nationalobserver--2020-10-02--Quebec promises aid for bars, restaurants as COVID-19 restrictions take effect

The Quebec government promised on Thursday financial support for bars and restaurants forced to close by the province 's partial lockdown , but questions remain about how restrictions on socializing will be applied .
The new rules came into effect in greater Montreal , Quebec City and a region south of the provincial capital on Thursday after the regions were moved to the province 's highest COVID-19 alert level earlier this week .
Bars and restaurants — including restaurants that remain open for takeout — will be able to get loans to pay for expenses including municipal taxes , mortgage @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by an existing federal program .
Up to 80 per cent of the loan amount — to a maximum of $ 15,000 — will be forgivable , Fitzgibbon told reporters at a news conference in Quebec City .
`` It 's damn good news for us , '' Paul Holder , who co-owns several restaurants in Montreal , said in an interview after the announcement .
But Holder , whose businesses include the bar Darling and bistros Brasserie Bernard and Holder , said that while the money will help , it wo n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ taxes .
Quebec 's restaurateur association is happy with the announcement , spokesman Martin Vezina said , because it 's the first time since the pandemic began that the provincial government has offered support to restaurants that does n't have to be repaid .
• New data shows extent of opioid crisis across Canada • New benefits for workers hurt by pandemic stalls in Senate • Missing ballots , donations have two Green candidates questioning the race Fitzgibbon said the government expects the aid will cost between $ 90 million and $ 100 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ businesses that have been forced to close or restrict their operations .
There will be no new provincial support for workers , Fitzgibbon said , because the province does n't want to duplicate federal aid programs .
Business owners like Holder say they 're still confused about why , after building barriers to separate customers and ensuring staff are wearing personal protective equipment , they 've been forced to close .
`` It hurts because I think they are using the bars and restaurants as guinea pigs , '' Ziggy Eichenbaum , owner @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , said outside his establishment .
`` He needed to close something , so he figured he might as well close the bars and restaurants . ''
Public health director Dr. Horacio Arruda said at an afternoon press conference that the government is worried about situations that increase social contact and have an effect on people 's behaviour , such as settings where alcohol is consumed .
The new restrictions also forbid people from having visitors in their homes , with few exceptions , and ban outdoor gatherings .
But Premier Francois Legault @ @ @ @ @ @ @ what exactly constitutes an outdoor gathering — for example , whether two children who are in the same class at school can play together at a park on the weekend and be supervised by their parents .
The Quebec government promised on Thursday , October 1 , 2020 , financial support for bars and restaurants forced to close by the province 's partial lockdown , but questions remain about how restrictions on socializing will be applied .
Saying it was difficult to envision every possible exception , Legault said Quebecers — and police @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Legault said the restrictions are not intended , for example , to prevent two people who are in a romantic relationship from seeing each other even if they live at different addresses .
But the regulations released by the province Wednesday are clear that people from different households can not visit each other , with an exception for people living alone , who are allowed one visitor for non-essential purposes .
Police can issue fines of up to $ 1,000 , plus fees , if the new rules are broken , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by phone or other means of electronic communication to enter private homes in order to enforce the regulations , the government said Wednesday .
The measures came into effect as Quebec reported 933 new COVID-19 infections and 16 additional deaths Thursday .
Health officials said two of the deaths occurred in the past 24 hours , 12 were between Sept. 24-29 and two were before Sept. 24 .
Quebec continues to have by far the highest COVID-19 toll in Canada , with 75,221 cases and 5,850 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of which 46 were in intensive care .
Legault said the latest numbers show that the situation in the province is `` critical . ''

