nationalobserver--2020-07-29--WE not chosen to run volunteer program because of Trudeau ties, founders say

The co-founders of WE Charity argued Tuesday the organization was n't plucked to run a student-volunteer program because of any close ties to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau , laying out details about how much the endeavour would likely cost and why the charity used a seemingly complicated structure to manage it all .
Brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger opened four hours of testimony at the House of Commons finance committee by saying they regret not realizing how the deal to have WE run the Canada Student Service Grant would be perceived given Trudeau 's ties to the group .
They @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wood-panelled room , faces unnaturally white thanks to the camera 's colour balance , peppered by questions from committee members scattered across the country .
As the afternoon wore on , the back-and-forth turned rocky with opposition MPs and the brothers talking over each other , and the Kielburgers slamming what they called inaccuracies meant to drag their organization over the coals for political purposes .
The brothers said WE would have never agreed to take part in the federal program had they known it could jeopardize their 25 years of work .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ of destruction ?
I went to find out .
• Fort Albany First Nation calls for repeal of Ford ’ s omnibus economic recovery bill The duo were highly sought by opposition parties as part of a parliamentary probe into a volunteer program budgeted at $ 912 million , but which federal officials believed would cost $ 543 million — and that WE believed would actually cost much less .
WE Charity backed out of administering the program in early July amid a controversy over the Liberal government 's decision to award the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ his top aide , chief of staff Katie Telford , are scheduled to testify Thursday about the program and the deal with WE .
The Kielburgers said they have n't spoken with Trudeau or his office about the program .
The federal ethics commissioner has begun investigating Trudeau and Finance Minister Bill Morneau over their involvement in cabinet decisions on the project — Trudeau because of some $ 300,000 in speaking expenses covered for his family members , and Morneau 's daughter being a WE employee .
Morneau also admitted last week that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 41,000 in travel expenses for WE-sponsored trips he and his family in 2017 .
WE Charity backed out of administering the program in early July amid a controversy over the Liberal government 's decision to award the organization a sole-sourced contract .
`` The image that you 're giving here is that you 're getting influence by the kind of power that you have so when you call , man , they call you , '' New Democrat Charlie Angus told the Kielburgers at one point in their testimony .
Craig Kielburger said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but the student grant program did n't come up — echoing Morneau 's testimony last week .
What did come up was a separate proposal WE submitted to Small Business Minister Mary Ng , Morneau and Youth Minister Bardish Chagger to help some 8,000 youth open small businesses at a cost of up to $ 14 million .
Craig Kielburger said WE was less interested in the volunteer program and was `` trying to advance our own proposal '' that it had on the table for two years .
Opposition MPs looked @ @ @ @ @ @ @ track on running the program because of perceived financial difficulties linked to the COVID-19 pandemic .
Liberal MPs asked about WE 's involvement with politicians of other political stripes , and funding from the previous Conservative government .
The volunteer program is supposed to provide grants of $ 1,000 for every 100 hours of volunteering , up to a maximum of $ 5,000 to help defray the cost of school in the fall .
WE was to connect young people with service opportunities through an online platform and disburse grants .
WE would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ program reached its full potential .
Government officials told WE it could incur eligible expenses before being awarded the agreement .
The brothers said they did so to get the program off the ground quickly , knowing they could lose money if cabinet did n't approve the deal .
WE has lost $ 5 million over the aborted deal , MPs heard .
`` We did this to be of service to the government , not for the government to help us and it is incredibly unfortunate the fallout that has occurred , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the funding agreement filed with the committee this week showed the government only planned to spend $ 500 million in grants , even though the Liberals had described the program as having a $ 912-million budget .
Employment and Social Development Canada , the federal department overseeing the program , said the $ 543 million in the agreement was what officials estimated it would cost to administer and pay grants to up to 100,000 eligible students or recent graduates — `` the expected uptake of the program . ''
There was extra @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During testimony , Marc Kielburger said WE expected the majority of students to volunteer between 100 and 300 hours , making the true cost of the program to be between $ 200 million and $ 300 million .
WE was paid its first fees of $ 19.5 million on June 30 — seven days after one of its arms , WE Charity Foundation , signed the federal deal on June 23 .
Former board chair Michelle Douglas told the committee earlier that the foundation did n't appear to have a purpose outside @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the board receive a satisfactory explanation for its existence .
The foundation did n't operate or hold any assets before the volunteer program , having been set up originally to limit liability to the charity 's assets , the committee heard .
Marc Kielburger cited unspecified expert advice that WE use the foundation to oversee the program because the government expected WE to assume full liability during a health crisis for youth volunteers and partner non-profits .
He said ESDC was aware of how WE planned to use its various structures .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the agreement .
It has promised to repay every dollar it received , about $ 30 million , but was still sorting out details .
At the time , WE said a program structure was largely in place for the federal public service to manage .
It handed everything to the government `` hoping to save the program , '' but problems with what WE put in place have since emerged .
The government has yet to open applications .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 28 , 2020 @

The co-founders of WE Charity argued Tuesday the organization wasn't plucked to run a student-volunteer program because of any close ties to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, laying out details about how much the endeavour would likely cost and why the charity used a seemingly complicated structure to manage it all. Brothers Craig and Marc Kielburger opened four hours of testimony at the House of Commons finance committee by saying they regret not realizing how the deal to have WE run the Canada Student Service Grant would be perceived given Trudeau's ties to the group. They testified side-by-side before a webcam in a wood-panelled room, faces unnaturally white thanks to the camera's colour balance, peppered by questions from committee members scattered across the country. As the afternoon wore on, the back-and-forth turned rocky with opposition MPs and the brothers talking over each other, and the Kielburgers slamming what they called inaccuracies meant to drag their organization over the coals for political purposes. The brothers said WE would have never agreed to take part in the federal program had they known it could jeopardize their 25 years of work.
The duo were highly sought by opposition parties as part of a parliamentary probe into a volunteer program budgeted at $912 million, but which federal officials believed would cost $543 million — and that WE believed would actually cost much less. WE Charity backed out of administering the program in early July amid a controversy over the Liberal government's decision to award the organization a sole-sourced contract. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Trudeau and his top aide, chief of staff Katie Telford, are scheduled to testify Thursday about the program and the deal with WE.
The Kielburgers said they haven't spoken with Trudeau or his office about the program. WE Charity backed out of administering the program in early July amid a controversy over the Liberal government's decision to award the organization a sole-sourced contract. The federal ethics commissioner has begun investigating Trudeau and Finance Minister Bill Morneau over their involvement in cabinet decisions on the project — Trudeau because of some $300,000 in speaking expenses covered for his family members, and Morneau's daughter being a WE employee. Morneau also admitted last week that he repaid the organization more than $41,000 in travel expenses for WE-sponsored trips he and his family in 2017. "The image that you're giving here is that you're getting influence by the kind of power that you have so when you call, man, they call you," New Democrat Charlie Angus told the Kielburgers at one point in their testimony. Craig Kielburger said he spoke with Morneau in late April, but the student grant program didn't come up — echoing Morneau's testimony last week.
What did come up was a separate proposal WE submitted to Small Business Minister Mary Ng, Morneau and Youth Minister Bardish Chagger to help some 8,000 youth open small businesses at a cost of up to $14 million. Craig Kielburger said WE was less interested in the volunteer program and was "trying to advance our own proposal" that it had on the table for two years. Opposition MPs looked to portray the group as having inside track on running the program because of perceived financial difficulties linked to the COVID-19 pandemic. Liberal MPs asked about WE's involvement with politicians of other political stripes, and funding from the previous Conservative government.


nationalobserver--2020-07-29--B.C. to announce plans for public school return amid COVID-19 pandemic

The British Columbia government is set to announce its updated plan for a safe return for public schools during the @ @ @ @ @ Rob Fleming says the plan was developed in consultation with a committee made up of @ @ @ @ @ Nations , principals , trustees , school boards , support workers and health and safety @ @ @ @ @ plan builds on the lessons learned last May when Kindergarten-to-Grade 5 students had the option @ @ @ @ @ and those in grades 6 to 12 could attend one day a week while continuing @ @ @ @

The British Columbia government is set to announce its updated plan for a safe return for public schools during the COVID-19 pandemic.
Education Minister Rob Fleming says the plan was developed in consultation with a committee made up of teachers, parents, First Nations, principals, trustees, school boards, support workers and health and safety officials.
He says the plan builds on the lessons learned last May when Kindergarten-to-Grade 5 students had the option to attend school half time and those in grades 6 to 12 could attend one day a week while continuing with virtual classes.
Fleming told the legislature Tuesday the updated plan includes health and safety protocols to ensure a safe restart for in-class instruction that will be ready for the first day of school on Sept. 8.
He says the plan also includes measures nimble enough to react to the possibility of a second wave of COVID-19.


nationalobserver--2020-07-29--COVID-19 lockdowns helped clear our air. How can we keep it?

