Background Content: Environment
Exploring Theme: "Specific Industry Environmental Issues"
Updates on this page: 63
(Filtered by Indigenous Group "First Nations")
January 16, 2024
Ring of Fire: A path to prosperity and environmental risk
Harry Wabasse’s home in Webequie First Nation is near the Ring of Fire — a 5,000-square-kilometre region in Ontario’s north that contains minerals needed for clean technologies and batteries. Photo submitted Canada’s National Observer: Harry Wabasse’s home in Webequie First Nation is near the Ring of Fire — a 5,000-square-kilometre region in Ontario’s north that...
October 3, 2023
Tŝilhqot’in National Government Releases Mining Policy
NationTalk: Williams Lake, B.C.: Today, the Tŝ ilhqot’in National Government (TNG) has released a mining policy that affirms its jurisdiction over mineral resources in its Territory, its responsibilities to protect Tŝilhqot’in nen (lands and resources) for future generations, and outlines how responsible mining may occur in the Tsilhqot’in territory. The draft policy underwent public engagement...
July 5, 2023
KOTUG Canada Provides First State-of-the-Art Dual Fuel Methanol Escort Tugs for Trans Mountain’s Expanded Operations on Canada’s West Coast
NationTalk: In 2021, after a rigorous and competitive process, Trans Mountain, on behalf of shippers for the Trans Mountain Expansion Project (TMEP), awarded KOTUG Canada Inc. a long-term contract to provide enhanced escort towage services for tankers that load crude oil at Trans Mountain’s Westridge Marine Terminal. Trans Mountain operates Canada’s only oil pipeline servicing...
December 7, 2022
Canada’s Forest Sector Releases National Report on Biodiversity Conservation
Earlier today, Forest Products Association of Canada (FPAC) released a national conservation report entitled: Conservation Forestry – Careful Use of Canada’s Forest Resources. The report identifies the link between Sustainable Forest Management (SFM) and the progress being made on biodiversity goals, Indigenous-led management, and net-zero carbon targets. The report provides insights into sustainable forest management...
September 13, 2022
Muskrat Falls Monitoring and Health Management Oversight Committee announced by Minister Osborne
NationTalk: The Honourable Tom Osborne, Minister of Health and Community Services, today announced Dr. Ray Copes, as the Independent Chair to oversee the work of the Muskrat Falls Monitoring and Health Management Oversight Committee (MHMOC). Dr. Copes is a physician with a Master’s Degree in Epidemiology. He was selected as the Independent Chair by the...
September 1, 2022
Deep Geological Repository proposed in Treaty #3 Territory: Statement
Anishinaabe Nation: Over the past several weeks there has been media speculation as to the proceedings of the Nuclear Waste Management Organization’s Adaptive Phased Management project and the development of a Deep Geological Repository in the Treaty #3 Territory. In relation to any project in the jurisdiction of the Anishinaabe Nation in Treaty #3, Manito...
August 17, 2022
Outlet Channels Project: Manitoba investing $3.1 Million to establish Environmental Advisory Committee
NationTalk: The Manitoba government is investing $3.1 million to establish an environmental advisory committee for the Lake Manitoba and Lake St. Martin Outlet Channels Project, Transportation and Infrastructure Minister Doyle Piwniuk announced today. “Since plans for the outlet channels project first began in 2011, our government has continually engaged with Indigenous groups and other communities...
June 9, 2022
Great Bear Rainforest Review: How to preserve and protect while supporting sustainable forestry
NationTalk:The Province has been working in government-to-government partnership with First Nations and seeking input from stakeholders to complete a five-year review of the implementation of ecosystem-based management (EBM) in the Great Bear Rainforest. EBM is a land and resource management approach that considers the interconnectedness of people, place and ecology. EBM seeks to find the...
