to dismiss scientific authority as political elitism and prone to flare-ups about vaccines and climate science — troubles Saunders. But the wild rose grows from more fertile soil than that. 'Western alienation is in our DNA as a country,' she says. 'We're not looking at the issue seriously enough when we just write off the very real grievances and fears and frustrations a lot of people in Western Canada have legitimately.' Grievances rooted deeper than just post-election bitterness — a federal election which may nonetheless prove a watershed moment for the West's unrest. 'A lot of this probably extends back a long way, right to 1870, the Riel rebellion — how Manitoba was integrated into this new Dominion of Canada, without really much representation from the people living in Manitoba,' says Fletcher Baragar, an associate professor of economics at the University of Manitoba. 'And (then) you had this system designed to use the (West's) resources to build up the wealth and continuity of the country as a whole — designed not by people in the West, but in the East.' Baragar is referring to prime minister John A. Macdonald's National Policy of 1879. After the Canadian Pacific Railway's westward completion in the 1880s, Ottawa promoted settlement and farming in the Prairies to supply wheat eastward. But the National Policy used freight rates and tariffs to push Manitoba farmers to buy costly farming equipment, machinery and goods from Ontario and Quebec manufacturers. Although federal programs aimed to ease these burdens, some saw the National Policy as reducing the Prairies to a resource hinterland for Upper Canada's taking. 'There's those roots, and to some extent they're still there,' Baragar says. ● ● ● Just as resentment sowed by Alexander Hamilton's industrial policies in the United States later fuelled the 19th-century Populist Party, Canada's National Policy sparked grievances that gave momentum to early Prairie populist movements. Movements like the right-wing Social Credit Party and left-wing Co-operative Commonwealth Federation. However, we're a long way off from the romanticized farmers and co-ops of the country's early years. Manitoba and Saskatchewan's small family farms have largely given way to big corporate entities for whom the scrappy populist image feels like dress-up. But some Manitoba farmers bitterly remember what they see as more recent federal overreach, such as Western Economic Diversification (now PrairiesCan in the Prairie provinces), the federal funding program seen as favouring urban tech over traditional agriculture, and Justin Trudeau's carbon tax, which pounded energy-heavy sectors like farming and oil. Smaller annoyances like Statistics Canada's farmer surveys, many of which are mandatory, and tax-related filings due every month or two don't smooth ruffled feathers. Jeff McIntosh / The Canadian Press A pumpjack draws out oil and gas from a well head near Calgary, Alta., Tuesday, May 6, 2025. Canada has the third largest oil reserves in the world and is the world's fourth largest oil producer. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ 'It's not freight rates. This time, it's not a National Energy Policy… Now it's a concern, I think, in part, about carbon taxes and other sorts of environmental issues that seem to have fairly broad support nationally,' says Baragar. Prime Minister Mark Carney may have scrapped the carbon tax and seems to be talking warmly about greater economic integration and reconciliation with Western Canada. For instance, his One Canadian Economy Act (Bill C-5) aims to cut down on interprovincial trade barriers and fast-track construction of major infrastructure projects. Still, it's hard to disentangle Probe's findings from the 2025 federal election hangover. Every federal election is historic by nature, but this one seemed to carry distinctly capital-H weight. In over 30 years, Canada's conservatives had seen only one member of their political tribe make home at 24 Sussex Drive. The Prairie provinces had also produced only three prime ministers in 158 years. But at long last, deliverance was in sight. For months, the polls showed Pierre Poilievre, a Calgary boy with a pedigree in the Conservative Party's western/Canadian Alliance wing, winning by a landslide — against a Trudeau, which would be the cherry on top. That is, until Justin Trudeau stepped aside as Liberal Party leader and an Oxford-trained central banker swooped in amid a simmering trade war, suddenly looking like the wisest owl in the room. The recently weak and 'woke' Liberal Party was restored to its former Laurentian glory, as Canada's so-called 'natural ruling party.' Despite provincial separatism's constitutionally weak potential, the temptation for some conservatives to flip the checkerboard might feel overwhelming. 'Liberals have dominated federal politics in this country, and the Liberals' base has always been in Central Canada and the Maritimes. The distribution of seats in the House of Commons has always favoured the two biggest provinces, Ontario and Quebec,' Saunders reminds us. 