Latest news with #provincialgovernment
News24
13 hours ago
- Politics
- News24
Only solution to gangsterism: Fix one broken neighbourhood at a time
Politicians at local and provincial government level characterise the gangsterism problem as one of incompetent policing, writes the author. Jaco Marais/Gallo Images/Die Burger Be among those who shape the future with knowledge. Uncover exclusive stories that captivate your mind and heart with our FREE 14-day subscription trial. Dive into a world of inspiration, learning, and empowerment. You can only trial once. Show Comments ()
Globe and Mail
a day ago
- Business
- Globe and Mail
Free the market for renewable energy in Alberta
Alberta's clean energy sector is in retreat. In 2024, the number of renewables projects in the province's connection queue shrunk for the first time, meaning more projects were cancelled than proposed. It's not hard to parse why. Since 2023, mounting regulatory burdens, an abrupt seven-month moratorium on new project approvals, rising regulatory fee and uncertainty brought on by the provincial government have hit the industry. Alberta only needs to look so far as Texas, which shares key characteristics with the province, to understand the consequences of taking a hard stance against renewables. Texas and Alberta share an abundance of wind and solar resources, and a free market that encourages competition and innovation from independent power producers. But the difference is that Texas has embraced the economic benefits of a thriving renewables sector. Deregulated markets attract the most economic forms of energy and in many cases, that's wind and solar. Renewable energy touted as force for sovereignty in Canada's north A regulatory structure that enabled the free market and that rewarded risk-taking is what propelled Alberta to become a leader in oil and gas in the 20th century. The same looked to be true of renewables. In 2023, Alberta accounted for 92 per cent of new renewable energy capacity. Now, the premise and promise is being walked back and selectively applied by Premier Danielle Smith. On the one hand, Ms. Smith inveighs against federal regulations that she says scares off risk-averse capital from investing in megaprojects. (And to an extent, she has a point.) But at the same time, she's effectively strangling renewable projects within Alberta's boundaries with a fresh roll of red tape. Global energy investments are trending more towards renewables than fossil fuels. According to the International Energy Agency, two thirds of global energy investment went towards clean energy in 2024. Alberta could, and should, be a leader in this sector. For a while, Alberta stood to benefit from this trend. Between 2019 and 2023, renewable energy projects in the province generated nearly $5-billion in investments and almost 5,500 jobs, according to the Pembina Institute, a think tank. But then, Ms. Smith's government decided it would be better suited as a benchwarmer and pulled itself out of the renewables race. Meanwhile, Texas hasn't stopped producing oil and gas. And it certainly didn't decide to become a renewable energy powerhouse to save the planet. Other provinces are doing better than Alberta. Ontario, for example, awarded 10 contracts to battery energy storage projects as part of a procurement round it held in 2023. British Columbia, meanwhile, recently launched its second call for power after awarding 10 contracts to wind and solar projects through a similar procurement program in 2024. Some confidence was recently regained in energy storage investment in Alberta after the government clarified how some of its new rules applied to projects, according to the Pembina Institute. However, it has hardly done enough to bring Alberta up to speed with the rate of renewables growth in other provinces or even return it to its own growth rate, pre-moratorium. The lingering uncertainty from that surprise move is still a drag on the growth of renewable energy in the province. Pembina also notes that policy changes on electricity transmission are a weight on renewable energy. In a letter to the Alberta Electric System Operator in July, 2024, Nathan Neudorf, Alberta's minister of affordability and utilities, instructed the operator to scrap a rule that kept transmission lines operating below full capacity. Among its effects, that rule allowed wind and solar plants access to the grid when their output rose. Without some slack in the system, intermittent producers could be unable to get their power into the system. Ms. Smith needs to slash the red tape binding renewable energy projects in the province, clearly communicate which areas of the province are well suited to new developments and encourage the use of technologies such as energy storage to reduce transmission system congestion. The Alberta premier has had much to say lately about embracing the free market and getting government out of the way of big projects. It's time she took her own advice – and gets government out of the way of renewables growth in Alberta.
CTV News
3 days ago
- General
- CTV News
Bill 5 opposition
Windsor Watch CTV Windsor's Travis Fortnum on opposition to Bill 5, that would give the government power to suspend provincial and municipal laws for chosen projects.