March 15, 2022
Kinder Morgan: TMX Open Letter: Investment in the TMX Poses Significant Financial Risks for First Nations
NationTalk: Union of BC Indian Chiefs – Recent announcements that the new cost of the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion (TMX) has ballooned to $21.4 billion, and that the federal government will not invest further public funds into the project should be a major red flag for anyone considering economic participation or ownership of the controversial...
January 31, 2022
Peel Watershed
ATAC Resources – ATAC announces that it has voluntarily relinquished 327 quartz mineral claims located within designated wilderness areas of the finalized Peel Watershed Land Use Plan (“the Plan”). As an exploration company, we are constantly looking for ways to positively engage with local communities and this contribution is consistent with our commitment to implementing...
January 22, 2022
Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline
Nesika Services – Nesika Services is a grassroots, community-led not-for-profit, formed to support Indigenous communities to maximize economic opportunity through ownership of the Trans Mountain Pipeline (TMX). Nesika was conceived from a desire to enable communities to make informed decisions on how Indigenous ownership can govern the environmental and economic impact from the TMX. Nesika...
November 22, 2021
Porcupine Cariboo Herd
Vuntut Gwitchin Government, Gwitchin Tribal Council – The U.S. House of Representatives on Thursday passed the “Build Back Better Act”, which restores protections to Iizhik Gwats’an Gwandaii Goodlit (The Sacred Place Where Life Begins), also known as the Coastal Plain of the Arctic National Wildlife Refuge. The Coastal Plain is critical to the survival of...
November 18, 2021
Coastal GasLInk Pipeline
Toronto Star – Fifteen people, including Indigenous elders, media and legal observers, had been arrested by the afternoon, according to Jennifer Wickham, a spokesperson for the hereditary chiefs and their supporters. Wickham stressed they had been acting peacefully. Wickham said armed RCMP officers in tactical gear with canine units and heavy machinery moved into the...
September 29, 2021
Enbridge Line 3
The pipeline giant said Wednesday the 1,765-kilometre Line 3 — which will carry oil from Alberta to Enbridge’s terminal in Superior, Wis. — is “substantially complete....
July 27, 2021
Grassy Narrows, Wabaseemoong First Nations
Indigenous Group: Asubpeeschoseewagong Netum Anishinabek (Grassy Narrows First Nation); Wabaseemoong First Nation Business: Reed Paper (defunct) Issue: Mercury poisoning over a 50-year period resulting in 90% of the 1500 residents developing Minamata disease and the loss of their commercial fishery industry Comment: Aug. 18, 2016: Toronto Star – When Reed Paper dumped 9,000 kg of...
April 9, 2021
BC Salmon Fishery
Canada’s National Observer – On Monday, Federal Court Justice Peter George Pamel said Mowi Canada West and Saltstream would suffer substantial harm if they couldn’t transfer juvenile fish into three farm sites in the area. But Homalco Chief Darren Blaney said the companies’ win comes at the expense of wild salmon and all the First...
March 3, 2021
BC Hydro’s Site C Dam
First People’s Law – In February, the Treaty 8 First Nations of Alberta issued a Declaration of Indigenous Solidarity calling for the immediate suspension of the Site C project until the Crown’s consultation obligations are fulfilled and until the court has determined West Moberly’s treaty infringement claim....
February 16, 2021
Wood Buffalo National Park
Toronto Star – By the end of a 30-day consultation period in mid-March, the government is set to enshrine the 143,800 hectares of additional land for the Kitaskino Nuwenëné Wildland (KNW) in legislation, creating the largest boreal protected region in the world, which includes habitat for the wood bison and woodland caribou, both identified as...
February 2, 2021
Niobay Metals
Indigenous Group: Moose Cree First Nation Business: Niobay Metal Issue: This is a sensitive wetland area and Moose Cree has identified it as important for water as well as a highly used cultural area for its members. Comment: May 26, 2017: Moose Cree First Nation – has unanimously rejected a drilling project in the heart...
