nationalobserver--2020-07-06--Ontario NDP bill calls for Ford government to prepare for health fallout of climate crisis

Ontario must start preparing its health-care system for a coming cascade of health problems due to the climate crisis , says the Opposition NDP in draft legislation seen by the National Observer on Monday .
The climate emergency is expected to fuel the emergence of new viruses , scientists have found .
As the world warms , natural disasters are already happening more frequently and more intensely — events that can harm people and also spark a mental health crisis .
“ Climate change is the biggest public health threat in the 21st century , ” said Ontario NDP mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who announced plans to introduce the proposed legislation Monday alongside climate critic Peter Tabuns .
Ontario NDP climate critic Peter Tabuns , pictured at Queen 's Park in October 2018 , says the Ford government must prepare now for forecasted health crises as the global climate warms .
File photo by Carlos Osorio The bill also points specifically to the need for urgent action to protect Black and Indigenous people , along with low-income communities and other vulnerable groups .
“ Inequality makes us sick , ” Karpoche said .
“ We must @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the biggest public health threat in the 21st century , ” said Ontario NDP mental health and addictions critic Bhutila Karpoche .
`` We must take concrete steps now . ''
# onpoli The plan would need to be completed within two years , says a draft version of the bill provided to National Observer .
It would also have to be reviewed and updated every four years .
The office of Ontario 's Environment Minister Jeff Yurek didn ’ t respond to a request for comment .
Premier Doug Ford cancelled @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , replacing it with one that auditor general Bonnie Lysyk slammed for being “ not based on sound evidence.
” Over the past two years , his government also killed green energy programs and weakened several pieces of environmental legislation .
Since the proposed law comes from the Opposition NDP and the Ford government holds a majority , the legislation is unlikely to pass .
Keith Stewart , a senior energy strategist with Greenpeace Canada , said it ’ s still important that the idea be brought up for discussion .
Regardless of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have the prospect on the table , he said , adding that many ideas in Ontario ’ s current Environmental Bill of Rights came up in previous Opposition bills .
“ It can form the basis of government legislation later , ” Stewart said .
It 's important to act now because we know what scientists say will happen as the climate crisis accelerates , Stewart said .
And if anything , he added , COVID-19 has shown the challenges that arise “ when you don ’ t prepare for predictable crises.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ at least some of the things that are coming , ” he said .
“ Science has been very clear ... We ’ re just not on top of that .
”

Ontario must start preparing its health-care system for a coming cascade of health problems due to the climate crisis, says the Opposition NDP in draft legislation seen by the National Observer on Monday. The climate emergency is expected to fuel the emergence of new viruses, scientists have found. As the world warms, natural disasters are already happening more frequently and more intensely — events that can harm people and also spark a mental health crisis. “Climate change is the biggest public health threat in the 21st century,” said Ontario NDP mental health and addictions critic Bhutila Karpoche, who announced plans to introduce the proposed legislation Monday alongside climate critic Peter Tabuns. “We must take concrete steps now.” Scientists have not linked COVID-19 to the climate crisis. But the warming planet does contribute to the spread and emergence of infectious diseases: Hotter temperatures expand the areas at risk for insect-borne pathogens like Lyme disease, and thawing permafrost is exposing long-dormant bacteria and viruses.
Ontario, in particular, is expected to see an increase in floods, wildfires and extreme heat as the climate crisis accelerates. Studies have shown that climate change worsens global inequality and poverty, and that people of colour are often disproportionately affected by the fallout of the crisis. Scientists also warn that these impacts will cause mental distress for many people as they grieve the loss of their way of life and look to an uncertain future. The NDP bill, the Climate Crisis Health Action Plan Act, would require the province to outline how it will equip Ontario’s health-care system to handle the forecasted problems. The legislation would also create an advisory panel of scientists, and a climate crisis and health secretariat to assist the government with implementing the plan. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “If they don’t (prepare now), we’ll have a more devastating health crisis on our hands in the years to come,” Tabuns said.
Ontario NDP climate critic Peter Tabuns, pictured at Queen's Park in October 2018, says the Ford government must prepare now for forecasted health crises as the global climate warms. File photo by Carlos Osorio The bill also points specifically to the need for urgent action to protect Black and Indigenous people, along with low-income communities and other vulnerable groups. “Climate change is the biggest public health threat in the 21st century,” said Ontario NDP mental health and addictions critic Bhutila Karpoche. "We must take concrete steps now." #onpoli “Inequality makes us sick,” Karpoche said. “We must account for this.” The plan would need to be completed within two years, says a draft version of the bill provided to National Observer. It would also have to be reviewed and updated every four years. The office of Ontario's Environment Minister Jeff Yurek didn’t respond to a request for comment.
Premier Doug Ford cancelled the previous government’s climate plan, replacing it with one that auditor general Bonnie Lysyk slammed for being “not based on sound evidence.” Over the past two years, his government also killed green energy programs and weakened several pieces of environmental legislation. Since the proposed law comes from the Opposition NDP and the Ford government holds a majority, the legislation is unlikely to pass. Keith Stewart, a senior energy strategist with Greenpeace Canada, said it’s still important that the idea be brought up for discussion. Regardless of the outcome, it's powerful to have the prospect on the table, he said, adding that many ideas in Ontario’s current Environmental Bill of Rights came up in previous Opposition bills.


nationalobserver--2020-07-06--Ontario takes steps to tackle racism in schools

The Ontario government will end the practice of directing students into academic and applied classes in their first year of high school , its education minister said , as one of a string of changes to address racism in schools .
The Progressive Conservatives will also ban suspensions for younger students up to Grade 3 , seek to improve diversity in hiring and promotions , and plan to hold educators more accountable for racist and discriminatory actions .
The news was first reported by the Toronto Star .
A spokesperson for Education Minister Stephen Lecce confirmed the moves and said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ order .
The changes follow years of advocacy from education experts .
It also comes in the wake of mass protests following the death of George Floyd at the knee of a U.S. police officer and as the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on people of colour sparks broader conversations about systemic injustice .
Black students are much more likely to be suspended and steered away from classes that prepare them for university , research shows .
• The future of the Conservative Party and how Trump 's America strong-armed Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Lac-Mégantic train disaster been learned ?
While praised as a decent first start , critics said the changes could have gone further and that the test of success will be in how they are implemented .
“ I 'm glad , of course , but we would have preferred they would have followed the TDSB ’ s ( Toronto District School Board ) footsteps and done it ( removed streaming ) in Grade 9 and 10 , ” said Stephen Mensah , the education lead for the Toronto Youth Cabinet , an advisory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ moved earlier than most of the province ’ s school boards to collect race-based data and to move away from streaming early in high school .
The previous Liberal government told all boards in 2017 to start collecting the data .
“ We also recognize that this is a problem that exists in elementary schools as well .
Streaming starts as young as in Grade 4 , it 's not just something that is in secondary schools , ” Mensah said .
“ Nonetheless , it 's an important first step and I @ @ @ @ @ @ @ plan.
” While the government has n't yet laid out the plan , Mensah said any money saved by doing away with separate applied classes in Grade 9 should be reinvested to provide support for students who need more academic help .
Lecce said last month that the government was “ determined to confront all forms of racism , discrimination , and hate , against all minority communities in our province.
” Ontario 's education minister @ Sflecce says the province will end the streaming of students into academic and applied programs in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ address systemic racism in schools .
He was responding to an independent report detailing the failures of the Peel District School Board to address systemic anti-Black racism in the district , which includes Mississauga .
“ For too long , too many kids have been left behind due to systemic frameworks that perpetuate racism , ” he said at the time .
“ This is unacceptable and must change.
” A 2017 study found that roughly four in 10 Black students in Toronto were enrolled in applied programs , which typically do not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ compared to 18 per cent of other racialized groups , and 16 per cent of white students .
A similar portion ( 42 per cent ) of all Black students have been suspended at least once by the time they finish high school , the study found .
That 's compared to 18 per cent of white students and 15 per cent of other racialized students .
Annie Kidder also hopes that streaming will ultimately be removed in Grade 10 as well , and stressed that the moves must be accompanied by additional @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s a really great and important first step to address a deep inequity in the system that ’ s been problematic for a long time , ” said Kidder , the executive director of People For Education .
“ The steps that follow are actually implementing it .
That ’ s always the tricky part .
The proof is always in the pudding , ” she said .
“ You have to make sure there are supports in place for students who may be struggling in school .
You can ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ everybody ’ s going to be in academic and it ’ s sink or swim .
”

The Ontario government will end the practice of directing students into academic and applied classes in their first year of high school, its education minister said, as one of a string of changes to address racism in schools. The Progressive Conservatives will also ban suspensions for younger students up to Grade 3, seek to improve diversity in hiring and promotions, and plan to hold educators more accountable for racist and discriminatory actions. The news was first reported by the Toronto Star. A spokesperson for Education Minister Stephen Lecce confirmed the moves and said more details would be released in short order. The changes follow years of advocacy from education experts. It also comes in the wake of mass protests following the death of George Floyd at the knee of a U.S. police officer and as the disproportionate impact the COVID-19 pandemic has had on people of colour sparks broader conversations about systemic injustice. Black students are much more likely to be suspended and steered away from classes that prepare them for university, research shows.
While praised as a decent first start, critics said the changes could have gone further and that the test of success will be in how they are implemented. “I'm glad, of course, but we would have preferred they would have followed the TDSB’s (Toronto District School Board) footsteps and done it (removed streaming) in Grade 9 and 10,” said Stephen Mensah, the education lead for the Toronto Youth Cabinet, an advisory body to city council. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The TDSB moved earlier than most of the province’s school boards to collect race-based data and to move away from streaming early in high school. The previous Liberal government told all boards in 2017 to start collecting the data.
“We also recognize that this is a problem that exists in elementary schools as well. Streaming starts as young as in Grade 4, it's not just something that is in secondary schools,” Mensah said. “Nonetheless, it's an important first step and I'm waiting for them to outline the plan.” Ontario's education minister @Sflecce says the province will end the streaming of students into academic and applied programs in grade 9 and take other steps to address systemic racism in schools. While the government hasn't yet laid out the plan, Mensah said any money saved by doing away with separate applied classes in Grade 9 should be reinvested to provide support for students who need more academic help. 'Determined to confront racism' Lecce said last month that the government was “determined to confront all forms of racism, discrimination, and hate, against all minority communities in our province.” He was responding to an independent report detailing the failures of the Peel District School Board to address systemic anti-Black racism in the district, which includes Mississauga.
“For too long, too many kids have been left behind due to systemic frameworks that perpetuate racism,” he said at the time. “This is unacceptable and must change.” A 2017 study found that roughly four in 10 Black students in Toronto were enrolled in applied programs, which typically do not include prerequisites for future graduate study, compared to 18 per cent of other racialized groups, and 16 per cent of white students. A similar portion (42 per cent) of all Black students have been suspended at least once by the time they finish high school, the study found. That's compared to 18 per cent of white students and 15 per cent of other racialized students.


