Latest news with #Saskatchewan-based
Yahoo
4 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Regina doctors remove money from banks investing in Israeli arms industry
Dr. Kieran Conway and several colleagues wanted to do something as news of killings continued to flow out of Gaza. 'There was a group of physicians that felt really demoralized by what was happening in Gaza and feeling quite powerless about what we could do,' said Conway in a recent interview. That's why he and his fellow physicians brought forward a motion to the Regina Medical Staff Association (RMSA) annual general meeting on June 24. It called for the transfer of all funds from major Canadian banks investing in arms manufacturing over to Saskatchewan-based credit unions. Conway, a family physician and hospitalist in Regina, was among the 21 people, or 75 per cent, who voted in favour of the motion which named Scotiabank and RBC. Six voted against. Elbit Systems and Scotiabank's investment in the defence company has come under increasing scrutiny for its role in supplying weapons — including loitering munitions more commonly referred to as 'suicide drones' — following Hamas' Oct. 7, 2023 attack on Israel in which 1,200 were killed and about 250 were taken hostage. It's difficult to assess the number of Palestinians killed in the 20 months of conflict following the Oct. 7 attack. Palestinian health authorities say more than 50,000, mostly civilians, have been killed, while the United Nations says that number is likely low. According to The Guardian, 879 Israeli soldiers have been killed since Oct. 7. The RMSA has the authority to make such decisions and the Saskatchewan Medical Association 'has no comment on it,' the SMA said an email response to questions from the Leader-Post. 'Individual securities are held based on their investment merit and are not influenced by protest activity,' Scotiabank said in an emailed statement provided Friday. And when it comes to holding of Elbit, 'Scotia Global Asset Management's exposure to Elbit Systems is 1.6 per cent of outstanding shares, as of March 31, 2025.' Past reporting from The Canadian Press indicated Scotiabank's 1832 Asset Management held 642,000 shares in Elbit at the end of second quarter 2024 which was down from about 2,237,000 shares in 2023. On Friday, Scotiabank said 1832 Asset Management holds 700,100 shares of Elbit as of March 31, 2025. Comment was sought from RBC as well, but no response was offered. Regina residents mark one-year anniversary of reignited conflict in Israel, Gaza Talk about Israeli-Palestinian conflict still on after city councillor prevents cancellation As of 2023, Scotiabank was one of the top five investors in Elbit Systems, Israel's largest weapons manufacture. Since then, the bank has reduced its holding in the company though it does still hold significant investments, according to reporting by Reuters. Between the two banks, the RMSA has more than a quarter-million dollars invested, which it will now move to local institutions. Doctors have a moral responsibility 'to stop it, and if we can't stop it, at least make sure that we're not supporting it anyway we can,' said Conway of the ongoing conflict. 'It's hard to know what to do from where we are. Myself, like all physicians, our role, the reason we came into this profession, is to support life,' he said. 'We've watched in horror as it seems Israel has tried to exterminate life in Gaza.' In early January, Médecins Sans Frontières (Doctors Without Borders) stated 'out of 36 hospitals in Gaza, Palestine, only 17 remained partially functional by early December 2024, with the other 19 closed, while over 1,000 health workers have been killed.' In 2024, a United Nations special committee found 'Israel's warfare in Gaza is consistent with the characteristics of genocide, with mass civilian casualties and life-threatening conditions intentionally imposed on Palestinians there.' Conway said other medical associations in Canada have tried to pass similar motions, but to his knowledge none have been successful. 'I hope this shows other medical associations and other professional associations, even outside of the medical field, that there are tangible things, there is action you can take to to oppose the genocide,' he said. alsalloum@
Yahoo
7 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Sask. gov't disputes Opposition's claims of local procurement misrepresentation
Saskatchewan's Opposition NDP claims the province has been misrepresenting its procurement practices by categorizing out-of-province businesses as Saskatchewan-based. In response, the Sask. Party government said it's following Canadian Free Trade Agreement criteria. In an April government news release, the province said 90 per cent of recent procurement was awarded to Saskatchewan companies. On Tuesday, the NDP released documents obtained through a Freedom of Information (FOI) request that the party says tell a different story. In a news release, the NDP said SaskBuilds reported awarding 666 contracts in the 2024–25 fiscal year. The FOI shows the number of businesses classified as "Saskatchewan-based" was "significantly inflated," the NDP said. The Opposition said 51 per cent of contracts went to companies headquartered in Saskatchewan, and only 58 per cent of total contract dollars went to those Saskatchewan-based firms. Meanwhile, the NDP said businesses labelled as "Saskatchewan-based" by the province include Crumb