Technology

Strengthening Indigenous leadership in British Columbia’s forest sector

Published

3 months ago

August 4, 2026

VANCOUVER, BC, Aug. 4, 2026 /CNW/ — Canada’s forest sector is facing significant pressure: unjustified tariffs, supply chain constraints, shifting global markets and the impacts of climate change. These challenges are being felt in British Columbia, where the forest sector plays an important role in the province’s economy and in the economic well-being of Indigenous communities.

Today, Wade Grant, Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, announced over $1.2 million in funding to Iskum Investments LP for a project that will lay the groundwork for a potential new state-of-the-art wood processing facility in coastal British Columbia that would be majority Indigenous-owned and operated and could support over 700 jobs along British Columbia’s coast.

The funding, provided by Natural Resources Canada’s Indigenous Forestry Initiative, will support the completion of a detailed commercial, technical and financial analysis needed to reach a final investment decision.

Amidst a volatile global environment, the Government of Canada is focusing on what we can control by supporting the forest sector to adapt and thrive for generations to come. We are investing in innovation and fostering strong partnerships to create opportunities for Indigenous participation and leadership, strengthen local economies and support the prosperity of forest-reliant communities across British Columbia and beyond.

Quotes

“Canada’s forests provide good jobs and sustainable economic growth from coast to coast to coast. Thanks to investments like these and leadership by Indigenous partners, our government is proud to help stabilize the industry today while building a stronger future for tomorrow.”

The Honourable Tim Hodgson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

“Indigenous Peoples are leading innovative and sustainable approaches to forest stewardship and economic development across British Columbia. Our investment in this project is just one way our government supporting Indigenous-led initiatives that will create long-term economic opportunities, strengthen community capacity and help ensure the forest sector remains a source of prosperity for generations to come.”

Wade Grant
Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

“We’re working to restore confidence in the coastal forest sector. These communities have been the pillars of forestry — they’ve also felt the impacts of the immense challenges we’re facing. This announcement brings hope to the region with the potential of hundreds of jobs, greater fibre flow and a stronger local forest economy. We will continue to work alongside the federal government to support B.C. forestry workers.”

The Honourable Ravi Parmar
British Columbia’s Minister of Forests

“Our Nations are investing our own capital because we believe the future of coastal forestry should include First Nations not only as tenure holders but as owners, manufacturers and partners in growing the economy. We are grateful to the Government of Canada for standing with us at this stage, and we recognize the Government of British Columbia for its early support in helping establish Iskum. Since then, our Nation-owned businesses have come together with an experienced board and management team to build the foundation for this work.

This study is an important first step, undertaken with care and diligence, toward building a stronger, more resilient coastal forest sector. It reflects what becomes possible when First Nations work together — not only to create more value from the resources in our territories but to create lasting prosperity for our Nations, workers and neighbouring communities and help build a stronger future for British Columbia and Canada.”

Sayaač̓atḥ John Jack
Chief Councillor of Huu-ay-aht First Nations and founding partner of Iskum Investments LP

Quick Facts

Canada’s forest sector is a major economic driver, supporting nearly 200,000 workers, including over 11,000 Indigenous people, and contributing more than $20 billion to our GDP. British Columbia’s forest sector supports almost 50,000 jobs and provides nearly $5.54 billion to real GDP (1.8 percent of total GDP for the region).Since August 2025, the Government of Canada has introduced over $2.6 billion in measures designed to defend and transform Canada’s forest sector, including the renewal of Natural Resources Canada’s suite of forest sector transformation programs. As part of this, the Government of Canada is expanding and launching new supports through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) and providing an additional $400 million to Canada’s Regional Development Agencies.In June, the federal government released its draft Forest Sector Action Plan, informed by the recommendations of the Canadian Forest Sector Transformation Task Force. The draft action plan will support collaboration with provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples and other key partners. This work will come together by the end of 2026 in a formal Forest Sector Strategy for Canada.The Indigenous Forestry Initiative aims to advance reconciliation by supporting Indigenous-identified priorities to accelerate First Nations, Inuit and Métis groups’ awareness, influence, inclusion and leadership in the forest sector.

Technology

Veterans Guardian Receives 2026 Gold HIRE Vets Medallion Award

Published

10 minutes ago

November 12, 2026

PINEHURST, N.C., Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Veterans Guardian VA Claim Consulting is honored to announce that the U.S. Department of Labor has awarded us the 2026 Gold HIRE Vets Medallion Award. This distinction celebrates our demonstration of patriotism, and our recognition of the immense value veterans bring to the workplace. The HIRE Vets Medallion Award is the only federal award that honors organizations for their outstanding commitment to recruiting, employing, and supporting America’s veterans.

