Malcolm

It would be quite the retrofit.

I have talked with some folks who worked at the base. So some are pro and some are con. Oh well the next chapter will be how you get a water based plane to a desert Museum. There are picture of the Mars on wheels but those were only for moving it around the mtce area and would likely not be adequate for take off or landing. So it will be a story to follow.

Financial, technology risks likely behind decision to pull plug on Alberta carbon capture project: analyst By Staff The Canadian Press Posted May 2, 2024 12:10 pm 1 min read Edmonton-based Capital Power Corp. says it is no longer pursuing a proposed $2.4-billion carbon capture and storage project at its Genesee natural gas-fired power plant. Capital Power’s Genesee Power Plant is seen near Edmonton in an Oct. 19, 2022, handout photo. THE CANADIAN PRESS/HO-Capital Power, Jimmy Jeong An analyst says a corporate decision to mothball Canada’s largest carbon capture and storage project is likely the result of financial uncertainty and technological risks. Capital Power announced Wednesday it would no longer pursue carbon capture at its Genesee power plant near Edmonton. The $2.4-billion project would have captured about three million tonnes of carbon dioxide a year, much more than other Canadian carbon capture facilities.e: How Capital Power plans to keep the decades-old power plant operating Capital Power CEO Avik Dey says the economics of the project don’t add up. Scott MacDougall of clean energy think tank the Pembina Institute says that’s probably because of uncertainty over the future value of carbon credits and the political fate of carbon pricing. He says Capital Power would have been the first to use the technology in a gas plant, which also carries risk and adds cost. He says he doesn’t expect other carbon capture proposals to be put on hold. The technology is different and better understood in other industries, he says, meaning the risks are lower.

Can you guess these airlines from their logos? (msn.com)

Sask., Alberta to collaborate on nuclear power generation The two prairie provinces will share information as part of a memorandum of understanding Alexander Quon · CBC News · Posted: May 02, 2024 9:49 AM MDT | Last Updated: 2 hours ago An artist's rendering of the SMR technology proposed for Ontario's Darlington location. Saskatchewan plans on exploring the same type of reactor. (Ontario Power Generation) Alberta and Saskatchewan will collaborate on nuclear power generation as part of memorandum of understanding unveiled Thursday morning. Dustin Duncan, Saskatchewan's minister responsible for SaskPower, was joined by Nathan Neudorf, Alberta's minister for affordability and utilities, at a news conference in Regina. The agreement between the two prairie provinces will see the them share information around workforce development, nuclear supply chain, the security of supply of nuclear fuels, and the development and regulation of nuclear reactor technologies such as small modular reactors (SMRs). "Saskatchewan has a long-standing cooperative relationship with Alberta on energy development, and we share similar challenges and opportunities related to decarbonization," said Duncan in a news release. Alberta government considering conventional nuclear power plants, minister says SaskPower signs deal with GE Hitachi to develop nuclear power in the province Neudorf agreed, saying he's looking forward to the partnership. "Our provinces are leading the world in responsible energy development, and we look forward to learning from Saskatchewan's experience with nuclear generation," he said. What is an SMR? Like their name implies, SMRs are much smaller than traditional nuclear reactors. While a conventional nuclear reactor generates about 1,000 megawatts of energy, SMRs generate between 200 and 300 megawatts — enough to power about 300,000 homes. The idea is to help fuel a transition to net-zero emissions. Blue Sky49:58What role should small nuclear reactors play in meeting Saskatchewan's net-zero goals? The Saskatchewan government has gone all in when it comes to Nuclear Power. $80M will be spent on research with the hopes of bringing a microreactor to the province. Proponents tout small modular reactors as a reliable power source with zero greenhouse gas emissions. But not everyone thinks this is the way to go. Today we heard some of the concerns people have about this emerging technology, and we heard from groups who will be directly affected by this industry including the Mayor of Estevan and the First Nations Power Authority. In 2019, Saskatchewan, Ontario and New Brunswick agreed to co-operate in developing plans for small modular reactors (SMRs), which generate less power than a conventional plant and can be manufactured elsewhere and assembled on site. Alberta would join the agreement in 2020. Ongoing development Saskatchewan has entrusted Crown corporation SaskEnergy with its exploration of the technology. So far, SaskPower has identified Estevan, located in the province's southeast, and Elbow, located midway between Saskatoon and Regina, as two sites that could potentially host SMRs. Capital Power, OPG to assess feasibility of small modular nuclear reactors in Alberta SaskPower, Ontario Power Generation sign deal to co-ordinate on small modular nuclear reactors A final decision on the location to build a reactor is not expected until late 2024, and final decision on whether to build a SMR in Saskatchewan is not expected until 2029. If approved, construction could begin as early as 2030, with the first SMR in Saskatchewan coming on line sometime in 2034. In Alberta, the push for SMRs has only recently moved to the stage of feasibility study. An agreement between Capital Power and Ontario Power Generation to study feasibility of building SMRs to generate power was announced in January 2024. In March, Neudorf mused about the province of Alberta adopting conventional nuclear power plants, such as the ones already in use in New Brunswick and Ontario. Ontario is currently building the first of four SMRs at its nuclear facility in Darlington. Small modular reactors | Darlington SMR – OPG Small modular reactors | Darlington SMR – OPG

Saluting the Martin Mars - Wings Magazine A quote from the article: OS EVENTS MRO DIRECTORY CAREERS IN AVIATION Features Operations Saluting the Martin Mars Dan McIvor preached the concept of “gallons per hour” in terms of aerial firefighting, putting as much water as possible on the fire as soon as possible and not letting up. For years, forestry was the economic engine of Vancouver Island and every acre lost to wildfire had a direct impact on the bottom line of the forestry companies, which in turn had implications on the total economy of the region. The Mars quickly proved to be the right tool for the job. Vancouver Island is almost 300 miles long, but no more than 50 miles across at its widest. With a number of large lakes in the interior of the island, there are not many spots that are more than 15 minutes between a water source and the delivery point for the Mars. Working together, the two aircraft would work opposite sides of a circular route that would see them working a fire in a constant one-two barrage. Early in the day, with a full load of fuel, the load would be 4,000 gallons of water, but as the fuel went down, the amount of water would increase until by the end of the day, the load would be the full 7,200 U.S. gallons. In the first year of operation in 1963, 495,000 gallons were dropped on nine operational fires and in 1965, the two aircraft dropped more than one million gallons.

