nationalobserver--2020-11-24--Fossil fuels will decline but, unless Canada takes action, remain a big player in Canada's energy us

Fossil fuels will decline but, unless Canada takes action, remain a big player in Canada's energy use by 2050: report

The Canada Energy Regulator says reaching net-zero emissions over the next 30 years will require a much more aggressive transition away from oil and gas .
The annual Energy Futures report released Tuesday comes just a few days after the federal government tabled a bill to enshrine into law its target to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 .
But the report projects that even with many more policies to curb emissions than are currently in place , oil and gas would still make up nearly two-thirds of energy sources three decades from now .
`` Achieving net-zero ( greenhouse gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ accelerated pace of transition away from fossil fuels , '' the report says .
Net-zero means either no emissions are produced , or any that are produced are absorbed by nature or technology so no more are added to the atmosphere , where they contribute to global warming .
• Liberals ' climate accountability bill can be saved — but only if we act now • The key to fighting future pandemics ?
Old-growth forests , says mushroom guru Paul Stamets • Nova Scotia First Nation suspends lobster harvest after sighting of endangered @ @ @ @ @ @ @ told The Canadian Press in an interview that the goal of the report is n't to comment on existing policy , but to paint a picture of where things could go using a variety of assumptions .
`` Really , our hope is that this information will help inform that policy process going forward , '' she said .
The 104-page report looks at two potential scenarios for energy use in Canada .
One involves using only the climate policies already in place .
Another `` evolving scenario '' adds in the impacts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the carbon tax , lower market prices for oil and gas , and lower costs to transitioning to renewables like wind and solar .
The current carbon tax is to stop rising in 2022 at $ 50 per tonne of emissions produced .
The government is to review it at that point .
The regulator 's report looks at what would happen if the carbon tax was hiked to $ 125 a tonne by 2050 .
Under the status quo scenario , demand for oil and gas remains relatively stable over the next @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scenario , '' oil and gas demand peaked in 2019 .
It will fall 35 per cent by 2050 but will still account for 64 per cent of all energy used .
Reaching net-zero emissions over the next 30 years will to require a much more aggressive transition away from oil and gas .
# cdnpoli # ClimateChange # GHG # climatecrisis Canada currently gets about one-sixth of its energy from electricity , about 20 per cent of which comes from burning fossil fuels .
In the evolving policy scenario , the report @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Canadian energy by 2050 , and that fossil fuels will provide about 10 per cent of that .
Darren Christie , the chief economist at the Canada Energy Regulator , says COVID-19 added much more uncertainty to this year 's projections , because fuel consumption and production fell substantially during the pandemic restrictions .
He says it 's also not entirely clear how , or if , the country 's work and commuting habits will return to the pre-pandemic normal .
`` It really changes our starting point , '' he said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent because of the pandemic , and oil production in Canada is down about seven per cent .
The evolving scenario projects that crude oil and natural gas production will both grow between 17 and 18 per cent by 2039 , but will then start to fall , dropping seven or eight per cent by 2050 .
De Silva notes that if the three oil and gas pipelines under construction get finished — Keystone XL , Trans Mountain and Enbridge Line 3 — they will together be the final pipelines Canada needs @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and fossil fuel production before it begins to decline .
The report suggests Canada will also have to seriously pick up the pace on electric vehicles to meet its current targets .
Even under the evolving scenario , the report projects only half of the passenger vehicles sold will be electric by 2050 , a decade after Canada wants them all to be electric .

The Canada Energy Regulator says reaching net-zero emissions over the next 30 years will require a much more aggressive transition away from oil and gas. The annual Energy Futures report released Tuesday comes just a few days after the federal government tabled a bill to enshrine into law its target to reach net-zero emissions by 2050. But the report projects that even with many more policies to curb emissions than are currently in place, oil and gas would still make up nearly two-thirds of energy sources three decades from now. "Achieving net-zero (greenhouse gas) emissions by 2050 will require an accelerated pace of transition away from fossil fuels," the report says. Net-zero means either no emissions are produced, or any that are produced are absorbed by nature or technology so no more are added to the atmosphere, where they contribute to global warming.
Regulator CEO Gitane De Silva told The Canadian Press in an interview that the goal of the report isn't to comment on existing policy, but to paint a picture of where things could go using a variety of assumptions. "Really, our hope is that this information will help inform that policy process going forward," she said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The 104-page report looks at two potential scenarios for energy use in Canada. One involves using only the climate policies already in place. Another "evolving scenario" adds in the impacts of expanding those policies, including hiking the carbon tax, lower market prices for oil and gas, and lower costs to transitioning to renewables like wind and solar.
The current carbon tax is to stop rising in 2022 at $50 per tonne of emissions produced. The government is to review it at that point. The regulator's report looks at what would happen if the carbon tax was hiked to $125 a tonne by 2050. Reaching net-zero emissions over the next 30 years will to require a much more aggressive transition away from oil and gas. #cdnpoli #ClimateChange #GHG #climatecrisis Under the status quo scenario, demand for oil and gas remains relatively stable over the next three years. In the "evolving scenario," oil and gas demand peaked in 2019. It will fall 35 per cent by 2050 but will still account for 64 per cent of all energy used. Canada currently gets about one-sixth of its energy from electricity, about 20 per cent of which comes from burning fossil fuels. In the evolving policy scenario, the report projects electricity will generate more than one-quarter of Canadian energy by 2050, and that fossil fuels will provide about 10 per cent of that.
Darren Christie, the chief economist at the Canada Energy Regulator, says COVID-19 added much more uncertainty to this year's projections, because fuel consumption and production fell substantially during the pandemic restrictions. He says it's also not entirely clear how, or if, the country's work and commuting habits will return to the pre-pandemic normal. "It really changes our starting point," he said.


