PRINCE GEORGE, BC, Sept. 4, 2026 /CNW/ — Today, the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, concluded a five-day tour across Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia, highlighting how provinces, workers, Indigenous partners, researchers and industry are positioning Canada as a global energy superpower with the strongest economy in the G7. Across Western Canada, Canadians are turning global volatility into opportunities for strength: building a more prosperous economy; enhancing our national security; creating good-paying jobs; and unlocking Canadian resources and connecting them to global markets.

In Alberta, Minister Hodgson spent time with Todd Loewen, Alberta’s Minister of Forestry and Parks, visiting forest sector workers in the Grande Prairie region and meeting firefighters who have kept Albertans safe through wildfire seasons. They discussed supporting the forest products sector in the face of unjustified U.S. tariffs, pivoting Canadian industry to domestic and non-U.S. markets, and how Canada and Alberta can work together to keep communities in Alberta safe from wildfire.

The Minister also visited Suncor’s oil sands operations in Fort McMurray, meeting the people whose hard work powers Canada and reinforces our role as a reliable energy supplier amidst volatile global energy markets. Our government is working hard with our Albertan, industry and Indigenous partners to support our energy sector and build Canada into a prosperous, sovereign and sustainable energy superpower, including through the Canada–Alberta Memorandum of Understanding.

In Saskatchewan, discussions focused on the infrastructure, innovation and resources that will help power Canada’s future. Meetings with provincial counterparts, including Minister Chris Beaudry; municipal leaders; industry; and researchers at the University of Saskatchewan highlighted opportunities to strengthen electricity grids, unlock Saskatchewan’s critical minerals advantage and advance major projects. Visits to the Jansen Mine and the Saskatchewan Research Council’s Rare Earth Processing Facility demonstrated Saskatchewan’s and Canada’s growing strength across the critical minerals and nuclear energy sectors, from resource extraction and processing to advanced technologies and exports.

Minister Hodgson also joined the Honourable Buckley Belanger, Secretary of State for Rural Development, to announce nearly $12 million for businesses in Saskatoon, which are standing up against American tariffs by investing, growing and innovating in Canada, creating jobs, diversifying our supply chains and helping our nation become more economically independent.

The tour also featured two landmark moments that underscored Canada’s ambition to build major projects and strengthen long-term economic prosperity, national security and sustainability. In Saskatchewan, Minister Hodgson announced progress achieved at the McIlvenna Bay copper and zine mine since its referral to the Major Projects Office one year ago. In British Columbia, he joined federal, provincial and Indigenous partners for the groundbreaking ceremony of the North Coast Transmission Line, a transformative infrastructure project that will more than double the availability of clean, low-cost electricity on the West Coast; unlock natural resources projects like the Ksi Lisims LNG facility and critical minerals developments in the Golden Triangle; and create $10 billion in new economic activity and nearly 10,000 jobs.

Western Canada is helping drive a new era of Canadian prosperity, sovereignty and sustainability through responsible resource development, made-in-Canada innovation and a world-class workforce. By advancing projects of national interest, the region is unlocking Canada’s full potential and helping us build Canada Strong.

Quote

“In many ways, Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia are the beating heart of our energy and natural resource sectors. This week, I saw first-hand the people, projects and partnerships that are building Canada Strong amidst the unjustified trade war we are experiencing. From responsible resource development and world-class research to critical infrastructure and energy innovation, Canadians are creating the conditions for long-term prosperity, security, sustainability and sovereignty.”

The Honourable Tim Hodgson
Minister of Energy and Natural Resources

Quick Facts

Minister Hodgson toured Alberta, Saskatchewan and British Columbia from August 30 to September 3, 2026.Canada’s natural resources sector is a cornerstone of the national economy, contributing $459 billion (16 percent) to Canada’s GDP in 2024 and supporting 1.8 million direct and indirect jobs across the country.Western Canada is the powerhouse of Canada’s natural resources economy. In 2022, Alberta, British Columbia and Saskatchewan together accounted for approximately 62 percent of Canada’s natural resources GDP.

Related Products

Canada celebrates progress on the McIlvenna Bay mine: production underway, jobs created, supply chains strengthenedCanada breaks ground on North Coast Transmission Line to deliver clean power and reduce emissions

Associated Links

Canada’s Critical Minerals StrategyNuclear Energy Strategy for Canada

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SOURCE Natural Resources Canada

Users can now gain exclusive early access to unreleased features and communicate directly with Surfshark’s development team via a dedicated Discord hub.

VILNIUS, Lithuania, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Surfshark, a cybersecurity company, has officially announced the launch of its updated beta tester program, offering users early access to new features, design changes, and updates before they are released to the general public. Currently available for Windows and Android app users, the program invites community members to play a direct role in testing, refining, and shaping the future of Surfshark’s services.

The importance of user feedback

“Our mission is to build the most beloved security product for everyone – but for that, we need input from our community. Surfshark’s development team and I are genuinely excited to always receive feedback from our users. Oftentimes, we are buried so deep into our product that we don’t see the small details or inconveniences – and that’s why we need users’ input to be a part of how Surfshark services are being shaped,” says Gabriele Sinkeviciute, Head of Product at Surfshark.

