All posts by Guest Post

Rivers & Oceans

Lack of rainfall cause for up to three weeks of delay for salmon spawning this season

By Alexandra Mehl, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Port Alberni, BC – In early October Vancouver Island reached a drought Level 4 which impacted wildlife across the coast. After a mass salmon die off in Bella Bella, concern grew regarding drought and a delayed salmon spawning season.

Currently east Vancouver Island is at a drought level of 3, which means adverse impacts are possible, while west Vancouver Island is at a drought level of 2 with less likely impacts.

Dave Rolson, Tseshaht First Nation’s fisheries manager, said, “Timing is everything, really, when it comes to fish and when it comes to environmental conditions.” 

Continue reading Lack of rainfall cause for up to three weeks of delay for salmon spawning this season →
Cost of Climate Change

Canada lays out new regulations for methane emissions from oil and gas

By Cloe Logan, National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault proposed regulations Tuesday that would help Canada cut back on emissions of methane in the oil and gas industry, a powerful greenhouse gas.

He made the announcement alongside John Kerry, the United States’ special presidential envoy for climate, at this year’s United Nations climate conference in Sharm el-Sheikh, Egypt. The pair said Canada and the U.S. will work together to curb emissions of methane — which is 86 times more powerful than carbon for the first 20 years it exists in the atmosphere — in both countries.

Continue reading Canada lays out new regulations for methane emissions from oil and gas →
Waste

Port Moody to tweak fees, requirements for ‘deconstruction’ waste to coax builders to recycle

By Patrick Penner, Tri-Cities Dispatch, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A recently-passed bylaw was meant to encourage just that, but so far it’s been a “struggle” to get many developers to participate, said Robyn MacLeod, manager of building, bylaw and licensing. 

Continue reading Port Moody to tweak fees, requirements for ‘deconstruction’ waste to coax builders to recycle →
Education, Military

Canada’s military widens doors to attract permanent residents

By Fabian Dawson, New Canadian Media, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Remembrance Day in the Mbaho household will be extra special this year as the Surrey family salutes the past while heralding a new era for the Canadian Armed Forces.

“We are very honoured and excited,” said Capt. William Mbaho, whose 12-year-old daughter Isabelle, an air cadet, has been selected to lay a wreath to honour Canada’s fallen at the cenotaph in Fort Langley Nov. 11.

“Growing up in Uganda we were never far away from the military and after coming to Canada in 1992 my mind has never been far away from the military. To see Canada now planning to open its doors wider to new immigrants is very rewarding and we get to celebrate it in a very special way this Remembrance Day.”

Continue reading Canada’s military widens doors to attract permanent residents →
Animals, Rivers & Oceans

Dead humpback whale found near Masset marks third in less than a month

By Kaitlyn Bailey, Prince Rupert Northern View, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A dead humpback whale was spotted in Masset Inlet on Nov. 5, marking the third found in B.C.’s coastal waters in less than a month.

Continue reading Dead humpback whale found near Masset marks third in less than a month →