Category Archives: Technology

Energy

“Grand bargain” would result in more oilsands emissions, not less

By Janetta McKenzie and Ian Sanderson, News release from the Pembina Institute

CALGARY — There is no feasible scenario where a new oil pipeline from Alberta to the west coast could be filled with “decarbonized barrels” of oilsands bitumen, a new report from the Pembina Institute finds. 

This is the case even if a theoretical pipeline were twinned with the Pathways Alliance carbon capture and storage project, via the “Pathways Plus” concept the federal government has signalled it is considering for the next tranche of major projects, to be announced next month. 

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Energy, Environment

Four Local Leaders React to Canada’s MOU with Alberta

(Part 1 of 2)

Canada’s MOU with Alberta, a proposed new pipeline in British Columbia, and the possible lifting of the tanker ban have been hot news items over the past few days. Steven Guilbeault resigned from cabinet over his opposition to the way Prime Minister Mark Carney is handling these issues. In the first episode of a two part series about the MOU, Cortes Currents asked four local leaders for their take on these events. 

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Energy, Indigenous Nations, Politics

Federal minister gets cool coastal welcome in BC after pipeline pact

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 

British Columbia Premier David Eby kept his cards close about Friday’s meeting with federal Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson — a day after Ottawa struck a pipeline deal with Alberta.

It’s Eby’s first federal face-to-face meeting after being shut out of talks between Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith around a possible pipeline crossing BC to the north coast — which would also involve carve-outs to the legislated oil tanker ban in provincial waters. 

Days before the Alberta-Ottawa memorandum of understanding (MOU) was revealed, Eby told Carney it was “unacceptable” the deal was brokered without input from BC. 

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Communications

Now That Most Web Traffic is Non-Human

In 2024, more than half of all web traffic came from bots — a shift most people didn’t notice until this year.

The word ‘bot’ is short for ‘robot,’  which originates from the Czech term “robota,” meaning “forced labour” or “drudgery.” It was popularized by Czech writer Karel Čapek in his play ‘Rossum’s Universal Robots,’ which premiered in 1921.

Most bots are helpful, unless they unintentionally overwhelm a small website with sudden bursts of requests. When you watch videos online (on platforms like YouTube or Netflix), recommendation bots suggest content based on your preferences. When you shop online, bots help with customer support, product suggestions, and even process your orders. These systems make experiences smoother, faster, and more personalized. Every time you interact with a website, app, or service, there’s a good chance a ‘helpful bot’ is working behind the scenes.

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Communications, Community

Launch of the new Cortes Island Map Series

The Cortes Community Mapping Project recently launched its Cortes Island Map Series in Linnaea’s Lakeview Room. This morning’s program consists of gleanings from the three speakers: Sabina Leader Mense, David Shipway and Eve Flager. 

Sabina Leader Mense: “I want to give you a little bit of background on how we got this project started. In a nutshell, the project is best described as putting community maps into community hands. That’s been our goal. I’m just one of the team members working on this project.

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