Latest news with #QEII
CTV News
4 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
Severe thunderstorms possible late Friday with intermittent rain over the weekend
Patchy fog developed over portions of Calgary and southern Alberta early Friday, at times limiting visibility to less than one kilometre near Medicine Hat. In Calgary, the fog was mostly in low-lying areas and started to mix out by 7:30 a.m. Severe thunderstorms possible late Friday with intermittent rain over the weekend Foggy view from CTV Calgary at 7:15 a.m. July 18, 2025. The first part of Friday will be mild in Calgary with a mix of sun and cloud and minimal winds, but a low pressure system situated in the B.C. interior will move over the Rockies later in the day and introduce some instability. Rain will first show up along the foothills Friday afternoon, with thunderstorms popping up in the early evening west of the QEII and Highway 2. Calgary is likely to sit right in the pathway of this trough, meaning rain is likely later Friday and carry through overnight, with the potential of some severe thunderstorms development across the region. The greatest threats associated with Friday's thunderstorms include heavy rain, large-sized hail and strong winds. Scattered showers and thunderstorms will likely be a part of the weather story for most of the next few days, especially at the start of next week when persistent rain is expected. Severe thunderstorms possible late Friday with intermittent rain over the weekend Due to the counter-clockwise rotation around this initial low rainfall totals will be variable as it pushes back up against the eastern side of the Rockies. Calgary could see close to 20 millimetres of rain by Monday morning. Daytime highs will sit close to 20 C from Friday through Sunday, before dropping down to just 14 C on Tuesday. Severe thunderstorms possible late Friday with intermittent rain over the weekend There will be a return to a more stable weather pattern by the middle of next week and bring sunshine and highs in the mid to high 20s for Calgary.
Otago Daily Times
15-07-2025
- Health
- Otago Daily Times
Is exercise an 'antidote to ageing'?
Exercise is an antidote to ageing - that's the motto of Paula Barrett, 80, who teaches three fitness classes a week at a Christchurch recreation centre. Paula has been running classes since the late 1980s amd is now operating out of the Pioneer Sport and Recreation Centre. "I am surprised when people are surprised that I am still working at 80. "I still feel the same inside, though my body has obviously changed with age. "I see exercise as an antidote to ageing." Paula's lifelong love of sport and exercise started in the 1950s in south Ireland where she learned to swim in the local river and took up Irish dancing. "In 1962 I went to Dublin for a course in physical education where I readily took to gymnastics, hockey, netball, lacrosse, cricket, rounders, tennis and swimming." After a stint teaching in Ireland and London, Paula and her family headed to Iten, Kenya, where she taught in a school famous for long-distance runners before making the move to Christchurch. "In 1988 I came to New Zealand and my first job was at QEII taking a gentle exercise class. "While I was there the manager from Pioneer rang looking for a basketball coach. I immediately put up my hand. "Taking basketball expanded into preschool and after school gymnastics, tennis, squash, dancing, trampolining and gentle exercise." Paula said exercise is important at any age, but particularly when you're older. "It is never too early or too late to start looking after your mind and body. The benefits are innumerable,' she said. "Keeping active strengthens muscles, eases back problems, improves balance, keeps joints supple, helps with bone health and prevents recurrence of common aches and pains." Her mantra was put to the test when being fit played a vital part in Paula's recovery from breast cancer, which she was diagnosed with four years ago. "While dropping off to sleep I felt an unusual sensation in my left breast. When I investigated why, I felt quite a large lump. A good lesson in regularly checking one's breasts for any changes. "I was diagnosed with stage three cancer. I went through the various stages of treatment, mastectomy, chemo and radiation and was grateful to be fit enough to cope with the side effects. It never occurred to me to give up teaching." For Paula, it was a welcome relief to focusing on planning routines and suitable music rather than the next treatment. "The council was very accommodating in fitting in with my treatment dates. "The regular class participants were supportive and empathetic, most had gone through similar challenges either themselves or a family member. "To date I have been given the all clear,' she said. "The social side of regular classes is important, especially as we age. Lifelong friendships are made, everyone is supportive and inclusive, not taking themselves too seriously."
