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LRT service won’t be fully restored until at least Tuesday

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Weekend efforts to restore full service to the city’s LRT system in time for Monday’s return to work and school failed.

On Sunday evening, officials from the city and from Rideau Transit Management held a news conference to confirm that the light rail system would not be fully operational until at least Tuesday. Some trains have been disabled since the ice storm that hit the city overnight Wednesday and Thursday damaged overhead lines.

“I appreciate these past few days have been difficult for you and restoring full Line 1 services has taken longer than expected,” said OC Transpo general manager Renee Amilcar, speaking directly to transit users. “We are doing everything we can to provide you with the best possible service under these challenging conditions.”

She said the full service would only reopen “when it is safe to do so”.

On Monday, the light rail system will continue to run in two loops — one in the west from Tunney’s Pasture to uOttawa and one in the east from Blair to St. Laurent. Those trains will run every five minutes, Amilcar said. In addition, R1 bus service will run between Blair and Rideau stations. Officials said they expect the R1 service to operate every 10 minutes, but noted that running R1 at that frequency could “put pressure on other areas of the bus system”.

The partial stoppage during an ice storm is just the latest in a long line of problems for the LRT system, which opened to fanfare in 2019. Last November, Justice William Hourigan issued a scathing final report after the Ottawa Light Rail Transit Inquiry, in which he said the public was deliberately misled about problems with the system while under construction and it was rushed into service.

LRT issues continued Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, with multiple trains stuck on the tracks between Lees station and Tremblay station. Damaged cables hung over a train west of the Tremblay station Sunday.
LRT issues continued Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, with multiple trains stuck on the tracks between Lees station and Tremblay station. Damaged cables hung over a train west of the Tremblay station Sunday. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

The latest problems started Wednesday overnight when, first, an eastbound train stopped between Lees and Hurdman stations and then a westbound train stopped in the same area a short time later. Efforts to tow disabled trains resulted in further damage to the overhead cantenary system and two more trains being stuck on the tracks in the area around Lees and Hurdman stations.

As of Sunday night, two trains had been towed off Track 1. Overnight Sunday and Monday, workers were manually clearing ice and making repairs on the wires on Track 2. The two remaining disabled trains cannot be moved until those repairs are made, said Mario Guerra, CEO and acting general manager of Rideau Transit Maintenance.

He said full services would not be restored until at least Tuesday “if we are as successful with Track 2 as we were with Track 1 (Sunday).”

Guerra said the freezing rain “probably caught us a bit by surprise — how quickly it happened”, but he said he doesn’t believe there are any issues with the system.

LRT issues continued Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, with multiple trains stuck on the tracks between Lees station and Tremblay station. Crews were working on lines in Lees station Sunday.
LRT issues continued Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, with multiple trains stuck on the tracks between Lees station and Tremblay station. Crews were working on lines in Lees station Sunday. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

Experts from the city, RTM and light rail manufacturer Alstom will meet Monday to determine whether the overhead cantenary system is safe and will then discuss what lessons have been learned. That includes whether de-icing or technology could be used in advance to prevent any future stoppages during freezing rain.

OC Transpo said the R1 bus service will not service the Cyrville station. Customers are asked to transfer at St. Laurent or Blair stations. Officials said they would monitor passenger demand and adjust where possible.

OC Transpo will have representatives at stations to direct transit riders and answer questions. Updates will be available on its website octranspo.com and information is available at 613-560-5000.

The situation has frustrated Stittsville Coun. Glen Glower, the city’s new transit commission chair, who said Saturday it would take time to regain the public’s trust in the system.

“It is frustrating. After going through what we have over the past three years with the LRT, it really seemed like we had turned a corner and that the worst was behind us,” Gower said in an interview Saturday.

Glen Gower, Stittsville councillor and the chair of the City of Ottawa’s transit commission.Gower called it a significant outage.

“It is a setback in terms of everyone’s confidence and everyone’s trust in the system. We are going to have to work harder to make sure it is reliable.”

He noted that light-rail trains operated around the world in areas that occasionally experience freezing rain.

“Freezing rain is not something that should take a system down.”