nationalobserver--2020-11-26--Canada is losing the race to low-carbon prosperity

To illustrate Canada ’ s precarious position , I ’ ve turned to two reports comparing how dependent many of the world ’ s major economies are on climate pollution .
These reports measure “ carbon intensity , ” which is the ratio of wealth created ( GDP ) per tonne of climate pollution emitted ( tCO2 ) .
You can think of it as a measure of how prepared we are to prosper in a low-carbon future .
The world ’ s nations are racing to rein in the climate crisis while maintaining strong economies .
Troublingly , Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to build a low-carbon economy .
Our decades of foot-dragging have put both our future prosperity and our climate at risk .
It gets worse .
While being mired in second-to-last place in the low-carbon transition race is a decidedly risky position , the data shows our position is even more precarious than that .
And take a look at the Europeans .
The overall European Union economy is $ 3,400 ahead of us .
They ’ ve essentially lapped us in this race , generating twice as much wealth as we are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pollution .
France is even further ahead , producing three times more GDP per tCO2 than us .
The first of my charts compares the world ’ s top 10 economies .
The coin stacks indicate how much GDP each economy produces per tonne of CO2 .
These 10 economies produce 70 per cent of the world ’ s GDP .
As you can see , Canada is second to last , and well below the global average .
Our economy creates only $ 3,000 per tCO2 emitted .
( Note : all @ @ @ @ @ @ @ allow comparison between countries . )
Only the coal-choked Chinese economy creates less GDP per tonne of climate pollution , at $ 2,600 .
Our next closest competitor in the low-carbon economic race is our largest trading partner , the United States , which is running $ 1,000 ahead of us .
For the last decade , PricewaterhouseCoopers ( PwC ) has been tracking this critical economic metric with its Low Carbon Economy Index reports .
I ’ ve used the data in its most recent report to create a series of charts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ global peers .
To try to gain more insight into why our Canadian economy lags so far behind our economic peers in this race , I decided to dig down one more level to see what our provincial economies have been doing .
The U.K. has been leading the way over there .
It nearly doubled the amount of GDP it produces from each tonne of climate pollution .
In fact , its increase of $ 3,700 is more per tonne than our economy can produce in total .
How did our Commonwealth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of us ?
The short answer is that they reduced their climate pollution by 100 times more than we did ( -250 MtCO2 versus -2 MtCO2 ) .
And they did that because they passed laws requiring it more than a decade ago .
And the Europeans have likewise been racing ever further ahead of us .
I 've added green to the coin stacks to show the changes since 2000 .
For example , the green part of Canada ’ s stack shows we ’ re up 35 per cent since 2000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by $ 800 .
But China was cleaning up twice as fast .
They increased their GDP per tCO2 by 67 per cent .
They 've nearly caught up to us .
In fact , if these rates continue , China will pass us in the next decade — leaving Canada dead last .
What do you think ?
Are you ready to face the metastasizing climate crisis with an economy even more climate-polluting than China ’ s ?
And China isn ’ t the only major economy that has been cleaning up @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in 2000 , we were neck and neck with the Americans .
Since then , the U.S. economy has sprinted far ahead of us .
They ’ ve improved their carbon intensity by 56 per cent , caught up to the world average and are on pace to pass both India and Japan in the coming decade .
See ya later , Canada .
According to the PwC report , Canada 's economy has also been one of the slowest at cleaning up over the last couple decades .
We ’ ve been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ world ’ s super-economies : the U.S. , the EU and China .
To see how this provincial divide measures up on the world stage , I ’ ve added each side to my original chart .
Using data from Canada 's National Inventory Report ( NIR ) and Statistics Canada , I calculated the carbon intensity for our six biggest provincial economies , which produce 95 per cent of Canada ’ s GDP and climate pollution .
My next chart shows the results .
The first thing that jumps out is a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one side are the Alberta and Saskatchewan economies that produce less than half the Canadian average .
And they ’ ve been cleaning up much slower , as well .
That has left them increasingly further behind .
On the other side of the divide are the other four major provincial economies — Manitoba , B.C.
, Ontario and Quebec .
Each of these produces more GDP per tCO2 than the Canadian average .
And they have all been cleaning up faster than the other side , widening the divide .
On the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ showing the combined economies of Alberta and Saskatchewan .
They only manage to create around $ 1,400 in GDP per tCO2 .
That ’ s half of what the Chinese economy can produce per tonne of climate pollution .
And these two provinces have been dragging their feet cleaning up , while China has been sprinting ever further ahead .
It 's hard for me to imagine a riskier climate strategy than being twice as dirty as China ’ s economy and choosing to fall ever further behind .
Canada ’ s other @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the new red bar between Japan and Germany .
They ’ re in the middle of the pack and cleaning up at roughly the same pace as the U.S. and the EU .
But there ’ s reason to worry here , too .
That ’ s because most of these gains since 2000 have come from a single policy in a single province : the coal phaseout in Ontario .
And that ’ s now over .
So , Canada will need to find significant new emissions cuts elsewhere , and soon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ low-carbon prosperity , we are still mired in denial , inaction and greenwash in Canada .
For example , the province that had been leading the way , Ontario , recently abandoned many of its climate policies .
Our federal government in Ottawa refuses to produce even a plan that , if ever implemented , would get us anywhere close to our Paris Agreement climate target for 2030 .
On the West Coast , B.C .
is busy backsliding by expanding one of the most carbon-intensive sectors in its economy — fracked fossil @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and Saskatchewan are fighting in court to block even the few far-too-weak-to-meet-our-climate-targets policies that Canada does have .
So far we ’ ve looked at Canada ’ s carbon intensity compared to the world ’ s other top 10 economies .
I ’ ll wrap with a look at how we stack up against a much larger set of countries .
This next chart is from the Green Growth Indicators 2017 report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development ( OECD ) .
It shows the carbon intensity for 46 nations , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I ’ ve highlighted the names of the global top 10 economies covered in the previous charts .
And I ’ ve listed the improvement percentage for each over these years .
Where ’ s Canada ?
Sadly , we are nearly in last place in this much larger group , too .
And again , as this study highlights , we ’ ve been cleaning up far slower than most .
We ’ ve wasted two precious decades and are now even further behind .
One last sobering observation here is that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ show up dead last on this chart — at around $ 1.2 per KgCO2 ( a.k.a .
: $ 1,200 per tCO2 ) .
If you think that ’ s the inevitable result of being a northern oil-producing region , take a look at where Norway is .
They are way up above France on the chart — producing $ 8,700 in GDP per tCO2 .
That is seven times more than Alberta or Saskatchewan .
Climate failure is a choice .
Which of those economies would you rather have going forward into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The threat facing Canada is that time is running out .
The accelerating climate crisis is rapidly shortening the time remaining to transition to low-carbon prosperity .
Gone are the years when climate damage was a future threat .
Ready or not , we are all entering the age of climate consequences .
For those wanting a bit more detail on this critical metric , I ’ ve included some additional notes here .
In principle , carbon intensity is simple .
It ’ s just the ratio of GDP to emissions .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ get confusing because some sources report this ratio with GDP on top ( GDP/CO2 ) , while others report the inverse ( CO2/GDP ) .
For example , the OECD report and my article use the first method .
Carbon intensity is listed as dollars of GDP per unit of emissions .
Canada ’ s carbon intensity is listed as US $ 3,000 per tCO2 .
In this version , larger numbers mean cleaner .
Cleaner economies produce larger amounts of GDP per tonne of climate pollution .
In contrast , other sources @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Inventory Report ( NIR ) use the inverse ratio .
They list carbon intensity as the amount of emissions per dollar of GDP .
So , the same level of carbon intensity for Canada gets listed as 333 grams CO2 per dollar of GDP instead .
In this version , smaller numbers mean cleaner .
Cleaner economies emit smaller amounts of climate pollution per dollar of GDP .
And sometimes you may need to convert between the two versions to compare them .
That ’ s what I needed to do with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ article .
Fortunately , this is easy to do with a spreadsheet .
Just invert either version to get the other .
In math formula terms : versionA = 1 / versionB .
For example , you can convert Canada ’ s $ 3,000/tCO2 by inverting it like this : 1 / $ 3,000/tCO2 == tCO2/ $ 3,000 == 0.000333 tCO2/ $ 1 ( 333 gCO2/ $ 1 ) .
2 ) Where Canada reports carbon intensity … and what is missing .
Canada spotlights the importance of carbon intensity in its official @ @ @ @ @ @ @ four “ key points ” on page one of the executive summary .
And it is featured in the report ’ s very first chart .
Here it is : While this highlights the importance of improving carbon intensity in Canada , it leaves out the critical information required to evaluate how well we are doing compared to what is needed .
Missing are : • Comparison with other nations — Are we keeping up , or falling behind , in the global low-carbon prosperity race ?
You ca n't tell from reading @ @ @ @ @ @ @ why outside reports like those from PwC and OECD are critically important for Canadians to pay attention to .
Without a sense of how we are doing relative to the world 's biggest economies and our main trading partners , we are flying blind into a gathering economic climate storm .
• Comparison to our climate targets — Are we on track to building a future-proof economy that can still thrive if we choose ( or are pressured ) to cut emissions in line with our promises ?
If not , how much @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
The NIR does n't discuss what carbon intensity we need to hit our targets .
• Insight into provincial and sector trends — Which parts of our economy are cleaning up fast enough and which are n't ?
Are we putting our limited government funds and resources into areas that are delivering high GDP per tonne ?
Or are we subsidizing and expanding the lowest return and the slowest to clean up options ?
We ca n't get to low-carbon prosperity if we do n't even have the basic data that shows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our economy , and what the trends are .
3 ) Carbon intensity for all provinces and territories … and the oil and gas sector In the main article , I presented carbon-intensity data for our six main provincial economies .
For those interested in the rest of Canada , here is an expanded chart that shows all provinces and territories .
Among the smaller provinces , New Brunswick ( +79 per cent ) , P.E.I .
( +67 per cent ) and Nova Scotia ( +52 per cent ) all cleaned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ +35 per cent ) .
Newfoundland and Labrador ( +9 per cent ) cleaned up slower .
And while all three northern territories are shown as getting dirtier over these years , it 's not clear that has really happened .
Their emissions are so small compared to the NIR data rounding in their tables that it is hard to say for sure what happened with these three .
Finally , I 've included one sector example on this chart to highlight how measuring and tracking carbon intensity is so critical in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ stack of all at the far right ?
That 's Canada 's most climate polluting sector — oil and gas extraction .
The data shows that the oil and gas sector emits 26 per cent of Canada 's emissions to produce roughly six per cent of our GDP .
That means it creates only a quarter as much GDP from each tonne of climate pollution as the Canadian average .
( Here 's the simple math : six per cent GDP/ 26 per cent GHG = 23 per cent of Canada 's average @ @ @ @ @ @ @ matters worse , the same data shows that the oil and gas sector has been cleaning up only half as fast as rest of our economy at just 15 per cent since 2000 .
That foot-dragging has left this industry ever further behind .
And yet , despite this industry making so little GDP from its emissions , and despite it cleaning up so slowly , Ottawa has still allowed — and even heavily subsidized — the oil and gas sector to grab ever larger shares of Canada emissions budget .
In 2000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 22 per cent of Canadians climate pollution .
By 2018 , it had pushed that up to 26 per cent .
With a low-carbon race strategy like this , it 's no wonder Canada keeps falling further behind .
Carbon intensity is an invaluable economic metric we can use to navigate the required low-carbon transition .
But only if we pay attention to it , and act on it in time .