January 26, 2021
BC Hydro’s Site C Dam
Indigenous Group: Union of BC Indian Chiefs Business: BC Hydro and Government of BC Issue: $9 billion Site C dam would flood 107 kilometers of the Peace River and its tributaries including the traditional lands of the Treaty 8 First Nations. Comment: The most expensive public project ever undertaken in the province has generated numerous...
January 8, 2021
Porcupine Cariboo Herd
Indigenous Group: Vuntut Gwitchin First Nation Business: US Government and State of Alaska Issue: Opening the Alaska National Wildlife Refuge to oil drilling which threatens the Porcupine Caribou herd. The animals are protected under a U.S.-Canada treaty, which commits both nations to preserve it. Comment: April 23, 2018: CBC – The herd is the largest...
December 21, 2020
Wood Buffalo National Park
Government of Canada – will invest $59.9 million over 3 years to continue implementing federal commitments under the Wood Buffalo National Park World Heritage Site Action Plan. Funding announced today builds on the Government of Canada’s initial investment of $27.5 million through Budget 2018 for work to date on the Action Plan. It will support...
August 6, 2020
Enbridge Line 3
The Government of Canada – has approved Enbridge’s Line 3 Replacement Project, subject to 37 binding conditions that will be enforced by the National Energy Board (NEB) before construction can begin, during construction and during operation. The conditions will ensure that the pipeline and facilities are built and operated in a manner that is safe...
July 24, 2020
Sisson Mines
CBC – Northcliff has engaged with the province of New Brunswick to extend the deadlines under the provincial EIA (environmental impact assessment) and the process is ongoing,” the company said in a quarterly management update for investors filed last month. The project was to have begun construction within 5 years of receiving provincial approval....
April 2, 2020
BC Hydro’s Site C Dam
The Narwhal – BC Hydro offered West Moberly First Nations $28 million in lump-sum payments and annual payments to address the impacts of the Site C dam, according to new court documents for a treaty rights infringement trial. They turned the offer down: $3.5 million in lump sum payments over three instalments and annual payments...
March 10, 2020
Coastal GasLInk Pipeline
Indigenous Group: 17 First Nations communities Business: LNG Canada & TransCanada Issue: Construction of approximately 670 km pipeline to transport natural gas in BC from the Dawson Creek area to Kitimat. Wet’suwet’en hereditary chiefs are opposed to the project that criminalizes Anuk Nu’at’en (Wet’suwet’en laws) Comment: This $40 billion project has been met with a...
March 5, 2020
Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline
APTN National News – The Supreme Court of Canada has decided not to hear five challenges from environment and Indigenous groups from British Columbia on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project. It means the multi-billion-dollar project has cleared another legal hurdle....
February 23, 2020
Teck Frontier
Reuters – Teck Resources Ltd has withdrawn an application to build its C$20.6 billion ($15.7 billion) Frontier oil sands mine in Alberta, d ays before the federal government was to decide on whether to approve a project opposed by environmentalists and indigenous groups. “The growing debate around this issue has placed Frontier and our company...
February 10, 2020
Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline
Indigenous Group: 81 First Nations in Alberta and BC Business: Kinder Morgan Canada (Government of Canada purchased Kinder Morgan on May 29, 2018) Issue: $7.4B pipeline project would triple the amount of oil being transported through Burrard Inlet, from 300K to nearly 900K barrels per day, and increase oil tanker traffic from one a week...
February 7, 2020
Teck Frontier
Indigenous Group: Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation Business: Teck Resources Issue: Frontier Oil Sand Mines will be the largest open pit mine in Canada Comment: Alberta’s failure to consult and take meaningful action on environmental concerns – ranging from caribou habitat to water issues – could jeopardize the project. Last Update: Feb. 7, 2020 – Minister...
February 1, 2020
Deep Geologic Repository
The Kincardine News – Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) members voted against a Deep Geologic Repository (DGR), for low and intermediate-level nuclear waste, as proposed by Ontario Power Generation (OPG) for the Bruce nuclear site in Kincardine. The vote was 1,058 “No” votes, 170 “Yes...