Scoop
16-06-2025
- Business
- Scoop
Rural Voters Fed Up With Rates Rip-Off
Councils have a mountain to climb to win back the trust of rural ratepayers, Federated Farmers says - and that starts with cutting wasteful spending and sharing the burden more fairly. "At the same time, councils deserve an overhaul of their funding tools and other changes to central government policy," Feds local government spokesperson Sandra Faulkner says. "Council rates hikes have climbed well above inflation for several decades, but the pressure on ratepayers has only worsened. "When elections happen this October, voters should back candidates who commit to capping general rate increases at inflation - unless there's a genuinely extraordinary reason not to," Faulkner says. She says rural ratepayers are fed up with footing the bill for urban-centric services they don't use and aren't connected to. "It's time to scrap unfair rating differentials and shift towards targeted uniform charges and annual general charges to reduce reliance on property value-based rates." Federated Farmers is also calling for legislation changes that would require binding referenda on any council commercial projects that cost more than $500 per rateable property. "We're not talking about sewage treatment plants, bridges or other such essential infrastructure," Faulkner says. "We're meaning commercial ventures like stadiums, conference centres and marinas that are beyond core council purposes and can destroy balance sheets. "It's not to say these projects can't happen, but ratepayers should get to make the final call." Councils could also save money by sticking to their lane and leaving climate policy to central government, Faulkner says. "Councils should stop duplicating effort - and wasting ratepayer dollars - by setting climate policies. "To do something positive for the environment, councils that haven't already should bring in a rates remission policy for land under QEII covenants, Significant Natural Areas and Outstanding Natural Landscapes. "Given that public conservation values are protected by these mechanisms, farmers deserve rates relief," Faulkner says. Federated Farmers supports RMA and local planning reform that reduces delays, costs and uncertainty, and utilises tools like farm plans rather than consents. Significant Natural Area and environmental rules must be science-based and farmer-friendly. Faulkner says central government also has a major role in the drive for council efficiency and fairness. Federated Farmers believes road users, rather than property owners, should be paying for local roads and bridges - as is the case for State Highways. "We're calling for 90% of local roading maintenance and renewal costs to come from fuel excise tax and road user charges, rather than rates. Currently, the average is only 53%. "Property value rates are a particularly poor mechanism to fund roads for the same reason as general taxation: it doesn't tie those who use roads with those who pay for roads. "This system also lacks logic. In areas with a lot of tourism or freight, for example, locals are left paying for roading networks that serve a wider regional or national purpose." The 10% cost share left with ratepayers would lock in a district say on local road priorities. Other steps from central government are also needed to relieve cost pressures on council, Faulkner says. "Crown land should be rateable, the 30% cap on council uniform annual general charges should be scrapped, and the Beehive should stop unfunded mandates - piling extra responsibilities onto councils with no corresponding funding." Faulkner says with council elections looming, now's a great chance to ask some tough questions of councillors seeking re-election - and those challenging them for seats - on how they'll lessen the rural rates burden.
CTV News
11-06-2025
- Health
- CTV News
As N.S officials discuss $4.5B hospital expansion, CEO says a new one likely needed, too
Karen Oldfield, the interim president and CEO of Nova Scotia Health, speaks to reporters after appearing before the province's public accounts committee where healthcare facilities were top of mind. (CTV Atlantic/Callum Smith) Officials in charge of the $7.4-billion QEII Halifax Infirmary expansion and maintenance project appeared before a legislative committee on Wednesday, offering some details – but not others – about where the project stands and where it's heading. During those discussions though, Karen Oldfield, the interim president and CEO of Nova Scotia Health, said a new hospital may also be required in the coming years. 'I don't want to presuppose an outcome, but I would be shocked if there was not some indication of another major or regional hospital being required in the Central Zone over the course of the planning horizon,' Oldfield said. 'I'm not announcing that, I'm not saying that,' she said. 'I'm intuiting that.' The population growth, particularly in the HRM, 'makes it very necessary to figure out just how we're going to build out the Central Zone,' she continued. But building is only part of the battle. She acknowledged staffing, timing and budgeting are only some components that need to be considered as part of the health authority's master plan. While speaking to reporters, Oldfield said several population factors will put even more pressure on the system. 'We're almost in a race against time to prepare for that peak to have the healthcare facilities ready, to have long-term care facilities ready. 'It's the demographics, it's the age, but it's also the baby boom that's hitting – I think it peaks out at 2035 – where a significant percentage of Nova Scotians are over age 65, and then it comes back down again,' Oldfield said. Acknowledging that a larger percentage of an aging population will likely lead to higher healthcare needs and long-term care needs. Oldfield said when she was appointed to her role by Premier Tim Houston in 2021, Nova Scotia Health did not have a 10-year capital plan, which makes it 'very difficult to plan when you don't have a long-term plan.' Construction update Oldfield said the QEII Halifax Infirmary expansion project's design phase is nearly 75 per cent completed, 'and that work is being shaped by those who use the spaces every day.' The first two cranes arrived last month and two more will arrive later this summer as part of the largest infrastructure project in the province's history. Construction crews started pouring the foundation last month and the concrete structure will rise to the main floor in December, 'marking a significant milestone,' said David Benoit, the CEO of Build Nova Scotia. Benoit reiterated numerous times to the Standing Committee on Public Accounts that the $7.4-billion price tag – including $4.5-billion in construction costs and $2.9-billion for 30-year maintenance costs – is part of a 'firm fixed price and schedule.' 'If things arise, like tariffs or hurricanes, or unexpected, unforeseeable things, there are clauses in the contract which allow for a conversation to happen,' he said. 