British Columbia denied by court to try to stop the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion

   Canada column for Sunday, May 26/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The British Columbia government is furious over a court ruling to not allow the passing of laws to stop the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

   The unanimous decision by the B.C. Court of Appeal will be taken to the Supreme Court of Canada, said Attorney General David Eby.

   The ongoing environmental battle led to the federal government acquiring the pipeline from Kinder Morgan for $4.5 billion to get it built.

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said it is in the public and economic interests to get the abundance of Alberta crude oil to foreign markets by ship.

   British Columbia is concerned about a “catastrophic” oil spill with the 7.4-billion pipeline twinning from Edmonton to the Pacific port at Burnaby.

   The appeal by British Columbia contended it has “the right and authority constitutionally to regulate harmful substances passing through B.C.,” Eby said.

   The court’s five judges said there is federal jurisdiction over pipelines.

   Alberta Premier Jason Kenney celebrated the ruling, urging Trudeau to “stand up for Alberta and all of Canada and build TMX now.”

U.S.-Canada tariffs ending; work resumes on new free-trade pact for North America

   Canada column for Sunday, May 19/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The work has resumed to rewrite Canada’s deal with the United States now that the two countries have ended their trade war.

   It was a year-long standoff when Canada retaliated with tariffs to counter the Trump administration’s punitive fees on steel and aluminum imports.

   Prime Minister Justin Trudeau made an unscheduled stop in Hamilton, Ontario while returning from Paris to make the announcement Friday at a Stelco plant in Canada’s steel-manufacturing capital.

    “Families will know that their jobs are just a little more secure,” he told the workers.

   Now Canada and the U.S. can work together “to get the U.S.-Mexico-Canada Agreement (USMCA), approved in the coming weeks,” he said.

   The tariffs that Trudeau said “didn’t make sense” were hurting Canadian and U.S. workers and consumers and were a major obstacle to ratifying the new trade pact, he said.

   Canada is removing $16 billion in retaliatory fees and ending legal action against the U.S. at the World Trade Organization.

Green Party growing in strength in Canadian politics

   Canada column for Sunday, May 12/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The Green Party is making major inroads as Canada heads toward an October federal election.

   The party’s Paul Manly won the by-election in British Columbia with 37.3-percent of the vote.

   He easily outdistanced Conservative John Hirst, socialist New Democratic Party (NDP) Bob Chamberlin and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s Liberal candidate Michelle Corfield.

   She finished last with just 11 percent of the vote in the Vancouver Island riding of Nanaimo-Ladysmith.

   The election was to fill a vacancy in the House of Commons as a result of the resignation of NDP Sheila Malcolmson who is now a member of the B.C. government.

   When commenting on the results, Trudeau appear to be upbeat, saying that the Green win was a signal that Canadians are “preoccupied” with the issue of climate change ahead of the federal election.

   Trudeau rapped the numerous Conservative politicians and provincial premiers who “don't believe in taking climate action” and oppose his carbon tax.

   “It is going to be really, really important that Canadians pick a government this fall that is committed to climate action,” he said.

Canadian flood waters starting to recede; crisis remains in four provinces

   Canada column for Sunday, May 5/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Flood waters are starting to recede in Ottawa, Montreal and Ontario’s “cottage country,” north of Toronto, as the federal government considers relocation aid.

   Thousands of people have been forced from their homes as the army is helping to sandbag and rescue homeowners.

   The government is giving the Canadian Red Cross $2.5 million to support flood recovery efforts across the country, said Public Safety and Emergency Preparedness Minister Ralph Goodale.

   The money will support people who’ve been displaced by floods, including providing temporary lodging, clothing, food and other essential supplies.

   It will also be used in Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick and Manitoba to support displaced residents as they return home or recover as the flooding recedes.

   The Red Cross said it has received $3.4 million in donations from Canadians to help with flood relief and has registered 10,000 people as displayed residents needing assistance.

   Canada’s disaster financial aid will help with long-term recovery costs along with a 10-year, $2-billion commitment to build infrastructure to make areas more flood-resistant.