Stranded LRT trains Saturday morning. Published with permission.
Stranded LRT trains Saturday morning. Published with permission. Photo by Paul Drouin /Supplied

Amilcar, who took over as head of city transit services in 2021, said OC Transpo was bringing in external oversight to “closely monitor” RTM’s work and “provide independent advice to OC Transpo and confirm that we have a solid plan to return services to this area.”

The LRT’s poor winter performance was one of the issues addressed during the provincial public inquiry into the construction, operation and maintenance of the Confederation Line.

In his report, released Nov. 30, Hourigan said the train should have been tested in real-world winter weather conditions and not just in lab simulations, as was done for Ottawa’s system.

Trains remain stuck on the tracks between Lees and Tremblay stations on Saturday.
Trains remain stuck on the tracks between Lees and Tremblay stations on Saturday. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia

The chaos caused by last week’s ice storm caught OC Transpo off-guard.

The ice buildup wasn’t as bad on the east and west sections because trains were still operating on those portions and regularly knocked ice off the power lines, said Guerra.

That wasn’t the case along sections of the track where the trains were stopped.

To prevent a reoccurrence, “We need to improve our ability to retrieve vehicles,” Guerra said.

With files from Megan Gillis

LRT issues continued Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, with multiple trains stuck on the tracks between Lees station and Tremblay station. Crews were working above a train on the east side of Lees station Sunday.
LRT issues continued Sunday, Jan. 8, 2023, with multiple trains stuck on the tracks between Lees station and Tremblay station. Crews were working above a train on the east side of Lees station Sunday. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
A sign posted at an LRT station on Saturday advises would-be riders of the shutdown of the system in that area.
A sign posted at an LRT station on Saturday advises would-be riders of the shutdown of the system in that area. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
OC Transpo buses sit outside Hurdman Station on Saturday morning.
OC Transpo buses sit outside Hurdman Station on Saturday morning. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
People lined up at Hurdman Station to take buses instead of the LRT on Saturday morning.
People lined up at Hurdman Station to take buses instead of the LRT on Saturday morning. Photo by Ashley Fraser /Postmedia
A train arcing in the snow Friday.
A train arcing in the snow Friday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /POSTMEDIA
A worker continues repairs to the overhead cables on the LRT line between Hurdman and Lees stations on Friday.
A worker continues repairs to the overhead cables on the LRT line between Hurdman and Lees stations on Friday. Photo by ERROL MCGIHON /Postmedia
Three LRT trains sit near Lees Station on Friday.
Three LRT trains sit near Lees Station on Friday. Photo by Tony Caldwell /Postmedia
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Stop Asking Your Interviewer Cliché Questions

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Most job search advice is cookie-cutter. The advice you’re following is almost certainly the same advice other job seekers follow, making you just another candidate following the same script.

In today’s hyper-competitive job market, standing out is critical, a challenge most job seekers struggle with. Instead of relying on generic questions recommended by self-proclaimed career coaches, which often lead to a forgettable interview, ask unique, thought-provoking questions that’ll spark engaging conversations and leave a lasting impression.

English philosopher Francis Bacon once said, “A prudent question is one half of wisdom.”

The questions you ask convey the following:

  • Your level of interest in the company and the role.
  • Contributing to your employer’s success is essential.
  • You desire a cultural fit.

Here are the top four questions experts recommend candidates ask; hence, they’ve become cliché questions you should avoid asking:

  • “What are the key responsibilities of this position?”

Most likely, the job description answers this question. Therefore, asking this question indicates you didn’t read the job description. If you require clarification, ask, “How many outbound calls will I be required to make daily?” “What will be my monthly revenue target?”

  • “What does a typical day look like?”

Although it’s important to understand day-to-day expectations, this question tends to elicit vague responses and rarely leads to a deeper conversation. Don’t focus on what your day will look like; instead, focus on being clear on the results you need to deliver. Nobody I know has ever been fired for not following a “typical day.” However, I know several people who were fired for failing to meet expectations. Before accepting a job offer, ensure you’re capable of meeting the employer’s expectations.

  • “How would you describe the company culture?”

Asking this question screams, “I read somewhere to ask this question.” There are much better ways to research a company’s culture, such as speaking to current and former employees, reading online reviews and news articles. Furthermore, since your interviewer works for the company, they’re presumably comfortable with the culture. Do you expect your interviewer to give you the brutal truth? “Be careful of Craig; get on his bad side, and he’ll make your life miserable.” “Bob is close to retirement. I give him lots of slack, which the rest of the team needs to pick up.”

