nationalobserver--2020-08-20--Threat from record-breaking water levels starts to let up

Northern Saskatchewan has seen a lot of precipitation since April .
High water flows and lake levels across the Churchill River and Lower Saskatchewan River basins has threatened property and infrastructure across the region .
The Water Security Agency reports light at the end of the tunnel as the rainy weather is expected to subside this week .
“ We ’ re hoping that we ’ ve seen the worst and that things decline now , ” agency spokesperson Patrick Boyle told Canada ’ s National Observer on Wednesday .
“ The Churchill basin is still above where it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ things are levelling off , ” Boyle said .
A park bench near where the Montreal River meets Lac La Ronge as water levels rose , flooding some areas .
Photo by Michael Bramadat-Willcock .
Rainfall over the Aug. 8 weekend led to a drastic rise in flows and water levels , but have since stabilized or are declining .
• Citizens appalled as boaters defying whale sanctuary get off with warning Flows and water levels in the Lower Churchill River , including Reindeer River and Churchill River near Sandy Bay , have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you get flooding like that , anywhere around the water it gets impacted .
There ’ s property that would have been impacted .
Anything that was around the rivers , streams or systems , ” Boyle said .
Boyle said the two areas most affected this year are Sandy Bay and Lac La Ronge .
The La Ronge Dam , upstream from the northern community of Stanley Mission , went from a hazardous condition to a potential dam failure situation as water levels continued to rise in the Churchill basin .
Saskatchewan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sandbags to the La Ronge Dam northeast of Stanley Mission .
Photo courtesy of the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency .
“ We keep monitoring the dam daily and we do daily inspections of the dam .
A crew up there will be on top of this for a while , ” Boyle said .
“ When you get flooding like that , anywhere around the water it gets impacted , '' Patrick Boyle .
“ It went up to the top of what would be the original dam .
It was about to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we think it ’ s levelling off , ” Boyle said .
“ Lac La Ronge peaked above its 2011 level and then Sandy Bay broke its 2005 record.
” In a typical year , flows in the area are around 700 cubic metres per second .
The peak this year around Sandy Bay was 2,420 -- 340 per cent higher than what 's seen in a normal year .
Usually there 's enough space to paddle a canoe under the bridge that connects La Ronge and Air Ronge .
Residents feared having @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to rise much further .
Photo by Michael Bramadat-Willcock .
Agency spokesperson Ron Podbielski told Canada ’ s National Observer in late July that changes in weather patterns and more extreme conditions caused by climate change will mean the province must adapt to a new normal .
“ We ’ re seeing that climate variability that we ’ ve acknowledged in the province is happening in terms of both drought and flood , ” Podbielski said .
The good news is that conditions have been warm and dry over the past few days @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ It ’ s all rainfall-dependent , so that ’ s our caveat .
If you get some more rainfall events and inflows , then it will be a different scenario and we ’ ll have to react , ” Boyle said .
The agency says high river and lake levels can be expected for the rest of summer and , in some cases , such as the mainstem of the Churchill River , into the fall and winter .
“ In certain areas it was well above normal and depending on where @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we saw in Sandy Bay and Lac La Ronge '' Boyle said .
He said that water levels will be high going into the fall , “ but I think we ’ re coming out at the end of this event… It was a pretty significant event as far as flooding goes.
” A map of the Churchill River ( Hudson Bay ) drainage basin .
The basin is a large , interconnected area .
A rise in water levels at the La Ronge Dam could impact communities as far away as Sandy @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Natural Resources Canada , US Geological Survey , Natural Earth .
Public domain .
The agency reports water levels at Sandy Bay peaked on Aug. 4 and are now down below the 2005 peak .
Flows and levels are expected to remain relatively steady for the next week .
The agency reduced the Whitesand Dam outflow on the Reindeer River on Wednesday and said the move will help lower water levels further at Sandy Bay by the middle of next week .
Meeting Lake ’ s outlet is blocked with thick vegetation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ around the lake .
The agency doesn ’ t have any current information for Deschambault or Amisk lakes .
With the Sturgeon Weir River at Leaf Rapids appearing to be at its peak , the agency says Deschambault Lake has likely peaked and a peak at Amisk Lake can be expected before the end of the month .
Like Jan Lake , Deschambault and Amisk lakes are expected to peak at slightly above 2017 levels , unless there is more rainfall .
Cumberland Lake has peaked and is receding .
The agency 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can be found here .

Northern Saskatchewan has seen a lot of precipitation since April. High water flows and lake levels across the Churchill River and Lower Saskatchewan River basins has threatened property and infrastructure across the region. The Water Security Agency reports light at the end of the tunnel as the rainy weather is expected to subside this week. “We’re hoping that we’ve seen the worst and that things decline now,” agency spokesperson Patrick Boyle told Canada’s National Observer on Wednesday. “The Churchill basin is still above where it would be in a normal year, but things are levelling off,” Boyle said. A park bench near where the Montreal River meets Lac La Ronge as water levels rose, flooding some areas. Photo by Michael Bramadat-Willcock. Rainfall over the Aug. 8 weekend led to a drastic rise in flows and water levels, but have since stabilized or are declining.
Flows and water levels in the Lower Churchill River, including Reindeer River and Churchill River near Sandy Bay, have all exceeded historical highs. “When you get flooding like that, anywhere around the water it gets impacted. There’s property that would have been impacted. Anything that was around the rivers, streams or systems,” Boyle said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Boyle said the two areas most affected this year are Sandy Bay and Lac La Ronge.
The La Ronge Dam, upstream from the northern community of Stanley Mission, went from a hazardous condition to a potential dam failure situation as water levels continued to rise in the Churchill basin. “When you get flooding like that, anywhere around the water it gets impacted," Patrick Boyle. Saskatchewan's Water Security Agency moved hundreds of sandbags to the La Ronge Dam northeast of Stanley Mission. Photo courtesy of the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency. “We keep monitoring the dam daily and we do daily inspections of the dam. A crew up there will be on top of this for a while,” Boyle said. “It went up to the top of what would be the original dam. It was about to start hitting the sandbags, and now we think it’s levelling off,” Boyle said. “Lac La Ronge peaked above its 2011 level and then Sandy Bay broke its 2005 record.”
In a typical year, flows in the area are around 700 cubic metres per second. The peak this year around Sandy Bay was 2,420 -- 340 per cent higher than what's seen in a normal year. Usually there's enough space to paddle a canoe under the bridge that connects La Ronge and Air Ronge. Residents feared having no way to cross if water were to rise much further. Photo by Michael Bramadat-Willcock. Agency spokesperson Ron Podbielski told Canada’s National Observer in late July that changes in weather patterns and more extreme conditions caused by climate change will mean the province must adapt to a new normal.


nationalobserver--2020-08-20--Ottawa updates COVID-19 worker benefits, lets student aid expire

Ottawa told workers Thursday what will happen when their emergency benefits expire , but post-secondary students were left in the dark .
Both the federal worker and student relief programs created in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic were due to expire at the end of August , but the Liberal government said it would extend the $ 2,000-a-month Canada Emergency Response Benefit ( CERB ) for four weeks before transitioning eligible workers to one of three new employment insurance ( EI ) schemes for another year starting Sept. 27 .
Asked what would happen to the separate student benefit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had on youth unemployment , Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough confirmed it will expire at the end of the month .
She said students who have experienced job loss or reduced earnings because of COVID-19 can access CERB for the next month and pointed out the government was creating tens of thousands of jobs for young people , referring to changes to its summer jobs program announced in April .
“ We 're working really closely on student measures .
We have $ 8 billion in play right now in our student package .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ said at a news conference , referring to the cost of the expiring program .
• Citizens appalled as boaters defying whale sanctuary get off with warning “ But we know it 's tough for students and we 're going to keep working for them and with them , ” she added , without providing further details .
Newly minted Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough announce changes to pandemic-related relief on August 20 , 2020 .
Screenshot of livestream .
The Canada Emergency Student Benefit ( CESB ) was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in April and started flowing in May , trailing behind the CERB lifeline it created in response to the shutdown of large swathes of the economy .
It paid $ 1,250 a month to students who do not qualify for CERB or EI , and $ 2,000 a month to students with a disability or dependants .
Students have complained the amount is not enough to cover living expenses after many lost their prime summer earnings opportunities to the pandemic , which has shut down much of public life .
Geneviève Charest , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Students , said that when they asked the government several months ago about extending CESB , they were told returning students would have access to additional grants and loans , which she said would be insufficient .
Canada will shift workers hit by job loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic from emergency benefits onto new recovery relief plans , but will let a separate payment for students to expire “ Many students will have to take on even more debt this year in order to pursue their studies , ” Charest said , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of CESB and the grants and loans , making their situation even more precarious .
The government said it had paid out almost $ 70 billion in CERB benefits to 8.6 million applicants since March 15 .
More than 4.1 million applicants have since returned to the workforce .
The three new recovery benefits Ottawa unveiled Thursday are expected to cost $ 22 billion .
The extension of CERB adds another $ 8 billion to the price tag , while additional EI costs are pegged at $ 7 billion , for a total @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the deputy prime minister and newly minted finance minister , said the federal government was also forgoing $ 2 billion in revenue by freezing EI rates for two years .
“ We are very clearly , and with a lot of notice to Canadians and to our counterparts at the other side of the House , laying out what we believe is the right thing to do for Canadians , ” Freeland said .
The government is planning to introduce legislation to enact the measures , which will not happen until late @ @ @ @ @ @ @ earlier this week .
The Opposition Conservatives said the news showed that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau did not have a plan to get Canadians back to work or to restart the economy .
“ Shuffling Canadians between programs is not a plan , ” MPs Dan Albas and Pierre Poilievre , the party ’ s employment and finance critics , said in a statement .
The three new schemes , which will be in place for one year , are a primary $ 400-a-week Canada Recovery Benefit for those still unable to find @ @ @ @ @ @ @ related $ 500-a-week sickness and caregiver benefits for those who miss work because they ’ ve caught the virus or must care for someone who has .
Applications will open in October .
The new programs will also support those not eligible for regular EI , including the self-employed and those working in the gig economy .
Labour and business groups both tentatively cheered the EI changes , with Unifor noting it will reduce barriers to qualify , and increase the minimum benefit .
“ Today ’ s changes are a relief for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ but EI has been so badly broken for so long that a full overhaul of the system is still absolutely critical , ” said the union ’ s national president Jerry Dias .
“ These temporary changes , critical now , have to guide more comprehensive improvements to EI that will benefit workers for generations to come , ” he said .
The Canadian Chamber of Commerce also said the changes were positive , but much more was needed to restore the country ’ s economic health .
“ While we support the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the current crisis , the Canadian Chamber believes our priority must be getting Canadians safely back to work and ensuring the country ’ s long-term prosperity , ” said Trevin Stratton , the chamber ’ s chief economist and vice-president of policy .
In a briefing provided to reporters ahead of the official announcement , government officials used the hypothetical example of a day camp counsellor who usually clocks some 900 hours of work from mid-June to the end of September , which makes her eligible for employment insurance .
With the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 200 hours , she would not qualify for regular EI benefits .
Under the new plan , because this seasonal worker notched more than 120 hours of work , she can now qualify for EI regular benefits of a minimum of $ 400 per week for at least 26 weeks , the officials said .
The minimum duration of EI benefits was 14 weeks previously , while the maximum remains capped at 45 weeks .
Workers were required to have worked between 420 and 700 hours in pre-pandemic times , and would receive @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of their average weekly earnings , up to a maximum of $ 573 per week in 2020 .
In a bid to encourage people to return to work , the government will also cancel a cap of $ 1,000 a month on allowable earned income and replace it with a reduction of 50 cents of recovery benefit for every dollar earned .
Any overpayment will be clawed back when recipients file their annual income tax return , the officials said .
Editor ’ s note : This article was updated at 5:35 p.m. @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comments from Freeland and Qualtrough and representatives from the opposition Conservatives , the Canadian Federation of Students , Unifor , and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce .

Ottawa told workers Thursday what will happen when their emergency benefits expire, but post-secondary students were left in the dark. Both the federal worker and student relief programs created in the wake of the COVID-19 pandemic were due to expire at the end of August, but the Liberal government said it would extend the $2,000-a-month Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) for four weeks before transitioning eligible workers to one of three new employment insurance (EI) schemes for another year starting Sept. 27. Asked what would happen to the separate student benefit given the disproportionate impact the pandemic has had on youth unemployment, Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough confirmed it will expire at the end of the month. She said students who have experienced job loss or reduced earnings because of COVID-19 can access CERB for the next month and pointed out the government was creating tens of thousands of jobs for young people, referring to changes to its summer jobs program announced in April. “We're working really closely on student measures. We have $8 billion in play right now in our student package. Super proud of that,” Qualtrough said at a news conference, referring to the cost of the expiring program.
“But we know it's tough for students and we're going to keep working for them and with them,” she added, without providing further details. Newly minted Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland and Employment Minister Carla Qualtrough announce changes to pandemic-related relief on August 20, 2020. Screenshot of livestream. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The Canada Emergency Student Benefit (CESB) was added to Ottawa’s relief response in April and started flowing in May, trailing behind the CERB lifeline it created in response to the shutdown of large swathes of the economy.
It paid $1,250 a month to students who do not qualify for CERB or EI, and $2,000 a month to students with a disability or dependants. Canada will shift workers hit by job loss due to the COVID-19 pandemic from emergency benefits onto new recovery relief plans, but will let a separate payment for students to expire Students have complained the amount is not enough to cover living expenses after many lost their prime summer earnings opportunities to the pandemic, which has shut down much of public life. Geneviève Charest, a spokesperson for the Canadian Federation of Students, said that when they asked the government several months ago about extending CESB, they were told returning students would have access to additional grants and loans, which she said would be insufficient. “Many students will have to take on even more debt this year in order to pursue their studies,” Charest said, noting that international students are locked out of CESB and the grants and loans, making their situation even more precarious.


nationalobserver--2020-08-20--Opposition parties allege continuing coverup in WE Charity controversy

Opposition parties are taking issue with the black ink applied to many of the thousands of pages of newly released documents about the WE Charity controversy , suggesting the redactions are part of a continuing coverup by the federal Liberals .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ordered the 5,000-plus pages released to MPs on the House of Commons finance committee Tuesday as he announced the prorogation of Parliament until Sept. 23 .
The documents contain numerous exchanges between federal civil servants , ministerial staff and WE Charity officials about the plan to have the Toronto-based organization run a multimillion-dollar program encouraging @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Canada Student Service Grant program gradually took shape over a period of weeks , initially including the possibility of a scholarship or bursary , and eventually fixed sums linked to the number of hours spent volunteering .
By proroguing Parliament , Trudeau put a temporary end to the four committees that have spent the summer probing the decision to enlist WE Charity , which has close connections to the families of the prime minister and Bill Morneau , who resigned as finance minister this week .
• Citizens appalled as boaters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Trudeau announced the launch of the program on June 25 .
But there was immediate controversy over his perceived conflict of interest and WE Charity pulled out of the agreement , which was to have paid the organization $ 43.5 million , on July 3 .
The newly released documents seem to back up the Trudeau government 's assertion it was federal public servants who recommended the student service grant program be administered by WE Charity .
They also suggest bureaucrats may have been encouraged to pursue that course by their political masters @ @ @ @ @ @ @ been blacked out , either in part or in their entirety .
In a letter to the clerk of the finance committee that was released with the documents , the clerk of the Privy Council said the redactions were made in accordance with the committee 's own decision to protect cabinet secrets and personal information .
`` The committee 's motion stipulates that cabinet confidence and national security information are to be excluded from the package , '' Ian Shugart wrote to committee clerk David Gagnon on Aug. 7 .
Opposition parties are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to many of the thousands of pages of newly released documents about the WE Charity controversy , suggesting the redactions are part of a continuing coverup by the federal Liberals .
`` A principled approach was adopted to this information to ensure a non-selective application of the protection afforded by cabinet confidentiality .
As a result , considerable information on the Canada Student Service Grant that would otherwise constitute cabinet confidences is being released . ''
Shugart went on to say that information on the pages was withheld if deemed not relevant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ redactions emerged as a focal point for opposition anger and frustration on Wednesday , with Conservative finance critic Pierre Poilievre waving several partially and completely blacked-out pages during a news conference on Parliament Hill .
Among the documents that Poilievre focused on was an email that WE co-founder Craig Kielburger sent to Morneau on April 26 with two attached documents , the contents of which are withheld .
`` We 'd love to learn about the attached documents in it , but unfortunately , in what is to become a trend throughout this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the two documents are completely blacked out , '' Poilievre said .
Poilievre held up several other redacted documents before tossing them aside .
`` This page blacked out , '' he said .
`` This page blacked out .
This page , blacked out .
Why do n't we ask what 's in those pages at a parliamentary committee ?
Well , I 'll tell you why : Justin Trudeau shut down those parliamentary committees . ''
The New Democrats also complained about the documents Wednesday , with NDP finance critic Peter @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chair and Liberal MP Wayne Easter arguing it was n't up to the government to make redactions .
Rather , he said the committee 's motion had called for the government to provide unredacted documents for the parliamentary law clerk to vet , with the understanding members would then be able to challenge redactions they thought were excessive .
`` Nearly a quarter of the documents provided to committee members were redacted in whole or in part , '' Julian wrote .
`` It is over 1,000 pages that we as parliamentarians do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on this scandal . ''
MPs on the finance committee actually received late Tuesday a second version of the same documents , which had been undergoing vetting by the parliamentary law clerk since they were submitted to the committee Aug. 9 .
That version redacted all the names and email addresses of bureaucrats so that it is impossible to tell who wrote what or who was talking to whom , which rendered them far less informative than the set Trudeau ordered released .
Easter said he does not fault the law clerk for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rendered the documents essentially useless .
`` Our intent as a committee in terms of the motion was ( to find out ) who 's talking to who and what time did they talk to who and what did they say .
So without the names they 're not going to be very effective for you , if at all , '' Easter said .
If not for Trudeau ordering release of the documents as originally submitted to the committee , Easter said , there would have been far less information available .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's documents show is the prime minister 's trying to be transparent . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 19 , 2020 .