nationalobserver--2020-07-07--Man accused in Rideau Hall crash had rifle, shotguns, and threatened PM: RCMP

The man charged with ramming a truck through a gate at Rideau Hall last week was armed with two shotguns , a rifle and a revolver , and threatened Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , police say .
Newly released court documents add detail to the charges Canadian Forces member Corey Hurren is facing after the incident July 2 .
Information sworn by an RCMP officer alleges Hurren had with him a prohibited M-14 rifle , plus the shotguns and a revolver made by Hi-Standard .
The document says he had a licence for the rifle , which typically means he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it when the weapon became prohibited , but not for the revolver .
The Manitoba resident is also accused of having a prohibited high-capacity magazine without a licence for it .
Aside from 21 charges related to the weapons , Hurren is accused of threatening to cause death or bodily harm to the prime minister .
• The future of the Conservative Party and how Trump 's America strong-armed Canada • Have the lessons of the 2013 Lac-Mégantic train disaster been learned ?
Hurren is a reservist in the Canadian Rangers , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ duty through the summer under a program meant to help respond to the COVID-19 pandemic .
The RCMP say Hurren rammed through a gate at Rideau Hall in Ottawa early last Thursday .
They say the truck he was driving broke down not far into the Governor General 's official estate , where Trudeau and his family have also been living while 24 Sussex Drive awaits renovations .
Hurren allegedly got out and headed in the direction of Trudeau 's residence .
Police intercepted him and were ultimately able to arrest him without @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The Canadian Press was first published July 6 , 2020 .

The man charged with ramming a truck through a gate at Rideau Hall last week was armed with two shotguns, a rifle and a revolver, and threatened Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, police say.
Newly released court documents add detail to the charges Canadian Forces member Corey Hurren is facing after the incident July 2.
Information sworn by an RCMP officer alleges Hurren had with him a prohibited M-14 rifle, plus the shotguns and a revolver made by Hi-Standard.
The document says he had a licence for the rifle, which typically means he or a close family member already owned it when the weapon became prohibited, but not for the revolver. The Manitoba resident is also accused of having a prohibited high-capacity magazine without a licence for it.
Aside from 21 charges related to the weapons, Hurren is accused of threatening to cause death or bodily harm to the prime minister.


nationalobserver--2020-07-07--Most Canadians not comfortable with airlines COVID-19 response: poll

A new poll suggests turbulence ahead for airlines seeking public support for their current COVID-19 plans .
Seventy-two per cent of Canadians surveyed by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies say they 're not comfortable flying since a decision by some airlines to relax their own in-flight physical distancing requirements .
As of July 1 , Air Canada and WestJet both ended policies blocking the sale of adjacent seats .
The measure was seen to align with a guidance document for the aviation industry issued by Transport Canada in April to help curb the spread of COVID-19 .
Among @ @ @ @ @ @ @ passengers should be widely spaced when possible , though they did not make it mandatory .
• The future of the Conservative Party and how Trump 's America strong-armed Canada • Have the lessons of the 2013 Lac-Mégantic train disaster been learned ?
Airlines , however , are required to make passengers and air crews wear masks .
Only 22 per cent of those surveyed said they 're comfortable getting aboard with no in-flight physical distancing and a requirement to wear masks .
There 's more to it to keep flights safe , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ after critics attacked its plan .
`` What makes an airplane , and the entire journey , safe is the layers of enhanced cleaning , the wearing of masks and the hospital-grade HEPA filters that remove 99.999 per cent of all airborne particles , '' the airline said .
`` The hygiene standards we have now are world-class and backed by industry experts . ''
Critics have also previously pounced on the airlines for another move : refusing to fully refund tickets for flights cancelled due to the pandemic .
A new poll @ @ @ @ @ @ @ support for their current COVID-19 plans .
Thousands of people have beseeched Transport Minister Marc Garneau to compel airlines to issue refunds , but he has refused , arguing that mandating reimbursements from a sector that 's lost more than 90 per cent of its revenue would cripple the industry .
But 72 per cent of those polled say they totally oppose his decision .
In lieu of refunds , the airlines have offered vouchers but the poll suggests that it may take a while before people will rebook previously cancelled trips : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pollsters they have no plans to travel outside the country by the end of the year .
The survey polled 1,517 people and ca n't be assigned a margin of error because online polls are not considered truly random .
Pollsters were in the field between July 3 and 5 , a historically popular few days for Canadians and Americans to be on the move between the two countries , given the July 1 Canada Day holiday and the U.S. 's July 4 Independence Day .
But the border remains closed to non-essential @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surveyed said they feel it needs to stay that way .
The current mutual closure agreement is due to expire July 21 .
Of Canadians polled , 86 per cent said they totally disagreed with re-opening the border at the end of July , allowing Americans back into the country .
Americans seem more eager both to head north and to welcome Canadians south ; 50 per cent agreed the border should re-open and 36 per cent disagreed .
The potential for cross-border transmission of the virus has been a key factor in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Currently , rates of COVID-19 infection in the U.S. continue to climb , while in Canada the curve appears to be on a downward trajectory nearly everywhere .
Still , the survey suggests Canadians do n't feel they are out of the woods .
Thirty-nine per cent believe the worst is yet to come , while 35 per cent believe the worst of the crisis has passed .
In the U.S. , 42 per cent of those surveyed felt the darkest days are ahead , 25 per cent believe the U.S. is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ now while 21 per cent think that 's already passed .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 7 , 2020 .

A new poll suggests turbulence ahead for airlines seeking public support for their current COVID-19 plans. Seventy-two per cent of Canadians surveyed by Leger and the Association for Canadian Studies say they're not comfortable flying since a decision by some airlines to relax their own in-flight physical distancing requirements. As of July 1, Air Canada and WestJet both ended policies blocking the sale of adjacent seats. The measure was seen to align with a guidance document for the aviation industry issued by Transport Canada in April to help curb the spread of COVID-19. Among other things, the department had suggested passengers should be widely spaced when possible, though they did not make it mandatory.
Airlines, however, are required to make passengers and air crews wear masks. Only 22 per cent of those surveyed said they're comfortable getting aboard with no in-flight physical distancing and a requirement to wear masks. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions There's more to it to keep flights safe, WestJet said in a statement last week after critics attacked its plan.
"What makes an airplane, and the entire journey, safe is the layers of enhanced cleaning, the wearing of masks and the hospital-grade HEPA filters that remove 99.999 per cent of all airborne particles," the airline said. A new poll suggests turbulence ahead for airlines seeking public support for their current COVID-19 plans. "The hygiene standards we have now are world-class and backed by industry experts." Critics have also previously pounced on the airlines for another move: refusing to fully refund tickets for flights cancelled due to the pandemic. Thousands of people have beseeched Transport Minister Marc Garneau to compel airlines to issue refunds, but he has refused, arguing that mandating reimbursements from a sector that's lost more than 90 per cent of its revenue would cripple the industry. But 72 per cent of those polled say they totally oppose his decision.
In lieu of refunds, the airlines have offered vouchers but the poll suggests that it may take a while before people will rebook previously cancelled trips: 85 per cent of those surveyed told pollsters they have no plans to travel outside the country by the end of the year. The survey polled 1,517 people and can't be assigned a margin of error because online polls are not considered truly random. Pollsters were in the field between July 3 and 5, a historically popular few days for Canadians and Americans to be on the move between the two countries, given the July 1 Canada Day holiday and the U.S.'s July 4 Independence Day.


nationalobserver--2020-07-07--Clearview AI to stop facial-recognition services in Canada

The federal privacy commissioner says U.S. firm Clearview AI will stop offering its facial-recognition services in Canada in response to @ @ @ @ @ and three provincial counterparts .
The office of privacy watchdog Daniel Therrien says the move @ @ @ @ @ Clearview AI 's contract with the RCMP , its last remaining client in Canada .
@ @ @ @ @ for the collection of huge numbers of images from various sources that can help police @ @ @ @ @ other clients identify people .

