Latest news with #naturalResources
National Post
16 hours ago
- Business
- National Post
Jesse Kline: Mark Carney fast tracks the road to serfdom
Have you heard the good news: our federal, provincial and territorial leaders all agree on the pressing need to build the critical infrastructure necessary to develop our natural resources, get them to market and turn Canada into an 'energy superpower.' Article content Yet despite all the optimism and goodwill expressed by Prime Minister Mark Carney and his provincial counterparts following the first ministers' meeting in Saskatoon on Monday, it's readily apparent that the seeds of disunity and obstructionism are already taking root. Article content Article content Article content At a Monday press conference, the leaders made a point of highlighting that this is a 'generational opportunity,' and that they are united in their quest to tear down internal trade barriers and build critical infrastructure. Article content Article content 'We are united. We're going to move this country forward, the likes of which we've never seen before,' said Ontario Premier Doug Ford. Article content Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe called this 'a generational opportunity for Canadians,' while Manitoba's Wab Kinew noted that it's also a 'generational opportunity for some of the poorest communities in our country.' Article content Even Alberta Premier Danielle Smith expressed cautious optimism that the process will bear fruit for her province. Article content But, as usual, the devil will be in the details, and Carney spent an inordinate amount of time going over all the fine print. Article content While he promised to work 'with the provinces, the territories and Indigenous peoples to identify and expedite nation-building projects,' the catch is that they will have to be deemed to be 'in the national interest' by the Liberal brain trust, along with provincial and Aboriginal leaders who represent a host of often competing interests throughout this geographically and culturally diverse country. Article content Article content To be in the 'national interest,' Carney said that prospective projects will have to 'strengthen the Canadian economy, strengthen our autonomy, our resilience, our security, providing undeniable benefits to Canada, have a high likelihood of successful execution, be a high priority for Indigenous leaders and … drive Canada's clean growth potential.' Article content Article content Which pretty much gives politicians license to reject any project for any reason at all. Article content Premier Ford did express confidence in the prime minister's ability to create the 'environment and conditions for people to come here, companies to come here and invest,' which is exactly what we need. Article content But it's hard to imagine too many businesses risking their time, energy and capital when they know their investment could be flushed down the drain if the mandarins in the Canadian politburo think it doesn't meet Carney's criteria of being 'in the national interest,' having sufficient 'Indigenous participation, advancing clean energy' and providing 'material benefits to Canadians.'
E&E News
3 days ago
- Business
- E&E News
Senate pushes agriculture, cyber, defense nominees
President Donald Trump's nominee to help oversee the Forest Service and other environment work at the Department of Agriculture is due on Capitol Hill this week. The Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee will hold a hearing on Michael Boren to become undersecretary for natural resources and environment. Boren, from Idaho, is a ranch owner and co-founder of an accounting software company called Clearwater Analytics. He's been a campaign donor to Trump and was a board member of the Idaho Department of Parks and Recreation. Advertisement Democrats on the committee may seek clarification on Boren's clashes with the Forest Service over the past several years, including disagreements about a small airstrip on one of his ranches where a scenic easement is in place with the agency.
CBC
27-05-2025
- Business
- CBC
Nova Scotia chiefs say province needs to improve consultation on natural resources
The Nova Scotia Assembly of Mi'kmaw Chiefs says the provincial government needs to do a better job of consultation as it pushes to develop the province's natural resources. Chief Tamara Young of Pictou Landing First Nation told the legislature's natural resources committee Tuesday that the chiefs have "serious concerns" over how recent decisions have been made without advance notice. "We should not hear about important developments that Nova Scotia is making from the evening news," said Young. "This includes when policy or legislative changes are being proposed in the mining sector." In March, the Progressive Conservative government of Premier Tim Houston passed legislation that lifted a long-standing ban on uranium exploration and mining and a moratorium on hydraulic fracturing for natural gas. Houston has said the legislative changes were needed to boost the province's economy as it deals with the challenges posed by U.S. tariffs. However, the chiefs responded by issuing a news release on March 28 saying they were firmly opposed to any legislation that opens the door to hydraulic fracturing, a process more commonly known as fracking. 'Not a box to be checked' The chiefs said they were considering legal action and they accused the province of making decisions on unceded and traditional Mi'kmaw territory without properly consulting them. Young told the committee it was time for the government to re-engage in consultations that are "early, consistent and meaningful." "Consulting the Mi'kmaq is simply not a box to be checked," she said. "We will not support any process that treats our constitutional rights as an afterthought." Young also called on the province to update its consultation practices and to involve the Mi'kmaq in shaping the changes. "There must be transparency and predictability around what triggers the duty to consult, including mining projects on private lands," she said. 