'Western Canada has long felt that they were never fully equal partners in Confederation.' ● ● ● History is being sharpened into a weapon with an ideological whetstone. Albertans, in particular, wield a familiar list of historical grievances — Pierre Trudeau's 1980 National Energy Program, repeated pipeline cancellations, their opposition to the 1982 Constitution Act, their province's greater tax contributions to federal coffers than it gets back in transfers. They have long been the leaders in Western Canada's sovereigntist movement — with outright separatists like Western Canada Concept and the Maverick Party, and more nuanced, effective leaders of provincial autonomy like the Reform and United Conservative parties. According to a May Angus Reid poll, 36 per cent of Albertans support their province leaving Confederation — though that number shrinks to 19 per cent when it comes to those who say they would 'definitely' vote to leave if a referendum were held. The discrepancy is notable. It could be that for all of Alberta's resentment against Quebec receiving the country's highest equalization payments, many have learned a thing or two from the francophone province: threatening divorce scares Ottawa into paying attention. It's a game often well played by Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, whose Alberta Sovereignty Act technically allows the province to ignore federal rules it doesn't like while still living under the same roof. The threat of defiance, from the richest province per capita, is also a bargaining chip. Second to Alberta in the sovereigntist movement is another rich province, Saskatchewan. There, Saskatchewan Party Leader and Premier Scott Moe promotes the idea of 'a nation within a nation,' without endorsing separatism. If Alberta was to have its rule-breaking rule book, so would Saskatchewan — passing the less far-reaching Saskatchewan First Act. Thirty-four per cent of Saskatchewan voters support provincial separation according to the same Angus Reid poll, with that number dropping to 15 per cent when it comes to 'definitely' voting to leave in a referendum. Both Smith and Moe have said they wouldn't stand in the way of citizen-led referendums on separation in their provinces. ● ● ● In Manitoba, no premiers are talking like sovereigntists or hardline regionalists. Even Brian Pallister — who long represented Portage-Lisgar, one of Canada's most conservative ridings, in the House of Commons before he became premier — was strongly dismissive of Wexit, saying, 'You don't build a good relationship by threatening to leave every week.' But today, articulate regionalist voices are stirring on the political sidelines — people like Ken Drysdale, founder of Manitoba Stronger Together, and David Leis, vice-president of development and engagement at the Frontier Centre for Public Policy. 'If you look at what's happened in Winnipeg over the last 60 years, it's one thing being taken away after another. And we're almost just a service centre now. This isn't partisan,' says Drysdale, who's also a professional engineer. 'I think a co-operative alliance between Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba within the Confederation of Canada, would be a plus for the whole country,' he continues. 'If (we) could get together tomorrow and remove all trade barriers between them — holy smokes, that'll make a big difference.' Drysdale — who chaired the National Citizens Inquiry, known for its scathing report on perceived government overreach during the pandemic — sees lifting interprovincial tariffs between Prairie provinces as a first step to building a trade corridor. One he sees stretching from at least Alberta to the ghost town of Port Nelson on Hudson Bay, creating a gateway to untapped and under-accessed foreign markets. His vision isn't secessionism, but more along the lines of a bloc of self-reliant Prairie provinces bound by shared interests — with Manitoba's access to the open sea being one of its alluring charms. ● ● ● Similar outlines are taking shape in Leis's mind. 'The beauty is this could involve, really everybody, including First Nations, playing an important role, making the vision — the original vision of Canada — become realized,' Leis says. 'In many ways, the theme here is, how are we as a country going to finally grow up and realize the founding vision?' Both men envision Manitoba as more than a glorified transit point in a greater alliance with its richer western neighbours. They think Manitoba is lagging in tapping its resource potential and bringing its natural bounties to wider markets. 'Manitoba has extraordinary opportunity. Opportunities in terms of energy, but also in terms of mining, agriculture and manufacturing,' says Leis. Unsurprisingly — especially given Frontier's free-market philosophy and climate-change denialism — Leis sees federal regulations and tax policies as choking off these opportunities. But Leis also opposes Canada's system of equalization payments — whereby so-called 'have-not' provinces like Manitoba are propped up by federal transfer payments — for creating a culture of subservience that saps Manitoba's gumption and initiative. 'There's a long history of proud entrepreneurialism and a pioneering spirit (in Manitoba), and that has been integral to the founding and establishment of Western Canada as we know it,' he says. 