All posts by Roy Hales

Indigenous Nations, Politics

Continued Miscarriage of Government at Site C

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The proposed $12 billion Site C Dam has been controversial since it was originally proposed, more than 50 years ago. This project appears to violate Treaty 8, which granted use of the land that will be submerged to local First Nations. The B.C. Utilities Commission turned the project down twice, because B.C. Hydro could not prove there was a need for the power. Many believe that is why Premier Christy Clark’s Government has not allowed the commission to review the project during her tenure. The Canadian Government is now deeply involved in this project, which means local landowners, First Nations and environmentalists are attempting to defend the Peace River Valley against the very people who were elected to look after their interests. There are new evidences of the continued miscarriage of government at Site C.

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Politics

Trudeau Has Not Deceived Us

By Roy L Hales

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Though some are shocked by revelations that the Prime Minister has made the Energy East and Trans Mountain pipeline projects a priority, this is not inconsistent with the views he has expressed in the past.  Trudeau has not deceived us.

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Environment

BC Says It Cannot Support Kinder Morgan Pipeline

By Roy L Hales

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The province of British Columbia was not able to respond in time to be part of Monday’s broadcast, “Bitumen Sinks & Is Almost Impossible to Clean Up.” However a Ministry of Environment spokesperson emailed and BC says it cannot support Kinder Morgan Pipeline at this time.

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Environment

Bitumen Sinks & Is Almost Impossible to Clean Up

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By Roy L Hales

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Prior to his election as Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau promised that the National Energy Board hearings on the proposed Kinder Morgan’s proposed Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion would not go forward. We need a new review process, which both focuses on science and seeks social license in the areas where projects like this are being suggested. That changed after his election. The hearings resumed and, sometime before May 20, the National Energy Board is expected to recommend the Trans Mountain project be approved. If the Prime Minister agrees, there will be a seven-fold increase of diluted bitument coming through the most populated area of British Columbia. In anticipation of the proposed pipeline, the province of British Columbia is drawing up legislation for “world-leading provincial spills regime.” This is the backdrop for the ECOreport’s Monday, April 11, program on CKTZ:   Bitumen sinks and is almost impossible to clean up.

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Environment, Finances

BC Mayors Call For Strong Provincial Climate Action

By Roy L Hales

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British Columbia assumed a climate leadership position when it adopted a carbon tax in 2008, but there has been little climate since 2012 and now the province’s carbon emissions are rising. They  are expected to reach 72 megatonnes (Mt) by 2020. To get back on track for the province’s 2050 target, a group of forward looking BC Mayors call for strong provincial climate action.

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