Amanda Jensen from Lethbridge, Alberta, faced the devastating news of her son's leukemia diagnosis and subsequent job loss after requesting leave to care for him. Despite informing her employer, the Lethbridge Lodging Association, of the need for extended leave, they terminated her employment. Jensen had also filed a sexual harassment complaint shortly before her son's diagnosis. She filed a complaint with the Alberta Human Rights Commission, which was dismissed, but she is appealing. Alberta's labour laws did not protect her job since she had been employed for less than a year and her son's illness did not meet the criteria for compassionate care leave. Labour Minister Christina Gray acknowledged the need for legislative reform, as Alberta's laws are outdated compared to other provinces. The Ministry of Labour is reviewing feedback from a consultation process to update these laws.

Sarah Lawrynuik reports on the lives of three Ukrainian women who worked as translators for the Canadian Armed Forces and their divergent paths following the Russian invasion of Ukraine. Dzvinka Ohrodynk, a former translator, became a medic on the front lines. Nastia Stafeichuk, who had taken maternity leave, fled with her family from Kherson to Vinnytsia, facing financial difficulties. Iryna Manzholenko, also a former translator, found temporary work in Poland before deciding to apply for a Canadian visa. The article highlights the personal impacts of the war and the challenges faced by those who served foreign forces in their homeland.

Since 2015, Canadian soldiers have been deployed to Ukraine as part of Operation Unifier with the goal of training Ukrainian military and security forces to align with NATO standards. This mission was in response to Russian aggression, including the annexation of Crimea in 2014. The training involved over 30,000 Ukrainian soldiers and cost Canada $890 million. However, the mission was suspended in February 2022 due to the escalation of Russian troops along Ukrainian borders. The article discusses the impact of the training on Ukraine's military capabilities, the limitations of NATO's support, and the complex legacy of Canada's military involvement in Ukraine. It highlights the challenges faced by Ukrainian forces, the changes implemented in their military structure, and the ongoing conflict with Russia.

The Ford F-150 Lightning is positioned as a potential game-changer in the electric vehicle market, with the electric transportation industry's advancements largely driven by improvements in battery technology. Lithium-ion batteries, first commercialized by Sony in 1991, have evolved significantly, with smartphones and other personal electronics spurring innovation. The climate crisis and the need to reduce fossil fuel use have further accelerated battery development. NFI Group Inc., a Winnipeg-based electric bus manufacturer, has seen increased vehicle range due to these advancements. Despite the buzz around solid-state batteries, experts like Michael McDonald and Christian Kuss remain skeptical about the immediate future of this technology. Overall, battery technology is seen as crucial for climate-focused transportation policy.

Researchers from the Netherlands, Canada, and the United States have discovered 'zombie fires' that smoulder underground during winter and can reignite in spring. The study, led by PhD student Rebecca Scholten from Vrije Universiteit Amsterdam and published in Nature, tracked these fires in Alaska and the Northwest Territories from 2002 to 2018. Although rare, these fires can contribute significantly to the total area burned, with one instance accounting for 38% of the area burned in Alaska in 2008. The research suggests that with climate change leading to hotter summers and more intense fires, zombie fires may become more common, although the impact of climate change is complex and could also lead to mitigating factors.

Representatives from O-Pipon-Na-Piwin Cree Nation and Tataskweyak Cree Nation are urging the Manitoba government to reject a permanent permit for Manitoba Hydro that would allow continued manipulation of the Churchill and Nelson Rivers. The diversion, which began in 1976, has had severe environmental impacts and affected local fish populations, including sturgeon, which are culturally significant. Despite decades of temporary approvals, the First Nations criticize the lack of meaningful consultation and fear permanent approval would be detrimental to their communities and the ecosystem.