Airbus A380 belonging to new airline that promises 'a return to the golden age of travel' touches down in Glasgow, marking the first time the city has welcomed a superjumbo The A380 arrived in Glasgow from Mojave Air and Space Port While there it underwent two months of technical and engineering assessments READ MORE: Cunard's latest £500m liner Queen Anne arrives in Southampton By TED THORNHILL, MAILONLINE TRAVEL EDITOR PUBLISHED: 11:10 EDT, 2 May 2024 | UPDATED: 12:55 EDT, 2 May 2024 It's the brand-new airline with a mission to take passengers 'back to the golden age of travel' - and this week it took a huge step forward, with its Airbus A380 touching down at Glasgow Prestwick Airport. Global Airlines, founded in 2021 by Briton James Asquith, who also created travel company Holiday Swap, hailed the arrival of its superjumbo in Scotland as a 'momentous moment', one that 'signalled a significant milestone being reached'. Glasgow Prestwick Airport CEO Ian Forgie said: 'We are delighted to have supported Global with this key stage in their exciting journey. 'It was also the first time an A380 has landed at Prestwick, so this was an exciting moment in Prestwick's aviation history. It drew a large crowd of aviation enthusiasts who wanted to witness the touchdown.' The A380, registration number 9H-GLOBL, arrived in Glasgow from Mojave Air and Space Port in California following two months of technical and engineering assessments. During this time the crew received bespoke simulator training. Global Airlines' A380 (above) touched down at Glasgow Prestwick Airport this week - a milestone for the new carrier. And it was the first-ever superjumbo visit for the airport Glasgow Prestwick Airport CEO Ian Forgie said: 'We are delighted to have supported Global with this key stage in their exciting journey' On Tuesday, April 30, the aircraft, led by Commander Carlos Mirpuri and a crew of three, flew for five hours and 40 minutes to Montreal Mirabel International Airport, where it refuelled. The aircraft then headed across the Atlantic, direct to Glasgow Prestwick. The flight itself created significant local and online attention and was the most viewed flight of the day on Wednesday on Flight Radar, Global Airlines claimed, with almost 40,000 viewers at its peak. The A380 flight created significant online attention and was the most viewed flight of the day on Wednesday on Flight Radar, Global Airlines claimed, with almost 40,000 viewers at its peak. Pictured is the superjumbo landing at Glasgow Prestwick Speaking for the first time since the arrival of the aircraft in Scotland, Mr Asquith said: 'There were moments when I thought the aircraft would not make it out of America, but thanks to amazing efforts from our brilliant Global team, we now have our first aircraft in Europe and are in a position and a place where we can take even further strides forward. 'Getting to Europe is a significant milestone for Global Airlines and it's the product of huge amounts of energy, resolve and belief in the project, on both sides of the Atlantic. 'I am particularly grateful to the team at Glasgow Prestwick Airport for welcoming 9H-GLOBL with such enthusiasm. I am so pleased that we now have the opportunity to work with industry leaders in the UK to build new A380 capabilities and expertise. 'Looking ahead, everybody in the team is moving forward to a really busy summer where we'll start to showcase more and more of the Global offering and innovations that will make our airline unique.' Commander Carlos Mirpuri, Vice-Chairman of Hi Fly Group, who was the chief pilot for the flights, said after arriving at Prestwick: 'This airplane is an engineering marvel, and I can't get enough of it. This was a long journey across America and the Atlantic, and all went as expected. 'I wish Global Airlines success with it. It is time to conduct the rest of the return-to-service jobs so that passengers can enjoy flying this superjumbo. There is nothing like it.' Global Airlines CEO James Asquith said: 'There were moments when I thought the aircraft would not make it out of America, but thanks to amazing efforts from our brilliant Global team, we now have our first aircraft in Europe and are in a position and a place where we can take even further strides forward.' Pictured is the plane at Glasgow Prestwick

Sproat lake is not exactly huge. Is the following accurate? Found in a facebook post. And of course there was also the Pacific Ocean. Here is the full list of lakes that the Mars can scoop from in BC.