In the early days of COVID-19 , as Toronto ’ s streets emptied and toilet paper practically vanished from store shelves , many residents noticed something else unexpected : unusually lovely air .
The sky looked bluer , the breeze somehow smelled fresher .
With Toronto ’ s usual chorus of traffic suddenly gone , birdsong became the city ’ s new soundtrack .
This wasn ’ t a figment of our imaginations — COVID-19 shutdowns brought a noticeable drop in traffic on Toronto ’ s roads and a decline in air pollution , researchers have found .
And if @ @ @ @ @ @ @ this newly clean air for good through policy changes to increase use of electric vehicles and lower-emission transport trucks , say experts at the non-profits Ontario Public Health Association ( OPHA ) and Environmental Defence .
“ Other jurisdictions are doing it .
They ’ re fine , they ’ re thriving economically , ” said Sarah Buchanan , clean economy program manager at Environmental Defence .
“ The sky is not going to fall if we get electric vehicles on the road .
In fact , the sky will get cleaner.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of destruction ?
I went to find out .
• Fort Albany First Nation calls for repeal of Ford ’ s omnibus economic recovery bill A pandemic , of course , is not a good or sustainable way to lower air pollution .
The entire population of a city can not stay home forever .
And the cost of coronavirus has been horrific : as of Tuesday , 2,768 people in Ontario had died from COVID-19 , an unimaginable tragedy .
In a broader sense , decreasing air pollution would be good for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the environmental health workgroup chair at OPHA .
It ’ s linked to higher rates of asthma , allergies , heart disease and lung conditions .
Early studies are showing that people who are exposed to more air pollution tend to be at higher risk from COVID-19 .
In the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area , air pollution leads to 3,000 premature deaths a year , a June report from the University of Toronto ’ s Transportation and Air Quality Research Group , the OPHA , and Environmental Defence found .
Cleaning our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — the health impacts of air pollution disproportionately affect people who are racialized , lower-income or vulnerable , who often live closer to sources of pollution .
People of colour and other marginalized communities are also more vulnerable to COVID-19 .
These factors are all connected to each other , and decreasing pollution in a way that can be maintained long term could make communities more resilient to future pandemics , said Robin Edger , executive director and CEO of the non-profit Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment , or CAPE .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ a time when a respiratory illness is holding us all hostage , ” Edger said .
COVID-19 shutdowns brought a noticeable drop in traffic on Toronto ’ s roads and a decline in air pollution .
And if we wanted to , we could keep this newly clean air for good , environmental advocates say .
# onpoli # topoli “ When you look at the COVID map of Toronto , it looks a lot like the poverty map of Toronto , ” he added .
How did the shutdowns change our air @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recently , scientists are still working through air pollution data to understand what happened and why .
Debora Griffin and Chris McLinden , scientists with Environment and Climate Change Canada , used satellites to study levels of nitrogen dioxide — an air pollutant that comes from traffic and other fossil fuel combustion — in cities across Canada , including Toronto .
Their findings showed that from mid-March , when COVID-19 shutdowns began , to mid-May , nitrogen dioxide went down by about 40 per cent in Toronto .
In other cities across Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , in the 30 to 40 per cent range .
( Those figures account for meteorology , the researchers said . )
But it ’ s important because nitrogen dioxide is a major pollutant .
It contributes to smog , McLinden said , and can have a cumulative impact on soil and water .
It can also contribute to acid rain .
Other research from the University of Toronto ’ s Southern Ontario Centre for Atmospheric Aerosol Research ( SOCAAR ) has made similar findings .
Focused only on Toronto , researchers found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of compounds that includes nitrogen dioxide — decreased by nearly half in the weeks following the shutdowns .
So did ultra-fine particles , another traffic-related pollutant .
( Those figures haven ’ t been corrected for seasonal and weather changes , which can have a significant impact on what blows into Toronto and how long it sticks around . )
Graphs for both pollutants sharply dropped off the week of the shutdowns , and appeared to rebound slightly as Ontario began reopening .
The SOCAAR team is also still working to figure out @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or other sources of pollution like industrial facilities , and how the province ’ s reopening might have played into it .
But the researchers also observed a significant drop in traffic near their downtown Toronto air monitoring station , Evans said .
These are just two pollutants of many , and assessing the climate impacts of such a decrease in air pollution would require another round of research .
But this kind of research could be a game-changer for public health , Doyle said .
Aside from premature deaths , air pollution @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the cost of the added health care adds up for society .
“ I don ’ t think there ’ s enough attention being paid to this , ” she said .
A drop of this size , if maintained , could save many lives , she added .
“ There are health ( benefits ) , there are social benefits in terms of cost savings , and there are climate benefits , ” she said .
“ From a public health perspective , we ’ re interested in all three.
” How @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ?
There are several ways to keep Toronto ’ s air this clean forever , green advocates say .
Getting cleaner vehicles on the road is one path , the report from the University of Toronto ’ s Transportation and Air Quality Research Group , the OPHA , and Environmental Defence found .
Switching the oldest and more polluting transport trucks out for newer diesel-burning ones could prevent 275 premature deaths in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area annually , Buchanan said .
Electrifying trucks could eventually have an even greater impact , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not quite there.
” “ Trucks proportionally are quite dirty and deadly , ” she added .
“ Taking those off the road would save a lot of lives.
” Electrifying public transit could save more , she said .
And policies that push consumers towards buying electric cars could also go a long way .
Governments could do that without giving out incentives for electric vehicles : they can mandate automakers to ensure a rising percentage of their sales are for electric cars , something that ’ s already in place in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said incentives are a good idea as well .
“ It ’ s unfortunate that many governments only see electric vehicles as a tool to fight climate change , ” Buchanan said .
“ I would argue they ’ re an even bigger tool to fight premature deaths from pollution.
” Investing in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure would help too , she added .
Modelling from University of Toronto ’ s Transportation and Air Quality Research Group , the OPHA , and Environmental Defence shows how various policy changes could impact air quality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A recent report from CAPE outlined other ways we could get there , focusing on how reductions in air pollution from meeting Canada ’ s climate goals would save lives .
Governments could reduce emissions from the power grid by investing in renewables , and long distance energy lines that could carry clean hydro power farther , Edger said .
They could also introduce regulations to ensure buildings emit less carbon , and subsidize retrofits on existing buildings .
Much of the technology we need to do this already exists , Edger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , we don ’ t need a technological impact , ” he said .
The chances of that happening , at least in the short term , are unclear .
The federal government has committed to net-zero emissions by 2050 , and hinted that green measures will be part of its COVID-19 economic recovery plan .
But Ontario ’ s current climate plan doesn ’ t include anything of the sort , though Environment Minister Jeff Yurek has said it ’ s an evolving document .
Neither did the province ’ s recently @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government has also cut green energy programs .
The sooner a green push begins , the better the results will be , Buchanan said .
“ I think there are a lot of lobbyists that are claiming it 's going to be very difficult , when , in fact , it ’ s much more difficult to face the escalating health and climate toll of continuing to use fossil fuel powered vehicles , ” she said .
“ Start moving on this , get things shifting faster .
We ’ re really going @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ t do that .
”