The federal privacy commissioner says U.S. firm Clearview AI will stop offering its facial-recognition services in Canada in response to an investigation by the commissioner and three provincial counterparts.
The office of privacy watchdog Daniel Therrien says the move includes the indefinite suspension of Clearview AI's contract with the RCMP, its last remaining client in Canada.
Clearview AI's technology allows for the collection of huge numbers of images from various sources that can help police forces, financial institutions and other clients identify people.
The joint investigation of Clearview by privacy protection authorities for Canada, Alberta, British Columbia and Quebec remains open.
Therrien's office says the authorities still plan to issue findings given the importance of the issue for the privacy rights of Canadians.


nationalobserver--2020-07-07--Trudeau takes a pass on meeting this week with Trump

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is taking a pass on a meeting this week with U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador .
Trudeau 's office said Monday he wishes the two countries and their leaders well but Trudeau will remain in Ottawa for a cabinet retreat and a scheduled sitting of Parliament .
Lopez Obrador is travelling to D.C. in part to celebrate the entry-into-force of the new North American free-trade deal and had expressed hope Trudeau would join as well .
Trudeau 's office said the prime minister will continue to work with both countries @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and helps ensure North America emerges stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic .
Trudeau had been asked last week whether he 'd attend the meeting , and had not mentioned either Parliament or the retreat as reasons not to go .
• The future of the Conservative Party and how Trump 's America strong-armed Canada • Have the lessons of the 2013 Lac-Mégantic train disaster been learned ?
`` We 're obviously concerned about the proposed issue of tariffs on aluminum and steel that the Americans have floated recently .
We 're also concerned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reality that is still hitting all three of our countries , '' he said .
`` We going to continue to work with the US on seeing whether that summit makes sense for us . ''
Later Monday , Trudeau and Lopez Obrador spoke on the phone .
An account of the exchange from Trudeau 's office said Trudeau expressed regret he could n't make the meeting , and wished Lopez Obrador well .
The pair also reportedly discussed efforts to fight COVID-19 in their countries , and investment in renewable energy to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ growth .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is taking a pass on a meeting this week with U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6 , 2020 .

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is taking a pass on a meeting this week with U.S. President Donald Trump and Mexican President Andres Manuel Lopez Obrador.
Trudeau's office said Monday he wishes the two countries and their leaders well but Trudeau will remain in Ottawa for a cabinet retreat and a scheduled sitting of Parliament.
Lopez Obrador is travelling to D.C. in part to celebrate the entry-into-force of the new North American free-trade deal and had expressed hope Trudeau would join as well.
Trudeau's office said the prime minister will continue to work with both countries to ensure the agreement becomes a success and helps ensure North America emerges stronger from the COVID-19 pandemic.
Trudeau had been asked last week whether he'd attend the meeting, and had not mentioned either Parliament or the retreat as reasons not to go.


nationalobserver--2020-07-07--Global oil demand rebounds from pandemic's lows and price spike forecast

In a presentation at the virtual TD Securities energy conference , Sen says pandemic lockdowns of countries and industries resulted in forecasts for a 30 to 40 per cent decline from pre-pandemic global oil demand of about 100 million barrels per day .
Amrita Sen , co-founder and director of research for international consultancy Energy Aspects , says the bounce in demand will outstrip the ability of producers to restore supply , resulting in average Brent oil prices rising from about US $ 43 per barrel this year to US $ 66 next year and US $ 83 in 2023 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the world 's hunger for oil has already started after demand destruction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic fell far short of what many experts had expected .
She says her organization expected the decline to reach 28 million bpd but the maximum drop was 18 million bpd in April .
The industry 's `` spare capacity '' has now has fallen to about 12 million bpd .
Sen says the shallower drop in demand and quick recovery illustrates how dependent the world is on crude and suggests that its oil dependence will not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ In an energy price forecast released Monday , accounting firm Deloitte also makes note of the oil demand recovery and predicts Brent crude prices will rise from an average of US $ 39 per barrel this year to US $ 46.50 in 2021 and US $ 64 in 2023 .
`` The market thought that demand would fall by between 30 and 40 million barrels a day , '' said Sen , noting that spot oil prices fell to negative levels at one point because investors believed demand would reach extremely low levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speed up peak oil demand ( but ) I would go the other way and argue that , if anything , COVID 's shown us how much oil is required .
Even in the worst case possible for demand , we fell by less than 20 per cent . ''

Oil analysts say a rebound in the world's hunger for oil has already started after demand destruction caused by the COVID-19 pandemic fell far short of what many experts had expected.
Amrita Sen, co-founder and director of research for international consultancy Energy Aspects, says the bounce in demand will outstrip the ability of producers to restore supply, resulting in average Brent oil prices rising from about US$43 per barrel this year to US$66 next year and US$83 in 2023.
In a presentation at the virtual TD Securities energy conference, Sen says pandemic lockdowns of countries and industries resulted in forecasts for a 30 to 40 per cent decline from pre-pandemic global oil demand of about 100 million barrels per day.
She says her organization expected the decline to reach 28 million bpd but the maximum drop was 18 million bpd in April. The industry's "spare capacity" has now has fallen to about 12 million bpd.
Sen says the shallower drop in demand and quick recovery illustrates how dependent the world is on crude and suggests that its oil dependence will not be diminished in the near term.


nationalobserver--2020-07-07--Alberta justice minister cleared in ethics case tied to anti-oil funding inquiry

Alberta 's ethics commissioner says Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer did not break the rules when he hired Steve Allan to run a public inquiry into whether foreign money is bankrolling anti-oil protests in Canada .
Marguerite Trussler , in a report issued Monday , said Allan was on balance a good choice in a small pool of qualified candidates .
The commissioner also noted that while Allan and Schweitzer knew each other in passing and Allan had contributed to Schweitzer 's political campaigns , he gave money to other parties as well .
`` They were simply acquaintances in Calgary @ @ @ @ @ @ @ economic strategy and flood mitigation , '' said Trussler in the report , adding that Allan had seen his home destroyed in the 2013 Calgary flood .
`` They were not friends and their relationship was not close . ''
• The future of the Conservative Party and how Trump 's America strong-armed Canada • Have the lessons of the 2013 Lac-Mégantic train disaster been learned ?
Trussler said the roster of quality candidates with forensic accounting experience who were able to work within the inquiry 's then- $ 2.5-million budget was limited @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said in a statement Monday , `` I 'm glad the ethics commissioner confirmed what we always knew was true : no conflict .
`` It 's unfortunate that some choose to ignore facts to tar their political opponents . ''
Trussler launched the investigation after a complaint was laid late last year by a third party , Democracy Watch .
The complaint centred around Schweitzer 's role in hiring Allan , who had an office in Schweitzer 's former Calgary law firm , Dentons .
Allan was hired in July 2019 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fulfil an election promise of Premier Jason Kenney , who has said he believes foreign funders are pulling the strings on domestic protesters to undermine Alberta 's oil and gas industry .
Alberta 's ethics commissioner says Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer did not break the rules when he hired Steve Allan to run a public inquiry into whether foreign money is bankrolling anti-oil protests in Canada .
Trussler noted that Schweitzer was put in charge of recruiting because public inquiries fall under his mandate as justice minister .
She said Allan had helped @ @ @ @ @ @ @ failed bid for the leadership of the United Conservatives , which was won by Kenney in 2017 .
Schweitzer , a one-time partner at Dentons , severed all connection to the firm after being named justice minister in April 2019 .
`` The biggest glaring error is that the ethics commissioner sets out all the different things that Steve Allan did for Doug Schweitzer to help him get elected and then she ignores almost all of those things when concluding that he did not cross the line and it was not enough to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' said Conacher in a statement .
`` You ca n't just ignore facts in your own report when making your ruling . ''
Trussler said her mandate was not to investigate Allan , but she questioned his decision to hire Dentons to do legal work for the inquiry because Allan has a close friend who worked there .
Allan 's son is a Dentons partner and the law firm gave Allan free office space after his home was destroyed .
`` It does stretch credibility that Mr. Allan did not consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a conflict of interest in his engaging of Dentons as counsel for the inquiry , '' wrote Trussler .
Allan could not be immediately reached for comment .
Allan 's report was due this week , but was extended by the government until Oct. 30 .
Also , an extra $ 1 million was added to the inquiry 's $ 2.5-million budget .
The inquiry has been the focus of critics , who say it is not fact finding but out to prove a pre-determined conclusion and , in doing so , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and lawfully question the expansion of oil and gas operations .
Late last year , the environmental law firm Ecojustice launched legal action asking a court to strike down the inquiry , saying the process is politically motivated , prejudges conclusions and is outside provincial jurisdiction .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 6 , 2020

Alberta's ethics commissioner says Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer did not break the rules when he hired Steve Allan to run a public inquiry into whether foreign money is bankrolling anti-oil protests in Canada. Marguerite Trussler, in a report issued Monday, said Allan was on balance a good choice in a small pool of qualified candidates. The commissioner also noted that while Allan and Schweitzer knew each other in passing and Allan had contributed to Schweitzer's political campaigns, he gave money to other parties as well. "They were simply acquaintances in Calgary who occasionally communicated about issues such as economic strategy and flood mitigation," said Trussler in the report, adding that Allan had seen his home destroyed in the 2013 Calgary flood. "They were not friends and their relationship was not close."
Trussler said the roster of quality candidates with forensic accounting experience who were able to work within the inquiry's then-$2.5-million budget was limited. Schweitzer's spokesman, Jonah Mozeson, said in a statement Monday, "I'm glad the ethics commissioner confirmed what we always knew was true: no conflict. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "It's unfortunate that some choose to ignore facts to tar their political opponents."
Trussler launched the investigation after a complaint was laid late last year by a third party, Democracy Watch. Alberta's ethics commissioner says Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer did not break the rules when he hired Steve Allan to run a public inquiry into whether foreign money is bankrolling anti-oil protests in Canada. The complaint centred around Schweitzer's role in hiring Allan, who had an office in Schweitzer's former Calgary law firm, Dentons. Allan was hired in July 2019 to head up the public inquiry to fulfil an election promise of Premier Jason Kenney, who has said he believes foreign funders are pulling the strings on domestic protesters to undermine Alberta's oil and gas industry. Trussler noted that Schweitzer was put in charge of recruiting because public inquiries fall under his mandate as justice minister. She said Allan had helped out on a fundraiser for Schweitzer's failed bid for the leadership of the United Conservatives, which was won by Kenney in 2017.
Schweitzer, a one-time partner at Dentons, severed all connection to the firm after being named justice minister in April 2019. Duff Conacher, co-founder of Democracy Watch, questioned Trussler's conclusions. "The biggest glaring error is that the ethics commissioner sets out all the different things that Steve Allan did for Doug Schweitzer to help him get elected and then she ignores almost all of those things when concluding that he did not cross the line and it was not enough to create a conflict of interest for Schweitzer," said Conacher in a statement.


