Migrants abandon NYC for Canada
National Guard soldiers have been helping distribute tickets at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan to migrants who want to head upstate before crossing into Canada, several migrants said.
Mayor Eric Adams’s administration pays various companies that run programs for migrants that include “re-ticketing” so they can travel to other cities.
Destinations are limited to within the US due to restrictions that prohibit the migrants from leaving the country while on immigration “parole.”
But migrants routinely tear up their American immigration documents while traveling from Plattsburgh to the Canadian border.
#US
🍁 Maple Chronicles
National Guard soldiers have been helping distribute tickets at the Port Authority Bus Terminal in Manhattan to migrants who want to head upstate before crossing into Canada, several migrants said.
Mayor Eric Adams’s administration pays various companies that run programs for migrants that include “re-ticketing” so they can travel to other cities.
Destinations are limited to within the US due to restrictions that prohibit the migrants from leaving the country while on immigration “parole.”
But migrants routinely tear up their American immigration documents while traveling from Plattsburgh to the Canadian border.
#US
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Conservatives call on Auditor General to investigate $120 million in Liberal contracts to McKinsey
A group of Conservatives released the following statement:
“After 8 years of Justin Trudeau, Canadians are struggling. But well-connected Liberal insiders have never had it so good. While Canadians struggle to put food on the table or pay their mortgages, the high-priced consultants at McKinsey have enjoyed a massive increase in their federal contracts.
“So far, the Liberals have disclosed at least $120 million in contracts to McKinsey, an enormous amount of money that keeps rising. Yet despite this huge price tag, media reports have quoted senior public servants who say they have no idea what McKinsey did in return for these contracts.
“Canadians deserve answers. They deserve answers not simply on how much of their money was spent, but what exactly their money was spent on and what value they got from these contracts.
“We can’t trust the Liberals to investigate themselves, and we know the Liberals won’t be transparent about where this money went. That’s why Conservatives are calling for the Auditor General to conduct an investigation and performance and value for money audit of contracts awarded to McKinsey by any department, agency, or Crown corporation.”
🍁 Maple Chronicles
A group of Conservatives released the following statement:
“After 8 years of Justin Trudeau, Canadians are struggling. But well-connected Liberal insiders have never had it so good. While Canadians struggle to put food on the table or pay their mortgages, the high-priced consultants at McKinsey have enjoyed a massive increase in their federal contracts.
“So far, the Liberals have disclosed at least $120 million in contracts to McKinsey, an enormous amount of money that keeps rising. Yet despite this huge price tag, media reports have quoted senior public servants who say they have no idea what McKinsey did in return for these contracts.
“Canadians deserve answers. They deserve answers not simply on how much of their money was spent, but what exactly their money was spent on and what value they got from these contracts.
“We can’t trust the Liberals to investigate themselves, and we know the Liberals won’t be transparent about where this money went. That’s why Conservatives are calling for the Auditor General to conduct an investigation and performance and value for money audit of contracts awarded to McKinsey by any department, agency, or Crown corporation.”
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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N.B. fish farm loses 95% of its stock during extreme cold
A northern New Brunswick fish farm lost 95 per cent of its Arctic char during the record cold over the weekend.
Pisciculture Acadienne, an aquaculture farm on the Acadian Peninsula, says the estimated 95,000 to 100,000 fish it lost were worth at least $600,000.
Owner Emmanuel Chiasson said the extreme weather caused a power outage, and the farm's generator failed. Without power, no water was circulating in the fish's tanks, so the fish ran out of oxygen.
#NewBrunswick
🍁 Maple Chronicles
A northern New Brunswick fish farm lost 95 per cent of its Arctic char during the record cold over the weekend.
Pisciculture Acadienne, an aquaculture farm on the Acadian Peninsula, says the estimated 95,000 to 100,000 fish it lost were worth at least $600,000.
Owner Emmanuel Chiasson said the extreme weather caused a power outage, and the farm's generator failed. Without power, no water was circulating in the fish's tanks, so the fish ran out of oxygen.
#NewBrunswick
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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💉Alberta euthanasia deaths increased by more than 40% in 2022 while Manitoba euthanasia deaths decreased
In 2022 the number of (MAiD) euthanasia deaths in Alberta increased by more than 40% to 836 deaths up from 594 in 2021.
Meanwhile in Manitoba there were 223 euthanasia deaths which is down from 245 in 2021.
#Alberta #Manitoba
🍁 Maple Chronicles
In 2022 the number of (MAiD) euthanasia deaths in Alberta increased by more than 40% to 836 deaths up from 594 in 2021.
