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Government of Canada expands support for artificial intelligence adoption and commercialization in the Prairie provinces

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Regional support through the expanded Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative to boost AI adoption and bring Canadian-made AI solutions to market

EDMONTON, AB, Oct. 22, 2026 /CNW/ — Canada, with Alberta playing a leading role, helped pioneer modern artificial intelligence. The next step is to ensure Canadian businesses can put that technology to work and that Canadian AI companies can build, sell and scale their solutions. On the Prairies, expanded support will help businesses and organizations use AI to become more productive, competitive and resilient while building on the region’s strengths.

Today, the Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan) announced the expansion of the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative in Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Manitoba.

Part of AI for All, Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, the expansion adds $500 million over five years, bringing total federal funding for the initiative to $700 million. Delivered by Canada’s regional development agencies (RDAs), the expanded initiative will help businesses and organizations responsibly adopt and integrate AI technologies to improve productivity, competitiveness and resilience. Adoption support will place emphasis on projects in five priority sectors identified in Canada’s AI Strategy: health and life sciences, energy and natural resources, transportation, agriculture, and manufacturing and robotics, while also reflecting regional strengths and priorities.

The initiative will also help Canadian AI businesses gain customers, attract investment, and commercialize and scale Canadian-made products and services, while supporting organizations that provide small- and medium-sized enterprises with the specialized support they need to adopt or commercialize AI technologies.

In Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba, PrairiesCan will support the adoption of AI to help Canadian business across priority sectors enhance productivity, growth, and competitiveness, increase AI productization and commercialization, and strengthen ecosystem enablement by supporting incubators, accelerators and other not-for-profits. Applications are open and will be accepted on a continuous basis until December 31, 2029, or until funding has been fully committed. Applicants are encouraged to submit expressions of interest as soon as possible for consideration under this initiative. 

Quotes

“Through the Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative, our government is helping businesses across Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba adopt AI, commercialize Canadian-made solutions and compete in a rapidly changing global economy. As part of AI for All, Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, this initiative will boost productivity, competitiveness and resilience for Prairie businesses and drive lasting economic growth across the region.”
–The Honourable Eleanor Olszewski, Minister of Emergency Management and Community Resilience and Minister responsible for Prairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)

“Canada’s AI strategy is delivering results for businesses, workers and communities across the country. The Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative is AI for All in action, accelerating responsible AI adoption, helping Canadian innovators bring their technologies to market and scale globally, and strengthening the regional ecosystems that turn innovation into economic growth. This investment will help secure Canada’s position as an AI leader and build a more productive, competitive and sovereign economy.”
–The Honourable Evan Solomon, Minister of Artificial Intelligence and Digital Innovation and Minister responsible for the Federal Economic Development Agency for Southern Ontario

Quick facts

The Government of Canada launched the original five-year, $200-million Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in 2024. With the additional $500 million through the expanded and enhanced RAII, the total investment through the initiative is $700 million.The initiative will support broader access to the benefits and opportunities of AI for Indigenous Peoples, youth, underrepresented groups and communities across Canada.AI for All, Canada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy, supports accelerated AI adoption among Canadian businesses, with a particular focus on SMEs, and includes measures to expand access to financing, AI expertise and secure computing infrastructure, including through the LIFT program, the Compute Access Fund and other business supports.

Associated links

Regional Artificial Intelligence Initiative (RAII) in the Prairie Provinces – Canada.caPrairies Economic Development Canada (PrairiesCan)Regional Artificial Intelligence InitiativeCanada’s National Artificial Intelligence Strategy AI for All

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SOURCE Prairies Economic Development Canada

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Club Offers for Travel Enthusiasts in Canada

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TORONTO, Oct 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Travelzoo® (NASDAQ: TZOO), the club for travel enthusiasts, announces three of many new Club Offers for Club Members in Canada.

Rigorously vetted and negotiated for us travel enthusiasts:

$799—COSTA RICA WEEK WITH FLIGHTS & CAR
We think fall is an ideal time to visit Costa Rica; the scenery is lush and the crowds are gone. Drive between volcanic Arenal and the idyllic beaches of Tamarindo on this seven-night trip. Since it’s not as busy, we were able to negotiate a price that saves members up to $648 on departures through mid-December.

$899—BARCELONA: 5 NIGHTS WITH FLIGHTS
Explore Barcelona’s world-class museums and architectural masterpieces in the quieter winter months to pack more into your trip. You won’t waste hours in lines and can access top restaurants that are fully booked in summer. We save $300 on travel this January and February, when temperatures are still spring-like. Roundtrip flights from Toronto, hotel and daily breakfast are included.

$999—ST. KITTS GETAWAY FOR 2, REG. $2083
Most visitors to St. Kitts book months in advance, but when we pointed out that travel enthusiasts are more spontaneous, this resort gave us a terrific rate for stays this November and December. Spend four nights in Frigate Bay and get an upgraded Oceanview room, too.

Are you a travel enthusiast? Join the club today: https://travelzoo.com

Who are we?
We, Travelzoo®, are the club for travel enthusiasts. We reach 30 million travellers. Club Members receive Club Offers negotiated and rigorously vetted by our deal experts around the globe. Our relationships with thousands of top travel companies give us access to irresistible deals. Our club and its benefits are built around the lifestyle of a modern travel enthusiast.

Media Contact: 
Amanda Ieraci – Toronto
+1 437 866 8540
aieraci@travelzoo.com

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/club-offers-for-travel-enthusiasts-in-canada-302918543.html

SOURCE Travelzoo

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Howard Hughes Holdings Set to Join S&P SmallCap 600

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NEW YORK, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Howard Hughes Holdings Inc. (NYSE: HHH) will replace Arcosa Inc. (NYSE: ACA) in the S&P SmallCap 600 effective prior to the opening of trading on Wednesday, October 28. S&P 500 constituent CRH plc (NYSE: CRH) has acquired Arcosa in a deal that closed today, October 23.

