Latest news with #UniversityofWaterloo
Hamilton Spectator
a day ago
- Health
- Hamilton Spectator
Smoke gets in your eyes, even so far removed from wildfires
Smoke from wildfires leads to bad air quality and the resultant respiratory problems, but our eyes can feel the effects just as much, says a University of Waterloo professor. In the week of recent wildfires to the north and west that caused smoke to cover much of southwestern Ontario, Dr. Andre Stanberry of the School of Optometry said there is a risk to the eyes of people living in this area, even so far from the source. Stanberry told The Observer that the eye is very susceptible to becoming irritated by smoke due to its high sensitivity. 'The surface of the eye has the highest concentration of nerve endings in the body, making it extremely sensitive to even minor environmental changes,' he explained. That high concentration of nerve endings can cause the eye to be able to detect particles that other parts of the body would not recognize. 'It causes a pretty robust immune response that leads to swelling or an allergic response potential as well to the ocular surface, and we tend to be very, very sensitive to that,' added Stanberry. Some people might question how our eyes can be affected by wildfire smoke from as far away as Winnipeg, but the smoke can travel long distances, even when it's not visible, and the air may still contain particulates, noted Stanberry. He added that these airborne irritants can still affect your eyes, depending on the level of particles combined with your sensitivity, no matter how close to the fire you are. The irritants in the air can also cause people with pre-existing conditions like chronic dry eyes to worsen and last longer. So, people who don't have these conditions may notice mild discomfort, whereas those with pre-existing conditions may experience effects that affect their daily life, said Stanberry. 'Some people with systemic conditions like lupus or rheumatoid arthritis and so on tend to have a lot of significant issues with the ocular surface, to begin with.' 'So, this (wildfire smoke) can be a trigger that can spiral into ongoing dryness and irritation that may have a significant impact on their day-to-day and their activities that they live in, for instance. And you know, for those individuals in particular, that can have a major impact on how they function.' There are steps we can take to help minimize the impacts, said Standberry. The first and best option is avoidance: staying indoors when smoke levels are particularly elevated, he suggested, noting that this strategy isn't always possible. 'For those who are exposed, flushing the irritants out would be important,' he said, pointing to artificial teardrops as an option – 'things like Systane Ultra, for example, which is broadly available at any pharmacy or any other bland lubricant eye drops, to do the trick in those moments.' Exposure might also trigger an allergic response, so sometimes an antiallergy eye drop can also help if that situation occurs. Wearing a barrier like wrap-around sunglasses, especially ones designed for people with dry eyes, can also provide some level of protection, said Stanberry. 'For most people, it's probably not going to be a big deal. Even if they get irritated, they'll have artificial teardrops or a cool compress on the eyes, and they may do just fine.' 'But if somebody's in a higher risk category where they already do have dry eyes, and they already do have significant ocular allergies, then these individuals should take more precautions in perhaps avoiding those periods where there are higher concentrations of the irritants in the atmosphere.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
CTV News
2 days ago
- Business
- CTV News
Privacy commissioner says smart vending machines went ‘over and above what you needed to sell snacks'
Ontario's privacy watchdog is sharing new insight on the investigation into the so-called smart vending machines that collected the personal data of users at the University of Waterloo. '[They] went over and above what you needed to sell snacks,' the privacy commissioner told CTV News. Those machines should have never been installed, she said, if the school had followed proper procedures. History of the case Students were alarmed last year when they saw an error message displayed on a machine in the Modern Languages building that read: ' – Application Error.' vending machine facial recognition A vending machine at University of Waterloo displays a facial recognition app error. (Reddit) They filed a formal complaint with the Office of the Information and Privacy Commissioner of Ontario (IPC) in Feb. 2024, alleging the vending machines were using facial recognition technology to collect images without their consent. The ensuing investigation determined the university had signed an agreement with Adaria to provide, maintain, monitor and stock the vending machines in Oct. 2023. The University of Waterloo told the IPC that Adaria had purchased or leased the machines from candymaker MARS and MARS contracted another company, Invenda to build and supply the machines. smart intelligent vending machine uw university of waterloo Intelligent Vending Machine (IVM) at the University of Waterloo. (Colton Wiens/CTV News) The school insisted they were not aware they contained facial recognition technology, and the machines were removed from campus when they learned about the students' concerns. smart intelligent vending machine uw university of waterloo Intelligent Vending Machines (IVMs) after being removed from the University of Waterloo. (Source: UW) According to IPC's report, the vending machines recorded purchase and demographic data. 