Farnham, Quebec, December 16, 2025 — Members of the media are invited to an infrastructure announcement with Louis Villeneuve, Member of Parliament for Brome—Missisquoi, and Ugo Tanguay, President of the Chairman of the Board for the Centre d’action bénévole de Farnham.
Date:
Wednesday, December 17, 2025
Time:
9:00 a.m. EDT
Location:
Centre d’action bénévole de Farnham
135 St-André Sud Street (between St-Jacques School and Jean-Jacques-Bertrand School)
Farnham, Quebec, J2N 2B8
WASHINGTON — DEC. 16, 2025 — The U.S. Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) today announced the appointment of Harvey Risch, M.D., Ph.D., as chairman of the President’s Cancer Panel. The panel, part of the National Institutes of Health’s (NIH) National Cancer Institute, is charged with monitoring the development and execution of the activities of the National Cancer Program and reporting to the president on progress, efficacy, and opportunities for improvement in the national effort against cancer. The Panel was established by law through the National Cancer Act of 1971.
Dr. Risch is Professor Emeritus and Senior Research Scientist in and Senior Research Scientist in Epidemiology at the Yale School of Public Health and Yale School of Medicine. As chairman of the President’s Cancer Panel, Dr. Risch plans to accelerate American innovations in cancer prevention and increase the public’s awareness of reproductive, dietary, occupational, environmental, and immune system-related factors that influence cancer etiology.
“Dr. Risch brings the expertise and resolve needed to identify the root causes of cancer in America,” said Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F. Kennedy, Jr. “He will push this work forward, confront the factors driving cancer rates, and provide the public with science they can trust. This appointment strengthens our national fight against cancer and reflects our duty to protect Americans’ health with transparency, independence, and rigorous inquiry.”
“The field of cancer prevention is only 75 years old,” said NIH Director Jay Bhattacharya. “Great developments in our understanding of this subject should not shock us — they should be expected. Dr. Risch is a distinguished pioneer in the study of cancer epidemiology with the background to help bring the revelations to the field we’re seeking.”
“Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death in the United States,” said U.S. Senator Ron Johnson (R-WI). “Dr. Risch has the experience and leadership to guide the President’s Cancer Panel toward discoveries that can hopefully reduce those numbers. Dr. Risch brings knowledge and courage to confront the cancer epidemic with an open mind and help make America healthy again.”
“I am thankful for the opportunity President Trump has given me to transform cancer prevention in the United States,” said Dr. Risch. “This Panel has access to the best minds, cutting edge science, and vast resources required to radically advance Americans’ understanding of cancer development, diagnosis, and prevention. We are sitting on the treasure trove of knowledge necessary to demystify the causes of cancer, and we can use that knowledge to help Americans live fuller, freer lives. Cancer does not have to loom over the American people as an unknowable specter.”
Dr. Risch has dedicated his career to studying cancer etiology, prevention, early diagnosis, and epidemiological methods. His research has included studies of ovarian cancer, pancreas cancer, lung cancer, bladder cancer, esophageal and stomach cancer, and cancers related to the use of oral contraceptives and noncontraceptive estrogens.
Prior to his tenure at Yale, Dr. Risch received his M.D. degree from the University of California at San Diego and his Ph.D. in mathematical modeling of infectious epidemics from the University of Chicago. After serving as a postdoctoral fellow in epidemiology at the University of Washington, Dr. Risch taught epidemiology and biostatistics at the University of Toronto.
Dr. Risch has authored more than 400 original peer-reviewed research papers, which have been cited by other scientific publications more than 59,000 times. He is an Editor of the International Journal of Cancer, was Associate Editor of the Journal of the National Cancer Institute for 25 years, and for six years was a Member of the American Journal of Epidemiology’s Board of Editors.
December 16, 2025
The Competition and Consumer Protection Commission (CCPC) is to carry out a full Phase 2 investigation into the proposed purchase of O.C.L. Laundry Services Limited by Elis S.A.
Elis S.A. and O.C.L. Laundry Services Limited are both active in the outsourced supply of flat linen rental and maintenance services in the State. Flat linen is an industry term describing products such as towels, flat-ironed bed sheets, pillowcases and tablecloths. The maintenance services provided by Elis S.A and O.C.L Laundry Services Limited include the collecting, sorting, washing, drying and folding of such linen. Customers of flat linen rental and maintenance services include accommodation providers (e.g. hotels, hostels, B&Bs), hospitals, and nursing homes.