Tesla Axing Its Supercharger Team Puts The Entire Industry In The Dark Story by Patrick George • 1h • 5 min read Tesla Supercharger Park with bk World lounge cubes in Endsee, Germany© InsideEVs Most of Tesla's Supercharger team was caught up in recent layoffs, leading to countless questions about the future of EV charging. Even if you're a die-hard, paying-blue-check, all-in-on-$TSLA, Elon-can-do-no-wrong superfan, it's awfully hard to find a silver lining around the news that most—if not all—of Tesla's Supercharging team was caught up in the company's latest round of layoffs. Last night, The Information reported that roughly 500 people in Tesla's charging division are being cut from the company, including its senior director and head of new products. A quick perusal of LinkedIn, Reddit, X and other social media platforms shows scores of people who worked on the charging team at Tesla announcing their layoffs. All of them seem utterly (and understandably) stunned that they had to. (Emails and direct messages to several current and former Tesla officials have gone unanswered.) Moreover, Musk's own memo to the troops doesn't provide much information or reassurance about the future of charging. “We will continue to build out some new Supercharger locations, where critical, and finish those currently under construction,” Musk wrote, almost with the same level of interest as when he spoke of future Tesla models during last week's Q1 earnings call. Astoundingly, the rest of the auto industry that was getting ready to partner with Tesla on charging seems blindsided as well today, leaving them with countless questions about what's next. "We were surprised as anyone, and have no additional information than what’s been reported," one automaker official told me. There's no two ways about it: this move is utterly baffling. And to one degree or another, it may throw a lot of future plans for both Tesla and the American EV industry into turmoil. In recent months and weeks, we've seen Musk seemingly lose interest in Tesla's position as the singular leader (Chinese automakers excepted) in the electric vehicle arms race. Artificial intelligence and autonomy have his full attention now as he stakes the company's future on robotaxis, seemingly only confirming "more affordable" new models out of investor pressure. But if Tesla is walking back its Supercharger growth plans—and cutting the team behind them seems to indicate that—it's an entirely new level of weird for Tesla. You could make a strong argument that building out its proprietary charging network is the smartest thing Tesla ever did. Way back in 2012, when the Model S was just starting to emerge, Tesla realized that widespread adoption of its products would never happen unless it stepped outside the auto industry's traditional lane—i.e., letting other companies handle "fueling"—and built the charging infrastructure itself. It then quickly scaled its charging network across the country and the world, learning much along the way. The Supercharger network became one of the biggest networks anywhere and the gold standard for how charging itself should work. Doing everything in-house at Tesla was once a necessity for operating in an industry that had little to no support for EVs. It quickly turned into a key strength, allowing the company to control the entire car ownership experience from top to bottom—including charging. Today, Tesla Supercharging is seamless, easy to use and ubiquitous. Almost every other EV driver has looked with envy at Tesla drivers charging their cars without a care in the world, all while they fought with the credit card reader at an EVGo station or the like. The Supercharger network even paid dividends for the entire concept of electric vehicles. Tesla showed that it could be done; that a huge, reliable and fast network of chargers could be built and that range anxiety could be made a thing of the past. In many ways, building out that charging network was the best thing Tesla has ever done. It was no wonder that rival automakers spent much of 2023 announcing they would switch to Tesla's proprietary North American Charging Standard (NACS) plug and allow access to the Supercharger network. That's been widely seen as a win-win for all involved; Ford, General Motors, Honda, Toyota, Rivian and the rest get access to the best charging network around, and Tesla would gain an estimated $20 billion in charging revenue alone by 2030. Not to mention, of course, billions more from the Biden Administration's investments in EV charging grants. By Tesla's own accounting, it grew Supercharger stations by 26% year-over-year by Q1's end and owned some 30% of America's DC fast-charging infrastructure. EV owners were excited to get their NACS adapters and eventually easier native charging. Competitors like ChargePoint were offering the same plugs too, and Tesla seemed poised to rake in cash. Just last week, The Atlantic even likened Tesla to some kind of new Con Edison, less an automaker and more an energy provider. As Jay-Z once put it, "It was all good just a week ago." But when it comes to Tesla and Musk, a lot can happen in a week. Emails to other automakers from InsideEVs have not received responses yet, and nor have messages seeking comment to Tesla's communications teams in other parts of the world. It's possible that Musk saw that the Supercharger ecosystem somehow wasn't growing quickly enough for his tastes; Bloomberg recently noted that Tesla didn't hit its target of tripling the network between 2021 and 2023. (It merely doubled it instead!) Perhaps Musk wants a new team that can get it done sooner. Then again, who? Christmas just came early for every automaker looking to hire top-tier charging talent. What's more likely is the obvious: that this is all part of Tesla's wholesale pivot to AI and robotaxis. That, in Musk's mind, those areas are where Tesla will put the most resources and talent until it has fully "solved" the challenge of autonomous driving. For countless reasons, that pivot seems suspect, and the idea that Tesla's past success will guarantee its future has its limits. In the meantime, losing a 500-person team responsible for charging probably isn't great for Tesla owners. Questions arise about maintenance, upkeep and new features, to say nothing of new station rollouts. It's also very unlikely that these layoffs will impact the industry-wide pivot to the NACS plug. That's becoming an SAE standard, so it's effectively out of Tesla's hands. One industry official who spoke to me indicated the move could slow other automakers' moves to the actual Supercharger network, however, but it's still unclear how. In the end, the only person who can articulate the path forward is Musk. He spent the past 12 hours on X posting about slavery, woke TV shows and declining birth rates, so what happens next is anyone's guess. But slowing the growth of one of the best reasons to buy an electric car isn't good for anyone—not the industry, and certainly not the planet. Musk seems more focused on Tesla's stock price as of late. Unfortunately for him, even investors don't like this move. Tesla stock is down 5% as of publication, a sign that even Wall Street is baffled by gutting such a key part of the company's empire. Contact the author: patrick.george@insideevs.com

31 holiday hotspots that DON'T want tourists to visit (msn.com)

Tens of billions were made in 2022 ©Provided by Fifteen countries make a lot of money from their carbon taxes (msn.com) The methods vary a lot Understanding the various ways carbon is being priced and taxed around the world can be difficult but the World Bank collected data on global carbon revenues in 2022 and Visual Capitalist used that data to work out what the top fifteen countries were making in carbon taxes. The Daily Digest Tens of billions were made in carbon tax revenue by the top fifteen countries and you might be surprised by the two countries that collected the most carbon tax revenue. So which two countries made the most? Let’s find out. 15. South AfricaGovernment carbon tax revenue: $0.1 billion 14. SingaporeGovernment carbon tax revenue: $0.1 billion 13. MexicoGovernment carbon tax revenue: $0.2 billion 12. ArgentinaGovernment carbon tax revenue: $0.3 billion 11. PortugalGovernment carbon tax revenue: $0.5 billion 10. DenmarkGovernment carbon tax revenue: $0.5 billio 9. Ireland Government carbon tax revenue: $0.7 billion 8. United Kingdom overnment carbon tax revenue: $0.9 billion 7. Switzerland government carbon tax revenue: $1.6 billion 6. Finland Government carbon tax revenue: $1.7 billion 5. Japan Government carbon tax revenue: $1.8 billion 4. Norway Government carbon tax revenue: $2.1 billion 3. Sweden Government carbon tax revenue: $2.3 billion 2. Canada Government carbon tax revenue: $7.8 billion 1. France Government carbon tax revenue: $8.9 billion

Air Transat flight dispatchers vote to strike. Will it affect flights? By Nathaniel Dove Global News Posted April 30, 2024 10:45 am Air Transat airline dispatchers have voted unanimously in favour of a strike mandate. One hundred per cent of the airline’s members of the Canadian Airline Dispatchers Association (CALDA) voted to strike after negotiations with Air Transat failed, according to a release published Tuesday. “Our intentions and goals were to always get a deal at the table,” CALDA national president Rob King wrote in an email to Global News. “We remain committed to continue negotiations but Air Transat needs to understand our members are committed to a contract that reflects recent gains in our profession.” In a statement to Global News, Transat said its operations and flight schedule are not threatened but that CALDA’s “current salary demands remain unreasonable.” “Not only because of the financial context in which Transat finds itself,” according to Alex-Anne Carrier of Transat, “but especially considering that our flight dispatchers are already the best paid in the industry.” Flight dispatchers prepare and maintain flight plans, authorize flights with the aircraft captain, and brief air crews, according to a Government of Canada website. “No Air Transat aircraft can depart without the approval of the Flight Plan by the Flight Dispatcher,” CALDA’s press release states. It also says the 28 Montreal-based dispatchers have been working without a contract since Oct. 31, 2022, and are “very disappointed at the progress of talks.” dog denied Air Transat flight Carrier wrote that Transat presented an “unprecedented global — and final — offer” on April 25 that was retroactive to last October, but claimed union leadership did not present it to the members. CALDA’s statement said the union delivered its strike vote to Air Transat on April 15. “We remain committed to the process and are confident that we will come to an agreement quickly, as always,” Carrier said in a statement. CALDA’s statement said the federal government took part in conciliation talks. A spokesperson for the Labour Minister, Seamus O’Regan, did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