nationalobserver--2020-07-07--Global LNG terminal survey casts doubt on industry as ‘safe bet’

A new report is raising questions about the long-term viability of the liquefied natural gas export industry around the world as the Trudeau government continues to signal support for one such project in British Columbia .
The natural gas industry is facing multiple headwinds , from a collapse in demand due to COVID-19 disruptions , to competition from renewable energy sources , and protests against fossil fuel expansion such as those in support of Wet ’ suwet ’ en against the Coastal GasLink pipeline through B.C .
A global survey of LNG terminals released Monday by the San Francisco-based Global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk facing the hundreds of billions of dollars in sunk investments in LNG infrastructure : That some of these structures could become underused , or stranded , long before the end of their useful lives .
The survey also refers to several other LNG terminal projects in Canada that have either been abandoned or are seeing delays , investment pullouts or no obvious progress in years .
This includes the cancellations of the proposed Aurora LNG plant and the Pacific NorthWest LNG plant near Prince Rupert , and the Malahat LNG project in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ well as the Grassy Point LNG project on the North Coast of B.C .
in 2018 .
Another five projects have seen “ no progress ” in years , while three more are either delayed or have seen a work stoppage , the survey found .
Globally , it said some projects that have n't yet broke ground for construction are now experiencing a “ widespread pullback ” in enthusiasm .
The Trudeau government , meanwhile , has enthusiastically supported the construction of LNG Canada , a $ 40-billion LNG facility being built @ @ @ @ @ @ @ fed by fracked gas delivered by Coastal GasLink .
The project , which would liquefy the gas and then load it on ships to be exported to Asia , received $ 275 million in federal contributions .
Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan has described that money as a “ generational investment ” that will help “ create the future.
” In Parliament , O'Regan said the project would create “ hundreds of millions of dollars in construction contracts for Indigenous businesses , ” while “ helping to reduce coal plant emissions in Asian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ reported that this claim — that shipping the product to China to displace coal-fired electricity generation there would reduce carbon pollution by “ 60 to 90 million tonnes annually ” — stemmed from a “ theoretical ” calculation made by an adviser hired by LNG Canada , and that didn ’ t take real-world factors into account .
A report released last month by sustainable development consulting firm Horizon Advisors argued that a Canadian Crown corporation ’ s support for the Coastal GasLink pipeline was undermining the country ’ s own climate goals @ @ @ @ @ @ @ below 2005 levels by 2030 and reaching “ net-zero ” pollution by 2050 .
National Observer asked O'Regan 's office whether the survey 's results changed the minister 's stance on the industry in Canada .
The office could not offer a response before publication .
LNG Canada did not respond to a request for comment before publication .
This is pretty fantastic- 1,000 people are working on the Coastal GasLinnk pipeline right now and employment will grow to 2,500 by the end of the year .
# LNG # LNGforCanada # cnpoli @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ( @ canadianlnga ) June 27 , 2020 Over the last year , the amount of LNG terminal capacity under construction around the world jumped from $ 82 billion US to $ 196 billion US , according to the survey .
This is due to an anticipated surge in demand for natural gas from places like China , Japan , Europe and Southeast Asia .
But the economic atmosphere that led to these massive investments is running up against “ climate and economic reality , ” the survey states .
“ Even before @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and global gas price collapse , LNG projects were facing an increasingly difficult economic environment , ” it said .
Gas markets were becoming oversupplied , prices were falling , and renewables , bolstered by better battery technology , were becoming more competitive .
With the added drop in demand and worksite restrictions from COVID-19 this year , not to mention public opposition , some companies have reconsidered investment decisions .
Worldwide , the failure rate for proposed LNG export terminal projects between 2014 and 2020 is 61 per cent , the survey @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other energy firms launched the Canadian LNG Alliance , to “ reflect the critical role LNG has to play in Canada 's COVID-19 economic recovery , ” as well as “ economic reconciliation ” with Indigenous peoples and Canada 's “ clean energy transition.
“ The group argued that LNG projects in British Columbia would produce “ among the world 's lowest-emissions intensity LNG “ as they would be partly powered by hydro-electric power .
But the survey suggests that the reputation of LNG as an “ environmentally benign ” fuel that is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by scientific studies highlighting the serious impact of methane on global warming .
Methane , a greenhouse gas that is the main component of natural gas , is 86 times as powerful as carbon dioxide in trapping heat in the atmosphere over a 20-year period .
Scientific studies have connected a rise in global methane levels with the fracking boom , and say this rise in atmospheric methane is undercutting efforts to hold the global temperature rise to 2C above pre-industrial levels .
A 2017 peer-reviewed study in the journal Atmospheric Chemistry and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s oil and gas industry were at least two and a half times higher than provincial estimates .

A new report is raising questions about the long-term viability of the liquefied natural gas export industry around the world as the Trudeau government continues to signal support for one such project in British Columbia. The natural gas industry is facing multiple headwinds, from a collapse in demand due to COVID-19 disruptions, to competition from renewable energy sources, and protests against fossil fuel expansion such as those in support of Wet’suwet’en against the Coastal GasLink pipeline through B.C. A global survey of LNG terminals released Monday by the San Francisco-based Global Energy Monitor research network outlines the central risk facing the hundreds of billions of dollars in sunk investments in LNG infrastructure: That some of these structures could become underused, or stranded, long before the end of their useful lives. “LNG was once considered a safe bet for investors,” said research analyst Greig Aitken, one of the report’s five authors. “Suddenly, the industry is beset with problems.” http://twitter.com/EnergieSaguenay/status/1275136164014501889
Énergie Saguenay 'change of heart' started in B.C., says survey The survey points out that Warren Buffett's investment company, Berkshire Hathaway, yanked a $4-billion investment this March in a key LNG plant in Quebec called Énergie Saguenay. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions In media reports, the company backing the project, GNL Québec, cited the “current Canadian political context,” including “instability” from the rail blockades set up in support of Wet’suwet’en, as an explanation.
“The story of Berkshire Hathaway’s change of heart on LNG begins in British Columbia,” reads the survey, titled “Gas Bubble 2020.” LNG Canada says the commitment by its joint venture participants to the $40-billion facility on B.C.'s coast "has not wavered," after a survey of LNG terminals found the industry is facing multiple headwinds and may no longer be a "safe bet." The survey also refers to several other LNG terminal projects in Canada that have either been abandoned or are seeing delays, investment pullouts or no obvious progress in years. This includes the cancellations of the proposed Aurora LNG plant and the Pacific NorthWest LNG plant near Prince Rupert, and the Malahat LNG project in the Saanich Inlet in 2017, as well as the Grassy Point LNG project on the North Coast of B.C. in 2018. Another five projects have seen “no progress” in years, while three more are either delayed or have seen a work stoppage, the survey found. Globally, it said some projects that haven't yet broke ground for construction are now experiencing a “widespread pullback” in enthusiasm. The Trudeau government has supported the construction of LNG Canada, a $40-billion LNG facility being built in Kitimat, B.C., to be fed by fracked gas delivered by Coastal GasLink. The project, which would liquefy the gas and then load it on ships to be exported to Asia, received $275 million in federal contributions.
Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan has described that money as a “generational investment” that will help “create the future.” In Parliament, O'Regan said the project would create “hundreds of millions of dollars in construction contracts for Indigenous businesses,” while “helping to reduce coal plant emissions in Asian markets.” In March, National Observer reported that this claim — that shipping the product to China to displace coal-fired electricity generation there would reduce carbon pollution by “60 to 90 million tonnes annually” — stemmed from a “theoretical” calculation made by an adviser hired by LNG Canada, and that didn’t take real-world factors into account. A report released last month by sustainable development consulting firm Horizon Advisors argued that a Canadian Crown corporation’s support for the Coastal GasLink pipeline was undermining the country’s own climate goals of cutting carbon pollution 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and reaching “net-zero” pollution by 2050.


nationalobserver--2020-07-07--Alberta to redefine ‘minerals,’ excluding 500 sand projects from environmental scrutiny

The Alberta government is proposing to change its definition of a mineral after a court decision threw a stumbling block in the way of 500 sand extraction projects .
Since 2004 , Alberta has regulated sand projects as pits , freeing them from environmental assessment requirements placed on quarries .
But the rules as they ’ re currently written contain discrepancies that mean the government should be conducting the assessments , the Alberta Court of Appeal ruled on May 6 .
With a bill introduced Tuesday , the government said it aims to simplify the requirements and remove the newfound @ @ @ @ @ @ @ bill will provide clarity and consistency for job creators in the sand and gravel industry while still maintaining stringent environmental protection regulations , ” Alberta Environment Minister Jason Nixon said in a statement Tuesday .
“ Job creators should not need interpreters to understand legislation and regulatory laws.
” • The future of the Conservative Party and how Trump 's America strong-armed Canada • Trudeau takes a pass on meeting this week with Trump The difference between a pit and a quarry is subtle — both are holes in the ground where companies @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s definition , a pit involves only the removal of surface material like sand or gravel , while a quarry involves digging much deeper and poses higher levels of risk to the environment .
For the past 16 years , Alberta has been treating sand operations as pits , which don ’ t need environmental impact assessments .
But the Court of Appeal found that sand is technically classified as a mineral , a distinction that means the projects are actually quarries and require more oversight .
That meant the companies behind @ @ @ @ @ @ @ applied for as pits , would have to conduct unexpected environmental impact assessments — a logistical and financial headache that wouldn ’ t actually provide more environmental protection , the United Conservative government said in a statement .
In response , the government proposed a bill Tuesday to redefine minerals to exclude sand .
The proposed legislation , Bill 31 , would also remove references to silica sand from the Public Lands Act , which the government said would remove duplication .
Jason Unger , the executive director of the non-profit Alberta Environmental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t surprising , as the change would solidify the way the province has been operating for a long time .
But it ’ s worth questioning how citizens can weigh in on concerns about sand projects when the government doesn ’ t require an environmental assessment , Unger added .
“ ( These pits ) can be contentious , ” he said .
“ They have a variety of impacts , whether on water , roads , noise , dust , other things like that.
” Is sand a mineral ?
An @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a distinction that means hundreds of projects suddenly require an environmental assessment .
Now , the province is proposing to redefine 'minerals ' to simplify requirements .
# ableg The Court of Appeal ruling was about Big Molly , a frac sand extraction project owned by Wayfinder Corp. , northwest of Edmonton .
Frac sand is a type of silica sand that ’ s used for hydraulic fracturing , or fracking .
The province originally found that Big Molly didn ’ t need an environmental assessment , as it was a sand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the nearby Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nation , filed an application for a judge to review that decision .
Though a lower court sided with the province , the Court of Appeal quashed the government ’ s decision , meaning Big Molly would require the assessment .
But if passed , the proposed change would take away that requirement .

