canada
Newsletter
Credit: Zbynek Burival/Unsplash
Alberta's energy 'war room' collapses amid new federal ad rules
Alberta's Canadian Energy Centre, created to counter green energy narratives, has shut down due to impending federal regulations on oil industry advertising.
In short:
- The Canadian Energy Centre, launched in 2019, aimed to rebut criticisms of Alberta's oil industry but faced multiple public embarrassments and credibility issues.
- Funded by oil and gas companies through Alberta's carbon pricing program, the Centre was required to register as a foreign agent in the U.S.
- New federal requirements for accuracy in oil advertising led to the Centre's abrupt closure before the regulations took effect.
Key quote:
“You’d have been forgiven for wondering if the sole mission of the [the war room] was to make every other government expenditure seem like a bargain.”
— Andrew Leach, Alberta Energy economist
Why this matters:
The closure highlights the growing impact of regulatory measures on misleading advertising and underscores the challenges Alberta faces in transitioning from fossil fuels to cleaner energy sources.
Related EHN coverage:
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Gerd Altmann/Pixabay
Climate change increases health risks with extreme summer heat and wildfires
Rising temperatures and wildfires fueled by climate change are posing significant health risks across Canada, with humid conditions exacerbating the effects.
In short:
- Eastern Canada experienced a heat dome in June 2024, with temperatures feeling as high as 40°C due to humidity.
- High humidity complicates the body's ability to cool down, increasing the risk of heat-related illnesses.
- Prolonged exposure to extreme heat and wildfire smoke can worsen respiratory and cardiovascular conditions.
Key quote:
"Some people may not be in the habit of protecting themselves from heat, given that this is early in the season. It’s still really important to prepare, particularly for people that may require assistance."
— Peter Berry, Health Canada spokesperson
Why this matters:
Rising temperatures and increased frequency of heat domes, driven by climate change, heighten the health risks of extreme heat and poor air quality.
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Cornelia Schneider-Frank/Pixabay
TC Energy's secretive efforts to shape Canadian energy policies exposed
Leaked recordings reveal TC Energy's strategies to influence North American governments and foster relationships with security officials to protect its fossil fuel interests.
In short:
- TC Energy employs former Trump staffers to influence policies and manage geopolitical threats from Washington, D.C.
- Recordings detail efforts to alter Canadian legislation to benefit TC Energy's security and intelligence sharing.
- The company's strategies include leveraging geopolitical crises and relationships with national security officials.
Key quote:
“Our focus as a team is to look at what exposes us to hostile complex threats such as nation-states using asymmetric tactics, cyber-threats exploiting vulnerabilities, geopolitical uncertainties impacting global markets and supply chains, and evolving regulatory challenges.”
— Michael Evanoff, director of national security policy, geopolitical intelligence and research, TC Energy
Why this matters:
These revelations emphasize the deep ties between major fossil fuel companies and government officials, highlighting how industry influence can shape national policies on energy and security.
Keep reading...Show less
Credit: Leonid Ikan/Big Stock Photo
Neglected oil spills in Canadian little-known Canadian oilpatch go unpunished for years
Oil spills in Manitoba have gone unchecked for 16 years, with no fines or penalties issued for 6.5 million liters of leaked oil and saltwater.
In short:
- Manitoba has seen 6.5 million liters of oil and saltwater spill from pipelines since 2008, with no fines issued.
- The provincial government previously cut environmental oversight, leaving oil companies to self-regulate and report spills.
- Experts warn that this self-regulation model poses significant environmental and public health risks.
Key quote:
“It’s really a self-governance model where industry gets to mark its own homework.”
— Alan Andrews, lawyer with the environmental law charity EcoJustice.
Why this matters:
In rural Manitoba, where agriculture and natural resources play a crucial role in daily life, the impact of oil spills can be devastating. The leaked oil and saltwater can degrade soil quality, making it unsuitable for farming and contaminate water supplies, posing risks to both human health and wildlife. Despite these severe consequences, the lack of regulatory action highlights a troubling oversight in environmental governance.
Keep reading...Show less
Credit: Mike Marrah/Unsplash
Canada passes Bill C-226 to combat environmental racism
Canada's new Bill C-226 aims to develop a national strategy to address environmental racism and ensure affected communities are part of the solution.
In short:
- Bill C-226 mandates a national strategy to tackle environmental racism in consultation with Indigenous, Black, and other racialized communities.
- The bill is the result of years of advocacy by Ingrid Waldron, who highlights the disproportionate environmental harms these communities face.
- The strategy will include mapping environmental impacts, collecting disaggregated data, and raising awareness about environmental racism.
Key quote:
"We’re giving them an opportunity to co-create the strategy with us. It’s not just about sharing their grief. I’m sure they’re tired of doing that. It’s about them saying, ‘And this is what I think this national strategy should include.’"
— Ingrid Waldron, researcher and advocate
Why this matters:
The implications of this bill are profound. For one, it could lead to a cleaner, healthier environment for communities that have long been sidelined. It also sets a precedent for how environmental policies can be designed to be more inclusive and equitable. Beyond the immediate environmental benefits, there are significant health implications as well. Reducing exposure to pollutants and improving access to clean resources can lead to better health outcomes, reducing the prevalence of diseases linked to environmental factors.
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Manny Becerra/Unsplash
Indigenous communities leverage clean energy projects for their benefit
Indigenous communities, once sidelined in renewable energy projects, are now finding ways to actively benefit from these initiatives through strategic partnerships and government policies.
In short:
- Indigenous communities in Canada are increasingly involved in renewable energy projects due to supportive policies like Ontario’s feed-in tariff program.
- Barriers such as limited access to capital and insufficient community capacity still pose challenges to broader participation.
- Successful Indigenous-led projects, like the microhydropower systems in Malaysia, demonstrate the potential for sustainable and equitable energy development.
Key quote:
“As Indigenous Peoples, we recognize and support the global shift towards renewable energy. But it can’t happen at the expense of Indigenous people. Right now, we are going towards a new type of ‘clean’ colonialism.”
— Joan Carling, executive director of Indigenous Peoples Rights International
Why this matters:
Indigenous participation in renewable energy projects promotes environmental sustainability and supports their economic empowerment and preservation of cultural heritage. This empowerment also fosters greater respect for Indigenous knowledge and practices, which are often deeply aligned with principles of environmental stewardship.
Keep reading...Show less
Newsletter
Credit: Tapio Haaja/Unsplash
Canada’s largest carbon capture project bypasses environmental review
Canada’s largest carbon capture project, proposed by Pathways Alliance, might proceed without comprehensive environmental reviews at both federal and provincial levels, sparking concerns among Indigenous groups and safety experts.
In short:
- Pathways Alliance’s CO2 pipeline and storage hub may bypass federal and Alberta environmental assessments, raising transparency issues.
- The project, costing $16.5 billion, involves a 600 km CO2 pipeline and could significantly impact public safety and Indigenous rights.
- Indigenous leaders and experts warn of serious legal and safety risks due to the lack of thorough oversight.
Key quote:
"The fact that they are trying not to have oversight of this should be raising serious questions."
— Richard Kuprewicz, president of Accufacts Inc.
Why this matters:
Carbon capture and storage technology, which involves capturing carbon dioxide emissions from sources like power plants and industrial processes before they enter the atmosphere and storing them underground, is gaining traction globally as a tool to combat global warming. However, the lack of environmental assessment for such a significant project threatens public safety and could violate Indigenous consultation rights, potentially leading to legal challenges.
Keep reading...Show less
ORIGINAL REPORTING
MOST POPULAR
CLIMATE