'There was no dispute that the IVMs [Intelligent Vending Machines] captured video images of individuals' faces on the university's campus,' the report read. 'However, the university argued that the resolution of the optical sensor in the IVMs was too low for the device to be considered a camera or create identifiable images of individuals.' The investigator noted the images were of 'photographic quality' but were only held for milliseconds before being converted into grayscale images and numeric descriptors. facial recognition An example of the photos taken by facial recognition software (left) and conversion into grayscale images (right). (Source: Canadian Legal Information Institute) 'Our investigation into this matter has found no evidence to suggest that personal information, beyond the initial temporary capture of facial images, was retained and further used by these vendors,' the report said. The IPC ruled the university violated the Freedom of Information and Protection of Privacy Act, as it failed to do its due diligence to identify potential risks. More from the investigation Ontario's privacy commissioner spoke exclusively with CTV News about the investigation. Patricia Kosseim said the 'over-collection' of personal information was concerning. 'There were other optional features that, to our knowledge, we did not find were turned on in this case,' she said. 'These machines could also detect student's moods, from very happy to very sad, and facial features like a beard or a mustache, or if somebody was wearing sunglasses or not.' vending machine facial recognition Fourth-year University of Waterloo student River Stanley explains where students have been trying to cover a hole on a vending machine that they believe houses a camera. (Colton Wiens/CTV Kitchener) The University of Waterloo, the privacy commissioner added, was not the only school to use the vending machines. 'We've gotten a lot of emails from people that have seen them all over the province.' vending machine facial recognition Students believe there is a camera inside this hole on the vending machine. (Colton Wiens/CTV Kitchener) For Kosseim, the problem started before the contract was signed for the smart vending machines. 'Had they had proper due diligence in the course of their procurement practice… they would have probably twigged onto the fact that there was technology behind them, smart technology, that should have prompted the university to conduct a privacy impact assessment and then, unpack all of these features which would have given them the choice, the option to say, 'No, you can't do this,'' she explained. 'Then they would have seen that there were quite significant risks and… either mitigated the risks by not turning on those features or maybe going with another vendor altogether and avoiding all these problems.' Public institutions in Ontario have limitations on what personal information they can collect. 'They can only do it for a lawfully authorized activity,' Kosseim said. 'Universities are allowed to have cafeteria services and vending machines and provide food for its students on campus, and to collect payment information to pay for those services. But they were not lawfully authorized to go beyond that and collect all this additional information, which was not necessary for the purpose of buying a can of Coke or a bag of chips. That's where the law really draws the line in Ontario for public institutions.' She said the IPC's investigation should serve as a warning to other schools. 'Despite the best intentions, and sometimes unbeknownst to the institution itself, there could be these technologies in the background, in the dark so to speak, which really undermine students' trust or public trust more generally,' Kosseim explained. 'One of our strong recommendations to the institution, the university, going forward was to follow that guidance in the future so that similar oversights won't happen again.' Changes to privacy rules The investigation by the IPC only focused on what the university should have done to avoid potential privacy problems. 'We did not investigate the vending machine manufacturer or the provider or supplier,' Kosseim said. 