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Federal government supports the advancement of the Hazel McCallion LRT Extension in Brampton

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BRAMPTON, ON, March 21, 2025 /CNW/ – Reliable public transit is important to economic growth, reducing air pollution, and building affordable, connected communities.

Today, the Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities, announced the federal government’s intention to support the Hazel McCallion LRT Extension in Brampton as part of the Metro-Region Agreement (MRA) stream of the Canada Public Transit Fund (CPTF).

Brampton is one of the fastest growing cities in Canada. For that reason, it is vital that public transit continues to expand to meet the needs of its residents. The Hazel McCallion LRT is an 18-kilometre, 19-stop light rail transit project currently under construction from Port Credit GO station in Mississauga to Brampton’s Gateway Terminal. By extending this LRT by approximately four kilometres, the project aims to provide better transit options to residents and connect more people to downtown Brampton.

Funding will be conditional on meeting the requirements of the MRA stream, including the development of an Integrated Regional Plan and the signing of a Metro Region Agreement for the Greater Golden Horseshoe, meeting all housing conditionality requirements, receiving a completed project business case from the Province of Ontario, and approval by the federal government.

Growing public transit infrastructure across the country is a key priority, notably where it supports key housing targets and encourages the construction of housing near transit.

Quotes

“Our government believes in public transit. We are committed to improving and growing public transit infrastructure all across Canada. Strong collaboration between federal, provincial, and municipal government is essential to achieve this goal.”

The Honourable Nathaniel Erskine-Smith, Minister of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities 

“As Brampton grows, Premier Ford and our government have a plan to get residents the world-class transit they deserve, which is why we announced the extension of the Hazel McCallion Line into the downtown with a new tunnel that will benefit tens of thousands of riders every day. We will continue to work with our federal and municipal partners, as we expand public transit and GO service and build generational projects like Highway 413 to get families in Brampton where they need to go.”

The Honourable Prabmeet Sarkaria, Minister of Transportation of Ontario

“Today’s announcement is a significant step forward in making the Hazel McCallion LRT Extension a reality for Brampton. As one of Canada’s fastest-growing cities, this transit solution will enable 33,000 housing units and over 17,000 jobs that will help keep pace with our rapid growth. This project will provide reliable, sustainable and efficient transportation for our residents, connecting our downtown core to the rest of the region. Thanks to Minister Erskine-Smith for his second visit to Brampton, and the federal government for helping fund this transformative project for public transit, housing and downtown.” 

His Worship Patrick Brown, Mayor, City of Brampton

Quick Facts

Announced on January 20, 2025, Brampton Transit has secured federal funding of $106 million over 10 years through the new Canada Public Transit Fund’s (CPTF) Baseline Stream. This funding will upgrade, replace, or modernize the City’s public transit infrastructure, and maintain it in a state of good repair.Since 2015, the federal government has announced over $19 billion for public transit and active transportation projects in Ontario.Starting in 2026-27, the CPTF will provide an average of $3 billion a year in permanent funding that will respond to local needs by enhancing integrated planning, improving access to public transit and active transportation, and supporting the development of more affordable, sustainable, and inclusive communities.The CPTF supports transit and active transportation investments through three streams:Metro-Region Agreements offer a new way for the federal government, provinces and municipalities to collaborate. Through these agreements, the federal government will allocate funding and work with partners to support the planning and construction of public transit.Baseline Funding provides stable, predictable support that communities with existing transit systems across Canada are seeking for routine capital investments, expansion, and state of good repair projects.Targeted Funding allows partners to access direct funding through periodic calls for applications that help address the evolving community priorities.

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Canada Public Transit FundEnsuring long-term predictable public transit funding for the City of Brampton with over $106 million through the Canada Public Transit FundHousing and Infrastructure Project Map

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SOURCE Department of Housing, Infrastructure and Communities

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STATE GRID ZHEJIANG ELECTRIC POWER CO., LTD: Early Action for Spring Farming, Sufficient Power for Spring Plowing

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LISHUI, China, March 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — Plant a grain of rice in spring, and harvest thousands of seeds in autumn. On March 11, employees from STATE GRID ZHEJIANG ELECTRIC POWER CO., LTD visited the grain planting base in Yushang Township, Qingyuan County, to inspect agricultural power lines and equipment, ensuring adequate electricity for spring farming and irrigation, and helping farmers increase production and income.