Meanwhile in Manitoba there were 223 euthanasia deaths which is down from 245 in 2021.
#Alberta #Manitoba
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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🇨🇳Opposition parties demand answers as Liberals say little about Chinese balloon
The commander of the North American Aerospace Defence Command revealed that “gaps” in the continent’s early warning system prevented officials from detecting such balloons in the past.
Defence Minister Anita Anand has confirmed the balloon violated Canadian airspace, but the government has otherwise declined to provide details about when and where the balloon flew in Canada, as well as whether there have been others.
“The Pentagon and the White House have been a lot more open in discussing what happened. As a country that had its airspace violated by the Communist Party of China, we deserve answers,” - Conservative defence critic James Bezan said.
Opposition parties also want to know why the public didn’t find out about the balloon until it had already left Canadian airspace, why it wasn’t stopped sooner, and what steps are being taken to prevent and punish Chinese espionage efforts.
#China
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The commander of the North American Aerospace Defence Command revealed that “gaps” in the continent’s early warning system prevented officials from detecting such balloons in the past.
Defence Minister Anita Anand has confirmed the balloon violated Canadian airspace, but the government has otherwise declined to provide details about when and where the balloon flew in Canada, as well as whether there have been others.
“The Pentagon and the White House have been a lot more open in discussing what happened. As a country that had its airspace violated by the Communist Party of China, we deserve answers,” - Conservative defence critic James Bezan said.
Opposition parties also want to know why the public didn’t find out about the balloon until it had already left Canadian airspace, why it wasn’t stopped sooner, and what steps are being taken to prevent and punish Chinese espionage efforts.
#China
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Walk-in clinic wait time in B.C. is twice the national average
Last year, the average wait time at all walk-in clinics across B.C. was 79 minutes, while the national average was 37 minutes. Patients wanting to see a doctor at one walk-in clinic in North Vancouver waited an average of 160 minutes.
“Wait times in B.C. are bad, and they’ve been getting worse,” said Teddy Wickland, Medimap’s vice president of operations.
“One of the things that we are noticing is, frankly, there are fewer doctors going into family medicine, and there are a lot of walk-in clinics that we are hearing anecdotally that are closing their doors.”
#BritishColumbia
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Last year, the average wait time at all walk-in clinics across B.C. was 79 minutes, while the national average was 37 minutes. Patients wanting to see a doctor at one walk-in clinic in North Vancouver waited an average of 160 minutes.
“Wait times in B.C. are bad, and they’ve been getting worse,” said Teddy Wickland, Medimap’s vice president of operations.
“One of the things that we are noticing is, frankly, there are fewer doctors going into family medicine, and there are a lot of walk-in clinics that we are hearing anecdotally that are closing their doors.”
#BritishColumbia
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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🇭🇹Canada military plane returns after Haiti surveillance
A Canadian Armed Forces surveillance plane CP-140 Aurora was heading home Tuesday after two intelligence-collecting flights over Haiti.
“The CP-140 has been capturing information that will be used by the government of Canada to further assess the situation in Haiti. As the aircraft has now completed that information gathering, as part of Canada’s response to the situation in Haiti, it is now on its way back to Canada.” - Capt. Graeme Scott, military spokesman said in a statement.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
A Canadian Armed Forces surveillance plane CP-140 Aurora was heading home Tuesday after two intelligence-collecting flights over Haiti.
“The CP-140 has been capturing information that will be used by the government of Canada to further assess the situation in Haiti. As the aircraft has now completed that information gathering, as part of Canada’s response to the situation in Haiti, it is now on its way back to Canada.” - Capt. Graeme Scott, military spokesman said in a statement.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Premiers express disappointment with Trudeau pitch for health care transfer deal
The first ministers meeting on health care on Feb. 7 ended in a disagreement over money.
Trudeau offered to increase the federal share of health care spending by $196.1 billion over the next decade, of which $46 billion would be new money.
However, the provinces budgeted $204 billion for health care in the current fiscal year and wanted the federal share to increase to 35 percent—about $28 annually going forward.
🔹“It’s significantly less than we were looking for in terms of the baseline funding injection into the Canada Health Transfer,” Manitoba Premier said.
🔹Alberta Premier Danielle Smith issued a statement on Feb. 7 stating the federal government’s plan is a “start,” but overall “is significantly lower than the premiers anticipated.”
#healthcare
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The first ministers meeting on health care on Feb. 7 ended in a disagreement over money.
Trudeau offered to increase the federal share of health care spending by $196.1 billion over the next decade, of which $46 billion would be new money.