'Those commercial activities fall under the jurisdiction of the federal commission.' The IPC also does not have the ability to do anything more than provide recommendations. That will change, however, on July 1. 'I'll have the ability, the authority, to exchange information with my federal counterparts or, in fact, any of my provincial or territorial counterparts,' Kosseim explained, adding that the federal commission could then investigate commercial or third-party vendors. 'A joint investigation can come up with consistent findings and work together, which is good for the institution as well.' The privacy commissioner can also go beyond recommendations. 'There are provisions that will come into force that will allow my office to conduct investigations with quite extensive investigative powers,' said Kosseim. 'And the power to issue binding orders, including to order institutions to stop certain practices or to change their practice, or to modify [their practice].' Institutions will also be required to do more due diligence. 'They will have to conduct privacy impact assessments… before collecting personal information or before making significant changes, to the purpose for which they will use or disclose that personal information,' Kosseim said. '[They] have an obligation to notify the students in this case, or the public or citizens or users of government services, of these collection practices and of these technologies. So, there is a positive obligation on institutions to provide public notice of what they're doing and explain the information practice.' The smart vending machine investigation is one of the last she will participate in before the new rules go into effect. Kosseim also praised those who first raised privacy concerns, saying they should be 'proud' of their efforts in this case. 'I want to just highlight how fortunate we were that the students brought this issue to our attention,' she said. 'That kind of proactivity on the part of everyday Ontarians is really important, to stand up for the rights of everybody.' MARS, Invenda and Adaria did not respond to requests for comment from CTV News. - With reporting from Colton Wiens
Hamilton Spectator
2 days ago
- Politics
- Hamilton Spectator
Ford's controversial Bill 5 puts Ontario's at-risk species at even more risk
The boreal caribou roams more than 1,000 square kilometres each year across Ontario's northern forests, relying on vast, undisturbed land to find food, escape predators and raise its young. But under Premier Doug Ford's new controversial Bill 5 , that critical habitat has been reduced — on paper — to just a calving site. The rest can now be cleared, mined or developed. The law, widely seen as favouring developers and extractive industries, replaces Ontario's Endangered Species Act with weaker rules that eliminate recovery goals, shrink the definition of 'habitat' and allow development to proceed without environmental studies or expert review. Critics call it one of the most sweeping environmental rollbacks in provincial history. They warn it sidelines science, public input and First Nations rights — and could soon be used to fast-track industrial development in the Ring of Fire under the banner of a 'special economic zone,' one of the last intact habitats for boreal caribou and many other species. Rebecca Rooney, a biology professor at the University of Waterloo, says caribou aren't the only animals at risk. But even in the case of caribou, as an umbrella species, their loss threatens the many birds, insects and mammals that share their habitat. Previously, habitat protection covered areas used for feeding, migration and other essential life processes for species at risk. Bill 5 narrows this to only the immediate area around nests or dens, leaving much of the habitat species to rely on unprotected areas. The Ford government says the new law is needed to protect Ontario's economy from US tariffs and argues the previous Endangered Species Act was 'confusing' and caused delays to housing, transit and infrastructure projects. Bill 5, it claims, will streamline approvals, cut costs for developers and clarify habitat rules — while still safeguarding at-risk species. Rooney said the new definition of 'habitat' is far too narrow to be realistic. 'Imagine if, during COVID, you were confined to your house indefinitely. How long could you survive? Could you raise a family without ever leaving to work or get groceries? Probably not,' Rooney said. 