'Let's leave the equalization payments behind and pursue a vision of prosperity second to none.' ● ● ● As western alienation rises, it's too easy to caricature the opposing fronts. On one side, a clique of snobby liberal academics, career bureaucrats and old Laurentian political families stuffing their uncalloused hands into the Prairies' pockets, while policing their manners and environmental codes. A clique full of hot air about diversity, inclusion and pluralism — bilking Prairie taxpayers to bankroll woke cultural organizations and public media regurgitating this ideology — while sidelining half the country's opinions and voices. On the other, a gang of new-money, science-hating rednecks who forget about the feds' largesse and decisive role in Alberta's early oil and gas development. A gang stoking culture wars that have less to do with free speech than shielding racists and chauvinists and with the intent to hoard profits while the rest of the country smoulders from economic decline and a man-made climate disaster it refuses to recognize. Even if certain bad actors and behaviour encourage these stereotypes, western alienation is about more than this. It can be about more than just oil, money and the environment. At its loftiest, it's about two visions of Canada. As Leis's rhetoric reflects, western realigners often position themselves as patriotic confederalists. Many espouse loyalty to what they see as Canada's foundational vision as a union of distinct provinces with strong control over their own affairs, wed by an enlightened interest in trade and prosperity. Liam Richards / The Canadian Press A piece of machinery sits underground at the Mosaic potash mine in Esterhazy, Sask. on Wednesday, May 3, 2017. THE CANADIAN PRESS/ Some may don the confederalist cloak strategically, to lend an august image to their cause. But the struggle against the federalist tradition is real. A vision entrenched by Pierre Trudeau's Charter of Rights and Freedoms (1982), National Energy Program (1980), Official Languages Act (1969) and centralization of judiciary power with the Supreme Court. Monolithic acts, as they see them, whose 'gains' for constitutional liberties and Canadian pluralism were above all a win for federal power and Central Canada at the expense of others. That Canada's federalist system makes it very hard for provinces to either secede or overturn the equalization system — because any constitutional change requires consent from at least seven provinces representing 50 per cent of the population — seems like a case in point. Throw in the fact the Prairie provinces have fewer people, and therefore less clout in the House of Commons, and that frustration seems bound to continue seeking political outlet, not always within traditional parliamentary channels. ● ● ● In Manitoba, for most sympathizers, separatism is less a fully formed thought than a gut instinct. And regional dynamics likely still stand in the way of that instinct kick-starting an effective movement. For all its imagery of plucky pioneers standing up to powerful mandarins, western-sovereignty messaging has rather little to say about the Prairies' internal power differences: between the captains of industry and manual labourers, between the have-not and have-lots provinces. Its solutions can feel quaintly 19th century — bootstraps, laissez-faire, growthmania, rugged individualism — in a country gripped by 21st-century problems. Problems like the climate crisis and economic inequalities of a new Guilded Age. Nostalgia for the country's founding vision is also probably not a selling point for Indigenous peoples — the very nations excluded from the original Confederation table and whose legal rights still flow from treaties with the federal government. Treaties often signed before the Prairie provinces joined Confederation. 'We have a very large, important and an increasingly confident First Nations community, and of course, the homeland of the Métis,' says Baragar. '(However) fraught, those ties with the federal government are very, very important.' Manitoba is also, in many ways, a conflicted child of Western and Central Canada: The well-to-do cottage at Lake of the Woods in Ontario, while the province on the whole is poorer than its neighbours on either side. Despite our wealthy enclaves, we're considered a 'have-not' province — one that receives substantial equalization payments and that consistently votes NDP, unlike Saskatchewan or Alberta. ● ● ● Even at the political level, subtle cross-partisan signs of western alignment are showing. NDP Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew has promoted the province's role in a new Prairie trade-and-energy corridor. Then, last month, he joined Alberta's Danielle Smith and Saskatchewan's Scott Moe at the Western Premiers' Conference in Yellowknife. Together, they issued a joint statement calling for new economic corridors — encompassing highways, rail, pipelines, energy transmission and critical-mineral infrastructure. They also called for ports on the West Coast and the coast of Hudson Bay to link Western Canada directly to overseas markets