The Quebec government promised on Thursday financial support for bars and restaurants forced to close by the province's partial lockdown, but questions remain about how restrictions on socializing will be applied. The new rules came into effect in greater Montreal, Quebec City and a region south of the provincial capital on Thursday after the regions were moved to the province's highest COVID-19 alert level earlier this week. Bars and restaurants — including restaurants that remain open for takeout — will be able to get loans to pay for expenses including municipal taxes, mortgage interest, electricity and rent not covered by an existing federal program. Up to 80 per cent of the loan amount — to a maximum of $15,000 — will be forgivable, Fitzgibbon told reporters at a news conference in Quebec City. "It's damn good news for us," Paul Holder, who co-owns several restaurants in Montreal, said in an interview after the announcement. But Holder, whose businesses include the bar Darling and bistros Brasserie Bernard and Holder, said that while the money will help, it won't cover the full amount of rent and taxes. Quebec's restaurateur association is happy with the announcement, spokesman Martin Vezina said, because it's the first time since the pandemic began that the provincial government has offered support to restaurants that doesn't have to be repaid.
Fitzgibbon said the government expects the aid will cost between $90 million and $100 million and will apply to about 12,000 businesses that have been forced to close or restrict their operations. There will be no new provincial support for workers, Fitzgibbon said, because the province doesn't want to duplicate federal aid programs. Business owners like Holder say they're still confused about why, after building barriers to separate customers and ensuring staff are wearing personal protective equipment, they've been forced to close. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "It hurts because I think they are using the bars and restaurants as guinea pigs," Ziggy Eichenbaum, owner of Ziggy's Pub in downtown Montreal, said outside his establishment. "He needed to close something, so he figured he might as well close the bars and restaurants."
Public health director Dr. Horacio Arruda said at an afternoon press conference that the government is worried about situations that increase social contact and have an effect on people's behaviour, such as settings where alcohol is consumed. The Quebec government promised on Thursday, October 1, 2020, financial support for bars and restaurants forced to close by the province's partial lockdown, but questions remain about how restrictions on socializing will be applied. The new restrictions also forbid people from having visitors in their homes, with few exceptions, and ban outdoor gatherings. But Premier Francois Legault and Arruda struggled to answer questions about what exactly constitutes an outdoor gathering — for example, whether two children who are in the same class at school can play together at a park on the weekend and be supervised by their parents. Saying it was difficult to envision every possible exception, Legault said Quebecers — and police — will have to use their judgment. Legault said the restrictions are not intended, for example, to prevent two people who are in a romantic relationship from seeing each other even if they live at different addresses. But the regulations released by the province Wednesday are clear that people from different households cannot visit each other, with an exception for people living alone, who are allowed one visitor for non-essential purposes.
Police can issue fines of up to $1,000, plus fees, if the new rules are broken, and they will be able to get warrants by phone or other means of electronic communication to enter private homes in order to enforce the regulations, the government said Wednesday. The measures came into effect as Quebec reported 933 new COVID-19 infections and 16 additional deaths Thursday. Health officials said two of the deaths occurred in the past 24 hours, 12 were between Sept. 24-29 and two were before Sept. 24. Quebec continues to have by far the highest COVID-19 toll in Canada, with 75,221 cases and 5,850 deaths since the beginning of the pandemic. Hospitalizations increased to 275 Thursday, of which 46 were in intensive care.


nationalobserver--2020-10-02--Liberals to spend $10 billion on infrastructure projects