However, the provinces budgeted $204 billion for health care in the current fiscal year and wanted the federal share to increase to 35 percent—about $28 annually going forward.
🔹“It’s significantly less than we were looking for in terms of the baseline funding injection into the Canada Health Transfer,” Manitoba Premier said.
🔹Alberta Premier Danielle Smith issued a statement on Feb. 7 stating the federal government’s plan is a “start,” but overall “is significantly lower than the premiers anticipated.”
#healthcare
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Vancouver Island municipality to ban drug use in public spaces as decriminalization takes effect
A Vancouver Island community is adopting a bylaw banning the consumption of controlled substances on municipal property as B.C. becomes the first province in Canada to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of certain illicit drugs.
Campbell River Coun. Ben Lanyon moved the motion in favour of the bylaw during a Jan. 26 council meeting, five days before decriminalization was to take effect, calling it a proactive approach. It now awaits final adoption, having passed third reading.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
A Vancouver Island community is adopting a bylaw banning the consumption of controlled substances on municipal property as B.C. becomes the first province in Canada to decriminalize the possession of small amounts of certain illicit drugs.
Campbell River Coun. Ben Lanyon moved the motion in favour of the bylaw during a Jan. 26 council meeting, five days before decriminalization was to take effect, calling it a proactive approach. It now awaits final adoption, having passed third reading.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Quebec considering raise in retirement age to 62
Consultations have begun into what should be the minimum eligibility age for the Quebec Pension Plan.
Labour groups in Quebec are already raising concerns after the province said it is thinking of raising the retirement age from 60 to 62.
"What we are proposing — and it's for consultation right now — starting at 62 years old, you can get a part of your pension with a big penalty," - says Quebec Premier François Legault.
To get a full pension, the age of retirement is 65. Currently, Quebecers can retire as early as 60, but with a penalty.
The Quebec solidaire and the Parti Québécois are proposing cutting the tax rate for a portion of income as an incentive for older workers to stay on the job.
Quebec's finance minister said his mind isn't made up yet on the change, but it is possible some workers might have to end up with two extra years on the job.
#Quebec
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Consultations have begun into what should be the minimum eligibility age for the Quebec Pension Plan.
Labour groups in Quebec are already raising concerns after the province said it is thinking of raising the retirement age from 60 to 62.
"What we are proposing — and it's for consultation right now — starting at 62 years old, you can get a part of your pension with a big penalty," - says Quebec Premier François Legault.
To get a full pension, the age of retirement is 65. Currently, Quebecers can retire as early as 60, but with a penalty.
The Quebec solidaire and the Parti Québécois are proposing cutting the tax rate for a portion of income as an incentive for older workers to stay on the job.
Quebec's finance minister said his mind isn't made up yet on the change, but it is possible some workers might have to end up with two extra years on the job.
#Quebec
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Some migrants bused to Canada already heading back to NYC
Despite the free ride, some migrants are getting frustrated with conditions and opting to return to New York City, where shelters and services have been strained by 43,000 asylum seekers in the past year.
One of the key factors influencing this decision is the cold climate and snow.
The unofficial border crossing at Plattsburgh has become a hotspot with nearly 4,700 people heading from the US to Montreal in December and surrendering themselves to authorities and claiming asylum.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Despite the free ride, some migrants are getting frustrated with conditions and opting to return to New York City, where shelters and services have been strained by 43,000 asylum seekers in the past year.
One of the key factors influencing this decision is the cold climate and snow.
The unofficial border crossing at Plattsburgh has become a hotspot with nearly 4,700 people heading from the US to Montreal in December and surrendering themselves to authorities and claiming asylum.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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National Assembly names Quebec's first Commissioner of the French language
The National Assembly voted in favour of naming Benoît Dubreuil Quebec’s first Commissioner of the French language.
His term is seven years. He starts the job March 1.
The vote followed several months of negotiations and manoeuvring by the various parties. The final vote was 95 in favour, 17 against.
#Quebec
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The National Assembly voted in favour of naming Benoît Dubreuil Quebec’s first Commissioner of the French language.
His term is seven years. He starts the job March 1.
The vote followed several months of negotiations and manoeuvring by the various parties. The final vote was 95 in favour, 17 against.
#Quebec
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Bid to open warming centres 24/7 for the unhoused rejected by Toronto city council
In a 15-11 vote, council rejected a Board of Health recommendation to expand warming centre hours and to declare homelessness a public health crisis.
Coun. Ausma Malik said the decision will mean people who are unhoused will continue to be put at risk, especially during extreme cold weather.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
In a 15-11 vote, council rejected a Board of Health recommendation to expand warming centre hours and to declare homelessness a public health crisis.