on the Pacific and Atlantic oceans, skipping Central Canada. All with federal support, incidentally. The continued push for a Prairie trade-and-energy corridor is likely to trigger criticism from Manitoba progressives concerned about its environmental impact, as such talk has in the past. This and more reminds us that if western-alignment movements remain mostly about trade and extraction, they're unlikely to inspire a united front among Manitobans — however much the province sorely needs greater economic development. Wednesdays A weekly dispatch from the head of the Free Press newsroom. But this doesn't mean progressive Manitobans are against prosperity, even if they sometimes face tough trade-offs. Progressives likewise draw energy from a long tradition of Prairie populism: a spirit that goes back to the Red River Rebellion and the Winnipeg General Strike, events still colouring Manitoba's identity. While western separatism may not be on the immediate horizon, Manitobans' visions of the Prairies, Canada and their future seem diverse to the point of bursting at the seams. Without more common threads, can the centre hold? As Canada Day and 'elbows-up' energies mellow, maybe we should be talking more about what we share in common not just as Canadians, but as Prairie peoples. Conrad SweatmanReporter Conrad Sweatman is an arts reporter and feature writer. Before joining the Free Press full-time in 2024, he worked in the U.K. and Canadian cultural sectors, freelanced for outlets including The Walrus, VICE and Prairie Fire. Read more about Conrad. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Winnipeg Free Press
30-06-2025
- Politics
- Winnipeg Free Press
Separatism strong among majority of Tory backers in Manitoba
Prairie separatism, once seen as exclusive to Alberta and Saskatchewan, is growing in Manitoba, according to a new poll. The majority of federal and provincial Conservative supporters in Manitoba would likely vote to leave Canada, says the Probe Research poll commissioned by the Winnipeg Free Press. The June 2025 omnibus survey — based on a random and representative sample of 1,000 Manitoba adults —found that 52 per cent of provincial Progressive Conservatives and 56 per cent of federal Conservative voters say they'd definitely or probably vote to leave in a referendum on independence in Manitoba. Overall, about one in four Manitobans shares this feeling, though support for separatism is almost negligible among NDP and Liberal voters and strongest regionally among rural voters. 'There's a pretty profound streak of alienation and discontent that runs through this,' said Curtis Brown, the principal at Probe Research. 'But, I mean, we've certainly been living through really strange and uncertain times in the last six months and people's attitudes have shifted a lot.' The Probe survey suggests feelings of patriotism — while ebbing a little since March after U.S. President Trump imposed a fresh round of tariffs on Canada — still run high among most Manitobans. Sixty per cent of respondents said they feel more proud to be a Canadian today than they did at this time last year. In March, that degree of patriotism in the province was running at 77 per cent. Nearly 60 per cent also said they plan to make more of an effort to celebrate Canada Day. However, fewer conservatives are riding the patriotic swell: 29 per cent of federal Conservative voters in Manitoba say they feel prouder to be a Canadian today than they did at this time last year, while 86 per cent of federal Liberal voters and 78 per cent of federal NDP voters in the province express this sentiment. The poll also found that 51 per cent of federal Conservative voters in Manitoba say they're more likely to mark Canada Day in a bigger way, compared to 67 per of federal Liberal voters and 57 per cent of federal NDP voters. 'The existential moment seems to have passed in people's minds, the hard-core 'elbows up' sentiments, (there's) not the fervour of it,' Brown said. 'As people celebrate Canada Day, and they think about what Canada is all about and where they want to see it go — something's changed.' Kelly Saunders, a political studies professor at Brandon University, said she isn't surprised by the Probe survey. 'Western Canada has long felt that they were never fully equal partners in Confederation,' she said. 'Liberals have dominated federal politics in this country, and the Liberal base has always been in central Canada and the Maritimes. The distribution of seats in the House of Commons has always favoured the two biggest provinces, Ontario and Quebec,' she said. A December Free Press/Probe poll found Conservative Party of Canada's Pierre Poilievre polling above 50 per cent with Manitobans and a full 68 per cent of men in the province aged 18 to 35 supported the leader. Although the Tory loss to the Liberals in the April 28 federal election may fuel growing separatist sentiments among Manitoba conservatives, Saunders argued that cultural and economic forces, beyond the vagaries of electoral politics, are driving the shift. 'Western alienation is in our DNA as a country,' she said. 