All posts by Guest Post

Energy

Supporting Canadian oil and gas Producers

Editor’s note: The opinions you are about to read are those of the author, the people she interviewed and not necessarily endorsed by Cortes Currents.

By Serena Lapointe, Whitecourt Press, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On November 22, during the Regular Meeting of Whitecourt Town Council, Councillor Paul Chauvet proposed submitting a resolution to the Federation of Canadian Municipalities (FCM) on Canadian oil and gas imports. Councillor Paul Chauvet suggested crafting a resolution urging FCM to advocate the Federal Government to implement a policy that requires all imported oil and gas utilized in the country to meet the same laws that Canadian producers must follow, including environmental and human rights standards. Councillor Chauvet said that countries that import gas and oil that could not meet those standards should be subject to additional tariffs. During the meeting, Council voted to look into the issue further.

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Forests

Regional District of Central Kootenay moves to protect old-growth forests

By Timothy Schafer, The Nelson Daily, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The remains of old growth forests in the region are protected, for now. 

With the province announcing its intention recently to work in partnership with First Nations to defer harvest of ancient, rare and priority large stands of old growth — within 2.6 million hectares of B.C.’s most at-risk old-growth forests — the central Kootenay desire to save its old-growth forests could be realized.

In August the Regional District of Central Kootenay passed a resolution requesting the remaining old-growth forests and significant old trees in the central Kootenay region be preserved.

Continue reading Regional District of Central Kootenay moves to protect old-growth forests →
Energy

Trans Mountain wants to sidestep fire safety bylaws at Burnaby terminal

By John Woodside,  National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Burnaby is fighting back against Trans Mountain’s request to be excused from certain fire safety plans.

In early December, the Crown corporation that is building a pipeline from Edmonton to a Burnaby terminal filed a request to the Canada Energy Regulator asking for a “constitutional declaration” that would allow it to build without having secured proper fire safety permits from the city. Since then, the city has mounted a defence and last week filed sworn affidavits accusing Trans Mountain of dodging critically important fire safety requirements.

Continue reading Trans Mountain wants to sidestep fire safety bylaws at Burnaby terminal →
Environment

Ottawa’s new research unit out to adjust attitudes on climate choices

By John Woodside,  National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ottawa wants to know what it would take to convince Canadians to switch to electric vehicles and take other climate-friendly action. To find out, the government has designed a Behavioural Science and Climate Change Program to uncover the best ways to motivate people to change.

Continue reading Ottawa’s new research unit out to adjust attitudes on climate choices →
Forests

Cortes Island Forestry Partnership trains locals in tree falling, first aid, and fire suppression

By Kate Maddigan, CKTZ News, through an LJI grant from Canada-info.ca

This past fall, the Cortes Forestry General Partnership offered several free training opportunities to local forestry workers and other residents of Cortes.

The training included Tree Falling Certification, Occupational First Aid Level 3 and Fire Suppression and Safety. By the end of the training period, nine Cortes residents had completed the training.

Continue reading Cortes Island Forestry Partnership trains locals in tree falling, first aid, and fire suppression →