Lee Berthiaume, Jim Bronskill, Joan Bryden

Opposition parties are taking issue with the black ink applied to many of the thousands of pages of newly released documents about the WE Charity controversy, suggesting the redactions are part of a continuing coverup by the federal Liberals. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau ordered the 5,000-plus pages released to MPs on the House of Commons finance committee Tuesday as he announced the prorogation of Parliament until Sept. 23. The documents contain numerous exchanges between federal civil servants, ministerial staff and WE Charity officials about the plan to have the Toronto-based organization run a multimillion-dollar program encouraging students to volunteer during the COVID-19 pandemic. The Canada Student Service Grant program gradually took shape over a period of weeks, initially including the possibility of a scholarship or bursary, and eventually fixed sums linked to the number of hours spent volunteering. By proroguing Parliament, Trudeau put a temporary end to the four committees that have spent the summer probing the decision to enlist WE Charity, which has close connections to the families of the prime minister and Bill Morneau, who resigned as finance minister this week.
Trudeau announced the launch of the program on June 25. But there was immediate controversy over his perceived conflict of interest and WE Charity pulled out of the agreement, which was to have paid the organization $43.5 million, on July 3. The newly released documents seem to back up the Trudeau government's assertion it was federal public servants who recommended the student service grant program be administered by WE Charity. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions They also suggest bureaucrats may have been encouraged to pursue that course by their political masters.
Yet many of the pages have been blacked out, either in part or in their entirety. Opposition parties are taking issue with the black ink applied to many of the thousands of pages of newly released documents about the WE Charity controversy, suggesting the redactions are part of a continuing coverup by the federal Liberals. In a letter to the clerk of the finance committee that was released with the documents, the clerk of the Privy Council said the redactions were made in accordance with the committee's own decision to protect cabinet secrets and personal information. "The committee's motion stipulates that cabinet confidence and national security information are to be excluded from the package," Ian Shugart wrote to committee clerk David Gagnon on Aug. 7. "A principled approach was adopted to this information to ensure a non-selective application of the protection afforded by cabinet confidentiality. As a result, considerable information on the Canada Student Service Grant that would otherwise constitute cabinet confidences is being released." Shugart went on to say that information on the pages was withheld if deemed not relevant to the grant program.
Still, the redactions emerged as a focal point for opposition anger and frustration on Wednesday, with Conservative finance critic Pierre Poilievre waving several partially and completely blacked-out pages during a news conference on Parliament Hill. Among the documents that Poilievre focused on was an email that WE co-founder Craig Kielburger sent to Morneau on April 26 with two attached documents, the contents of which are withheld. "We'd love to learn about the attached documents in it, but unfortunately, in what is to become a trend throughout this package, all the relevant information in the two documents are completely blacked out," Poilievre said.


nationalobserver--2020-08-20--Most solar manufacturers claim their panels will last for about 25 years. That means the solar e-was

But we ’ ll need to develop one soon , because the solar e-waste glut is coming .
By 2050 , the International Renewable Energy Agency projects that up to 78 million metric tons of solar panels will have reached the end of their life , and that the world will be generating about 6 million metric tons of new solar e-waste annually .
While the latter number is a small fraction of the total e-waste humanity produces each year , standard electronics recycling methods don ’ t cut it for solar panels .
Recovering the most valuable materials from @ @ @ @ @ @ @ requires bespoke recycling solutions .
And if we fail to develop those solutions along with policies that support their widespread adoption , we already know what will happen .
Solar panels are an increasingly important source of renewable power that will play an essential role in fighting climate change .
They are also complex pieces of technology that become big , bulky sheets of electronic waste at the end of their lives — and right now , most of the world doesn ’ t have a plan for dealing with that .
Even @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a lot of room for improvement .
A solar panel is essentially an electronic sandwich .
The filling is a thin layer of crystalline silicon cells , which are insulated and protected from the elements on both sides by sheets of polymers and glass .
It ’ s all held together in an aluminum frame .
On the back of the panel , a junction box contains copper wiring that channels electricity away as it ’ s being generated .
When solar panels do reach their end of their life today , they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ E.U .
law , producers are required to ensure their solar panels are recycled properly .
In Japan , India , and Australia , recycling requirements are in the works .
In the United States , it ’ s the Wild West : With the exception of a state law in Washington , the U.S. has no solar recycling mandates whatsoever .
Voluntary , industry-led recycling efforts are limited in scope .
“ Right now , we ’ re pretty confident the number is around 10 percent of solar panels recycled , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Recycle PV Solar , one of the only U.S. companies dedicated to PV recycling .
The rest , he says , go to landfills or are exported overseas for reuse in developing countries with weak environmental protections .
Most solar manufacturers claim their panels will last for about 25 years , and the world didn ’ t start deploying solar widely until the early 2000s .
As a result , a fairly small number of solar panels are being decommissioned today .
PV CYCLE , a nonprofit dedicated to solar panel takeback and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ solar e-waste across the European Union each year , according to director Jan Clyncke .
That figure includes solar panels that have reached the end of their life , but also those that were decommissioned early because they were damaged during a storm , had some sort of manufacturer defect , or got replaced with a newer , more efficient model .
Solar panels are composed of photovoltaic ( PV ) cells that convert sunlight to electricity .
When these panels enter landfills , valuable resources go to waste .
And because solar @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can leach out as they break down , landfilling also creates new environmental hazards .
“ If we don ’ t mandate recycling , many of the modules will go to landfill , ” said Arizona State University solar researcher Meng Tao , who recently authored a review paper on recycling silicon solar panels , which comprise 95 percent of the solar market .
At a typical e-waste facility , this high-tech sandwich will be treated crudely .
Recyclers often take off the panel ’ s frame and its junction box to recover @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the rest of the module , including the glass , polymers , and silicon cells , which get coated in a silver electrode and soldered using tin and lead .
( Because the vast majority of that mixture by weight is glass , the resultant product is considered an impure , crushed glass . )
Tao and his colleagues estimate that a recycler taking apart a standard , 60-cell silicon panel can get about $ 3 for the recovered aluminum , copper , and glass .
Vanderhoof , meanwhile , says that the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. is anywhere between $ 12 and $ 25 — after transportation costs , which “ oftentimes equal the cost to recycle.
” At the same time , in states that allow it , it typically costs less than a dollar to dump a solar panel in a solid waste landfill .
“ We believe the big blind spot in the U.S. for recycling is that the cost far exceeds the revenue , ” Meng said .
“ It ’ s on the order of a 10-to-1 ratio.
” If a solar panel @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , the silicon and silver — could be separated and purified efficiently , that could improve that cost-to-revenue ratio .
A small number of dedicated solar PV recyclers are trying to do this .
Veolia , which runs the world ’ s only commercial-scale silicon PV recycling plant in France , shreds and grinds up panels and then uses an optical technique to recover low-purity silicon .
According to Vanderhoof , Recycle PV Solar initially used a “ heat process and a ball mill process ” that could recapture more than 90 percent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including low-purity silver and silicon .
But the company recently received some new equipment from its European partners that can do “ 95 plus percent recapture , ” he said , while separating the recaptured materials much better .
Some PV researchers want to do even better than that .
In another recent review paper , a team led by National Renewable Energy Laboratory scientists calls for the development of new recycling processes where all metals and minerals are recovered at high purity , with the goal of making recycling as economically @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
As lead study author Garvin Heath explains , such processes might include using heat or chemical treatments to separate the glass from the silicon cells , followed by the application of other chemical or electrical techniques to separate and purify the silicon and various trace metals .
“ What we call for is what we name a high-value , integrated recycling system , ” Heath told Grist .
“ High-value means we want to recover all the constituent materials that have value from these modules .
Integrated refers to a recycling process @ @ @ @ @ @ @ materials , and not have to cascade from one recycler to the next.
” In addition to developing better recycling methods , the solar industry should be thinking about how to repurpose panels whenever possible , since used solar panels are likely to fetch a higher price than the metals and minerals inside them ( and since reuse generally requires less energy than recycling ) .
As is the case with recycling , the E.U .
is out in front on this : Through its Circular Business Models for the Solar Power Industry @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a range of demonstration projects showing how solar panels from rooftops and solar farms can be repurposed , including for powering e-bike charging stations in Berlin and housing complexes in Belgium .
Recycle PV Solar also recertifies and resells good-condition panels it receives , which Vanderhoof says helps to offset the cost of recycling .
However , both he and Tao are concerned that various U.S. recyclers are selling second-hand solar panels with low quality control overseas to developing countries .
“ And those countries typically don ’ t have regulations for electronics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ So eventually , you ’ re dumping your problem on a poor country.
” For the solar recycling industry to grow sustainably , it will ultimately need supportive policies and regulations .
The E.U .
model of having producers finance the takeback and recycling of solar panels might be a good one for the U.S. to emulate .
But before that ’ s going to happen , U.S. lawmakers need to recognize that the problem exists and is only getting bigger , which is why Vanderhoof spends a great deal of time educating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the fact that solar panels do fail over time , and there ’ s a lot of them out there , ” he said .
“ And what do we do when they start to fail ?
It ’ s not right throwing that responsibility on the consumer , and that ’ s where we ’ re at right now .
”