'Sometimes we see pressure points where all of a sudden these forces rise up again, but it's always been there.' A May 2025 poll found significant support for separatism in the two other Prairie provinces. According to the Angus Reid Institute, 36 per cent of Albertans support their province leaving Confederation – though that number shrinks to 19 per cent when it comes to the number who say they would 'definitely' vote to leave if a referendum were held. Meanwhile, 34 per cent of Saskatchewan voters support provincial separation with that number dropping to 15 per cent when it comes to 'definitely' voting to leave in a referendum. While neither Alberta Premier Danielle Smith nor Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe endorses separatism, both are strong advocates for greater provincial independence. Smith passed the Alberta Sovereignty Act in 2022 while Moe passed the Saskatchewan First Act in 2023, which technically empower their provinces to reject enforcement of many federal initiatives. While both Manitoba NDP Premier Wab Kinew, and former Tory premier Brian Pallister, have criticized western separatism, the province has recently shown some signs of greater western alignment. In May, Kinew joined Smith and Moe at the western premiers conference in Yellowknife, where they called for new economic corridors, encompassing highways, rail, pipelines, energy transmission and critical-mineral infrastructure. They also called for connecting West Coast ports to Hudson Bay to link Western Canada more directly to overseas markets. Weekday Mornings A quick glance at the news for the upcoming day. Conrad SweatmanReporter Conrad Sweatman is an arts reporter and feature writer. Before joining the Free Press full-time in 2024, he worked in the U.K. and Canadian cultural sectors, freelanced for outlets including The Walrus, VICE and Prairie Fire. Read more about Conrad. Our newsroom depends on a growing audience of readers to power our journalism. If you are not a paid reader, please consider becoming a subscriber. Our newsroom depends on its audience of readers to power our journalism. Thank you for your support.
Hamilton Spectator
24-06-2025
- Business
- Hamilton Spectator
Probe Gold Announces Results of Annual General Meeting
TORONTO, June 24, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) — Probe Gold Inc. (TSX: PRB) (OTCQB: PROBF) ('Probe' or the 'Company') announces the voting results for the Annual General Meeting of Shareholders (the 'Meeting') held today, in Toronto. Results of the Meeting The Company is reporting the voting results of its Meeting held on Tuesday, June 24, 2025. The summary of the results as follows: Election of Directors Based on the proxies received and the votes cast at the Meeting, each nominee director was elected to serve until the next annual meeting of shareholders. The following is a tabulation of the votes submitted: Appointment of Auditors Based on the proxies received and the votes cast at the Meeting, MNP LLP was appointed as the Company's auditor. The following is a tabulation of the votes submitted: Approval of Unallocated Entitlements Based on the proxies received and the votes cast at the Meeting, Unallocated Entitlements were approved. The following is a tabulation of the votes submitted: Please refer to the Company's Report of Voting Results filed on SEDAR at for further details on the above matters. About Probe Gold: Probe Gold Inc. is a leading Canadian company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of highly prospective gold properties. The Company is well-funded and dedicated to exploring and developing high-quality gold projects. Notably, it owns 100% of its flagship asset, the multimillion-ounce Novador Gold Project in Quebec, as well as an early-stage Detour Gold Quebec project. Probe controls a large land package of approximately 1835-square-kilometres of exploration ground within some of the most prolific gold belts in Quebec. The Company's recent Novador updated Preliminary Economic Assessment outlines a robust mining plan with an average annual gold production of 255,000 ounces over a 12.6-year mine life. Val-d'Or properties include gold resources totaling 6,728,600 ounces in the Measured and Indicated category and 3,277,100 ounces in the Inferred category along all trends and deposits. On behalf of Probe Gold Inc., Dr. David Palmer, President & Chief Executive Officer For further information: Please visit our website at or contact: Seema Sindwani Vice-President of Investor Relations info@ +1.416.777.9467 Forward-Looking Statements Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This News Release includes certain 'forward-looking statements' which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as 'believes', 'anticipates', 'expects', 'estimates', 'may', 'could', 'would', 'will', or 'plan'. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties, and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to failure to identify mineral resources, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, inability to fulfill the duty to accommodate First Nations and other indigenous peoples, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, and those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by law.