The nearly $65 million in funding provided to Efficiency Manitoba by the federal and provincial governments will not expand the programs offered by the Crown corporation but will lower the bill for Manitoba Hydro. Efficiency Manitoba was established to improve energy efficiency with a smaller workforce and budget, and the funding will displace costs that would have been covered by Manitoba Hydro and Centra Gas. The federal funding was matched by the provincial government, resulting in a total of $64.6 million for Efficiency Manitoba. Despite initial impressions, the funding will not lead to the expansion of existing energy-efficiency programs but will subsidize the cost of energy it aims to reduce. Efficiency Manitoba will only expand programming as originally prescribed in its 2019 three-year plan.

Manitoba wildland firefighters are preparing for an early start to the fire season due to severe drought conditions in southern Manitoba. Restrictions have been implemented to prevent fires, including bans on motorized backcountry travel and limitations on campfires. The situation is exacerbated by climate change, which is leading to earlier fire seasons and more frequent extreme fire years. Experts urge caution and provide a toll-free tip line to report wildfires.

Researchers urge caution as Manitoba issues new tourism permits for Churchill’s polar bear tourism industry, expanding access to a protected area for the first time in decades. The Churchill Wildlife Management Area, established to protect polar bear denning areas, has seen a decline in bear population from 1,200 in the 1980s to around 800. Concerns arise over the impact of increased tourism on the bears, amidst climate change pressures. The province's lack of transparency and community consultation, particularly the issuance of permits to Lazy Bear Expeditions without announcement, has sparked controversy. The Department of Agriculture remains committed to sustainable eco-tourism but has not commented on the permits. Recommendations from a 2015 independent review, including further research and policy adjustments for climate change, have not been fully addressed.

The article discusses the impact of the climate crisis on family planning decisions, highlighting the ethical dilemma faced by individuals contemplating parenthood in a world facing environmental challenges. It references a play called 'Lungs' featuring actors Claire Foy and Matt Smith, which mirrors real-life conversations about overpopulation and sustainability. Winnipeg's Shakespeare in the Ruins artistic director Rodrigo Beilfuss and Winnipegger Allison Kendall share their personal decisions and concerns regarding having children in light of climate change. Research indicates a high level of worry among Americans about the future of children in a climate-changed world. Projections suggest significant ecological shifts and displacement due to climate change, influencing individuals like Dominique Levin to consider the implications of bringing children into an uncertain future.

The lithium mining industry in Manitoba is experiencing renewed interest due to the global push for climate change action. Lithium, essential for modern batteries, is abundant in the province, and New Age Metals Inc. is poised to begin drilling near Cat Lake. Despite Canada's significant lithium reserves, active mining in Manitoba has been absent. The election of U.S. President Joe Biden and the automotive industry's shift towards electric vehicles have spurred investment and exploration. The Tanco mine, owned by Sinomine Resources Co. Ltd., has historically mined spodumene, a lithium-bearing mineral. The Manitoba government's Mineral Development Fund supports mining expansion, with New Age Metals among the beneficiaries. Environmental groups like the Wilderness Committee oppose mining in certain areas. The Canadian shield's geography offers extensive lithium mining prospects, with significant projects also underway in northern Ontario and central Manitoba.

The article discusses the challenges faced by humanitarian workers in Hungary due to the 'Stop Soros' bill passed by the national assembly, which criminalizes assistance to migrants not entitled to asylum. The bill, supported by Prime Minister Viktor Orban and his right-wing party Fidesz, is seen as targeting George Soros, whose Open Society Foundations have supported marginalized groups. The law has been criticized as xenophobic by the UN High Commissioner for Refugees and has led to the European Parliament voting to start a sanction process against Hungary. The article also touches on the decline in asylum applications in Hungary, the country's political landscape, and comparisons between Orban and U.S. President Donald Trump's immigration policies.

Monaco, facing a shortage of space and a high density of millionaires, is undertaking a $3 billion CAD project to expand its territory by six hectares into the Mediterranean Sea. This project, called Anse du Portier, will add 100 new units to Monaco's real estate market and is expected to be completed by 2025. The expansion is fully financed by private investors, with apartments going on sale in 2020. The construction is led by Bouygues Travaux Publics and includes environmental measures such as rehoming marine species. Monaco's history of land reclamation dates back to the late 19th century, and this current project is designed to withstand a 75 cm sea level rise over the next century.