The first of my charts compares the world’s top 10 economies. The coin stacks indicate how much GDP each economy produces per tonne of CO2. These 10 economies produce 70 per cent of the world’s GDP. As you can see, Canada is second to last, and well below the global average. Our economy creates only $3,000 per tCO2 emitted. (Note: all monetary values are in U.S. dollars to allow comparison between countries.) Only the coal-choked Chinese economy creates less GDP per tonne of climate pollution, at $2,600. Our next closest competitor in the low-carbon economic race is our largest trading partner, the United States, which is running $1,000 ahead of us.
For the last decade, PricewaterhouseCoopers (PwC) has been tracking this critical economic metric with its Low Carbon Economy Index reports. I’ve used the data in its most recent report to create a series of charts showing how Canada stacks up against our global peers.
To illustrate Canada’s precarious position, I’ve turned to two reports comparing how dependent many of the world’s major economies are on climate pollution. These reports measure “ carbon intensity ,” which is the ratio of wealth created (GDP) per tonne of climate pollution emitted (tCO2). You can think of it as a measure of how prepared we are to prosper in a low-carbon future.
The world’s nations are racing to rein in the climate crisis while maintaining strong economies. Troublingly, Canada is far behind in this time-critical race to build a low-carbon economy. Our decades of foot-dragging have put both our future prosperity and our climate at risk.
It gets worse. While being mired in second-to-last place in the low-carbon transition race is a decidedly risky position, the data shows our position is even more precarious than that.
And take a look at the Europeans. The overall European Union economy is $3,400 ahead of us. They’ve essentially lapped us in this race, generating twice as much wealth as we are able to from each tonne of climate pollution. France is even further ahead, producing three times more GDP per tCO2 than us.
I've added green to the coin stacks to show the changes since 2000. For example, the green part of Canada’s stack shows we’re up 35 per cent since 2000. That increased our GDP per tCO2 by $800. But China was cleaning up twice as fast. They increased their GDP per tCO2 by 67 per cent. They've nearly caught up to us. In fact, if these rates continue, China will pass us in the next decade — leaving Canada dead last. What do you think? Are you ready to face the metastasizing climate crisis with an economy even more climate-polluting than China’s? And China isn’t the only major economy that has been cleaning up much faster than we have. Back in 2000, we were neck and neck with the Americans. Since then, the U.S. economy has sprinted far ahead of us. They’ve improved their carbon intensity by 56 per cent, caught up to the world average and are on pace to pass both India and Japan in the coming decade. See ya later, Canada.
According to the PwC report, Canada's economy has also been one of the slowest at cleaning up over the last couple decades. We’ve been losing ground to all three of the world’s super-economies: the U.S., the EU and China.
The U.K. has been leading the way over there. It nearly doubled the amount of GDP it produces from each tonne of climate pollution. In fact, its increase of $3,700 is more per tonne than our economy can produce in total. How did our Commonwealth peer manage to sprint so far ahead of us? The short answer is that they reduced their climate pollution by 100 times more than we did (-250 MtCO2 versus -2 MtCO2). And they did that because they passed laws requiring it more than a decade ago .
And the Europeans have likewise been racing ever further ahead of us.
The great Canadian divide
To try to gain more insight into why our Canadian economy lags so far behind our economic peers in this race, I decided to dig down one more level to see what our provincial economies have been doing.
Using data from Canada's National Inventory Report (NIR) and Statistics Canada, I calculated the carbon intensity for our six biggest provincial economies, which produce 95 per cent of Canada’s GDP and climate pollution.
My next chart shows the results.
The first thing that jumps out is a huge divide in carbon intensities.
On one side are the Alberta and Saskatchewan economies that produce less than half the Canadian average. And they’ve been cleaning up much slower, as well. That has left them increasingly further behind.
On the other side of the divide are the other four major provincial economies — Manitoba, B.C., Ontario and Quebec. Each of these produces more GDP per tCO2 than the Canadian average. And they have all been cleaning up faster than the other side, widening the divide.
To see how this provincial divide measures up on the world stage, I’ve added each side to my original chart.
On the far left is a new red bar showing the combined economies of Alberta and Saskatchewan. They only manage to create around $1,400 in GDP per tCO2. That’s half of what the Chinese economy can produce per tonne of climate pollution. And these two provinces have been dragging their feet cleaning up, while China has been sprinting ever further ahead.
It's hard for me to imagine a riskier climate strategy than being twice as dirty as China’s economy and choosing to fall ever further behind.
Canada’s other four major provincial economies are combined in the new red bar between Japan and Germany. They’re in the middle of the pack and cleaning up at roughly the same pace as the U.S. and the EU.
But there’s reason to worry here, too. That’s because most of these gains since 2000 have come from a single policy in a single province: the coal phaseout in Ontario. And that’s now over.
So, Canada will need to find significant new emissions cuts elsewhere, and soon.
Unfortunately for our hopes of building low-carbon prosperity, we are still mired in denial, inaction and greenwash in Canada. For example, the province that had been leading the way, Ontario, recently abandoned many of its climate policies. Our federal government in Ottawa refuses to produce even a plan that, if ever implemented, would get us anywhere close to our Paris Agreement climate target for 2030. On the West Coast, B.C. is busy backsliding by expanding one of the most carbon-intensive sectors in its economy — fracked fossil gas. And its neighbours in Alberta and Saskatchewan are fighting in court to block even the few far-too-weak-to-meet-our-climate-targets policies that Canada does have.
The larger race
So far we’ve looked at Canada’s carbon intensity compared to the world’s other top 10 economies. I’ll wrap with a look at how we stack up against a much larger set of countries.
This next chart is from the Green Growth Indicators 2017 report by the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development (OECD). It shows the carbon intensity for 46 nations, covering the years 1995 to 2014.
I’ve highlighted the names of the global top 10 economies covered in the previous charts. And I’ve listed the improvement percentage for each over these years.
Where’s Canada?
Sadly, we are nearly in last place in this much larger group, too. And again, as this study highlights, we’ve been cleaning up far slower than most.
We’ve wasted two precious decades and are now even further behind.
One last sobering observation here is that the economies of Alberta and Saskatchewan would show up dead last on this chart — at around $1.2 per KgCO2 (a.k.a.: $1,200 per tCO2).
If you think that’s the inevitable result of being a northern oil-producing region, take a look at where Norway is. They are way up above France on the chart — producing $8,700 in GDP per tCO2. That is seven times more than Alberta or Saskatchewan. Climate failure is a choice.
Which of those economies would you rather have going forward into the teeth of the climate crisis?
The threat facing Canada is that time is running out. The accelerating climate crisis is rapidly shortening the time remaining to transition to low-carbon prosperity. Gone are the years when climate damage was a future threat.
Ready or not, we are all entering the age of climate consequences.
EXTENDED ENDNOTES
For those wanting a bit more detail on this critical metric, I’ve included some additional notes here.
1) Topsy turvy
In principle, carbon intensity is simple. It’s just the ratio of GDP to emissions.
In practice, however, it can get confusing because some sources report this ratio with GDP on top (GDP/CO2), while others report the inverse (CO2/GDP).
For example, the OECD report and my article use the first method. Carbon intensity is listed as dollars of GDP per unit of emissions. Canada’s carbon intensity is listed as US$3,000 per tCO2. In this version, larger numbers mean cleaner. Cleaner economies produce larger amounts of GDP per tonne of climate pollution.
In contrast, other sources like the PwC report and Canada's National Inventory Report (NIR) use the inverse ratio. They list carbon intensity as the amount of emissions per dollar of GDP. So, the same level of carbon intensity for Canada gets listed as 333 grams CO2 per dollar of GDP instead. In this version, smaller numbers mean cleaner. Cleaner economies emit smaller amounts of climate pollution per dollar of GDP.
And sometimes you may need to convert between the two versions to compare them. That’s what I needed to do with the PwC and OECD reports for this article. Fortunately, this is easy to do with a spreadsheet. Just invert either version to get the other. In math formula terms: versionA = 1 / versionB. For example, you can convert Canada’s $3,000/tCO2 by inverting it like this: 1 / $3,000/tCO2 == tCO2/$3,000 == 0.000333 tCO2/$1 (333 gCO2/$1).
2) Where Canada reports carbon intensity … and what is missing.
Canada spotlights the importance of carbon intensity in its official NIR. It is one of the four “key points” on page one of the executive summary. And it is featured in the report’s very first chart. Here it is:
CHART: Relative change in Canada's carbon intensity (in GHG per $GDP) since 1990. Figure ES-1 from page 3 of the executive summary of Canada's 2020 National Inventory Report.
While this highlights the importance of improving carbon intensity in Canada, it leaves out the critical information required to evaluate how well we are doing compared to what is needed. Missing are:
Comparison with other nations — Are we keeping up, or falling behind, in the global low-carbon prosperity race? You can't tell from reading Canada's official NIR. That's why outside reports like those from PwC and OECD are critically important for Canadians to pay attention to. Without a sense of how we are doing relative to the world's biggest economies and our main trading partners, we are flying blind into a gathering economic climate storm.
— Are we keeping up, or falling behind, in the global low-carbon prosperity race? You can't tell from reading Canada's official NIR. That's why outside reports like those from PwC and OECD are critically important for Canadians to pay attention to. Without a sense of how we are doing relative to the world's biggest economies and our main trading partners, we are flying blind into a gathering economic climate storm. Comparison to our climate targets — Are we on track to building a future-proof economy that can still thrive if we choose (or are pressured) to cut emissions in line with our promises? If not, how much faster do we need to clean up? The NIR doesn't discuss what carbon intensity we need to hit our targets.
— Are we on track to building a future-proof economy that can still thrive if we choose (or are pressured) to cut emissions in line with our promises? If not, how much faster do we need to clean up? The NIR doesn't discuss what carbon intensity we need to hit our targets. Insight into provincial and sector trends — Which parts of our economy are cleaning up fast enough and which aren't? Are we putting our limited government funds and resources into areas that are delivering high GDP per tonne? Or are we subsidizing and expanding the lowest return and the slowest to clean up options? We can't get to low-carbon prosperity if we don't even have the basic data that shows the carbon intensity of the major parts of our economy, and what the trends are.
3) Carbon intensity for all provinces and territories … and the oil and gas sector
In the main article, I presented carbon-intensity data for our six main provincial economies. For those interested in the rest of Canada, here is an expanded chart that shows all provinces and territories.
Among the smaller provinces, New Brunswick (+79 per cent), P.E.I. (+67 per cent) and Nova Scotia (+52 per cent) all cleaned up faster than the Canadian average (+35 per cent).
Newfoundland and Labrador (+9 per cent) cleaned up slower.
And while all three northern territories are shown as getting dirtier over these years, it's not clear that has really happened. Their emissions are so small compared to the NIR data rounding in their tables that it is hard to say for sure what happened with these three.
Finally, I've included one sector example on this chart to highlight how measuring and tracking carbon intensity is so critical in the low-carbon economic race. See the smallest stack of all at the far right? That's Canada's most climate polluting sector — oil and gas extraction.
The data shows that the oil and gas sector emits 26 per cent of Canada's emissions to produce roughly six per cent of our GDP. That means it creates only a quarter as much GDP from each tonne of climate pollution as the Canadian average. (Here's the simple math: six per cent GDP/ 26 per cent GHG = 23 per cent of Canada's average GDP per tCO2.)
To make matters worse, the same data shows that the oil and gas sector has been cleaning up only half as fast as rest of our economy at just 15 per cent since 2000. That foot-dragging has left this industry ever further behind.
And yet, despite this industry making so little GDP from its emissions, and despite it cleaning up so slowly, Ottawa has still allowed — and even heavily subsidized — the oil and gas sector to grab ever larger shares of Canada emissions budget. In 2000, the oil and gas sector emitted 22 per cent of Canadians climate pollution. By 2018, it had pushed that up to 26 per cent.
With a low-carbon race strategy like this, it's no wonder Canada keeps falling further behind.
Carbon intensity is an invaluable economic metric we can use to navigate the required low-carbon transition. But only if we pay attention to it, and act on it in time.


