Globe Climate: B.C. cedes provincial park to Nuchatlaht First Nation
Good afternoon, and welcome to Globe Climate, a newsletter about climate change, environment and resources in Canada.
Wildfires continue to burn through Western Canada. Manitoba and Saskatchewan have evacuated more than 30,000 people, with both provinces under states of emergency. Officials in Alberta and British Columbia are contending with dozens of fires, too.
Now, new fires have led Ontario to request military support, with 26 actively burning in the northwest region. Prime Minister Mark Carney said yesterday that he called upon the Canadian Armed Forces to airlift nearly 3,000 people from Sandy Lake First Nation.
Even G7 summit preparations in Alberta now include plans for wildfire evacuations.
Now, let's catch you up on other news.
For this week's deeper dive, a closer look at a ruling that establishes Aboriginal title can supersede park protections on Crown land.
British Columbia quietly ceded control of a large portion of a provincial park off the west coast of Vancouver Island, in response to a precedent-setting court ruling on an Indigenous land claim.
The B.C. Supreme Court declared last year that the Nuchatlaht, a First Nation with 180 members, has proved Aboriginal title to 1,140 hectares of land on the north end of Nootka Island.
Jack Woodward, the lawyer who represented the Nuchatlaht, says it is the first time parkland has been included in a title ruling from the courts. It is also setting precedent that Aboriginal title can supersede park protections on Crown land.
He also said that the governments of Canada and B.C. have failed to provide legal guidance for Aboriginal title lands.
The title lands include 320 hectares of old-growth forest in Nuchatlitz Park, which was established in 1996 with the primary goal of protecting special natural features. The land, about 110 kilometres northwest of Tofino, includes critical habitat for several at-risk species, including sea otters, the wandering salamander and the marbled murrelet (a small seabird), and features increasingly rare coastal sand ecosystems.
Thomas Isaac, an expert in Aboriginal law at the Vancouver law firm Cassels, said the province has legislative tools to protect the park, but is not using them. 'The legislative objective of protecting the environment can justifiably infringe an Aboriginal right, including title,' he said.
'The government is negligent, asleep on the job. The Nuchatlaht is not responsible for the public interest‚' he said, adding that it's up to governments to balance Indigenous interests with those of the wider public.
Meanwhile, The First Nation is building a road through the former parkland for its members. They have plans to develop their title lands with 'really strict guidelines.'
Public access to parts of Nuchatlitz Park is also no longer assured, and the province says it is up to visitors to ensure they are not trespassing. Kayakers and recreational boaters are only just learning, through word-of-mouth, that the popular destination is no longer public land.
Read the full story today.
Ajay Virmani: These wildfires will cost Canada more than you think
André Picard: The risks of bird flu are real. We can't bury our heads in the sand, even for the love of ostriches
Barry Hertz: Jai Courtney jumps the shark, in a good way, with gonzo Aussie thriller Dangerous Animals
Energy investment to reach record US$3.3-trillion worldwide, IEA says
Global energy investment is set to increase to a record US$3.3-trillion this year, with clean technologies attracting twice as much capital as fossil fuels, according to a new report.
Forecasts in the 2025 World Energy Investment report, released Thursday by the International Energy Agency, underscore how global investment trends are leaning toward clean energy, even at a time of geopolitical tensions and economic uncertainties.
Keep reading
We've launched the next chapter of The Climate Exchange, an interactive, digital hub where The Globe answers your most pressing questions about climate change. More than 300 questions were submitted as of September. The first batch of answers tackles 30 of them. They can be found with the help of a search tool developed by The Globe that makes use of artificial intelligence to match readers' questions with the closest answer drafted. We plan to answer a total of 75 questions.