'Rocky and inconsistent' Earlier this month the province updated its list of priority critical minerals to include uranium and also announced that it was issuing a request for proposals for uranium exploration at three privately owned sites. A mineral can be added to the list based on certain factors, including whether they can help the province meet its emission targets or global demand. The priority list is also meant to highlight minerals of strategic economic importance for the province. Patrick Butler, senior Mi'kmaw energy and mines adviser, confirmed during the hearing that chiefs were also not consulted about the move to boost uranium exploration. Butler described the relationship with the Natural Resources Department as "rocky and inconsistent" over the last year, although he said there is a mineral resource working group that had established "a good working relationship" in the past. "It has been very difficult in trying to keep up with the changes," he said. Consultation would occur 'project by project' The department's deputy minister, Karen Gatien, said the government is committed to consultations, but she agreed that it should be done earlier where possible. Gatien told the committee that future consultation would occur "project by project." "It's difficult for us right now to consult on something that doesn't exist in terms of a concrete project in a particular area, but I think it will be really important to have rigorous consultation and meaningful consultation as the projects get developed," said Gatien. The deputy minister confirmed to reporters following the hearing that there were no formal documents or communications with the chiefs to inform them of the government's legislative changes. Meanwhile, the committee also heard from mining industry representatives Tuesday who called for major changes to the province's permitting process for mining development, which they described as too lengthy and a hindrance to investment. 'Our concerns are with red tape' "Permitting is a major bottleneck in the process. That is why jurisdictions across Canada and around the world are taking steps to expedite permitting while continuing to ensure the highest environmental standards are applied," said Sean Kirby, executive director of the Mining Association of Nova Scotia. Kirby called for permitting to come under a single department, saying the process is currently handled across several. "We are not asking for regulatory oversight to be less stringent. Our concerns are with red tape, unclear requirements and lengthening timelines," he said.
CTV News
27-05-2025
- Business
- CTV News
Nova Scotia chiefs say province needs to improve consultation on natural resources
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston speaks to reporters at the Nova Scotia legislature in Halifax, Thursday, Feb. 29, 2024. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Darren Calabrese HALIFAX — A representative for the Nova Scotia Assembly of Mi'kmaw Chiefs says the provincial government needs to do a better job of consultation as it seeks to develop the province's natural resources. Chief Tamara Young, of Pictou Landing First Nation, told a legislature committee today that the province's duty to consult with the Mi'kmaq needs to be more than an afterthought or a 'box to be checked.' Patrick Butler, the senior Mi'kmaq energy and mines adviser, confirmed during the hearing that chiefs were not consulted before legislation that was passed in March lifted a ban on uranium and a moratorium on fracking for natural gas. Butler says they also weren't consulted when the Natural Resources Department said it was issuing a request for proposals for uranium exploration at three sites in the province earlier this month. He described the relationship with the department as 'rocky and inconsistent' and says it's always better when the Mi'kmaq are informed as early as possible when it comes to natural resources development. The department's deputy minister, Karen Gatien, says the government is committed to consultations, but she agrees that it should be done earlier where possible. This report by The Canadian Press was first published May 27, 2025.
CBC
27-05-2025
- General
- CBC
B.C. orders Hobo Hot Springs restored, as new fence blocks off public use
Social Sharing The British Columbia government has ordered the restoration of free natural hot spring pools that were mysteriously filled with dirt and boulders last fall. But even as the government says it's working with the nearby Harrison Hot Springs Resort to repair the stream, the community's mayor says a new fence has been erected around the natural spring, making it unavailable for public use. The government launched an investigation into the damage to the free natural springs and Crown resource, known as the Hobo Hot Springs, last October. The Ministry of Forests says it can't release a copy of the order to restore the springs, because it's related to an active investigation. However, the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship says it's working to fix the stream with the owner and general manager of the nearby Harrison Hot Springs Resort, which did not respond to a request for comment. Harrison Hot Springs Mayor Fred Talen says the resort is complying with the order to remove rocks and boulders placed in the public pools, but he's "really disappointed" a new fence was put up around the stream on the weekend. Talen blamed the resort for the fence. "I think it's a mistake, it's a misstep, it's inappropriate at best. At its worst, it could be viewed as disrespectful," said Talen. Photographs provided by Talen show a sign deterring the public from accessing the water on a large brick-and-metal structure. "Do not enter water. Hot mineral water temperatures vary and will cause injury," the sign says. But before the pools were filled in last fall, the spring had been used for free by First Nations people and other locals for many years. The Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship said last year that filling or making changes to the spring would require approval, and none was given. The Ministry of Forests said in a statement last week that a Water Sustainability Act order has been issued to restore the site to its previous state, and the next steps of the investigation would be determined after order compliance was verified. Talen said the village would continue to have conversations with the resort to remove the fencing and enhance the hot springs experience in a way that benefited the resort, the Sts'ailes First Nation and the village, which is located 130 kilometres east of Vancouver. "The unilateral action by the resort makes me question whether the resort's monopoly over the public's use of the hot springs should continue," said Talen. "These hot springs, really, in my view, are a public resource and shouldn't be under the exclusive control of a single business," he added. The resort is owned by Aldesta Hotels & Resorts. The government did not respond to questions about the fence and structure at the stream.
