All posts by Guest Post

Communications

In cities across Canada, hundreds gather to oppose unchecked AI data centre proliferation

By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A national protest movement against AI data centres is emerging in Canada, as residents in a dozen cities push back against the speed and scale of projects they say could strain supplies of water and power and the quality of life in their communities.

In Vancouver, demonstrators marched from the Vancouver Art Gallery to City Hall against two proposed TELUS-linked AI data centres, part of a BC cluster that could consume 150 megawatts of BC Hydro power by 2032. The protesters “feel it’s been imposed on them and that they had no say and that their interests are not being taken to heart,” said Guerric Haché, a 36-year-old organizer with NO AI Vancouver.

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Energy, Environment

Camera footage of Canada’s first LNG terminal raises questions about invisible pollution

By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

New camera footage from Canada’s first LNG export terminal is raising concerns about invisible pollution and whether current monitoring adequately detects what reaches nearby communities.

To the naked eye, the sky looks mostly clear above LNG Canada’s Kitimat facility on the northern coast of BC. But footage taken with a specialized infrared camera and presented at a media briefing Wednesday showed dark plumes around flares, stacks and processing equipment.

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Housing, Politics

Empty condos may get second life as affordable housing in BC

By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Empty condos and a housing crisis coexist in Metro Vancouver, and the federal and provincial governments believe they have a fix.

Under a new 10-year agreement, the Carney government says it will spend more than $5 billion across the province for housing, transit and related infrastructure through the Build Communities Strong Fund. Part of the deal is a plan to turn more than 2,200 of BC’s vacant condo units into affordable housing. In its June 18 announcement, the Prime Minister’s Office called it “one of the fastest and most efficient ways to increase housing supply.” 

But the plan is igniting debate about whether governments can turn expensive private-market condos into affordable homes or if public money will simply help developers and lenders clear units they couldn’t otherwise sell. 

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Energy, Indigenous Nations

Canada’s first 700-bar commercial heavy-duty hydrogen fuelling station opens in South Delta, BC

By Radha Agarwal, Delta Optimist, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

HTEC officially opened Canada’s first commercial heavy-duty hydrogen refuelling station at the Chevron Commercial Cardlock on Tsawwassen First Nation (TFN) land in Delta Thursday morning (June 18).

“This station is an important step in bringing hydrogen into heavy-duty transportation. It gives fleets the confidence to operate fuel cell trucks in day-to-day logistics,” said Colin Armstrong, President and CEO, HTEC.

The CEO noted that the commercial freight industry remains one of Canada’s most challenging sectors to decarbonize.

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Health

Campbell River expands overdose response services with $1.14M investment from feds

By Nora O’Malley, Ha-Shilth-Sa, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Campbell River, B.C. – More overdose response services are coming to Campbell River and the surrounding area.

For 2026–27, Health Canada approved roughly $1.14 million in funding for a new Mobile Outreach Program, which partners the City of Campbell River (the City) and Lookout Housing and Health Society. 

“The City remains deeply concerned about the tragic loss of life due to toxic drugs. These losses profoundly affect families, friends and colleagues across the community. This is why, when we noted the call for proposals for the Emergency Treatment Fund from Health Canada in the fall of 2025, we decided to submit an application under very tight timelines,” said Jeff Ford, the City’s director of community safety.

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