Industry (Literally) Wrote B.C.'s Climate Plan
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- Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00
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Time to pop the champagne!
We've had three great pieces of news this week! First off, three of our reporters (Sarah Cox, Emma Gilchrist and Carol Linnitt, pictured above) officially got membership in the B.C. press gallery. This means we can ask politicians more pesky questions (bonus: we get access to a musty office).
Secondly, we learned that we've been chosen as a finalist for two Canadian Online Publishing Awards. Our submissions included two pieces of journalism funded by you, our incredible readers, so we are extra thrilled to share this news. (Read all about it.)
Then today it was announced that our executive director and editor-in-chief Emma Gilchrist is being named an Emerging Leader in Canada's Clean 50 awards for outstanding leadership by individuals under 35. Since taking the helm of DeSmog Canada three years ago, Emma has, in the words of the Clean 50 team, "built DeSmog Canada into a powerhouse investigative environmental journalism outlet." Can I get an amen?
None of this would be possible without you — our readers. Together we are truly making independent environmental journalism a reality in Canada. Wanna become a member? It's fast, easy and will give you the warm and fuzzies. Promise. --- Carol
5 Things You Need to Know About B.C.'s Ban on Big Money
By Emma Gilchrist and Carol Linnitt
On Monday, the British Columbia government introduced new legislation that proposes to ban corporate, union and foreign donations in a move that will dramatically change B.C.’s political landscape and bring the province in line with other Canadian jurisdictions.
We answer your Top 5 questions on the ban. Read more.
Key Arctic Research Station Set to Close Because of Liberal Government’s Funding Cuts
By Judith Lavoie
Essential information on Arctic climate change, ozone depletion and pollution reaching the Arctic from B.C.’s recent forest fires will be lost unless the federal government comes through with funding to save Canada’s unique high Arctic research station. Read more.
B.C.’s Last Climate 'Leadership' Plan Was Written in Big Oil’s Boardroom (Literally)
By Shannon Daub and Zoë Yunker
Newly uncovered documents obtained through Freedom of Information requests reveal the cozy relationship between the fossil fuel industry and the last B.C. government went even further than suspected — all the way to inviting industry to directly craft the province’s climate “leadership” plan. Read more.
DeSmog Canada Chosen as Finalist For Two Canadian Online Publishing Awards
By Emma Gilchrist and Carol Linnitt
Judges for the Canadian Online Publishing Awards have announced the 2017 finalists and DeSmog Canada has made the cut in two categories.
In the category of “Best Continuing Coverage of a News Story” DeSmog Canada was selected as a finalist for its reporting on the Site C dam, alongside Maclean’s, VICE News, The Tyee/Discourse Media and the National Observer. Read more.
Christy Clark’s Secret Consultations with Oil and Gas Donors 'Deeply Corrosive' to Democracy
By Carol Linnitt
Documents released on Monday reveal that B.C.’s climate plan under the previous Liberal government was drafted by the oil and gas industry in a Calgary boardroom, just as the province’s new NDP government moves to ban corporate and union donations to B.C. political parties.
"Reading these documents gives us some real insight into how it is that these kinds of donations can buy not just access to government but access to actually writing policy,” UBC political scientist Max Cameron said. Read more.
Terminating Site C Dam, Building Alternatives Could Save B.C. Over $1B: Economist
By Judith Lavoie
A submission to the B.C. Utilities Commission by renowned hydroelectric consultant Robert McCullough has concluded that renewables could meet B.C.’s power needs at a much lower cost than Site C.
Calls for construction to be halted were buoyed by McCullough's analysis, which concluded that terminating Site C and building a renewable portfolio of wind and geothermal would save between $700 million and $1.6 billion. r34.