Yahoo
5 days ago
- General
- Yahoo
Highlights: FC Dallas 0-0 Philadelphia Union (MLS)
City of Vancouver pausing plans to dissolve elected park board: memo A memo posted to social media indicates that the provincial government did not pass the needed legislative changes to allow the City of Vancouver to dissolve its elected park board, a controversial initiative attempted by Mayor Ken Sim. Park Board Chair Laura Christensen says the elected body continues to work on improving the city's parks amid the uncertainty. 6:20 Now Playing Paused Ad Playing
CTV News
5 days ago
- Climate
- CTV News
More air supports coming to Saskatchewan to fight wildfires
As wildfires continue to burn across northern Saskatchewan, more help is on the way to support firefighters in battling the blazes. 'We have a 2Q400 aircraft from Alaska, which has been deployed in Saskatchewan with air personnel on board. Two CL-415 aircraft from Quebec have also been deployed for several days,' Premier Scott Moe said during a press conference on Saturday afternoon in Prince Albert. 'Additionally, a Convair 5802 aircraft and a bird dog aircraft, along with an air attack officer, are arriving from British Columbia and will be deployed in Saskatchewan very shortly.' This deployment is part of a larger effort to combat the wildfires, with Saskatchewan receiving support from other provinces and territories. With multiple communities already evacuated, Premier Moe warned that more may face the same fate. Moe urged residents of Saskatchewan to exercise extreme caution over the next four to seven days and avoid actions that could spark new fires, which would further strain already stretched resources. He said a change in weather patterns and a soaking rain are desperately needed to alleviate the situation. The resources currently deployed in northern communities include 220 provincial wildland firefighters, 13 municipal fire departments supporting community defense, 66 contractors with heavy equipment working on the front lines, and over 100 staff coordinating response efforts. Additionally, 12 Saskatchewan aircraft tankers and bird dog airplanes, as well as 410 type two northern community and indigenous firefighters, are helping to fight the fires. Wildfire Premier Moe emphasized the importance of a collective effort and an 'all hands on deck' approach to prevent further fires and protect lives and property. 'I ask the rest of us in this province to reach out to friends and family members who may be affected and offer support if able. It's crucial that we support those whose lives are being disrupted by the weather conditions and the fires,' Moe said. On Thursday, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe declared a province-wide state of emergency as a result of the wildfires. The state of emergency will be in effect for 30 days and can be extended if need be. Current situation As of Saturday afternoon, there were 16 active fires burning across the province. According to the Saskatchewan Public Safety Agency (SPSA), only five of them are contained while six of them are out of control. According to the SPSA, there have been 211 wildfires in the province so far this year, which is well above the five-year average. Shoe (Lower Fishing Lake) wildfire The Shoe wildfire started almost a month ago, has grown to 305,343 hectares, and remains uncontrolled. According to the SPSA, several communities have been evacuated, including Lower Fishing Lake, Piprell Lake, East Trout Lake, Little Bear Lake, and Whiteswan/Whelan Bay. Firefighters are working to contain the blaze with the support of various resources, including aircraft and heavy equipment. The SPSA says the weather forecast indicates challenging conditions, with high temperatures, low humidity, and strong winds that could fuel the fire's growth. Saskatchewan Wildfire Several highways and parks, including Narrow Hills Provincial Park, have been closed due to the fire. Pisew wildfire The Pisew wildfire, located west of La Ronge, has grown to 61,205 hectares since it was reported on May 21, and as of Saturday afternoon, it remains uncontrolled. The fire is threatening several communities, with Besnard Lake and Hall Lake within 20 kilometers of the blaze. The SPSA says the fire has already crossed Highway 165 and caused significant disruptions, including highway closures on Highway 910 and the junction of highways 913 and 165. Hall Lake has also been evacuated due to the fire. Wolf wildfire Located west of Denare Beach, the Wolf wildfire has grown to 29,000 hectares and remains uncontrolled. The communities of Jan Lake and the McIlveena Mine Site are within 20 kilometers of the fire and have been evacuated. According to the SPSA, the fire is threatening the McIlveena Mine Site and impacting Highway 106 west of Maligne Lake. Pelican 2 wildfire The Pelican 2 wildfire is burning northeast of Pelican Narrows, has grown to 9,154 hectares, and remains uncontrolled. The community of Pelican Narrows is at risk, with parts of the community, including P1, P2, and the north side, evacuated. A construction camp has also been impacted. The SPSA says the fire has caused significant damage, including power outages and loss of value. The Warman Fire Department is among the resources supporting the effort. Club wildfire Burning in the north of Creighton, this wildfire has grown to 25,000 hectares on the Saskatchewan side and remains uncontrolled. The communities of Creighton and Denare Beach have been evacuated due to the fire's proximity. The SPSA says the Creighton and Flin Flon fire departments are also responding. The fire is threatening a mine site and a Coop bulk fuel site, and has caused significant disruptions, including the closure of Highway 106 from Junction 135 to Creighton. Ditch 02 wildfire This fire, which is burning in the north of Weyakwin, has grown to 2,500 hectares also remains uncontrolled. The community of Weyakwin has been evacuated due to the fire's proximity. According to the SPSA, the fire is threatening resort subdivisions and impacting Highway 2. Which communities were evacuated? According to the latest on the SPSA website, more than 8,000 people from 11 communities have been evacuated since the wildfire started burning. According to the SPSA, about 2000 people from Pelican Narrows have been evacuated. Other evacuated communities include Hall Lake with 380 people, Canoe Lake with around 500 people, and Weyakwin with 70 people. Additionally, Creighton, Denare Beach, and Jan Lake have been evacuated with around 400 people. Some communities, like East Trout Lake and Sturgeon Weir, have no permanent residents, while others, like Lower Fishing Lake and Foran Mine – McIlvenna Bay, have been evacuated. On Friday afternoon, the Saskatoon Community Foundation (SCF) and United Way Saskatoon said over 1,400 evacuees had arrived in Saskatoon.