nationalobserver--2020-11-26--1% of farmers own 70% of the world's farmland: report

More than two-thirds of the world ’ s fields , ranches and orchards are owned by one per cent of its farmers , according to a report released Tuesday .
Land inequality — the concentrated ownership of land — is skyrocketing globally , including in Canada and the U.S.
It ’ s a trend driven by large-scale industrial farming and export-oriented agricultural policies with wide-ranging impacts on everything from food security to climate change .
“ Farms and farmland ( are ) being bought up by investors , and the reasons are obvious , ” said Kent Mullinix , director @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Kwantlen Polytechnique University , who was not affiliated with the study .
“ People have to eat , so it ’ s a great investment.
” Concentrated land ownership is associated with a suite of problems , including deforestation , political and economic inequality and the degradation of rural food security , the report notes .
And while land inequality is an old problem — it was a key part of many colonial governments ’ policies — the authors note that since the 1980s , the problem has gotten worse .
That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ were implemented that made it easier for financial institutions and global agri-businesses to purchase vast tracts of farmland for conversion into industrialized crop production .
This land was generally purchased from small- to mid-sized family farms growing a diversity of crops for local or regional consumption .
Replacing them were larger industrialized farms owned by vertically integrated companies invested from seed to sale in international commodity markets .
Over two-thirds of the world ’ s fields , ranches and orchards are owned by one per cent of its farmers , according to a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # LandInequality It ’ s a trend that accelerated after the 2008 financial crash , said Devlin Kuyek , senior researcher at GRAIN , an international non-profit supporting small farmers and social movements .
“ At that time , there was a food price spike globally , ” he said .
“ So ( the crisis and food prices ) generated a lot of interest from institutional investors who were looking for a hedge against the volatility of the stock market.
” Those investors , including several Canadian pension funds , started purchasing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than most farmers , they didn ’ t struggle to find the land , despite policies in certain jurisdictions — including some Canadian provinces — that limit foreign farmland ownership .
It ’ s a practice that drives land consolidation , he explained .
“ Where there are small plots of land , ( the investment funds ) will look at places where they can aggregate that farmland and create a bigger farm … The idea is to create a big , consolidated , aggregated piece of farmland that they can have some @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a profit.
” Meanwhile , smaller-scale farmers producing food for regional and local consumption often struggle to make ends meet because of high farmland prices and competition from global commodity markets .
It ’ s a pattern that is seen worldwide — including in B.C.
, explained Mullinix .
The province has a proliferation of small , diversified farms serving local markets , many of which struggle to afford farmland ( farmland prices in the province are also driven by real estate speculation , not only agri-businesses and investments from financial institutions ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and orchards producing food for Canada-wide and international markets — and not much in between .
“ The farms in the middle are the ones that are disappearing , ” he said .
Still , Kuyek said that Canadians have more leverage than they might think .
Canadian pension funds are some of the world ’ s largest farmland investors and sustained pressure from the people whose money they are managing can help change their practices .
“ We have an interest in understanding what ’ s going on with our money .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ expand industrial agriculture , kick communities off their lands , destroying the future of the planet , it ’ s not really a good investment that way , ” he said .

More than two-thirds of the world’s fields, ranches and orchards are owned by one per cent of its farmers, according to a report released Tuesday. Land inequality — the concentrated ownership of land — is skyrocketing globally, including in Canada and the U.S. It’s a trend driven by large-scale industrial farming and export-oriented agricultural policies with wide-ranging impacts on everything from food security to climate change. “Farms and farmland (are) being bought up by investors, and the reasons are obvious,” said Kent Mullinix, director of sustainable agriculture and food security at Kwantlen Polytechnique University, who was not affiliated with the study. “People have to eat, so it’s a great investment.” Those investments aren’t always obvious. Historically, land ownership analyses have excluded key pieces of information, such as the value of land and the degree of control a person or organization has over it, according to the report’s authors. For instance, many farms operate under contract to agri-food corporations, giving them control over production methods and market access without explicitly owning the farm. Investors are also purchasing farmland at increasingly high rates, pushing land prices beyond the value of the crops they can produce and exacerbating farmland consolidation.
Concentrated land ownership is associated with a suite of problems, including deforestation, political and economic inequality and the degradation of rural food security, the report notes. And while land inequality is an old problem — it was a key part of many colonial governments’ policies — the authors note that since the 1980s, the problem has gotten worse. Over two-thirds of the world’s fields, ranches and orchards are owned by one per cent of its farmers, according to a report released Tuesday by @landcoalition. #LandInequality That’s when national and international trade policies were implemented that made it easier for financial institutions and global agri-businesses to purchase vast tracts of farmland for conversion into industrialized crop production. This land was generally purchased from small- to mid-sized family farms growing a diversity of crops for local or regional consumption. Replacing them were larger industrialized farms owned by vertically integrated companies invested from seed to sale in international commodity markets. It’s a trend that accelerated after the 2008 financial crash, said Devlin Kuyek, senior researcher at GRAIN, an international non-profit supporting small farmers and social movements. “At that time, there was a food price spike globally,” he said. “So (the crisis and food prices) generated a lot of interest from institutional investors who were looking for a hedge against the volatility of the stock market.”
Those investors, including several Canadian pension funds, started purchasing farmland worldwide. And with deeper pockets than most farmers, they didn’t struggle to find the land, despite policies in certain jurisdictions — including some Canadian provinces — that limit foreign farmland ownership. It’s a practice that drives land consolidation, he explained. “Where there are small plots of land, (the investment funds) will look at places where they can aggregate that farmland and create a bigger farm … The idea is to create a big, consolidated, aggregated piece of farmland that they can have some revenue on and then eventually sell for a profit.” Meanwhile, smaller-scale farmers producing food for regional and local consumption often struggle to make ends meet because of high farmland prices and competition from global commodity markets. It’s a pattern that is seen worldwide — including in B.C., explained Mullinix.


nationalobserver--2020-11-26--Migratory seabirds find safe haven in new West Coast island reserve

An array of seabirds will enjoy safe refuge along B.C.
’ s West Coast after a quartet of American brothers gifted their family ’ s private island to protect its natural habitat .
“ It ’ s a wonderful story of cross-border conservation , ” Jasper Lament , CEO of the Nature Trust of British Columbia ( NTBC ) , said of the Whitridge family ’ s donation .
The new Breton Island-Whitridge Reserve is a 12.6-acre island located in the Discovery Islands archipelago that is wedged between the B.C .
mainland and Vancouver Island .
But they make their @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rocky shores to overwinter , and the island reserve is a perfect habitat for the plucky bird , Lament said .
“ British Columbia has about 10 per cent of the continental population of harlequin ducks , so the reserve is significant from a conservation standpoint , ” he said .
“ And , it ’ s worth noting , we share these magnificent birds with our southern neighbours , so the island will protect them and other wildlife that depend on it.
” West Coast seabirds will enjoy safe refuge in B.C @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gifted their family ’ s private island as a nature reserve for the animals .
@ NatureTrustofBC # conservation # Birdwatching The reserve also boasts distinct ecosystems : a mature coniferous forest , a herbaceous rocky shoreline and shallow marine habitat perfect for feathered visitors , Lament said .
Other birds expected to shelter in the reserve include the threatened marbled murrelet and three species of special concern — the ancient murrelet , Cassin ’ s auklet and the great blue heron .
But the island reserve ’ s habitat is ideal for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and water birds , including bald eagles , black oystercatchers , common loons , common mergansers and double-crested cormorants .
Beyond birds , the Breton Island-Whitridge Reserve contributes to the protection of some very valuable regional ecosystems , Lament said .
The reserve falls within the coastal Douglas fir biogeoclimatic zone — the rarest such zone in British Columbia , he said .
The zones are broad geographic areas sharing similar climate and vegetation , he explained .
The coastal Douglas fir zone is a small area that includes southeast Vancouver Island , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of B.C.
’ s south coast and mainland .
Unfortunately , little of the zone is protected and much is in private hands and fairly developed , Lament said .
In addition to hemlock and other conifers , the zone includes a wide variety of important ecosystems , including Garry oak trees , wetlands and shorelines .
“ This zone is a really high priority for most conservation plans in B.C.
, ” Lament said .
The four Whitridge brothers — with numerous adult children and grandchildren of their own — inherited Breton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the property for $ 40,000 in 1968 , said Jes Hovanes , the nature trust 's communications manager .
At various times over the decades , members of the extended Whitridge family visited the island by boat or kayak , enjoying picnics or exploring its forest and tidal pools .
“ I think all of us at one time or another have found it to be a magical and peaceful place to go for restoration and reflection , ” said one brother , Dave Whitridge , in an email .
However , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to visit the island in a number of years , he added .
But rather than putting it up for sale on the open market , which would inevitably lead to its development with homes or docks , the family opted to protect the serenity and magic of the island and its natural habitat .
The family initially worried the trust might not be interested in acquiring such a small island , said Whitridge .
But they were delighted to discover such interest in the island ’ s conservation , he said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ that the island and all its wonders will be protected in perpetuity by the NTBC for the enjoyment of future generations , ” Whitridge said .
“ And I hope to visit again myself someday .
”