“The sky is not going to fall if we get electric vehicles on the road. In fact, the sky will get cleaner.”
“Other jurisdictions are doing it. They’re fine, they’re thriving economically,” said Sarah Buchanan, clean economy program manager at Environmental Defence.
This wasn’t a figment of our imaginations — COVID-19 shutdowns brought a noticeable drop in traffic on Toronto’s roads and a decline in air pollution, researchers have found. And if we wanted to, we could keep this newly clean air for good through policy changes to increase use of electric vehicles and lower-emission transport trucks, say experts at the non-profits Ontario Public Health Association (OPHA) and Environmental Defence.
The sky looked bluer, the breeze somehow smelled fresher. With Toronto’s usual chorus of traffic suddenly gone, birdsong became the city’s new soundtrack.
In the early days of COVID-19, as Toronto’s streets emptied and toilet paper practically vanished from store shelves, many residents noticed something else unexpected: unusually lovely air.
In the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area, air pollution leads to 3,000 premature deaths a year, a June report from the University of Toronto’s Transportation and Air Quality Research Group, the OPHA, and Environmental Defence found.
In a broader sense, decreasing air pollution would be good for public health, said Helen Doyle, the environmental health workgroup chair at OPHA. It’s linked to higher rates of asthma, allergies, heart disease and lung conditions. Early studies are showing that people who are exposed to more air pollution tend to be at higher risk from COVID-19 .
A pandemic, of course, is not a good or sustainable way to lower air pollution. The entire population of a city cannot stay home forever. And the cost of coronavirus has been horrific: as of Tuesday, 2,768 people in Ontario had died from COVID-19, an unimaginable tragedy.
“When you look at the COVID map of Toronto, it looks a lot like the poverty map of Toronto,” he added.
“The health benefits are respiratory at a time when a respiratory illness is holding us all hostage,” Edger said.
These factors are all connected to each other, and decreasing pollution in a way that can be maintained long term could make communities more resilient to future pandemics, said Robin Edger, executive director and CEO of the non-profit Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, or CAPE.
Cleaning our air would help marginalized communities the most — the health impacts of air pollution disproportionately affect people who are racialized, lower-income or vulnerable, who often live closer to sources of pollution. People of colour and other marginalized communities are also more vulnerable to COVID-19 .
Debora Griffin and Chris McLinden, scientists with Environment and Climate Change Canada, used satellites to study levels of nitrogen dioxide — an air pollutant that comes from traffic and other fossil fuel combustion — in cities across Canada, including Toronto.
Because the COVID-19 shutdowns happened relatively recently, scientists are still working through air pollution data to understand what happened and why.
Their findings showed that from mid-March, when COVID-19 shutdowns began, to mid-May, nitrogen dioxide went down by about 40 per cent in Toronto. In other cities across Canada, it went down a similar amount, in the 30 to 40 per cent range. (Those figures account for meteorology, the researchers said.)
https://twitter.com/MclindenChris/status/1258122228002107393
Expected and observed post-lockdown levels of nitrogen dioxide (NO2) #airquality over Canadian locations using the @esa European Space Agency @tropomi satellite instrument for the period Mar 16 to Apr 30 from Environment and Climate Change Canada @ECCCSciTech.
S. Ontario: pic.twitter.com/L6paz9YgXl — Chris McLinden 🇨🇦 (@MclindenChris) May 6, 2020
It’s not clear yet exactly what caused the drop, Griffin said: “It’s hard to tell exactly where the reductions are coming from, just purely from the satellite data.”
But it’s important because nitrogen dioxide is a major pollutant. It contributes to smog, McLinden said, and can have a cumulative impact on soil and water. It can also contribute to acid rain.
Other research from the University of Toronto’s Southern Ontario Centre for Atmospheric Aerosol Research (SOCAAR) has made similar findings.
Focused only on Toronto, researchers found levels of nitrogen oxides — a group of compounds that includes nitrogen dioxide — decreased by nearly half in the weeks following the shutdowns. So did ultra-fine particles, another traffic-related pollutant. (Those figures haven’t been corrected for seasonal and weather changes, which can have a significant impact on what blows into Toronto and how long it sticks around.)
“The change is real,” said SOCAAR director Greg Evans.
Graphs for both pollutants sharply dropped off the week of the shutdowns, and appeared to rebound slightly as Ontario began reopening.
The SOCAAR team is also still working to figure out whether pollutants dropped because of reduced traffic or other sources of pollution like industrial facilities, and how the province’s reopening might have played into it. But the researchers also observed a significant drop in traffic near their downtown Toronto air monitoring station, Evans said.
These are just two pollutants of many, and assessing the climate impacts of such a decrease in air pollution would require another round of research. But this kind of research could be a game-changer for public health, Doyle said. Aside from premature deaths, air pollution also causes more hospital visits, and the cost of the added health care adds up for society.
“I don’t think there’s enough attention being paid to this,” she said.
A drop of this size, if maintained, could save many lives, she added.
“There are health (benefits), there are social benefits in terms of cost savings, and there are climate benefits,” she said. “From a public health perspective, we’re interested in all three.”
How could we keep our air this clean?
There are several ways to keep Toronto’s air this clean forever, green advocates say.
Getting cleaner vehicles on the road is one path, the report from the University of Toronto’s Transportation and Air Quality Research Group, the OPHA, and Environmental Defence found.
Switching the oldest and more polluting transport trucks out for newer diesel-burning ones could prevent 275 premature deaths in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area annually, Buchanan said. Electrifying trucks could eventually have an even greater impact, although the technology is emerging and “not quite there.”
“Trucks proportionally are quite dirty and deadly,” she added. “Taking those off the road would save a lot of lives.”
Electrifying public transit could save more, she said. And policies that push consumers towards buying electric cars could also go a long way.
Governments could do that without giving out incentives for electric vehicles: they can mandate automakers to ensure a rising percentage of their sales are for electric cars, something that’s already in place in Quebec and British Columbia. But Buchanan said incentives are a good idea as well.
“It’s unfortunate that many governments only see electric vehicles as a tool to fight climate change,” Buchanan said. “I would argue they’re an even bigger tool to fight premature deaths from pollution.”
Investing in cycling and pedestrian infrastructure would help too, she added.
Modelling from University of Toronto’s Transportation and Air Quality Research Group, the OPHA, and Environmental Defence shows how various policy changes could impact air quality in the Greater Toronto and Hamilton Area.
A recent report from CAPE outlined other ways we could get there, focusing on how reductions in air pollution from meeting Canada’s climate goals would save lives.
Governments could reduce emissions from the power grid by investing in renewables, and long distance energy lines that could carry clean hydro power farther, Edger said. They could also introduce regulations to ensure buildings emit less carbon, and subsidize retrofits on existing buildings.
Much of the technology we need to do this already exists, Edger said.
“We need political breakthroughs, we don’t need a technological impact,” he said.
The chances of that happening, at least in the short term, are unclear.
The federal government has committed to net-zero emissions by 2050, and hinted that green measures will be part of its COVID-19 economic recovery plan.
But Ontario’s current climate plan doesn’t include anything of the sort, though Environment Minister Jeff Yurek has said it’s an evolving document. Neither did the province’s recently passed economic recovery bill. The Ford government has also cut green energy programs.
The sooner a green push begins, the better the results will be, Buchanan said.
“I think there are a lot of lobbyists that are claiming it's going to be very difficult, when, in fact, it’s much more difficult to face the escalating health and climate toll of continuing to use fossil fuel powered vehicles,” she said.
“Start moving on this, get things shifting faster. We’re really going to pay for it if we don’t do that.”


nationalobserver--2020-07-29--Northeast Saskatchewan at higher risk of flooding

Water levels will exceed the forecasted peak in Lac La Ronge and residents should be prepared in case of flooding , analysts say .
While headwater areas in Prince Albert National Park received minimal precipitation over the weekend , higher amounts were seen closer to Lac La Ronge , with 37 millimetres of rainfall in La Ronge .
A park bench near where the Montreal River meets Lac La Ronge .
Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock .
Water Security Agency spokesperson Patrick Boyle told Canada ’ s National Observer on Tuesday that rainfall on July 25 and July 26 has increased @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the La Ronge area with more potential for flooding as levels continue to rise .
“ Levels in the area are going to be high for a while , into the future and exceeding levels that are near record highs , and the levels are still going to increase , ” Boyle said .
• Are the Wet'suwet'en on the brink of destruction ?
I went to find out .
• Fort Albany First Nation calls for repeal of Ford ’ s omnibus economic recovery bill Water levels in Lac La Ronge are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Graphic courtesy of the Saskatchewan Water Safety Agency .
This is resulting in a higher forecasted peak and with an expectation that it will exceed previous record levels observed in 2011 .
In response , the agency is developing a high water reference map to detail the anticipated flood level ( including wind and wave ) for the communities of La Ronge and Air Ronge .
The Montreal River near Lac La Ronge is exceptionally high this year .
Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock .
The agency said that this mapping is part of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in response to previous flooding .
“ It ’ s one of those programs where we ’ re really seeing the benefit right now .
Where you look at some of those long-term mitigations , ” Boyle said .
“ Levels in the area are going to be high for a while , into the future and exceeding levels that are near record highs , and the levels are still going to increase , ” Patrick Boyle .
Along with local knowledge of the 2011 flooding event , the map is meant to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the coming days and weeks before the projected peak in mid-August .
Spiritwood station received 14 mm of precipitation on July 25 ( 20 km N of Meeting Lake ) .
Graphic courtesy of the Saskatchewan Water Safety Agency .
Boyle said the map will help determine where vulnerable spots could be within certain communities by understanding basically where the flood mapping is or where the touchpoints are so that serious damage can be avoided .
He said the flood map will be shared in consultation with the leaders of impacted communities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communicate any risks to residents .
“ We have some time in that region .
It ’ s not an overnight sort of thing .
There will probably be a couple weeks to mid-August before the peak hits in the area .
So that ’ s what we are looking at , ” Boyle said .
A heritage trail next to the Montreal River in Air Ronge Saskatchewan .
Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock .
He said the projected increase of about .1 metres means residents should stay vigilant , especially those living near @ @ @ @ @ @ @ La Ronge is 364.88 metres and will rise to 364.98 , he said .
“ That 's a substantial increase over a short period … when you look at the actual volume we ’ re talking ... it ’ s a large amount of water because it gets spread out across the whole lake and that ’ s where you see the rise , ” Boyle said .
Rainfall over the past two days ranged from trace amounts to 62 millimetres near McLennan Lake .
High river and lake levels can be expected @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in some cases , such as the mainstem of the Churchill River , into the fall and winter .
In most areas , flows and water levels are expected to peak , or have peaked , slightly lower than previous historical highs .
However , flows and levels in the Lower Churchill River , including Reindeer River and Churchill River near Sandy Bay , have exceeded these highs .
Because of rain , water levels for locations on the Churchill river at Sandy Bay should continue to rise .
Graphic courtesy of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to Reindeer Lake have allowed SaskPower to bring the lake down to 363.63 metres , which is five centimetres below full supply level .
The Reindeer Lake basin has also been drier than upstream portions of the Churchill River Basin allowing SaskPower to reduce outflows at the Whitesand Dam .
But with rains increasing flow forecasts for locations on the Churchill River above Sandy Bay , the reduction in Whitesand Dam outflows will not have an impact on the peak forecasted for Sandy Bay .
In the Cumberland House area , Jan , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an area of increasing concern with significant rainfall over this area recently .
Current expectation is for 2017 levels to be surpassed and for levels to approach those seen in 1974 in these lakes .
In the Cumberland House area , Jan , Amisk , and Deschambault lakes are becoming an area of increasing concern as waters continue to rise .
Graphic courtesy of the Saskatchewan Water Safety Agency .
Boyle said that as it stands , the Lac La Ronge area could be the most impacted by these rising waters .
Levels @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas of the northwest that had previously been the agency ’ s focus , but that has shifted to the Lac La Ronge region in the northeast because of the heavy rainfall .
“ Right now , that ’ s our immediate concern .
The situation on the northwestern side where it was Ile-a-la-Crosse and that area is starting to subside , ” Boyle said .
“ The difference here is the rainfall that happened July 25-26 ( in the La Ronge area ) … It was already at a high level in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see that 55 millimetres of rainfall in a day or a day and a half , that ’ s where the impact is different than most other areas right now.
” The situation on the northwestern side around Ile-a-la-Crosse and that area is starting to subside , according to analysts .
Graphic courtesy of the Saskatchewan Water Safety Agency .
Boyle said residents should think about how much the rise could be , especially if they live near a body of water .
“ It ’ s hard for us to pinpoint exactly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is still going to see an increase .
Where we are right now is not where it ’ s going to end up.
” Residents with private wells should keep an eye on them to make sure they are not polluted by floodwaters .
“ When ( water ) overtops a well , contaminants can ... get into the top of the well .
Sometimes that can cause problems , depending on what system you have… Just normal things like natural bacteria in the water , ” Boyle said .
A map of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ drainage basin .
Data derived from NASA SRTM , Natural Resources Canada , US Geological Survey , Natural Earth .
Public domain .
Current model guidance has some precipitation over the far north , near the 60th parallel late in the workweek , but , as currently forecasted , it would not impact areas that are now experiencing high flows in the north .
There is minimal precipitation in the forecast for the upcoming week , which Boyle said could help mitigate the situation in Lac La Ronge .
But he stressed that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ exact science .
“ You can lose some of the flows as they come in and they get attenuated on the landscape and maybe the peak does n't come in as much , or you can get a rainfall right after this and it adds to it , ” Boyle said .

