Connect with us

Technology

Canada and FCM’s Green Municipal Fund Invest $33.7 Million to Expand Composting Services in Calgary

Published

on

CALGARY, AB, May 27, 2024 /CNW/ – Canadians are feeling the effects of climate change. By supporting local projects that reduce pollution and improve community infrastructure, we can create healthy places to live. That’s why the Government of Canada and the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) are investing in smart, sustainable solutions from coast to coast to coast.

Today, the Honourable Steven Guilbeault, Minister of Environment and Climate Change (ECCC), and Scott Pearce, President of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM), announced support for the expansion of the City of Calgary’s composting facility to meet the demands of its residents.

The project receives $23 million through the FCM’s Green Municipal Fund and $10.7 million through ECCC’s Low Carbon Economy Fund, for a total investment of $33.7 million.

The expansion will increase the composting facility’s capacity to process food and yard waste from 100,000 tonnes per year to 160,000, extending the life of the city’s landfill and reducing greenhouse gas emissions by about 45,000 tonnes per year. This is the equivalent of removing nearly 14,000 cars from the road. The upgrade is in direct response to the popularity of the city’s Green Cart program, which launched in 2017.

The project is estimated to create 180 full-time jobs ranging from skilled trades to management and engineering during the two-year construction period and four full-time permanent jobs to operate and maintain the expansion.

As Canada moves towards a net-zero economy, people living and working in the Prairies are taking action and taking advantage of growing economic development opportunities that are shaping a sustainable and inclusive future for everyone.

These kinds of investments are in line with the Government of Canada’s commitment to deliver good jobs and, through greater collaboration with all levels of government, build a strong and sustainable Green Prairies Economy.

Quotes

“Canadians continue to be concerned about the amount of food and yard waste that is produced and are changing the ways in which they manage their waste to help protect the environment. By investing in the expansion of Calgary’s composting facility, we are supporting the city of Calgary to meet the demands of its residents, all while reducing GHG pollution coming from landfills and waste. Green infrastructure investments in Canadian communities like the one we are announcing today help us on the path to a net-zero future.”
The Honourable Steven Guilbeault
Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“Investments like the one we’re announcing today in Calgary highlights the importance of working together to tackle climate change while improving the lives of Canadians. Expanding Calgary’s composting facility will create jobs, reduce emissions, and generate power and revenue from a renewable energy source. We are on the path to net zero, and only together can we find smart and sustainable solutions.”
Scott Pearce
FCM President

“The Composting Facility expansion is a testament to Calgary’s innovative spirit and commitment to sustainability. As we enhance our waste management capabilities and integrate cutting-edge technologies, we are propelling Calgary towards a greener future and reinforcing our role as a leader in this field. Together, we are building a legacy of sustainability that will empower Calgarians today and well into the future.”
Jyoti Gondek
Mayor, City of Calgary

Quick Facts
About the FCM’s Green Municipal Fund

The Federation of Canadian Municipalities’ (FCM) Green Municipal Fund (GMF) is a globally unique organization providing funding and education to municipalities to help them both reach net-zero and build resilient communities, while also delivering economic and social benefits such as jobs, housing and infrastructure. Since inception in 2000, it has helped reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 2.87 million tonnes, funded nearly 13,000 person-years of employment, enabled nearly 30,000 sustainable affordable housing units, and contributed $1.2 billion to the national GDP via the more than 2,100 approved projects. GMF is a $2.1 billion program funded by the Government of Canada.

About the Low Carbon Economy Fund

The Low Carbon Economy Fund (LCEF) is an important part of Canada’s clean growth and climate action plans, including the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan – Canada’s Next Steps for Clean Air and a Strong Economy. The LCEF supports projects that help reduce Canada’s Greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, generate clean growth, build resilient communities and create jobs for Canadians.

About the Framework to build a Green Prairie Economy

The Framework to Build a Green Prairie Economy sets out a vision for an economy that is prosperous, sustainable, and benefits everyone. It is a long-term commitment by the federal government to have stronger coordination between federal departments on investments for the Prairies and closer collaboration with Prairie partners on priorities to seize new opportunities in the transition to a net-zero future.