An array of seabirds will enjoy safe refuge along B.C.’s West Coast after a quartet of American brothers gifted their family’s private island to protect its natural habitat. “It’s a wonderful story of cross-border conservation,” Jasper Lament, CEO of the Nature Trust of British Columbia (NTBC), said of the Whitridge family’s donation. The new Breton Island-Whitridge Reserve is a 12.6-acre island located in the Discovery Islands archipelago that is wedged between the B.C. mainland and Vancouver Island. The island’s habitat is exceptional because it’s undeveloped and provides a perfect haven for birds, Lament said. “One important element is the island provides foraging for a really diverse community of migratory birds.”
The new Breton Island-Whitridge Reserve located in the Discovery Islands off B.C.'s West Coast boasts three distinct ecological zones. Photo courtesy of the Nature Trust of British Columbia. For example, the figure-eight-shaped island falls right along the migratory path for harlequin ducks, Lament noted. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Formerly at risk, the ducks are noted for the male’s striking plumage and their habit of breeding in turbulent mountain streams during the spring.
But they make their way to the West Coast’s rocky shores to overwinter, and the island reserve is a perfect habitat for the plucky bird, Lament said. West Coast seabirds will enjoy safe refuge in B.C. thanks to four American brothers who gifted their family’s private island as a nature reserve for the animals. @NatureTrustofBC #conservation #Birdwatching “British Columbia has about 10 per cent of the continental population of harlequin ducks, so the reserve is significant from a conservation standpoint,” he said. “And, it’s worth noting, we share these magnificent birds with our southern neighbours, so the island will protect them and other wildlife that depend on it.” The reserve also boasts distinct ecosystems: a mature coniferous forest, a herbaceous rocky shoreline and shallow marine habitat perfect for feathered visitors, Lament said. Other birds expected to shelter in the reserve include the threatened marbled murrelet and three species of special concern — the ancient murrelet, Cassin’s auklet and the great blue heron.
But the island reserve’s habitat is ideal for any number of sea ducks and shore and water birds, including bald eagles, black oystercatchers, common loons, common mergansers and double-crested cormorants. Beyond birds, the Breton Island-Whitridge Reserve contributes to the protection of some very valuable regional ecosystems, Lament said. The reserve falls within the eastern, very dry maritime coastal western hemlock area (CWHxm1), a subzone within the Biogeoclimatic Ecosystem Classification (BEC) system, he said.


nationalobserver--2020-11-26--No one should have to become homeless to earn a university degree

I am a 19-year-old Simon Fraser University student , not someone you might normally think of when you hear the word homeless .
But in October 2019 , I became one of more than 2,000 homeless people living in Vancouver .
I had been living with my extended family because I could not afford to pay rent in Vancouver and was unable to secure university housing .
I am incredibly thankful to my family for allowing me to stay with them rent-free , but living with them was not sustainable and my mental health suffered greatly .
After a small @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to the end of the day to pack up and that I “ should be able to find some boxes outside of the liquor store.
” My worst fear had come true , and in between my tears , I packed my belongings into an Evo and moved to a friend ’ s while I looked for another place to live .
There was almost nothing I could afford within a reasonable commute to SFU , but I was able to find a room to rent on Airbnb for the rest of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Eric Weissman at Red Deer Community College found more than 31 per cent of post-secondary students experience some type of homelessness , and these results extended to other institutions that he surveyed .
Even though both SFU and UBC are building more student housing , they are not helping students who are currently struggling .
There should be resources available for these students .
While universities must work harder to support students who are not able to secure on-campus housing , they can not be expected to do all the work .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ introduce powerful pieces of legislation that would mitigate the student housing crisis .
`` Students should not be expected to sacrifice their studies to put a roof over their heads , '' says student Ashley Holyk , `` but rising tuition and living expenses are forcing them to do just that . ''
An example was outlined in December 2018 by a group of students from SFU and UBC .
They released a report proposing the City of Vancouver introduce zoning for student housing that would allow developers to build student housing below @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would recognize their financial positions and their housing needs .
The city considered the move , but two years later , there are no student housing zoning projects in the works at the city , and it is obvious student housing is no longer a priority .
It is clear that both universities and the city are failing post-secondary students in Metro Vancouver .
Students have been ignored for far too long , and it is time for the City of Vancouver to consider students in Metro Vancouver ’ s housing crisis .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ to obtain a university degree .

I am a 19-year-old Simon Fraser University student, not someone you might normally think of when you hear the word homeless. But in October 2019, I became one of more than 2,000 homeless people living in Vancouver. I had been living with my extended family because I could not afford to pay rent in Vancouver and was unable to secure university housing. I am incredibly thankful to my family for allowing me to stay with them rent-free, but living with them was not sustainable and my mental health suffered greatly. After a small disagreement, I was told I had to the end of the day to pack up and that I “should be able to find some boxes outside of the liquor store.” My worst fear had come true, and in between my tears, I packed my belongings into an Evo and moved to a friend’s while I looked for another place to live. There was almost nothing I could afford within a reasonable commute to SFU, but I was able to find a room to rent on Airbnb for the rest of the semester. It was not a safe place to live because I was constantly afraid that the man in the suite below would kill me, but it was a roof over my head. This experience led me to start taking a closer look at student housing, and what I found was shocking. Universities do not offer all students the most basic necessity — adequate housing services. This is a shame because secure housing helps students perform better and incentivizes them to remain on campus.
However, most universities do not have enough spaces available to house their students. In 2019, there was a shortage of over 14,300 student housing beds across Metro Vancouver. The University of British Columbia was responsible for a large amount of this shortage, with more than 6,000 students on its housing wait-list in 2019. It is not uncommon for many students, myself included, to be working upwards of 20 hours a week while taking a full course load. This is not easy, and my grades have suffered. Students should not be expected to sacrifice their studies to put a roof over their heads, but rising tuition and living expenses are forcing them to do just that. Tuition at Canadian universities has risen steadily over the last three decades. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Vancouver is notoriously one of the most expensive cities in Canada, which makes it incredibly difficult to find housing, even for people with steady incomes, something most university students don’t have. Without adequate support, students are forced into illegal sublets and precarious rental agreements, putting them at greater risk of homelessness.


nationalobserver--2020-11-26--Vancouver council unanimously backs drug decriminalization, seeks feds' approval

VANCOUVER — Councillors in Vancouver have voted unanimously to ask the federal government to decriminalize possession of small amounts of illicit drugs .
Mayor Kennedy Stewart put forward the motion earlier this month saying it is time to develop a `` health-focused '' approach to substance use and end the stigma against drug users .
In a statement issued late Wednesday after the vote , Stewart thanked groups such as the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users , which he says have pursued decriminalization for years .
In the same process used to create its first supervised injection clinic almost @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now write to federal officials , including the ministers of health and justice , seeking an exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act .
If approved , Stewart said the city will work with the police department , Vancouver Coastal Health , community groups and people who have lived experience with drug use to determine how decriminalization should be approved .
• The key to fighting future pandemics ?
Old-growth forests , says mushroom guru Paul Stamets • Nova Scotia First Nation suspends lobster harvest after sighting of endangered right whales • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the world 's farmland : report The city ’ s support for decriminalization came on the same day the BC Coroners Service issued a report documenting 162 illicit drug deaths across the province in October , amounting to five every day , including one daily in Vancouver .
Stewart said Vancouver is ready to again lead the way on drug policy in order to save lives .
“ With more than 1,500 deaths in Vancouver since a provincial overdose emergency was declared in April 2016 , and an estimated 329 overdose deaths @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this year , 2020 is on track to be the worst year yet for overdoses and this new approach is urgently needed , '' he said in the statement .
Dr. Patricia Daly , chief medical health officer for Vancouver Coastal Health , has said decriminalization alone won ’ t solve the drug crisis , but will complement expanded harm reduction and treatment services , including the province ’ s safe supply program .
The elimination of criminal consequences for possessing drugs for personal use also has the support of Premier John Horgan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and the Vancouver Police Department .
There ’ s no indication how long the federal government might take to review Vancouver ’ s plan once it is submitted , but Stewart has said federal Health Minister Patty Hajdu is a champion of harm reduction and has the authority to move quickly .
Mayor Kennedy Stewart put forward a motion earlier this month seeking to decriminalize possession of small amounts of illicit drugs , which passed unanimously on Wednesday .
Hajdu said in a statement the COVID-19 pandemic has worsened the opioid crisis and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lives .
She said federal officials have been working with Stewart and the B.C .
government on options that respond to local and regional needs , guided in part by the recommendations of the Canadian Association of Chiefs of Police , which also endorsed decriminalization of personal possession earlier this year .
`` We will review this request to address criminal penalties for simple possession of small amounts of controlled substances and will continue our work to get Canadians who use substances the support they need , '' Hajdu said in the statement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was first published Nov. 26 , 2020 .

