Matt Simmons – The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
The British Columbia government gave a green light to an 800-kilometre natural gas pipeline on Thursday, paving the way for construction to start this summer — and setting the stage for what one First Nations leader warns could be a “long, hot summer” of conflict.
Continue reading ‘A long, hot summer’: B.C.’s approval of PRGT pipeline sets stage for conflict, First Nations leader says
Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
The B.C. election race officially got underway this week with affordability, housing costs and healthcare already entrenched as top concerns for voters.
Yet the climate crisis still ranks high as an election issue, right after health and pocketbook concerns — ahead of other problems like crime and the toxic drug crisis — and may be the deciding factor for undecided voters at the ballot box.
Continue reading BC election 2024: where do parties stand on climate?Editor’s note: According to Natural Resources Canada, “There are eight liquefied natural gas (LNG) export projects in various stages of development across Canada.” At one point there were 20 proposals in BC alone. One of them was on the old mill site in Campbell River. The most recent post Cortes Currents could find on the web was a Jan 21, 2019 article in the Campbell River Mirror which states a Calgary-based company, Rockyview Resources Inc, purchased the property in May 2016. “Rockyview is an oil and gas exploration firm that aims to build a liquefied natural gas (LNG) export facility at the site, a project dubbed Discovery LNG.” The company’s website is no longer operational and Rockyview Resources Inc was ‘struck off the registry’ of Alberta Corporations on Nov 2, 2017. Discovery LNG is not on Canada’s list of LNG ‘Projects proposed and under construction,’ but it is listed as one of Campbell River’s top 10 municipal taxpayers for 2022 (albeit under a different owner).
By Matteo Cimellaro, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Calls from climate advocates to follow the lead of the United States and pause Canadian liquified natural gas projects face a serious challenge: a promise of economic reconciliation tied to capital and liquified natural gas (LNG) development.
Biden’s move to pause LNG approvals until after the November elections was celebrated by the climate movement in the U.S. and at home. But coastal First Nations leading LNG projects say the facilities will boost their communities’ prosperity. With industry partners, Haisla Nation is developing Cedar LNG and Ksi Lisims is proposed by the Nisga’a.
Continue reading Eyes turn to B.C. as U.S. pauses approval of LNG projects
Editor’s note: another sign that communities are beginning to take climate change more seriously.
By Seth Forward, Prince Rupert Northern View, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
More than 11,000 kilometres away from Northwest B.C., the West Green Shipping Corridor agreement was signed on Dec. 6 by the First Nations Climate Initiative (FNCI), a group comprising Lax Kw’alaams, Metlakatla, Nisga’a and Haisla.
The North Coast group attended the COP 28 (Conference of the Parties) conference in Dubai, United Arab Emirates (UAE).
Other signatories to the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) included Canada and the Port of Prince Rupert, along with ports in the UAE, South Korea and Japan. The FNCI says it would like to see the Port of Prince Rupert become a pioneer in decarbonizing its operations.
Continue reading First Nations Climate Initiative signs green shipping corridor agreement
Editor’s not: The story of one man’s experience navigating the new world of more culturally sensitive journalism.
By Matt Simmons, The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter
The Nisg̱a’a word for respect is kwhlixhoosa’anskw.
Driving up to Nisg̱a’a territory to bear witness to a ceremony and take part in a feast, I knew there was going to be a lot of media at the events and I was concerned I might see some extractive or disrespectful behaviour. As a non-Indigenous journalist who lives near Nisg̱a’a lands, I am committed to decolonizing my journalism and know how easy it is to make a mistake.
I was worried there would be a lack of kwhlixhoosa’anskw.
Continue reading A mistake is a gift: decolonizing journalism includes missteps and teachings