Water levels will exceed the forecasted peak in Lac La Ronge and residents should be prepared in case of flooding, analysts say. While headwater areas in Prince Albert National Park received minimal precipitation over the weekend, higher amounts were seen closer to Lac La Ronge, with 37 millimetres of rainfall in La Ronge. A park bench near where the Montreal River meets Lac La Ronge. Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock. Water Security Agency spokesperson Patrick Boyle told Canada’s National Observer on Tuesday that rainfall on July 25 and July 26 has increased the expected rise in water levels in the La Ronge area with more potential for flooding as levels continue to rise. “Levels in the area are going to be high for a while, into the future and exceeding levels that are near record highs, and the levels are still going to increase,” Boyle said.
Water levels in Lac La Ronge are now expected to surpass previous records. Graphic courtesy of the Saskatchewan Water Safety Agency. This is resulting in a higher forecasted peak and with an expectation that it will exceed previous record levels observed in 2011. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions In response, the agency is developing a high water reference map to detail the anticipated flood level (including wind and wave) for the communities of La Ronge and Air Ronge.
The Montreal River near Lac La Ronge is exceptionally high this year. Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock. The agency said that this mapping is part of an emergency flood damage reduction program developed in response to previous flooding. “Levels in the area are going to be high for a while, into the future and exceeding levels that are near record highs, and the levels are still going to increase,” Patrick Boyle. “It’s one of those programs where we’re really seeing the benefit right now. Where you look at some of those long-term mitigations,” Boyle said. Along with local knowledge of the 2011 flooding event, the map is meant to provide a basis for flood prevention measures in the coming days and weeks before the projected peak in mid-August. Spiritwood station received 14 mm of precipitation on July 25 (20 km N of Meeting Lake). Graphic courtesy of the Saskatchewan Water Safety Agency.
Boyle said the map will help determine where vulnerable spots could be within certain communities by understanding basically where the flood mapping is or where the touchpoints are so that serious damage can be avoided. He said the flood map will be shared in consultation with the leaders of impacted communities so they can develop response plans and communicate any risks to residents. “We have some time in that region. It’s not an overnight sort of thing. There will probably be a couple weeks to mid-August before the peak hits in the area. So that’s what we are looking at,” Boyle said.


nationalobserver--2020-07-29--Pandemic response shows Canada can afford a  zero carbon future

In any discussion of a transition to a zero carbon economy , the question of how we pay for it always arises .
For example , while the private sector , businesses and households will often save big from the adoption of more efficient technologies , someone has to pay the upfront investments .
Given the collective benefits , it makes sense for that someone to be federal or provincial governments .
Unfortunately , despite the need to transition off fossil fuels in this decade if we are to meet global GHG reduction targets , governments have been needlessly and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the federal response to COVID-19 has illustrated how much governments can do when they deploy their awesome fiscal power .
During the Great Recession a decade ago , Canadian bankers received $ 115 billion in support from Ottawa , but scarcely anything was done for the newly unemployed .
In contrast , Canadians today have been generally impressed with how fast the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit ( CERB ) put money in their pockets after losing work from the pandemic economic shutdown .
Anyone familiar with the climate change debate must be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ government could be acting on climate change if it felt the same urgency .
To that end , it ’ s worth examining how the federal government came up with money it did in such a short period of time , mostly through new debt .
Could investments to tackle what is now a climate emergency be similarly deployed , and as quickly ?
Before we get to that question , it ’ s helpful to dispel some common misconceptions about debt .
Yes , the federal government will log a hefty deficit @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
But the private sector and provincial governments are far more indebted than Ottawa , and they pay concerningly more to service those debts .
Even with the $ 343-billion deficit projected for 2020-21 , the federal government ’ s debt-to-GDP ratio , a commonly used sign of fiscal health , looks pretty good compared to many comparable countries ( Japan ’ s was 239 per cent in 2018 ) , and very good compared to Canadian households and corporate sectors ( see chart ) .
• Are the Wet'suwet'en on the brink @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
• Fort Albany First Nation calls for repeal of Ford ’ s omnibus economic recovery bill Another factor in the federal government ’ s favour , at least with respect to its finances , is that the interest rate it pays on new debt has absolutely plummeted .
Ottawa is now paying 0.46 per cent on long-term ( five- to 10-year ) bonds .
The graph below shows just how much of a good deal that is — the lowest interest rates since the Second World War .
With inflation at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lose money on every dollar they lend the federal government after inflation .
The implications of these rock bottom rates are fairly incredible in that the federal government will pay less in interest charges on this year ’ s $ 343-billion deficit than they did on last year ’ s $ 34-billion deficit .
Debts can become a problem if interest rates go up faster than the rate of inflation .
But that applies to all economic sectors , not just the feds .
Interest rates high enough to be a problem for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to businesses and Canadian households , leading to mass bankruptcies in both sectors .
For this reason , interest rates will be held down for a long time .
`` Having made the case that a federal government can feasibly take on more debt and still pay for a just transition to a renewable future , there is also evidence it could find new revenues despite the pandemic 's hit to the economy . ''
Now , having made the case that a federal government can feasibly take on more debt and still @ @ @ @ @ @ @ renewable future , there is also evidence it could find new revenues despite the pandemic 's hit to the economy .
While people making less than $ 16 an hour when COVID-19 hit are still struggling to get back into the workforce , at above $ 48 an hour there are actually more jobs and more hours being worked today than in February ( see chart ) .
Similarly , not all Canadian businesses and sectors were as sideswiped by COVID-19 as retail , restaurants and hospitality .
Essential service companies such as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ as have online retailers like Amazon .
Even during a pandemic , big profits will be made as some people and companies find themselves on the right side of behavioural shifts .
There is no good reason these high-profit companies and high-earning people couldn ’ t be asked to pick up a bit more of the cost of the pandemic recovery programs or a transition off fossil fuels .
Our recent Alternative Federal Budget Recovery Plan suggests some ways that you might do that , including a one per cent wealth tax on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ surplus profits tax on companies making big bucks on the pandemic , and fairer taxation on e-commerce companies like Amazon that aren ’ t currently paying their fair share .

In any discussion of a transition to a zero carbon economy, the question of how we pay for it always arises. For example, while the private sector, businesses and households will often save big from the adoption of more efficient technologies, someone has to pay the upfront investments.
Given the collective benefits, it makes sense for that someone to be federal or provincial governments. Unfortunately, despite the need to transition off fossil fuels in this decade if we are to meet global GHG reduction targets, governments have been needlessly and dangerously holding back.
In Canada, the federal response to COVID-19 has illustrated how much governments can do when they deploy their awesome fiscal power. During the Great Recession a decade ago, Canadian bankers received $115 billion in support from Ottawa, but scarcely anything was done for the newly unemployed. In contrast, Canadians today have been generally impressed with how fast the new Canada Emergency Response Benefit (CERB) put money in their pockets after losing work from the pandemic economic shutdown.
Anyone familiar with the climate change debate must be asking themselves how much faster the federal government could be acting on climate change if it felt the same urgency. To that end, it’s worth examining how the federal government came up with money it did in such a short period of time, mostly through new debt. Could investments to tackle what is now a climate emergency be similarly deployed, and as quickly?
Before we get to that question, it’s helpful to dispel some common misconceptions about debt. Yes, the federal government will log a hefty deficit on this year’s balance sheet. But the private sector and provincial governments are far more indebted than Ottawa, and they pay concerningly more to service those debts. Even with the $343-billion deficit projected for 2020-21, the federal government’s debt-to-GDP ratio, a commonly used sign of fiscal health, looks pretty good compared to many comparable countries (Japan’s was 239 per cent in 2018), and very good compared to Canadian households and corporate sectors (see chart).


nationalobserver--2020-07-29--"More flooding on top of flooding." Potential failure at northeast Saskatchewan dam