'Animals are the same — they don't just stay in their dens. They need to forage, find mates and move across their territory.' If only caribou calving sites are protected, Rooney says, the animals will be vulnerable throughout most of their life cycle — especially to habitat fragmentation caused by resource extraction. Rooney said boreal caribou are culturally important to many First Nations and warned that Bill 5's special economic zones allow the province to override existing habitat agreements with those communities. She warned that road construction linked to mining and forestry fragments the landscape, making it easier for predators to access caribou habitat. Increased predation sets off a cascade of ecological impacts, as intact boreal peatlands are carved up by roads and mines. Since 2009, the number of species at risk in Ontario has risen by 22 per cent, while the number of approvals for development projects harming those species has skyrocketed by over 6,000 per cent . A 2021 report from the Auditor General slammed the provincial ministry of environment for rubber-stamping permits without meaningful oversight. Now, even those weak safeguards are gone. Under the new rules, developers no longer need a permit reviewed by the environment ministry to begin projects. A simple online registration is enough — with no environmental review, expert oversight or public consultation. Any impact studies can be done later. 'They [developers] click 'submit' and start building,' said Shane Moffatt, campaigns manager at Ontario Nature, who calls the approach 'shoot first, ask questions later.' Rooney also warns the changes leave many rare plants at risk simply because they haven't yet been found. Without formal surveys, any species not physically documented can be ignored. One example, she says, is American ginseng — a wild medicinal plant native to North America that grows in sugar maple forests and is listed as a species at risk in Ontario 'If you haven't physically observed the plant, the habitat isn't protected anymore,' she said. 'But we know where it could grow — and under the previous law, we protected those areas. Now, we don't.' That means forests known to support ginseng could be logged without any prior survey, putting the species at risk simply because it wasn't documented in time. The government says the 'registration-first' system will be paired with clear rules and improved enforcement to ensure compliance. Before, species at risk were added to the protected list automatically based on science. Bill 5 changes that. Now, the minister can choose not to list a species — or even remove one — if it gets in the way of development. Under the previous law, Ontario was required to develop recovery strategies for each listed species at risk — outlining threats, identifying critical habitat and recommending actions to support their survival. The Ford government says those rules were too rigid, duplicated federal efforts and tied up resources that could be used more flexibly. Bill 5 removes the legal requirement to create recovery strategies, response statements or progress reviews. Instead, the province will offer 'conservation guidance' only when it deems necessary. The government says it will replace the old stewardship program with a new 'Species Conservation Program,' promising $20 million a year to fund research, habitat restoration and community conservation. In the case of boreal caribou, which rely on large, connected habitats, recovery plans helped identify which areas needed protection. Without them, Moffatt says it will be harder to prevent further decline. The redside dace — a small endangered fish in southern Ontario — is another concern. It has already disappeared from many areas due to habitat loss. Recovery strategies supported captive breeding and restoration programs, efforts now at risk. The small fish was identified as one potential roadblock in the way of Ford's plan to build a new highway, the 413, for commuters northwest of Toronto. Moffatt suggested that eliminating recovery strategies takes away a critical tool needed to help species already on the brink of extinction. Rooney suggests that the government's approach reflects short-term thinking that may carry long-term economic costs. In her view, biodiversity isn't just an environmental concern — it holds untapped economic value. From undiscovered medicines to climate resilience and tourism, Rooney believes Ontario risks sacrificing opportunities the province may never fully understand. She emphasizes that the natural world has long been a source of scientific and medical breakthroughs, and that much of its potential remains unexplored. With species disappearing rapidly, she warns that Ontario could be losing future treatments or technologies — even something as significant as a cancer cure — without ever realizing it. 'I'm a mother, and it makes me really sad to think about how impoverished the world will be for my children because we failed to protect species, not just for them to enjoy, but for their survival,' Rooney said. The tools and knowledge to protect them exist, she adds. What's missing, in her view, is the political will to act. 'Not because we didn't know what to do — but because we chose not to.' Error! Sorry, there was an error processing your request. There was a problem with the recaptcha. Please try again. You may unsubscribe at any time. By signing up, you agree to our terms of use and privacy policy . This site is protected by reCAPTCHA and the Google privacy policy and terms of service apply. Want more of the latest from us? Sign up for more at our newsletter page .
