Canada column for
Sunday, April 21/19
THE CANADIAN REPORT
(c) By Jim Fox
A decision on
whether to approve the controversial Trans Mountain pipeline expansion is being
delayed until June 18 to allow more input from Indigenous groups.
The Canadian
government extended the date from May 22 on the $9-billion pipeline twinning
approved by the National Energy Board.
Environmentalists
and native groups have opposed the 715-mile expansion to transport more Alberta
crude oil and refined products to seaports in British
Columbia.
Of major concern has been the additional ship traffic off the coast with
noise, pollution and the impact on wildlife as well as the potential for
pipeline leaks.
Natural
Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi said there has been “meaningful, two-way
dialogue” with Indigenous groups to understand priorities.
The board made 16 new
recommendations including measures to reduce ferry noise, adding incentives and
establishing requirements for quiet vessel design.
Construction has
been delayed since last year after the Federal Court of Appeal ruled the board
didn’t consider marine impacts and said more consultations were needed.
---
Alberta voters came
out in big numbers to elect Jason Kenney the
next premier along with his new United Conservative government.
Kenney, whose government will be sworn in on
April 30, said voters gave him a majority government with a “mandate of
historic proportions.”
Elections Alberta said 71.1 percent of Albertans voted – the
highest number in decades – with more than 1.8-million votes cast.
He had harsh criticism of the previous New Democratic socialist
government of Rachel Notley whom he called a weak enabler of federal
energy policies that undermine resource-rich Alberta’s oil and gas sector.
“We need to get
Canadian energy to foreign markets,” he said.
---
News in brief:
- The Conservative government of Premier Doug Ford in Ontario has cut
public health support in Toronto by more than $1 billion over 10 years. It’s a
bid to help reduce the $11.7-billion spending deficit from the previous Liberal
government. The cuts are explained as shifting priorities to strengthen the
role of cities in the delivery of health care. The government has also made
major cuts to education spending.
- Online critics are attacking the Canadian government for saying it
will give grocery chain Loblaw Co. $12 million under a clean energy program. Environment
and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna said the money is in addition to
the company spending $36 million to upgrade refrigeration units at 370 Loblaw
stores. Critics wonder why Loblaw, with a profit of $754 million last year,
needs help paying for the upgrades.
---
Facts and figures:
The Canadian dollar
is lower at 74.63 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.339 Canadian before
exchange fees.
The Bank of Canada’s
key interest rate remains at 1.75 percent while the prime-lending rate is 3.95 percent.
Stock markets are mixed, with the Toronto
exchange index up at 16,612 points while the TSX Venture index is lower at 609
points.
The average price for gas in Canada is up to $1.30
a liter or $4.94 (Canadian) for a U.S. gallon; $1.25 a liter in Ontario.
Lotto 6/49: (April 17) 10, 11, 20, 26, 38 and 43; bonus 3.
(April 13) 4, 5, 15, 23, 38 and 45; bonus 12. Lotto Max: (April 12) 2, 20,
21, 30, 31, 39 and 45; bonus 18.
---
Regional briefs:
- Heavy rain and
rapid snow melt have prompted authorities to warn residents to prepare for
possible major flooding from eastern Ontario to central New Brunswick this
weekend. After a request from Quebec, Public Safety Minister Ralph Goodale has
authorized the Canadian Armed Forces to assist. Vulnerable cities include
Ottawa and adjoining Gatineau, Quebec, Montreal and around the Saint John River
in New Brunswick.
- As the English
language continues to evolve, the Saskatchewan Government Insurance office has added
175 more banned words or messages on personalized license plates. Tyler
McMurchy of the government office said those not approved are things the public
“may find offensive, suggestive or not in good taste.” That includes slang,
advertising, promoting risky driving and those having connotations to sex,
drugs, alcohol, racism, criminal activity or political overtones.
-30-
Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com
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