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.”
---
The illegal
“refugee” influx into Canada continues unabated with almost 4,000 people using
a non-official rural crossing in Quebec so far this year.
It’s the most
active illegal border crossing point for people arriving from rural New York
State.
Canada does not
have to admit the so-called “refugees” but Prime Minister Trudeau tweeted a
welcome two years ago.
“To those fleeing
persecution, terror and war, Canadians will welcome you, regardless of your
faith. Diversity is our strength,” he wrote.
The government has
said the combined costs to process the influx over three years will exceed $1
billion.
---
News in brief:
- Canada could find the Philippines regifting 69 shipping containers of
mislabeled trash that has rotted on piers for six years. President Rodrigo
Duterte said Canada’s late-June deadline to retrieve the containers is too
late. He said they will be dumped in Canadian waters in the next week. Environment
Minister Catherine McKenna said a company has been hired to get them to Vancouver
for disposal.
- Air travelers will now know their rights as Canada enacts “passenger
protection regulations” as of July 15. This will deal with such things as compensation
for flight delays, lost bags and bumping as well as seating for children with
their parents. Airlines that don’t follow the standards can be fined up to
$25,000 per incident by the Canadian Transport Agency.
---
Facts and figures:
The Canadian dollar
is higher at 74.38 cents U.S. while the U.S. dollar returns $1.344 Canadian before
exchange fees.
The Bank of Canada’s
key interest rate is steady at 1.75 percent while the prime-lending rate is 3.95
percent.
Stock markets are lower, with the Toronto
exchange index at 16,250 points while the TSX Venture index is 606 points.
The average price for gas in Canada is steady at
$1.30 a liter or $4.94 (Canadian) for a U.S. gallon; $1.26 a liter in Ontario.
Lotto 6/49: (May 22) 13, 19, 22, 25, 32 and 35; bonus 48.
(May 18) 7, 8, 13, 27, 28 and 34; bonus 2. Lotto Max: (May 21) 2, 3,
8, 18, 31, 39 and 50; bonus 33. (May 17) 4, 21, 23, 39, 40, 42 and 50; bonus 17.
---
Regional briefs:
- Alberta has25 forest
fires burning across the province, four of them out of control. Of particular
concern is a blaze threatening High Level where about 5,000 people have fled from
their homes. “Unfortunately, I have to say the danger from the wildfire is not
over,” said Mayor Crystal McAteer said. “It will be some time before evacuees
can return to their homes and communities,” she added.
- Flood waters are
rising on the Toronto islands on Lake Ontario. High winds caused sandbags on
Ward’s Island to be knocked away, allowing flooding. Non-essential vehicles
aren’t being allowed on the island as work is underway to pump up to 16 inches
of water away from homes.
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Jim Fox can be reached at canadareport@hotmail.com
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