Associated links

How the Calgary Composting Facility Works
Federation of Canadian Municipalities
Green Municipal Fund
2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Clean Air, Strong Economy

Follow us on LinkedIn

SOURCE FEDERATION OF CANADIAN MUNICIPALITIES

Continue Reading
Click to comment

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Technology

America’s First VC-Backed Cyber Warfare Startup Raises Additional $30M from Khosla Ventures at $1.2B Valuation

Published

on

By

The investment follows Twenty’s $100M Accel-led Series B and further cements Twenty as the definitive offensive cyber company industrializing capabilities for the United States and its allies.

ARLINGTON, Va., July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Twenty, America’s first VC-backed cyber warfare startup, today announced an additional $30 million investment from Khosla Ventures at a $1.2 billion valuation. The investment follows Twenty’s recently announced $100 million Series B at a $1 billion valuation led by Accel.

With this investment, Twenty has now raised $168 million from many of the world’s foremost technology and national security investors, including Khosla Ventures, Accel, Friends & Family Capital, Point72 Ventures, Caffeinated Capital, General Catalyst, and In-Q-Tel.

Founded in 2024, Twenty is industrializing offensive cyber warfare for the United States and its allies. The company builds AI-enabled, end-to-end systems for the U.S. military and Intelligence Community, giving warfighters the speed and scale required to deter and defeat adversaries in cyberspace. Twenty’s systems are designed to keep human judgment at the center, pairing advanced AI and automation with rigorous evaluation, controlled deployment, and mission alignment.

The investment follows unprecedented government demand for offensive cyber capabilities built at commercial speed. This Administration has brought renewed leadership to offensive cyber, calling for the United States to use the full suite of offensive cyber operations to disrupt adversary networks and raise the costs of aggression on those who threaten American interests.

“Our thesis here is simple. AI is reshaping the world and the US and its allies need an AI-native cyberwarfare prime capable of protecting our most critical interests. That prime is Twenty,” said Jon Chu, the Partner at Khosla Ventures who led the investment. “Every major national security domain needs a prime that can operate at the speed of AI while delivering commercial grade execution and earning mission level trust. I’ve searched for a company that fits this thesis for years, but have never found a team with the necessary depth across AI, cyber, and defense until now. Twenty brings together the talent, product velocity, customer pull, and mission relevance required to define this category.”

“Khosla’s investment is further validation that Twenty is the definitive company industrializing cyber warfare for the United States and its allies,” said Joe Lin, Co-founder and CEO of Twenty. “We are building the industrial base for American cyber power: the AI-enabled capabilities our warfighters need to disrupt threats at their origin. We are grateful to partner with Jon and the Khosla team as we continue pouring capital directly into research and engineering.”

“AI is changing cyber warfare. Now it happens faster, at greater scale, and most defense contractors are still building for the old world,” said Vinod Khosla, founder of Khosla Ventures. “The country that moves fastest on AI-native cyber warfare will have the advantage for the next decade. Joe and the Twenty team have the technical depth and operational credibility to industrialize offensive cyber capability at exactly the moment it matters most.”

Twenty will invest this capital directly into research and engineering, expanding the technical team and accelerating development of the offensive cyber capabilities America’s warfighters need to win against determined adversaries.

About Twenty

Twenty is America’s first VC-backed cyber warfare startup. Founded in 2024, Twenty is industrializing cyber warfare for the United States and its allies. The company builds AI-enabled, end-to-end systems for the U.S. military and Intelligence Community, giving warfighters the speed and scale required to impose costs on adversaries in cyberspace. Twenty’s systems are designed to keep human judgment at the center, pairing advanced AI and automation with rigorous evaluation, controlled deployment, and mission alignment.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/americas-first-vc-backed-cyber-warfare-startup-raises-additional-30m-from-khosla-ventures-at-1-2b-valuation-302829778.html

SOURCE Twenty

Continue Reading

Technology

Construction begins on the Enbridge Sunrise Expansion Program

Published

on

By

PRINCE GEORGE, BC, July 20, 2026 /CNW/ — Canada is taking the next step in building infrastructure that will strengthen our economy, secure energy sovereignty and ensure affordability for Canadians.