To fend off tourists, a town in Japan is building a big screen blocking the view of Mount Fuji To fend off tourists, a town in Japan is building a big screen blocking the view of Mount Fuji© Provided by The Canadian Press FUJIKAWAGUCHIKO, Japan (AP) — The town of Fujikawaguchiko has had enough of tourists. Known for a number of scenic photo spots that offer a near-perfect shot of Japan’s iconic Mount Fuji, the town on Tuesday began constructing a large black screen on a stretch of a sidewalk to block the view of the mountain. The reason: misbehaving foreign tourists. “Kawaguchiko is a town built on tourism, and I welcome many visitors, and the town welcomes them too, but there are many things about their manners that are worrying,” said Michie Motomochi, owner of a cafe serving Japanese sweets “ohagi,” near the soon-to-be-blocked photo spot. Motomochi mentioned littering, crossing the road with busy traffic, ignoring traffic lights, trespassing into private properties. She isn't unhappy though — 80% of her customers are foreign visitors whose numbers have surged after a pandemic hiatus that kept Japan closed for about two years. Her neighborhood suddenly became a popular spot about two years ago, apparently after a photo taken in a particular angle showing Mount Fuji in the background, as if sitting atop a local convenience store, became a social media sensation known as “Mt. Fuji Lawson,” town officials say The mostly foreign tourists have since crowded the small area, triggering a wave of concerns and complaints from residents about visitors blocking the narrow sidewalk, taking photos on the busy road or walking into neighbors’ properties, officials said. In Europe, concerns over tourists overcrowding historic cities led Venice last week to launch a pilot program to charge day-trippers a 5-euro ($5.35) entry fee. Authorities hope it will discourage visitors from arriving on peak days and make the city more livable for its dwindling residents. Fujikawaguchiko has tried other methods: signs urging visitors not to run into the road and to use the designated crosswalk in English, Chinese, Thai and Korean, and even hiring a security guard as crowd control. None worked. The black mesh net, when completed in mid-May, will be 2.5 meters (8.2 feet) high and 20 meters (65.6 feet) long, and will almost completely block the view of Mount Fuji, officials said. Dozens of tourists gathered Tuesday taking photos even though Mount Fuji was not in sight due to cloudy weather. Anthony Hok, from France, thought the screen was an overreaction. “Too big solution for subject not as big, even if tourists are making trouble. Doesn't look right to me," he said. The 26-year-old suggested setting up road barriers for safety instead of blocking views for pictures. But Helen Pull, a 34-year-old visitor from the U.K., was sympathetic to the local concern. While traveling in Japan in the past few weeks, she has seen tourism “really ramped up here in Japan from what we've seen." “I can see why people who live and work here might want to do something about that," she said, noting many were taking pictures even when the mountain was not in the view. "That's the power of the social media.” Foreign visitors have flocked to Japan since the pandemic border restrictions were lifted, in part due to the weaker yen. Last year, Japan had more than 25 million visitors, and the number this year is expected to surpass nearly 32 million, a record from 2019, according to the Japan National Tourism Organization. And the government wants more tourists. While the booming tourism has helped the industry, it has triggered complaints from residents in popular tourist destinations, such as Kyoto and Kamakura. In Kyoto, a famous geisha district recently decided to close some private-property alleys. Locals are uncertain about what to do. Motomochi said she cannot imagine how the black screen can help control the flow of people on the narrow pedestrian walk and the road next to it. Yoshihiko Ogawa, who runs a more than half-century-old rice shop in the Fujikawaguchiko area, said the overcrowding worsened in the past few months, with tourists gathering from around 4-5 a.m. and talking loudly. He sometimes struggles to get his car in and out of garage. “We’ve never thought we'd face a situation like this,” Ogawa said, adding he is unsure what the solution might be. “I suppose we all just need to get use to it.”

Toronto Pearson food service workers return to job after ratifying tentative deal By Staff The Canadian Press Posted April 30, 2024 8:09 am View image in full screen Airline caterer Gate Gourmet says its employees have voted in favour of a tentative deal with management, putting them back on the job as soon as today. About 800 food service workers at Toronto’s Pearson airport went on strike on April 16, leaving thousands of passengers without meals. The employees cook, package and deliver food and drinks to planes for service on board, with Air Canada and WestJet having to limit meal offerings during the two-week job action. Gate Gourmet says it will return to regular operations at Pearson “as soon as possible.” The collective agreement comes after Ontario mediators called picketing workers back to the table Friday for talks with the Swiss-owned company. Gate Gourmet is the largest airline catering company operating out of Toronto, with clients that include United Airlines and Delta Air Lines and operations across 33 countries, including eight airports in Canada.

