Technology

Canada and Northwest Territories Fund Community Resilience to Wildfires

Published

1 year ago

January 24, 2025

YELLOWKNIFE, NT, Jan. 24, 2025 /CNW/ – With wildfires increasing in frequency and severity across Canada — impacting our health, economies, communities and wildlife — the Governments of Canada and the Northwest Territories are supporting Canadians whose lives and livelihoods are at stake.

Today, Michael McLeod, Member of Parliament for the Northwest Territories, on behalf of the Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson, and the Honourable Jay Macdonald, Northwest Territories’ Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced a joint investment of over $10.3 million over five years through the Government of Canada’s Resilient Communities through FireSmart (RCF) Program.

This joint investment will support wildfire preparation through the application of FireSmart practices in the Northwest Territories. This will help prevent wildfires and mitigate their impacts at the community level.

By working together with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities and international allies, the federal government is supporting the fight against wildfires in communities across the country.

Quotes

“The Government of Canada is providing provinces, territories and partners with the support they need to fight wildfires. Today’s announcement with the Northwest Territories is part of our commitment to work cooperatively as we prepare to fight worsening wildfires. Through fast-flowing funding for firefighting tools, vehicles and personnel, we are helping to help communities prepare for future challenges.”

The Honourable Jonathan Wilkinson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Canadians from coast to coast to coast have felt the effects of a changing climate. The growing intensity and speed of wildfires is one of these effects. That is why this federal government will continue to provide timely and tangible support to help communities prepare for wildfires. I am pleased that today’s funding of over $10.3 million will support the efforts in the Northwest Territories in fire management for wildfire seasons to come.”

Michael McLeod
Member of Parliament for Northwest Territories

“As we face the increasing challenges posed by wildfires, the GNWT is committed to swift, impactful action. This investment not only helps launch new programs but also strengthens our collaboration with communities in advancing effective fuel management projects. Together, we will enhance our preparedness and wildfire resilience, ensuring that the Northwest Territories is ready for emergencies.”

The Honourable Jay Macdonald
Northwest Territories’ Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Quick Facts

FireSmart Canada, a national program delivered by the Canadian Interagency Forest Fire Centre, empowers Canadians to increase neighborhood resilience to wildfires and minimize their negative impacts. It offers resources, programs and recommendations designed to help individuals, landscape planners, forest managers and others protect homes and communities from wildland fires.The federal government is providing over $7.7 million, and the Government of the Northwest Territories is providing over $2.5 million through a contribution agreement under the RCF Program.Through this joint investment, the Government of the Northwest Territories is taking or has taken the following actions:Establishing a dedicated prevention and mitigation unit to drive the seven FireSmart disciplines forward year-round, including the creation of a manager position and two additional positions hired in seasonal roles over the wildfire season to support FireSmart program delivery while other practitioners are running fire operations, as well as engage with communities, Indigenous leaders, industry and the public.Launching the FireSmart Advanced Home Assessment program in the NWT for the first time.Cross-training members of 17 structural fire departments to deliver FireSmart programs in their local communities.Completed over 100 FireSmart Advanced Home Assessments in the first season of operation, spanning all five territory regions.Developed an enhanced public education program, which involved a team travelling across the territory to provide public education on FireSmart initiatives.The Government of Canada is working with wildfire management agencies and organizations affected by wildfires to offer equipment to respond to wildland fires and to support a more sustainable approach to training, employment and all-hazards management in Indigenous communities and beyond. Visit Canada.ca/wildfires for a complete list of links to various federal supports for individuals impacted by wildfires.

Related Information

Canadian Wildland Fire Information System: Monthly and Seasonal Forecasts Canadian Wildland Fire Strategy WildFireSat: Enhancing Canada’s ability to manage wildfires Wildfire Resilient Futures Initiative Wildfires – Canada.ca Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy: Building Resilient Communities and a Strong Economy

SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

Technology

FranklinWH Introduces Enhanced 15 kWh aPower in Australia and New Zealand

Published

2 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Expansion comes as policy shifts and rising power costs accelerate demand for residential energy storage

SYDNEY, May 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — FranklinWH, a leading provider of whole-home energy management and battery storage solutions, today announced the launch of its enhanced 15 kWh aPower battery in Australia and New Zealand, as demand for residential energy storage continues to grow, driven by evolving policy settings and increasing interest in energy independence.

The updated aPower builds on the company’s established platform, increasing usable capacity from 13.6 kWh to 15 kWh and raising warrantied throughput from 43 MWh to 60 MWh, an increase of 40 percent. These updates deliver more usable energy over the life of the system while maintaining the same footprint and price.

“The energy landscape is shifting quickly, and more homeowners are thinking beyond the upfront specs to what really pays off over time,” said Steve Ruskin, General Manager of FranklinWH Australia. “This upgrade is about delivering more performance over the life of the system, more usable energy, greater throughput, while staying true to our ‘buy once, buy right’ philosophy.”

The increase in warrantied throughput translates into savings for homeowners. Based on typical usage patterns and an electricity rate of A$0.35 per kilowatt-hour, the additional throughput may represent up to approximately A$5,950 in value over the lifetime of the system. The increase in usable capacity also improves energy density, lowering the effective cost per kilowatt-hour and supporting more efficient use of stored energy.

The 15 kWh configuration also aligns with current and upcoming policy frameworks benefitting residential battery adoption. This includes the updated Cheaper Home Batteries Program, with changes coming into effect for Australian homeowners from 1 May, 2026, helping households maximise value as incentives continue to evolve.

As the residential battery market expands, FranklinWH continues to focus on reliability and system performance. The aPower incorporates design elements to support durability, including structural reinforcement to reduce cell stress over time, per-cell temperature monitoring, and the separation of the battery pack and control systems to maintain reliable performance.