In the seedling factory, the seedling production line is running efficiently, with the sounds of machinery echoing. In the fields, rows of greenhouses are neatly arranged, and farmers are busy in small groups, enjoying the warm spring sunlight. The cheerful faces and the red vests moving through the greenery make for a beautiful spring scene, marking the busy farming season.

Yushang Township, located in the southwest of Qingyuan, has favorable geographical conditions and has long been known as the “grain warehouse of Qingyuan.” Over the years, Yushang has leveraged its geographical advantages to accelerate the development of modern agriculture, building high-standard grain production bases. With the arrival of spring, the base has gradually regained vitality, and farmers are busy preparing for the upcoming harvest.

Proactive Service, Close Engagement with Farmers

Since March, in order to ensure smooth electricity supply for spring plowing and planting, STATE GRID ZHEJIANG ELECTRIC POWER CO., LTD took early action and made early arrangements. The company organized employees to go deep into the fields, inspecting transformers and power supply equipment related to spring farming. They checked electrical lines for greenhouses, leakage protectors, water pumping motors, and replaced substandard switches, sockets, and damaged wires to eliminate potential electrical hazards.

At the same time, the company tailored its services to the electricity usage conditions of the planting base, teaching farmers energy-saving tips, promoting electricity price policies, and providing guidance on safe and scientific electricity use. They patiently instructed customers to download the “State Grid” app, providing “online” one-click electricity services, and opened a green channel for spring farming electricity, simplifying procedures for agricultural electricity applications and capacity increases. The company also arranged for 24-hour emergency repair services, ensuring that any faults were dealt with promptly to help farmers resolve electrical issues in spring farming and irrigation.

“Since we started using greenhouses for planting, irrigation, heating, and ventilation all rely on a stable electricity supply. The power supply company regularly visits us to check our electricity usage, which gives us peace of mind. Now, power equipment failures and circuit breaker trips have decreased, and the electricity supply is much more stable,” said Wu Xinghua, the manager of the greenhouse base, happily. “We are planning to expand the planting scale next!”

In the next phase, STATE GRID ZHEJIANG ELECTRIC POWER CO., LTD will continue to provide high-quality, convenient, fast, and efficient services for spring irrigation and plowing. The company will implement various power supply guarantee measures in detail, ensuring that “electricity reaches the fields and services reach the farmers,” and removing obstacles to the “last mile” of power supply services.

View original content:https://www.prnewswire.com/apac/news-releases/state-grid-zhejiang-electric-power-co-ltd-early-action-for-spring-farming-sufficient-power-for-spring-plowing-302414956.html

SOURCE STATE GRID ZHEJIANG ELECTRIC POWER CO., LTD

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Accelerating Connectivity in the Asia-Pacific: ADC Submarine Cable Empowers the Digital Future

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HONG KONG, March 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — On March 24, the launch ceremony of ADC Submarine Cable’s commissioning was successfully held at the Everbright Centre in Hong Kong. The event brought together over a hundred distinguished guests, including prominent figures from the political and business sectors, industry experts, and representatives from leading media organizations.

The ADC Submarine Cable project is jointly constructed by China Telecom, China Unicom, Singapore Telecom, Japan’s SoftBank, TATA Communications, Vietnam’s VIETTEL, Thailand’s NT, and the Philippines’ PLDT. As the only international submarine cable initiative launched in the Asia-Pacific region over the past nine years, it boasts the highest system transmission capacity and the largest number of fiber pairs in the region. Spanning 9,988 kilometers, the ADC Submarine Cable links mainland China, Hong Kong, Japan, Singapore, and multiple other countries and regions across the Asia-Pacific. Designed with an open cable architecture and cutting-edge high-capacity optical transmission technology, it features a per-fiber pair design capacity exceeding 20 Tb/s, with a total system capacity surpassing 160 Tb/s. By offering diverse routing options, the ADC Submarine Cable significantly strengthens network resilience and stability across the Asia-Pacific, reinforcing the region’s digital infrastructure.