The Alberta government is proposing to change its definition of a mineral after a court decision threw a stumbling block in the way of 500 sand extraction projects. Since 2004, Alberta has regulated sand projects as pits, freeing them from environmental assessment requirements placed on quarries. But the rules as they’re currently written contain discrepancies that mean the government should be conducting the assessments, the Alberta Court of Appeal ruled on May 6. With a bill introduced Tuesday, the government said it aims to simplify the requirements and remove the newfound need for environmental assessments. “This bill will provide clarity and consistency for job creators in the sand and gravel industry while still maintaining stringent environmental protection regulations,” Alberta Environment Minister Jason Nixon said in a statement Tuesday. “Job creators should not need interpreters to understand legislation and regulatory laws.”
The difference between a pit and a quarry is subtle — both are holes in the ground where companies extract material. But according to Alberta’s definition, a pit involves only the removal of surface material like sand or gravel, while a quarry involves digging much deeper and poses higher levels of risk to the environment. For the past 16 years, Alberta has been treating sand operations as pits, which don’t need environmental impact assessments. But the Court of Appeal found that sand is technically classified as a mineral, a distinction that means the projects are actually quarries and require more oversight. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions That meant the companies behind 500 proposed sand projects, which they applied for as pits, would have to conduct unexpected environmental impact assessments — a logistical and financial headache that wouldn’t actually provide more environmental protection, the United Conservative government said in a statement.
In response, the government proposed a bill Tuesday to redefine minerals to exclude sand. The proposed legislation, Bill 31, would also remove references to silica sand from the Public Lands Act, which the government said would remove duplication. Is sand a mineral? An Alberta court decision recently found it is, a distinction that means hundreds of projects suddenly require an environmental assessment. Now, the province is proposing to redefine 'minerals' to simplify requirements. #ableg Jason Unger, the executive director of the non-profit Alberta Environmental Law Centre, said the decision isn’t surprising, as the change would solidify the way the province has been operating for a long time. But it’s worth questioning how citizens can weigh in on concerns about sand projects when the government doesn’t require an environmental assessment, Unger added. “(These pits) can be contentious,” he said. “They have a variety of impacts, whether on water, roads, noise, dust, other things like that.” Alberta didn’t consult First Nations on change The Court of Appeal ruling was about Big Molly, a frac sand extraction project owned by Wayfinder Corp., northwest of Edmonton. Frac sand is a type of silica sand that’s used for hydraulic fracturing, or fracking.
The province originally found that Big Molly didn’t need an environmental assessment, as it was a sand pit. Armin Alexis, a member of the nearby Alexis Nakota Sioux First Nation, filed an application for a judge to review that decision. Though a lower court sided with the province, the Court of Appeal quashed the government’s decision, meaning Big Molly would require the assessment. But if passed, the proposed change would take away that requirement.


nationalobserver--2020-07-07--Already fighting for their lands and lives, Indigenous communities in Brazil slammed by COVID19

Take a country where Indigenous leaders are killed for defending their lives and lands , where constitutionally protected rights are often violated for the sake of development and mining , and where people are left in precarious conditions due to unrecognized territories and a far-right president who publicly supports the expansion of mining and agribusiness at whatever cost .
Then add a global pandemic , and the results are devastating .
The country ranks second in the world for COVID-19 cases and deaths , just behind the United States .
But it is Brazil ’ s Indigenous communities that have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ongoing political , social and geopolitical conflict .
It 's not just the number of people who have died from COVID-19 that has sparked concern across the country , it 's Brazil 's political landscape .
• The future of the Conservative Party and how Trump 's America strong-armed Canada • Trudeau takes a pass on meeting this week with Trump Brazil has a population of 209.5 million people , including 900,000 Indigenous people from 305 different tribes .
The country has recorded 65,487 deaths from the virus , with 426 Indigenous people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ knowledge carriers , among them .
According to Emergência Indígena , which has been tracking the pandemic in Indigenous communities across Brazil , there are more than 11,385 confirmed COVID-19 cases amongst Indigenous people to date .
But more than the numbers , the disparity of rights , resources and income is the problem .
Amidst cries for support and supplies for especially isolated communities dealing with an influx of cases , there have been criticisms against far-right President Jair Bolsonaro , who initially dismissed COVID-19 as “ a little flu , ” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against the rights of Indigenous people .
In most recent news , Bolsonaro has tested positive for the very virus he has downplayed for months .
Some government supports , such as personal protection kits provided by the country 's ministry of health , are only available for those who live on officially demarcated reserves .
Yet demarcation of Indigenous territories is a complicated and contentious process that the president has all but halted in his time in office .
More than 120 traditional territories claimed by Indigenous groups have not yet received @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Brazil have been hit hard by the # COVID19 health # pandemic , exposing disparities , social inequities , and a lack of recognition of constitutionally-protected rights in a country run by far-right president Jair # Bolsonaro .
Bolsonaro campaigned on pledges to stop the demarcation of Indigenous territories and sell off large parts of the Amazon rainforest to mining companies and agribusiness .
And so far , he has kept those promises .
Prominent Indigenous leaders and land defenders have been killed over the past year as critics of the government claim @ @ @ @ @ @ @ hunters feel emboldened and protected by Bolsonaro 's pro-industry and anti-Indigenous attitude .
In a podcast interview , prominent Indigenous leader and executive co-ordinator of APIB , Sonia Guajajara , spoke about the government 's negligence in protecting Indigenous communities from the coronavirus .
“ For us Indigenous peoples , much more than feeling this neglect , it means feeling institutional racism that ends up becoming an authorized genocide , ” Guajajara said .
Immediately after his government took office in January 2019 , Bolsonaro filed an executive order to transfer the regulation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agriculture ministry .
In a tweet from Jan. 2 , 2019 , Bolsonaro spoke of “ integrating ” Indigenous people and people living in quilombos , reserves for descendants of enslaved people .
“ Less than a million people live in these places , isolated from true Brazil , exploited and manipulated by NGOs , ” Bolsonaro wrote .
“ Together we will integrate these citizens.
” Bolsonaro ’ s executive order was a flagrant violation of the 1988 federal constitution , especially Article 231 , which expresses the rights of Indigenous peoples @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was stopped by Congress and the Supreme Court , but it still sent a message that Indigenous rights stood in the way of industrial development .
The National Indian Foundation ( FUNAI ) is the federal government body responsible for the demarcation of Indigenous lands in Brazil .
Once in power , Bolsonaro ’ s government deposed FUNAI 's president and put a federal police deputy in his place , Marcelo Xavier da Silva , a man with strong ties to agribusiness who once worked on a contentious congressional inquiry that attacked the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ running .
The government also put former evangelical missionary Ricardo Lopes Dias ( who worked for at least a decade converting Indigenous peoples as a part of the organization Missão Novas Tribos do Brasil , or MNTB ) in charge of protecting isolated Indigenous people .
Vanderlecia Ortega dos Santos has volunteered to provide the only front-line care protecting her Indigenous community of 700 families from the COVID-19 outbreak ravaging the Brazilian city of Manaus .
Photo provided by Bruno Kelly According to the major Indigenous rights organization Articulação dos Povos Indígenas do @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have not received government recognition are not eligible for government support , forcing many to leave their homes and travel to nearby cities for supplies , and placing them at greater risk of contracting COVID-19 .
The organization has also tracked cases where health ministry officials have brought the virus to these isolated communities when they visited .
While Indigenous people continue to organize to provide supplies where needed and spread awareness of the health crisis online , the global pandemic is forcing the world to face much bigger questions than , “ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” It is forcing us to ask : How did we get here ?
Who has been the most affected ?
And what are we going to do about it ?
This week , APIB launched an official plan , including general guidelines for local and regional planning to combat the spread of COVID-19 in Indigenous communities , collaborating with activists , artists , journalists , politicians and community members .
APIB , leaders like Guajajara , and independent media outlets like MidiaNinja and MidiaIndiaOficial continue to feature community voices , as well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ added their voices to the demand for action .
I am managing director of National Observer 's First Nations Forward series .
I have been living in Brazil for the better part of the last year .
I was meant to return to Canada at the beginning of the summer , but COVID-19 made travel nearly impossible .
Living here , while continuing to report on stories of Indigenous-led stewardship in First Nations across B.C.
, I have come to understand how questions around rights , recognition of territories and struggles for self-determination @ @ @ @ @ @ @ south and concern the whole planet .
Emilee Gilpin is the managing director of the First Nations Forward series with Canada 's National Observer .
Photo by Maico Bruno Martinez Indigenous peoples occupy five per cent of the world 's territory and yet protect 80 per cent of the world 's biodiversity .
If the Amazon on fire , increased deforestation , and a global health pandemic have n't woken the world up to the importance of these issues , I 'm not sure what will .
But I am willing and anxious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ me and National Observer editor-in-chief and CEO Linda Solomon Wood as we take a deep dive into these urgent and often underrepresented issues Wednesday evening .