VANCOUVER — Councillors in Vancouver have voted unanimously to ask the federal government to decriminalize possession of small amounts of illicit drugs.
Mayor Kennedy Stewart put forward the motion earlier this month saying it is time to develop a "health-focused" approach to substance use and end the stigma against drug users.
In a statement issued late Wednesday after the vote, Stewart thanked groups such as the Vancouver Area Network of Drug Users, which he says have pursued decriminalization for years.
In the same process used to create its first supervised injection clinic almost two decades ago, city staff will now write to federal officials, including the ministers of health and justice, seeking an exemption from the Controlled Drugs and Substances Act.
If approved, Stewart said the city will work with the police department, Vancouver Coastal Health, community groups and people who have lived experience with drug use to determine how decriminalization should be approved.


nationalobserver--2020-11-26--COVID-19 vaccines coming for priority groups in early 2021; Atlantic bubble pops

A top public health official said Thursday that priority groups in Canada should start receiving COVID-19 vaccine doses early next year as new restrictions for those entering New Brunswick effectively popped the so-called Atlantic bubble .
`` There has been a great deal of preparation taking place behind the scenes to ensure Canada is well positioned to obtain COVID-19 vaccines and , building on our well-established systems , provide access to every Canadian who wants one in 2021 , '' deputy chief public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo told reporters .
The first batch is expected to be delivered during @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but supplies will be limited initially .
Those first in line will include seniors , people with serious health conditions and essential workers .
Ottawa has inked final agreements with five vaccine makers and is in advanced negotiations with two more .
The deals would secure 194 million doses with the option to buy another 220 million more , said Arianne Reza , the assistant deputy minister of procurement for Public Services and Procurement Canada .
The hopeful vaccine update was countered by deflating news out of Atlantic Canada , as New Brunswick @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for 14 days .
That province reported 12 new cases on Thursday .
• The key to fighting future pandemics ?
Old-growth forests , says mushroom guru Paul Stamets • Nova Scotia First Nation suspends lobster harvest after sighting of endangered right whales • 1 % of farmers own 70 % of the world 's farmland : report New Brunswick ’ s move follows Newfoundland and Labrador and Prince Edward Island ’ s temporary withdrawal from the Atlantic bubble earlier this week .
Previously , residents of the four Atlantic provinces had been @ @ @ @ @ @ @ without isolating .
Meanwhile , Quebec reported 1,464 new infections on Thursday , the province ’ s highest daily tally since the pandemic began .
It also recorded 32 additional deaths , eight of which took place in the last day .
Ontario , which is expected to unveil new projections Thursday afternoon , recorded 1,478 new cases and 21 more deaths .
Two weeks ago , provincial health advisers predicted there could be as many as 6,500 new daily infections by mid-December if nothing was done to limit the spread of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such data release since Toronto and neighbouring Peel Region started facing the province ’ s toughest restrictions earlier this week .
The good news : Priority groups should start receiving # COVID19 vaccines in early 2021 .
The bad news : The Atlantic bubble has burst as New Brunswick 's case numbers rise .
In the North , Ottawa is pledging $ 19 million to help Nunavut deal with its worsening COVID-19 outbreak .
Until early November , the territory had no COVID-19 cases , but now there are 153 active infections .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ first published Nov. 26 , 2020 .

A top public health official said Thursday that priority groups in Canada should start receiving COVID-19 vaccine doses early next year as new restrictions for those entering New Brunswick effectively popped the so-called Atlantic bubble.
"There has been a great deal of preparation taking place behind the scenes to ensure Canada is well positioned to obtain COVID-19 vaccines and, building on our well-established systems, provide access to every Canadian who wants one in 2021," deputy chief public health officer Dr. Howard Njoo told reporters.
The first batch is expected to be delivered during the first three months of 2021, but supplies will be limited initially. Those first in line will include seniors, people with serious health conditions and essential workers.
Ottawa has inked final agreements with five vaccine makers and is in advanced negotiations with two more. The deals would secure 194 million doses with the option to buy another 220 million more, said Arianne Reza, the assistant deputy minister of procurement for Public Services and Procurement Canada.
The hopeful vaccine update was countered by deflating news out of Atlantic Canada, as New Brunswick announced anyone entering the province must isolate for 14 days. That province reported 12 new cases on Thursday.


nationalobserver--2020-11-26--Professional athletes most likely to be granted national interest exemptions at border

Four national interest exemptions to COVID-19 border restrictions , covering 1,300 professional athletes , have been issued by the federal immigration minister , his office confirmed Wednesday .
The details came after MPs at the House of Commons immigration committee were told by departmental officials that 1,300 national interest exemptions had been issued .
Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino 's office was forced to clarify late Wednesday the details of the national interest exemptions he 's authorized after the number surfaced at a House of Commons immigration committee hearing earlier in the day .
Mendicino was grilled on how many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exemption , which admits those who do n't qualify under current COVID-19 related restrictions , or to skip the mandatory 14 day quarantine when they arrive .
Who has access to that program has been a source of public debate , especially throughout the summer and fall as thousands of families placed sustained public pressure on Mendicino to loosen the border restrictions to allow more families to reunite .
• The key to fighting future pandemics ?
Old-growth forests , says mushroom guru Paul Stamets • Nova Scotia First Nation suspends lobster harvest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 1 % of farmers own 70 % of the world 's farmland : report Several ministers and senior public health officials can authorize exemptions .
When asked Wednesday by Conservative MP Raquel Dancho how many exemptions he had authorized , Mendicino deferred to his departmental officials , who told the committee 1,300 were granted .
His office later said the official `` misspoke '' and the figure reflects the 1,354 people covered by four national interest exemptions Mendicino approved : two for the National Hockey League ( one for players , the second @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pre-season training for Major League Baseball , and one for Major League Soccer .
They were all exempt from quarantine because their leagues had COVID-19 mitigation plans cleared by public health .
How the exemptions have been used is one of several issues being raised as MPs examine the effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the immigration system .
The initial border closure rules meant that only essential workers and a very limited list of family members of citizens of permanent residents could enter Canada .
National interest exemptions to COVID-19 border @ @ @ @ @ @ @ enter Canada .
# cdnpoli # covid19 # CanadaUSborder # pandemic # cdnpoli Families members not covered by those exemptions , including adult children , common-law spouses , grandparents and siblings became increasingly vocal about being shut out , noting there was n't enough freedom given even for compassionate cases , such as family members being near death .
Mendicino relented in October , launched a new program to facilitate entry for more family members , and a compassionate program , and later pledged applications would be decided upon 14 days .
Opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , with both the NDP and Conservatives saying they were aware of many people who were not receiving decisions by that deadline , nor any guidance from the department on when they might .
His office said later that out of 29,000 requests , 19,000 have been decided upon so far .
About 80 per cent have been completed within the promised 14 days , with the remainder applications that are incomplete or have other issues .
Processing time is currently around 11 days , and an additional team of 30 staff were @ @ @ @ @ @ @

Four national interest exemptions to COVID-19 border restrictions, covering 1,300 professional athletes, have been issued by the federal immigration minister, his office confirmed Wednesday. The details came after MPs at the House of Commons immigration committee were told by departmental officials that 1,300 national interest exemptions had been issued. Immigration Minister Marco Mendicino's office was forced to clarify late Wednesday the details of the national interest exemptions he's authorized after the number surfaced at a House of Commons immigration committee hearing earlier in the day. Mendicino was grilled on how many people had been allowed into Canada using the exemption, which admits those who don't qualify under current COVID-19 related restrictions, or to skip the mandatory 14 day quarantine when they arrive. Who has access to that program has been a source of public debate, especially throughout the summer and fall as thousands of families placed sustained public pressure on Mendicino to loosen the border restrictions to allow more families to reunite.
Several ministers and senior public health officials can authorize exemptions. When asked Wednesday by Conservative MP Raquel Dancho how many exemptions he had authorized, Mendicino deferred to his departmental officials, who told the committee 1,300 were granted. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions His office later said the official "misspoke" and the figure reflects the 1,354 people covered by four national interest exemptions Mendicino approved: two for the National Hockey League (one for players, the second for team officials,) one for pre-season training for Major League Baseball, and one for Major League Soccer.
They were all exempt from quarantine because their leagues had COVID-19 mitigation plans cleared by public health. National interest exemptions to COVID-19 border restrictions have allowed 1,300 professional athletes to enter Canada. #cdnpoli #covid19 #CanadaUSborder #pandemic #cdnpoli How the exemptions have been used is one of several issues being raised as MPs examine the effects the COVID-19 pandemic has had on the immigration system. The initial border closure rules meant that only essential workers and a very limited list of family members of citizens of permanent residents could enter Canada. Families members not covered by those exemptions, including adult children, common-law spouses, grandparents and siblings became increasingly vocal about being shut out, noting there wasn't enough freedom given even for compassionate cases, such as family members being near death. Mendicino relented in October, launched a new program to facilitate entry for more family members, and a compassionate program, and later pledged applications would be decided upon 14 days.
Opposition MPs pressed him Wednesday on that commitment, with both the NDP and Conservatives saying they were aware of many people who were not receiving decisions by that deadline, nor any guidance from the department on when they might. Mendicino promised to review specific cases. His office said later that out of 29,000 requests, 19,000 have been decided upon so far. About 80 per cent have been completed within the promised 14 days, with the remainder applications that are incomplete or have other issues.