January 21, 2020
Grizzly Bear Spirit
Outside – After 30 years, Ktunaxa First Nation, with help from the Canadian government and Patagonia, finally shut down the Jumbo Glacier ski-resort development. Members of the Ktunaxa Nation, along with environmental organizations and governmental agencies, announced a plan to create an Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area over a swathe of the Purcell Mountains that...
November 25, 2019
Chemical Valley – Sarnia
The Varsity, University of Toronto – Researchers at The Technoscience Research Team (TRU), an Indigenous-led lab at U of T launched a Pollution Reporter app, which allows members of the Aamjiwnaang First Nation to report the pollutants in and around their land, and how they are affected by them. According to a 2011 report by...
October 10, 2019
Chemical Valley – Sarnia
Indigenous Group: Aamjiwnaang First Nation Business: Multiple Petrochemical plants (57 polluters) Issue: Chemical releases from area industries and the province’s lack of enforcement of its own environmental laws. Comment: Experts and documents cast doubts on whether industry and Ontario government are revealing levels of pollutants in areas where residents live near oil and gas facilities....
August 29, 2019
Peel Watershed
CBC – First Nations of the Peel Watershed came together with the Yukon government on Aug. 22 after 15 years of negotiations, court battles, protests and consultations to sign a landmark planning agreement that would protect more than 67,000 square kilometres of critical wilderness in the watershed region. “This is a great day for the...
August 12, 2019
BC Salmon Fishery
Indigenous Group: Musgamagw Dzawada’enuxw, Namgis, Tlowitsis and Mamalilikulla First Nations Business: Marine Harvest Canada Issue: Long struggle with federal and provincial governments to fully recognize and address the threat of salmon fish farms to wild salmon Comment: Wild salmon is an integral part of the ecosystem and a central part of First Nations cultures on...
July 16, 2019
New Propsperity Gold Mine
Indigenous Group: Tsilhqot’in First Nation BC Business: Taseko Mines Ltd. (TML) Issue: Granting drilling permits for extensive pre-construction exploration in dying days of previous Liberal government. Comment: July, 18, 2017: The Nelson Daily – The permits authorize 76 km of new or modified trails, 122 drill holes, 367 test pits dug by an excavator, and...
June 21, 2019
Bill C-48: Oil and Tanker Moratorium Act
Indigenous Group: First Nations in Northwest BC Business: Alberta Oil and Gas companies Issue: Banning oil tanker traffic along the BC coast north of Vancouver Island Comment: Bill C-48: “An Act respecting the regulation of vessels that transport crude oil or persistent oil to or from ports or marine installations located along British Columbia’s north...
June 1, 2019
Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain Pipeline
Trans Mountain Expansion Project – Accommodation Measures As part of the re-initiated Phase III consultations, consultation teams had an expanded mandate to discuss specific accommodation measures to address the concerns of potentially affected Indigenous groups. The government has put forward eight accommodation measures that focus on building capacity and long-term relationships, marine safety, spill prevention,...
January 31, 2019
Redwater Energy
CBC – Energy companies must fulfil their environmental obligations before paying back creditors in the case of insolvency or bankruptcy, Canada’s Supreme Court has ruled. The top court’s ruling released Thursday overturns two lower court decisions that said bankruptcy law has paramountcy over provincial environmental responsibilities in the case of Redwater Energy, which became insolvent...
October 29, 2018
Mikisew Cree First Nation
Indigenous Group: Mikisew Cree First Nation and Manitoba Métis Federation Business: Government of Canada Issue: Jan. 14, 2018: CBC – The case seeks a judicial review of changes made under the previous Harper government to the Fisheries Act, the Species At Risk Act, the Navigable Waters Protection Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act in...
August 8, 2018
Landore Resources
Indigenous Group: Eabametoong First Nation (EFN) Business: Landore Resources Issue: Exploration Permits issued despite concerns raised by community members about impacts to the environment and Aboriginal and Treaty rights. Comment: Feb. 7, 2016: NetNewsLedger – In March 2016 Ontario’s Ministry of Northern Development and Mines issued mineral exploration permits to Landore Resources Inc. to drill...
