The Hook: Political news, freshly caught
Genetically modified plants won't take root with councillors in Richmond, BC
RICHMOND, B.C. - Richmond City Council says engineered crops and plants have no place in the gardens of Metro Vancouver. Read more…
Should There Be More Regulations on Big Tech?
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- I don’t know.
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Are you watching the winter Olympics this year? Read the results of that poll here.
Could Fort Mac become an eco-tourist hotspot?
Fort McMurray, the boomtown at the centre of Canada's oil sands, may not exactly be known for its pristine natural surroundings. But one Alberta research consultant thinks it could someday become a haven for environmentally conscious tourists. Read more…
Harper gov't funded study arguing Canada suffers from 'Dutch Disease'
OTTAWA - The Harper government has funded research that argues Canada's economy suffers from so-called Dutch Disease, an economic theory the prime minister and other senior officials ridiculed when raised recently by NDP Leader Tom Mulcair. Read more…
Theft of giant cedar prompts call for increased park policing
The recent theft of an 800-year-old red cedar from Carmanah Walbarn Provincial Park sparked members of the Vancouver Island Wilderness Committee to call for more funding to hire park rangers. Read more…
Surprise! Trio of ministers shows up unexpectedly for environment hearings
OTTAWA - Three cabinet ministers made a surprise appearance at the subcommittee looking into the environment provisions in the government's massive budget bill -- raising questions about the Conservatives' commitment to giving the bill a full hearing. Read more…
BC committee crosses Clark on cosmetic pesticide ban
A year ago British Columbia Premier Christy Clark promised a province-wide ban on the cosmetic use of pesticides. But now the government majority on the bi-partisan committee she appointed on the topic has recommended against such a ban. Read more…
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- Environment
Tories admit to closing enviro research group because they disliked results
OTTAWA - The federal government has confirmed what the rumour mill suspected: it shut down an arm's length, independent advisory group because it didn't like the advice it was getting on addressing climate change. Read more…
Feds fall short in protecting vital ocean habitat off BC's coast: report
The federal government's progress towards legally protecting Canadian marine habitat -- including four vulnerable areas off B.C.'s coast -- is compromised by weak conservation measures, according to a 20-page report released today by the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS). Read more…
Tar sands development means 'game over for climate': Hansen
James Hansen, a prominent American scientist, said today that if Canada fully develops the Alberta tar sands, it will be "game over for the climate." Read more…
Environmental charities not biggest recipients of foreign cash, tax returns show
The Conservatives have taken some Canadian environmental charities to task for accepting money from wealthy foreign donors to finance their campaigns against oil and gas projects. But tax returns filed to the Canada Revenue Agency show most of the foreign money that fills the coffers of Canadian charities does not go to the environmental groups now in Tory crosshairs. Read more…
Shareholders concerned about cost of Gateway opposition
Enbridge managers were urged to examine the potential costs of opposition to the Northern Gateway pipeline at the corporation's annual shareholder meeting in Toronto today. Read more…
Feds will likely fall short on 2020 greenhouse gas targets: auditor
The federal government still has no solid plan to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and it's almost certainly too late for it to recover in time to reach its 2020 goals, says a new environmental audit. Read more…
Globe to Harper govt: Stop 'smearing' green critics
The federal government's claim that Canada's environmental movement is "laundering" money for foreign charities is apparently part of a deliberate campaign to "smear and intimidate" its critics, reads a Globe and Mail editorial. Read more…
TransCanada files new application to build controversial Keystone XL
TransCanada is taking another crack at winning a permit to build its Keystone XL oil pipeline after the Obama administration nixed an earlier iteration of it. Read more…
BC commissioner critical of animal health secrecy measures
Information and privacy commissioner Elizabeth Denham has sent her second letter this week criticizing a British Columbia government bill. Read more…
Enbridge risks squandering reputation on Gateway: mutual fund company
First Nations opposition to Enbridge's Northern Gateway pipeline has become so entrenched that the firm's entire corporate reputation could be at risk, says a Toronto-based mutual fund company. Read more…
Taseko asked Minister Kent to restrict First Nations' role in mine review
The president and CEO of Taseko Mines Ltd. wrote to Canadian Environment Minister Peter Kent asking the federal government to limit First Nations participation in the review of Prosperity Mine, a project opposed by the Tsilhqot'in National Government. Read more…
National forestry organization urges caution on BC land use changes
The national organization representing foresters and other professionals is urging the British Columbia government to be cautious about making any changes to how public forests are managed. Read more…
Northern mayors warn Burns Lake timber solution may harm their communities
Mayors of five northern communities have written to Premier Christy Clark expressing concern that finding enough timber for a new mill in Burns Lake may harm the long term sustainability of the places they represent. Read more…
Landmark fracking lawsuit starts with twist in Alberta
DRUMHELLER, ALBERTA: A landmark lawsuit against an energy giant and two Alberta government regulatory agencies concerning water well contamination by hydraulic fracturing started with an unusual twist in Alberta's Court of Queen's Bench yesterday. Read more…