Veterans Guardian has proudly earned the HIRE Vets Medallion Award every year since 2019. The Gold HIRE Vets Medallion is awarded to companies that not only hire veterans but also actively support a workplace that honors their service, supports their career development, and appreciates the strength and leadership veterans offer. We remain committed to creating an inclusive, empowering environment where veterans’ patriotism, experience, and contributions are acknowledged and honored.

“Receiving the 2026 Gold HIRE Vets Medallion Award is a tremendous honor and a reflection of our firm commitment to those who have served our nation,” said Scott Greenblatt, LTC (RET), US Army, CEO and Founder of Veterans Guardian VA Claim Consulting. “Our veterans have dedicated themselves to protecting our freedoms, and we believe that dedication deserves to be met with meaningful opportunities, continued support, and a workplace where their service and sacrifices are truly valued. Since 2019, we’ve remained committed to empowering veterans as they transition into civilian careers, recognizing the extraordinary leadership, resilience, and experience they bring to our organization. Supporting veterans isn’t simply part of what we do—it’s the foundation of who we are and the mission that guides us forward every day.”

Veterans Guardian’s dedication to veterans goes beyond employment. Through its mission of helping veterans navigate the VA disability claims process and pursue the benefits they have earned, the company continues advocating for those who have served. This acknowledgment reflects Veterans Guardian’s commitment to creating meaningful career opportunities while fostering a workplace where veterans can thrive, contribute, and build successful futures beyond military service.

“Our veterans possess a unique strength, resilience, and skill set that greatly improves our workforce,” Greenblatt added. “Our mission and values drive our commitment to hiring and supporting veterans, and it’s gratifying to recognize the positive impact we’ve made on their lives, as well as the impact they continue to make within our organization.”

The HIRE Vets Medallion Award recognizes organizations nationwide that show outstanding commitment to veteran employment and professional development. Veterans Guardian VA Claim Consulting is deeply honored to be named a 2026 Gold Medallion recipient, reaffirming our ongoing pledge to honor, support, and encourage those who have bravely served our nation.

About Veterans Guardian VA Claim Consulting
Veterans Guardian VA Claim Consulting is a leader in assisting veterans with VA claims, providing expertise and dedicated support to help veterans secure the benefits they deserve. Founded by Scott Greenblatt, Veterans Guardian is deeply committed to supporting the veteran community through advocacy, employment, and outreach. Learn more about Veterans Guardian at vetsguardian.com.

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SOURCE Veterans Guardian

Technology

HitPaw Black Friday 2026: Save Up to 60% on AI Creative Tools

Published

10 minutes ago

November 12, 2026

NEW YORK, Nov 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — HitPaw, an AI-powered multimedia platform specializing in video, image, and audio enhancement, generation, and editing solutions, today announced its 2026 Black Friday Mega Deal. Running from November 10 to December 7, the campaign offers savings of up to 60% OFF on a wide range of AI-powered creative tools, giving creators, businesses, and everyday users an opportunity to upgrade their creative workflows at exceptional prices.

Explore HitPaw’s AI Creative Tools

HitPaw offers specialized AI solutions for multimedia enhancement, generation, and editing, covering a wide range of creative needs:

HitPaw VikPea (AI Video Enhancer): Upscale videos to 4K, restores damaged footage, and enhances clarity, details, and colors by reducing blur and noise.HitPaw FotorPea (AI Photo Enhancer & Generator): Enhance image quality, restore old photographs, sharpen portraits, remove unwanted objects, and create AI-generated artwork.HitPaw Edimakor (AI Video Generator & Editor): Combines AI video generation with video editing capabilities, helping users create and edit engaging videos more efficiently.HitPaw VoicePea (AI Voice Changer): Transform voices in real time with realistic AI voice effects for streaming, gaming, content creation, and online communication.HitPaw Univd (AI Video Converter & Compressor): Convert and compress videos without sacrificing quality for seamless sharing across devices and platforms.HitPaw Watermark Remover (AI Watermark & Object Remover): Remove unwanted watermarks, objects, and distractions from photos and videos with ease.

From restoring cherished memories and producing social media content to creating product visuals and promotional videos for e-commerce, HitPaw’s tools support a variety of creative needs.