Rubber Manufacturing (CRM), based in Newport Beach, Calif., and Mitsubishi of Canada, headquartered in Ontario. "Anybody on the street will tell you that you can't just call any company a local business just because they've got a P.O. box here. That's not how it works," NDP jobs and economy critic Aleana Youngsaid at a news conference Tuesday morning. "Not only is this dishonest and a betrayal of Saskatchewan workers and businesses, it's also part of a disturbing pattern of behaviour with this government. Say one thing, do another." Young said tariffs from the U.S. and China make it more important than ever to "stand up" for provincial workers and businesses. "Earlier this month, the Sask. Party quietly walked back their supposed Sask. First procurement policy — a move that, combined with today's revelations, confirms that they were never committed to supporting local businesses," she said. Province says it's following federal guidelines In an emailed statement to the media early Tuesday afternoon, the Saskatchewan government called the NDP's news release an "irresponsible attack on Saskatchewan workers." "Under the NDP definition, they wouldn't consider companies like Evraz to be Saskatchewan companies. They say they support Saskatchewan steel workers, but don't think they should be allowed to bid on Saskatchewan work," the province said in the statement. The NDP shot out a second news release on the matter shortly after the province responded. "We know that Evraz Regina makes some of the best steel in the world, and we have called on the government for years to use Saskatchewan steel in every possible project," Young said in the release. The province said its government procurement policy uses the definition for a Saskatchewan-based company laid out in the Canadian Free Trade Agreement, meaning the definition comes from the Government of Canada itself. It said businesses meeting the following criteria are considered Saskatchewan-based: Have a place of business in Saskatchewan where regular business activities are conducted on a permanent basis, is clearly identified by name and is accessible during normal business hours. Employ Saskatchewan residents or sole proprietorship owned by a Saskatchewan resident. Be a registered business in Saskatchewan with an Information Services Corporation profile or equivalent. According to the Sask. Party's news release, SaskBuilds and Procurement awarded approximately $689.5 million in procurements this fiscal year. It said that approximately 90 per cent of that value, or $617.6 million, was awarded to Saskatchewan-based companies, approximately 10 per cent of that value was awarded to businesses from other provinces in Canada, and approximately 0.1 per cent of the procurement value was awarded to companies from the United States. "The NDP position on procurement would exclude many Saskatchewan companies from bidding on Saskatchewan work. These companies employ thousands of Saskatchewan employees that build our province, pay taxes and invest in local communities."


Hindustan Times
21-06-2025
- Business
- Hindustan Times
Canadian premiers push for Brad Wall as high commissioner to India
The premiers of two Canadian provinces have suggested that Prime Minister Mark Carney appoint a former leader of Saskatchewan as the country's next high commissioner to India. Brad Wall was premier (equivalent of an Indian chief minister) for over a decade from 2007 to 2018. His successor in that position, Scott Moe, told reporters that Wall would make the ideal candidate for Canada's top diplomat in New Delhi. (sourced) Brad Wall was premier (equivalent of an Indian chief minister) for over a decade from 2007 to 2018. His successor in that position, Scott Moe, told reporters that Wall would make the ideal candidate for Canada's top diplomat in New Delhi. According to the outlet National Post, Moe said he would be a 'proponent' of such an appointment because 'of the effort and focus that he provided' the relations between the province and India and 'province-to-industry relations in not just India but in many countries around the world.' He made these remarks on Wednesday at the joint press conference with his Alberta counterpart Danielle Smith. And she agreed with him, saying, 'I'd be supportive of that.' She added, 'I think that Saskatchewan has done incredibly impressive work on expanding its footprint internationally through its trade offices, in particular India.' Wall played a central role in securing a contract for the Saskatchewan-based Cameco Corporation, to supply over seven million pounds of uranium concentrate to India, over a five-year timeframe in 2015. Wall was present in person as the contract was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was on a bilateral visit that spring, and his then Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper. The decision to appoint HCs to each other's capitals came when Modi met Canadian PM Mark Carney on the margins of the G7 leaders' summit in Kananaskis on Tuesday. While Canada's last high commissioner Cameron Mackay left last summer, his Indian counterpart Sanjay Kumar Verma was among the six officials New Delhi withdrew in October 2024 after Ottawa asked for waiving of their diplomatic immunity so they could be questioned in connection with violent criminal activity in the country. In retaliation, India expelled six Canadian diplomats, including its acting high commissioner at the time.