This story was originally published by Grist and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration Solar panels are an increasingly important source of renewable power that will play an essential role in fighting climate change. They are also complex pieces of technology that become big, bulky sheets of electronic waste at the end of their lives — and right now, most of the world doesn’t have a plan for dealing with that. But we’ll need to develop one soon, because the solar e-waste glut is coming. By 2050, the International Renewable Energy Agency projects that up to 78 million metric tons of solar panels will have reached the end of their life, and that the world will be generating about 6 million metric tons of new solar e-waste annually. While the latter number is a small fraction of the total e-waste humanity produces each year, standard electronics recycling methods don’t cut it for solar panels. Recovering the most valuable materials from one, including silver and silicon, requires bespoke recycling solutions. And if we fail to develop those solutions along with policies that support their widespread adoption, we already know what will happen. “If we don’t mandate recycling, many of the modules will go to landfill,” said Arizona State University solar researcher Meng Tao, who recently authored a review paper on recycling silicon solar panels, which comprise 95 percent of the solar market. Solar panels are composed of photovoltaic (PV) cells that convert sunlight to electricity. When these panels enter landfills, valuable resources go to waste. And because solar panels contain toxic materials like lead that can leach out as they break down, landfilling also creates new environmental hazards.
Most solar manufacturers claim their panels will last for about 25 years, and the world didn’t start deploying solar widely until the early 2000s. As a result, a fairly small number of solar panels are being decommissioned today. PV CYCLE, a nonprofit dedicated to solar panel takeback and recycling, collects several thousand tons of solar e-waste across the European Union each year, according to director Jan Clyncke. That figure includes solar panels that have reached the end of their life, but also those that were decommissioned early because they were damaged during a storm, had some sort of manufacturer defect, or got replaced with a newer, more efficient model. When solar panels do reach their end of their life today, they face a few possible fates. Under E.U. law, producers are required to ensure their solar panels are recycled properly. In Japan, India, and Australia, recycling requirements are in the works. In the United States, it’s the Wild West: With the exception of a state law in Washington, the U.S. has no solar recycling mandates whatsoever. Voluntary, industry-led recycling efforts are limited in scope. “Right now, we’re pretty confident the number is around 10 percent of solar panels recycled,” said Sam Vanderhoof, the CEO of Recycle PV Solar, one of the only U.S. companies dedicated to PV recycling. The rest, he says, go to landfills or are exported overseas for reuse in developing countries with weak environmental protections. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Even when recycling happens, there’s a lot of room for improvement. A solar panel is essentially an electronic sandwich. The filling is a thin layer of crystalline silicon cells, which are insulated and protected from the elements on both sides by sheets of polymers and glass. It’s all held together in an aluminum frame. On the back of the panel, a junction box contains copper wiring that channels electricity away as it’s being generated.
At a typical e-waste facility, this high-tech sandwich will be treated crudely. Recyclers often take off the panel’s frame and its junction box to recover the aluminum and copper, then shred the rest of the module, including the glass, polymers, and silicon cells, which get coated in a silver electrode and soldered using tin and lead. (Because the vast majority of that mixture by weight is glass, the resultant product is considered an impure, crushed glass.) Tao and his colleagues estimate that a recycler taking apart a standard, 60-cell silicon panel can get about $3 for the recovered aluminum, copper, and glass. Vanderhoof, meanwhile, says that the cost of recycling that panel in the U.S. is anywhere between $12 and $25 — after transportation costs, which “oftentimes equal the cost to recycle.” At the same time, in states that allow it, it typically costs less than a dollar to dump a solar panel in a solid waste landfill. Most solar manufacturers claim their panels will last for about 25 years. That means the solar e-waste glut is coming. “We believe the big blind spot in the U.S. for recycling is that the cost far exceeds the revenue,” Meng said. “It’s on the order of a 10-to-1 ratio.” If a solar panel’s more valuable components — namely, the silicon and silver — could be separated and purified efficiently, that could improve that cost-to-revenue ratio. A small number of dedicated solar PV recyclers are trying to do this. Veolia, which runs the world’s only commercial-scale silicon PV recycling plant in France, shreds and grinds up panels and then uses an optical technique to recover low-purity silicon. According to Vanderhoof, Recycle PV Solar initially used a “heat process and a ball mill process” that could recapture more than 90 percent of the materials present in a panel, including low-purity silver and silicon. But the company recently received some new equipment from its European partners that can do “95 plus percent recapture,” he said, while separating the recaptured materials much better. Some PV researchers want to do even better than that. In another recent review paper, a team led by National Renewable Energy Laboratory scientists calls for the development of new recycling processes where all metals and minerals are recovered at high purity, with the goal of making recycling as economically viable and as environmentally beneficial as possible. As lead study author Garvin Heath explains, such processes might include using heat or chemical treatments to separate the glass from the silicon cells, followed by the application of other chemical or electrical techniques to separate and purify the silicon and various trace metals. “What we call for is what we name a high-value, integrated recycling system,” Heath told Grist. “High-value means we want to recover all the constituent materials that have value from these modules. Integrated refers to a recycling process that can go after all of these materials, and not have to cascade from one recycler to the next.”
In addition to developing better recycling methods, the solar industry should be thinking about how to repurpose panels whenever possible, since used solar panels are likely to fetch a higher price than the metals and minerals inside them (and since reuse generally requires less energy than recycling). As is the case with recycling, the E.U. is out in front on this: Through its Circular Business Models for the Solar Power Industry program, the European Commission is funding a range of demonstration projects showing how solar panels from rooftops and solar farms can be repurposed, including for powering e-bike charging stations in Berlin and housing complexes in Belgium. Recycle PV Solar also recertifies and resells good-condition panels it receives, which Vanderhoof says helps to offset the cost of recycling. However, both he and Tao are concerned that various U.S. recyclers are selling second-hand solar panels with low quality control overseas to developing countries. “And those countries typically don’t have regulations for electronics waste,” Tao said. “So eventually, you’re dumping your problem on a poor country.” For the solar recycling industry to grow sustainably, it will ultimately need supportive policies and regulations. The E.U. model of having producers finance the takeback and recycling of solar panels might be a good one for the U.S. to emulate. But before that’s going to happen, U.S. lawmakers need to recognize that the problem exists and is only getting bigger, which is why Vanderhoof spends a great deal of time educating them.


nationalobserver--2020-08-20--Feds to join assessment of Teck coal mine expansion in B.C.

The federal government will join an environmental assessment of a major expansion to a proposed southern British Columbia coal mine .
`` The potential for adverse effects ... may not be mitigated through project design , the application of standard mitigation measures , or through existing legislative mechanisms , '' says an analysis from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada .
Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson used the analysis to make his decision , released Wednesday , on the Teck Resources project .
He had already reversed an earlier ruling and announced that Ottawa would take part in a review of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Several other companies have made known their plans to mine coal in that province .
Teck is planning an expansion to its network of coal mines in the Elk Valley area of southeastern B.C .
The Castle project would increase the area being mined by about one-third and allow the company to maintain production of steel-making coal at 27,400 tonnes a day .
• Citizens appalled as boaters defying whale sanctuary get off with warning The review involves fisheries , First Nations and international relations — all areas of federal jurisdiction .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ more coal than the threshold required for a federal review .
`` The Castle project has already been proceeding through a rigorous provincial environmental review process , '' he said in a statement .
`` We will work with the B.C .
Environmental Assessment Office and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to ensure a co-ordinated review and seek to avoid duplication . ''
Wilkinson was not available for an interview .
B.C .
Environment Minister George Heyman said the province will co-ordinate federal involvement .
The federal government will join an environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ proposed southern British Columbia coal mine .
`` I appreciate that they understand and have committed to working within provincial timelines while they review matters of federal jurisdiction , such as trans-border issues , '' he said in an email .
Lars Sander-Green of Wildsight , one of the groups that asked for a federal assessment , thanked Wilkinson for the decision .
`` If Teck can ’ t show how they can reduce selenium pollution downstream of their mines in the long term ... then no reasonable environmental assessment should approve this @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decision also has implications for Alberta , where the government has said it hopes to increase the province 's production of steel-making coal .
Ian Urquhart , conservation director for the Alberta Wilderness Association , welcomed the Teck decision .
`` The federal process is a more open , accessible process '' — especially compared with Alberta 's , he said .
Urquhart said Ottawa had little choice but to step in .
Teck 's Pederson said the Castle project is `` part of the existing Fording River operations and is necessary to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
The company 's existing mines in the area are responsible for significant problems with selenium , an element toxic in large amounts .
Reports on concentrations in area waterways show levels up to four times B.C .
's maximum for drinking water .
Monitoring stations near the mines have reported levels 50 times what 's recommended for aquatic health .
Teck 's own research has reported the near-disappearance of rare cutthroat trout from a 60-kilometre stretch of the Fording River downstream from the company 's four mines .
That water flows @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reservoir drains into the Kootenai River , which flows about 200 kilometres across Montana and Idaho .
That contamination was a main concern of eight interveners who asked Ottawa to assist British Columbia in reviewing the expansion .
Those interveners included five First Nations on both sides of the border , 34 environmental organizations and the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency .
`` Direct and cumulative impacts from coal mining in the Elk Valley have resulted documented impacts to Lake Koocanusa and the Kootenai River water quality , fish and fish habitat in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's submission .
Urquhart suggests Wilkinson 's Teck and Vista decisions are a warning to the Alberta government , which recently revoked a decades-old policy restricting coal development in the province 's foothills and mountains .
`` The issue this creates for Alberta is just how difficult it is , even with changes to the coal policy , to have as much control over coal development as ( cabinet ministers ) would like the province to have . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 19 , 2020

