Category Archives: Environment

Friends of Cortes Island: Re the proposed Cortes Island Quarry Expansion

To: Ministry of Mining and Critical Infrastructure

Re: Cortes Island Quarry, Mine File 1610613

Friends of Cortes Island wishes to formally object to the proposed expansion of Cortes Island Quarry by the applicant 2385425 Alberta Ltd (operating locally under the business name of Island United).

We are deeply concerned that the proposal will cause significant harm to nearby sensitive ecosystems, namely riparian and wetland habitat and fish-bearing creeks. It will also result in the direct loss of a sizeable area of associated forest habitat.

In addition, we are very concerned that the application has been submitted without a comprehensive environmental impact assessment or any meaningful mitigation measures. As such, we respectfully ask the Ministry to reject the proposal in its current form. Please see our comments and recommendations below.

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Tseshaht prohibits all fires on reserve and Broken Group Islands

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

Port Alberni, B.C. – BC Wildfire Service may have flip-flopped on a May 7 campfire ban in the Coastal Fire Centre, but Tseshaht First Nation in Port Alberni is holding the proverbial burn line.

The nation is prohibiting all fires on reserve lands and the Broken Group Islands until further notice. Their decision is supported by Hupačasath First Nation and the City of Port Alberni, who are also maintaining a complete fire ban.

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Cortes Island 2026 Beach Clean-up

The 2026 Cortes Island Beach Clean-up is underway. Helen Hall, Executive Director of the Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI), explained:

“The campaign will start on May 1st and run until the end of the month. We’re working in partnership with Comox Strathcona Waste Management and Klahoose Aquaculture. We will be placing large ‘super sacks’ at seven different locations around the island:

  • Hanks Beach Regional Park
  • The Recycling Centre
  • Hollyhock Beach
  • Mansons Landing Government Dock
  • Hayes Road Beach Access
  • Red Granite Beach
  • Plunger Pass Beach Access (Seavista Road)
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The Big Oil Playbook: recent Environmental Defence publication

That charitable organisation Environmental Defence has recently published a 23 page report called Big Oil Playbook : Fossil Fuel Industry Exposed. The report is playfully illustrated, but quite serious in concept; its purpose is clearly laid out on the first page:

The goal of this report is to paint a clear picture of how oil and gas companies operate, how they generate support for the industry and leverage it against effective climate solutions. Some of their tactics, like greenwashing and lobbying, have been well-publicized. Yet others have been largely hidden from the public, like funding astroturf groups, supporting anti-renewable energy campaigns, and infiltrating educational institutions.

The report documents ten established tactics used by the fossil industry in its battle against climate activism and decarbonisation policy.  Currents interviewed one of its lead authors, Emilia Belliveau from Environmental Defence Canada, about this project.  The broadcast version of this story is in two episodes. In the first part, Emilia explains the ten standard tactics. In the second part we dig a bit deeper into the details: how these tactics work, and their effects on communities and political life.

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Liberal Environmental Policies for Dummies

The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Justin Trudeau’s environmental policy is often either purchasing the Trans Mountain Pipeline (TMX) or expanding Canada’s LNG sector. Yet Jennifer Lash, a former senior advisor with Environment and Climate Change Canada, speaks of his accomplishments in the fight against climate change. In this morning’s interview, she explains the rationale behind Liberal environmental policies. As it is actually quite simple once you get the underlying theme, Cortes Currents is calling it ‘Liberal Environmental Policies for Dummies.’

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