'I'm comfortable that we got value for money, but you don't have to take my word for it,' Benoit told the committee. He told reporters a long-awaited 'value for money' document will be released to the public, likely within 'days.' When asked how tariffs could impact costs, John Volcko, PCL Constructors vice president of corporate development, said they learned a lot about price volatility and escalation during the COVID-19 pandemic. 'Within our bid, we've got certain allowances, certain contingencies to deal with unexpected things like that,' he told reporters. Interim Liberal leader Derek Mombourquette asked that the contract between the province and Plenary PCL Health (PPH) be tabled at the committee. The expansion will see a new, modern, 14-floor acute care tower with 216 beds, 16 operating rooms, a 48-bed intensive care unit and an emergency department that is nearly twice the size of the current one. It is expected to open in 2031. It's still not clear how many new staff will be needed and how many will come over from the Victoria General (VG) Hospital. Hotel rooms required At the construction peak for the QEII Halifax Infirmary project, there will be 850 to 1,000 workers, Volcko said. About two-thirds of those will be from Nova Scotia and the rest will come from out-of-province 'where there's just not sufficient skilled labour.' In response to a question from the NDP and Liberals, Benoit said there are ongoing discussions with Nova Scotia Community College about the void. For those workers coming from away, Volcko said 'there just was not sufficient time to put up a temporary lodging.' He said all 238 rooms at the Atlantica Hotel will be taken up by workers at some point. 'It's expected eventually we'll take over all the rooms and then there will be a tail where we don't need all the rooms again,' he told reporters. He couldn't say how many more rooms may be needed because he's not sure how many workers will be from out of town. 'Our first objective is to employ local talent, local skilled labour,' Volcko said. 'If our peak is in three years, you know, we've got some time to build a workforce.' Karen Oldfield Karen Oldfield, the interim president and CEO of Nova Scotia Health, speaks to reporters after appearing before the province's public accounts committee where healthcare facilities were top of mind. (CTV Atlantic/Callum Smith) For more Nova Scotia news, visit our dedicated provincial page
Otago Daily Times
10-06-2025
- General
- Otago Daily Times
QEII National Trust set to dramatically scale back work
The Remarkables Station near Queenstown is protected with a QEII covenant - having been gifted to the QEII National Trust in 2022. Photo: Supplied Landowners are being told their requests for help conserving precious native land may have to wait, as the QEII National Trust faces a funding crunch. The conservation organisation said it would have to dramatically reduce the number of new covenants it was protecting across the motu from next month, when the Department of Conservation's Jobs for Nature funding ran out. Makarora resident Gary Charteris was among the thousands of landowners who have protected pieces of wetland, grassland or forest under a QEII covenant since 1977, to prevent it ever being developed, cleared or subdivided. Charteris said he wanted to ensure his beloved 30 hectares of pasture, beech forest and native mistletoe would never be sliced up or sold. "At some stage in the future, someone, some property developer, might decide to develop it and subdivide it and build little houses all over it. And I wanted to prevent that," he said. He said the process was straightforward and - with the addition of a walking track last month - gave everyone a chance to enjoy the land. "I've lived here for 40 years and I've had a lot of enjoyment out of just wandering through the bush, and I can't see why other people can't," he said. For each covenant, the Trust helped out with the legal paperwork, survey costs and boundary fencing, and offered advice for pest control, weeding and long-term land care. Despite strong demand for new covenants - with waitlists in some regions - QEII National Trust chief executive Dan Coup said the Trust was preparing to dramatically scale back its work. The Trust relied largely on government funding, and its budget was set to shrink. It protected 141 new covenants in 2024, 153 in 2023, and 170 in 2022 - but next year could look a little different, Coup said. "Next year we will be lucky to be able to do a quarter to a third of the number of covenants we have done over the last few years. So it does mean that there's going to be quite a number of more people that we're going to be turning away or at least saying we can't afford to help you right now," he said. The Trust received annual funding of just over $4.27 million. In February, Conservation Minister Tama Potaka announced a new $4.5 million funding package over three years. But that coincided with another key funding source coming to an end - the Jobs for Nature programme, funded by the government and administered by the Department of Conservation. It gave the Trust $8 million over four years, from 2021. Coup said the Trust would soon have just a little more than it needed to cover its core operations and support existing landowners. Environmental Defence Society chief executive Gary Taylor - a former QEII National Trust director - was appalled. "I think I think it's ridiculous that QEII is struggling on around about $5 million a year. It should be on $25 million a year and then it would be able to do proportionately a lot more and and do it in a way that's consistent with the government's overall political philosophy and direction," he said. Coup said the Trust had been looking at ways to avoid cutting back on new covenants. "We're obviously talking to officials and politicians as much as we can, and crowdfunding," he said. "We think this is a really effective investment of Crown money to improve both biodiversity but also ecosystems service outcomes for communities." Taylor believed crowdfunding and bequests wouldn't cut it. "I think there's a lot of demand on philanthropic and private investment in conservation at the moment. DOC itself is looking to bulk up its revenue sources with philanthropic support. There's only so much that philanthropy can do," he said. "This is something that requires so little additional funding to make it really roll that we should look to government to support. We could take $25 million out of Shane Jones's $200 million for oil and gas and that would give us something meaningful." In a statement, Potaka reiterated his support for the trust and its important mahi protecting landscapes and ecosystems. Asked if the government would consider additional funding for QEII, he said like with many other important conservation projects, further budget investments would be "considered in due course".