The La Ronge Dam was moved from a hazardous condition to a potential dam failure classification Wednesday as water levels continue to rise in the Churchill River Basin , according to Saskatchewan ’ s Water Security Agency .
`` It 's getting to the point where we ’ re concerned , '' agency spokesperson Patrick Boyle told Canada ’ s National Observer .
Water levels are threatening to breach the La Ronge Dam , northeast of La Ronge .
Resulting overflow would add to an already flooded Churchill River Basin and potentially threaten downstream communities such as Stanley Mission .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ Agency Boyle said roughly 500 sandbags are being moved to secure the site , which is upstream from the northern community of Stanley Mission .
• Are the Wet'suwet'en on the brink of destruction ?
I went to find out .
“ It would result in more flooding on top of flooding .
The other impact would be we would lose the ability to manage the lake level and keep it at a certain range that the community and everyone would be used to , ” Boyle said .
Boyle said this classification @ @ @ @ @ @ @ dam site or in most areas of the province .
This is a result of rainfall in the area recently , including high accumulations on July 25 and July 26 .
The lake level at Lac La Ronge is forecasted to increase by 10 centimetres .
Sandbagging efforts are underway at the La Ronge Dam , with around 500 sandbags being moved to the site as waters rise .
Photo courtesy of the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency Boyle stressed the dam is not in imminent danger of failing , but levels are encroaching @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the top of the dam .
Boyle said a dam failure would increase flows in an already flooding region and would push water levels above the record by the time it peaks in late August .
“ It would result in more flooding on top of flooding .
The other impact would be we would lose the ability to manage the lake level and keep it at a certain range that the community and everyone would be used to , ” Patrick Boyle .
“ We have some mitigation measures in place with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the height of the dam ) up 0.5 metres .
We still have some room there and there are protections in place , '' Boyle said .
“ With this rainfall amount that came to the area , we ’ re going to see that rise get up to probably where the top of the original dam would be , ” Boyle said .
He said communities that are affected , such as Stanley Mission , still have time to prepare as the situation develops .
A map of the Churchill River ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ basin is a large , interconnected area .
A rise in water levels at the La Ronge Dam could impact communities as far away as Sandy Bay .
Data derived from NASA SRTM , Natural Resources Canada , US Geological Survey , Natural Earth .
Public domain .
The agency classifies dams having low , significant , high , very high , or extreme consequence on the surrounding area based on the estimated results of dam failure as it relates to loss of life , environmental and cultural impacts , economic damages , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is classified as “ significant.
” “ We don ’ t want to cause mass panic , '' Boyle said .
`` But we ’ re also trying to ensure that everyone has the most up to date information and knows exactly what the situation is.
” He said the situation is serious , but not imminent and a potential collapse of the dam would likely be a few weeks out , when water levels peak in August .
Water levels in Lac La Ronge should exceed historic highs .
Many homes in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Photograph submitted by Brandon White The agency is assessing what additional mitigation measures can be used , such as adding more material to the dam .
Monitoring will be increased from weekly to daily .
“ We have cameras on the structure all the time .
We ’ re always looking at satellite images , and staff are on site , have been and will be daily going forward , ” Boyle said .
As of Wednesday , the biggest impact downstream of a failure of the dam is thought to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Churchill River system , which is already experiencing floods .
“ The dam itself is rock with a silt sand core and then there ’ s a gate that we manage the flows with .
So if it was to go , then it ’ s basically like pulling the plug on a sink and the water comes out , '' Boyle said .
A heritage trail next to the Montreal River in Air Ronge , Sask .
Photograph by Michael Bramadat-Willcock .
“ The water would go downstream .
It ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it would be a constant flow.
” This could increase flood peaks and impact communities as far away as Sandy Bay .
More analysis is being done to understand what the impact on current downstream water flows would be if the dam were to fail .
“ We ’ re still doing some modelling … we know it will add some water , so there is going to be some sort of impact , but we don ’ t know what that means as far as the community , ” Boyle said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ in the northeast region has been challenging .
“ It ’ s not an area where we have a huge amount of data either , and getting in to get measurements is difficult .
We ’ re looking at all these things right now.
” The forecast for the next week is hot and dry in the area .
Boyle said that could help with evaporation on the lake , “ but we ’ re still going to see that increase ( in water levels ) .
It ’ s certainly something we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ensure that everyone understands what stage we ’ re at .
”

The La Ronge Dam was moved from a hazardous condition to a potential dam failure classification Wednesday as water levels continue to rise in the Churchill River Basin, according to Saskatchewan’s Water Security Agency. "It's getting to the point where we’re concerned," agency spokesperson Patrick Boyle told Canada’s National Observer. Water levels are threatening to breach the La Ronge Dam, northeast of La Ronge. Resulting overflow would add to an already flooded Churchill River Basin and potentially threaten downstream communities such as Stanley Mission. Photograph courtesy of the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency Boyle said roughly 500 sandbags are being moved to secure the site, which is upstream from the northern community of Stanley Mission.
“It would result in more flooding on top of flooding. The other impact would be we would lose the ability to manage the lake level and keep it at a certain range that the community and everyone would be used to,” Boyle said. Boyle said this classification is not a common occurrence at the dam site or in most areas of the province. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions This is a result of rainfall in the area recently, including high accumulations on July 25 and July 26. The lake level at Lac La Ronge is forecasted to increase by 10 centimetres.
Sandbagging efforts are underway at the La Ronge Dam, with around 500 sandbags being moved to the site as waters rise. Photo courtesy of the Saskatchewan Water Security Agency Boyle stressed the dam is not in imminent danger of failing, but levels are encroaching on the distance between the water and the top of the dam. “It would result in more flooding on top of flooding. The other impact would be we would lose the ability to manage the lake level and keep it at a certain range that the community and everyone would be used to,” Patrick Boyle. Boyle said a dam failure would increase flows in an already flooding region and would push water levels above the record by the time it peaks in late August. “We have some mitigation measures in place with sandbags and things that have raised (the height of the dam) up 0.5 metres. We still have some room there and there are protections in place," Boyle said. “With this rainfall amount that came to the area, we’re going to see that rise get up to probably where the top of the original dam would be,” Boyle said.
He said communities that are affected, such as Stanley Mission, still have time to prepare as the situation develops. A map of the Churchill River (Hudson Bay) drainage basin. The basin is a large, interconnected area. A rise in water levels at the La Ronge Dam could impact communities as far away as Sandy Bay. Data derived from NASA SRTM, Natural Resources Canada, US Geological Survey, Natural Earth. Public domain. The agency classifies dams having low, significant, high, very high, or extreme consequence on the surrounding area based on the estimated results of dam failure as it relates to loss of life, environmental and cultural impacts, economic damages, and restoration costs. La Ronge Dam is classified as “significant.”


nationalobserver--2020-07-29--Toronto and Peel region to start stage 3 reopen Friday

Toronto , Mississauga and Brampton will be able to join most of Ontario in having an indoor after-work-from-home drink at the pub on Friday .
The Peel region and Toronto will start stage three of Ontario 's COVID-19 at the end of the week , the Ontario government announced Wednesday .
`` We have made tremendous progress that allows us to return to something a little closer to our normal lives this summer , but we are not out of the woods yet , '' Premier Doug Ford cautioned .
`` This virus is still among us and we have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a surge or an outbreak , '' he added .
The decision was made because both Toronto and Peel — the region that includes the cities of Mississauga and Brampton and the town of Caledon— are seeing lower transmission of the coronavirus , along with high levels of hospital capacity and COVID-19 testing , the province said in a news release .
Toronto reported just one new case Tuesday .
• Are the Wet'suwet'en on the brink of destruction ?
I went to find out .
But in Toronto at least , things @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city has announced tentative plans to limit indoor capacity and table sizes for restaurants and bars , keep patrons seated at all times , screen staff and record contact information to speed up contact tracing in case of an outbreak .
The city has urged the province to add more restrictions , but Premier Doug Ford has said local governments are free to do that themselves — the Ontario government said Wednesday that it 's `` supportive '' of Toronto 's proposed rules .
Stage three means nearly all businesses in the province @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , as long as they abide by physical distancing guidelines .
Gyms , live performing arts shows , live sporting events , playgrounds and more can reopen and resume .
Stage three also means limits on the size of public gatherings will increase to a maximum of 50 people indoors and 100 outdoors ( the limits do n't apply to restaurants and bars , which the government says are lower risk , but they do apply to other businesses whether people gather in large groups ) .
The government is still asking the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ outside their household , or social bubble .
The province is prepared to tighten restrictions again if necessary , the release said .
Health Minister Christine Elliott has previously said Ontarians can expect to stay at stage three for the foreseeable future .
Most of the province already entered stage three earlier this month .
The only region now staying at stage two is Windsor-Essex , where outbreaks have spread among migrant workers in the agricultural sector who live in close quarters .
`` We have made tremendous progress that allows us to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ our normal lives this summer , but we are not out of the woods yet , '' Premier Doug Ford cautioned Wednesday .
# onpoli `` While public health trends across the province are positive , we continue to closely monitor Windsor-Essex so that we can move the community into Stage 3 when the time is right , '' Health Minister Christine Elliott said in the news release .
`` No matter which stage a region is in , everyone needs to continue to follow public health advice to protect themselves , their @ @ @ @ @