Elis S.A. is active in the State through its wholly owned subsidiaries, Elis Textile Services Limited and Berendsen Ireland Holdings Limited.
Under competition law, the CCPC must assess certain mergers and acquisitions in order to prevent harmful effects on competition in the State. In doing so, the CCPC considers the potential impact of mergers and acquisitions on consumers, such as changes to price, consumer choice, quality and innovation.
This proposed transaction (M/25/050) was notified to the CCPC on August 15, 2025. Following a preliminary examination, the CCPC has decided an in-depth investigation is needed to establish whether the proposed transaction will result in a substantial lessening of competition in the State.
As the investigation is ongoing, the CCPC is unable to share any further information.
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Investments will decrease the use of fossil fuels on the island by more than 50 percent
December 16, 2025 Halifax, Nova Scotia Parks Canada
The Government of Canada is investing $5.1 million in greening operations at Sable Island National Park Reserve. The funding will support projects that reduce electrical energy consumption in key buildings and upgrade the island’s power generation system to a sustainable micro-grid. These changes will decrease the use of fossil fuels on the island by more than 50 percent. The Honourable Lena Metlege Diab and Member of Parliament Shannon Miedema made the announcement today on behalf of the Honourable Julie Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature.
Parks Canada is responsible for protecting nationally significant examples of natural and cultural heritage and sharing the stories of these treasured places. Sable Island is an island of dynamic rolling sand dunes and is home to a wild horse population, the world’s largest breeding colony of grey seals, and other unique species. Sable Island National Park Reserve is committed to innovation and ingenuity in using green technology to ensure an efficient operation in a remote environment.
Funded from both Parks Canada’s infrastructure investment program and the Government of Canada’s Greening Government Fund, this upgrade demonstrates environmental leadership, and will serve as a model for other remote, off-grid locations administered by Parks Canada and other federal departments throughout the country.
This is not the first Parks Canada administered place in Nova Scotia to benefit from the Greening Government Fund. In 2022, a centralized 100-kilowatt photovoltaic array was installed to generate solar electricity and offset camper electrical use at Jeremy’s Bay Campground in Kejimkujik National Park and National Historic Site. Since its installation, the array has generated approximately 445 megawatt-hours of clean, renewable energy—reducing carbon dioxide emissions by approximately 443 tonnes.
By reducing energy costs, Sable Island National Park Reserve can focus its resources on its mandate to protect the island’s exceptional natural and cultural heritage for present and future generations.
These investments contribute to the government’s goals of reducing greenhouse gas emissions and achieving net-zero operations by 2050.
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The European Commission has presented a new set of measures to support the automotive sector in moving towards clean mobility.
The European automotive sector has been key to Europe’s economy for decades, employing millions of people and driving technological innovation. Today, it is at a critical turning point, challenged by rapid technological changes and increasing competition. To address these challenges, the new measures set out ambitious and pragmatic rules for the industry and EU countries to adapt to clean mobility and a low-carbon economy, while ensuring the competitiveness of the industry.
Key proposals include
The proposals build on the automotive action plan and strategic dialogue on the future of the automotive industry. The dialogue, launched in January 2025, brings together industry representatives, social partners, EU countries, regions, and civil society. So far, three dialogue meetings have taken place, providing a platform to discuss the challenges and opportunities the sector faces.
For more information
Press release
Questions and answers
Factsheet – clean and competitive European automotive sector
Factsheet – CO2 standards and corporate vehicles proposal
Automotive package
Competitiveness
Raleigh, N.C.
Today Governor Josh Stein announced Hoffman & Hoffman, Inc., a supplier of commercial HVAC systems and products, will create 131 jobs in Guilford County. The company will invest $40 million to expand its corporate headquarters and manufacturing operations in the city of Greensboro.
“We are grateful that Hoffman & Hoffman is deepening its roots in North Carolina,” said Governor Josh Stein. “Companies that do business here know better than anyone the benefits of operating in our state, and they know they can count on our skilled workforce, our robust transportation network, and our excellent quality of life as they grow.”