“We believe performance should be measured over years, not just at installation,” Ruskin added. “We focus on building systems that deliver consistent, reliable results over time. That long-term perspective is what ultimately defines value for homeowners.”

The aPower is designed to operate as part of the FranklinWH System, an integrated home energy management platform that coordinates energy generation, storage, and consumption. The system is designed to optimise multiple energy inputs, provide reliable backup power, and support more efficient and independent energy use at the household level.

About FranklinWH

FranklinWH Energy Storage is the manufacturer of the FranklinWH System. FranklinWH is a market-oriented, research-driven company focused on next-generation residential energy management and storage solutions. Located in Macquarie Park, Sydney with a global head office in the San Francisco Bay Area, FranklinWH’s team has decades of experience in energy systems, from design, through manufacturing, to sales and installation. FranklinWH is AVL-listed with multiple financial institutions.

Contact: Media@franklinwh.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/franklinwh-introduces-enhanced-15-kwh-apower-in-australia-and-new-zealand-302759086.html

SOURCE FranklinWH Australia Pty Ltd

Technology

Peninsula Visa Launches Comprehensive OCI Processing Services

Published

4 hours ago

May 3, 2026

Peninsula Visa, a trusted leader in immigration and visa processing services with over 50 years of expertise, today announced the launch of its comprehensive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) processing services. To celebrate this milestone, Peninsula Visa is offering new users an exclusive 20% discount with promo code OCI20 at checkout.

SAN JOSE, Calif., May 3, 2026 /PRNewswire-PRWeb/ — Peninsula Visa, a trusted leader in immigration and visa processing services with over 50 years of expertise, today announced the launch of its comprehensive Overseas Citizen of India (OCI) processing services. To celebrate this milestone, Peninsula Visa is offering new users an exclusive 20% discount with promo code OCI20 at checkout.

For 50 years, Peninsula Visa has helped families navigate immigration. OCI processing is one of our most impactful services, connecting the Indian diaspora to their heritage. We’re proud to bring our expertise to help families secure OCI status with confidence. Evan James, CEO

A Full Suite of OCI Services

Peninsula Visa’s OCI services cover every stage of the OCI lifecycle, ensuring that members of the Indian diaspora receive expert support from start to finish.

The four service types now available are:

New OCI Application — For foreign nationals of Indian origin, spouses of Indian citizens or existing OCI card holders, and minor children with at least one Indian parent applying for OCI status for the first time.OCI Card Renewal — For card holders whose OCI card has expired, or whose linked passport has been renewed or replaced and requires an updated booklet.Re-issuance (Age Milestones) — OCI cards must be re-issued when minors reach the age of 18 and again when card holders turn 50, due to significant changes in appearance. Peninsula Visa guides clients through both transitions seamlessly.Miscellaneous OCI Services — Covering corrections to existing records, lost or damaged card replacement, address changes, and other administrative updates to the OCI file.

Why Choose Peninsula Visa for Your OCI Application

Peninsula Visa brings decades of institutional knowledge and a client-first philosophy to every OCI case.

Key value propositions include:

Expert Guidance — Dedicated OCI specialists with deep knowledge of consulate requirements, eligibility rules, and documentation standards across all service types.High Approval Rate — A meticulous multi-stage review process that identifies and resolves issues before submission, dramatically reducing the likelihood of rejection or delay.Fast Turnaround — Standard processing in 12-15 Business Days for most OCI service types, with real-time status updates throughout the process.End-to-End Support — Personalized document checklists, secure document uploads, expert form preparation, consulate submission, and post-submission tracking — all in one place.

Launch Promotion

Save 20% on any OCI service — new users only

OCI20

Enter code OCI20 at checkout. Available to new users. No expiration date.

Leadership Perspective

“For 50 years, Peninsula Visa has helped individuals and families navigate the complexities of immigration documentation. OCI processing is one of the most impactful services we have ever added — it directly connects the Indian diaspora to their heritage country in a lasting, meaningful way. We are proud to bring our proven expertise and client-centric approach to this important service, and we look forward to helping thousands of families secure their OCI status with confidence.”

Founded in 1975, Peninsula Visa has built its reputation on precision, transparency, and a genuine commitment to client outcomes. The addition of OCI processing services reflects the company’s ongoing mission to expand its offerings to meet the evolving needs of immigrants and their families across the United States.

Get Started Today

Eligible applicants can begin their OCI journey by visiting Peninsula Visa’s dedicated OCI Services page. New users can take advantage of the 20% launch discount by entering promo code OCI20 at checkout when selecting any OCI service type.

Media Contact

Evan James, Peninsula Visa, 1 4087277515, media@peninsulavisa.com, https://peninsulavisa.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prweb.com/releases/peninsula-visa-launches-comprehensive-oci-processing-services-302760544.html

SOURCE Peninsula Visa

Technology

Peninsula Visa Launches Comprehensive OCI Processing Services

Published

4 hours ago

May 3, 2026

A Full Suite of OCI Services

Peninsula Visa’s OCI services cover every stage of the OCI lifecycle, ensuring that members of the Indian diaspora receive expert support from start to finish.

The four service types now available are:

Why Choose Peninsula Visa for Your OCI Application

Peninsula Visa brings decades of institutional knowledge and a client-first philosophy to every OCI case.

Key value propositions include:

Launch Promotion

Save 20% on any OCI service — new users only

OCI20

Enter code OCI20 at checkout. Available to new users. No expiration date.

Leadership Perspective

Get Started Today

Media Contact

Evan James, Peninsula Visa, 1 4087277515, media@peninsulavisa.com, https://peninsulavisa.com/