Take a country where Indigenous leaders are killed for defending their lives and lands, where constitutionally protected rights are often violated for the sake of development and mining, and where people are left in precarious conditions due to unrecognized territories and a far-right president who publicly supports the expansion of mining and agribusiness at whatever cost. Then add a global pandemic, and the results are damaging. This is Brazil today. The country ranks second in the world for COVID-19 cases and deaths, just behind the United States. But it's Brazil’s Indigenous communities that have been hit especially hard, inviting reluctant attention to the grave risks a global virus can have on communities already fighting for their rights, lives and lands. It's not just the number of people who have died from COVID-19 that has sparked concern across the country, it's Brazil's political landscape.
Brazil has a population of 209.5 million people, including 900,000 Indigenous people from 305 different tribes. The country has recorded 65,487 deaths from the virus, with 426 Indigenous people, including chiefs, elders, and knowledge carriers, among them. According to Emergência Indígena, which has been tracking the pandemic in Indigenous communities across Brazil, there are more than 11,385 confirmed COVID-19 cases amongst Indigenous people to date. But this story is not about numbers, it's about names. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Amidst cries for support and supplies for especially isolated communities dealing with an influx of cases, there have been criticisms against far-right President Jair Bolsonaro, who initially dismissed COVID-19 as “a little flu,” and the impact of his ongoing stance against the rights of Indigenous people.
In most recent news, Bolsonaro has tested positive for the very virus he has downplayed for months. Indigenous communities in #Brazil have been hit hard by the #COVID19 health #pandemic, exposing disparities, social inequities, and a lack of recognition of constitutionally-protected rights in a country run by far-right president Jair #Bolsonaro. Some government supports, such as personal protection kits provided by the country's ministry of health, are only available for those who live on officially demarcated reserves. Yet demarcation of Indigenous territories is a complicated and contentious process that the president has all but halted in his time in office. More than 120 traditional territories claimed by Indigenous groups have not yet received government recognition. Bolsonaro campaigned on pledges to stop the demarcation of Indigenous territories and sell off large parts of the Amazon rainforest to mining companies and agribusiness. And so far, he has kept those promises. Prominent Indigenous leaders and land defenders have been killed over the past year as critics of the government claim farmers, illegal loggers, miners and hunters feel emboldened and protected by Bolsonaro's pro-industry and anti-Indigenous attitude.
In a podcast interview, prominent Indigenous leader and executive co-ordinator of the major Indigenous rights organization Articulação dos Povos Indígenas do Brasil (APIB), Sonia Guajajara, spoke about the government's negligence in protecting Indigenous communities from the coronavirus. “For us Indigenous peoples, much more than feeling this neglect, it means feeling institutional racism that ends up becoming an authorized genocide,” Guajajara said. Immediately after his government took office in January 2019, Bolsonaro filed an executive order to transfer the regulation and creation of Indigenous lands to the agriculture ministry.


nationalobserver--2020-07-07--Here's what conspiracy theorists really don't want you to know.

This story was originally published by Grist and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration Salmon Arm is a little town of 17,000 in central British Columbia , not far from busy ski slopes in the Canadian Rockies .
It ’ s home to stunning blue lakes , tree-covered mountains , and a worrying number of signs claiming that COVID-19 is a hoax .
But maybe less than there used to be .
Tim Walters , a professor of English at Okanagan College , has been tearing down the signs one by one since they started appearing a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ B.C .
“ wake up ” and sport a hashtag tied to QAnon , a far-right conspiracy movement .
By June , Walters was walking three or four hours a day , wandering in ever-widening circles , yanking down the signs wherever he went .
Coronavirus denial shares many similarities to climate denial , the dismissal of the scientific consensus around global warming .
It ’ s spread by many of the same people , and the arguments for these bonkers theories often sound a lot alike : a rejection of mainstream science @ @ @ @ @ @ @ manufacture a crisis , and a message that the best thing to do is just continue business as usual .
So why should I wear a face mask ?
Studies have shown that fake news spreads faster on social media than real news does .
People on Twitter are 70 percent more likely to share false news than the real stuff .
And it ’ s difficult to shut down .
“ Misinformation is unfortunately a bit more compelling than regular information , ” Sinatra said .
Conspiracists spin tales that are surprising @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in a movie — a contrast to the drumbeat of “ COVID-19 cases are rising !
” seen on the news every day .
So short of tearing down posters , what can people do to shut down the spread of misinformation ?
Taking misconceptions head-on is one option , Sinatra said .
But it has to be done carefully , or it can backfire , because repeating wrongheaded claims in the course of refuting them risks spreading them even further .
Repeating things makes them stick .
As the linguist George Lakoff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Don ’ t think of an elephant ” they can ’ t help but picture an elephant .
Here 's what conspiracy theorists REALLY do n't want you to know .
“ Just saying ‘ You ’ re wrong ’ ” — that does not work , ” Sinatra said .
You have to explain why something is incorrect and offer a good explanation for a convincing counterpoint .
“ My thing is , you always have to confront them head-on , ” said Walters , who incorporates rebuttals into his English @ @ @ @ @ @ @ course about the climate crisis and found that many of his students were on the fence about the science at first , unsure of what was true , before reading assignments like David Wallace-Wells ’ The Uninhabitable Earth , which educated ( and terrified ) them .
Walters equipped his students with the facts about climate change and encouraged them to discuss what they learned with their friends and family .
One resource that could help them is the new Conspiracy Theory Handbook , written by two cognitive scientists , Stephan Lewandowsky and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ free online source that offers tips on how to debunk conspiracy theories and talk to people who believe in them .
Even so , the best way to counter fake news might be to equip people with the tools to evaluate what ’ s fake and what ’ s real from the get-go .
“ It ’ s better to inoculate people preemptively against conspiracy theories rather than trying to go in afterward and undo the damage , ” said Cook , a professor at George Mason University , in a recent interview @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of course , is that those under the sway of misinformation aren ’ t willing to take the vaccine .
One nonprofit , the News Literacy Project , aims to help students across the country get savvy when it comes to identifying fake news and think critically about what they come across online .
There ’ s evidence that this approach helps for people of all ages .
One study from the University of Michigan found that people are less likely to trust , “ like , ” or share fake climate change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ few questions beforehand such as “ Do I recognize the news organization that posted the story ?
” and “ Does the information in the post seem believable ?
” Scientists and public health experts are having a tough time in the COVID-19 pandemic , because they ’ re learning basic facts about the virus and how it spreads from week to week .
They ’ re trying to communicate new findings to the public in real time , and evolving recommendations are bound to sow confusion .
That ’ s one big @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scientists got the basic story nailed down ages ago .
“ The science around climate change has been developing for decades , ” Sinatra said .
“ COVID ’ s only been on the planet for the last six months .
”

This story was originally published by Grist and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration Salmon Arm is a little town of 17,000 in central British Columbia, not far from busy ski slopes in the Canadian Rockies. It’s home to stunning blue lakes, tree-covered mountains, and a worrying number of signs claiming that COVID-19 is a hoax. But maybe less than there used to be. Tim Walters, a professor of English at Okanagan College, has been tearing down the signs one by one since they started appearing a few months ago. The signs demand B.C. “wake up” and sport a hashtag tied to QAnon, a far-right conspiracy movement. By June, Walters was walking three or four hours a day, wandering in ever-widening circles, yanking down the signs wherever he went. It’s become a “low-level obsession,” he said. “Because of how crazy they are, people don’t take these conspiracy theories seriously enough.” The conspiracy theorists responded by putting their signs higher, 8 or 9 feet off the ground. But Walters is 6 feet 6 inches tall with long arms to match. People have been sending him directions to new signs in their neighborhoods that they can’t reach.
The reality is that fake news is killing people. Research shows that wearing masks could reduce the spread of COVID-19 by half, yet misleading claims about the safety of mask-wearing have proliferated. If everyone wore face masks in public, according to a model from the Institute for Health Metrics and Evaluation at the University of Washington, it could save an estimated 33,000 American lives by October. “Misinformation about COVID is spreading faster than the virus itself,” said Gale Sinatra, a professor of education at the University of Southern California who’s writing a book about fake news and the public’s understanding of science. Epidemiological experts say that a pandemic is as much of a communications crisis as it is a public health emergency. It’s reminiscent of climate change — despite a mountain of evidence showing the devastating effects on our overheating planet, only two-thirds of Americans say they’re worried about it. That’s a sign that these messages aren’t reaching people, or perhaps that fake news resonated with them more. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions As an added challenge, the climate crisis and COVID-19 have both gotten sucked into the vortex of polarization in America. And as the pandemic has stretched on, becoming the background of our lives, it’s activating many of the same psychological barriers that people face when confronted with climate change. “Everyone’s got COVID fatigue now,” Sinatra said.
Coronavirus denial shares many similarities to climate denial, the dismissal of the scientific consensus around global warming. It’s spread by many of the same people, and the arguments for these bonkers theories often sound a lot alike: a rejection of mainstream science, a story of governments plotting to manufacture a crisis, and a message that the best thing to do is just continue business as usual. So why should I wear a face mask? Here's what conspiracy theorists REALLY don't want you to know. Studies have shown that fake news spreads faster on social media than real news does. People on Twitter are 70 percent more likely to share false news than the real stuff. And it’s difficult to shut down. “Misinformation is unfortunately a bit more compelling than regular information,” Sinatra said. Conspiracists spin tales that are surprising and dramatic, like a plot twist in a movie — a contrast to the drumbeat of “COVID-19 cases are rising!” seen on the news every day. So short of tearing down posters, what can people do to shut down the spread of misinformation? Taking misconceptions head-on is one option, Sinatra said. But it has to be done carefully, or it can backfire, because repeating wrongheaded claims in the course of refuting them risks spreading them even further. Repeating things makes them stick. As the linguist George Lakoff pointed out, when you tell people “Don’t think of an elephant” they can’t help but picture an elephant. “Just saying ‘You’re wrong’” — that does not work,” Sinatra said. You have to explain why something is incorrect and offer a good explanation for a convincing counterpoint. “My thing is, you always have to confront them head-on,” said Walters, who incorporates rebuttals into his English classes. He recently taught a college course about the climate crisis and found that many of his students were on the fence about the science at first, unsure of what was true, before reading assignments like David Wallace-Wells’ The Uninhabitable Earth, which educated (and terrified) them. Walters equipped his students with the facts about climate change and encouraged them to discuss what they learned with their friends and family.
One resource that could help them is the new Conspiracy Theory Handbook, written by two cognitive scientists, Stephan Lewandowsky and John Cook. It’s a free online source that offers tips on how to debunk conspiracy theories and talk to people who believe in them. Even so, the best way to counter fake news might be to equip people with the tools to evaluate what’s fake and what’s real from the get-go. “It’s better to inoculate people preemptively against conspiracy theories rather than trying to go in afterward and undo the damage,” said Cook, a professor at George Mason University, in a recent interview with The Verge. The problem, of course, is that those under the sway of misinformation aren’t willing to take the vaccine.