June 26, 2018
Wood Buffalo National Park
Indigenous Group: Mikisew Cree First Nation Business: Federal Government Issue: Mikisew Cree First Nation in December 2014 applied to have Wood Buffalo National Park added to UNESCO’s List of World Heritage in Danger because their way of life is tied to the Peace-Athabasca Delta and Canada’s failure to protect this important area has put their...
February 21, 2018
Enbridge Line 3
Indigenous Group: 122 First Nations and Tribes Business: Enbridge Pipelines Inc. Issue: All 122 First Nations and Tribes have signed the Treaty Alliance Against Tar Sands Expansion Comment: The Enbridge Line 3 project represented Enbridge Pipelines Inc.’s largest project in history at the time. It started as a $15.7 billion dollar replacement and expansion that...
February 14, 2018
Redwater Energy
Indigenous Group: Multiple First Nations and Métis communities Business: Redwater Energy Corp Receiver Issue: In May 2016, the Court of Queen’s Bench of Alberta stated that the receivers and trustees who manage company bankruptcies can avoid complying with provincial legislation, ignoring environmental and public safety obligations, in order to maximize profit for secured creditors. Comment:...
December 1, 2017
Peel Watershed
Indigenous Group: Tr’ondëk Hwëch’in, First Nation of Na-Cho Nyäk Dun, and Gwich’in Tribal Council, Vuntut Gwitchin Business: Yukon Government Issue: Opening up the Peel Watershed to roads, infrastructure and resource extraction Comment: Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society – Larger than Nova Scotia, the Peel Watershed is the homeland of four First Nations who have been...
November 2, 2017
Grizzly Bear Spirit
Indigenous Group: Ktunaxa First Nation Business: Jumbo Glacier Resorts Issue: Development of a ski resort at Jumbo mountain, a site for spiritual ceremonies of the Ktunaxa First Nation to honor Grizzly Bear Spirit, a principal figure in their religion. Comment: The Ktunaxa assert that charter protection for freedom of religion must include not only spiritual...
October 5, 2017
TransCanada Energy East Pipeline
Trans Canada pulls plug on Energy East...
August 23, 2017
Deep Geologic Repository
Indigenous Group: Chippewas of Saugeen and Chippewas of Nawash First Nations Business: Ontario Power Generation (OPG) Issue: Ongoing deposits of low- and intermediate-level nuclear waste in Saugeen Ojibway Nation territory Comment: The leadership of the Saugeen Ojibway Nation (SON) have fought for over ten years to ensure the voice of their Communities would be heard...
August 14, 2017
Sisson Mines
Mining Watch Canada – A new study concludes that “the mining waste facility design is business-as-usual, using the same facility design and water cover approach used at the failed Mt. Polley Mine”. Using recent government data, the delegation estimates the total liability for contaminated mining sites across Canada to be well above 10.0 billion dollars,...
August 14, 2017
Mattagami Oil Spill
Indigenous Group: Mattagami First Nation Business: Canadian National Railway Issue: Two separate train derailments near Gogoma, Ontario in February and March 2015 spilled millions of litres of crude oil into nearby lands and the local watershed Comment: Mattagami First Nation has launched a court case against CN Railway for the damage caused, which has prevented...
July 25, 2017
Pacific Northwest LNG
Petronas announced that they were cancelling the project due to changing market conditions...
July 18, 2017
BC Oil and Gas Commission (BCOGC)
Indigenous Group: Fort Nelson First Nation Business: Rockyview Resources Inc. and BC Oil and Gas Commission (BCOGC) Issue: The 39K gas pipeline is slated to cut across a critical habitat of the boreal woodland caribou, a provincially and federally recognized species at risk Comment: July 18, 2017: The Narwhal – The 39km proposed gas pipeline...