nationalobserver--2020-11-26--Tam urges Canadians to celebrate holidays at home

The country 's chief public health officer urged Canadians Wednesday to avoid non-essential outings , as cases continued to rise across the country and Ontario became the latest province to announce scaled-back holiday plans .
Dr. Theresa Tam warned that a growing number of people are experiencing severe cases of COVID-19 , putting a strain on health-care services and forcing hospitals to cancel surgeries .
She said it 's safest to limit outings and avoid socializing with people beyond one 's household .
Recent record-breaking numbers have prompted many provinces to implement new restrictions and partial lockdowns .
Tam said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ measure the impact of such measures , public participation will be vital to their success .
`` This is why as public health authorities implement measures to interrupt spread , Canadians are being called upon , '' she said in a statement .
`` It is safest for all of us to limit errands and outings to just the essentials , limit in-person activities to just our existing household members and keep up with key prevention practices , '' she said , referring to handwashing , physical distancing and mask-wearing .
• The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forests , says mushroom guru Paul Stamets • Nova Scotia First Nation suspends lobster harvest after sighting of endangered right whales • 1 % of farmers own 70 % of the world 's farmland : report Ontarians on Wednesday were asked to restrict Christmas gatherings to members of their households , as the province became the latest to unveil guidelines for the holidays .
Premier Doug Ford said Ontarians should celebrate only with people they live with , adding that those who live alone can join one other family .
`` This year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' he said .
`` We ’ re in the second wave of COVID-19 , and we can ’ t take any chances . ''
Ford 's approach is similar to that taken by Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister , who told his province on Tuesday to plan for a Christmas without group gatherings .
Quebec Premier Francois Legault , however , has taken a different tack , allowing people to gather in groups of up to 10 , between Dec. 24 and 27 — as long as they quarantine for a week before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ people should only gather two times over the four-day grace period .
Quebec reported 1,100 new infections Wednesday and 28 COVID-related deaths , while Ontario recorded 1,373 new cases and 35 more deaths .
Earlier Wednesday , Ontario 's auditor general released a report criticizing the province 's response to COVID-19 , describing it as slower and more reactive than that of other provinces .
Bonnie Lysyk cited problems such as confused decision-making , outdated provincial emergency plans and a cumbersome command structure .
Ford took issue with some of the claims in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the province 's chief medical officer of health did not play a leading role in the government 's response .
The premier said Dr. David Williams had guided Ontario 's response `` from day one '' and insisted the province had based all its decisions on advice from its health team .
In Manitoba , where 349 cases were reported Wednesday , health officials said there were signs that strict restrictions on gatherings and store openings brought in over the past weeks have been working .
Chief public health officer Brent Roussin said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recent days , in contrast with earlier projections that warned the province could have reached up to 800 cases a day by now .
Nova Scotia reported 16 new cases , as people and businesses in the Halifax region braced for stricter measures coming into effect on Thursday that include closing restaurant dining rooms , libraries , museums , gyms , yoga studios and casinos for at least two weeks .
Saskatchewan , which reported 164 cases , announced it was suspending group sports and making masks mandatory for indoor fitness activities in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Health officials in British Columbia , meanwhile , said they are working on a vaccine rollout plan .
Provincial health officer Dr. Bonnie Henry says front-line workers as well as those in long-term care homes will likely have priority for vaccinations and it 's hoped vaccines will be available in January .

The country's chief public health officer urged Canadians Wednesday to avoid non-essential outings, as cases continued to rise across the country and Ontario became the latest province to announce scaled-back holiday plans. Dr. Theresa Tam warned that a growing number of people are experiencing severe cases of COVID-19, putting a strain on health-care services and forcing hospitals to cancel surgeries. She said it's safest to limit outings and avoid socializing with people beyond one's household. Recent record-breaking numbers have prompted many provinces to implement new restrictions and partial lockdowns. Tam said that while it's too early to measure the impact of such measures, public participation will be vital to their success. "This is why as public health authorities implement measures to interrupt spread, Canadians are being called upon," she said in a statement. "It is safest for all of us to limit errands and outings to just the essentials, limit in-person activities to just our existing household members and keep up with key prevention practices," she said, referring to handwashing, physical distancing and mask-wearing.
Ontarians on Wednesday were asked to restrict Christmas gatherings to members of their households, as the province became the latest to unveil guidelines for the holidays. Premier Doug Ford said Ontarians should celebrate only with people they live with, adding that those who live alone can join one other family. "This year isn’t like any other," he said. "We’re in the second wave of COVID-19, and we can’t take any chances." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Ford's approach is similar to that taken by Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister, who told his province on Tuesday to plan for a Christmas without group gatherings.
Quebec Premier Francois Legault, however, has taken a different tack, allowing people to gather in groups of up to 10, between Dec. 24 and 27 — as long as they quarantine for a week before and after. He said Tuesday that people should only gather two times over the four-day grace period. Dr. Theresa Tam urges collective effort, Ontarians told to celebrate holidays at home. #Covid19 #cdnpoli #Christmas #ontpoli Quebec reported 1,100 new infections Wednesday and 28 COVID-related deaths, while Ontario recorded 1,373 new cases and 35 more deaths. Earlier Wednesday, Ontario's auditor general released a report criticizing the province's response to COVID-19, describing it as slower and more reactive than that of other provinces. Bonnie Lysyk cited problems such as confused decision-making, outdated provincial emergency plans and a cumbersome command structure. Ford took issue with some of the claims in the report, particularly the finding that the province's chief medical officer of health did not play a leading role in the government's response.
The premier said Dr. David Williams had guided Ontario's response "from day one" and insisted the province had based all its decisions on advice from its health team. In Manitoba, where 349 cases were reported Wednesday, health officials said there were signs that strict restrictions on gatherings and store openings brought in over the past weeks have been working. Chief public health officer Brent Roussin said new cases have been relatively stable in recent days, in contrast with earlier projections that warned the province could have reached up to 800 cases a day by now.


nationalobserver--2020-11-26--Ottawa announces $50M for research into fisheries ecosystems

The federal government has announced more than $ 50 million for research into marine and freshwater ecosystems across Canada .
The projects range from improving habitat for Atlantic salmon to measuring the effects of shipping on whales off the British Columbia coast to studying trout-bearing waters in Alberta 's Rocky Mountains where coal mines are being considered .
`` We 're targeting entire ecosystems and not just specific species , '' said Minister of Fisheries and Oceans , Bernadette Jordan .
`` Working on ecosystems is what 's going to protect species at risk . ''
The money , from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fund , will pay for 50 studies run by governments , non-governmental organizations and First Nations across Canada .
Some have already begun .
The largest chunk of money , nearly $ 11 million , will be spent on 13 projects in B.C .
• The key to fighting future pandemics ?
Old-growth forests , says mushroom guru Paul Stamets • Nova Scotia First Nation suspends lobster harvest after sighting of endangered right whales • 1 % of farmers own 70 % of the world 's farmland : report About two-thirds will go @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rivers such as the Fraser .
The rest will be spent studying the effects of shipping noise on whales .
The biggest single grant — $ 5.6 million — goes to Alberta 's Environment Department , where the province is to conduct research with other partners to support the protection and recovery of native trout species in the eastern slopes of the province 's Rocky Mountains .
Biologists are concerned the rivers that originate there — the source of drinking water for most of southern Alberta — are coming under increasing pressure from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ considered a threatened species .
Fisheries scientists are also concerned about Alberta 's bull trout .
Alberta recently rescinded a decades-old policy that prohibited any development in large areas of the eastern slopes , the headwaters of those trout habitats .
The province , together with the federal government , is currently conducting an environmental review of a proposed coal mine that would remove a mountaintop adjacent to those headwaters .
More mining companies are expected to apply to the province 's regulator for similar projects .
The federal government has announced more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into # marine and # FreshwaterEcosystems across Canada .
# cdnpoli # atlanticsalmon # whales `` We know that the cutthroat trout are a species at risk and there 's a lot of work that needs to be done there , '' said Jordan .
She said Alberta officials have raised the issue with her .
Alberta Environment spokeswoman Jess Sinclair said in an email the money will help rebuild habitat for threatened trout species .
The projects , with participation from non-governmental groups , are to be complete by 2023 .
Sinclair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eastern slopes will continue to be protected .
`` The protective notations reflect our commitment to continue to manage public land in the eastern slopes to preserve watersheds and other sensitive areas and protect areas of high tourism and recreation value , '' she said .
Sinclair added development that is permitted is subject to environmental review .
Jordan said the grants announced Wednesday will help more than 100 endangered or threatened species .
`` That 's one of the things we looked at : How many species can be helped by the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ she said .
`` When you look at the ecosystem that supports the species , you 're actually helping more . ''
Most of the projects are expected to take several years to complete .

