Technology

CIB and partners to invest $165 million to expand broadband service in Manitoba

Published

4 hours ago

June 22, 2026

Approximately 7,800 households in underserved rural communities to benefit

Disponible en français

TORONTO, June 22, 2026 /CNW/ – The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) and Valley Fiber Ltd. (Valley Fiber) have formalized their agreement to expand high-speed internet service in rural Manitoba.

Under the terms of the agreement, the CIB will loan $26.9 million towards the approximately $165 million project. Valley Fiber will be responsible for all aspects of construction, installation, operations and maintenance of the new broadband service.

The project involves deployment of 1,224 km of fibre-optic cable, allowing high-speed internet access to approximately 7,800 underserved households with dedicated fibre-to-the-home in rural municipalities, including four First Nations communities.

Broadband service is critical to Canadians’ daily lives. It is essential for our quality of life, for everyone who owns small businesses, goes to school and wants to stay connected to family and friends.

The CIB’s financing solutions allow broadband connectivity to expand at a quicker pace while enabling Indigenous and rural customers to benefit from the same services as urban counterparts.

Due to the low population density and current lack of broadband infrastructure in rural areas, the cost of connection per household is very high. The CIB’s financing rates allow broadband connectivity to expand in unserved and underserved communities at a quicker pace at more affordable rates to Indigenous and rural customers.

The project will include last-mile infrastructure with underground fibre cables and networking equipment. The service will offer broadband speeds up to one gigabit per second, enhancing telecommunications services for residents, businesses and public service delivery.

During the construction phase, up to 800 jobs will be created within Valley Fiber. This investment partnership represents the second collaboration between the CIB and Valley Fiber to expand internet service in rural and remote Manitoba.

Endorsements

The CIB’s loan towards this broadband project will help close the connectivity gap in rural communities and First Nations across Manitoba. Through our partnership with Valley Fiber, we are supporting ways to increase connectivity and helping communities participate fully in Canada’s digital economy.
Ehren Cory, CEO, Canada Infrastructure Bank

Strong connectivity is essential for communities to participate fully in today’s digital economy. This project with Valley Fiber and the Canada Infrastructure Bank will help expand reliable internet access to rural, remote and Indigenous communities in northern Manitoba, opening the door to new opportunities and a better quality of life.
Hon. Gregor Robertson, Minister of Housing and Infrastructure and Minister responsible for Pacific Economic Development Canada

High-speed Internet isn’t a luxury; it’s essential and foundational infrastructure. For rural and remote areas in Manitoba, having a reliable connection levels the playing field and can make all the difference in being able to access vital virtual health care, work online or just keep in touch with loved ones. That’s why the federal government has made a historic commitment to connect 98% of Canadian households to high-speed Internet by the end of 2026, and 100% of households by 2030. As part of this effort, this investment will provide reliable high-speed Internet access to approximately 7,800 underserved homes in communities across Manitoba.
Hon. Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, Member of Parliament for Desnethé–Missinippi–Churchill River

High-speed internet is critical infrastructure that helps communities grow and thrive. Through this partnership with Valley Fiber and the Canada Infrastructure Bank, more rural, remote and Indigenous communities in Manitoba will gain access to reliable broadband connectivity. Investments like this help close infrastructure gaps, create new opportunities and ensure Canadians can stay connected no matter where they live.
Hon. Rebecca Chartrand, Minister of Northern and Arctic Affairs and Minister responsible for the Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency, Member of Parliament for Churchill—Keewatinook Aski

Valley Fiber was borne from the need for a made-in-Manitoba solution for high-speed internet connectivity in underserved areas of our province. Our business, and the hundreds of rural Manitobans we employ and contract, are a testament to what can happen when more people have access to reliable high-speed internet. It creates and sustains jobs, it boosts economies, and it improves quality of life. We are proud to expand our fibre-optic network to more Manitobans.
Ryan Klassen, CEO, Valley Fiber

Learn More:

Valley Fiber

SOURCE Canada Infrastructure Bank

Technology

Medmovie’s Hx Heart Video Library Powers Patient Education at Cardiovascular Practices Worldwide

Published

22 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

Physician-validated, privately branded HD video helps heart patients understand their care.

BERKELEY, Calif., June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Medmovie, Inc., a leader in cardiovascular medical visualization, today highlighted the global reach of its Hx Heart Video Library (HVL), a hosted patient-education solution licensed to clinics and hospital systems for more than a decade.

The HVL turns the cardiovascular conditions, diagnostic tests, procedures, and medications heart patients encounter into concise, accurate HD videos — helping clinicians spend less time explaining and more time connecting with their patients.

The HVL is a curated collection of clinician-reviewed cardiovascular videos. Practices and hospitals can license, brand, and embed it directly on their websites.

Users to-date span multiple continents, including hospitals in Australia and Germany, a national trade association, and cardiology practices in the United States and around the world.

Every video is reviewed and validated by Medmovie’s MD editorial board. The Hx Heart library is brought to you by the same creative developers of the CardioSmart Heart Explorer App, which was created and produced by Medmovie and distributed by the American College of Cardiology (ACC) through 2024.

Cardiovascular specialists who rely on Medmovie’s visual content have seen its impact firsthand.

“Over the past year, my clinic’s website, www.sukruakyuz.com, has attracted more than 100,000 unique visitors per month, and my YouTube videos have generated nearly 7 million views,” said Dr. Sukru Akyuz, interventional cardiologist in Turkey. “This level of reach and engagement would not have been possible without Medmovie’s exceptional medical animations and support. Thanks to their contributions, I have achieved my goal of becoming one of Turkey’s most recognized interventional cardiologists.”