Today, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced that construction has begun on the Sunrise Expansion Program in British Columbia, following the Government of Canada’s approval in April 2026.

This $4-billion expansion of Enbridge’s Westcoast natural gas pipeline will ensure British Columbia’s growing energy needs are met by providing up to 300 million cubic feet per day of additional transportation capacity on the province’s natural gas transmission system. This additional capacity ensures we can reliably power homes, schools and hospitals; support B.C.’s industrial and manufacturing sectors; and ensure natural gas supplies are available as LNG export facilities — including Woodfibre LNG, the world’s first net-zero facility — begin operations.

The Sunrise Expansion Program marks another milestone in Canada’s strategic push to get major infrastructure projects built to diversify our trade, create jobs and prosperity, and support national and energy security. The Expansion Program will add over $3 billion to Canada’s GDP as we expand Canadian natural gas exports to Asian markets. It will also create 2,500 jobs, including for local Indigenous communities, and generate $700 million in tax revenue to fund local roads, hospitals and schools.

The project will also maximize Canadian industrial participation and use domestically produced materials, including 100 percent Canadian melted and poured steel supplied by InterPro Pipe + Steel from Saskatchewan. Commitments to buying and supplying Canadian in projects like this support manufacturing jobs and strengthen Canadian supply chains from coast to coast to coast.

This project builds on a strong foundation of Indigenous partnership. Last year, 38 Indigenous communities in British Columbia acquired a 12.5 percent ownership interest in Enbridge’s Westcoast natural gas pipeline system, supported by the first-ever federal Indigenous Loan Guarantee.

The Sunrise Expansion Program underscores the Government of Canada’s commitment to working in partnership with provinces, industry and Indigenous partners to efficiently and responsibly approve projects that turn our energy opportunities into economic realities. We are building a Canada where major projects move forward, new jobs are created, and energy is secure and affordable for everyone.

Quotes 

“From approval to groundbreaking in just three months, the Sunrise Expansion Program shows how Canada is getting major projects built. This expansion will provide reliable natural gas for homes, hospitals, schools and B.C.’s growing low-carbon energy sector while creating thousands of well-paying careers and new, diverse international trade opportunities. This is how we strengthen Canadian energy security, support affordability and prove once again what being an energy superpower looks like.”

The Honourable Tim Hodgson 
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources 

“Breaking ground on Enbridge’s Sunrise expansion is a big step forward for our economy, for good local jobs and for Indigenous communities. Through our government’s Look West strategy, we’re building the kind of lasting prosperity that keeps our hospitals, schools and communities strong for generations to come.”

The Honourable Ravi Kahlon
B.C Minister of Jobs and Economic Growth

“The Sunrise Expansion project demonstrates what’s possible when First Nations, industry and government work together with a shared commitment to building a stronger future. For Lheidli T’enneh, meaningful partnerships are about more than economic opportunity — they are about ensuring our Nation has a seat at the table in shaping projects that will benefit our people and region for generations to come. By working collaboratively, we can help build a reliable and secure energy future that supports growing communities, creates opportunities for First Nations participation and respects the lands and waters that have sustained for time immemorial. This is the kind of partnership that moves reconciliation from words to action while strengthening a shared future.”

Chief Dolleen Logan
Lheidli T’enneh First Nation

“Today marks an important milestone as construction begins on the Sunrise Expansion Program. We appreciate the ongoing support of the Government of Canada and the Government of British Columbia to advance this critical natural gas infrastructure project. This project will strengthen energy security, support economic growth, create jobs and help to ensure Canadians have access to reliable, affordable energy for decades to come. We’re proud to be working alongside Indigenous groups, local communities, contractors and labour across British Columbia as we move this project from approval to construction and deliver lasting benefits for Canadians.”

Greg Ebel
CEO and President, Enbridge

“The Sunrise Expansion Program will be built in Canada, with Canadian steel. InterPro Pipe + Steel is proud to supply steel that is 100 percent melted and poured in Canada for this nation-building project. By choosing Canadian steel, we are supporting skilled workers, strengthening domestic supply chains and ensuring Canada’s critical energy infrastructure is built with Canadian materials. This is how we create lasting jobs, resilient communities and long-term economic benefits across the country.”

