Latest news with #UofC
Calgary Herald
22-07-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
'Fighting fire with fire': Protecting data in the quantum age
As quantum computers threaten modern encryption methods, researchers at a Calgary company are developing the next generation of cyber-safeguards. Article content Quantized Technologies Inc., a quantum networking spin-out from the University of Calgary, has garnered investment of around $5 million since its founding in 2020 and full-fledged launch in 2023. Article content The company aims to leverage quantum technologies to secure data on today's networks from threats that emerge as a result of quantum computing, according to Jordan Smith, CEO and co-founder. Article content Article content He also expressed gratitude for support from the U of C, the City of Calgary, the Government of Canada and Government of Alberta over the years, among others. Quantized Technologies is also in the middle of another fundraising round, seeking $5.5 million from 'interested partners.' Article content But what are quantum technologies? Article content Quantum technologies is the overarching name for three separate 'loosely categorized' innovations: quantum computing, quantum sensing, and quantum communications and networking, according to Smith. Article content Quantum sensing, for example, can enable the detection of anything from gases in the mining process to national defense threats, earlier than currently possible, he said. Article content Article content The technology works by collecting data at the atomic level and sensing changes in motion, and both electric and magnetic fields. Quantum sensing can 'vastly improve the accuracy' of how we measure, navigate, study and more, according to aerospace company BAE Systems. Article content Quantum communications, on the other hand, uses the laws of quantum physics to protect data by allowing particles to take a state of superposition. Article content According to MIT Technology Review, superposition means particles can represent multiple combinations of one and zero simultaneously. Article content For computing, quantum computers don't rely on the binary (ones and zeros) system of conventional computers. Article content Instead, quantum computers rely on quantum bits (or qubits), which are not restricted to being one or zero.
Calgary Herald
20-06-2025
- Health
- Calgary Herald
'Nothing threatening about it': U of C study explores how robots could address social isolation in seniors
Article content Loneliness and social isolation are growing challenges for older adults living in care facilities. But a recent study by a University of Calgary student suggests that robots might be able to fill the gaps where existing programs fall short. Article content Fahimeh Mehrabi, a PhD student in psychology at the U of C, presented a research paper earlier this month at the Congress of the Humanities and Social Sciences in Toronto, titled Wired for Companionship: A Meta-Analysis on Social Robots Filling the Void of Loneliness in Later Life. Article content Article content Article content Article content Her research compiled available quantitative studies that measured loneliness before and after using robots. When she combined and reanalyzed the data, the results were promising. Article content 'Our findings showed that all types of social robots, whether simple or more advanced, can help. As long as they are designed to engage and interact, they are effective,' she said. Article content The idea isn't as far-fetched as it sounds — social robots have been tested in elder care for more than a decade in countries such as Japan and Turkey. Article content Article content Models range from human or pet-like robots that offer comfort through touch and movement, to voice-activated AI companions that can engage in conversations. Often, they offer some combination of both. Article content Unison, the not-for-profit organization that runs the Kerby Centre in Calgary, is all too familiar with the prevalence of social loneliness and isolation among its clients. Article content 'There was a recent study that found prolonged isolation was as bad as smoking 15 cigarettes a day,' said Larry Mathieson, president and CEO of Unison. Article content Unison is tackling senior isolation and loneliness through a wide range of traditional programs at the Kerby and Veiner Centres. These include hundreds of fitness, music and social classes available in person or online. Article content During the COVID-19 pandemic, Unison's online classes helped seniors learn new tech skills and stay socially active. Online classes under its Active Aging department stayed in place post-pandemic due to their accessibility and positive effects.
