Canada's National Energy Board recommends approval of Trans Mountain pipeline expansion

   Canada column for Sunday, Feb. 24/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The contentious Trans Mountain crude oil pipeline expansion is in the best interests of Canadians and should be approved, the National Energy Board (NEB) said.

   The recommendation is subject to numerous conditions for the proposed $9.3-billion pipeline expansion to Burnaby, British Columbia from Edmonton, Alberta.

   It would twin the existing 715-mile pipeline built in 1953 and nearly triple its capacity.

   The long-fought concern of environmentalists and Native protesters is that oil tanker ship traffic at the Burnaby coast would grow to more than 400 a year from 60 now.

   The “reconsideration report” from the NEB for the Canadian government gives its OK subject to 16 new conditions along with more than 150 submitted earlier to keep it safe.

   Approval was given, subject to a review and ruling by the government, even as the NEB said the “unlikely” event of an oil spill could cause “significant” issues.

   It also said increased ship traffic could have notable “adverse environmental effects” on killer whales while greenhouse gas emissions would be also be significant.

Canadians escaping "lawless nightmare" in Haiti

   Canada column for Sunday, Feb. 17/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   The Canadian government is warning against travel to Haiti where widespread civil disobedience has trapped hundreds of people on vacation, missionaries and medical aid workers.

   Efforts were being made this weekend to shuttle 117 Canadians on an Air Transat chartered vacation to the Port-au-Prince airport by helicopter as roads are blocked by dissidents asking up to $1,000 to allow cars through.

   Canadians should avoid all travel to the Caribbean country as the government works to help people trapped there, said Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.

   Canada is warning that the “security situation could further deteriorate quickly” and people should “consider leaving by commercial means while they are available.”

   Dr. Emilio Bazile from Ottawa said his medical team made a run for the airport and came upon a “lawless nightmare.”

   They ended up hiring an ambulance for $250 to get them there, he said.

   Haitians are rioting to demand the resignation of President Jovenel Moise and over skyrocketing inflation and an embezzlement scandal.

Canada rescues, resettles hundreds of Libyan slaves, others

   Canada column for Sunday, Feb. 10/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Canada is expanding its humanitarian efforts by rescuing and resettling hundreds of people from slavery in Libya.

   Immigration Minister Ahmed Hussen said Canada was one of the few countries to respond to a United Nations’ request for assistance.

   So far, more than 150 people have been resettled and 600 more are expected over the next two years, he said.

   Canada will also take in 100 refugees from Niger who were rescued from Libyan migrant detention centers, including victims of human smuggling.

   The Libyan initiative follows recent resettlement of 1,000 Yazidi refugees from Iraq and 40,000 Syrians, threatened by Islamic State militants and Syrian forces.

   “Canadians have always been welcoming to newcomers and that generosity has helped offer protection to those fleeing persecution, terror and war,” Hussen said.

Ten-year prison term, deportation sought for truck driver in hockey bus deaths, injuries

   Canada column for Sunday, Feb. 3/19

   THE CANADIAN REPORT

   (c) By Jim Fox

   Prosecutors suggest a 10-year prison term for a truck driver who blew through a rural Saskatchewan intersection killing 16 people and injuring 13 others.

   Most were members of the Humboldt Broncos hockey team going to a game last April 6.

   “It happened because of my lack of experience and I'm so, so, so, so sorry,” Jaskirat Singh Sidhu, 30, told the victims’ families in a Melfort courtroom.

   Sidhu said he takes “full responsibility” for the collision with the team bus and when his attention was distracted by a flapping tarp.

   The court heard he shouldn’t have been driving as he was suspended for driver hours and trip inspection violations.

   More than 90 victim impact statements, ranging from anger to forgiveness for Sidhu, were heard.

   Prosecutor Thomas Healey said the sentence should include a 10-year driving ban and deportation to India.

  “This was a crime – all he had to do was stop – just stop,” he said.

   Judge Inez Cardinal will sentence Sidhu on March 22.