Air Canada walks back new seat selection policy change after backlash /content/dam/ctvnews/en/images/2024/4/30/air-canada-1-6867184-1714481312194.jpgAir Canada planes sit on the tarmac at Pearson International Airport in Toronto on Wednesday, April 28, 2021. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Nathan Denette Megan DeLaire CTVNews.ca Journalist Follow |Contact Published April 29, 2024 5:27 p.m. MDT Air Canada has temporarily walked back its decision to charge a new seat selection fee for travellers booked on the lowest fares. Under the old policy, customers with fares that didn't offer free seat selection prior to check-in would be randomly assigned a seat at the time of check-in, with the option to change that seat to another available seat for free. However, some Air Canada customers received notices earlier this month stating the airline would soon charge passengers with standard or basic fares to change their automatically assigned seats during check-in. Facebook account belonging to Ontario-based travel agent Kerry Berlinquette shared an image(opens in a new tab) of a notice she received on April 18. "We're introducing a new seating assignment process for Standard or Basic Fares," the notice reads. "When customers enter the check-in flow, our system will automatically assign a seat free of charge for those who have not purchased a seat in advance … If they wish to change their automatically assigned seat, they can easily do so for a fee." The notice, which stated the change would take effect April 24, triggered a wave of complaints by angry consumers on Facebook, X and Reddit. "That stinks. It was bad enough you had to fight for a seat 24 hours before flight. Just another money grabber," one Facebook user wrote in a comment on Berlinquette's post. "It's frustrating when traditional airlines behave like budget airlines," a Reddit user wrote on April 24. "They have eliminated free checked baggage and now they have also removed the option of selecting seats for free during check-in. What will be next?" Following some of the backlash, Air Canada issued a statement(opens in a new tab) to airline industry news website Pax News clarifying the policy change. "What has changed, and is consistent with our branded fares, is that after seats are assigned at check-in for no fee, customers who now wish to change to a different seat from the one we assigned them will have to pay the same fee they would have paid prior to check-in," the airline wrote to Pax News, which reported the airline would continue to assign seats to ensure families on the same booking are seated together for no fee, as per Canada's Air Passenger Protection Regulations. "This is the practice at other airlines, including some in Canada." However, by April 26, Air Canada had paused the new fee. The flag carrier would not confirm whether consumer backlash had influenced the decision and declined to answer questions by CTVNews.ca about why it had introduced the fee and how long the pause would last. Canada This Month newsletter: Sign up to read the best our local outlets have to offer(opens in a new tab) "We paused the implementation for operational reasons to ensure a smooth rollout for our customers and employees," a spokesperson, who did not provide a name, wrote in an email to CTVNews.ca on Monday. "We will communicate next steps at the appropriate time." Air Canada would not be the first Canadian carrier to charge a fee for seat selection after check-in. However, the airlines that charge a seat selection fee, such as Flair and Porter, tend to be low-cost carriers that offer more affordable base fares than Canada's flag carrier. One exception is WestJet, Canada's second largest carrier after Air Canada, which also charges a fee for seat selection.

Lufthansa, Air France-KLM to cut costs after tough first quarter By Joanna Plucinska, Diana Mandia and Ilona Wissenbach April 30, 20246:56 AM MDTUpdated an hour ago LONDON/GDANSK/FRANKFURT, April 30 (Reuters) - Two of Europe's top airline groups, Lufthansa (LHAG.DE), opens new tab and Air France-KLM (AIRF.PA), opens new tab, announced cost cuts on Tuesday after labour disputes and high customer payouts linked to flight disruptions deepened first-quarter losses. The first quarter is often a loss-making one for airlines, with fewer bookings, but this year's was worse than expected for the two groups due to expensive strike action and disruptions due to capacity limits and cancellations. Air France-KLM said it would tighten spending for the rest of the year, including a freeze on hiring support staff. Germany's Lufthansa said it would cut operating costs, pause new projects and increase scrutiny of additional administrative staffing at its core brand Lufthansa Airlines to stem heavy losses from strikes. The carrier spent 350 million euros ($374.8 million) in the first three months of this year after agreeing higher wages for staff and dealing with costs from cancellations. Air France-KLM meanwhile had to pay 50 million euros in compensation mostly to customers of its Dutch carrier. Earlier this month, Lufthansa slashed its full-year outlook following a wave of costly industrial action, sending its shares down. They were little changed in early trading on Tuesday after the final first-quarter results were announced. On Tuesday, it said earnings in the second quarter would be below the prior-year level as customers were reluctant to book in April and May. The results show airlines are still grappling with higher costs, exacerbated by disruptions and cancellations tied to limited capacity and geopolitical turbulence, despite a recovery in travel demand since COVID-19 lockdowns. "Disruptions may dissuade some passengers from booking on that airline, preferring a lower-risk approach of using airlines and airports with more stable labour relations," said Bernstein analyst Alex Irving in a note, referring to Lufthansa. Air France-KLM maintained its 2024 outlook, but warned that costs would still be up 2% year-on-year in its second quarter. "As anticipated, our operating income was impacted by disruption costs and a slower cargo business. We nonetheless remain confident in our ability to achieve our 2024 unit cost outlook," Air France-KLM CEO Ben Smith said in a statement. Air France-KLM shares were down 3.6% at 1152 GMT. Lufthansa and Air France-KLM's shares are among the worst performers among European airlines this year. SUMMER RECOVERY Even so, hopes that summer demand would make up for recent losses are strengthening as Europe prepares for one of its busiest travel seasons since the pandemic. Both Air France-KLM and Lufthansa said their collective bargaining agreements were done and they did not expect further disruption from strikes or labour talks for the rest of the financial year. The fallout from war in the Middle East is also settling, Smith said. "We're cautiously optimistic that Tel Aviv and Beirut (passenger numbers) will come back to the levels that they were at prior to October," he told a press call. Lufthansa hopes to claw back its strike-related losses in the second half, pointing to a strong summer season with bookings up 16% from last year. Ticket prices are also expected to stabilize, Lufthansa CEO Carsten Spohr told journalists on a press call. "We see a kind of flattening of prices, with no further hikes after increases in the last few years," Spohr said. In the second half, the group's operating result is expected to be higher than a year before, and it has already chosen a new Chief Financial Officer ahead of Remco Steenbergen's departure in the coming weeks. "Our planes remain well-filled throughout. One thing is already clear: it will be another very strong summer," Spohr said in a statement. However, he conceded on an analyst call that demand recovery, particularly from China, is moving more slowly than expected. And with repair and maintenance costs set to keep rising and capacity constraints ongoing in the sector, some analysts have questioned whether strong demand will be enough to lift airlines out of their financial troubles. ($1 = 0.9338 euros) Make sense of the latest ESG trends affecting companies and governments with the Reuters Sustainable Switch newsletter. Sign up here. Reporting by Joanna Plucinska, Diana Mandia, Ilona Wissenbach and Rachel More; Editing by Miranda Murray, Susan Fenton and Jan Harvey

in pieces I guess.