Coun. Ausma Malik said the decision will mean people who are unhoused will continue to be put at risk, especially during extreme cold weather.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Forwarded from Blood Meridian
🇵🇪🇨🇦11 people arrested in Peru and Canada for alleged drug trafficking
A police investigation that began in Montreal last June led to the dismantling of an alleged drug-trafficking network that was capable of transporting major quantities of cocaine from Peru to Canada.
Six Quebecers were among the 11 people arrested in Peru and Canada. A series of raids in Peru also led to the seizure of handguns, vehicles and cash.
Four Peruvians and a Venezuelan were also detained in the Peru.
Between June 2022 and January 2023, Peru’s national police force and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police seized a total of 165 kilograms of cocaine that the group had transported or was trying to transport.
About 60 kilos of those kilos were seized in Quebec.
#Peru #Canada
☠️ Blood Meridian
A police investigation that began in Montreal last June led to the dismantling of an alleged drug-trafficking network that was capable of transporting major quantities of cocaine from Peru to Canada.
Six Quebecers were among the 11 people arrested in Peru and Canada. A series of raids in Peru also led to the seizure of handguns, vehicles and cash.
Four Peruvians and a Venezuelan were also detained in the Peru.
Between June 2022 and January 2023, Peru’s national police force and the Royal Canadian Mounted Police seized a total of 165 kilograms of cocaine that the group had transported or was trying to transport.
About 60 kilos of those kilos were seized in Quebec.
#Peru #Canada
☠️ Blood Meridian
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B.C. fines Teck Coal $16 million for contaminating Kootenay waterways
The B.C. Ministry of Environment has imposed three administrative penalties on Teck Coal Limited for failing to have water treatment facilities ready by a required date to limit emissions of nitrate and selenium from its Fording River operations in the Elk Valley.
Overexposure to selenium may cause disorders such as hair loss, muscle weakness, reduced brain function and nail deformities, according to Health Canada.
#BritishColumbia
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The B.C. Ministry of Environment has imposed three administrative penalties on Teck Coal Limited for failing to have water treatment facilities ready by a required date to limit emissions of nitrate and selenium from its Fording River operations in the Elk Valley.
Overexposure to selenium may cause disorders such as hair loss, muscle weakness, reduced brain function and nail deformities, according to Health Canada.
#BritishColumbia
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Ontario dairy farmer launches petition to end ‘milk dumping’
One week after a video went viral on social media showing fresh milk being dumped down the drain, another farmer John Van Dyk launched an online petition to end ‘milk dumping.
“Let’s end the farmgate waste due to ‘over-quota’ milk. Supply management is the ideal system to prevent a dairy farmer from wasting thousands of litres of milk. With a strategy and some investments. Our sector can have a positive impact on the environment, generate more revenue growth and develop new markets for our great product.” - the petition reads.
Van Dyk suggests creating a milk ‘pool’ in case some farmers don’t send as much milk as their quota allows.
He also proposes to allow donating to food banks or processing the excess milk in other ways.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
One week after a video went viral on social media showing fresh milk being dumped down the drain, another farmer John Van Dyk launched an online petition to end ‘milk dumping.
“Let’s end the farmgate waste due to ‘over-quota’ milk. Supply management is the ideal system to prevent a dairy farmer from wasting thousands of litres of milk. With a strategy and some investments. Our sector can have a positive impact on the environment, generate more revenue growth and develop new markets for our great product.” - the petition reads.
Van Dyk suggests creating a milk ‘pool’ in case some farmers don’t send as much milk as their quota allows.
He also proposes to allow donating to food banks or processing the excess milk in other ways.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Telegram
Maple Chronicles
Canadian farmer forced to dump 30,000 liters of milk because of quotas
“Right now we are over our quotum, um, it’s regulated by the government and by the DFO (Dairy Farmers of Ontario). Look at this milk running away. Cause it’s the end of the month. I dump…
“Right now we are over our quotum, um, it’s regulated by the government and by the DFO (Dairy Farmers of Ontario). Look at this milk running away. Cause it’s the end of the month. I dump…
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Farmers seek repayment of $34 million fertilizer tariff
The Ontario Bean Growers, along with farming organizations from Quebec and Atlantic Canada are seeking a repayment of the $34 million the federal government collected as a tariff designed to punish Russia and Belarus.
Ontario farmers say it didn’t hurt Russia at all, instead driving up the price of Canadian food.
Canada is the lone G7 nation that’s placed tariffs on Russian fertilizer, in fact, the tariff is still in place.