Hoffman & Hoffman (H&H), along with its subsidiaries, is an employee-owned company that has served the HVAC and building automation industries with comprehensive building management systems since 1947. The North Carolina-based company provides commercial and industrial HVAC and filtration systems, building controls technology, commercial hydronic systems, and aftermarket services in the southeastern United States and beyond, including operations in Europe. H&H uses cutting-edge technology to create comfortable, safe spaces for its clients. This expansion will consolidate the corporate headquarters’ operations to one location and add more warehouse space.
“The Hoffman family of companies continues to grow because our employee-owners never lose sight of the people we serve,” said Jim Bingham, CEO of Hoffman & Hoffman, Inc. “When we put our customers at the center of every decision, success follows.”
“I’m excited to welcome Hoffman & Hoffman’s continued investment in the Triad,” said N.C. Commerce Secretary Lee Lilley. “Manufacturers like this need a strong and stable business climate to be successful, and we’re committed to providing the partnerships that support this company’s next phase of growth.”
While wages vary by position, the annual average salary for the new positions is expected to be $72,176. The average wage in Guilford County is $60,195. These new jobs could create an annual payroll impact of more than $9.4 million for the region.
H&H’s expansion in North Carolina will be facilitated, in part, by a Job Development Investment Grant (JDIG) that was approved by the state’s Economic Investment Committee earlier today. Over the course of the 12-year term of this grant, the project is estimated to grow the state’s economy by $487 million. Using a formula that takes into account the new tax revenues generated by the new jobs and the capital investment, the JDIG agreement authorizes the potential reimbursement to the company of up to $1,110,600, spread over 12 years. State payments occur only following performance verification by the departments of Commerce and Revenue that the company has met its incremental job creation and investment targets.
The project’s projected return on investment of public dollars is 129 percent, meaning for every dollar of potential cost to the state, the state receives $2.29 in state revenue. JDIG projects result in positive net tax revenue to the state treasury, even after taking into consideration the grant’s reimbursement payments to a given company.
Because Hoffman & Hoffman chose to expand in Guilford County, classified by the state’s economic tier system as Tier 2, the company’s JDIG agreement also calls for moving $123,400 into the state’s Industrial Development Fund – Utility Account. The Utility Account helps rural communities finance necessary infrastructure upgrades to attract future business. Even when new jobs are created in a Tier 2 county such as Henderson, the new tax revenue generated through JDIG grants helps more economically challenged communities elsewhere in the state.
“This is another great win for Guilford County and the entire state,” said Senate President Pro Tempore Phil Berger. “These good-paying jobs are further proof that North Carolina has the right formula for companies to thrive and contribute to the economic vitality of our communities.”
In addition to the North Carolina Department of Commerce and the Economic Development Partnership of North Carolina, other key partners in this project include the North Carolina General Assembly, N.C. Commerce’s divisions of Workforce Solutions and Rural Economic Development, the North Carolina Community College System, Guilford Tech Community College, Duke Energy, the Guilford County Economic Development Alliance, Guilford County, GuilfordWorks, the Greensboro Chamber, and the City of Greensboro.
New Westminster, British Columbia, December 16, 2025 — Traction power equipment replacements are underway to maintain safe and reliable SkyTrain operations across Metro Vancouver, following a combined investment of more than $20.2 million from the federal government and TransLink.
The Expo and Millennium SkyTrain lines extend approximately 60 kilometres and include more than 35 stations. The operations of these lines are supported by a traction power network consisting of substations, electrical cabling, and power rails. As part of TransLink’s Traction Power System Replacement project, 11 substations have been identified as containing equipment that is over 30 years old and no longer within the recommended service life.
In this phase of the project, the electrical switchgear at four substations, Waterfront, Broadway, Nanaimo, and Joyce, will be replaced and a pad mounted transformer will be installed at Columbia Transfer, between Columbia Station and the Columbia Substation.
As this critical infrastructure ages, these upgrades are essential for addressing electrical safety issues, maintaining a state of good repair, and ensuring the continued and uninterrupted operation of the Expo and Millennium Lines. They will also support future service growth and fleet expansion across the SkyTrain network.
