Okay, C'mon, Canada

Details: Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00; Written by editor

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There are BIG changes on the horizon when it comes to Canada's environmental laws.

These changes could fundamentally shift the way we assess major mines, pipelines and dams and even how we factor promises to Indigenous peoples into decision-making.

But some experts are already worried that the changes are just vague enough to leave much of the damage done during the Harper era in place.

Environmental lawyer Chris Tollefson said on close reading it's clear the bill lacks "transformative aspirations." Ouch.

Anna Johnston, staff lawyer with West Coast Environmental Law, told us she sees some good proposed changes in the law but that she still doesn't see "a safeguard against trading off environment for economy.”

And while the story of Canada's changing environmental laws is probably one of the biggest (but least sexy stories) in the country right now, there were lots of other things going on.

In B.C., the NDP government is preparing to release its first budget and this week's Speech from the Throne gave us some insight into what's top of mind for Premier John Horgan and his posse.

We also got the inside scoop from author Joan Baxter on Nova Scotia's massively polluting pulp and paper mill that has taxpayers in a toxic bind.

BUT, the biggest news is that one of you sent us a Valentine's Day card. Stop being so sweet, you. Just kidding, never stop.

Remember When Harper Ruined Canada’s Environmental Laws? Here’s How the Liberals Want to Revamp Them

By Carol Linnitt

Remember that whole fiasco in 2012 when Stephen Harper basically, you know, eviscerated most of Canada’s environmental laws in one ginormous budget bill?

People actually called it the ‘Environmental Destruction Act.’ People took to the streets. People, aka our members of parliament, pulled all-nighters proposing amendments to the bill, but Harper just laughed in their faces while playing the keyboard. Or something like that.

So yeah, things got pretty grim there for a minute (aka six years). But that's all about to change (maybe.) Read more.

Nova Scotia’s Dirty Secret: The Tale of a Toxic Mill and The Book Its Owners Don't Want You to Read

By Jimmy Thomson

The story of Pictou Landing is one of desperation, of corruption and incompetence. So perhaps it’s no surprise that when Canadian journalist and anthropologist Joan Baxter tried to tell it, old forces of power moved in to silence her. The mill’s owners tried to banish Baxter and her book, The Mill: Fifty Years of Pulp and Protest, from local bookstores.

Of course, that backfired.

We reached Baxter at her home in Nova Scotia to talk about The Mill, the stories that were told to hide industry’s impacts from locals and the fight against years of environmental racism and degradation still plaguing the region to this day. Read more.

B.C. Makes Big Promises on Environment, Indigenous Rights in Throne Speech

By Sarah Cox

The B.C. government tried to steer clear of controversy over liquefied natural gas exports, the Site C dam and fish farms in the Speech from the Throne Tuesday. The speech laid out the NDP’s “affordability” agenda and unveiled plans to revitalize the environment assessment process and address fugitive emissions in the oil and gas sector.

“As B.C. develops its abundant natural resources, we must do so in a way that meets our obligations to the environment, First Nations and the public interest,” read the speech, presented by Lieutenant Governor Judith Guichon to mark the start of a new legislative session. Read more.

Three Gaping Holes in Trudeau’s Attempt to Fix Canada’s Environmental Laws

By Chris Tollefson

Windows of opportunity for transformative change are rare and can close suddenly.

The saga of Bill C-69 is a case in point. Read more.

DeSmog Canada in the World
Sometimes when we've got a great story we like to show it off. Like this important story about the lack of charges in B.C. for the Mount Polley mine spill. Our managing editor Carol Linnitt took it for a rip around the VICE block. She's like that. Go girl.

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