At the event, Prof. Sun Dong, Secretary for Innovation, Technology and Industry, the Government of HKSAR, emphasized that as a key gateway for the country’s opening-up, Hong Kong will fully harness its unique advantages under the “one country, two systems” framework. Leveraging its strategic roles as a “super connector” and “super value-adder,” Hong Kong aims to facilitate the global expansion of mainland enterprises while attracting international businesses. The Hong Kong SAR Government remains committed to enhancing the innovation and technology ecosystem through institutional innovation, policy coordination, and international collaboration. He encouraged industry leaders, including China Telecom, to embrace national and SAR government initiatives, capitalize on the opportunities presented by the digital economy, and intensify R&D efforts to drive breakthroughs in artificial intelligence, big data, and other frontier technologies. At the same time, he expressed confidence that more enterprises would actively contribute to Hong Kong’s innovation and technology landscape, fostering an open and inclusive ecosystem and reinforcing the city’s position as a globally influential hub for technological advancement.

Ms. Liu Ying, Executive Vice President of China Telecommunications Corporation Ltd. (hereinafter referred to as “China Telecom”), indicated that the official launch of the ADC Submarine Cable marks a significant milestone in international cooperation. This achievement not only reaffirms China Telecom’s long-standing commitment to its global expansion strategy, cloud-network integration, and digital transformation but also ushers in a new era of collaboration with global partners to drive technological progress and shared prosperity. She also highlighted that China Telecom’s international business will continue to leverage Hong Kong as a strategic hub, dedicated to fostering a more open and collaborative ecosystem, advancing digital technology innovation, and accelerating the growth of the digital economy. The company remains committed to delivering more efficient, secure, and intelligent communication services to global users while working with industry partners to build a dynamic, inclusive, and mutually beneficial digital landscape.

As one of the organizers of the ADC Submarine Cable project, Mr. Yin Jin, CEO of China Telecom Global introduced that the ADC Submarine Cable will add over 50 Tb/s of bandwidth capacity to the Asia-Pacific region, supporting the exponential growth in data demand driven by artificial intelligence, the Internet of Things, and cloud computing. By offering a high-speed and resilient submarine communication network, the project not only enhances international telecommunications cooperation but also plays a vital role in fostering the high-quality development of the digital economy. In alignment with Hong Kong’s vision of becoming an International Innovation and Technology Hub, China Telecom Global is accelerating the development of major infrastructure projects, including the Tseung Kwan O Data Center, the Chung Hom Kok Cable Landing Station, and the New Eurasia and New Asia-Pacific submarine cables. The company is also strengthening its R&D capabilities through the establishment of AI and cybersecurity innovation centers, reinforcing its long-term commitment to driving technological progress and contributing to Hong Kong’s continued prosperity.

As the backbone of the global internet, submarine cables serve as a vital lifeline for international data transmission. In the future, China Telecom will collaborate with major global operators to continuously promote more submarine cable construction projects, further reinforcing the infrastructure that underpins 5G, AI, and digital technologies. By enhancing global connectivity, the company aims to accelerate the digital transformation landscape and contribute to the high-quality advancement of the digital economy.

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/accelerating-connectivity-in-the-asia-pacific-adc-submarine-cable-empowers-the-digital-future-302414948.html

SOURCE China Telecom Global

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LONGi Chairman Zhong Baoshen Attends Boao Forum for Asia: Continuously Deepening China-Australia Tech Collaboration in Clean Energy

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BOAO, China, March 29, 2025 /PRNewswire/ — From March 25 to 28, the Boao Forum for Asia 2025 Annual Conference, themed “Asia in the changing World: Towards a shared Future.” will be held in Boao, Hainan, China. Zhong Baoshen, Chairman of LONGi, was invited to participate in the China-Australia Business Leaders Forum on March 26 under the theme “Deepening China-Australia Cooperation to Foster an Open Economy.” During the event, he shared solutions and future plans from the renewable energy sector on topics including promoting regional trade and investment growth, strengthening sci-tech innovation collaboration and industrial development, and advancing global energy transition.