nationalobserver--2020-07-07--This uniquely Canadian species needs protecting

After two years of exhaustive research , the Nature Conservancy of Canada ( NCC ) has compiled a list of 308 species and subspecies found within our borders — and absolutely nowhere else .
We call such plants , animals and fungi “ endemic , ” restricted to a single jurisdiction for reasons either physical , biological or climatic .
This list , composed in partnership with NatureServe Canada , is the most comprehensive of its kind and , by its very nature , unfinished .
“ This list is going to be very dynamic , ” said Dan Kraus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ Even as we were writing it , there were new species being discovered and described ( across Canada ) and at one point , we just had to say , 'OK , that ’ s it .
If we keep adding species , we ’ ll be doing this forever . '
” Making absolutely sure any particular species is uniquely Canadian is a tall order .
Canada famously shares the longest nation-to-nation border in the world with the United States , over which biodiversity crosses with impunity , and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of East Asia as recently as 11,000 years ago .
Even today , species of bird and insect are sometimes swept across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to colonize distant continents , albeit rarely .
Life is an ever-evolving tapestry , and there are no set boundaries .
NatureServe Canada is a network of conservation data centres covering every province and territory , discovering , cataloging and studying the biodiversity of our decidedly wild nation , but even its database was not enough to arrive at the aforementioned list of 308 .
Kraus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a plethora of experts in the U.S. and across Asia to make absolutely sure each species didn ’ t have foreign counterparts .
• The future of the Conservative Party and how Trump 's America strong-armed Canada • Trudeau takes a pass on meeting this week with Trump “ This is a special group of Canadian species because if we don ’ t conserve them here , they won ’ t be protected anywhere else , ” Kraus said .
“ To be clear , these are species which are 100 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ purpose of this report published in June , helpfully titled Ours to Save .
The species it lists will live or die at the hands of Canadians , and before this report , very little was known about the number , extent or condition of Canada ’ s endemics .
Now , we can say with new degrees of confidence that they ’ re in serious trouble .
The eastern wolf is another animal on the critical list .
Photo courtesy of Nature Conservancy of Canada .
In 1864 or thereabouts , Irish-born @ @ @ @ @ @ @ swamp just east of Belleville , Ont.
, when he came across a strange-looking moss , reportedly robust and brownish green , growing at the base of an American elm .
His keen eye recognized this as a previously undiscovered species , one which he sampled , and would later be known as Macoun 's shining moss in honour of this chance encounter .
The affair might not have managed a footnote in scientific lore were it not for the clearing of this particular swamp sometime in the three decades that followed , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ its surviving wetlands for a closer look at Macoun 's shining moss , they couldn ’ t find it .
Formal scientific expeditions were launched in search of this moss in 1972 and again in 2001 , but no trace of the plant , known only from a couple samples taken by Macoun in 1864 , could be found .
Slowly , it dawned on the few perplexed academics paying attention that this moss , visibly bizarre and very probably an outlier on the tree of life , had but one home in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ just east of Belleville .
We would never find it again .
`` The Nature Conservancy of Canada has compiled a list of 308 species and subspecies found within our borders — and absolutely nowhere else .
The species it lists will live or die at the hands of Canadians . ''
Macoun 's shining moss wasn ’ t just a Canadian endemic , or an Ontario endemic , but was , in fact , an endemic to Belleville , thriving there for goodness knows how many millennia until an unprecedented event — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ singular habitat .
In case this sounds like an extreme example of the vulnerabilities of Canadian endemics , it isn ’ t .
While some of the 308 species listed in Ours to Save are widespread and reasonably secure ( about one in 10 , according to Kraus ) , the majority have extremely restricted ranges , maybe resilient to the ravages of time , but not to the indiscretions of humanity .
The Maritime ringlet is a butterfly restricted to 10 small wetlands in New Brunswick and the Gaspésie Peninsula , whereas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the most endangered species in Canada , can only be found in a single watershed in southern Nova Scotia .
Examples abound .
The majority of the Canadian endemics identified by this report are of “ conservation concern , ” and 40 per cent are considered by NatureServe to be either “ imperilled ” or “ critically imperilled.
” For a third of identified endemic species , there was too little information even to give them a conservation status , and less than 20 per cent of these 308 have been formally assessed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Endangered Wildlife in Canada ( COSEWIC ) , the independent body responsible for recommending which species should be protected under the federal Species at Risk Act .
“ Making good conservation decisions relies on credible information , ” Kraus said .
“ We ’ re this big country , and we still have blank spots on our catalogue of species.
” While modern conservation involves a lot of give and take between conservationists , governments and industry , Kraus said , you absolutely can not toy with the habitat of endemic species , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ efforts of the NCC in protecting their habitats will soon be joined by government .
The report identifies 27 endemic hot spots across the country where such conservation efforts should focus , a breakdown Kraus hopes is taken seriously , especially in the Far North , outside the traditional wheelhouse of the NCC .
This charity is our largest national land trust , acquiring ecologically significant property and protecting it into perpetuity .
To date , the NCC has safeguarded more than 14 million hectares .
Kraus said the primary driver of endemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ majority of Canadians live , is human interference .
In the North and on our coasts , however , climate change plays an exaggerated role , shoving habitats northward faster than some species can adapt , or else drowning them .
In addition to preserving habitat , we need to stop burning fossil fuels .
While the endemic species identified in Ours to Save span the nation , there are certain regions that contain a disproportionate number .
This is because some regions are more conducive to evolution than others .
That is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ new species at a faster pace than the rest of the country , and so they tend to support more endemics .
There are a few potential mechanisms at play here .
First , a region might have remained ice-free during the last ice age , creating what is called a “ refugia , ” where species were free to persist and evolve even though the remainder of the continent was buried under glaciers .
Second , a region might support unusual habitats , creating an evolutionary playground in which wholly new selection @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Finally , island ecosystems have long been recognized for their unique evolutionary opportunities , isolated from the meddling of continents and typically lacking in mammalian predators .
Haida Gwaii , the British Columbia island famous for its globally unique golden spruce — cut down in an unorthodox act of defiance by timber scout Grant Hadwin in 1997 — is one ecoregion recognized in the report for its astounding diversity of endemic species .
This is probably because portions of the island were ice-free during the last ice age and because it is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ecoregion is Quebec ’ s Gaspésie Peninsula , presumably because of its wealth of habitats , from wetlands to the Appalachian Mountains , with coastlines against both the freshwater St. Lawrence River and the saltwater Gulf of St. Lawrence .
There are other regions identified in the report for their apparent power to generate and shelter new and unique species , such as Newfoundland and Labrador ’ s Great Northern Peninsula , Nova Scotia ’ s Southwest Nova Biosphere Reserve , Saskatchewan ’ s Athabasca Sand Dunes Provincial Park , coastal B.C.
, @ @ @ @ @ @ @ such evolutionarily conducive places is referred to in the report as “ conserving the stage , ” not just for the endemic species presently dependent on these regions , but for their privileged place in evolutionary history .
Kraus said that in times of climatic chaos , these places have served as havens for several species and might play a similar role as climates change now , and if Canada ’ s biodiversity must adapt to a warming world , places where evolution occurs more quickly might help it do so .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ species , ” he said .
“ It ’ s about buying them time to adapt.
” “ Ask a Canadian to name an endangered species and often they won ’ t even name something from this country , ” Kraus said .
“ These ( endemics ) are species where we really need Canadians to know them because nobody else is going to conserve them.
” While the NCC can sing the praises of its report , Kraus said endemics will only enter the public consciousness if they ’ re celebrated locally @ @ @ @ @ @ @ study he referenced out of Simon Fraser University clearly demonstrated that the public ’ s interest is captured best by local endemic species — those wild plants , animals and fungi representing the ecology of any given region better than even the maple leaf .
Perhaps with sufficient interest in these various species and their plights , more conservation and research will materialize .
The report identifies eight endemic Canadian species that have already been driven to extinction — including Macoun 's shining moss — the likes of which we will never see @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and conscientious nation such as ours , there need not be a ninth .