Hans India
17-06-2025
- General
- Hans India
MyVoice: Views of our readers 17th June 2025
Rising air accidents is cause for alarm India has been witnessing a disturbing surge in air incidents—an Air India crash on June 12, emergency landings by an Apache helicopter (the second such incident in a week) in Pathankot on June 13 and a British F-35 jet in Thiruvananthapuram on June 15 and Kedarnath chopper crash on the same day. These mark five incidents in two months. These, along with past chopper crashes in Katra and recurring MiG mishaps, underscore deep-rooted systemic flaws. Ageing fleets and poor maintenance remain major issues, but the private helicopter sector, responsible for 70 per cent of non-military crashes over the past decade (DGCA), raises the greatest concern. Even in the armed forces, lapses in pre-procurement checks need to accord priority to safety or discard the equipment despite strong maintenance protocols. Will people revert to rail travel as human life needs priority over saving time? Reforms, stricter oversight, and accountability at all levels are the need of the hour. RS Narula, Patiala Probe all recent tragic incidents This appears to be a season of mishaps in India. Innocent people are getting killed for no fault of theirs. There have been several instances of major 'accidents' like the Air India crash in Ahmedabad and the helicopter crash near Kedarnath, while a bridge collapsed in Pune. If there is a pattern to all these 'incidents', then it becomes a greater worry and should be probed from all angles to rule out sabotage. There have been five helicopter crashes within a period of three months in Uttarakhand, which is quite unusual. Either the authorities concerned are guilty of turning a Nelson's Eye towards the airworthy maintenance of the helicopters against regular haftas or the operators are least concerned about passenger safety norms. It is therefore important to order a full-fledged probe into such incidents. Govardhana Myneedu, Vijayawada Air India credibility at stake The tragic crash of Air India flight AI171 from Ahmedabad to London has raised serious questions about the reliability of Air India. The tragedy highlights the urgent need for a strong leadership and rigorous regulatory oversight in India's aviation sector. The Tata Group must prioritise appointment of seasoned aviation professionals to address systemic flaws and restore confidence in the airline. At the same time, the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA) must step up its proactive monitoring and enforcement of safety standards to avert future disasters. Rebuilding trust demands accountability, transparency, and an unwavering commitment to passenger and crew safety. N S K Prasad, Saket Colony, Hyderabad-62 Check exploitation by private hospitals This is with reference to the article published in The Hans India on June 16 titled 'Private hospitals fleecing patients left, right and centre'. It has rightly exposed the unethical and exploitative practices rampant in many private hospitals. The indiscriminate overcharging for consultations, diagnostics and even basic treatments is not just alarming — it is outright inhumane. When patients seek care, they are met not with compassion but with commercial interests. Families are being pushed into debt and despair, with no system of accountability to protect them. Healthcare — a fundamental right — is being reduced to a profit-making industry. It is imperative that the government enforces stringent regulations, brings in cost caps, ensures transparency in billing, and establishes a grievance redressal system for patients. Hospitals must be made answerable. Let this not be another headline that fades into oblivion. Let it spark a movement towards ethical, accessible, and accountable healthcare. C.H. Sai Pratap, Hyderabad Kudos to Saritha for her RTC milestone It is a matter of pride that 38-year-old V. Saritha achieved the distinction of becoming the first woman driver of TGSRTC. Another feather in her cap is that she drove an eco-friendly e-bus from Miryalguda to Hyderabad. This is one step forward towards women empowerment in its truest sense. Hope more women will follow suit and join the RTC as drivers. It is an indication of her grit and family commitment that Sarita started driving an auto as an 18-year-old for a livelihood. Sreelekha PS, Boudhnagar, Secunderabad-61
Yahoo
03-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Probe Awards Key Engineering Contracts to Advance Novador Project Pre-Feasibility Study