Hindustan Times
20-06-2025
- Politics
- Hindustan Times
Canadian premiers urge Carney to appoint Brad Wall as High Commissioner to India
Toronto: The premiers of two Canadian provinces have suggested that Prime Minister Mark Carney appoint a former leader of Saskatchewan as the country's next High Commissioner to India. Brad Wall was Premier (equivalent of an Indian Chief Minister) for over a decade from 2007 to 2018. His successor in that position, Scott Moe, told reporters that Wall would make the ideal candidate for Canada's top diplomat in New Delhi. According to the outlet National Post, Moe said he would be a 'proponent' of such an appointment because 'of the effort and focus that he provided' the relations between the province and India and 'province-to-industry relations in not just India but in many countries around the world.' He made these remarks on Wednesday at the joint press conference with his Alberta counterpart Danielle Smith. And she agreed with him, saying, 'I'd be supportive of that.' She added, 'I think that Saskatchewan has done incredibly impressive work on expanding its footprint internationally through its trade offices, in particular India.' Wall played a central role in securing a contract for the Saskatchewan-based Cameco Corporation, to supply over seven million pounds of uranium concentrate to India, over a five-year timeframe in 2015. Wall was present in person as the contract was signed in the presence of Prime Minister Narendra Modi who was on a bilateral visit that spring, and his then Canadian counterpart Stephen Harper. The decision to appoint HCs to each other's capitals came when Modi met Canadian PM Mark Carney on the margins of the G7 leaders' summit in Kananaskis on Tuesday. While Canada's last High Commissioner Cameron Mackay left last summer, his Indian counterpart Sanjay Kumar Verma was among the six officials New Delhi withdrew in October 2024 after Ottawa asked for waiving of their diplomatic immunity so they could be questioned in connection with violent criminal activity in the country. In retaliation, India expelled six Canadian diplomats including its Acting High Commissioner at the time.
Yahoo
09-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Arya Resources Ltd. (RBZ) Upsizes Flow-Through Financing Amid Surging Investor Demand
Vancouver, British Columbia--(Newsfile Corp. - June 9, 2025) - Arya Resources Ltd. (TSXV: RBZ) ("Arya" or the "Company") is pleased to announce upsizing of its previously announced flow-through financing, driven by growing investor interest. The Company will now issue 4,873,146 flow-through shares (the "FT Shares"), up from the originally planned 3,846,154 shares. The FT Shares are priced at $0.13 per share and qualify as "flow-through shares" as defined in subsection 66(15) of the Income Tax Act (Canada). The increase brings the total gross proceeds from the financing-including the non-flow-through tranche closed on June 3, 2025-to $1,143,509. This funding supports Arya's aggressive exploration and growth plans in one of Canada's most prospective mining jurisdictions. Use of Proceeds Flow-through proceeds will directly fund exploration work on Arya's Saskatchewan-based mineral projects, including its flagship Wedge Lake Gold Project, where the Company holds full permits to commence drilling as announced in its March 19, 2025 news release -see March 19, 2025 News Release. Non-flow-through proceeds will be allocated to general working capital, supporting ongoing corporate development and strategic initiatives. Finder's Fees In accordance with applicable securities laws and subject to TSX Venture Exchange approval, Arya may pay finder's fees to eligible parties as follows: 7% cash commission on subscription proceeds raised from introduced investors. Finder warrants equal to 7% of the securities sold to these investors, with terms identical to those of the investor warrants. About Arya Resources Ltd. (TSXV: RBZ)Arya Resources Ltd. is a Canadian-based mineral exploration company focused on unlocking the value of high-potential gold, silver, copper, nickel, and cobalt projects in mining-friendly jurisdictions. As a Tier-2 issuer on the TSX Venture Exchange, Arya is committed to building shareholder value through strategic acquisitions, targeted exploration, and sustainable development. On behalf of the Board of Directors: Rasool Mohammad, CEOEmail: rasool@ (604) 868-7737https:// Neither the TSX Venture Exchange nor its Regulation Services Provider (as that term is defined the policies of the TSX Venture Exchange) accepts responsibility for the adequacy or accuracy of this news release. This news release includes "forward looking statements" that are subject to assumptions, risks and uncertainties. Statements in this news release which are not purely historical are forward looking statements, including without limitation any statements concerning the Company's intentions, plans, estimates, expectations or beliefs. Although the Company believes that any forward looking statements in this news release are reasonable, there can be no assurance that any such forward looking statements will prove to be accurate. The Company cautions readers that all forward looking statements, including without limitation those relating to the Company's future operations and business prospects, are based on assumptions, none of which can be assured, and are subject to certain risks and uncertainties that could cause actual events or results to differ materially from those indicated in the forward looking statements. Readers are advised to rely on their own evaluation of such risks and uncertainties and should not place undue reliance on forward looking statements. Any forward looking statements are made as of the date of this news release, and the Company assumes no obligation to update the forward looking statements, or to update the reasons why actual events or results could or do differ from those projected in the forward looking statements. Except as required by law, the Company assumes no obligation to update any forward looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events or otherwise. To view the source version of this press release, please visit Error 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