Toronto, Mississauga and Brampton will be able to join most of Ontario in having an indoor after-work-from-home drink at the pub on Friday. The Peel region and Toronto will start stage three of Ontario's COVID-19 at the end of the week, the Ontario government announced Wednesday. "We have made tremendous progress that allows us to return to something a little closer to our normal lives this summer, but we are not out of the woods yet," Premier Doug Ford cautioned. "This virus is still among us and we have to be extra cautious to avoid sparking a surge or an outbreak," he added. The decision was made because both Toronto and Peel — the region that includes the cities of Mississauga and Brampton and the town of Caledon— are seeing lower transmission of the coronavirus, along with high levels of hospital capacity and COVID-19 testing, the province said in a news release. Toronto reported just one new case Tuesday.
But in Toronto at least, things are still being taken slowly. The city has announced tentative plans to limit indoor capacity and table sizes for restaurants and bars, keep patrons seated at all times, screen staff and record contact information to speed up contact tracing in case of an outbreak. The city has urged the province to add more restrictions, but Premier Doug Ford has said local governments are free to do that themselves — the Ontario government said Wednesday that it's "supportive" of Toronto's proposed rules. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Stage three means nearly all businesses in the province will be allowed to open their doors, as long as they abide by physical distancing guidelines. Gyms, live performing arts shows, live sporting events, playgrounds and more can reopen and resume.


nationalobserver--2020-07-30--Conservative leadership debate forced to pivot

A new media organization 's plan to host all four Conservative leadership candidates for a debate Wednesday was thrown into disarray when two of the contenders dropped out .
Leslyn Lewis announced hours before the Toronto event her doctor had ordered her to stay away because she is battling an ear infection and has a fever , though she has tested negative for COVID-19 .
Shortly after , Peter MacKay declared he would n't go either , saying it would n't be fair if only three of the four candidates were onstage , and called for the event to be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the newly formed Independent Press Gallery of Canada , run by Candice Malcolm , a conservative columnist and analyst .
They decided to go forward with back-to-back `` fireside chats '' with the two remaining candidates , Erin O'Toole and Derek Sloan .
• Rescue team scrambling to find three distressed humpback whales on B.C .
coast • What I learned about violence in B.C .
's Peace Valley Lewis is ill and organizers wish her well , Malcolm said , but MacKay , who lives in Toronto made a choice .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ trust and voters can judge for themselves what they think of Peter MacKay 's last minute decision to renege on his commitment and abandon this event , '' she said .
In his statement Wednesday , MacKay said he had been in debate prep when he learned Lewis could n't make it .
`` I was looking forward to taking part in tonight 's debate to articulate my positive vision for the figure of the Conservative party and because of the role the Independent Press Gallery is taking in promoting free and fair @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said missing a chance to participate in a debate hosted by the organization was a disappointment .
`` I want to thank the Independent Press Gallery for their understanding , and I look forward to continuing to connect with voters from my home over the next little while I recover and am able to meet with people in public once again , '' she wrote .
A new media organization 's plan to host all four Conservative leadership candidates for a debate on Wednesday , July 29 , 2020 , was thrown into @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out .
The debate comes as Conservative party members are filling out their ballots and sending them back by mail to party headquarters .
The deadline for them to be returned is Aug. 21 , and a winner is to be announced shortly after .
Lewis has been making steady gains in the race since she entered as a relative newcomer earlier this year .
Many party members have been posting photos of their marked ballots on social media , and while those are just a fraction of the 269,000 people eligible to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ see her name marked in second place on the ranked ballot the party uses .
While MacKay has aimed his campaign at the centrist voters within the party , Lewis , O'Toole and Sloan are competing for voters from more right-wing side of the party .
For all three , a key objective for Wednesday had been to make the case for a first-choice ranking on the ballot by contrasting themselves with their rivals in front of an audience largely expected to be long-time grassroots party members .
Instead , moderator Andrew Lawton @ @ @ @ @ @ @ individually .
He pressed them on a range of issues including whether more `` conservative '' judges need to be appointed , why free-market conservatives still support government regulations of some agricultural commodities , their approaches to immigration and party and national unity .
The Conservative party did host two official leadership debates in June and all four candidates appeared at those , which were broadcast by the party and multiple national news organizations .
The one organizing Wednesday 's event grew out of the last federal election .
Lawton , along with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the True North Centre for Public Policy .
The centre , a registered charity , describes itself as a non-governmental , non-partisan organization conducting research and investigative journalism .
During the 2019 election , True North and Rebel Media were denied access to the official leaders ' debates on the grounds they were advocacy groups , not media outlets .
They went to court to fight for accreditation and won .
The experience , Lawton said Wednesday , prompted the creation of the new organization as a home for independent media .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ gallery , journalists must sign a declaration they will not accept any government funding , and sign onto a statement of journalistic ethics and principles .
What kind of relationship Conservatives have with Canada 's right-wing media outlets has long been under scrutiny .
In the 2017 leadership race and after , many stopped doing interviews with the Rebel after several controversies involving reporters for the outlet appearing to promote racist theories and ideas .
In this campaign , Sloan and Lewis have done one-on-one interviews with the Rebel , and both they @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North .
During the event Wednesday , Sloan said his campaign is now just largely ignoring media requests from mainstream outlets as they do n't help his efforts to reach conservatives .
In mid-May , True North had published a piece attacking MacKay for refusing to sit down with its reporters for an interview , accusing him of being afraid to face their reporters .
MacKay has granted interviews to other conservative outlets , his campaign says .
He has also skipped out on other leadership debates , including two hosted by groups @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
and Ontario .
He cited scheduling conflicts in both cases .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29 , 2020 .

A new media organization's plan to host all four Conservative leadership candidates for a debate Wednesday was thrown into disarray when two of the contenders dropped out. Leslyn Lewis announced hours before the Toronto event her doctor had ordered her to stay away because she is battling an ear infection and has a fever, though she has tested negative for COVID-19. Shortly after, Peter MacKay declared he wouldn't go either, saying it wouldn't be fair if only three of the four candidates were onstage, and called for the event to be rescheduled. The event was organized by the newly formed Independent Press Gallery of Canada, run by Candice Malcolm, a conservative columnist and analyst. They decided to go forward with back-to-back "fireside chats" with the two remaining candidates, Erin O'Toole and Derek Sloan.
Lewis is ill and organizers wish her well, Malcolm said, but MacKay, who lives in Toronto made a choice. "Leadership is about resiliency, courage and trust and voters can judge for themselves what they think of Peter MacKay's last minute decision to renege on his commitment and abandon this event," she said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions In his statement Wednesday, MacKay said he had been in debate prep when he learned Lewis couldn't make it.
"I was looking forward to taking part in tonight's debate to articulate my positive vision for the figure of the Conservative party and because of the role the Independent Press Gallery is taking in promoting free and fair speech," he said. A new media organization's plan to host all four Conservative leadership candidates for a debate on Wednesday, July 29, 2020, was thrown into disarray when two of the contenders dropped out. Lewis said missing a chance to participate in a debate hosted by the organization was a disappointment. "I want to thank the Independent Press Gallery for their understanding, and I look forward to continuing to connect with voters from my home over the next little while I recover and am able to meet with people in public once again," she wrote. The debate comes as Conservative party members are filling out their ballots and sending them back by mail to party headquarters. The deadline for them to be returned is Aug. 21, and a winner is to be announced shortly after. Lewis has been making steady gains in the race since she entered as a relative newcomer earlier this year.
Many party members have been posting photos of their marked ballots on social media, and while those are just a fraction of the 269,000 people eligible to vote, it has become common to see her name marked in second place on the ranked ballot the party uses. While MacKay has aimed his campaign at the centrist voters within the party, Lewis, O'Toole and Sloan are competing for voters from more right-wing side of the party. For all three, a key objective for Wednesday had been to make the case for a first-choice ranking on the ballot by contrasting themselves with their rivals in front of an audience largely expected to be long-time grassroots party members.


