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
By Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Canada’s new energy and natural resources minister championed the energy sector Friday, calling on governments and industry to work together to build the Pathways Alliance’s proposed carbon capture project.
Continue reading Minister says Canada needs ‘infrastructure that gets our energy to tidewater’ at Calgary meetingBy Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
For decades, a natural gas pipeline has cut through the territories of dozens of First Nations in BC — moving billions of dollars’ worth of gas with zero ownership and little return to the communities.
Now, 36 First Nations have bought in.
“For decades, the nations have watched resources leave their communities with very minimal benefit,” said Justin Napoleon, from Saulteau First Nation and director of Stonlasec8, a newly formed, Indigenous-owned, limited partnership made up of 36 First Nations in BC, including Treaty 8 members.
In a landmark deal announced today, Stonlasec8 revealed its plan to invest approximately $715 million to acquire a 12.5 per cent ownership in Enbridge Inc.’s Westcoast natural gas pipeline system that stretches from BC’s remote northeast to the US-Canada border.
Continue reading A ‘foot in the door’: BC First Nations buy into Enbridge pipeline
Originally Published February 2, 2020
The grounding of “March Wind” in January 2020 prompted Roy Hales to write a story about boats adrift. I’d like to dig (or dive?) a little deeper under that story and consider some of the factors that have led to the increasing number of derelict and dilapidated boats on the BC Coast.
Continue reading Vessels of Concern: Signs of the TimesBy Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter
Prime Minister Mark Carney worried environmentalists after he opened the door to changing federal impact assessment legislation and the oil and gas emissions cap in a recent interview.
“We will change things at the federal level that need to be changed in order for projects to move forward,” Carney told CTV News in an interview on Tuesday.
He was asked if this included Bill C-69 — the federal Impact Assessment Act — and a yet-to-be-finalized cap on oil and gas sector emissions.
“Absolutely, it could include both,” Carney responded.
Continue reading Carney open to changing major environment policies so projects can ‘move forward’