National Observer
3 days ago
- Politics
- National Observer
Ford's controversial Bill 5 puts Ontario's at-risk species at even more risk
The boreal caribou roams more than 1,000 square kilometres each year across Ontario's northern forests, relying on vast, undisturbed land to find food, escape predators and raise its young. But under Premier Doug Ford's new controversial Bill 5, that critical habitat has been reduced — on paper — to just a calving site. The rest can now be cleared, mined or developed. The law, widely seen as favouring developers and extractive industries, replaces Ontario's Endangered Species Act with weaker rules that eliminate recovery goals, shrink the definition of 'habitat' and allow development to proceed without environmental studies or expert review. Critics call it one of the most sweeping environmental rollbacks in provincial history. They warn it sidelines science, public input and First Nations rights — and could soon be used to fast-track industrial development in the Ring of Fire under the banner of a 'special economic zone,' one of the last intact habitats for boreal caribou and many other species. Rebecca Rooney, a biology professor at the University of Waterloo, says caribou aren't the only animals at risk. But even in the case of caribou, as an umbrella species, their loss threatens the many birds, insects and mammals that share their habitat. Previously, habitat protection covered areas used for feeding, migration and other essential life processes for species at risk. Bill 5 narrows this to only the immediate area around nests or dens, leaving much of the habitat species to rely on unprotected areas. The Ford government says the new law is needed to protect Ontario's economy from US tariffs and argues the previous Endangered Species Act was 'confusing' and caused delays to housing, transit and infrastructure projects. Bill 5, it claims, will streamline approvals, cut costs for developers and clarify habitat rules — while still safeguarding at-risk species. Under the new rules, developers no longer need a permit reviewed by the environment ministry to begin projects. A simple online registration is enough — with no environmental review, expert oversight or public consultation. Rooney said the new definition of 'habitat' is far too narrow to be realistic. 'Imagine if, during COVID, you were confined to your house indefinitely. How long could you survive? Could you raise a family without ever leaving to work or get groceries? Probably not,' Rooney said. 'Animals are the same — they don't just stay in their dens. They need to forage, find mates and move across their territory.' If only caribou calving sites are protected, Rooney says, the animals will be vulnerable throughout most of their life cycle — especially to habitat fragmentation caused by resource extraction. Rooney said boreal caribou are culturally important to many First Nations and warned that Bill 5's special economic zones allow the province to override existing habitat agreements with those communities. She warned that road construction linked to mining and forestry fragments the landscape, making it easier for predators to access caribou habitat. Increased predation sets off a cascade of ecological impacts, as intact boreal peatlands are carved up by roads and mines. Shoot first, ask later Since 2009, the number of species at risk in Ontario has risen by 22 per cent, while the number of approvals for development projects harming those species has skyrocketed by over 6,000 per cent. A 2021 report from the Auditor General slammed the provincial ministry of environment for rubber-stamping permits without meaningful oversight. Now, even those weak safeguards are gone. Under the new rules, developers no longer need a permit reviewed by the environment ministry to begin projects. A simple online registration is enough — with no environmental review, expert oversight or public consultation. Any impact studies can be done later. 'They [developers] click 'submit' and start building,' said Shane Moffatt, campaigns manager at Ontario Nature, who calls the approach 'shoot first, ask questions later.' Rooney also warns the changes leave many rare plants at risk simply because they haven't yet been found. Without formal surveys, any species not physically documented can be ignored. One example, she says, is American ginseng — a wild medicinal plant native to North America that grows in sugar maple forests and is listed as a species at risk in Ontario 'If you haven't physically observed the plant, the habitat isn't protected anymore,' she said. 