A second new nuclear reactor is completed in Georgia. The carbon-free power comes at a high price Story by The Canadian Press • 1h • 3 min read ATLANTA (AP) — The second of two new nuclear reactors in Georgia has entered commercial operation, capping a project that cost billions more and took years longer than originally projected. Georgia Power Co. and fellow owners announced the milestone Monday for Plant Vogtle's Unit 4, which joins an earlier new reactor southeast of Augusta in splitting atoms to make carbon-free electricity. Unit 3 began commercial operation last summer, joining two older reactors that have stood on the site for decades. They're the first two nuclear reactors built in the United States in decades. The new Vogtle reactors are currently projected to cost Georgia Power and three other owners $31 billion, according to calculations by The Associated Press. Add in $3.7 billion that original contractor Westinghouse paid Vogtle owners to walk away from construction, and the total nears $35 billion. Electric customers in Georgia already have paid billions for what may be the most expensive power plant ever. The reactors were originally projected to cost $14 billion and be completed by 2017. Utilities and their political supporters on Monday hailed the plant's completion. Georgia Gov Brian Kemp proclaimed he was “thankful for this historic achievement by Georgia Power and its partners.” Chris Womack, CEO of Atlanta-based Southern Co., which owns Georgia Power, argues Vogtle will make the state's electrical grid more reliable and resilient and help the utility meet its goal of zeroing out carbon emissions by 2050.Lo “These new Vogtle units not only will support the economy within our communities now and in the future, they demonstrate our global nuclear leadership,” Womack said in a statement. Each of the two new reactors can power 500,000 homes and businesses without releasing any carbon. Even some opponents of Vogtle have said the United States can’t achieve carbon-free electricity without nuclear power. But Georgia Power, like other utilities, plans to build more fossil fuel generation in coming years, saying demand is rising sharply. That demand, driven by computer data centers, is being felt by multiple utilities across the country. Calculations show Vogtle’s electricity will never be cheaper than other sources the owners could have chosen, even after the federal government reduced borrowing costs by guaranteeing repayment of $12 billion in loans. “Hopefully, despite being seven years late and billions over budget, the two new units at Plant Vogtle will finally perform well for at least the next 80 years to justify the excessive cost,” said Liz Coyle, executive director of Georgia Watch, a consumer group that fought to limit rate increases. In Georgia, almost every electric customer will pay for Vogtle. Georgia Power owns 45.7% of the reactors. Smaller shares are owned by Oglethorpe Power Corp., which provides electricity to member-owned cooperatives, the Municipal Electric Authority of Georgia and the city of Dalton. Utilities in Jacksonville, Florida, as well as in the Florida Panhandle and parts of Alabama also have contracted to buy Vogtle’s power. Regulators in December approved an additional 6% rate increase on Georgia Power’s 2.7 million customers to pay for $7.56 billion in remaining costs at Vogtle, with the company absorbing $2.6 billion in costs. That’s expected to cost the typical residential customer an additional $8.97 a month in May, on top of the $5.42 increase that took effect when Unit 3 began operating. Even as government officials and some utilities are looking to nuclear power to alleviate climate change, the cost of Vogtle could discourage utilities from pursuing nuclear power. American utilities have heeded Vogtle’s missteps, shelving plans for 24 other reactors proposed between 2007 and 2009. Two half-built reactors in South Carolina were abandoned. But Westinghouse is marketing the reactor design abroad. China has said it will build more reactors using the design, while Bulgaria, Poland and Ukraine also say they intend to build nuclear power stations using the Westinghouse reactor. Jeff Amy, The Associated Press

Airline catering company at Toronto Pearson reaches tentative agreement: union By Gabby Rodrigues Global News Posted April 29, 2024 4:38 am Updated April 29, 2024 4:42 am RELATED: More than 800 union employees at Gate Gourmet, one of Toronto Pearson airport's largest airline catering companies, have begun strike action. Jaden Lee-Lincoln has more – Apr 16, 2024 The union representing workers responsible for food and beverages on flights out of Toronto Pearson Airport says it has reached a tentative agreement with its company Gate Gourmet. In a statement on Sunday, Teamsters Local Union 647 said a tentative agreement was reached and members are voting on it Monday. Although the agreement still needs to be ratified the union said its bargaining committee is recommending members vote to accept it. “I would like to thank our members for their incredible courage and solidarity, and salute everyone who supported us throughout this process,” said Martin Cerqua, president of Teamsters Local Union 647. More than 800 workers walked off the job almost two weeks ago after 96 per cent voted against the previous proposed agreement. The union said the workers are in charge of cooking, packing, and delivering meals as well as snacks, beverages and other supplies to planes for in-flight service. STORY CONTINUES BELOW ADVERTISEMENT The airlines affected by the strike include Air Canada, West Jet, United Airlines, Delta Airlines, TAP Air Portugal, Air India, Aero Mexico, SAS Scandinavian Airlines, and Jetlines. Details of the agreement have not yet been released as union members are reviewing the offer. If the agreement is accepted, the union said workers will return to work on Tuesday, April 30.

Fond memories, interesting stories?