The federal government has announced more than $50 million for research into marine and freshwater ecosystems across Canada. The projects range from improving habitat for Atlantic salmon to measuring the effects of shipping on whales off the British Columbia coast to studying trout-bearing waters in Alberta's Rocky Mountains where coal mines are being considered. "We're targeting entire ecosystems and not just specific species," said Minister of Fisheries and Oceans, Bernadette Jordan. "Working on ecosystems is what's going to protect species at risk." The money, from the previously announced $1.3-billion Nature Legacy fund, will pay for 50 studies run by governments, non-governmental organizations and First Nations across Canada. Some have already begun. The largest chunk of money, nearly $11 million, will be spent on 13 projects in B.C.
About two-thirds will go to research and improving fish habitat in rivers such as the Fraser. The rest will be spent studying the effects of shipping noise on whales. The biggest single grant — $5.6 million — goes to Alberta's Environment Department, where the province is to conduct research with other partners to support the protection and recovery of native trout species in the eastern slopes of the province's Rocky Mountains. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Biologists are concerned the rivers that originate there — the source of drinking water for most of southern Alberta — are coming under increasing pressure from development.
West slope cutthroat trout are considered a threatened species. Fisheries scientists are also concerned about Alberta's bull trout. The federal government has announced more than $50 million for #research into #marine and #FreshwaterEcosystems across Canada. #cdnpoli #atlanticsalmon #whales Alberta recently rescinded a decades-old policy that prohibited any development in large areas of the eastern slopes, the headwaters of those trout habitats. The province, together with the federal government, is currently conducting an environmental review of a proposed coal mine that would remove a mountaintop adjacent to those headwaters. More mining companies are expected to apply to the province's regulator for similar projects. "We know that the cutthroat trout are a species at risk and there's a lot of work that needs to be done there," said Jordan. She said Alberta officials have raised the issue with her.
Alberta Environment spokeswoman Jess Sinclair said in an email the money will help rebuild habitat for threatened trout species. The projects, with participation from non-governmental groups, are to be complete by 2023. Sinclair said the most important areas in the eastern slopes will continue to be protected. "The protective notations reflect our commitment to continue to manage public land in the eastern slopes to preserve watersheds and other sensitive areas and protect areas of high tourism and recreation value," she said.


nationalobserver--2020-11-26--Canada can make vaccines, just not the ones to stop COVID-19

The head of a Canadian biotech industry association says Canada can and does make vaccines — just not the ones expected first to help stop the COVID-19 pandemic .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau created a firestorm Tuesday when he said Canadians will have to wait a bit to get vaccinated for COVID-19 because the first doses off the production lines will be used in the countries where they are made .
So while vaccinations might start next month in the United States , the United Kingdom and Germany , it will be January at the earliest before any doses are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Trudeau , `` no longer has any domestic production capacity for vaccines '' and it makes sense that the countries that do will prioritize their own citizens .
Andrew Casey , the CEO of BioteCanada , told The Canadian Press Wednesday that Canada does produce vaccines but the technology for the leading COVID-19 vaccine candidates is so new , the manufacturing capacity is being built alongside the vaccines themselves .
• The key to fighting future pandemics ?
Old-growth forests , says mushroom guru Paul Stamets • Nova Scotia First Nation suspends @ @ @ @ @ @ @ whales • 1 % of farmers own 70 % of the world 's farmland : report `` This is the first time the technology has actually been applied , '' he said .
`` So you have to then build the facility to manufacture at scale , which is a challenge . ''
While pharmaceutical company Sanofi has a vaccine plant in Toronto and GlaxoSmithKline has one in Quebec , both make protein-based vaccines , such as the more familiar ones Canadians get every year for the flu .
Canada has spent more @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different developing COVID-19 vaccines , and only one being developed jointly by Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline uses the protein technology .
The first two vaccines expected on the market , from Pfizer and Moderna , each use genetic material known as messenger ribonucleic acid or mRNA .
A third with promising trial results , from AstraZeneca , uses a modified common-cold virus that normally infects chimpanzees .
Each type trains the human body to develop antibodies to SARS-CoV-2 , the virus that causes COVID-19 .
Casey said a protein-vaccine maker ca n't just start @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is like making wine , one 's like making Coke , '' he said .
`` Yes , they both grow in bottles .
Yes , you can drink both out of a glass .
But the manufacturing processes used for the two is so completely different .
You ca n't just say well , we 'll shut down the protein one , and we 'll switch over to the mRNA . ''
The head of a Canadian biotech industry association says Canada can and does make vaccines — just not the ones @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic .
# COVID19 # vaccine # cdnpoli Conservative health critic Michelle Rempel Garner demanded in question period Wednesday that the government explain whether Canada had even tried to convince the companies to make their products here .
Trudeau did n't answer , but if those negotiations happened , they have not been successful .
Pfizer is expanding production facilities in Kalamazoo , Mich. and Puurs , Belgium to produce most of its vaccine .
The company has said it is open to others manufacturing it , but that the technology is difficult @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exclusive agreement with Swiss-based Lonza Group AC to make its vaccine , mainly in facilities in New Hampshire and Switzerland .
Lonza chairman Albert Baehny said earlier this month the new technology meant Lonza had to remake its production lines `` from scratch . ''
AstraZeneca , which has promised three billion doses of its vaccine , has signed contract deals with at least two dozen manufacturers around the world to produce its vaccine but not in Canada .
A spokesman for Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains said the biomanufacturing sector has been declining @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When this pandemic began Canada had no flexible , large-scale , bio-manufacturing capacity suitable for a COVID-19 vaccine , '' said John Power .
He said Canada has been working with experts to address the issue and has made investments , including $ 140 million in a new National Research Council plant in Montreal .
The NRC said Wednesday the Biologics Manufacturing Centre will be finished next July .
It does n't have an agreement yet to produce a specific vaccine , but is being built so it can produce several biologic vaccines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by AstraZeneca .
It will not be able to make mRNA vaccines like those from Moderna or Pfizer .
It is supposed to be able to produce two million doses a month before the end of 2021 .
A spokeswoman for GlaxoSmithKline told The Canadian Press the company 's Ste-Foy , Que.
, plant will be part of production of the GSK vaccine eventually but timelines and specifics are n't yet available .
A Canadian-made vaccine from Quebec-based Medicago is also expected to be in production in Canada next year .
Medicago CEO @ @ @ @ @ @ @ able to adapt a vaccine for influenza to target COVID-19 instead , noting such an adaptation is one of the advantages of biologic vaccines .
But Clark said one of the disadvantages is that it 's harder to transfer the technology of biologics to be made in other places .
Medicago has facilities in Quebec and North Carolina and is building a new one in Quebec .
The existing ones can make about 50 million doses by the end of next year , while the new plant will be able to do as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ company has been talking to the federal government for years to get funding for a `` full-scale manufacturing facility , '' he said .
`` We were not successful , '' said Clark .
`` It 's really only been in the context of the pandemic that we 've seen funds be freed up to commit to capacity in Canada . ''
Last month Ottawa agreed to provide $ 173 million to Medicago for research on its vaccine and construction of an expanded facility .
Clark said the 2023 completion date for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more money .
None of the vaccines in question have finished clinical trials and all must also be approved by Health Canada before they can be used here .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 25 , 2020 .

The head of a Canadian biotech industry association says Canada can and does make vaccines — just not the ones expected first to help stop the COVID-19 pandemic. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau created a firestorm Tuesday when he said Canadians will have to wait a bit to get vaccinated for COVID-19 because the first doses off the production lines will be used in the countries where they are made. So while vaccinations might start next month in the United States, the United Kingdom and Germany, it will be January at the earliest before any doses are injected in this country. Canada, said Trudeau, "no longer has any domestic production capacity for vaccines" and it makes sense that the countries that do will prioritize their own citizens. Andrew Casey, the CEO of BioteCanada, told The Canadian Press Wednesday that Canada does produce vaccines but the technology for the leading COVID-19 vaccine candidates is so new, the manufacturing capacity is being built alongside the vaccines themselves.
"This is the first time the technology has actually been applied," he said. "So you have to then build the facility to manufacture at scale, which is a challenge." While pharmaceutical company Sanofi has a vaccine plant in Toronto and GlaxoSmithKline has one in Quebec, both make protein-based vaccines, such as the more familiar ones Canadians get every year for the flu. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Canada has spent more than $1 billion to pre-order seven different developing COVID-19 vaccines, and only one being developed jointly by Sanofi and GlaxoSmithKline uses the protein technology.
The first two vaccines expected on the market, from Pfizer and Moderna, each use genetic material known as messenger ribonucleic acid or mRNA. A third with promising trial results, from AstraZeneca, uses a modified common-cold virus that normally infects chimpanzees. Each type trains the human body to develop antibodies to SARS-CoV-2, the virus that causes COVID-19. The head of a Canadian biotech industry association says Canada can and does make vaccines — just not the ones expected first to help stop the COVID-19 pandemic. #COVID19 #vaccine #cdnpoli Casey said a protein-vaccine maker can't just start making the bioengineered vaccines. "One is like making wine, one's like making Coke," he said. "Yes, they both grow in bottles. Yes, you can drink both out of a glass. But the manufacturing processes used for the two is so completely different. You can't just say well, we'll shut down the protein one, and we'll switch over to the mRNA." Conservative health critic Michelle Rempel Garner demanded in question period Wednesday that the government explain whether Canada had even tried to convince the companies to make their products here. Trudeau didn't answer, but if those negotiations happened, they have not been successful.
Pfizer is expanding production facilities in Kalamazoo, Mich. and Puurs, Belgium to produce most of its vaccine. The company has said it is open to others manufacturing it, but that the technology is difficult to transfer. Moderna has a 10-year exclusive agreement with Swiss-based Lonza Group AC to make its vaccine, mainly in facilities in New Hampshire and Switzerland. Lonza chairman Albert Baehny said earlier this month the new technology meant Lonza had to remake its production lines "from scratch." AstraZeneca, which has promised three billion doses of its vaccine, has signed contract deals with at least two dozen manufacturers around the world to produce its vaccine but not in Canada.