We want to hear from you. E-mail us: GlobeClimate@globeandmail.com. Do you know someone who needs this newsletter? Send them to our Newsletters page.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
CBC
an hour ago
- CBC
Windsor MP says public deserves answers on Gordie Howe bridge opening date
'Straight answer' needed on opening date of Gordie Howe bridge, says Windsor West MP 12 hours ago Duration 1:44 The MP who represents the area that includes the Gordie Howe International Bridge in Windsor, Ont., says the public deserves "a straight answer" on exactly when the new border crossing will be open to traffic. "This construction project is more than just a simple bridge, it's a vital economic lifeline for Windsor and Canada – given the volume of trade that flows through our border," Windsor West Conservative MP Harb Gill said in a statement to CBC News. "Our community deserves clear, consistent communication, not conflicting timelines." Despite promises the bridge will open this fall, a firm date has yet to be announced. The opening of the bridge will cap off a highly anticipated megaproject that has been in the works long before construction began in 2018. The bridge will provide a third vehicle crossing between Windsor, Ont., and Detroit, supporting a crucial corridor for Canada-U.S. trade. The cost for the six-lane, 2.5-kilometre crossing was estimated at $6.4 billion as of last year, with the Canadian side footing the bill. On Tuesday, the Windsor-Detroit Bridge Authority (WDBA) — the Crown corporation overseeing the project — said it's too early to provide an opening date but "work is progressing well towards our anticipated completion in fall 2025." "We have an estimated two per cent of construction work remaining," Heather Grondin, chief relations officer for the WDBA, said in a statement. Grondin added that the agency prioritizes infrastructure quality and employee safety. WATCH: What's the best view of the Gordie Howe bridge? What's the best view of the Gordie Howe International Bridge? 9 days ago CBC's Mike Evans went around Windsor, Ont., and neighbouring LaSalle snapping pictures of the Gordie Howe bridge to illustrate unique views of the crossing. He talks about his photo journey with CBC host Amy Dodge. Asked to respond to Gill's comment, the bridge authority said it's "committed to keeping everyone informed as we work toward the opening of the Gordie Howe International Bridge." Gill said he is awaiting a response from agencies and partners on the project regarding the opening date. "We believe that the people of Windsor-Essex deserve a straight answer," he said. CBSA confirms it's ready to take over port of entry The bridge authority has yet to address an April report by ratings agency S&P Global that suggested the opening date could be delayed until sometime in 2026. That report claimed there were delays in handing over ports of entry to border services agencies that could throw the timeline off course. However, a spokesperson for the Canada Border Services Agency (CBSA) told CBC News on Tuesday that handover of the Canadian port of entry facilities began early this year, and staff are beginning to occupy the space. "The CBSA will be ready to provide services at the Canadian port of entry by the opening date," CBSA spokesperson Jacqueline Roby said in an email. On the U.S. side, Customs and Border Protection did not provide comment. What work is happening now? Though the work at the bridge may be less visible following the completion of the bridge deck connecting the U.S. and Canadian sides last year, there's plenty of activity underway. According to the WDBA, the ongoing work includes: On the bridge itself, the installation of electrical, signage, lighting, fire suppression, lights and more. At the Canadian port of entry, interior work such as installing flooring, light fixtures and cabinets is taking place, as well as exterior work like landscaping and paving. Similar work is happening on the U.S. port of entry. On the U.S. side, the "final steps" are underway for the ramps connecting 1-75 to the U.S. port of entry, such as line painting and signage. Work is also ongoing on local road improvements on the U.S. side and five new pedestrian bridges. Building and testing of the technological systems at the crossing. For example, the technology that allows the toll booth to capture and read an RFID tag on a vehicle.
Globe and Mail
an hour ago
- Globe and Mail
Quebec government renews promise to modify forestry reform bill that sparked blockades
The Quebec government is renewing its promise to modify a forestry bill that has provoked blockades and growing tension in the province. Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière said Tuesday evening that the forestry reform bill must be amended to take into account the rights of First Nations. His social media statement came after a six-hour meeting with First Nations leaders and representatives of the forest industry. He and Natural Resources Minister Maïté Blanchette Vézina are expected to meet today with the Assembly of First Nations Quebec–Labrador and the office of Premier François Legault. The legislation would designate certain areas of public land as forestry zones, but Indigenous leaders say it infringes on their rights. A series of blockades in recent months in opposition to the bill has disrupted operations for some in the forestry sector.
CTV News
an hour ago
- CTV News
Quebec government renews promise to make changes to forestry reform bill
Quebec Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière responds to the Opposition during question period, in the National Assembly in Quebec City, Wednesday, June 5, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Jacques Boissinot MONTREAL — The Quebec government is renewing its promise to modify a forestry bill that has provoked blockades and growing tension in the province. Indigenous Affairs Minister Ian Lafrenière said Tuesday evening that the forestry reform bill must be amended to take into account the rights of First Nations. His social media statement came after a six-hour meeting with First Nations leaders and representatives of the forest industry. He and Natural Resources Minister Maïté Blanchette Vézina are expected to meet today with the Assembly of First Nations Quebec–Labrador and the office of Premier François Legault. The legislation would designate certain areas of public land as forestry zones, but Indigenous leaders say it infringes on their rights. A series of blockades in recent months in opposition to the bill has disrupted operations for some in the forestry sector. This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 20, 2025.