Highlights: Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC will lead the Pre-Feasibility Study (PFS) and will be responsible for the process plant design, the supporting infrastructure, overall opex and capex. G Mining Services will lead the mining engineering scope of the project including mining opex and capex. GHD will lead the scope of the project related to the design of tailings and water management infrastructures. Probe has successfully completed a 50,000-metre infill drilling program to support the PFS, which remains on track for completion by year-end 2025. TORONTO, June 03, 2025 (GLOBE NEWSWIRE) -- PROBE GOLD INC. (TSX: PRB) (OTCQB: PROBF) ("Probe" or the "Company") is pleased to announce that it has awarded all major engineering contracts for project management services related to the Pre-Feasibility Study ('PFS') of its flagship Novador Project. The PFS is scheduled for completion by the end of 2025. Ausenco Engineering Canada ULC ('Ausenco') has been appointed to lead the PFS and will oversee project timelines, milestones, and deliverables. Ausenco will contribute technical expertise across core engineering disciplines, including infrastructure, metallurgy, and processing and will produce a project execution plan with related capex and opex to advance the project towards the future Feasibility Study and permitting. G Mining Services Inc. (GMS) has been engaged to lead all mining engineering aspects of the PFS. GMS' scope includes the open pit and underground mining engineering and design, mine planning, mining infrastructure, mining opex and capex, and the development of the mining execution strategy. GHD has been appointed for all engineering aspects related to tailings and water management infrastructures. GHD is currently producing the physical environment baseline studies, and they will be able to leverage their understanding of the Novador project site and the permitting requirements into their design and the selection of optimum solutions. David Palmer, President and CEO of Probe Gold, states 'With these key contracts in place, Probe is well positioned to advance the Novador Project into its next phase of development and deliver a robust, high-quality Pre-Feasibility Study. By working with global leaders, Ausenco for process infrastructure, G Mining Services for mining engineering, and GHD for water and tailings management, we have strong confidence in the technical quality and scope of the work ahead. These collaborations support our timeline to deliver the PFS by year-end. We see significant potential to enhance the current study and look forward to drawing on the expertise of our consultants throughout the process. At the same time, we are making steady progress on our permitting strategy. With the successful completion of our recent financing, Probe is fully funded to advance through the next stages of regulatory and permitting work, creating meaningful value for our shareholders.' About Probe's Novador Project Since 2016, Probe Gold has been consolidating its land position in the highly prospective Val d'Or East area in the province of Quebec with a district-scale land package of 835 square kilometres that represents one of the largest land holdings in the Val-d'Or mining camp. The Novador project represents one property block of 202 square kilometres that hosts four past producing mines (Beliveau Mine, Bussiere Mine, Monique Mine and Beaufor Mine) and contains 80% of the Company's gold resources in Val-d'Or East. Novador is situated in a politically stable and low-cost mining environment that hosts numerous active producers and mills. About AusencoAusenco is a global company delivering innovative, value-add consulting, studies, project delivery, asset operations and maintenance solutions to the minerals and metals and industrial sectors. Ausenco operates from 21 offices across five continents, delivering services worldwide with a strong track record of successfully completing projects in Quebec. Study work in Quebec includes Agnico Eagle Mines' Wasamac FS and FS Update, O3 Mining's Marban PFS and Probe Gold's Novador PEA and PEA Update. Other notable PFS studies completed in Canada include NexGold's Goliath Project and St. Barbara's 15-Mile Project and the recently awarded Mayfair Gold Fenn-Gib Project. Beyond Quebec, Ausenco has also recently executed major projects such as Alamos Gold's Magino Project in Ontario, St. Barbara's Moose River Project in Nova Scotia and SilverCrest Metals' Las Chispas Project in Mexico. ( About G MiningG Mining Services is an entrepreneurial minded and multidisciplinary company which provides professional services to both underground and open pit mining projects in precious, base or industrial metals. G Mining has the expertise to develop a resource through all stages from exploration and development to construction, commissioning, and full-scale operations. ( About GHDGHD is a global, employee-owned professional services company founded in 1928 and headquartered in Australia. Operating across five continents, GHD brings together more than 1,800 professionals in Canada. We collaborate with mining clients across the globe to deliver integrated solutions that address complex environmental and engineering challenges. In Canada, we are currently supporting multiple mine waste and water management Pre-Feasibility Studies across Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, British Columbia, and Quebec. These engagements span key commodities including gold, base metals, and lithium. By bringing