After two years of exhaustive research, the Nature Conservancy of Canada (NCC) has compiled a list of 308 species and subspecies found within our borders — and absolutely nowhere else. We call such plants, animals and fungi “endemic,” restricted to a single jurisdiction for reasons either physical, biological or climatic. This list, composed in partnership with NatureServe Canada, is the most comprehensive of its kind and, by its very nature, unfinished. “This list is going to be very dynamic,” said Dan Kraus, senior conservation biologist with the NCC. “Even as we were writing it, there were new species being discovered and described (across Canada) and at one point, we just had to say, 'OK, that’s it. If we keep adding species, we’ll be doing this forever.'” Making absolutely sure any particular species is uniquely Canadian is a tall order. Canada famously shares the longest nation-to-nation border in the world with the United States, over which biodiversity crosses with impunity, and the Canadian North freely exchanged species with that of East Asia as recently as 11,000 years ago. Even today, species of bird and insect are sometimes swept across the Atlantic and Pacific oceans to colonize distant continents, albeit rarely. Life is an ever-evolving tapestry, and there are no set boundaries. NatureServe Canada is a network of conservation data centres covering every province and territory, discovering, cataloging and studying the biodiversity of our decidedly wild nation, but even its database was not enough to arrive at the aforementioned list of 308. Kraus and his colleagues also needed to consult a plethora of experts in the U.S. and across Asia to make absolutely sure each species didn’t have foreign counterparts.
“This is a special group of Canadian species because if we don’t conserve them here, they won’t be protected anywhere else,” Kraus said. “To be clear, these are species which are 100 per cent our responsibility.” And therein lies the purpose of this report published in June, helpfully titled Ours to Save. The species it lists will live or die at the hands of Canadians, and before this report, very little was known about the number, extent or condition of Canada’s endemics. Now, we can say with new degrees of confidence that they’re in serious trouble. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The eastern wolf is another animal on the critical list. Photo courtesy of Nature Conservancy of Canada.
Good timing, John In 1864 or thereabouts, Irish-born Canadian naturalist John Macoun was exploring a swamp just east of Belleville, Ont., when he came across a strange-looking moss, reportedly robust and brownish green, growing at the base of an American elm. His keen eye recognized this as a previously undiscovered species, one which he sampled, and would later be known as Macoun's shining moss in honour of this chance encounter. "The Nature Conservancy of Canada has compiled a list of 308 species and subspecies found within our borders — and absolutely nowhere else. The species it lists will live or die at the hands of Canadians." The affair might not have managed a footnote in scientific lore were it not for the clearing of this particular swamp sometime in the three decades that followed, because when naturalists returned to Belleville and its surviving wetlands for a closer look at Macoun's shining moss, they couldn’t find it. Formal scientific expeditions were launched in search of this moss in 1972 and again in 2001, but no trace of the plant, known only from a couple samples taken by Macoun in 1864, could be found. Slowly, it dawned on the few perplexed academics paying attention that this moss, visibly bizarre and very probably an outlier on the tree of life, had but one home in all the world — the cleared swamps just east of Belleville. We would never find it again. Macoun's shining moss wasn’t just a Canadian endemic, or an Ontario endemic, but was, in fact, an endemic to Belleville, thriving there for goodness knows how many millennia until an unprecedented event — the whims of humanity — destroyed its singular habitat. In case this sounds like an extreme example of the vulnerabilities of Canadian endemics, it isn’t. While some of the 308 species listed in Ours to Save are widespread and reasonably secure (about one in 10, according to Kraus), the majority have extremely restricted ranges, maybe resilient to the ravages of time, but not to the indiscretions of humanity. The Maritime ringlet is a butterfly restricted to 10 small wetlands in New Brunswick and the Gaspésie Peninsula, whereas the Atlantic whitefish, considered by some the most endangered species in Canada, can only be found in a single watershed in southern Nova Scotia. Examples abound.
The majority of the Canadian endemics identified by this report are of “conservation concern,” and 40 per cent are considered by NatureServe to be either “imperilled” or “critically imperilled.” For a third of identified endemic species, there was too little information even to give them a conservation status, and less than 20 per cent of these 308 have been formally assessed by the Committee on the Status of Endangered Wildlife in Canada (COSEWIC), the independent body responsible for recommending which species should be protected under the federal Species at Risk Act. “Making good conservation decisions relies on credible information,” Kraus said. “We’re this big country, and we still have blank spots on our catalogue of species.” While modern conservation involves a lot of give and take between conservationists, governments and industry, Kraus said, you absolutely cannot toy with the habitat of endemic species, and it’s his hope the efforts of the NCC in protecting their habitats will soon be joined by government. The report identifies 27 endemic hot spots across the country where such conservation efforts should focus, a breakdown Kraus hopes is taken seriously, especially in the Far North, outside the traditional wheelhouse of the NCC. This charity is our largest national land trust, acquiring ecologically significant property and protecting it into perpetuity. To date, the NCC has safeguarded more than 14 million hectares.


nationalobserver--2020-07-08--A judge handed the Standing Rock tribes a big win in their Dakota access pipeline fight

This story was originally published by Mother Jones and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration After four years locked in legal struggle over the construction of the controversial 1,172 mile-long , Dakota Access Pipeline , the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes won a major victory on Monday when a federal court ordered the pipeline to cease its operations by August 5 .
Judge James E. Boasberg , from the US District Court of the District of Columbia , ruled that the US Army Corps of Engineers—tasked with awarding the permits for construction—failed to fully assess @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the pipeline .
The tribes argued the segment , which runs under Lake Oahe , a large reservoir half a mile from Standing Rock Reservation land , has both despoiled sacred land and contaminated their water supply .
“ Fearing severe environmental consequences , ” the ruling states , “ American Indian Tribes on nearby reservations have sought for several years to invalidate federal permits allowing the Dakota Access Pipeline to carry oil under the lake .
Today they finally achieve that goal—at least for the time being.
” “ Today they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time being.
” At the heart of the ruling is the Environmental Impact Statement ( EIS ) , an assessment that the Corps is supposed to conduct when serious questions arise around potential environmental consequences of a proposed project .
• The future of the Conservative Party and how Trump 's America strong-armed Canada • Trudeau takes a pass on meeting this week with Trump According to the ruling , the corps handed Dakota Access , LLC the permits it needed to construct the pipeline under Lake Oahe without bothering to create an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ The Corps has thus violated NEPA by determining that an EIS was unnecessary even though one of the EIS-triggering factors was met , ” notes the ruling .
To resume operations pipeline operations , the Corps will need to prepare an EIS , which by its own estimate will take until summer of 2021 .
In the meantime , the flow of oil will trickle to a halt and the pipeline will be emptied .
Boasberg ’ s order is sure to be a major blow to Kelcy Warren , the Trump-supporting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the company behind the pipeline and Dakota Access , LLC .
As Bloomberg reports , “ The Energy Transfer founder has stood by the project , going so far as to say he talks about Dakota Access ‘ like I talk about my son . '
” Since then , Warren has hosted a campaign fundraiser for Trump ’ s 2020 campaign .
In 2017 , when he became president , Trump pushed for completion of the project , which had been stalled during the closing days of the Obama administration .
As @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ Indigenous activists and their allies began fighting the pipeline in 2015 , but their most serious set back took place immediately after the inauguration when President Trump signed executive orders to advance approval of the pipeline.
” The completion of the EIS next year , might mean that the pipeline ’ s operations will resume .
Still , the ruling represents a major breakthrough for the tribes and activist groups that have protested the pipeline since its inception .
“ Today is a historic day for the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ us in the fight against the pipeline , ” said Mike Faith , chairman of the Standing Rock Sioux Tribe “ This pipeline should have never been built here .
We told them that from the beginning .
”

This story was originally published by Mother Jones and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration After four years locked in legal struggle over the construction of the controversial 1,172 mile-long, Dakota Access Pipeline, the Standing Rock and Cheyenne River Sioux tribes won a major victory on Monday when a federal court ordered the pipeline to cease its operations by August 5. Judge James E. Boasberg, from the US District Court of the District of Columbia, ruled that the US Army Corps of Engineers—tasked with awarding the permits for construction—failed to fully assess the environmental risks posed by a segment of the pipeline. The tribes argued the segment, which runs under Lake Oahe, a large reservoir half a mile from Standing Rock Reservation land, has both despoiled sacred land and contaminated their water supply. “Fearing severe environmental consequences,” the ruling states, “American Indian Tribes on nearby reservations have sought for several years to invalidate federal permits allowing the Dakota Access Pipeline to carry oil under the lake. Today they finally achieve that goal—at least for the time being.” “Today they finally achieve that goal—at least for the time being.” At the heart of the ruling is the Environmental Impact Statement (EIS), an assessment that the Corps is supposed to conduct when serious questions arise around potential environmental consequences of a proposed project.
According to the ruling, the corps handed Dakota Access, LLC the permits it needed to construct the pipeline under Lake Oahe without bothering to create an EIS, despite long-standing environmental concerns. “The Corps has thus violated NEPA by determining that an EIS was unnecessary even though one of the EIS-triggering factors was met,” notes the ruling. To resume operations pipeline operations, the Corps will need to prepare an EIS, which by its own estimate will take until summer of 2021. In the meantime, the flow of oil will trickle to a halt and the pipeline will be emptied. Boasberg’s order is sure to be a major blow to Kelcy Warren, the Trump-supporting CEO of Energy Transfer Partners LP, the company behind the pipeline and Dakota Access, LLC. As Bloomberg reports, “The Energy Transfer founder has stood by the project, going so far as to say he talks about Dakota Access ‘like I talk about my son.'” Since then, Warren has hosted a campaign fundraiser for Trump’s 2020 campaign. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions In 2017, when he became president, Trump pushed for completion of the project, which had been stalled during the closing days of the Obama administration. As my colleague Nathalie Baptiste reported in 2017, “Indigenous activists and their allies began fighting the pipeline in 2015, but their most serious set back took place immediately after the inauguration when President Trump signed executive orders to advance approval of the pipeline.”