The federal government may have to get more involved in oil and gas development in the wake of a Supreme Court ruling giving title to aboriginals in B.C. That’s the result of a new study done by the Fraser Institute. The court’s unanimous landmark ruling last month brought an end to a thirty year long […]
Comment: Make Prince Rupert the terminus
The recent Supreme Court of Canada ruling should give pause to Enbridge to consider that Port of Prince Rupert as a viable alternative of its plan to build two pipelines from Bruderheim, northeast of Edmonton, to Kitimat, B.C. Certainly the ruling strengthens the hand of the many small native bands that fish the tributaries of […]
Editorial: Harper government made wrong choice on Northern Gateway
It was an expected but devastating decision. The Harper government approved the Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline — against the wishes of the majority of Canadians. But here’s the thing: there’s still time to stop the pipeline. Enbridge has stated its commitment to renew conversations with First Nations and other communities in the pathway of the pipeline. It […]
Deja vu for Keystone XL
Second time is the charm? TransCanada Corp., the company behind the Keystone XL pipeline, has to satisfy a regulatory hurdle that was already jumped four years ago. The state of South Dakota gave its stamp of approval in 2010 and while the permit is still valid, TransCanada needs to certify the conditions placed on the […]
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 […]
Landmark ruling could impact pipeline projects and more
It was unanimous. The Supreme Court of Canada ruled 8-0 recognizing the right of the Tsilhqot’in to a specific tract of land in the B.C. Interior. The director of the Indigenous Legal Studies Program at the University of British Columbia law school says it’s too early to definitively say what the impact will be. Gordon […]
Alberta Government studies Supreme Court on First Nations land rights
It’s a decision that could impact resource projects around the country. The Supreme Court justices ruled overwhelmingly in favour of giving the Tsilhqot’in First Nation in title to land in the interior of British Columbia. A lawyer, Larry Innes, who represents the Athabasca Chipewyan, a band downstream from the Fort McMurray region had this to […]
Editorial: Former Greenpeace co-founder in favour of pipeline
Why am I supportive of the federal government’s recent decision to allow the Northern Gateway Pipeline project to move ahead, subject to tough conditions? As a lifelong environmentalist, I’m often asked myself that question. My answer begins with a single fact: there are a billion cars in the world that need oil products everyday. […]