The federal government will join an environmental assessment of a major expansion to a proposed southern British Columbia coal mine. "The potential for adverse effects ... may not be mitigated through project design, the application of standard mitigation measures, or through existing legislative mechanisms," says an analysis from the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada. Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson used the analysis to make his decision, released Wednesday, on the Teck Resources project. He had already reversed an earlier ruling and announced that Ottawa would take part in a review of the proposed Vista coal project in Alberta. Several other companies have made known their plans to mine coal in that province. Teck is planning an expansion to its network of coal mines in the Elk Valley area of southeastern B.C. The Castle project would increase the area being mined by about one-third and allow the company to maintain production of steel-making coal at 27,400 tonnes a day.
The review involves fisheries, First Nations and international relations — all areas of federal jurisdiction. The mine expansion would also produce significantly more coal than the threshold required for a federal review. Teck spokesman Chad Pederson called Wednesday's announcement an "unfortunate decision." Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "The Castle project has already been proceeding through a rigorous provincial environmental review process," he said in a statement.
"We will work with the B.C. Environmental Assessment Office and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada to ensure a co-ordinated review and seek to avoid duplication." The federal government will join an environmental assessment of a major expansion to a proposed southern British Columbia coal mine. Wilkinson was not available for an interview. B.C. Environment Minister George Heyman said the province will co-ordinate federal involvement. "I appreciate that they understand and have committed to working within provincial timelines while they review matters of federal jurisdiction, such as trans-border issues," he said in an email. Lars Sander-Green of Wildsight, one of the groups that asked for a federal assessment, thanked Wilkinson for the decision.
"If Teck can’t show how they can reduce selenium pollution downstream of their mines in the long term ... then no reasonable environmental assessment should approve this mine,” he wrote. The decision also has implications for Alberta, where the government has said it hopes to increase the province's production of steel-making coal. Ian Urquhart, conservation director for the Alberta Wilderness Association, welcomed the Teck decision.


nationalobserver--2020-08-20--Trump in final push to open up Alaska's Arctic refuge to oil and gas drilling

This story was originally published by The Guardian and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration The Trump administration is taking the final steps to let oil and gas companies drill in the Arctic national wildlife refuge – which environment advocates call the nation ’ s “ last great wilderness ” .
The US interior department will auction leases before the end of the year , secretary David Bernhardt told the Wall Street Journal .
That could make it harder for Democrats to reverse the decision if Joe Biden wins the election in November .
The 19-million-acre refuge @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , is a wellspring for wildlife .
The move will open up the 1.6 million-acre coastal plane , where polar bears and foxes reside and to or through which millions of migratory birds fly .
The porcupine caribou herd is critically important to the indigenous Gwich ’ in people , many of whom make their homes on or near its migration route .
“ This is our nation ’ s last great wilderness , ” said Adam Kolton , the executive director of the Alaska Wilderness League .
“ Nowhere else in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such abundant and diverse wildlife.
” • Citizens appalled as boaters defying whale sanctuary get off with warning The lease sales will set off legal battles .
Environmental groups and tribes argue that the administration ’ s assessment of environmental risks was flawed .
Bernadette Demienti , executive director of the Gwich ’ in steering committee , said her tribe has had a spiritual and cultural connection to the porcupine caribou “ since time immemorial ” .
“ This area they just opened is their calving grounds .
This is a place that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in that we don ’ t go there .
Our creation story tells us that we made a vow with the caribou that we would take care of each other .
They have taken care of us , and now it is our turn to take care of them.
” The caribou are already changing their migration paths because of global heating caused by fossil fuel use , which is happening at a much faster rate in the Arctic than the rest of the world , Demienti said .
The announcement comes as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which Biden ’ s climate plan will be a central focus .
Biden spokesman Matt Hill reiterated that Biden wold “ permanently protect ANWR and other areas impacted by President Trump ’ s attacks on federal lands and waters ” .
Trump , meanwhile , has been touting his “ energy dominance ” agenda , rolling back methane standards for the oil and gas industry last week .
Interior department to reportedly auction leases before year ’ s end as critics condemn plan to drill in America ’ s ‘ last great wilderness @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to require leasing in part of the refuge in their tax bill in 2017 , when they controlled both chambers .
The refuge has been protected since 1980 .
It is unclear if oil companies will be interested in drilling in the area any time soon , because oil is cheap and abundant elsewhere .
Five of the largest US banks have said they will not finance ANWR projects .
Kolton said any company considering bidding on leases needs to be “ cognizant of the enormous reputational , political and financial risks ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time to open up America ’ s largest wildlife refuge to drilling , but it ’ s absolutely bonkers to endanger this beautiful place during a worldwide oil glut , ” said Kristen Monsell , an attorney with the Center for Biological Diversity ’ s oceans program .

This story was originally published by The Guardian and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration The Trump administration is taking the final steps to let oil and gas companies drill in the Arctic national wildlife refuge – which environment advocates call the nation’s “last great wilderness”. The US interior department will auction leases before the end of the year, secretary David Bernhardt told the Wall Street Journal. That could make it harder for Democrats to reverse the decision if Joe Biden wins the election in November. The 19-million-acre refuge in north-east Alaska, known as ANWR, is a wellspring for wildlife. The move will open up the 1.6 million-acre coastal plane, where polar bears and foxes reside and to or through which millions of migratory birds fly. The porcupine caribou herd is critically important to the indigenous Gwich’in people, many of whom make their homes on or near its migration route. “This is our nation’s last great wilderness,” said Adam Kolton, the executive director of the Alaska Wilderness League. “Nowhere else in the five-nation circle polar north do you have such abundant and diverse wildlife.”
The lease sales will set off legal battles. Environmental groups and tribes argue that the administration’s assessment of environmental risks was flawed. Bernadette Demienti, executive director of the Gwich’in steering committee, said her tribe has had a spiritual and cultural connection to the porcupine caribou “since time immemorial”. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “This area they just opened is their calving grounds. This is a place that is so sacred to the Gwich’in that we don’t go there. Our creation story tells us that we made a vow with the caribou that we would take care of each other. They have taken care of us, and now it is our turn to take care of them.”
The caribou are already changing their migration paths because of global heating caused by fossil fuel use, which is happening at a much faster rate in the Arctic than the rest of the world, Demienti said. Interior department to reportedly auction leases before year’s end as critics condemn plan to drill in America’s ‘last great wilderness’ The announcement comes as Democrats open their virtual convention, in which Biden’s climate plan will be a central focus. Biden spokesman Matt Hill reiterated that Biden wold “permanently protect ANWR and other areas impacted by President Trump’s attacks on federal lands and waters”. Trump, meanwhile, has been touting his “energy dominance” agenda, rolling back methane standards for the oil and gas industry last week. Republicans in Congress changed the laws to require leasing in part of the refuge in their tax bill in 2017, when they controlled both chambers. The refuge has been protected since 1980. It is unclear if oil companies will be interested in drilling in the area any time soon, because oil is cheap and abundant elsewhere.
Five of the largest US banks have said they will not finance ANWR projects. Kolton said any company considering bidding on leases needs to be “cognizant of the enormous reputational, political and financial risks”. Polls show a majority of Americans oppose drilling in ANWR.


nationalobserver--2020-08-21--Strong winds in forecast prompts evacuation warning to B.C. residents near fire

Residents who live near a massive wildfire in British Columbia 's south Okanagan were asked to prepare in advance Thursday , as strong winds forecasted for Friday threatened efforts to contain it .
The 20-square kilometre wildfire already destroyed one home and forced residents on 300 other properties to leave this week , while another 3,700 properties near Penticton remain on alert .
`` If we get strong winds then our lines will be challenged for sure , '' Mitch Pence of the B.C .
Wildfire Service told a news conference Thursday .
The so-called Christie Mountain fire is among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this week , ending what had been a quiet wildfire season .
The BC Wildfire Service says of the 543 fires recorded since April in British Columbia , more than one quarter have been sparked in the past seven days .
• Citizens appalled as boaters defying whale sanctuary get off with warning The service 's website shows many of the 154 fires this week were caused by lightning , and almost three dozen are listed as out of control .
Cooler temperatures and light winds helped a team of firefighters make what @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' building a guard on the flank of the fire closest to homes near Penticton .
The fire broke out in a gully Tuesday and whipped up the side of the mountain thanks to a `` perfect mix '' of weather and topography , fire information officer Nicole Bonnett said Thursday .
About 100 ground crew and 13 helicopters worked to contain it Thursday but the difficult rocky and sloped terrain has created challenges for ground crews , while poor visibility Wednesday limited their ability to fight it by air .
`` It @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , it 's pretty rocky , pretty steep .
I believe the area is fairly well known for rock climbing , which gives you an idea of how steep it is , '' Bonnett said .
The area closest to homes had reduced to a low smoulder , but the winds could push the blaze closer to property , she said .
Residents who live near a massive wildfire in British Columbia 's south Okanagan were asked to prepare in advance Thursday , as strong winds forecasted for Friday threatened efforts to contain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to register with emergency services once they leave home , Penticton officials asked those in the alert zone to register online or by phone now so that they could start identifying those who would need accommodations , transportation and access to medication if the alert is upgraded to an order .
The cause of that fire is listed as under investigation , while two other fires caused by lightning continue to create problems .
B.C .
's deputy provincial health officer Dr. Reka Gustafson said Thursday health officials have been planning for a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ would be forced from their homes by fire during the pandemic .
She said the usual precautions apply .
`` So , to make sure that those activities include the prevention measures that we need to have , such as hand hygiene and appropriate separation . ''
Gustafson said that to her knowledge , no one who was ordered to leave their home because of the Penticton wildfire was sick or self-isolating because of COVID-19 .
Ten properties were ordered evacuated Wednesday night in southeastern B.C .
as a wildfire near Canal Flats @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , while crews began seizing control of a fire burning close to the southern Interior community of Beaverdell .
They had made good progress establishing control lines by Thursday afternoon and classified the 17.5-hectare fire as `` held , '' meaning that sufficient suppression action had been taken so the fire was not likely to spread .
Environment Canada has issued an air quality statement warning of smoky skies over the south Okanagan and Boundary regions .
It advises people with asthma or anyone with a chronic condition to stop or reduce activity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Residents who live near a massive wildfire in British Columbia's south Okanagan were asked to prepare in advance Thursday, as strong winds forecasted for Friday threatened efforts to contain it. The 20-square kilometre wildfire already destroyed one home and forced residents on 300 other properties to leave this week, while another 3,700 properties near Penticton remain on alert. "If we get strong winds then our lines will be challenged for sure," Mitch Pence of the B.C. Wildfire Service told a news conference Thursday. The so-called Christie Mountain fire is among a surge of wildfires that have flared this week, ending what had been a quiet wildfire season. The BC Wildfire Service says of the 543 fires recorded since April in British Columbia, more than one quarter have been sparked in the past seven days.
The service's website shows many of the 154 fires this week were caused by lightning, and almost three dozen are listed as out of control. Cooler temperatures and light winds helped a team of firefighters make what the wildfire service called "great progress" building a guard on the flank of the fire closest to homes near Penticton. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The fire broke out in a gully Tuesday and whipped up the side of the mountain thanks to a "perfect mix" of weather and topography, fire information officer Nicole Bonnett said Thursday.
About 100 ground crew and 13 helicopters worked to contain it Thursday but the difficult rocky and sloped terrain has created challenges for ground crews, while poor visibility Wednesday limited their ability to fight it by air. Residents who live near a massive wildfire in British Columbia's south Okanagan were asked to prepare in advance Thursday, as strong winds forecasted for Friday threatened efforts to contain it. "It is burning in some pretty nasty terrain, it's pretty rocky, pretty steep. I believe the area is fairly well known for rock climbing, which gives you an idea of how steep it is," Bonnett said. The area closest to homes had reduced to a low smoulder, but the winds could push the blaze closer to property, she said. Although evacuees are typically asked to register with emergency services once they leave home, Penticton officials asked those in the alert zone to register online or by phone now so that they could start identifying those who would need accommodations, transportation and access to medication if the alert is upgraded to an order. The cause of that fire is listed as under investigation, while two other fires caused by lightning continue to create problems.
B.C.'s deputy provincial health officer Dr. Reka Gustafson said Thursday health officials have been planning for a few months for the potential that people would be forced from their homes by fire during the pandemic. She said the usual precautions apply. "So, to make sure that those activities include the prevention measures that we need to have, such as hand hygiene and appropriate separation." Gustafson said that to her knowledge, no one who was ordered to leave their home because of the Penticton wildfire was sick or self-isolating because of COVID-19.


