NASA

Saturday February 27, 2021

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday February 27, 2021

Canadian farmers advised to ditch palm oil after ‘buttergate’ row

May 7, 2020

The Dairy Farmers of Canada group has formed an expert panel to examine the matter and has asked milk producers to temporarily halt the practice.

Experts note many factors, not just fat intake, determine butter consistency.

The Canadian butter controversy comes amid a rise in demand for baking goods during Covid lockdowns.

In a news release issued on Thursday, the Dairy Farmers of Canada (DFA) lobbying group asked that while their investigation is ongoing, milk producers “consider alternatives to palm supplements”.

“It’s just a precautionary [measure] to ensure that consumers maintain confidence in dairy products across Canada,” DFA board member Gordon MacBeath told CBC News.

January 16, 2019

DFA communications director Lucie Boileau told the BBC the working group has not formally met yet, but individual farmers “have already reached out to their animal nutritionist to identify alternatives”.

Adding palm oil-based energy supplements to cow feed is a decades-old practice said to increase the milk output of cows and increase the milk’s fat content. Little research has been done on the true impact of palm oil in dairy.

With a 12% rise in butter demand last year amid pandemic lockdowns, according to the DFA, many farmers increased their use of palm oil supplements to boost dairy supply.

The so-called “buttergate” row took off earlier this month, when Canadian foodies took to social media to express problems with too-hard butter that would not melt at room temperature.

Agricultural experts have said that butter made from cows with palm oil has a higher melting point and may thus be harder to spread at room temperature. (BBC News) 

Meanwhile, NASA’s Perseverance rover has been sending back glorious images of Mars after touching down last week, on Feb. 18, 2021. (CTV News)

 

Friday July 14, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday July 14, 2017

Julie Payette to become Canada’s Next Governor General

Former astronaut Julie Payette says she is embracing her new role as Canada’s next governor general with humility, love of country and a promise to work for all Canadians.

March 19, 2015

“I’m here to serve all Canadians of all backgrounds, of all walks of life, whether new or not so new,” she said.

Payette expressed gratitude for having a second chance to serve her country, and said it will be a pleasure to meet and interact with Canadians from coast to coast to coast.

December 3, 2008

“What a great day,” she said during a news conference with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

Trudeau said Payette has dedicated her life to discovery, dreaming big and staying focused on the things that matter most.

“These truly Canadian traits, along with her years of public service, make her unquestionably qualified for this high office,” he said.

September 27, 2005

The 53-year-old Montrealer, who speaks six languages, will become Canada’s 29th governor general.

Payette, who is also an accomplished athlete, pianist and choral singer, will succeed outgoing Gov. Gen. David Johnston.

Trudeau said Payette will make an “extraordinary” governor general who will serve her country with dedication and inclusion and work for the cause of reconciliation with Indigenous people.

February 20, 2004

As a 12th-generation Canadian, Payette said she embraces the core values of Canada: tolerance, openness and working together. She vowed to serve all Canadians, and as part of that will promote science, technology and the pursuit of knowledge.

As to the required knowledge of constitutional matters, Payette said she will learn on the job with the help of experts. (Source: CBC News) 

 

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Thursday June 13, 2013

Thursday June 13, 2013By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday June 13, 2013

Retirement Options

Canadian Chris Hadfield has announced his retirement and his intention to move back to Canada following a 21-year career as an astronaut — most of it in the U.S.

The newly minted Canadian icon made the announcement at the Canadian Space Agency just outside of Montreal on Monday, fresh off a visit with Prime Minister Stephen Harper in Ottawa.

The 53-year-old astronaut had called a press conference at the CSA to share highlights from his five-month mission aboard the International Space Station where he dazzled Earth-bound star-gazers with breathtaking pictures, entertaining videos and a constant stream of poetic tweets.
A release from the CSA Monday afternoon said Hadfield’s “resignation is effective as of July 3,” and added that he will use the opportunity to “pursue new professional challenges.” (Source: CBC News)

Meanwhile, Dalton McGuinty has officially resigned as MPP for Ottawa-South, with Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne defending his legacy and saying he should not be defined by the gas plant cancellation scandal that sped his exit from politics.

In a statement a day after word emerged of McGuinty’s planned resignation, he thanked his family, friends and colleagues, and said leaving politics came at an “opportune time” with the end of the session in the provincial legislature.

The former premier departs Queen’s Park after nine years on the job and 16 as leader of the Ontario Liberals. He led the Liberals to two majority governments — in 2003 and 2007 — but was left with a minority government after the 2011 election. (Source: CBC News)

Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Tuesday, May 14, 2013By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday, May 14, 2013

Chris Hadfield safely returns to Earth

Astronaut Chris Hadfield, the first Canadian to command the International Space Station, has safely returned to Earth after almost five months in orbit.

Hadfield, along with flight engineers American Tom Marshburn and Russian Roman Romanenko, returned aboard a Soyuz capsule. They landed under a large parachute in the flat steppes of Kazakhstan at 10:31 p.m. ET.

Hadfield, 53, was the third to emerge from the tight confines of the capsule, assisted by ground crew. Once seated in a reclining chair, Hadfield gave a wave and a thumbs-up. Shortly after, he was seen making a call on a satellite phone to family and friends.

NASA spokesman Josh Byerly said by telephone from the landing site that the three returning astronauts were doing very well.

It was Hadfield’s first return from space in the Russian capsule — during his previous space missions, in 1995 and 2001, he travelled aboard one of the now retired space shuttles.

Earlier Monday, while he was reviewing Soyuz procedures on board the space station, Hadfield tweeted that he wanted “to thank every person at the Cdn Space Agency.”

“Your work takes Canada into orbit. Be proud,” he said.

The trio undocked from the space station shortly after 7 p.m. ET for their journey home. When they were about 12 kilometres from the station, the crew on the Soyuz capsule performed a successful de-orbit burn, slowing the craft down for its descent. (Source: CBC News)

Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Tuesday, March 19, 2013By Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday, March 19, 2013

Chris Hadfield doesn’t want to go to sleep

Canadian astronaut Chris Hadfield says just one thing gets him mad on the International Space Station — having to go to sleep.

Hadfield says he’s dreamed about going into space since he was a young Canadian and has worked hard to get there.

Saturday, March 17, 2007The 53-year-old space veteran is resolved to make the most out of his current visit and to spend as little time sleeping as he can.

Hadfield was speaking today in his first news conference since becoming commander of the giant space station last Wednesday.

He is the first Canadian to hold the position.

Only three reporters attended the news conference which was broadcast down to the Montreal-area Canadian Space Agency.

Hadfield was asked about the experiments on board, cuts in research spending and his massive following of more than 500,000 Twitter followers.

His five-month visit, which began in late December, ends in mid-May. (Source: Hamilton Spectator)