Latest news with #environmentalassessment
CBC
17-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
B.C. wildlife group concerned about risk to rainbow trout from wind farm project
B.C. Wildlife Federation worried planned wind farm in Interior could harm rainbow trout Image | Wind turbine Caption: Proposed legislation to exempt wind farm projects from environmental assessments in B.C. is cause for concern, according to a wildlife group. (Kyle Bakx/CBC) A B.C. wildlife non-profit is concerned new government exemptions on wind projects from environmental review processes could favour speed over the protection of rainbow trout as plans ramp up for a new wind farm in the Interior. B.C. Hydro recently awarded a contract to Westbank First Nation and Innergex Renewable Energy for the K2 Wind project in the Pennask Mountain area, about 40 kilometres west of Kelowna. The B.C. government plans to exempt wind projects from certain environmental assessment processes to make it faster to build renewable energy projects. But the B.C. Wildlife Federation is worried that, without a standard process, the government might not put a "proper microscope" on the project. "When you're trying to do things fast, you don't always get them right," said Jesse Zeman, executive director of the non-profit. LISTEN | Zeman talks environmental assessments Zeman said the project is planned in a drainage area that is "extremely important" for wild rainbow trout in Pennask Lake, home to brood stock for trout hatcheries since 1927. He said a previous nearby highway project had created problems with rocks leaching acid into the Pennask watershed. "We're always way better off preventing these kinds of things than we are having to treat them after the fact." Environmental reviews consolidated Westbank First Nation Chief Robert Louie said the new government regulations won't eliminate environmental reviews but rather consolidate permitting under the B.C. Energy Regulator. He said the process is now more streamlined, without needing cross-ministry approvals. "I think the misunderstanding, perhaps, is that many, perhaps, think that there will be no environmental reviews at all — which is totally false," Louie said. Westbank First Nation also has its own oversight process, including archeological and environmental reviews. "We're not going to be shy of the experts, and then having our traditional cultural advisers also a part of this is very, very important," Louie said. "The need for alternative power is so great that we can't afford to have inefficiency," he added. What is the new legislation? Zeman said he was pleased to hear Louie's comments, but added, "The issue is process." The NDP's Bill 14, which is still going through the legislative process, would authorize the energy regulator to create a new permitting framework for renewable energy projects, similar to energy resource activities such as oil, gas and hydrogen. "The BCER can uphold environmental protections while expediting timelines for projects to be built, rather than the three to five years it can take for the environmental assessment process," said Energy Minister Adrian Dix in an emailed statement. Dix said the BCER ensures wildlife is protected through planning tools, oversight and "end of life restoration." It also ensures permits are consistent with regulations under the Energy Resource Activities Act, according to Dix. Wind farm benefits Louie said the K2 Wind project has immense benefits. "I think it really exemplifies the economic reconciliation component of First Nations and government, and First Nations and industry," he said, noting the K2 Wind project will bring jobs, training and business opportunities. Westbank First Nation members will vote on the project in a referendum expected later this year. "We want to make sure our members are fully informed, fully aligned with what we're doing," Louie said. The wind farm is expected to be in service by 2031.
CBC
07-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Ontario in 'critical time,' must speed up infrastructure projects, Ford says
Social Sharing Ontario Premier Doug Ford says the province must focus on accelerating infrastructure projects as it finds itself in a "critical time" against U.S. tariffs. "We just want to get projects moving forward as quickly as possible," he said at Queen's Park on Wednesday. "There's no longer time to sit around and wait 10 years as we do an [environmental assessment] and everything else." His comments come after the government has faced criticism for a proposed bill that would give cabinet power to create "special economic zones" and allow the government to exempt itself from following laws on certain projects. Ford said people need to keep working in Ontario, "and one way you do it is by building roads and highways and hospitals and schools and bridges." "That's what we're going to do." He added the government is "going to make sure that we always do" environment assessments. "I'm not against it, I'm just against taking five years to get one done," he said. Critics say the proposed legislation, known as the Protect Ontario by Unleashing Our Economy Act, is designed to ensure projects such as Ford's idea for a tunnel under Highway 401 and critical mineral mining in northern Ontario get done with little resistance. Environmentalists have called out the Ford government over the environmental protections the province intends to strip away through the bill, which includes repealing the Endangered Species Act. The government wants to dramatically narrow the definition of what habitat means and do away with requirements to create a strategy for how to recover at-risk species. With the bill, it also appears to give itself greater power over an independent science-based committee to add and remove species from a protected list. Premiers congratulated PM on U.S. visit: Ford The premier spoke following a virtual meeting with Prime Minister Mark Carney and all other provincial and territorial leaders in the country. The meeting, known as a first ministers' meeting, is the first time that Carney has met with all the country's premiers since being elected last week. It also comes after Carney's visit to Washington D.C. on Tuesday, where he met with U.S. President Donald Trump for the first time. Ford said all the premiers congratulated Carney on his election victory but also the "restraint" the prime minister showed during the meeting with Trump. "I don't think I'd have the restraint that he had yesterday, to be very frank," Ford said. WATCH | Premiers congratulated Carney on meeting with Trump, Ford says: Ford congratulates Carney for his 'restraint' with Trump 18 minutes ago Duration 0:48 After a meeting with Canada's premiers and the prime minister, Ontario Premier Doug Ford told reporters that he congratulated Prime Minister Mark Carney for how he handled his meeting with U.S. President Donald Trump. Ford called it a 'good start on a new relationship' with the United States. Carney has called the White House meeting "constructive" and said he will meet Trump again in person next month at the G7 summit. Earlier this week, Ford publicly released his list of priority "nation-building projects" in a letter to Carney, which he said the prime minister asked all premiers to prepare. His list included the Highway 401 tunnel proposal. He said all the premiers "rattled off" their list of projects during Wednesday's meeting but did not provide further details. Premier says he'll fight against GM cuts Ford also said he is committed to protecting and supporting auto workers. He said he's "going to continue fighting" to keep the third shift at the General Motors Oshawa Assembly plant. General Motors is laying off about 750 workers as it moves from a three-shift to a two-shift operation starting this fall, the president of the union representing workers said last week. Ford floated the idea of building military vehicles in the plant — an idea he said the union suggested. "Let's start thinking outside the box," he said.