Following is a summary of the changes that will take place prior to the open of trading on the effective date:

Effective Date

Index Name  

Action

Company Name

Ticker

GICS Sector

October 28, 2026

S&P SmallCap 600

Addition

Howard Hughes Holdings

HHH

Real Estate

October 28, 2026

S&P SmallCap 600

Deletion

Arcosa

ACA

Industrials

ABOUT S&P DOW JONES INDICES

S&P Dow Jones Indices is the largest global resource for essential index-based concepts, data and research, and home to iconic financial market indicators, such as the S&P 500® and the Dow Jones Industrial Average®. More assets are invested in products based on our indices than products based on indices from any other provider in the world. Since Charles Dow invented the first index in 1884, S&P DJI has been innovating and developing indices across the spectrum of asset classes helping to define the way investors measure and trade the markets.

S&P Dow Jones Indices is a division of S&P Global (NYSE: SPGI), which provides essential intelligence for individuals, companies, and governments to make decisions with confidence. For more information, visit www.spglobal.com/spdji/en/. 

FOR MORE INFORMATION:

S&P Dow Jones Indices
index_services@spglobal.com

Media Inquiries
spdji.comms@spglobal.com

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/howard-hughes-holdings-set-to-join-sp-smallcap-600-302918511.html

SOURCE S&P Dow Jones Indices

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Chelsea FC announces multi-year sleeve partnership with Sokin, the business payments and FX platform

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Chelsea FC name fast-growing fintech platform as Principal Partner

LONDON, Oct. 23, 2026 /PRNewswire/ — Chelsea Football Club has today announced a multi-year partnership with Sokin, the embedded finance and payments company used by businesses worldwide. Sokin will be named a Principal Partner and Official Business Payments and FX Partner of Chelsea FC and Chelsea FC Women.

As a Principal Partner, Sokin will be represented on the sleeves of the Chelsea FC men’s, women’s and academy home, away, and third kits from the 2026/27 season.

The partnership brings together two ambitious London-headquartered organisations with worldwide reach – a club with millions of fans across the world and a fintech platform through which businesses move more than $11 billion a year. A club of Chelsea’s scale works in many currencies every day, with partners, competitions and supporters around the world, and needs a financial partner built to handle that.

Sokin gives finance teams business payments, multi-currency accounts, foreign exchange, checkout and treasury in one place, so they spend less time juggling banks and providers and keep more of what they move.

As Official Business Payments and FX Partner, Sokin will simplify how Chelsea FC sends, receives and manages money in the currencies the club operates in.

The Sokin logo will feature on the sleeve of the Chelsea shirt for the first time [when the men’s team host Tottenham Hotspur at Stamford Bridge on Saturday 24th October.]

Jason Gannon, President at Chelsea FC said:

“At Chelsea, we seek to partner with organisations that share our ambition and innovative mindset. Sokin’s expertise in business payments, and their focus on making both simpler for the businesses they serve, makes them a natural fit for the Club. We are pleased to welcome Sokin to the Chelsea family and look forward to working together in the years ahead.”

Vroon Modgill, CEO and founder at Sokin said:

“Chelsea plays on the biggest stage in world football, and its business runs in dozens of currencies. Sokin was built for that with regulated, multi-currency payments and foreign exchange for organisations that operate internationally. We’re proud to be the platform behind the business payments and FX of one of the most iconic teams in football. Sokin’s platform serves businesses in more than 170 countries. We’re thrilled to be partners for the season ahead. An organisation as sophisticated as Chelsea doesn’t leave its finances to chance.”

About Sokin

Sokin is the financial layer global business runs on. Businesses can transact, convert and hold money in 70+ currencies across 170+ countries. Some businesses use Sokin to manage global finance in-house. Others build it into their products to power financial experiences for their customers. Businesses move more than $9 billion a year on licenses Sokin holds in 36+ countries and infrastructure Sokin owns. Founded in 2019, Sokin has raised over $100 million from investors including Morgan Stanley Expansion Capital and Prysm Capital.

About Chelsea Football Club

Chelsea Football Club is one of the biggest, most successful football clubs globally and our men’s team are reigning world champions, having won the four-yearly FIFA Club World Cup in 2025. Our women’s team, Chelsea Women, are also multiple trophy winners.

Founded in 1905, Chelsea is London’s most central football club, based at the iconic 40,000-capacity Stamford Bridge stadium. Nicknamed the Blues, the club lifted the Champions League for the first time in 2012 and domestically has won the Premier League five times, the FA Cup eight times, the Football League Cup five times and the Football League Championship once, in 1955.

The Chelsea Women’s team have enjoyed a huge amount of success and in 2025 won the FA Women’s Super League for a sixth consecutive year and the eighth time overall. The Women’s FA Cup has been won on six occasions. We have also captured the FA Women’s League Cup four times as well as reaching the UEFA Women’s Champions League final in 2021. In two seasons, 2020/21 and 2024/25, a domestic treble of trophies was secured.

The Chelsea Foundation boasts one of the most extensive community initiatives in sport, helping to improve the lives of children and young people all over the world.

Media Contacts:

Taina Biggs
taina.biggs@sokin.com 

Nerissa Chesterfield
nerissa.chesterfield@chelseafc.com 

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.co.uk/news-releases/chelsea-fc-announces-multi-year-sleeve-partnership-with-sokin-the-business-payments-and-fx-platform-302918466.html

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