The beta tester program creates a collaborative environment where users worldwide can test unreleased tools, report bugs or quirks, and provide real-time feedback. Participant feedback will directly influence feature improvements and the development of new products based on user needs.

Initiative works through a closed Discord group designed for direct, two-way communication between beta testers and Surfshark’s product developers.

“Our updated beta tester program allows us to build features aligned with what our community actually needs,” Sinkeviciute continues. “While early versions may occasionally contain bugs, the insight provided by our beta community is invaluable in helping us fine-tune tools before public releases.”

How to join Surfshark’s beta tester program

Any active Surfshark subscriber on Windows or Android can join the program today:

On Windows: Open the Surfshark app, navigate to Settings > App settings, scroll to Beta Testing, and click Join Beta.On Android: Visit the Surfshark app page in the Google Play Store, scroll to the Join the beta section, and tap Join.

Enrolled participants will be invited to join the private Discord hub to connect with developers and fellow beta testers.

To learn more or sign up today, visit: https://surfshark.com/beta-tester-program

ABOUT SURFSHARK

Surfshark is a cybersecurity company offering products including an audited VPN, certified antivirus, data leak warning system, and a tool for generating an online identity. Recognized as a leading VPN by CNET and TechRadar, Surfshark has also been featured on the FT1000: Europe’s Fastest Growing Companies ranking. Headquartered in the Netherlands, Surfshark has offices in Lithuania and Poland. For information on Surfshark’s operations and highlights, read our Annual Wrap-up. For more research projects, visit our research hub.

Contact: media@surfshark.com 

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SOURCE Surfshark B.V.

BENGALURU, India, Sept. 4, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Gastrointestinal health has increasingly moved to the centre of India’s lifestyle disease burden, with rising rates of fatty liver disease, inflammatory bowel issues, and a growing number of GI malignancies. Addressing this shift calls for care that spans early screening, diagnosis, surgical intervention and long-term management, rather than treatment confined to a single point in a patient’s journey.

Keeping this in mind, Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road launched its Comprehensive Gastrosciences Department – 360° Gut Care, bringing together Medical Gastroenterology, Surgical Gastroenterology, GI Oncology, and Robotic Surgery under a single, integrated care pathway. The launch was graced by chief guests — Dr. Rajani M, Director of Health & Family Welfare Services, Government of Karnataka, along with Mr. Sridhar, a prominent Sandalwood Actor and Dance Choreographer, in the presence of the hospital’s GI specialists and clinical leadership. The event began with an introduction of the clinical team, felicitation of the doctors and staff, and the traditional lighting of the lamp, followed by remarks from the dignitaries and a high tea.

Speaking at the launch, Dr. Veerendra Sandur, Consultant – Medical Gastroenterology, Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, said, “We are seeing a lot of lifestyle and metabolic disorders like fatty liver and non-alcoholic fatty liver disease, Crohn’s disease, ulcerative colitis, and cancers. That is why we are starting this comprehensive gastro care program as a single point of access for patients navigating gastrointestinal concerns, from early screening and diagnosis to surgical intervention, oncology care, and long-term management.” He credited the Radiology and Anaesthesia teams for their role in enabling complex diagnostic and interventional work.

Delivering the chief guest address, Dr. Rajani M congratulated the hospital on the initiative. “The gut and the brain are very closely linked, and food habits have a real bearing on gut health. Karnataka has also taken solid organ transplantation to the next level, and we now stand second highest in the country. I understand that liver transplants are also an integral part of this program, which makes it a truly 360-degree approach for gut-related transplants as well.”

Actor Sridhar reflected on his family’s long association with the medical team. “For over a decade now, my family has been under the care of Dr. Sandur, and I want to acknowledge the exceptional compassion and empathy we have received throughout.” He recalled a particularly difficult time when his mother-in-law required a complex GI surgery, and how the team’s care and support through that experience left a lasting impression on his family.

On the surgical and oncology capabilities, Dr. Girish S P, Consultant – General & GI Surgery, Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road, spoke about the department’s robotic surgery program, calling it central to treating complex GI cases. “Robotics does a great job in surgery because the vision it offers is so enhanced. It allows surgeons to work with far greater precision than we could with the naked eye alone. We are longer limited by what our own eyes might miss; the clarity it gives lets us do far greater justice to the surgery itself.”

Mr. Mohan Hariharan, Cluster Director – Manipal Hospital Kanakapura Road and Jayanagar,  spoke to the comprehensiveness of the new setup and noted, “Our commitment has always been to make sure patients don’t have to look beyond this institution for comprehensive gut care, and today’s launch is a step towards that promise. This has been possible because of the dedication our GI team has shown from day one with the support from ICU, interventional radiology and blood bank teams, along with the liver transplant approval we received just yesterday from the government. Hence, I’m confident this commitment will translate into meaningful care, not just for patients in South Bangalore but well beyond it.”

The launch was preceded by a CME session featuring talks from the team on the evolving landscape of gastroenterology and GI oncology, advances in managing GI bleeding, and comprehensive care for abdominal wall hernia and advanced robotic surgery.

For more information, please visit https://www.manipalhospitals.com/kanakapuraroad/.

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