nationalobserver--2020-08-21--Two films you can watch with the kids, and one you shouldn’t

The movie world continues the road back to normal .
Cineplex is to have all its theatres — 164 across Canada — open again today , and incidentally , three of the most awaited and delayed films are coming next week : Tenet , The New Mutants and for the more classical cinema goers , The Personal History of David Copperfield .
While you ’ re waiting , check out the strong lineup at the Rio Theatre ( http : //riotheatre.ca ) , which includes Inception , another predecessor of Tenet , and the film about John Lewis ( who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ American politics these days ) .
VanCity ’ s streaming lineup ( at viff.org ) is also strong .
I feature two films further down the page .
The full list is this ...
THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN : You want one for the whole family ?
Don ’ t miss this one .
It ’ s heartwarming , heartrending and bears a message , too .
Some of you will feel tears coming on during the very moving scenes of resolution towards the end .
And look at the cast : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ DeVito , Helen Mirren , Brooklynn Prince , Chaka Khan and others voicing the excellent CGI animals and Bryan Cranston as the live circus owner in charge of them .
The story is from an award-winning children ’ s book by Katherine Applegate , who was inspired by a true tale of a gorilla put on show in a shopping mall in Tacoma , Wash. Stay to the end and you ’ ll see the real Ivan .
In the film , he narrates his own story ( through Sam Rockwell ) and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ roar and be angry .
And he worries he has he lost his edge because the crowds are smaller than they used to be .
Cranston is afraid the circus might go broke , but is excited to announce a new attraction is on the way : A baby elephant that through sheer cuteness may save the show .
Like when a new baby arrives in a family , Ivan the feels the competition .
He ’ s no longer the headliner .
The story veers another way , though .
The baby @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in Africa and becomes enchanted with the idea of “ the wild ” and “ freedom.
” That ’ s where the movie points , with an aborted escape , a sad death , Ivan emulating a girl ’ s crayon drawing ( “ the primate Picasso himself ” ) and an unexpected dénouement .
Director Thea Sharrock has made a very enjoyable film about friends and animals .
( Disney+ ) 4 out of 5 THE SLEEPOVER : Disney used to make films like this , about and geared to families @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to let youngsters see themselves , although in improbable situations and looking a lot like a TV sitcom .
Netflix emulates the style , updates it and offers a wild , but sweet , film that ’ s ideal for the whole family to watch together .
Maybe not teenagers , but tweens and their parents , sure .
The title tells you little .
Although a kid does come over for the night , sleeping isn ’ t what happens .
Mom ( Malin Akerman ) and dad ( Ken Marino ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a former flame of hers ( Joe Manganiello ) to attend a Boston high society bash where the king and queen of Moldana will be with a very valuable tiara on her head .
Sure , they ’ re going to steal it .
The kids have to rescue them , and what kid can resist a fantastic tale like that ?
Or to learn things about their parents they never knew .
OK , dad is not cool , that they knew .
But mom is a former thief , in a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at that , although that angle isn ’ t carried beyond a mention .
She ’ s a skilled fighter , though , and shows it .
There are also typical kid issues .
The teen daughter ( Sadie Stanley ) isn ’ t allowed to have a phone , like all her friends , and the sleepover kid is completely defined by all the things he says he ’ s not allowed to do .
A bed-wetting problem leads to a number of jokes .
A boy ’ s dance caught on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a good heart and is nimbly directed by Trish Sie , who is known for Pitch Perfect 3 and many commercials .
( Netflix ) 3 out of 5 THE PREY : Here ’ s yet another version of one of the most duplicated movie tales ever .
The Most Dangerous Game started as a magazine story in 1924 , became a film in 1932 and has been reworked or partially copied many , many times on the big screen , on TV and on radio .
The most recent , The Hunt @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weeks ago .
This new one about to start streaming is from Cambodia .
It has the same narrative — humans are hunted for sport — and the same narrative drive that South Asian films have become known for .
Not a lot of moral reflection , though .
What you get is action and despicable people doing bad .
With a few new touches , though .
A Phnom Penh gang is busted by police and thrown in prison , including an infiltrator ( Gu Shangwei ) , who we learn later @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scam that is preying on people in China .
An “ Interpol tech team ” in Beijing is tracking him with a GPS wristwatch implant , but a prison warden ( played by the venerable Thai actor Vithaya Pansringarm ) lets him and 10 or so other inmates loose in “ 30 kilometres of wilderness ” while a group of tourists ( Byron Bishop , as their leader ) pay to hunt them down .
The warden claims he ’ s “ obsessed with times when man becomes an animal.
” That ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ For some reason , it sells over and over again .
Gu isn ’ t a tough enough presence ; but the warden and the lead hunter are .
Second-time director Jimmy Henderson keeps the hunt and several martial arts encounters moving briskly .
( Streaming starts Tuesday at many video on demand sites ) 2½ out of 5 COUP 53 ( originally part of my VIFF coverage in October ) : You might think a coup that overthrew a government in Iran 67 years ago is too old to be relevant today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the Middle East owe a lot to it .
You can see where the belligerent stance of the Iranians , and , in opposition to them , the Americans , originated .
You can see what the U.S. learned about regime change and how they applied , or tried to apply , it elsewhere .
And finally you get a close look at a superb work of journalism and research .
You ’ ll be enthralled as the facts are found by a team headed by director Taghi Amirani , based in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Murch and featuring actor Ralph Fiennes speaking the words of the coup mastermind .
The coup was a British action .
Iran had elected a left-leaning prime minister who started to nationalize the oil industry .
The Anglo-Iranian Oil Co. got Winston Churchill to help , and an MI-6 agent organized the coup , initially without American help .
( The Yanks came in later ) .
The Shah became the ruler ; American oil companies got into the industry there , and Amirani reveals new details about how it happened .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ transcript of an interview he gave for a TV documentary .
It was cut out of that film .
No wonder ; he admits everything .
Those are his words that Fiennes speaks for this film .
Old clips and new interviews tell the rest , and , at the end , everything is tied to the ongoing mess in the Middle East .
A stimulating film .
It streams as part of the VanCity Theatre Home series at https : //viff.org .
4 out of 5 Incidentally , they 're also streaming @ @ @ @ @ @ @ might remember I wrote about last week .
And praised it .
It starts in and features a singer from Mali , which is suddenly in the news after a coup .
The film offers some background information and insight that seems relevant .
RISING PHOENIX : It ’ s too early to have had a preview , but this one sounds interesting just from the people involved .
And the subject .
This Netflix documentary tells all about the Paralympic Games , which it is said are now the third-biggest sporting event @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the games in 1948 and now more than 100 countries and thousands of athletes compete .
They live with a disability that keeps them out of the Olympics .
Their games follow immediately after .
The film has stories from many athletes , including Bebe Vio ( Italy ) , Ellie Cole ( Australia ) , Jonnie Peacock ( U.K. ) , and Tatyana McFadden ( U.S. ) , who is also one of the producers .
British film veterans Richard Curtis and Barbara Broccoli are among them , too , and one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who you ’ ll recognize as the founder of the Invictus Games .
Injured or British servicemen with disabilities compete in them .
The film premieres Wednesday , Aug. 26 .