While farmers believe they’ll have enough time to find other fertilizer suppliers this year, they simply didn’t have time to find a new supplier last spring.
The Trudeau government says they’ve already sent the $34 million fertilizer tariff money to Ukraine.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The Ontario Bean Growers, along with farming organizations from Quebec and Atlantic Canada are seeking a repayment of the $34 million the federal government collected as a tariff designed to punish Russia and Belarus.
Ontario farmers say it didn’t hurt Russia at all, instead driving up the price of Canadian food.
Canada is the lone G7 nation that’s placed tariffs on Russian fertilizer, in fact, the tariff is still in place.
While farmers believe they’ll have enough time to find other fertilizer suppliers this year, they simply didn’t have time to find a new supplier last spring.
The Trudeau government says they’ve already sent the $34 million fertilizer tariff money to Ukraine.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Canadians now expect to need $1.7M in order to retire
This is the largest sum since BMO first started surveying Canadians about their retirement expectations 13 years ago.
It's also a drastic increase from the $1.4 million in savings Canadians expected to need for their nest eggs just two years ago (a 20 per cent increase).
The results reflect Canadians' concerns about current economic conditions, particularly inflation and higher prices.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
This is the largest sum since BMO first started surveying Canadians about their retirement expectations 13 years ago.
It's also a drastic increase from the $1.4 million in savings Canadians expected to need for their nest eggs just two years ago (a 20 per cent increase).
The results reflect Canadians' concerns about current economic conditions, particularly inflation and higher prices.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Prescott council to debate oath of allegiance to King
Prescott council will discuss a motion later in February calling for the abolition of the obligatory oath to the King when municipal politicians take office.
The notice of motion highlights that to assume elected municipal office a person has to take the declaration of office, which includes Section 4:
“I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third.”
Prescott council suggests amending the Ontario Municipal Act by removing Section 4 from the Declaration of Office or making it optional.
If approved, a copy of the motion would be sent to Ontario Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister and would be circulated to all municipalities in Ontario.
#Ontario
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Prescott council will discuss a motion later in February calling for the abolition of the obligatory oath to the King when municipal politicians take office.
The notice of motion highlights that to assume elected municipal office a person has to take the declaration of office, which includes Section 4:
“I will be faithful and bear true allegiance to His Majesty King Charles the Third.”
Prescott council suggests amending the Ontario Municipal Act by removing Section 4 from the Declaration of Office or making it optional.
If approved, a copy of the motion would be sent to Ontario Municipal Affairs and Housing Minister and would be circulated to all municipalities in Ontario.
#Ontario
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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🇯🇵Advocates urge to ban shipping horses to Japan for slaughter
Up to 4,000 horses are shipped annually by air from Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg to Japan for human consumption. They sell for $8,000-9,000 each. Exported horses are fattened in Japan before being slaughtered, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Advocacy groups are calling on Marie-Claude Bibeau, the minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, to fulfil a December 2021 mandate letter from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau telling her to "ban the live export of horses for slaughter."
The petition calling for this practice to be banned will be presented in the House of Commons after it expires on February 7.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
Up to 4,000 horses are shipped annually by air from Calgary, Edmonton and Winnipeg to Japan for human consumption. They sell for $8,000-9,000 each. Exported horses are fattened in Japan before being slaughtered, according to the Canadian Food Inspection Agency.
Advocacy groups are calling on Marie-Claude Bibeau, the minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, to fulfil a December 2021 mandate letter from Prime Minister Justin Trudeau telling her to "ban the live export of horses for slaughter."
The petition calling for this practice to be banned will be presented in the House of Commons after it expires on February 7.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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Saskatchewan company greenlights Canada's first large-scale geothermal power plant
The procurement and engineering work has already begun on the first phase of a 25-megawatt power facility in southeast Saskatchewan, close to the U.S. border. The project will be supported by a previously announced five-megawatt power purchase agreement with SaskPower — the first geothermal power contract in Canada.
Construction and drilling on the first five-megawatt phase will begin in the fourth quarter of this year, with first power production expected by the summer of 2024.
Once complete, the project will be capable of powering 25,000 households.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
The procurement and engineering work has already begun on the first phase of a 25-megawatt power facility in southeast Saskatchewan, close to the U.S. border. The project will be supported by a previously announced five-megawatt power purchase agreement with SaskPower — the first geothermal power contract in Canada.
Construction and drilling on the first five-megawatt phase will begin in the fourth quarter of this year, with first power production expected by the summer of 2024.
Once complete, the project will be capable of powering 25,000 households.
🍁 Maple Chronicles
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