What does it take to stop the Northern Gateway oil pipelines? For Prime Minister Stephen Harper, the answer seemed to be nothing. Scholars alleged a report on the pipeline was replete with errors. Scientists anticipated smog belching up over Asia and across the planet. Just one day before Ottawa endorsed the pipeline, a study revealed […]
Northern gateway pipeline approval approved in Alberta’s heartland
While environmental groups and First Nations criticized the Harper government for approving the Northern gateway pipeline, the provinces industrial heartland has a different take. Not surprisingly it wants the pipeline to satisfy the 209 conditions and get the go ahead to start building. The Executive Director of Alberta’s Industrial Heartland Association (AIHA), Neil Shelly, told […]
Northern Gateway approval good for Canada and the world
Prime Minister Stephen Harper and federal Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford have given their conditional approval to Enbridge Pipelines to construct the Northern Gateway Pipeline. Assuming that Enbridge can meet the 209 very stringent conditions, why wouldn’t they? Given recent events in the Middle East and the United State’s continued delays on granting a permit […]
Don’t trade in bad faith
An open letter to First Nations leaders who oppose the Northern Gateway Pipeline: Let’s get one thing straight: I am a status Aboriginal, I support the Northern Gateway Pipeline, and I am certain that opposition to this project can only harm our people and culture. You may call me what you wish – a red […]
It’s time to think about renewables
As the smoke clears from the Enbridge Northern Gateway decision, one thing is clear — this pipeline will never be built. Given opposition from the British Columbia government, a litany of First Nation lawsuits, a possible referendum and inevitable protests, Northern Gateway’s demise is already being written despite the federal green light. Beyond Gateway, the […]
Pipeline exporting crude isn’t good for Canada, job creation
A recent opinion piece from a handful of construction unions — Northern Gateway pipeline needed to enrich us all — was long on rhetoric about the Northern Gateway pipeline and short on facts. According to the Alberta Federation of Labour, only 228 permanent jobs will be created from a pipeline opposed by 130 First Nations, […]
Still optimistic about Northern Gateway
Enbridge’s Janet Holder isn’t giving up on the Northern Gateway pipeline. In fact she says she is confident construction could begin as soon as next year. Before that happens, Holder says there is still plenty of work to be done. “We’ve been at this for 12 years, in the regulatory process for four,” Holder said. […]
Comment: MP Speaks out in favour of pipelines
Re: Protestors disapprove pipeline decision (The News, June 20) While pipeline protesters are ideologically opposed to resource development, I think most people will agree that the only rational way for governments to deal with major development projects is to base those decisions on facts and expert scientific advice. That is why, four years ago, the […]
Comment: The Supreme Court rules on First Nations rights and Canadians duty
A Supreme Court decision in June has better defined what is meant, and owed to First Nations bands, by the term “aboriginal title” in this country. A long-sought victory for a collection of bands in central British Columbia has obvious implications for development on Crown land in areas not covered by treaty, most obviously the […]
A change of approach in getting First Nations support
Enbridge has had its challenges garnering support from First Nations affected by the proposed Northern Gateway pipeline, so other companies are learning from it. Pacific Future Energy Corp. has designs to build what it calls the world’s greenest refinery on British Columbia’s coast. The company’s Executive Chairman, Samer Salameh says “our pre-feasibility study has begun, […]