together expertise in engineering, environmental science, architecture, and construction, we help our clients plan and deliver sustainable outcomes that create long-term value. ( About Probe GoldProbe Gold Inc. is a leading Canadian company focused on the acquisition, exploration, and development of highly prospective gold properties. The Company is well-funded and dedicated to exploring and developing high-quality gold projects. Notably, it owns 100% of its flagship asset, the multimillion-ounce Novador Gold Project in Québec, as well as an early-stage Detour Gold Québec project. Probe controls a large land package of approximately 1,835-square-kilometres of exploration ground within some of the most prolific gold belts in Québec. The Company's recent Novador updated Preliminary Economic Assessment outlines a robust mining plan with an average annual gold production of 255,000 ounces over a 12.6-year mine life. Val-d'Or properties include gold resources totaling 6,728,600 ounces in the Measured and Indicated category and 3,277,100 ounces in the Inferred category along all trends and deposits. On behalf of Probe Gold Inc., President & Chief Executive OfficerPlease visit our website at or contact: Seema SindwaniVice-President of Investor Relationsinfo@ Forward-Looking Statements Neither TSX nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined in the policies of the TSX) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this release. This news release includes certain "forward-looking statements" which are not comprised of historical facts. Forward-looking statements include estimates and statements that describe the Company's future plans, objectives or goals, including words to the effect that the Company or management expects a stated condition or result to occur. Forward-looking statements may be identified by such terms as 'believes', 'anticipates', 'expects', 'estimates', 'may', 'could', 'would', 'will', or 'plan'. Since forward-looking statements are based on assumptions and address future events and conditions, by their very nature they involve inherent risks and uncertainties. Although these statements are based on information currently available to the Company, the Company provides no assurance that actual results will meet management's expectations. Risks, uncertainties, and other factors involved with forward-looking information could cause actual events, results, performance, prospects, and opportunities to differ materially from those expressed or implied by such forward-looking information. Forward looking information in this news release includes, but is not limited to, the Company's objectives, goals or future plans, statements, exploration results, potential mineralization, the estimation of mineral resources, exploration and mine development plans, timing of the commencement of operations and estimates of market conditions, expectations about the use of proceeds from the Offering and final acceptance from the TSX. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from such forward-looking information include, but are not limited to the inability of the Company to apply the use of proceeds from the Offering as anticipated, the failure to identify mineral resources, failure to convert estimated mineral resources to reserves, the inability to complete a feasibility study which recommends a production decision, the preliminary nature of metallurgical test results, delays in obtaining or failures to obtain required governmental, environmental or other project approvals, political risks, inability to fulfill the duty to accommodate First Nations and other indigenous peoples, uncertainties relating to the availability and costs of financing needed in the future, changes in equity markets, inflation, changes in exchange rates, fluctuations in commodity prices, delays in the development of projects, capital and operating costs varying significantly from estimates and the other risks involved in the mineral exploration and development industry, an inability to predict and counteract the effects pandemics or other global events on the business of the Company, including but not limited to the effects of the same on the price of commodities, capital market conditions, restriction on labour and international travel and supply chains, and those risks set out in the Company's public documents filed on SEDAR+. Although the Company believes that the assumptions and factors used in preparing the forward-looking information in this news release are reasonable, undue reliance should not be placed on such information, which only applies as of the date of this news release, and no assurance can be given that such events will occur in the disclosed time frames or at all. The Company disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking information, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise, other than as required by in retrieving data Sign in to access your portfolio Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data Error in retrieving data