New Permanent Exhibit at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Commemorates Centennial of Royal Canadian Air Force and Airport's Connection to Aviation History in Canada Français NEWS PROVIDED BY Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Apr 25, 2024, 05:45 ET t) (Left to right) Ryan Goldsworthy, Exhibition Curator, RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, PortsToronto, Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny, RCAF Commander, MP Kevin Vuong, Chief Warrant Officer, RCAF Chief Warrant Officer W.J. Hall, Neil Pakey, President and CEO, Nieuport Aviation. (CNW Group/Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport) RJ Steenstra, President and CEO of PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport speaks following the unveil of the airport's new exhibit commemorating the RCAF centennial and 85th anniversary of the airport. (CNW Group/Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport) The exhibit features an original First World War-era Curtiss JN-4 Canuck biplane propeller and a collection of nine original pilot's wings badges, representing the evolution of badges worn by Canadian aviators from 1912-present and including the rare Royal Flying Corps (RFC) and Royal Naval Air Service (RNAS) wings of the First World War. The "Canuck", manufactured by Canadian Aeroplanes Ltd. of Toronto was the Canadian variant of the Curtiss JN-4 "Jenny", an American/British design. The Canuck was widely used in training by Canadian pilots during the First World War. Part of the collection of the RCMI museum, these artifacts are now on permanent display at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, next to the airport's cast bronze statues of First World War flying aces and Victoria Cross recipients William Barker and William Avery "Billy" Bishop – the airport's namesake. Established in 1939, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has operated on the Toronto waterfront for 85 years and has strong ties to Canadian military and aviation history. In its early years, from 1939 to 1943, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport served as a training ground for both the Royal Canadian and Royal Norwegian Air Forces, with neighbouring Little Norway Park named in honour of the Norwegian community that settled around the airport in 1940. To learn more about the history of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, please view a video of the airport's journey over the past 85 years, or visit BillyBishopAirport.com to view a timeline featuring archival photos from the PortsToronto collection dating back to the 1920s and 1930s. Follow along as we celebrate our 85th anniversary this year, and connect with us on social media at @BBishopAirport or with the hashtag #YTZ85. Quotes "Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport's iconic location on the Toronto waterfront was selected in the 1920s by a City-appointed committee led by First World War flying ace, Victoria Cross recipient, and our namesake, William Avery "Billy" Bishop. The airport went on to play an important role in the war effort serving as a training base for Royal Canadian and Royal Norwegian Air Force pilots." "Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport's connection to military and aviation history in Canada runs deep, and we are honoured that the Royal Canadian Military Institute recognized this in selecting our airport to host these superb, original First World War-era pieces from their collection. The exhibition unveiled today is a fitting tribute to the Royal Canadian Air Force's century of aviation excellence in Canada, and underscores Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport's important role in the past, present and future of aviation in this country." - RJ Steenstra, President and CEO, PortsToronto, owner and operator of Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport "The story of the Royal Canadian Air Force is one of courage and sacrifice that has shaped our nation's military history and heritage. As we celebrate 100 years of the Royal Canadian Air Force, it is an honour to be able to unveil this exhibit to commemorate the historical connection the Royal Canadian Air Force has with the Greater Toronto Area which encompasses the Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport. Together, we celebrate our centennial, honour our veterans, and recognize today's air force personnel, whose dedication and professionalism keep our skies safe." - Lieutenant-General Eric Kenny, Commander, Royal Canadian Air Force "As the exhibition's curator, I am proud to help commemorate the RCAF's centennial with PortsToronto through this striking new permanent gallery. The carefully curated and original artifacts within have captured the power and character of Canada's storied military aviation history. This important exhibit will endure as a testament to the many Canadian air force personnel who have served, and continue to serve, with great courage and distinction – their history and impact will continue to matter." - Ryan Goldsworthy, Museums Manager, City of Toronto (Former Museum Director & Curator of RCMI) "Today's unveiling serves both as a testament to how the long histories of the Royal Canadian Air Force and Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport are intertwined, and as a reminder that as we move into the future, the past should continue to inform our path forward. The history of the airport, the RCAF, and Toronto is all around us if we take the time to look—from Little Norway Park near the airport and the Daniels Building, formerly Spadina Military Hospital, to 'Shrapnel Corners' at Yonge and College, or the early air shows at the CNE where Amelia Earhart developed her love of aviation. "I encourage everyone to take today's unveiling as not only an opportunity to learn about the Curtiss JN-4 and its role in Canada's military history, but also as a jumping off point to learn more about the rich history of the Royal Canadian Air Force, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport, and Toronto." - Neil Pakey, President and CEO, Nieuport Aviation, owner and operator of the passenger terminal at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport "The RCAF Foundation's mission is to take a past, present, and future look at the Royal Canadian Air Force, aviation, and aerospace in Canada. We aim to share stories of the 100 years of the RCAF, while supporting the next generation of Canadians who plan to enter the sector, and make an important impact in their community and around the world. The exhibit unveiled today at Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is a perfect example of the RCAF's legacy in Canadian aerospace and we were proud to see it shared with the airport's passengers and community." - Jeremy Diamond, CEO, RCAF Foundation About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport (YTZ) Offering service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the U.S., with connection opportunities to more than 100 international destinations via our airlines' networks, Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is an important international gateway that will offer US Preclearance in 2025. The airport is a key driver to Toronto's economy, generating more than $2.1 billion in total economic output and supporting 4,450 jobs, including 2,080 directly associated with the airport's operations. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport has served its community for 85 years from its iconic location on the Toronto waterfront, where it facilitates healthcare for Ontarians by providing a base for medevac services connected to local hospitals. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is committed to achieving its vision of cleaner, greener and quieter operations, and is renowned for its unique travel experience, efficiency, and customer service, having won a host of passenger-driven and environmental achievement awards. Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport is owned and operated by PortsToronto. About the Royal Canadian Military Institute The Royal Canadian Military Institute (RCMI) of Toronto is an independent member-supported organization which, promotes the study and discussion of military history, defence, security and international affairs, along with the operation of its museum, library and archives, for the benefit of its members and the interested public, through the provision of exceptional services within a unique collegial environment. The RCMI maintains one of the finest and largest military history collections in Canada. About the Royal Canadian Air Force The Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) is a part of National Defence and the Canadian Armed Forces. It defends and protects Canadian and North American airspace in partnership with the United States. The RCAF also contributes to international peace and security. About the RCAF Foundation The RCAF Foundation works closely with like-minded organizations to help them further their goals in support of the important Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) legacy, promote Canadian aviation and aerospace as a potential area of study/career path, and develop innovative ways to engage youth to learn about the RCAF. In 2021, the RCAF Foundation embarked on a 10-year horizon to build an enduring platform to fulfil our perpetual mission and to preserve, promote and celebrate the RCAF through community engagement, education programs and commemorative activities. We have been using the 2024 RCAF Centennial as the marquee event to create the ground floor substance for our mission, the momentum for our ongoing community support, and the leadership to sustain our efforts. SOURCE Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport For further information: Media Contact: Jessica Pellerin, Senior Manager, Communications, PortsToronto, Cell: (647) 298-0585, E-mail: jpellerin@portstoronto.com Organization Profile Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport About Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport Offering service to more than 20 cities in Canada and the U.S., with connection opportunities to more than 80 international destinations via our airlines’ networks, Billy Bishop Airport is an important international gateway and a key... Also from this source /R E P E A T -- MEDIA AVAILABILITY - Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Unveil New Exhibit Commemorating Centennial of Royal Canadian Air Force and Airport's Connection to Aviation History in Canada/ MEDIA AVAILABILITY - Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Unveil New Exhibit Commemorating Centennial of Royal Canadian Air Force and Airport's Connection to Aviation History in Canada MEDIA AVAILABILITY - Billy Bishop Toronto City Airport to Unveil The Fabric of Our Being Textile Installation Contact Cision 866-245-2317 from 8 AM - 10 PM ET Contact Us Products

