CANADA!!

You supply the money then

New name for a Canadian town called Asbestos
Published 9 hours ago



The name change comes after years of debate in the Quebec town

The small Canadian town of Asbestos that decided it needed a rebrand has done away with the name derived from its mining heritage.

The Quebec town, home to some 7,000 people, voted for "Val-des-Sources" as its new moniker.

The town was once the location of the world's largest asbestos mine.

It was given the English name for the mineral - rather than the French amiante - in the late 19th Century.

But the town's council said the connotation hindered its ability to attract foreign investment, and announced last November that the hunt was on for a new name.

The town, about 150 km (95 miles) east of Montreal, finally announced the winning title with some fanfare on Monday evening.

It was picked after a lengthy consultation and a vote by town residents, including those as young as 14.

About half the town residents eligible to cast ballots did so. Val-des-Sources won with just over 51% of the vote in the third round of voting.

The name is "above all, inspiring for the future", Mayor Hugues Grimard said.

Why the Canadian town of Asbestos wants a new name

Other possibilities on the shortlist were L'Azur-des-Cantons, Jeffrey-sur-le-Lac, Larochelle, Phénix and Trois-Lacs, which came in second place.

Asbestos won't be changing its town signs immediately, said Mr Grimard, who suggested it could be the end of the year before the formal, legal switch.

"It'll be a nice Christmas present," he said.

The town of Asbestos thrived for over a century on the chrysotile asbestos manufactured at its open-pit mine. The mine suspended operations in 2011.

Once considered a miracle mineral, asbestos was used in construction industries for strengthening cement, in insulation, roofing, fireproofing and sound absorption.

But by the mid-20th Century, concerns about its use were growing as more and more studies linked asbestos to deadly illnesses.

Breathing in asbestos fibres has been linked to cancer and other diseases.

Global demand for the product plummeted as countries around the world began banning it. Canada was a latecomer, only banning its manufacture, import, use and export in 2018.

Quebec stabbing: Two dead after attack by man in medieval clothes

Police confirm at least two people have died and say they have arrested a man in his mid-20s.

https://www.bbc.com/news/world-us-canada-54766208


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A person would have to be batshit crazy to move to Canada, unless you like freezing your ass off for nine months out of the year, and don't mind fighting off mosquitoes the size of hummingbirds.

Canada unveils largest economic relief package since WW2
Published 11 hours ago

Coronavirus pandemic

Canada's Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland will unveil the country's new spending plan

Canada's federal government will spend C$100bn ($77bn, £58bn) to kick-start the country's post-pandemic economy.

It is "the largest economic relief package for our country since the Second World War", Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland said on Monday.

The spending will bring the deficit to a historic C$381.6bn by March 2021.

The wide-ranging plan includes targeted relief for hard-hit business sectors, investments in long-term care homes and distribution of a Covid-19 vaccine.

The announcement - the first full fiscal update from Canada's Liberal government since the onset of the pandemic - comes as the country battles a steep second wave of Covid-19 infections. The number of active cases in Canada has more than doubled in November alone, bringing the total number of infections to more than 376,000 - according to a tally from Johns Hopkins University. So far, more than 12,000 Canadians have died.

"When the virus is under control and our economy is ready for new growth, we will employ an ambitious stimulus package," to be spent over the next three years, Ms Freeland said in the House of Commons on Monday. The spending will amount to 3-4% of Canada's GDP.

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Monday's fiscal plan pledges C$1bn to help provinces and territories improve Covid-19 infection control in long-term care facilities. Industries that have been particularly vulnerable to economic shutdowns like tourism, travel and arts will be eligible for business loans up to C$1m, with a 10-year term. And for Canada's lower and middle income families, package promises up to C$1,200 for each child under 6.

An additional C$1bn will also be directed to vaccine agreements. "Canada has secured the most diverse vaccine portfolio in the world," Ms Freeland said. Canada has secured seven different vaccine purchase contracts, she said, enough for each Canadian to receive 10 doses, free of charge.

And to pay for the expansive plan, Canada will see its largest budget shortfall since World War Two.

On Monday, Ms Freeland defended the record deficit as affordable - thanks to low interest rates - and necessary for Canada's economy. "As we have learned from previous recessions, the risk of providing too little support now outweighs that of providing too much," she said. "We will not repeat the mistakes of the years following the Great Recession of 2008."

Stores and shopping centres - like Toronto's Eaton Centre - have suffered under lengthy virus shutdowns

Predicting the new deficit tally would reach C$400bn on Sunday, opposition leader Erin O'Toole called the spending plan "startling".

Coronavirus shutdowns have battered the country's economy. Last month, Statistics Canada reported an unemployment rate of 8.9%, meaning there are 1.8 million Canadians unable to find a job.

Monday's announcement is among the first major challenges for Ms Freeland, who took over the role of finance minister in August, after her predecessor, Bill Morneau, suddenly stepped down from the post amid an ethics scandal. Ms Freeland, 52, is the first woman to hold the position in Canada. She also serves as the country's deputy prime minister.