Zhong stated that LONGi actively embraces the open economic environment brought by the Regional Comprehensive Economic Partnership (RCEP), which provides long-term momentum for regional trade and investment growth, particularly facilitating deeper cooperation between China and Australia in renewable energy. For instance, the Memorandum of Cooperation on Deepening Implementation of the Free Trade Agreement signed between China and Australia in June 2024 has created more favorable investment and service trade conditions for clean energy industries such as photovoltaics (PV). Australia boasts abundant solar resources, and LONGi is supplying high-efficiency PV modules, BIPV (Building Integrated Photovoltaics) products, and hydrogen production equipment to the local market through its Australian subsidiary, driving growth in the local PV and green hydrogen sectors. Additionally, LONGi will leverage RCEP’s trade facilitation to optimize global supply chains, deepen its market presence in Australia, and collaborate with local enterprises to advance carbon neutrality goals.

Regarding efforts to establish common Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) standards between China and Australia, Zhong emphasized LONGi’s support for unified green standards to reduce uncertainties in certification, carbon accounting, and supply chain management for renewable energy projects, thereby enhancing investment and trade efficiency. LONGi has already committed to 100% renewable energy manufacturing through initiatives like RE100, EP100, EV100, and the Science-Based Targets initiative (SBTi), actively promoting green manufacturing and reducing the carbon footprint of the PV industry chain to provide more eco-friendly products for Australia’s energy transition. The company also advocates for Sino-Australian collaboration in green investment and carbon trading, promoting ESG financial tools such as green bonds and carbon credit mechanisms to secure long-term funding for renewable energy projects.

In closing, Zhong summarized how Chinese and Australian enterprises can strengthen technological collaboration to foster healthy growth for both businesses and related industries. He highlighted that technological innovation is the core driver of sustainable development in the PV sector. LONGi is committed to deepening Sino-Australian sci-tech cooperation in clean energy, leveraging cutting-edge technologies to enhance energy efficiency and drive industry transformation. For example, through platforms like the China-Australia Joint Committee on Science and Technology Cooperation, LONGi will expand joint R&D with Australian universities, research institutions, and enterprises to explore more efficient and sustainable PV technologies.

As early as 2018, LONGi established a long-term technical partnership with the University of New South Wales (UNSW), collaborating on research into high-efficiency PV technologies, renewable energy system optimization, and talent development in the field. The two parties also jointly launched a research project on “PV-Powered Water Treatment Systems,” exploring PV applications in environmental protection. Furthermore, LONGi’s world-record-breaking monocrystalline silicon cell efficiency of 27.30% and its 34.6% crystalline silicon-perovskite tandem cell efficiency—both recognized as global benchmarks—have been included in the Solar Cell Efficiency Tables by Professor Martin Green, the “Father of Photovoltaics” at UNSW.

Notably, Australia ranks among the global leaders in rooftop solar adoption, with solar power once accounting for 80.5% of electricity supply in Western Australia, reflecting strong public acceptance and participation. The Australian government has also set a target for 82% of its electricity to come from renewables by 2030. Zhong concluded by emphasizing that in the context of deep decarbonization, electricity alone cannot meet all energy demands. Therefore, LONGi has strategically expanded into green hydrogen and green methanol businesses, converting low-cost clean electricity into green liquid and gaseous energy forms. Looking ahead, LONGi aims to deliver optimal solutions across photovoltaic systems, green hydrogen, and green methanol sectors. This strategy seeks to contribute greater value to the global energy transition while expanding the company’s long-term growth opportunities.

Moving forward, LONGi will work closely with strategic partners in Australia to jointly achieve this goal. With policy support, infrastructure development, and technological innovation, Australia’s energy transition is poised to advance steadily toward a sustainable future.

About LONGi

Founded in 2000, LONGi is committed to being the world’s leading solar technology company, focusing on customer-driven value creation for full scenario energy transformation.

Under its mission of ‘making the best of solar energy to build a green world’, LONGi has dedicated itself to technology innovation and established several business sectors, covering mono silicon wafers cells and modules, commercial & industrial distributed solar solutions, green energy solutions and hydrogen equipment. The company has honed its capabilities to provide green energy and has more recently, also embraced green hydrogen products and solutions to support global zero carbon development. www.longi.com/

View original content to download multimedia:https://www.prnewswire.com/news-releases/longi-chairman-zhong-baoshen-attends-boao-forum-for-asia-continuously-deepening-china-australia-tech-collaboration-in-clean-energy-302414936.html

SOURCE LONGi

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