Category Archives: Utilities
Ottawa looking for 2,000 new energy auditors to get home retrofit program going
OTTAWA — The federal government is looking to train 2,000 more people to do energy audits as it tries to get a new green home renovation program off the ground. Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan says the government will provide up
Manitoba signs tentative deal to expand remote cell and high-speed internet
WINNIPEG — The Manitoba government has signed a tentative agreement to expand high-speed internet and cell service in remote areas. A memorandum with New Brunswick-based Xplorenet Communications will allow the company to use the fibre-optic network own...
Alberta government knew bighorn sheep contaminated with coal mine selenium: scientist
EDMONTON — Some herds of Alberta's provincial animal are heavily contaminated with selenium from old coal mines, says research from a retired senior government biologist. Jeff Kneteman said Alberta Environment has known about the problem in bighorn she...
Appeal court says Manitoba acted honourably in cancelling hydro deal with Metis group
Manitoba's appeal court has ruled the Progressive Conservative government acted honourably when it cancelled a $67-million agreement with the province's Metis federation that Premier Brian Pallister called "hush money." The Manitoba Metis Federation ha...
B.C. First Nation joins calls for Ottawa to step in on review of Alberta coal project
A British Columbia First Nation has joined calls for the federal government to step in on the environmental review of a proposed open-pit coal mine in Alberta's Rocky Mountains. The Ktunaxa First Nation, the first group outside Alberta to ask for
First Nations, coal companies asking Alberta for better consultation on mines
EDMONTON — Five First Nations whose land stretches along most of Alberta's Rocky Mountains and three coal companies hoping to develop mines in the area have written the province to demand better Indigenous consultation. "Alberta has not engaged with Si...
Alberta halts coal exploration in mountains while consultations continue
EDMONTON — The Alberta government has bowed to public pressure and paused coal exploration in the most sensitive areas of the Rocky Mountains while it continues to gather public feedback about mines. "In response to concerns from Albertans, all coal ex...
Alberta didn’t consider impact of mountain coal mining on tourism: official
EDMONTON — Alberta revoked a long-standing policy that protected its mountains and foothills from open-pit coal mines without considering how that might affect its most popular tourist attraction, a government official has acknowledged. "There was no ...
Council in Alberta environment minister’s town wants better coal consultation
ROCKY MOUNTAIN HOUSE, Alta. — A town council in Alberta Environment Minister Jason Nixon's backyard wants broader consultation over the government's plans for open-pit coal mining in the Rocky Mountains. On Tuesday, the community of Rocky Mountain Hous...
Alberta legislature turns down Opposition request to debate bill to protect Rockies
EDMONTON — The Alberta legislature has turned down a request for a special debate on an Opposition bill intended to protect the province's Rocky Mountains from coal mining. The refusal from United Conservative MLAs to grant unanimous consent for the de...