Unlock Exclusive Black Friday Discounts

During the Black Friday Mega Deal, customers can enjoy special discounts across HitPaw’s product lineup:

60% OFF 5-in-1 Ultimate Bundle: Get VikPea, FotorPea, Edimakor, Univd, and Watermark Remover in one package. Ideal for creators seeking an all-in-one toolkit for AI creation, video and image enhancement, editing, and file management.50% OFF 2-in-1 Bundles: Choose from two combinations: VikPea + FotorPea or VikPea + Edimakor. The first pairs video and photo enhancement, while the second offers a one-stop workflow for AI video creation and enhancement.40% OFF Individual Products: Save 40% OFF on HitPaw VikPea and HitPaw FotorPea, ideal for users focused on improving video and image quality.30% OFF Individual Products: Get 30% OFF on HitPaw Edimakor, HitPaw VoicePea, HitPaw Univd, and HitPaw Watermark Remover, catering to video creators and users looking for flexible editing and media utilities.20% OFF HitPaw Online AI Credits: Save on AI credits for browser-based tools, including video enhancement, AI image generation, photo restoration and more. A convenient option for users who prefer online creative tools without installing software.

How to Get HitPaw Black Friday Deals

HitPaw’s 2026 Black Friday Mega Deal runs from November 10 through December 7, 2026. Customers can visit the official campaign page to explore participating products, compare available plans, and claim discounts of up to 60% OFF.

For more information checking, you may visit: HitPaw Black Friday 2026: Save Up to 60% OFF, Best Deals

ABOUT HITPAW

HitPaw is a leading AI-powered multimedia platform offering video, image, and audio generation, enhancement, and editing tools. It helps millions of creators worldwide easily produce high-quality content, from transforming media to creating new visual and audio works. Learn more at: [OFFICIAL] HitPaw – AI Video, Photo & Audio Enhancer Solutions

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This release was issued through Send2Press® on behalf of the news source. For more information, visit Send2Press Newswire at https://www.send2press.com/.

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SOURCE HitPaw. Co., Ltd

Technology

California Supreme Court to Decide Whether Insurers Can Hide Illegal Overcharges Behind Approved Rates, Says Consumer Watchdog

Published

10 minutes ago

November 12, 2026

Ruling Will Impact Millions of State Consumers

LOS ANGELES, Nov. 12, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — The California Supreme Court will decide whether consumers can sue insurance companies for overcharges that are illegal under Proposition 103, the insurance reform enacted by the voters 38 years ago.

The case before the court concerns a class action lawsuit brought by enlisted policyholders who are good drivers. They allege that USAA, a military insurer, charged them a higher price for auto insurance than it charged officers. Proposition 103 mandates a 20% Good Driver Discount for qualified drivers and state law requires an insurance company to offer good drivers the lowest rate available, regardless of military rank.

Proposition 103 authorizes consumers to challenge violations like that in court. However, some courts have ruled that those lawsuits cannot be brought if the insurance company can argue that the Insurance Commissioner approved the rates being charged.

About 200,000 enlisted USAA customers were overcharged. However, the Supreme Court’s decision will ultimately affect millions of Californians who buy insurance for their autos, homes and businesses.

Ninth Circuit Asks California Supreme Court to Address Pocketbook Issues

The case began in federal court in San Diego, the home of many people in military service. The United States District Court for the Southern District of California ruled that after the passage of Proposition 103, the California legislature passed a bill exempting companies that only insured military personnel from the application of Proposition 103’s protections for good drivers. The plaintiffs appealed to the Ninth Circuit, pointing out that under California’s Constitution the Legislature cannot undermine laws passed by the voters through a ballot initiative.

Before the 9th Circuit, USAA made a second argument, which had been rejected by the District Court: that other state insurance laws shield insurance companies from consumer lawsuits seeking refunds, notwithstanding Proposition 103. Plaintiffs noted that Proposition 103 specifically authorizes lawsuits under the state’s consumer protection laws.

Noting that California courts have adopted conflicting interpretations of Proposition 103, the Ninth Circuit of the United States Court of Appeal then asked California’s Supreme Court to decide these issues of state law.

Representing the enlisted military in the litigation are Consumer Watchdog, the California based non-profit that defends and enforces Proposition 103; Mehri & Skalet, a Washington, D.C.-based law firm specializing in class actions and complex litigation; Mason & Perry LLP, a class action and complex litigation firm also based in D.C., Matthew Seligman, of Grayhawk Law, [more], is leading the plaintiffs’ team before the Supreme Court.

The case is Coleman v. United Services Automobile Association, No. S298496. Review the complaint in the lawsuit. The Ninth Circuit’s certification to the California Supreme Court is available here. (Coleman v. United Services Automobile Ass’n, No. 25-793, slip op. at 3–15 (9th Cir. Sept. 10, 2026)).

Consumer Watchdog is a nonprofit, nonpartisan organization that advocates for taxpayer and consumer interests, with a particular focus on insurance, health care, privacy, energy, and corporate accountability. Consumer Watchdog represents consumers in proceedings enforcing Proposition 103’s protections.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/california-supreme-court-to-decide-whether-insurers-can-hide-illegal-overcharges-behind-approved-rates-says-consumer-watchdog-302938290.html

SOURCE Consumer Watchdog