April 17, 2017
Copper One Mine
Indigenous Group: Mitchikanibikok Inik also known as Algonquins of Barrière Lake Business: Copper One Issue: Mine will degrade land and pollute the headwaters of the Ottawa River Comment: April 17, 2017: Ecojustice (University of Ottawa) – Copper One, a junior mining company, filed a mandamus application to force the Quebec government to grant it “deforestation...
March 29, 2017
TransCanada Energy East Pipeline
Indigenous Group: 122 First Nations in Canada and the US Business: Trans Canada Pipelines Issue: Proposed pipeline crosses 155 First Nations territories Comment: Energy East is a proposed 4,500-kilometre pipeline that would carry 1.1 million barrels of crude oil per day from Alberta and Saskatchewan to refineries in Eastern Canada and a marine terminal in...
February 10, 2017
Sisson Mines
Indigenous Group: Six Maliseet First Nations communities in NB Business: Sisson Mines Northcliff Resources (Canada) and Todd Minerals, NZ Issue: Protect the Nashwaak’s and St. John’s River watersheds from toxic mining spills Comment: The Conservation Council of New Brunswick identified three risks that Sisson Mine’s Environmental Impact Assessment did not address effectively (July 17, 2015):...
November 29, 2016
Northern Gateway
Indigenous Group: 8 First Nations along pipeline route Business: Enbridge Issue: Enbridge’s $7.9-billion Northern Gateway project pipeline route which spans 1,170 kilometres from Bruderheim, Alberta to Kitimat. that would link Alberta’s oilsands to British Columbia’s north coast. The project would dramatically increase tanker traffic along the northwest coast. Approved in 2014 Comment: Jan. 12, 2016:...
September 27, 2016
Pacific Northwest LNG
Indigenous Group: Haida Nation Business: Petronas, a Malaysian national energy company is project lead Issue: The $11.4B Liquefied Natural Gas (LNG) export terminal near Prince Rupert in BC and associated pipeline subject to conditions to mitigate the environmental impact on salmon and climate. Latest Updates: Sept. 27, 2016: Haida Nation – Approved by federal government....
August 17, 2016
Northern Gateway
Vancouver Sun -The extraordinary decision by a Haida clan to strip two of its hereditary chiefs of their titles for secretly supporting the proposed Enbridge Northern Gateway pipeline is being closely watched by First Nations across Canada. The rebuke came as the Haida Nation rejected what they say is a growing trend by companies to...
June 30, 2016
Northern Gateway
Global News – The Federal Court of Appeal has overturned the government’s approval of a controversial pipeline proposal that would link Alberta’s oilsands to British Columbia’s north coast. The court says Canada fell short in its duty to consult with aboriginal people before giving the green light to the$7.9-billion Northern Gateway project. Eight First Nations,...
February 24, 2016
Northern Gateway
Indigenous Group: 8 First Nations along pipeline route Business: Enbridge Issue: Enbridge’s $7.9-billion Northern Gateway project pipeline route which spans 1,170 kilometres from Bruderheim, Alberta to Kitimat. that would link Alberta’s oilsands to British Columbia’s north coast. The project would dramatically increase tanker traffic along the northwest coast. Approved in 2014 Comment: Jan. 12, 2016:...
February 1, 2016
Great Bear Rainforest
Indigenous Group: 26 First Nations Business: BC Government Issue: Industrial developments, logging, and the combined effects of climate change continue to threaten the cultural and ecological integrity of the Great Bear Rainforest. Comment: First Nations are concerned about the environmental impacts of destructive logging practices and the lack of economic benefits for their communities from...
January 1, 1970
Pacific Northwest LNG
The Province – The federal government is announcing two B.C. First Nations have agreed to be members of a new environmental monitoring committee for the proposed $11.4-billion Pacific NorthWest LNG project. The government says the agreement, the first of its kind, will include the Lax Kw’alaams Band and the Metlakatla First Nation, aboriginal groups whose...
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