Doug Matthews
CEO, InterPro Pipe + Steel

Quick Facts 

The Enbridge Westcoast Pipeline is a 2,900-kilometre natural gas transmission system in British Columbia, supplying gas to B.C., Alberta and the U.S. Pacific Northwest. The Expansion Program would add approximately 140 kilometres of new pipeline by constructing 11 pipeline looping segments, parallel to the existing line, and supplying additional natural gas compression and upgrades and modifications to existing facilities.On July 2, 2025, Stonlasec8 Indigenous Alliance Limited Partnership, representing 38 Indigenous communities in British Columbia, acquired a 12.5 percent ownership interest in Enbridge’s Westcoast natural gas pipeline system. This transaction was supported by the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program, which issued a loan guarantee covering $400 million of a $736-million investment.To date, more than $52 million has been spent by Enbridge on the hiring and procuring of services from Indigenous businesses for the Sunrise Expansion Program.

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

Continue Reading

Technology

PrideStaff Announces New Ownership for Columbia, MD Office

Published

on

By

COLUMBIA, Md., July 20, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — PrideStaff, a nationally franchised staffing organization, is pleased to announce that Paul D’Souza will acquire the PrideStaff Columbia office and assume the role of Owner/Strategic-Partner. The ownership transition marks an exciting new chapter for the office as it continues its mission of connecting top talent with leading employers throughout Columbia and the greater Baltimore-Washington metropolitan region.

As Strategic-Partner, D’Souza will lead the Columbia office’s efforts to expand its market presence, strengthen client relationships, and deliver exceptional staffing and workforce solutions to businesses and job seekers across Central Maryland.

D’Souza brings extensive business leadership experience and a strong commitment to helping organizations and individuals achieve their goals. Under his leadership, the Columbia office will continue to leverage PrideStaff’s nationally recognized resources, innovative staffing solutions, and client-focused approach while maintaining the personalized service that has become a hallmark of the local operation.

“I’m excited to join PrideStaff as the Strategic-Partner of the Columbia office and to become part of a brand so highly regarded for its commitment to service,” said D’Souza. “The Columbia market offers tremendous opportunities for growth, and I look forward to building strong relationships with local businesses, supporting job seekers, and helping our clients navigate an increasingly competitive talent landscape. Together with our team, we’ll continue delivering the personalized service and results that have made PrideStaff a trusted staffing partner.”

Located in one of Maryland’s most vibrant business communities, the Columbia office serves employers across a variety of industries, providing staffing, recruiting, and workforce solutions tailored to each client’s unique needs. The office also supports job seekers throughout the region by connecting them with meaningful employment opportunities and career advancement resources.

“We’re excited to welcome Paul as the new Owner/Strategic-Partner of our Columbia office,” said Tammi Heaton, Co-CEO of PrideStaff. “His leadership experience, entrepreneurial spirit, and dedication to helping others succeed make him an excellent fit for our organization. We are confident that Paul will build on the office’s strong foundation while continuing to deliver the exceptional client and talent experiences that define the PrideStaff brand.”

The transition reflects PrideStaff’s ongoing commitment to empowering local owners who combine market expertise with a passion for service. Supported by PrideStaff’s national resources and proven operating model, the Columbia office is well-positioned for continued success and growth in the years ahead.

About PrideStaff 

PrideStaff was founded in the 1970s as 100% company-owned units and began franchising in 1995. It operates offices in North America to serve thousands of clients and is headquartered in Central California. With 45-plus years in the staffing business, PrideStaff offers the resources and expertise of a national firm, with the spirit, dedication, and personal service of smaller, entrepreneurial firms. PrideStaff is the only nationwide commercial staffing firm in the U.S. and Canada with over $100 million in annual revenue to earn ClearlyRated’s prestigious Best of Staffing® 15-Year Diamond Awards three years in a row, highlighting exceptional client and talent service quality.

For more information on our services, or for staffing franchise information, visit our website.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/pridestaff-announces-new-ownership-for-columbia-md-office-302829817.html

SOURCE PrideStaff

Continue Reading

Trending