Archive for May 8, 2023

TELUS Commits $5 Million To Support Alberta Fire Relief

Posted in Commentary with tags on May 8, 2023 by itnerd

 In response to the devastating wildfires spreading throughout Alberta and its impact on children and families, TELUS, in partnership with TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund, TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods and TELUS Health are making an initial commitment of $5 million in cash donations and in-kind contributions to local charities and organizations supporting relief efforts and first responders, including the Canadian Red Cross and Salvation Army.

TELUS technicians continue to work around the clock to maintain critical infrastructure and network connectivity under the most challenging of conditions to ensure Albertans and first responders stay connected. These efforts include ensuring emergency generators are running for cell sites to provide wireless coverage throughout the province. In partnership with Ralcomm Ltd., a portable cell tower was placed outside of Drayton Valley for evacuees and first responders to stay connected. TELUS is also deploying extra network technology to evacuation centres such as Smart Hubs and power banks so everyone can stay connected to their loved ones.

Donations and in-kind support to assist with wildfire relief efforts in Alberta include:

  • TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, TELUS Edmonton and Northern Alberta Community Board, TELUS Calgary and Southern Alberta Community Board, TELUS Indigenous Communities Fund, TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods, and TELUS Health are committing $500,000 to help evacuees and Albertans in need through local relief efforts, mental health support, emergency care and providing food and supplies to affected areas.
  • TELUS Health has initiated a free community crisis hotline available 24/7 to all Canadians at 1-844-751-2133 and is providing support through the Employee Assistance Program (EAP) help line for eligible employees of their clients.
  • Notifying impacted TELUS and Koodo residential and business customers via SMS that we are waiving all domestic voice, text and data overage fees, helping them stay connected to loved ones.
  • TELUS Health and TELUS Agriculture & Consumer Goods are providing complimentary mental health support for farmers and in-kind emergency veterinary care for cattle.
  • TELUS Friendly Future Foundation has activated a text-to-donate fundraising campaign whereby TELUS customers can text DONATE to 41010 to give $20 to TELUS Friendly Future Foundation to support registered charities providing wildfire relief across the province.
    TELUS team members are contributing to TELUS Friendly Future Foundation which TELUS is triple matching in support of Alberta fire relief efforts.
  • TELUS Community Ambassadors delivered disaster kits with essential items like bandages, USB car chargers and flashlights to support evacuees from Brazeau County and Drayton Valley.

In addition, TELUS is engaged with evacuated Indigenous communities to understand their needs and supply necessities such as water, diapers and non-perishable food items.

To support Albertans who may not be able to travel to see their doctor, TELUS Health MyCare is free to download and offers a robust suite of services, including those covered by provincial health insurance, such as access to licensed medical professionals in numerous languages, specialist referrals, mental health counsellors and registered dietitians. TELUS Health patients who were evacuated and usually receive their prescriptions by home delivery can contact: 1-877-796-7979 to re-route their prescription, if needed immediately, to another location or accessible pharmacy.

Customers in Alberta and B.C. can redeem their TELUS Rewards points for a $20 donation to TELUS Friendly Future Foundation in support of wildfire relief efforts. To learn more about TELUS Friendly Future Foundation, visit friendlyfuture.com.

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Uber launches Uber Rent in Canada

Posted in Commentary with tags on May 8, 2023 by itnerd

Just in time for warm weather and sunny days, Uber is introducing Uber Rent this week across Canada. This new product allows Canadians to rent a car from companies like Avis, Hertz or Budget with a tap of a button directly in the Uber app. 

This is a seamless way to rent a car when you need a vehicle to head out of town, run an errand, or take a weekend getaway. Booking is fast and easy using your Uber account and payment methods. 

More transportation options like this in the Uber app provide more options to help Canadians get anywhere and provide an alternative to personal car ownership, helping reduce overall congestion and greenhouse gas emissions. 

Here’s how it works: 

  • Open your Uber app and tap the “Rental Cars” icon.
  • Enter the address that your rental car pickup/dropoff will be near and the times and dates that your reservation will start and end. 
  • Browse vehicles and compare prices. You can pay in advance to save money or pay at the rental location.
  • Go to the rental location with your driver’s license and credit card at the time referenced in your reservation in the Uber app.
  • When your reservation is over, return your vehicle to the selected location.

 

When you rent with Uber, to make it easy for people to pick up their car rental, Uber is offering $10 off your ride to pick up your vehicle at the rental location.

The Fine Print: This offer is only available to users who have booked their rental on Uber Rent and request a ride to a rental location in Canada for the date and time noted in the rental confirmation email. Maximum of 1 ride per offer. Promotion is valid up to 5 times per user. Discount does not apply to surcharges, tolls, or tips and cannot be combined with other offers or discounts. Offer is non-transferable. Offer and terms are subject to change.

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Twitter Let Graphic Images From A Mass Shooting Spread Online… WTF?

Posted in Commentary with tags on May 8, 2023 by itnerd

Twitter’s latest crisis is one that I suspect that Elon’s going to have to answer for sooner rather than later. The crisis in question stems from a mass shooting in Texas over the weekend that resulted in nine deaths, including the gunman. According to Reuters, a graphic 10-second video from the scene was floating around the social media site:

A graphic 10-second video was circulating on Twitter on Saturday, showing several dead bodies slumped against a planter and white wall bearing the sign of retailer H&M. 

At least one of the victims, lifeless and bloody, appears to be a young child. Reuters was able to verify the video was taken at the mall where the shooting took place.

In past shootings, social media sites have worked to take down links to such graphic images. An emailed request for comment to Twitter, which no longer has a communications team, returned an automated reply with a poop emoji.

This is really unacceptable by any standard. And it illustrates the fact that Elon Musk has changed Twitter to such a degree under is faux “free speech” mantra that he’s made this sort of thing acceptable. Elon needs to answer for this and I hope that he gets hauled in front of Congress to explain himself. Or, what would be better is that what advertisers are left on Twitter dump the platform to deprive him of the cash he desperately needs.

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