Calgary Herald
17-06-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
Committee votes to close funding gap for post-secondary office conversion incentive program
A city program intended to entice universities and colleges to set up satellite campuses downtown is moving ahead, with tweaks to the program's terms of reference unanimously endorsed by a council committee on Tuesday. Article content The city's Downtown Post-Secondary Institution Incentive Program was established in 2021, when city council approved a new downtown strategy aimed at reinventing the core by spurring residential development and transforming vacant or underused office buildings into more active uses. Article content Article content Article content Post-secondary institutions that want to expand into the downtown can apply for up to $50 per square foot of convertible office space, up to a maximum of $15 million per project, unless council approves a greater amount. Article content Article content So far, the program has garnered one successful application: City officials announced in April that the former Nexen building off of 7th Avenue S.W. would be converted into a 180,000-square-foot academic, teaching and research space for the University of Calgary's School of Architecture, Planning and Landscape. Article content To help with facility conversion costs, the U of C applied for up to $9 million through the city's incentive program in 2024 but hit a hurdle due to the language of the terms of reference. Article content On Tuesday, Thom Mahler, director of the city's downtown strategy, said U of C officials flagged that under the current terms of reference, program funds are allocated based on the original rental area of existing office space. Article content Article content 'What that means is it limits us to funding only space that was previously designated as office,' he told the committee. Article content 'What we've learned from talking with institutions — as was the case with the University of Calgary proposal — is they're also very interested in using spaces that are at street level and at Plus-15 level in order to provide vibrant gathering spaces for students, and also to use storage and loading requirements for their programs.' Article content Article content In the U of C's case, the university wanted to convert an additional 4,739 square feet of 'retail' and 'storage' space as rentable area in its lease, which led to a $236,950 funding gap. Article content 'Through discussions with other post-secondary institutions, these spaces, which are often main floor lobby spaces, are essential to intended program delivery and used for things like gallery and event functions, student access and lounge areas, and for the assembly of large-scale projects,' Mahler's report stated.
Calgary Herald
12-06-2025
- Business
- Calgary Herald
'War is coming': Canadian, other G7 leaders need to grapple with imminent threats, say experts
Article content Article content While the panelists didn't expect Canada to adopt nuclear weapons, it does have to considerably step up its investment in conventional forces. Article content 'We naively assumed we could become consumers of other people's (military capability) but we have to take much more interest in the resilience of our national industries and defence is part of that,' said Norman. Article content That two per cent number for military spending isn't definitive or entirely essential, said Dave Angell, prime ministerial foreign and defence policy advisor. Article content 'But we do need much more robust capabilities than we've had for some period of time,' said Angell. Article content 'We do need to have a much greater and sustained investment.' Article content Angell said the upcoming G7 will be 'exceptionally timely' in discussing developments in Gaza, Iran, Haiti and Ukraine, adding he's heartened by strong, united wording in final communiques coming from G7 finance and foreign affairs meetings in the past few months. Article content Article content 'It's going to come at a cost to the rest of the Canadian economy, it's going to be incredibly costly,' said Ian Brodie, a political science professor at the Centre for Military, Security and Strategic Studies. Article content Article content The U of C's Huebert said Canada has proven a reliable NATO member and has answered many calls for troops, noting the country is currently deploying a battle group in Latvia to deter Russian aggression in the Baltic states. Article content One of the targets for protesters who will gather in Calgary for the G7 is military spending, which they contend invites more conflict and detracts from investment on social needs.
Time of India
16-05-2025
- Politics
- Time of India
What is the Free Alberta Strategy that is fueling separatism from Canada? Could Alberta become a new country?
Danielle Smith's push for Alberta separation is deeply rooted in oil politics, not just alienation- In the days following Mark Carney's election as Canada's new prime minister, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith wasted no time in rolling out dramatic political changes. Among the most striking? Making it easier to hold a referendum — a move that could open the door for a vote on Alberta's separation from Canada. Smith says this is about 'alienation.' But look closer, and it's clear the driving force is Alberta's oil and gas industry — and a political strategy built years ago around protecting it. That strategy, known as the Free Alberta Strategy, is now at the core of Smith's rhetoric. And it's shaping Alberta's relationship with the rest of Canada in ways that could carry serious consequences. Is Alberta's separation debate really about oil, not national unity? The idea that Alberta is being unfairly treated by Ottawa isn't new. But this time, the movement comes with an organized, oil-driven political plan. The Free Alberta Strategy, co-written by Smith's chief of staff Rob Anderson, U of C professor Barry Cooper, and lawyer Derek From, calls on the province to take major steps to reduce its ties to the federal government. That includes creating its own police force, leaving the Canada Pension Plan, and opting out of any federal program seen as interfering with Alberta's control over its resources. Continue