Truism: No matter how much due diligence you do, only when you start working for the employer will you experience and, therefore, know their culture firsthand.

  • “What opportunities are there for professional development?”

When asked this question, I immediately think the candidate cares more about gaining than contributing, a showstopper. Managing your career is your responsibility, not your employer’s.

Cliché questions don’t impress hiring managers, nor will they differentiate you from your competition. To transform your interaction with your interviewer from a Q&A session into a dynamic discussion, ask unique, insightful questions.

Here are my four go-to questions—I have many moreto accomplish this:

  • “Describe your management style. How will you manage me?”

This question gives your interviewer the opportunity to talk about themselves, which we all love doing. As well, being in sync with my boss is extremely important to me. The management style of who’ll be my boss is a determining factor in whether or not I’ll accept the job.

  • “What is the one thing I should never do that’ll piss you off and possibly damage our working relationship beyond repair?”

This question also allows me to determine whether I and my to-be boss would be in sync. Sometimes I ask, “What are your pet peeves?”

  • “When I join the team, what would be the most important contribution you’d want to see from me in the first six months?”

Setting myself up for failure is the last thing I want. As I mentioned, focus on the results you need to produce and timelines. How realistic are the expectations? It’s never about the question; it’s about what you want to know. It’s important to know whether you’ll be able to meet or even exceed your new boss’s expectations.

  • “If I wanted to sell you on an idea or suggestion, what do you need to know?”

Years ago, a candidate asked me this question. I was impressed he wasn’t looking just to put in time; he was looking for how he could be a contributing employee. Every time I ask this question, it leads to an in-depth discussion.

Other questions I’ve asked:

 

  • “What keeps you up at night?”
  • “If you were to leave this company, who would follow?”
  • “How do you handle an employee making a mistake?”
  • “If you were to give a Ted Talk, what topic would you talk about?”
  • “What are three highly valued skills at [company] that I should master to advance?”
  • “What are the informal expectations of the role?”
  • “What is one misconception people have about you [or the company]?”

 

Your questions reveal a great deal about your motivations, drive to make a meaningful impact on the business, and a chance to morph the questioning into a conversation. Cliché questions don’t lead to meaningful discussions, whereas unique, thought-provoking questions do and, in turn, make you memorable.

_____________________________________________________________________

 

Nick Kossovan, a well-seasoned veteran of the corporate landscape, offers “unsweetened” job search advice. You can send Nick your questions to artoffindingwork@gmail.com.

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Canadian Natural Resources reports $2.27-billion third-quarter profit

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CALGARY – Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. reported a third-quarter profit of $2.27 billion, down from $2.34 billion in the same quarter last year.

The company says the profit amounted to $1.06 per diluted share for the quarter that ended Sept. 30 compared with $1.06 per diluted share a year earlier.

Product sales totalled $10.40 billion, down from $11.76 billion in the same quarter last year.

Daily production for the quarter averaged 1,363,086 barrels of oil equivalent per day, down from 1,393,614 a year ago.

On an adjusted basis, Canadian Natural says it earned 97 cents per diluted share for the quarter, down from an adjusted profit of $1.30 per diluted share in the same quarter last year.

The average analyst estimate had been for a profit of 90 cents per share, according to LSEG Data & Analytics.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:CNQ)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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Cenovus Energy reports $820M Q3 profit, down from $1.86B a year ago

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CALGARY – Cenovus Energy Inc. reported its third-quarter profit fell compared with a year as its revenue edged lower.

The company says it earned $820 million or 42 cents per diluted share for the quarter ended Sept. 30, down from $1.86 billion or 97 cents per diluted share a year earlier.

Revenue for the quarter totalled $14.25 billion, down from $14.58 billion in the same quarter last year.

Total upstream production in the quarter amounted to 771,300 barrels of oil equivalent per day, down from 797,000 a year earlier.

Total downstream throughput was 642,900 barrels per day compared with 664,300 in the same quarter last year.

On an adjusted basis, Cenovus says its funds flow amounted to $1.05 per diluted share in its latest quarter, down from adjusted funds flow of $1.81 per diluted share a year earlier.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 31, 2024.

Companies in this story: (TSX:CVE)

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

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