'But we know where it could grow — and under the previous law, we protected those areas. Now, we don't.' That means forests known to support ginseng could be logged without any prior survey, putting the species at risk simply because it wasn't documented in time. The government says the 'registration-first' system will be paired with clear rules and improved enforcement to ensure compliance. Before, species at risk were added to the protected list automatically based on science. Bill 5 changes that. Now, the minister can choose not to list a species — or even remove one — if it gets in the way of development. Recovery strategies eliminated Under the previous law, Ontario was required to develop recovery strategies for each listed species at risk — outlining threats, identifying critical habitat and recommending actions to support their survival. The Ford government says those rules were too rigid, duplicated federal efforts and tied up resources that could be used more flexibly. Bill 5 removes the legal requirement to create recovery strategies, response statements or progress reviews. Instead, the province will offer 'conservation guidance' only when it deems necessary. The government says it will replace the old stewardship program with a new 'Species Conservation Program,' promising $20 million a year to fund research, habitat restoration and community conservation. In the case of boreal caribou, which rely on large, connected habitats, recovery plans helped identify which areas needed protection. Without them, Moffatt says it will be harder to prevent further decline. The redside dace — a small endangered fish in southern Ontario — is another concern. It has already disappeared from many areas due to habitat loss. Recovery strategies supported captive breeding and restoration programs, efforts now at risk. The small fish was identified as one potential roadblock in the way of Ford's plan to build a new highway, the 413, for commuters northwest of Toronto. Moffatt suggested that eliminating recovery strategies takes away a critical tool needed to help species already on the brink of extinction. Biodiversity loss carries economic risks Rooney suggests that the government's approach reflects short-term thinking that may carry long-term economic costs. In her view, biodiversity isn't just an environmental concern — it holds untapped economic value. From undiscovered medicines to climate resilience and tourism, Rooney believes Ontario risks sacrificing opportunities the province may never fully understand. She emphasizes that the natural world has long been a source of scientific and medical breakthroughs, and that much of its potential remains unexplored. With species disappearing rapidly, she warns that Ontario could be losing future treatments or technologies — even something as significant as a cancer cure — without ever realizing it. 'I'm a mother, and it makes me really sad to think about how impoverished the world will be for my children because we failed to protect species, not just for them to enjoy, but for their survival,' Rooney said. The tools and knowledge to protect them exist, she adds. What's missing, in her view, is the political will to act. 'Not because we didn't know what to do — but because we chose not to.'
CBC
3 days ago
- Science
- CBC
Winnipeg student wins $120K scholarship to pursue tech dreams at U of Waterloo
Winnipeg grad wins $120K scholarship 13 hours ago Duration 1:56 Social Sharing A Winnipeg high school student with a passion for technology has won a $120,000 scholarship to study at Ontario's University of Waterloo in the fall. Cherry Wang, a Grade 12 student at Miles Macdonell Collegiate, was one of 100 students selected from more than 350,000 applicants across Canada to receive a Schulich Leader Scholarship this year. "I feel really excited, really happy about it because it is something that's going to help me and my family out tremendously," Wang said. "It's an incredible award. Without it, I probably wouldn't be at Waterloo in the fall this year." Wang moved with her family from China to Winnipeg when she was in Grade 4. At the time, she spoke no English. Now she's mastered multiple coding languages and hopes to pursue a master's degree at the Massachusetts Institute of Technology (MIT) and work at Google one day. "At first, coding was pretty difficult. I didn't know what to do, but slowly I got the hang of it and I found it really cool that you can write just a couple lines of code and something incredible happens," Wang said. Computer science teacher Sam Adamson said Wang is an ambitious and capable student who has become a role model for other students interested in STEM (Science, Technology, Engineering, and Mathematics). "I met Cherry when she was in Grade 9. She reached out to me because she needed help with her Chromebook [laptop]. Since then she's just grown into the tech leader of the school," Adamson said. She said Wang is very involved in computer science extracurriculars and helps lead the school hackathons twice a year. Wang is also involved in the robotics club. "She's just such a fantastic student, a fantastic leader in the school," Adamson said. "I'm expecting to see her flourish in whatever it is that she's finding an interest in." Wang said she's interested in pursuing multiple paths within the tech space, from electronics startups to app development. Right now she's working on an artificial intelligence-powered productivity app to help people streamline scheduling. "I have many paths and many things that I have planned out. But currently, I want to go further in tech and gain more experiences," Wang said.