nationalobserver--2020-07-30--Ethics commissioner expands probe of Morneau

Federal ethics commissioner Mario Dion is widening his investigation of Finance Minister Bill Morneau 's dealings with WE Charity .
Dion was already investigating Morneau and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for possible violations of the Conflict of Interest Act for not recusing themselves during cabinet discussions about an agreement to have WE Charity run a federal volunteering program for students who could n't find work in the COVID-19 pandemic .
Both have apologized for not doing so .
Morneau 's problems grew bigger Wednesday over his repayment of $ 41,000 in WE-sponsored travel expenses for family trips three years ago @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would look into that potential ethics violation .
Rules prohibit ministers or their families from accepting free travel , lest it be seen as buying influence in government policy .
• Rescue team scrambling to find three distressed humpback whales on B.C .
coast • What I learned about violence in B.C .
's Peace Valley In letters released by NDP ethics critic Charlie Angus and Conservative critic Michael Barrett , responding to their complaints , the commissioner wrote he will look into whether Morneau ran afoul of that rule and a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ these gifts '' that could lead to a fine , albeit not a large one .
For Trudeau , the issues stem from speaking fees and related expense reimbursements the WE organization paid to his mother , brother , and wife , amounting to over $ 500,000 based on testimony the charity 's co-founders provided to the House of Commons finance committee Tuesday .
During an afternoon news conference Wednesday , Conservatives said the new numbers related to the travel expenses also demand an additional investigation by Dion to see if the payments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ call from the Tories to look into whether Morneau has failed to publicly declare previous recusals from cabinet decisions , saying they offered him no reasonable grounds to believe that had happened .
It all landed on the eve of Trudeau 's own appearance at the Commons finance committee about the events that led to his cabinet to ask WE Charity to oversee a program that provides grants to students and graduates for volunteering if they could n't find work this summer due to the pandemic-related economic slowdown .
His chief of staff @ @ @ @ @ @ @ appear .
Federal ethics commissioner Mario Dion is widening his investigation of Finance Minister Bill Morneau 's dealings with WE Charity .
The two were originally scheduled to appear separately for one hour each , but opposition MPs on the finance committee voted Wednesday evening to have Trudeau appear for at least three hours and Telford for at least two — each of them alone .
The partisan barbs and rhetoric on display Wednesday set the stage for a potentially contentious and rare prime ministerial appearance .
`` We want the truth , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the truth , '' Conservative finance critic Pierre Poilievre said in Ottawa .
He warned the Opposition would look to pry more testimony out of Trudeau this fall if he did n't provide detailed answers .
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he wanted Trudeau to explain why the Liberals opted to have the charity run a service program when there were other , potentially easier , avenues to help financially strapped students .
He cited increasing student grants or putting more money into the Canada Summer Jobs program as examples .
`` This @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Singh said Wednesday in Burnaby , B.C .
`` This was about helping close friends of the Liberal government and of Prime Minister Trudeau and that is deeply troubling . ''
The Liberals budgeted $ 912 million for the student-volunteer program , but only agreed to pay a maximum of $ 543 million to WE .
That included about $ 43.5 million in administration fees to the group , with the remainder to be spent on the grants .
The program is to pay eligible students and graduates $ 1,000 for every 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ maximum of $ 5,000 .
The government has yet to roll it out nearly a month after WE backed out over the controversy .
On Tuesday , WE co-founders Craig and Marc Kielburger told the finance committee they expected the program to cost up to $ 300 million because the majority would earn between $ 1,000 and $ 3,000 , with few hitting the maximum amount .
They also spoke about the expenses paid to Trudeau 's family members , and the $ 41,000 in travel expenses for Morneau and his family , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ week .
Their message to the committee was that it was their history as an organization that earned them the deal , not any political ties .
Similarly , the Liberals say they acted on the advice of the non-partisan public service .
The ethics committee is meeting separately to look into the conflict-of-interest safeguards around government spending decisions .
While its members have asked Trudeau to testify there , a Conservative proposal to have cabinet ministers declare whether any of their relatives have ties to WE failed to land the necessary votes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the motion amounted to `` complicity in a cover-up , '' prompting Liberal MP Greg Fergus to argue the committee should n't be used for a political witch hunt where MPs investigate each other .
Angus , the New Democrat on the committee , cautioned against forging ahead with any probe against MPs or ministers absent a specific reason : `` Fishing expeditions , I believe , are beyond the purview of the committee . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 29 , 2020 .

Federal ethics commissioner Mario Dion is widening his investigation of Finance Minister Bill Morneau's dealings with WE Charity. Dion was already investigating Morneau and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for possible violations of the Conflict of Interest Act for not recusing themselves during cabinet discussions about an agreement to have WE Charity run a federal volunteering program for students who couldn't find work in the COVID-19 pandemic. Both have apologized for not doing so. Morneau's problems grew bigger Wednesday over his repayment of $41,000 in WE-sponsored travel expenses for family trips three years ago, with Dion telling the opposition parties he would look into that potential ethics violation. Rules prohibit ministers or their families from accepting free travel, lest it be seen as buying influence in government policy.
In letters released by NDP ethics critic Charlie Angus and Conservative critic Michael Barrett, responding to their complaints, the commissioner wrote he will look into whether Morneau ran afoul of that rule and a separate one for "failing to disclose these gifts" that could lead to a fine, albeit not a large one. For Trudeau, the issues stem from speaking fees and related expense reimbursements the WE organization paid to his mother, brother, and wife, amounting to over $500,000 based on testimony the charity's co-founders provided to the House of Commons finance committee Tuesday. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions During an afternoon news conference Wednesday, Conservatives said the new numbers related to the travel expenses also demand an additional investigation by Dion to see if the payments violate conflict-of-interest rules.
Dion rejected a call from the Tories to look into whether Morneau has failed to publicly declare previous recusals from cabinet decisions, saying they offered him no reasonable grounds to believe that had happened. Federal ethics commissioner Mario Dion is widening his investigation of Finance Minister Bill Morneau's dealings with WE Charity. It all landed on the eve of Trudeau's own appearance at the Commons finance committee about the events that led to his cabinet to ask WE Charity to oversee a program that provides grants to students and graduates for volunteering if they couldn't find work this summer due to the pandemic-related economic slowdown. His chief of staff, Katie Telford, is also to appear. The two were originally scheduled to appear separately for one hour each, but opposition MPs on the finance committee voted Wednesday evening to have Trudeau appear for at least three hours and Telford for at least two — each of them alone. The partisan barbs and rhetoric on display Wednesday set the stage for a potentially contentious and rare prime ministerial appearance.
"We want the truth, the whole truth, and nothing but the truth," Conservative finance critic Pierre Poilievre said in Ottawa. He warned the Opposition would look to pry more testimony out of Trudeau this fall if he didn't provide detailed answers. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said he wanted Trudeau to explain why the Liberals opted to have the charity run a service program when there were other, potentially easier, avenues to help financially strapped students.


nationalobserver--2020-07-30--Ontario's $300 million back-to-school plan fails to impress critics

Ontario Premier Doug Ford 's government unveiled its back-to-school plan on Thursday , setting aside just over $ 300 million in additional funding and saying many high school students will attend class part time .
The details have been long-awaited by parents , teachers and administrators wondering how learning can safely restart in September , as Ontario emerges from the shadow of COVID-19 .
But the spending failed to impress education unions , opposition critics and school boards worried about how to keep teachers and students safe .
“ It ’ s deeply disappointing , ” said Marit Stiles , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ It ’ s definitely not what I think most parents , students , teachers or other education workers were hoping for today.
” The four main education unions , representing around 200,000 education workers , said in a joint statement that the plan and the budget to achieve it was risking public safety by “ severely underfunding a safe return to school in September.
” • Rescue team scrambling to find three distressed humpback whales on B.C .
coast • What I learned about violence in B.C .
's Peace Valley @ @ @ @ @ @ @ teachers are willing to return to classes under these conditions .
The government said elementary schoolchildren from kindergarten to Grade 8 will attend school five days a week , with one cohort for the full day , including recess and lunch .
It said enhanced health and safety protocols would be in place and boards would be expected to provide the full range of elementary curriculum .
It did not define a maximum number of students per elementary cohort , and an official said schools would be advised to aim for the province @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which is more than 24 for Grades 4-8 .
“ What this announcement does is it sends our smallest children back to the same size classrooms they were in before , ” Stiles said .
“ It ’ s a status quo return , with no additional supports for those littlest ones to ensure they , their families and the staff that work with them are kept safe and healthy.
” All 7 of them have masks on and are staying 2 meters apart !
Let ’ s see what they will implement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ be in that library in just weeks !
pic.twitter.com/qZzwU1oFp7 — Sam Hammond ( @ etfopresident ) July 30 , 2020 Secondary students in most major school boards will attend class every second day , or in some other half-half arrangement , in cohorts of around 15 , the government said .
It encouraged schools to create timetables that limit the amount of contact between students , including staggered lunch breaks .
Ontario high school students will attend class part-time come September , while elementary students will be full-time in full-size classes High school @ @ @ @ @ @ @ both public and Catholic school boards in Toronto and across the wider GTA as well as Ottawa , Hamilton , Waterloo , Windsor and the Niagara region .
Students from Grade 4 up will be required to wear masks while at school , while younger students will be encouraged to do so in common areas .
Guidance provided to boards said students should be limited to approximately 50 direct and indirect contacts in schools .
The NDP ’ s Stiles said the fact that the plan doesn ’ t address the needs of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , or for anyone who lives with someone who is more likely to fare poorly if they contract COVID-19 , is “ another glaring absence . ''
Ford implored as many teachers as possible to return to class .
“ We really , really need them , ” he said .
“ The parents need them , the province needs them .
We all need the teachers to come into the class when possible.
” The Ford government had just reached collective agreements with education unions after a bitter war of words and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the pandemic closed schools for good .
Education Minister Stephen Lecce said that teachers can choose not to work in the classroom due to health and safety concerns but that “ there has to be a value proposition for our students and the taxpayers of our province.
” “ We can provide that safe space for them to do so , to support the many students who will require virtual learning , ” he said , referring to the adapted model for secondary schools , and tailored learning for higher-risk communities and any @ @ @ @ @ @ @ The government plan says parents can choose to instead use remote learning delivered by school boards , with teachers required to load resources into a database that allows for synchronous learning .
Education Minister Stephen Lecce and Premier Doug Ford at swearing-in ceremony for cabinet shuffle on June 20 , 2019 .
Photo by Cole Burston In a Toronto District School Board planning document released earlier this month , the province ’ s largest school board said it would need to hire nearly 2,500 more teachers at a cost of almost $ 250 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ full time in groups of 15 .
Smaller class sizes allows for more physical distancing , which helps reduce the spread of COVID-19 .
The government also expects schools to maintain detailed records about students and visitors that , in case of an outbreak , they would share with public health authorities to help with contact tracing .
The government ’ s $ 309-million budget for the reopening plan includes $ 80 million to hire additional staff and $ 60 million for masks and other personal protective equipment , which it will be @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The government said it expects cleaning supplies for all schools across the province to add another $ 25 million , with $ 50 million to cover the hiring of up to 500 more public health nurses .
The plan provides $ 40 million for cleaning supplies and protective equipment for transportation .
The budget also includes almost $ 24 million for lab testing capacity and $ 10 million each for health and safety training , additional mental health supports , and additional supports for students with special needs .
Reminder of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a net loss between 2018 and 2020 .
Minister announces additional $ 300 million for nurses , cleaning supplies , masks , special ed , and some staff .
Hard to understand how this will cover costs of extra staff needed .
pic.twitter.com/64NzeTQbJJ — Annie Kidder ( @ Anniekidder ) July 30 , 2020 By comparison , the Liberals released a mock budget earlier this week that would have allocated $ 3.2 billion in pandemic-specific spending , including a plan to hire 15,000 elementary teachers at a cost of $ 1.3 billion .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ anxiously for a plan to reopen schools safely – today they got one written on the back of a napkin , ” Liberal Leader Steven Del Duca said in a statement .
“ None of the concerns parents raised have been addressed .
None.
” Editor ’ s note : This article was updated at 6:15 p.m. on July 30 , 2020 to include more details and reactions from union leaders and opposition politicians .