Lots of interest in our LNG but so far those who have expressed their interest have been told to pound sand. Hmmmm Of course, yes': Poland latest European country with interest in Canadian LNG Spencer Van Dyk CTV News Parliamentary Bureau Writer, Producer Follow |Contact Updated April 28, 2024 6:41 a.m. MDT Published April 28, 2024 5:00 a.m. MDT Share The President of Poland says his country would “of course” be interested in purchasing Canadian liquefied natural gas (LNG) if it were available, while the Canadian federal government has said it is “not interested” in subsidizing future projects. Andrzej Duda sat down for a wide-ranging exclusive interview with CTV’s Question Period host Vassy Kapelos during a trip to Edmonton this week. The interview will air Sunday. Duda spoke in Polish through a translator. When asked whether Poland would be interested in Canadian LNG, Duda said “of course, yes.” RELATED STORIES Greece would 'absolutely' be interested in purchasing Canadian LNG: Greek PM N.B. Premier Higgs tells Ottawa to replace carbon tax with LNG exports Feds 'not interested' in investing in LNG facilities: energy minister “If Canada is ready to supply LNG to Poland, we have got our LNG terminal … right now,” he said, adding there are already plans to expand the country’s existing infrastructure. Duda said Poland already purchases LNG from both American and Qatari companies, and it would be interested in Canadian product if it could be “bought at attractive prices.” “In the same way it would be ready to negotiate, to talk, and to accept Canadian gas as well,” he said. Duda is the latest European leader who has said they’d likely purchase Canadian LNG if it were available; Greek Prime Minister Kyriakos Mitsotakis also told Kapelos in an exclusive CTV’s Question Period interview last month that his country would “of course” be interested in the product. According to Natural Resources Canada, there are eight LNG projects “in various stages of development,” with the first export facility slated to begin operations next year, with shipments destined for some Asian countries. There has been political debate for years around whether Canada could or should plan to export to European countries, as well. More than two years into Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, the issue has taken on a new sense of urgency, as many Western nations attempt to phase out the purchase of Russian oil. Germany and Japan have also voiced interest in purchasing Canada’s LNG. But in August 2022, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he wasn’t sold on the idea of LNG exports being part of Canada’s long-term plan when it comes to becoming a reliable supplier of clean energy to Europe. And in an interview on CTV’s Question Period last month, Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said the federal government is “not interested” in subsidizing future liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects, including the electrification of projects currently in the works. Duda said he discussed “energy issues” with Trudeau during the president’s most recent visit to Canada, but did not specify whether they broached the topic of LNG. In his interview, Duda also discussed Russia’s war on Ukraine and the risk of “insatiable” Russian imperialism, his relationship with former U.S. president Donald Trump, the NATO defence spending target, and Poland’s “readiness” to host nuclear weapons should NATO expand its nuclear sharing program. You can watch Duda’s full interview for CTV’s Question Period in the video player at the top of this article. With files from CTV’s Question Period Senior Producer Stephanie Ha

Not electric but yet another way to wean off of gas powered vehicles. One major difference is the link to fuel infrastructure, something that those who want to go electric have so far mostly ignored. Alberta wants more hydrogen vehicles. Experts say fuel infrastructure needs to come with them | CBC News

HuH? They did have a point.

B.C. to ban drug use in all public places in major overhaul of decriminalization (msn.com) Screenshot of man smoking crack on TTC streetcar.© Provided by Toronto Sun British Columbia has admitted that decriminalizing all drugs was a mistake. So why are the top doctors for the Province of Ontario and the City of Toronto still pushing for decriminalization to be adopted here? “Keeping people safe is our highest priority,” B.C. Premier David Eby said to reporters at a news conference Friday. “While we are caring and compassionate for those struggling with addiction, we do not accept street disorder that makes communities feel unsafe.” On Jan. 31, 2023, Health Canada granted B.C. an exemption to the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act. This meant that using drugs like crack, cocaine, methamphetamine and MDMA, or opioids like fentanyl, were free and legal to use in the open. The argument for making the change was to do away with stigma for addicts. But the reality was utter chaos in the streets, and the hospitals of the province. LILLEY: Dr. Moore wants to bring B.C.'s disastrous drug policy to Ontario LILLEY: B.C.'s overdose deaths keeps climbing, Toronto can't follow Situation 'critical' after spike in opioid overdoses among homeless: Study Open drug use in parks, on public transit and elsewhere became problematic. Police were unable to do anything about public complaints, something Eby now acknowledges was a mistake. “Clearly, with the benefit of hindsight, police needed those authorities,” Eby said. The recriminalization won’t be complete and having small personal amounts of the otherwise banned drugs won’t be illegal in your home, in homeless shelters or in so-called safe consumption sites. The problem with the policies adopted by B.C. in recent years goes well beyond open public drug use. Toronto hasn’t adopted decriminalization yet and we have open drug use in parks, on the TTC , on street corners and elsewhere. The real problem with B.C.’s ever-liberalized drug laws is that they don’t work at what they are supposed to do, lowering the overdose death rate. In 2023, decriminalization was in legal effect for 11 months and the province still had a record-breaking 2,546 drug overdose deaths . With the exception of 2019, overdose deaths have been on the rise every year in the last decade. B.C.’s population is one-third of Ontario’s, but they have more overdose deaths. In 2014, B.C. had just 370 overdose deaths, in the first two months of this year they had already recorded 377 deaths These are clear signs that we shouldn’t be following B.C.’s lead. Yet, the City of Toronto has an official request before Health Canada asking for the same kind of exemption B.C. was granted. Under what the city calls the Toronto Model , drugs would be legal to use everywhere except child care centres, K-12 schools and airports. That means smoking crack on the bus, streetcar or subway would be legal. Shooting heroin or fentanyl in a kid’s playground would be legal. It’s utter madness masquerading as compassion and forward thinking. It’s supported by Toronto Mayor Olivia Chow, Toronto Police Chief Myron Demkiw and the city’s Chief Medical Officer Eileen de Villa. Last month, Dr. Kieran Moore, Ontario’s Chief Medical Officer, released his annual report calling for the decriminalization of hard drugs, while also making alcohol harder to get. Thankfully, the Ford government shut down Moore’s ideologically based and scientifically flimsy report and recommendations. In his report, Moore called for Ontario to evaluate and learn from jurisdictions that had already gone down the decriminalization route, including Oregon and B.C. But both of those jurisdictions have now reversed course after horrific experiences. It’s time for the chief medical officers for Toronto and Ontario to withdraw their recommendations and follow suit. We need real solutions for the problems of addictions and overdoses – and decriminalization is now the answer. blilley@postmedia.com