Category Archives: Technology

Energy, Politics

Feds, BC are shifting LNG risks to public purse, report claims

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ottawa and the British Columbia government are shifting financial risks of LNG companies onto the public purse while weakening commitment to the “polluter pays” principle, a new report suggests.

The federal and provincial governments are on track to provide almost $4 billion in support for fuel expansion of LNG exports on the West Coast, despite forecasts that global demand for the fossil fuel will peak well before most projects come online. 

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Communications, Politics, Waste

Area C Director’s Report: payphone access & QCove sewer grant allocation


From the desk of Regional Director Robyn Mawhinney

Hello,
Here we are arriving in September rich with cricket music and garden bounty, and excellent community events just finished (Quadrapalooza!) and right around the corner (Youth Harvest Happenings Fall Fair!).

At the August SRD Board meeting there were several Area C related topics discussed. This report shares decisions made regarding Village Bay payphone access and a grant funding allocation to Quathiaski Cove sewer.

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Energy

BC’s Cedar LNG subsidy courts financial liability

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

The BC government’s $200-million subsidy to electrify the Cedar LNG project is drawing sharp criticism as a fossil fuel handout and an unwise investment that also opens up potential legal risks after a new International Court of Justice ruling.

Premier David Eby and Energy Minister Adrian Dix said the public funding will go to the electrification of the Cedar LNG terminal, a floating liquefied natural gas facility co-owned by the Haisla Nation and Pembina Pipeline Corporation near Kitimat that is expected to come online in 2028. 

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Transportation

Ottawa stalls while cruise ships dump toxic wastewater along West Coast

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Cruise vessels are leaving billions of litres of wastewater in their wake despite longtime promises of action by the federal government.

Most water pollution discharged by ships showcasing the beauty of the coast is pumped out by scrubbers — an exhaust-cleaning system that uses seawater to “wash” sulphur dioxide, toxic metals and carcinogens from ship fumes, only to flush them into the ocean. 

The devices are widely used by the cruise industry and act as a loophole for shipping companies to continue burning cheaper, dirty, heavy fuel oils while still complying with the International Maritime Organization’s (IMO) 2020 sulfur emissions standards, said Anna Barford, oceans campaigner for Stand.earth Canada.

The federal government, which promised to examine the issue of scrubbers in marine conservation areas in early 2023, held a general two-month public consultation on the exhaust systems early this year. The Transport Canada public input process didn’t include details about what, if any, scrubber restrictions are being considered, nor any timelines for action. 

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Communications

Is BC Doing Enough to Protect Workers from AI?

By Isaac Phan Nay, The Tyee, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Ten months after being urged to change the labour code to address artificial intelligence, the B.C. government is still considering its response.

In February 2024 the province asked a three-person panel to review the B.C. Labour Relations Code and propose needed changes.

Their report included recommended changes that would give unions more power to require consultation with employers over the introduction of AI tools.

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