The movie world continues the road back to normal. Cineplex is to have all its theatres — 164 across Canada — open again today, and incidentally, three of the most awaited and delayed films are coming next week: Tenet, The New Mutants and for the more classical cinema goers, The Personal History of David Copperfield. While you’re waiting, check out the strong lineup at the Rio Theatre (http://riotheatre.ca), which includes Inception, another predecessor of Tenet, and the film about John Lewis (who’s being mentioned so often in American politics these days). VanCity’s streaming lineup (at viff.org) is also strong. I feature two films further down the page. The full list is this ... The One and Only Ivan: 4 stars The Sleepover: 3
THE ONE AND ONLY IVAN: You want one for the whole family? Don’t miss this one. It’s heartwarming, heartrending and bears a message, too. Some of you will feel tears coming on during the very moving scenes of resolution towards the end. And look at the cast: Sam Rockwell, Angelina Jolie, Danny DeVito, Helen Mirren, Brooklynn Prince, Chaka Khan and others voicing the excellent CGI animals and Bryan Cranston as the live circus owner in charge of them. The story is from an award-winning children’s book by Katherine Applegate, who was inspired by a true tale of a gorilla put on show in a shopping mall in Tacoma, Wash. Stay to the end and you’ll see the real Ivan. Courtesy Disney+ In the film, he narrates his own story (through Sam Rockwell) and wonders why humans always require gorillas to roar and be angry. And he worries he has he lost his edge because the crowds are smaller than they used to be. Cranston is afraid the circus might go broke, but is excited to announce a new attraction is on the way: A baby elephant that through sheer cuteness may save the show. Like when a new baby arrives in a family, Ivan the feels the competition. He’s no longer the headliner. The story veers another way, though. The baby hears an old elephant talk of growing up in Africa and becomes enchanted with the idea of “the wild” and “freedom.” That’s where the movie points, with an aborted escape, a sad death, Ivan emulating a girl’s crayon drawing (“the primate Picasso himself”) and an unexpected dénouement. Director Thea Sharrock has made a very enjoyable film about friends and animals. (Disney+) 4 out of 5 THE SLEEPOVER: Disney used to make films like this, about and geared to families, inoffensive, fairly funny and designed to let youngsters see themselves, although in improbable situations and looking a lot like a TV sitcom. Netflix emulates the style, updates it and offers a wild, but sweet, film that’s ideal for the whole family to watch together. Maybe not teenagers, but tweens and their parents, sure.
Courtesy Netflix The title tells you little. Although a kid does come over for the night, sleeping isn’t what happens. Mom (Malin Akerman) and dad (Ken Marino) are kidnapped and forced to join with a former flame of hers (Joe Manganiello) to attend a Boston high society bash where the king and queen of Moldana will be with a very valuable tiara on her head. Sure, they’re going to steal it. The kids have to rescue them, and what kid can resist a fantastic tale like that? Or to learn things about their parents they never knew. OK, dad is not cool, that they knew. But mom is a former thief, in a witness protection program. And a Canadian at that, although that angle isn’t carried beyond a mention. She’s a skilled fighter, though, and shows it. There are also typical kid issues. The teen daughter (Sadie Stanley) isn’t allowed to have a phone, like all her friends, and the sleepover kid is completely defined by all the things he says he’s not allowed to do. A bed-wetting problem leads to a number of jokes. A boy’s dance caught on video is embarrassing. The film has a good heart and is nimbly directed by Trish Sie, who is known for Pitch Perfect 3 and many commercials. (Netflix) 3 out of 5 THE PREY: Here’s yet another version of one of the most duplicated movie tales ever. The Most Dangerous Game started as a magazine story in 1924, became a film in 1932 and has been reworked or partially copied many, many times on the big screen, on TV and on radio. The most recent, The Hunt, was in theatres around here just weeks ago. This new one about to start streaming is from Cambodia. It has the same narrative — humans are hunted for sport — and the same narrative drive that South Asian films have become known for. Not a lot of moral reflection, though. What you get is action and despicable people doing bad. With a few new touches, though.


nationalobserver--2020-08-21--Feds and Ontario has secured agreement with 3M to make N95 masks in Brockville, Ont.

The federal and Ontario governments have secured an agreement with 3M that will see the company produce N95 masks at a facility in Brockville , Ont.
, a spokesman for the province 's minister of economic development confirmed Thursday .
Ottawa and the province will each contribute $ 23.3 million to help increase capacity at the Brockville plant , allowing it to produce up to 100 million N95 masks a year , Robert Gibson said .
The masks made at the expanded facility will be used to meet `` private sector , provincial , and North American market demand throughout @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said in a statement .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford both appearing in Brockville on Friday , where they are expected to make the deal official .
Ford has repeatedly said the province needs to ramp up its own production of personal protective equipment in light of the pandemic .
• Citizens appalled as boaters defying whale sanctuary get off with warning He has also been publicly critical of U.S. President Donald Trump 's attempts to limit the export of N95 masks from American plants .
`` We will @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Ford said during a news conference in April .
`` I 'm not going to rely on any country ever again . ''
This will be the second domestic contract to produce N95 masks , after Quebec-based Medicom signed a 10-year agreement to supply N95 and surgical masks to the federal government in April .
Medicom 's combined contracts are worth more than $ 113 million , and include providing 24 million surgical masks and 20 million N95 respirators each year .
The company turned a warehouse in Montreal into a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ months .
It has already started producing and supplying surgical masks to Ottawa .
N95 production is to begin this month with the first deliveries expected in the fall .
Health Canada regulations require approval of the masks and each shipment must be inspected by the Public Health Agency of Canada for quality control .
The federal and Ontario governments have secured an agreement with 3M that will see the company produce N95 masks at a facility in Brockville , Ont.
, a spokesman for the province 's minister of economic development confirmed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Canada has contracts for 154.5 million N95 and KN95 masks , and thus far all have been imported from outside the country .
As of Aug. 3 , more than 54 million N95 and KN95 respirators have been delivered .
KN95 masks are the Chinese equivalent of the N95 respirators that are certified by the National Institute for Occupational Safety and Health in the United States .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Aug. 20 , 2020 .

The federal and Ontario governments have secured an agreement with 3M that will see the company produce N95 masks at a facility in Brockville, Ont., a spokesman for the province's minister of economic development confirmed Thursday.
Ottawa and the province will each contribute $23.3 million to help increase capacity at the Brockville plant, allowing it to produce up to 100 million N95 masks a year, Robert Gibson said.
The masks made at the expanded facility will be used to meet "private sector, provincial, and North American market demand throughout the pandemic and beyond," Gibson said in a statement.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford both appearing in Brockville on Friday, where they are expected to make the deal official.
Ford has repeatedly said the province needs to ramp up its own production of personal protective equipment in light of the pandemic.


nationalobserver--2020-08-21--Freeland expected to keep playing key role on U.S. file despite move to finance

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is expected to continue playing a key role in managing Canada 's relationship with the United States as the two countries look to restart their pandemic-ravaged economies .
The Liberal government is n't saying whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will officially direct Freeland , who is also deputy prime minister , to continue serving as Canada 's point person with the U.S. , a role she has held for more than three years .
The prime minister first tapped Freeland to lead the federal government 's efforts in his mandate letter to her when she became @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and again when she was named deputy prime minister last fall .
She had also been involved in that file when she was international trade minister , her first cabinet role .
Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne this week suggested other federal cabinet ministers will shoulder more of the burden as Freeland assumes her new duties , but added the final decision rests with Trudeau .
`` We work as a whole of government to make sure that we best position Canada in that crucial relationship between Canada and the United States , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an interview .
• Citizens appalled as boaters defying whale sanctuary get off with warning `` We will continue as we were doing and then the particular allocation , obviously that 's the prerogative of the prime minister .
But I would say more generally , I think each and every one of us has a role to play in that very important relationship . ''
Senior government sources would not speak on the record this week when asked whether Freeland will continue to be front and centre or whether other ministers — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ng — will manage the file .
Speaking on the condition of anonymity , those sources offered mixed messages .
Freeland 's appointment as lead minister coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump 's demand for a new North American free trade deal , which finally came into effect on July 1 following more than a year of tense , and sometimes acrimonious , negotiations .
Former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson said Freeland 's many contacts in the U.S. , understanding of the American culture after having lived there as a journalist for years @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of enemies served Canada well on the file .
It also helped shield Trudeau from Trump 's wrath when Ottawa wanted to push back on an issue , Robertson said , noting how Freeland only earlier this month blasted the White House 's decision to impose new aluminum tariffs on Canada .
Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is expected to continue playing a key role in managing Canada 's relationship with the United States as the two countries look to restart their pandemic-ravaged economies .
`` She was very sharp , '' said Robertson @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Canadian Global Affairs Institute .
`` And I thought : 'This is right .
It 's exactly the right tone .
But you do n't want the prime minister to do it because Trump is going to take offence . '
'' Scotty Greenwood , CEO of the Canadian-American Business Council , nonetheless suggested there is some sense in reverting to the more traditional approach where no single minister is in charge now that the free trade talks are over .
`` Because the relationship is so big and multifaceted , lots of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' Greenwood said .
`` People were probably just sort of going through her or co-ordinating so nothing could inadvertently mess up the negotiation .
But the negotiation is done . ''
Whether Freeland remains the lead minister or not , both Greenwood and Robertson believed she will continue to play a big role in her new position , which will include leading the restart of Canada 's pandemic-ravaged economy .
They say that is because the Liberals ' plan for restarting the Canadian economy — including a heavy emphasis on tackling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close co-ordination with the U.S. , given the integrated nature of the two economies .
`` The biggest bilateral task is going to be the economic rebound , '' said Greenwood .
`` So she will play an important role . ''
Robertson echoed that assessment , saying : `` Based on what the prime minister , in terms of his reset and his green shift and 'build back better , ' none of this will work unless we do this in tandem with the U.S. '' This report by The Canadian Press @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .

Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is expected to continue playing a key role in managing Canada's relationship with the United States as the two countries look to restart their pandemic-ravaged economies. The Liberal government isn't saying whether Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will officially direct Freeland, who is also deputy prime minister, to continue serving as Canada's point person with the U.S., a role she has held for more than three years. The prime minister first tapped Freeland to lead the federal government's efforts in his mandate letter to her when she became foreign affairs minister in February 2017, and again when she was named deputy prime minister last fall. She had also been involved in that file when she was international trade minister, her first cabinet role. Foreign Affairs Minister Francois-Philippe Champagne this week suggested other federal cabinet ministers will shoulder more of the burden as Freeland assumes her new duties, but added the final decision rests with Trudeau. "We work as a whole of government to make sure that we best position Canada in that crucial relationship between Canada and the United States," he told The Canadian Press in an interview.
"We will continue as we were doing and then the particular allocation, obviously that's the prerogative of the prime minister. But I would say more generally, I think each and every one of us has a role to play in that very important relationship." Senior government sources would not speak on the record this week when asked whether Freeland will continue to be front and centre or whether other ministers — notably Champagne and International Trade Minister Mary Ng — will manage the file. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Speaking on the condition of anonymity, those sources offered mixed messages.
Freeland's appointment as lead minister coincided with U.S. President Donald Trump's demand for a new North American free trade deal, which finally came into effect on July 1 following more than a year of tense, and sometimes acrimonious, negotiations. Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is expected to continue playing a key role in managing Canada's relationship with the United States as the two countries look to restart their pandemic-ravaged economies. Former Canadian diplomat Colin Robertson said Freeland's many contacts in the U.S., understanding of the American culture after having lived there as a journalist for years and her ability to make friends out of enemies served Canada well on the file. It also helped shield Trudeau from Trump's wrath when Ottawa wanted to push back on an issue, Robertson said, noting how Freeland only earlier this month blasted the White House's decision to impose new aluminum tariffs on Canada. "She was very sharp," said Robertson, who is now vice-president of the Canadian Global Affairs Institute. "And I thought: 'This is right. It's exactly the right tone. But you don't want the prime minister to do it because Trump is going to take offence.'" Scotty Greenwood, CEO of the Canadian-American Business Council, nonetheless suggested there is some sense in reverting to the more traditional approach where no single minister is in charge now that the free trade talks are over.
"Because the relationship is so big and multifaceted, lots of people end up interacting with the U.S.," Greenwood said. "People were probably just sort of going through her or co-ordinating so nothing could inadvertently mess up the negotiation. But the negotiation is done." Whether Freeland remains the lead minister or not, both Greenwood and Robertson believed she will continue to play a big role in her new position, which will include leading the restart of Canada's pandemic-ravaged economy.


nationalobserver--2020-08-21--Advocates nudging Ottawa to renew and expand electric car rebate program

Electric car advocates are pushing Ottawa to put more money into its zero-emission vehicle rebate program , as the popular program is on track to run out of cash more than a year ahead of schedule .
Transport Canada data obtained by The Canadian Press this week shows 75 per cent of the $ 300-million program has already been spoken for , just 15 months into its three-year mandate .
The rebate , which provides up to $ 5,000 back on the purchase or lease of a new battery vehicle , or a battery-gasoline hybrid one , began May 1 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ run until April 30 , 2022 .
But as of July 31 , more than $ 225 million had been paid out to 53,510 drivers .
`` It 's no surprise to me , '' said Daniel Breton , president of Electric Mobility Canada , a non-profit agency pushing for the electrification of transportation .
• Citizens appalled as boaters defying whale sanctuary get off with warning Electric car sales , as a share of overall vehicle purchases , have steadily grown from two per cent of all sales in 2018 to three @ @ @ @ @ @ @ almost four per cent in the first three months of 2020 .
But the rate of uptake is heavily concentrated in just three provinces .
Quebec and British Columbia , which have sales quotas for electric cars and provincial rebates on top of the federal one , together account for 86 per cent of all the rebates .
Ontario , which had a provincial rebate until 2019 , accounted for another 12 per cent , with the remaining two per cent divided among the other seven provinces and the territories .
Breton said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cars more attractive in Quebec and B.C .
but car makers are also shipping more electric cars there because their dealers have quotas for sales .
Availability of electric models is limited , and many drivers have to wait weeks or months for one .
Electric Mobility Canada wants Ottawa to expand the program to include used cars and to increase the maximum purchase price of the cars that qualify for a rebate .
SUVs and pickup trucks , which are more expensive , are set to come onto the market .
In @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passenger vehicles sold were SUVs and pickups .
Cara Clairman , CEO of the non-profit advocacy group Plug ' n Drive , says she hopes Ottawa will provide more money for rebates when the current allotment runs out because they are making a difference .
Electric car advocates are pushing Ottawa to put more money into its zero-emission vehicle rebate program , as the popular program is on track to run out of cash more than a year ahead of schedule .
`` I think we do need a few more years of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ You have to look at it as a climate-change program . ''
Canada has set targets to have 10 per cent of all passenger vehicles sold be electric by 2025 , 30 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2040 .
Breton said that wo n't happen if the rebate is n't expanded .
Breton is also looking for the rebates to be extended to used electric and hybrid vehicles , which are now more easy to find than new ones in many cases .
A 10-per-cent rebate on the purchase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the mandate letter for Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains last fall but has not yet been announced .
Transport Minister Marc Garneau was instructed in his mandate letter to do more to make the electric car sales quotas .
Before the pandemic , he indicated he was looking at what more to do , including extending or expanding the rebate program .
Something was expected in the March federal budget , delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Garneau 's spokeswoman was noncommittal Thursday when asked if the rebate program would be expanded .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ are able to make use of the incentive , '' Livia Belcea said in an email .
`` Any changes in funding for the program would be reviewed at the appropriate time and as needed . ''

Electric car advocates are pushing Ottawa to put more money into its zero-emission vehicle rebate program, as the popular program is on track to run out of cash more than a year ahead of schedule. Transport Canada data obtained by The Canadian Press this week shows 75 per cent of the $300-million program has already been spoken for, just 15 months into its three-year mandate. The rebate, which provides up to $5,000 back on the purchase or lease of a new battery vehicle, or a battery-gasoline hybrid one, began May 1, 2019, and was supposed to run until April 30, 2022. But as of July 31, more than $225 million had been paid out to 53,510 drivers. "It's no surprise to me," said Daniel Breton, president of Electric Mobility Canada, a non-profit agency pushing for the electrification of transportation.
Electric car sales, as a share of overall vehicle purchases, have steadily grown from two per cent of all sales in 2018 to three per cent last year, and to almost four per cent in the first three months of 2020. But the rate of uptake is heavily concentrated in just three provinces. Quebec and British Columbia, which have sales quotas for electric cars and provincial rebates on top of the federal one, together account for 86 per cent of all the rebates. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Ontario, which had a provincial rebate until 2019, accounted for another 12 per cent, with the remaining two per cent divided among the other seven provinces and the territories.
Breton said the additional provincial rebate makes buying electric cars more attractive in Quebec and B.C. but car makers are also shipping more electric cars there because their dealers have quotas for sales. Availability of electric models is limited, and many drivers have to wait weeks or months for one. Electric car advocates are pushing Ottawa to put more money into its zero-emission vehicle rebate program, as the popular program is on track to run out of cash more than a year ahead of schedule. Electric Mobility Canada wants Ottawa to expand the program to include used cars and to increase the maximum purchase price of the cars that qualify for a rebate. SUVs and pickup trucks, which are more expensive, are set to come onto the market. In 2019, almost three in every four passenger vehicles sold were SUVs and pickups. Cara Clairman, CEO of the non-profit advocacy group Plug'n Drive, says she hopes Ottawa will provide more money for rebates when the current allotment runs out because they are making a difference. "I think we do need a few more years of it," she said. "You have to look at it as a climate-change program." Canada has set targets to have 10 per cent of all passenger vehicles sold be electric by 2025, 30 per cent by 2030 and 100 per cent by 2040. Breton said that won't happen if the rebate isn't expanded.
Breton is also looking for the rebates to be extended to used electric and hybrid vehicles, which are now more easy to find than new ones in many cases. A 10-per-cent rebate on the purchase of a used electric car was mentioned in the mandate letter for Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains last fall but has not yet been announced. Transport Minister Marc Garneau was instructed in his mandate letter to do more to make the electric car sales quotas. Before the pandemic, he indicated he was looking at what more to do, including extending or expanding the rebate program. Something was expected in the March federal budget, delayed by the COVID-19 pandemic. Garneau's spokeswoman was noncommittal Thursday when asked if the rebate program would be expanded.