Ontario Premier Doug Ford's government unveiled its back-to-school plan on Thursday, setting aside just over $300 million in additional funding and saying many high school students will attend class part time. The details have been long-awaited by parents, teachers and administrators wondering how learning can safely restart in September, as Ontario emerges from the shadow of COVID-19. But the spending failed to impress education unions, opposition critics and school boards worried about how to keep teachers and students safe. “It’s deeply disappointing,” said Marit Stiles, the Ontario NDP’s education critic. “It’s definitely not what I think most parents, students, teachers or other education workers were hoping for today.” The four main education unions, representing around 200,000 education workers, said in a joint statement that the plan and the budget to achieve it was risking public safety by “severely underfunding a safe return to school in September.”
It remains to be seen how many teachers are willing to return to classes under these conditions. The government said elementary schoolchildren from kindergarten to Grade 8 will attend school five days a week, with one cohort for the full day, including recess and lunch. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions It said enhanced health and safety protocols would be in place and boards would be expected to provide the full range of elementary curriculum.
It did not define a maximum number of students per elementary cohort, and an official said schools would be advised to aim for the province’s mandated average class size, which is more than 24 for Grades 4-8. Ontario high school students will attend class part-time come September, while elementary students will be full-time in full-size classes “What this announcement does is it sends our smallest children back to the same size classrooms they were in before,” Stiles said. “It’s a status quo return, with no additional supports for those littlest ones to ensure they, their families and the staff that work with them are kept safe and healthy.” All 7 of them have masks on and are staying 2 meters apart! Let’s see what they will implement for the 30 Kindergarten kids that will be in that library in just weeks! pic.twitter.com/qZzwU1oFp7 — Sam Hammond (@SLAR2023) July 30, 2020 Secondary students in most major school boards will attend class every second day, or in some other half-half arrangement, in cohorts of around 15, the government said. It encouraged schools to create timetables that limit the amount of contact between students, including staggered lunch breaks. High school students will have hybrid online/in-person classes in both public and Catholic school boards in Toronto and across the wider GTA as well as Ottawa, Hamilton, Waterloo, Windsor and the Niagara region.
Students from Grade 4 up will be required to wear masks while at school, while younger students will be encouraged to do so in common areas. Guidance provided to boards said students should be limited to approximately 50 direct and indirect contacts in schools. The NDP’s Stiles said the fact that the plan doesn’t address the needs of teachers and other staff who are immunocompromised, or for anyone who lives with someone who is more likely to fare poorly if they contract COVID-19, is “another glaring absence."


nationalobserver--2020-07-30--Enbridge reports stronger than expected Q2 Mainline oil transport volumes

The main export system for Western Canada 's oil production is recovering after volumes fell by less than feared amid the COVID-19 economic slowdown in the second quarter , pipeline company Enbridge Inc. reported Wednesday .
The system which accounts for about 70 per cent of Canadian oil exports into the United States moved 2.44 million barrels per day in the three months ended June 30 , a decline of about 400,000 bpd compared with the first quarter tally of 2.84 million bpd , the company reported .
The result was at the low end of a forecast shortfall of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CEO Al Monaco on a conference call .
He added that while the company is encouraged by a rise in North American crude demand from about 15 million bpd in April to 18 million bpd in June , it is wary of the impact of a possible pandemic second wave .
`` Overall , the pace of recovery was a little better than we thought in Q2 but , with the rise in infection rates that we 're seeing today , we 're cautious about the timing of a full return , '' @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to find three distressed humpback whales on B.C .
coast • What I learned about violence in B.C .
's Peace Valley `` Since April , North American demand came back by about three million ( barrels ) per day but we see a more gradual pace of recovery from here . ''
The Mainline is expected to be underutilized by between 200,000 and 400,000 bpd in the third quarter and between 100,000 and 300,000 bpd in the fourth quarter before returning to full utilization in early 2021 .
The Calgary-based company reported @ @ @ @ @ @ @ billion , down from $ 1.74 billion in the year-earlier period , thanks to a 40 per cent drop in revenues to nearly $ 8 billion from $ 13.3 billion .
Revenue attributed to commodity sales fell to $ 2.9 billion from $ 8.4 billion as oil prices plunged due to lower demand because of the pandemic and higher production by OPEC and other international producers .
Adjusted profit came in at $ 1.13 billion or 56 cents per share , compared with $ 1.35 billion or 67 cents per share in the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ expected to report 55 cents per share in adjusted profits , according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv .
The main export system for Western Canada 's oil production is recovering after volumes fell by less than feared amid the COVID-19 economic slowdown in the second quarter , pipeline company Enbridge Inc. reported on Wednesday , July 29 , 2020 .
In a report , Stifel FirstEnergy analyst Ian Gillies said Enbridge beat his adjusted income forecast mainly due to stronger U.S. natural gas transmission and distribution earnings .
The company had few @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pipeline battles in the United States .
It 's a partner in the three-year-old Dakota Access Pipeline , which a judge ordered shut down last month after finding a crucial federal permit fell short of National Environmental Policy Act requirements .
The decision has been temporarily stayed .
Enbridge will be able to mitigate the loss of revenue if the pipeline is closed by rerouting some North Dakota oil volumes to other parts of its system , said liquids pipelines president Vern Yu on the call .
Permits needed for the company 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ being delayed until at least November and some capital expenses expected to be incurred this year have been moved to 2021 , said chief financial officer Colin Gruending on the call .
Meanwhile , the company hopes to restore the east leg of its Line 5 pipeline running through a Great Lakes channel within weeks if it is able to demonstrate it is safe to operate after an incident involving an anchor support on the underwater conduit .

The main export system for Western Canada's oil production is recovering after volumes fell by less than feared amid the COVID-19 economic slowdown in the second quarter, pipeline company Enbridge Inc. reported Wednesday. The system which accounts for about 70 per cent of Canadian oil exports into the United States moved 2.44 million barrels per day in the three months ended June 30, a decline of about 400,000 bpd compared with the first quarter tally of 2.84 million bpd, the company reported. The result was at the low end of a forecast shortfall of between 400,000 and 600,000 bpd, said CEO Al Monaco on a conference call. He added that while the company is encouraged by a rise in North American crude demand from about 15 million bpd in April to 18 million bpd in June, it is wary of the impact of a possible pandemic second wave. "Overall, the pace of recovery was a little better than we thought in Q2 but, with the rise in infection rates that we're seeing today, we're cautious about the timing of a full return," Monaco said.
"Since April, North American demand came back by about three million (barrels) per day but we see a more gradual pace of recovery from here." The Mainline is expected to be underutilized by between 200,000 and 400,000 bpd in the third quarter and between 100,000 and 300,000 bpd in the fourth quarter before returning to full utilization in early 2021. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The Calgary-based company reported second quarter net income of $1.65 billion, down from $1.74 billion in the year-earlier period, thanks to a 40 per cent drop in revenues to nearly $8 billion from $13.3 billion.
Revenue attributed to commodity sales fell to $2.9 billion from $8.4 billion as oil prices plunged due to lower demand because of the pandemic and higher production by OPEC and other international producers. The main export system for Western Canada's oil production is recovering after volumes fell by less than feared amid the COVID-19 economic slowdown in the second quarter, pipeline company Enbridge Inc. reported on Wednesday, July 29, 2020. Adjusted profit came in at $1.13 billion or 56 cents per share, compared with $1.35 billion or 67 cents per share in the second quarter of 2019. Enbridge was expected to report 55 cents per share in adjusted profits, according to financial markets data firm Refinitiv. In a report, Stifel FirstEnergy analyst Ian Gillies said Enbridge beat his adjusted income forecast mainly due to stronger U.S. natural gas transmission and distribution earnings. The company had few updates concerning its ongoing court and regulatory pipeline battles in the United States.
It's a partner in the three-year-old Dakota Access Pipeline, which a judge ordered shut down last month after finding a crucial federal permit fell short of National Environmental Policy Act requirements. The decision has been temporarily stayed. Enbridge will be able to mitigate the loss of revenue if the pipeline is closed by rerouting some North Dakota oil volumes to other parts of its system, said liquids pipelines president Vern Yu on the call. Permits needed for the company's Line 3 replacement project in Minnesota are being delayed until at least November and some capital expenses expected to be incurred this year have been moved to 2021, said chief financial officer Colin Gruending on the call.