to video 5 5 Next Stay Playback speed 1x Normal Back 0.25x 0.5x 1x Normal 1.5x 2x 5 5 / Skip Ads by by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like Top 10 Most Beautiful Women In The World OMGIFacts Undo Anderson and his co-authors claimed in 2021 that Alberta's treatment within Canada had become 'intolerable,' blaming Ottawa for launching an 'assault' on Alberta's most valuable sector — oil and gas. Smith, a long-time ally of Anderson, brought this strategy with her into power and has been following it closely ever since. What is the Free Alberta Strategy, and how is it shaping policy? The Free Alberta Strategy isn't just an idea — it's a working plan. Its first priority was the Alberta Sovereignty Act, which Smith introduced as her very first legislative move. That was only the beginning. Live Events The next steps in the plan included pulling Alberta out of the Canada Pension Plan, creating a provincial police force, and challenging federal control over everything from environmental regulations to education. While the pension plan idea hasn't gained traction and the police force plan is moving slowly, the UCP government has made it clear that the fight is focused on energy. A key example is Alberta's Critical Infrastructure Defence Act, which has been amended to try and block federal employees from entering facilities that track emissions data — even if those facilities are privately owned. Alberta has also taken the federal government to court over clean electricity rules and is demanding major rollbacks on federal climate and energy laws — including a complete overhaul of the equalization system, which Alberta ties closely to its oil wealth. Why is Danielle Smith blaming Ottawa for Alberta's energy struggles? Oil and gas still drive Alberta's economy. A $1 shift in the price of oil can mean a swing of $750 million in the province's budget. Smith knows this — and she's leaning heavily on that fact to justify her political stance. Smith argues that Ottawa is holding Alberta back through laws like the Impact Assessment Act, carbon tax policies, and the oil tanker ban on the B.C. coast. She's called on the Carney government to roll back nine federal laws and regulations, all of which affect oil and gas development. Her list includes: Repealing federal environmental assessments Removing the B.C. tanker ban Scrapping the federal clean electricity plan Ending the proposed emissions cap for oil and gas Eliminating net-zero mandates for vehicles Returning carbon tax control to the provinces Removing the 'toxic' label from plastics Protecting pipelines through guaranteed economic corridors Ending what she called 'federal censorship of energy companies' Almost every demand is tied to Alberta's oil and gas sector. Could Alberta separation efforts backfire on the oil industry? Danielle Smith's government insists this is about protecting Alberta's prosperity. But experts say the move could backfire — especially if Alberta were to seriously pursue separation. In a May 5 speech, Smith criticized Canada's current energy policies, saying: 'We have the most abundant and accessible natural resources of any country on Earth, and yet we landlock them... while enabling polluting dictatorships to eat our lunch.' But if Alberta actually separates from Canada, the problem of being landlocked could get even worse. The province would no longer have access to the national infrastructure or interprovincial support it needs to move oil and gas to other markets. It might even become more reliant on the U.S. — the 'single customer' Smith herself criticized. As political scientist Jared Wesley pointed out, Smith's list of demands doesn't reflect a national consensus. Instead, they could stir up deeper frustrations, especially if they fail — making separation talk even more volatile. Who is behind Alberta's separation talk, and where does Smith stand? Alberta's frustrations with Ottawa go back over a century. But what's different now is the level of support those feelings are getting from the provincial government. Smith succeeded Jason Kenney, a federalist who helped create the United Conservative Party but was later pushed out by more hardline elements. Smith and her advisor Rob Anderson belong to that outer flank — the side of the party that sees Ottawa as hostile and believes in taking extreme measures to protect Alberta's energy wealth. In a recent post, University of Calgary political scientist Lisa Young described today's Alberta separatists in three groups: True believers who want Alberta to become an independent conservative haven Instrumentalists who use separation threats to win concessions — similar to Quebec Skeptics who are loyal to Canada but see the debate as a negotiating tactic The Free Alberta Strategy dismisses that last group as 'well-meaning and sincere,' but says they 'have not learned from history.' Where does Smith fall? It's not clear if she truly wants to separate or is using the threat to pressure the federal government. Either way, the stakes are high, and the timing — during a growing trade war with the U.S. — adds even more uncertainty. What's next for Alberta as it doubles down on oil? Smith's government continues to shift Alberta's energy priorities. The province is scaling back support for renewable energy, pushing for more natural gas use, and reviewing its industrial carbon tax. These changes go beyond resisting Ottawa — they represent a complete shift in how Alberta wants to power its future. But at what cost? In her address, Smith warned of those who would try to 'divide' Albertans. Yet her government's approach suggests there's only one vision for Alberta, one that centers on oil and gas. Disagree with it, and you're seen as part of the problem. Smith summed up her view with one line: 'Albertans are more of an 'actions speak louder than words' kind of people.' So far, her government's actions — and the direction of the Free Alberta Strategy — speak louder than any speech. FAQs: Q1: What is Danielle Smith's main goal with the Free Alberta Strategy? To protect Alberta's oil and gas industry from federal climate and energy policies. Q2: Why is Alberta threatening separation from Canada? Alberta feels Ottawa is hurting its economy, especially oil and gas, and wants more control.
