Latest news with #Labradorians
Yahoo
5 days ago
- Business
- Yahoo
Newfoundland's offshore natural gas assessment results a 'significant milestone,' says minister
A new assessment of natural gas off Newfoundland's coast shows economic promise, says Energy Minister Steve Crocker. On Monday, the provincial government released its natural gas resources assessments, which suggests natural gas resources in the Jeanne d'Arc Basin range from 8.1 to 11.3 trillion cubic feet (tcf), with a best estimate of 9.7 tcf. Crocker calls the report a "significant milestone," and one that highlights "a promising new chapter in our energy future." "This assessment is more than just a technical document," Crocker told reporters. "It is a strategic tool that helps us understand how our offshore natural gas resource can drive economic growth and support the global transition to net zero emissions." Crocker said the data gathered will help investors make informed decisions. The province earmarked $4.7 million in the 2023 budget for the assessment. Crocker said the province focused on the Jeanne d'Arc Basic because it has existing infrastructure, shallow waters and a service community. The province will also inject $1 million for the next phase of the project, which includes further evaluations in the area. Crocker couldn't provide a timeline for when natural gas could be extracted, saying that would be up to the companies. "We'll put the information out there and hope to see that investment. Obviously that's something that'll come later as companies now have an opportunity to see this proven resource," he Crocker. He said the provincial government has to draft a royalty regime and will be consulting with companies to get feedback. "This will be done and invested and developed with the best interest of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians," Crocker said. Charlene Johnson, CEO of Energy N.L., says the assessment is a positive step for the sector. "We already offer the world a lower carbon form of energy, our offshore oil, and now we prepare to move forward with the possibility of providing another energy source — natural gas — that is in high demand internationally," she said. Energy N.L members have wanted to see the natural gas sector developed for years, Johnson said. "A lot of the focus has been on oil here, and that is still a key focus. But as the world needs natural gas, it's great that we've now turned our attention to that," she said. Roger Grimes, chair of the newly renamed Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Energy Regulator, says he's looking forward to increased activity in the energy sector. He said as the industry regulator, natural gas will face similar scrutiny as other projects. "As the regulator, we focus primarily on safety first. Everything that's ever approved offshore, the number one priority is is it safe," Grimes said. "There's always the environmental considerations. Have all of the environmental issues been addressed and mitigated?" Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.
CBC
04-05-2025
- General
- CBC
Ceremony for the Battle of the Atlantic marks 80 years since the end of World War II
On Sunday, a parade of Canada's Armed Forces and HMCS Cabot members commemorated the end of the Battle of the Atlantic and the 22 000 Newfoundlanders and Labradorians who served in the war. A prayer and wreath laying ceremony took place at the National War Memorial in downtown St. John's.
CBC
04-05-2025
- Sport
- CBC
Ryan Greene says NHL debut with Blackhawks was childhood dream come true
Greene ended season with big league club The hard work paid off for Ryan Greene of Paradise, who was able live out his NHL dream in the final two games of the season as part of the Chicago Blackhawks. "It's absolutely insane. It's everything you dream of as a kid," Greene told CBC News this week from Boston. "You've been wanting that moment for your whole life. And then, you know, getting ready to go out for your rookie lap, you … finally throw on an NHL jersey and you're looking at the Blackhawks logo. It's just, like, it's crazy." Greene, 21, signed a three-year contract with the Blackhawks in April. He cracked the lineup for the big league club at the end of the year in games against Montreal — with fellow Newfoundlander Alex Newhook on the opposite side — and Ottawa. But the process of making his debut was a whirlwind, he said. Greene had signed his first professional contract just hours after completing his collegiate career at Boston University. The team had lost a national championship the night before. "It was pretty hectic. But obviously, you know, a really exciting time for me and my family. So I'm just really thankful that they were all able to be there for when I signed the contract, and then they were there for both games," he said. "I wouldn't be in this position without a lot of people." Greene credited his Chicago teammates for giving him a warm welcome and helping him adapt to the speed of the game at the NHL level. He joins a growing list of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to make it to the big leagues. "I grew up, you know, idolizing players like Teddy Purcell and, you know, even guys like Alex [Newhook] and Dawson [Mercer] who are closer to my age," he said. "They've just kind of paved the way for, you know, young hockey players in Newfoundland. So to get to play against Alex in my first game was … a very cool moment." Greene will spend most of the summer training at Boston University. He says he hopes to return home to Newfoundland for some time off. Looking ahead to next year, a spot on the Blackhawks roster isn't guaranteed. Greene says he'll need to earn it. "I'm obviously going to try to go into camp next year and make a strong impression."
