Bell and Queen’s University have signed a memorandum of understanding to “build and operate a next-generation, world-class Artificial Intelligence (AI) supercomputing facility.”
In a news release, Bell committed to leading the design, construction, financing and maintenance of the turnkey building, while Queen’s would spearhead the development of the new supercomputer and lead research, chip procurement, system architecture, advanced technology programs and the operation of the supercomputer.
The goals of the project are to support academic research and help Canadian AI leaders build scalable AI applications for businesses and government.
(Sponsored)
New dean of uOttawa’s Faculty of Engineering brings a history of entrepreneurship and innovation
Caroline Cao has been impressed by many aspects of uOttawa’s Faculty of Engineering since being appointed dean in August. But it was after the faculty’s recent Design Day – a
New dean of uOttawa’s Faculty of Engineering brings a history of entrepreneurship and innovation
Caroline Cao has been impressed by many aspects of uOttawa’s Faculty of Engineering since being appointed dean in August. But it was after the faculty’s recent Design Day – a
The two partners declined to provide a project timeline to the OBJ.
Port of Johnstown welcomes bulk fertilizer vessel for the first time in three decades
The arrival of Federal Montreal, a bulk fertilizer cargo vessel, into the Port of Johnstown on Dec. 1 marked a new phase of life for cargo traffic along the St. Lawrence Seaway.
Federal Montreal’s arrival, the result of a partnership between agricultural supply chain company V6 Agronomy and the port itself, symbolized the establishment of a new west-east rail and marine agricultural supply chain between eastern Ontario and western Canada.
A rep for the port described the arrival as “the reopening of a strategic agricultural gateway for Canada,” with the new pathway enabling inbound fertilizers to be delivered to the region while outbound grain, pulses and agri-products can be sent westward.
Hawkesbury-area business park servicing takes a step forward
The Town of Hawkesbury and the Township of Champlain have committed to reaching an agreement to resolve a servicing issue holding back development of the local business park.
The land falls within Champlain Township’s jurisdiction, but in order to redevelop it and attract business, the land requires water service – something only the Town of Hawkesbury can provide.
In a public notice posted Dec. 17, the two municipalities say they’re working on a possible land swap that would see Hawkesbury pick up about 106 hectares of trade and industrial land in exchange for servicing of nearly 139 hectares of Champlain’s proposed business park.
The two sides aim to have an agreement in place by April 30, 2026.
Proposed Causeway lift schedule published, being challenged
Public Services and Procurement Canada (PSPC) has published its proposed 2026 lift schedule for the LaSalle Causeway bridge. The federal government agency proposes to begin next year’s lift season on Sunday, April 19, continuing biweekly until May 31, then continuing weekly until Sept. 6, with biweekly lifts occurring between Sept. 6 and Nov. 15. In addition, the bridge would also be lifted on Canada Day.
Following a spring 2024 collapse, the previous bascule bridge was replaced with a temporary bridge that must be manually uninstalled to allow larger boat traffic to pass into or out of the Rideau Canal at Kingston.
The bridge closures affect tourism in downtown Kingston, while the reduced frequency of bridge access affects boating businesses that rely on regular canal access, as well as a number of communities along the Rideau Canal that benefit from summer tourism.
That’s why Leeds Grenville Thousand Islands MPP Steve Clark has launched a petition calling on the federal government to address the bridge situation with a long-term solution prior to the start of boating season.
In response to an inquiry from OBJ, PSPC declined to say when a longer-term bridge solution will be advanced.
DuPont Kingston is now part of Qnity
DuPont has completed the separation of its electronics business into a new entity, Qnity, which includes its Kingston technology centre.
Jeff Downey, the site director and technical manager for Qnity Kingston, told OBJ the biggest impact of the change is primarily a culture shift, as the rate of innovation and commercialization is much higher in the electronics industry versus DuPont’s chemical business.
He said the Kingston team is already handling more projects in 2025 than in previous years, and the company as a whole is prepared for growth. Internationally, Qnity includes approximately 10,000 employees.
The split was formally announced by DuPont on Nov. 3.
Renfrew County wants Hwy. 417 extension accelerated, support for local projects
Renfrew County has called on the province to accelerate the Highway 417 extension, a project first announced in 2019 without a completion date in sight. In a recent open letter to the premier, the county said the route upgrades were important not only for residents and public safety reasons, but were increasingly important for commercial travel in the region.
The letter from Peter Emon, warden for the county at the time, also asked the province to proceed with upgrades to Highway 17 running between Renfrew and Deep River for similar reasons. The county is also seeking provincial support to redevelop a former magnesium mine site in Haley Station, develop forestry biomass projects that the county says will create needed electric grid capacity, and to fix trails and replace bridges to support tourism in the region.
More of Eastern Ontario gets high-speed internet
The province is funding high-speed internet upgrades in eastern Ontario through an $18.4-million investment in the Eastern Ontario Regional Network (EORN)’s Eastern Ontario Infill Broadband Project.
A news release from MPP Steve Clark says the project will bring high-speed internet services to 2,875 more addresses in 23 eastern Ontario municipalities, bordered by Laurentian Valley to the north, Frontenac Islands to the south and west, and Township of Champlain to the east.
A representative for Clark said the infrastructure upgrades are expected to be completed by June 2026, with services available on a rolling basis as the work is completed in a given region.
Wolfe Island Ferry Dock has new owner
Months after Horne’s Ferry closed up shop, the ferry dock on the Canadian side has a new owner.
In a news release, the Township of Frontenac Islands said it purchased the dock property, though Mayor Judy Greenwood-Speers says the township has no interest in operating a ferry and a new private operator has not been identified.
The American dock in Cape Vincent, N.Y., was previously purchased by Jefferson County, and the county has retained a firm to study the business case to bring ferry service back.
Prior to Horne’s Ferry’s closure in 2024, the crossing had been in operation for 200 years and was the only privately operated formal Canada-U.S. border crossing in existence.
