Minister Vandal announces $234,000 through CanNor to enhance local infrastructure and grow the economy

Aug 19, 2022

Whitehorse, Yukon — Canadian Northern Economic Development Agency

Shared public spaces in villages, towns and cities are at the heart of communities across Canada. Main streets, downtown cores, community and cultural centres, farmers' markets, libraries, outdoor spaces and other public places draw in residents and visitors alike, supporting local businesses and jobs. In many communities, these spaces evolved as Canadians took precautions to stay safe from COVID-19.

Today, the Honourable Daniel Vandal, Minister of Northern Affairs, Minister for PrairiesCan and Minister for CanNor; Dr. Brendan Hanley, Member of Parliament for Yukon; with the Honourable Jeanie McLean, Minister of Education and Minister responsible for Women's Directorate, announced that the Government of Canada is investing $234,000 to support high-quality sports and recreation opportunities across the territory.

The Government of Canada recognizes that communities thrive when they have infrastructure to promote social interaction and physical activity, and provide access to recreational programs and facilities. These are what make our communities stronger, more connected, and are integral to the overall well-being of individuals, families and communities.

This funding, delivered by CanNor, supports two one-year projects that improve public infrastructure, bring people back to public spaces safely and create jobs and stimulate local economies. These investments also demonstrate the Government of Canada's commitment to supporting the sustainable, diversified growth of economic sectors across the North.

Volleyball Yukon is receiving $192,000 toward a one-year project to build three competition-grade beach volleyball courts in Whitehorse, with an additional investment of $23,800 from the Government of Yukon. The courts are located near two Whitehorse high schools and are available for use by the general public. CanNor funding will help improve public infrastructure and will enable the organization to host future volleyball competitions, attracting visitors to the city and strengthening the growing competitive sport community. Funding towards this project is delivered through the Canada Community Revitalization Fund (CCRF).

Sport Yukon is receiving $42,000 toward a one-year project to redevelop the Klondike Road Relay (KRR), which is scheduled for September 2022, with an additional investment of $14,400 from the Government of Yukon. CanNor funding will support the organization in creating a digital registration platform and an outdoor gathering space. As a popular annual event, the KRR attracts participants from across the Yukon and beyond, making it an important driver for the economy. The event is also widely recognized for its role in maintaining a sense of unity among participants, partners and communities both along the route and beyond. Funding towards this project is delivered through Inclusive Diversification and Economic Advancement in the North (IDEANorth).

Source : Canada.Ca

Video: Turning Plant Defense Into a Management Strategy

Turning Plant Defense Into a Management Strategy

Understanding how a plant responds to stress is one thing.

Using that knowledge to make better management decisions is another.

Systemic acquired resistance, or SAR, is the plant's more direct defense response. When stress or infection occurs, the plant begins signaling throughout its system and preparing defensive compounds.

But if we know that response exists, can we help prepare the plant before the stress arrives?

The answer starts with understanding what triggers the response and what the plant needs to carry it out.

The Trigger and the Fuel

Salicylic acid plays an important role in triggering the SAR pathway.

Think of it as turning the truck on.

The engine may be running, but it still needs fuel to do the work.

In this case, manganese plays an important role in supporting the enzyme systems involved in the plant's defensive response.

This makes manganese status an important part of the conversation. Whether a producer is using tissue testing, sap analysis, or simply scouting for visible deficiency symptoms, the goal is to make sure the plant has adequate manganese available.

Manganese is required in relatively small amounts, but that does not make its role small.

If the plant receives a signal to defend itself but lacks the nutrition needed to support that response, it may struggle to carry out the process efficiently.

The trigger matters.

The fuel matters too.

Prepare Before the Stress Arrives

The best time to think about stress management is before the plant is overwhelmed.

Once a crop is already struggling, management can quickly turn into a game of catch-up.

This is similar to nitrogen management. Once a plant becomes severely deficient, correcting the problem does not necessarily erase the time and yield potential already lost.

Plant defense can work the same way.

Low-rate, targeted approaches designed to support the SAR pathway may fit best ahead of an expected stress event rather than after significant damage has already occurred.

That requires producers to think about predictable stress.

We may not know exactly what the weather will do tomorrow, but we generally know summer heat is coming. We know certain field conditions increase disease pressure. We know a herbicide application can temporarily stress a crop as the plant processes the chemistry.

Even a properly timed and labeled herbicide application can create a temporary response in the plant.

That does not mean the herbicide is bad.

Weeds can create significantly more yield loss than the temporary stress caused by controlling them.

The question is not whether we should eliminate every stressor.

The question is whether we can better prepare the plant to manage necessary and predictable stress.

Not All Stress Is Bad

Stress is a normal part of plant growth.

A perfectly stress-free environment does not exist in the field.

In fact, some stress is necessary for normal plant development. A plant responds to wind, temperature, moisture, sunlight, and countless other environmental signals throughout the season.

The environment is stress.

The plant's job is to manage it.

Problems begin when the stress load becomes greater than the plant's ability to respond.

Extreme heat, drought, high salt concentrations, disease pressure, and even certain management practices can add to that load.

This is where understanding SAR becomes useful.

Instead of waiting until the plant is visibly struggling, producers can begin identifying periods when stress is likely and make management decisions around those windows.

ISR Starts With the Soil

While SAR is a more direct defense response, induced systemic resistance, or ISR, brings the conversation back to soil health.

The longevity of a farm is closely connected to the health of its soil.

Carbon plays a major role because it supports biological life within the soil. Bacteria, fungi, and other organisms interact with plant roots and influence how the plant grows, accesses nutrients, and prepares for stress.

This is why soil health cannot be reduced to one product or one application.

It is a system.

Keeping living plants in the field longer can support biological activity. Cover crops may fit some operations. Better water management can improve soil conditions.