CBC
04-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Labradorians feel left out of province's new intraprovincal air loop agreement
"Why can't they include Labrador?" That's the question Happy Valley-Goose Bay resident Lillian Dyson asked when she heard about the province's new air travel loop connecting St. John's, Gander and Deer Lake. Labradorians are feeling ignored by the provincial government after officials on Tuesday announced an agreement with PAL Airlines to create an intraprovincial air loop. The new routes will run seasonally from June 15 to Sept. 20, operating four days per week. Bernie Bolger, another Labrador resident, has also been left disappointed by the investment. "We got to pay twice as much money [for travel] and we're ignored," said Bolger. Bolger said last week it cost him $800 to fly to Labrador City for medical reasons. "To fly down to St. John's, it costs us an enormous amount of money. And we're just retired pensioners. You can't afford that," said Bolger. Resident Eldred Davis also says that Labradorians have longer distances to travel than on the island. As for the new loop, he said he is surprised the province would want to use aircraft for such relatively short distances. "I think they should revisit this and make it a little easier for Labrador people who have far bigger bills," he said. Tourism Minister Steve Crocker said the new route is seasonal, and will only be in place for about 15 weeks during tourism season. The agreement is a revenue guarantee, Crocker said. That means the province might not pay anything, as long as PAL Airlines breaks even. PAL Airlines declined CBC's request for an interview. Labrador's high flight costs The Goose Bay Airport Corporation says it feels left out of the province's newest air travel investment strategy. Over the last six months, the airport has been asking the government for funding to improve airline rates and travel routes in and out of Labrador "This is not intraprovincial travel. This is intra-Newfoundland travel," said chair Dean Clarke. Flights aren't cheap. Clarke says it can be $1,300 to round-trip travel from Goose Bay to Labrador City, or $1,400 to St. John's. Clarke says he couldn't believe it when he heard that the province was going to introduce the new loop, because despite his efforts to negotiate government support to air travel in Labrador, he has heard nothing. "We've been suffering here in Labrador for far too long. We've asked for assistance on this route development and [it has] not come about," said Clarke. "Why can't they step up to the plate?" The province said in a press release that it's continuing to communicate with Labrador airport partners about improving air access. The statement also said the province will press the federal government to reduce fees that make flight prices higher. Clarke says that statement isn't fair, because federal fees are the same for all airports. "For the premier, and indeed the province, to even suggest that is ludicrous," said Clarke. MHAs respond NDP MHA for Labrador West Jordan Brown says he isn't surprised by the agreement and the government's focus on tourism. "We're subsidizing people's vacations on the backs of people that actually need to travel around this province for medical, for school, for other things," said Brown. PC MHA for Torngat Mountains Lela Evans said in a statement that she's also frustrated by the agreement with PAL Airlines. "To subsidize an 'island-only' intraprovincial air travel loop is outrageous," said Evans in the statement. She said she recently spoke with a resident who paid $1,427 for travel to St. John's. "This is rubbing salt in our wounds," said Evans. In a press release, the province says the budget allocates $2 million to a five-year strategy to transform the tourism industry, and "$15 million for tourism marketing and air access." But Crocker told CBC News this week that money isn't for air access, but rather route development for tourists. "I wish there were $15 million for air access development in this year's budget, but unfortunately there's not," he said. Crocker says Labrador is not being forgotten about, saying the money was previously earmarked for tourism and not for affordability. He says tourists travelling to Labrador usually come from Halifax or Montreal, so routes from those cities would need to be involved to increase tourism in Labrador. "This is not about excluding anybody. This is about getting the non-resident visitor — that we're trying to target — here," said Crocker.
Yahoo
04-05-2025
- Sport
- Yahoo
Ryan Greene says NHL debut with Blackhawks was childhood dream come true
The hard work paid off for Ryan Greene of Paradise, who was able live out his NHL dream in the final two games of the season as part of the Chicago Blackhawks. "It's absolutely insane. It's everything you dream of as a kid," Greene told CBC News this week from Boston. "You've been wanting that moment for your whole life. And then, you know, getting ready to go out for your rookie lap, you … finally throw on an NHL jersey and you're looking at the Blackhawks logo. It's just, like, it's crazy." Greene, 21, signed a three-year contract with the Blackhawks in April. He cracked the lineup for the big league club at the end of the year in games against Montreal — with fellow Newfoundlander Alex Newhook on the opposite side — and Ottawa. But the process of making his debut was a whirlwind, he said. Greene had signed his first professional contract just hours after completing his collegiate career at Boston University. The team had lost a national championship the night before. "It was pretty hectic. But obviously, you know, a really exciting time for me and my family. So I'm just really thankful that they were all able to be there for when I signed the contract, and then they were there for both games," he said. "I wouldn't be in this position without a lot of people." Greene credited his Chicago teammates for giving him a warm welcome and helping him adapt to the speed of the game at the NHL level. He joins a growing list of Newfoundlanders and Labradorians to make it to the big leagues. "I grew up, you know, idolizing players like Teddy Purcell and, you know, even guys like Alex [Newhook] and Dawson [Mercer] who are closer to my age," he said. "They've just kind of paved the way for, you know, young hockey players in Newfoundland. So to get to play against Alex in my first game was … a very cool moment." Greene will spend most of the summer training at Boston University. He says he hopes to return home to Newfoundland for some time off. Looking ahead to next year, a spot on the Blackhawks roster isn't guaranteed. Greene says he'll need to earn it. "I'm obviously going to try to go into camp next year and make a strong impression." Download our free CBC News app to sign up for push alerts for CBC Newfoundland and Labrador. Sign up for our daily headlines newsletter here. Click here to visit our landing page.