From the point of care to a clinic’s online presence, Medmovie’s trusted visual content helps patients see and understand their own care. The Hx Heart Video Library is available now to cardiovascular practices, hospitals, and health systems worldwide.

See the library in action at medmovie.com/cvl — the same branded player can be customized with a practice’s or hospital’s logo and embedded on its website in a matter of days. Watch a sample, the CAD video on the hidden risks of coronary artery disease, at https://youtube.com/shorts/0Tt-k8XkrTk

Healthcare organizations and practices interested in licensing the Hx Heart Video Library can contact Medmovie at medmovie.com/contact.

About Medmovie, Inc.

Medmovie translates complex medical and life science information into accurate, easy-to-understand, strategically focused visual media. Our clients leverage our experience, validated animations, and interactive media to create cost-effective, innovative tools to help tell their stories. We are a team of trained Medical Illustrators and Animators who love our work and are passionate about our simple goal: we want our clients’ stories to be fully understood.

Media Contact

Sarrah Hussain
Director of Communications
Medmovie, Inc.
sarrah@medmovie.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/medmovies-hx-heart-video-library-powers-patient-education-at-cardiovascular-practices-worldwide-302806958.html

SOURCE Medmovie, Inc.

Technology

Kevin Wheeler to Retire as Executive Chairman; President and CEO Stephen Shafer Named Chairman

Published

22 minutes ago

June 22, 2026

MILWAUKEE, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — A. O. Smith Corporation (NYSE: AOS), a global leader in water technology, announced today that Executive Chairman Kevin Wheeler will retire effective July 1. The company’s board of directors has elected Stephen Shafer, president and chief executive officer (CEO), as chairman upon Wheeler’s retirement. Wheeler will remain a member of the company’s board of directors.

“Kevin’s impact on A. O. Smith spans three decades,” said Chris Mapes, lead director of the board. “During his tenure, the company expanded its global footprint, strengthened its portfolio through multiple acquisitions and successfully navigated the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic while maintaining strong operational performance.”

Wheeler joined A. O. Smith in 1994 as a regional sales manager for the former Water Products Company and held various senior leadership roles across the business before becoming president and CEO in 2018 and chairman in 2020.

Shafer, who has served as president and CEO since July 2025, becomes the 11th CEO to assume the role of chairman in the company’s history. He joined A. O. Smith in 2024 as president and chief operating officer. As chairman, Shafer will lead the board of directors and continue to oversee the company’s global operations, strategic direction, profitability and shareholder return.

“Steve has demonstrated strong, strategic leadership and a deep understanding of our business and growth opportunities,” said Mapes. “His combined role as chairman and CEO will further strengthen alignment across our strategy, operations and long-term value creation.”

Before joining A. O. Smith, Shafer held roles of increasing responsibility at 3M Company across multiple business units in the U.S. and China. Earlier in his career, he worked at McKinsey & Co. and Ford Motor Company. Shafer serves on the boards of the Air Conditioning, Heating, and Refrigeration Institute and the Metropolitan Milwaukee Association of Commerce, as well as the Executive Advisory Board for WorkBoard Inc.

“As chairman, I will continue leading this outstanding company and team with focus and discipline,” said Shafer. “We remain committed to driving innovation, serving our customers and advancing our purpose to find a better way. I would also like to thank Kevin for his leadership and continued support through this transition and look forward to benefiting from his continued guidance as a member of our board going forward.”

About A. O. Smith

A. O. Smith Corporation, headquartered in Milwaukee, Wisconsin, is a global leader applying innovative technology and energy-efficient solutions to products manufactured and marketed worldwide. Listed on the New York Stock Exchange (NYSE: AOS), the company is one of the world’s leading manufacturers of residential and commercial water heating equipment and boilers, as well as a manufacturer of water treatment and water management products. For more information, visit www.aosmith.com.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/kevin-wheeler-to-retire-as-executive-chairman-president-and-ceo-stephen-shafer-named-chairman-302806975.html

SOURCE A. O. Smith Corporation

Technology

S&P Global Declares Third Quarter Dividend

Published

1 hour ago

June 22, 2026

NEW YORK, June 22, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The Board of Directors of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) has approved a cash dividend on the Company’s common stock for the third quarter of 2026. The dividend of $0.97 is payable on September 10, 2026, to shareholders of record on August 26, 2026. The annualized dividend rate is $3.88 per share.

The Company has paid a dividend each year since 1937 and is one of fewer than 30 companies in the S&P 500® that has increased its dividend annually for more than 50 years.

About S&P Global:

S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI) enables businesses, governments, and individuals with trusted data, expertise and technology to make decisions with conviction. We are Advancing Essential Intelligence through world-leading benchmarks, data, and insights that customers need in order to plan confidently, act decisively, and thrive economically in a rapidly changing global landscape.

From helping our customers assess new investments across the capital and commodities markets to guiding them through the energy expansion, acceleration of artificial intelligence, and evolution of public and private markets, we enable the world’s leading organizations to unlock opportunities, solve challenges, and plan for tomorrow – today.

Contacts:

Investor Relations:
Mark Grant
Senior Vice President, Investor Relations and Treasurer
Tel: + 1 347 640 1521

Media:
April Kabahar
Global Head of Corporate Communications
Tel: +1 212 438 7530

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/sp-global-declares-third-quarter-dividend-302806889.html

SOURCE S&P Global