The Liberal government is promising to finally spend $ 10 billion that has sat in the accounts of its infrastructure financing agency for years , hoping to create thousands of post-pandemic jobs .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the three-year plan would create 60,000 jobs by expanding access to high-speed internet , building out agricultural irrigation infrastructure in western provinces and greening transit fleets .
He did n't outline any specific projects — or any new money — but highlighted priority areas in which the bank intends to invest .
The reshaped spending will front the costs for things like @ @ @ @ @ @ @ financing for the purchase of zero-emission buses , or de-risk agriculture projects with uncertain returns due to commodity price fluctuations .
All told , the government has retooled $ 10 billion from the bank 's allocation of $ 35 billion , some of which had already been earmarked for rural broadband and greening transit fleets .
• New data shows extent of opioid crisis across Canada • New benefits for workers hurt by pandemic stalls in Senate • Missing ballots , donations have two Green candidates questioning the race Michael Sabia , chairman @ @ @ @ @ @ @ vowed the money would n't sit idle .
He said he expected the agency to announce projects by the end of this year .
`` There is a substantial amount of work that has been done on that , but there is a substantial amount of work to do , '' Sabia said Thursday at a news conference in Ottawa .
`` To get that investment program moving … that 's our top priority . ''
Sabia , the former head of Quebec 's pension fund , was named chairman of the board @ @ @ @ @ @ @ infrastructure bank 's senior executives .
A new chief executive has yet to be named .
At that time , he and the government predicted that the bank would play a major role in stimulating the economy after the pandemic .
The Liberals created the agency in 2017 to entice funding from private-sector partners , particularly big institutional investors like pension funds , to pay for what the government called `` transformational '' infrastructure projects .
The Liberal government is promising to finally spend $ 10 billion that has sat in the accounts @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , hoping to create thousands of post-pandemic jobs .
However , the bank has been criticized for the relatively few investments it has made thus far , in just nine projects .
During last fall 's federal election campaign , both the Conservatives and the NDP promised to abolish the bank if elected .
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole reiterated that promise on Thursday , calling the Liberals ' plan just another re-announcement .
`` Construction workers in New Brunswick , commuters in Montreal , and agricultural workers in the Prairies don ’ t @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , '' he said in a statement .
`` They need an actual plan to build roads , bridges , and railways . ''
The Liberals say the investment plan is part of the government 's promise in last week 's throne speech to create one million jobs and revive an economy ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic .
It is also intended to help the government meet its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 .
Among the new allocations are $ 1.5 billion for agricultural infrastructure in the West , and $ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ half the $ 5 billion previously given for so-called green infrastructure .
There is also $ 2 billion for broadband to connect some 750,000 households and businesses , up from the $ 500 million the bank in 2018 was asked to invest .
The Liberals promised in summer 2019 to spend $ 6 billion through to 2030 to expand broadband to all corners of the country .
A further $ 500 million is to help speed up the things that need to be done before starting construction , such as studies and technical @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the bank 's backing would require them to contribute to economic growth , draw in private capital to turn $ 1 of public funding into $ 2 or $ 3 of spending , and help the bank earn back what it pays out .
He said the bank has already started the work needed to identify and review proposed and existing projects .
`` The analyses have been done because we know where these projects are , '' Sabia said .
`` So this plan , as I said , is very real @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we have a lot of confidence in it . ''
New Democrat infrastructure critic Taylor Bachrach said the infrastructure bank has proven to be the wrong tool for getting projects built .
`` The public-private approach the Liberals continue to push consistently ends up costing Canadians more over the long term , while private investors can make millions , '' he said .
Bloc Québécois critic Xavier Barsalou-Duval said in a statement that provinces and cities need direct and unconditional federal funding to pay for projects .
Instead , Barsalou-Duval said , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1 , 2020 .

The Liberal government is promising to finally spend $10 billion that has sat in the accounts of its infrastructure financing agency for years, hoping to create thousands of post-pandemic jobs. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said the three-year plan would create 60,000 jobs by expanding access to high-speed internet, building out agricultural irrigation infrastructure in western provinces and greening transit fleets. He didn't outline any specific projects — or any new money — but highlighted priority areas in which the bank intends to invest. The reshaped spending will front the costs for things like energy retrofits of buildings, offer low-cost financing for the purchase of zero-emission buses, or de-risk agriculture projects with uncertain returns due to commodity price fluctuations. All told, the government has retooled $10 billion from the bank's allocation of $35 billion, some of which had already been earmarked for rural broadband and greening transit fleets.
Michael Sabia, chairman of the Canada Infrastructure Bank board, vowed the money wouldn't sit idle. He said he expected the agency to announce projects by the end of this year. "There is a substantial amount of work that has been done on that, but there is a substantial amount of work to do," Sabia said Thursday at a news conference in Ottawa. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "To get that investment program moving … that's our top priority."
Sabia, the former head of Quebec's pension fund, was named chairman of the board in April amid a shakeup of the infrastructure bank's senior executives. A new chief executive has yet to be named. The Liberal government is promising to finally spend $10 billion that has sat in the accounts of its infrastructure financing agency for years, hoping to create thousands of post-pandemic jobs. At that time, he and the government predicted that the bank would play a major role in stimulating the economy after the pandemic. The Liberals created the agency in 2017 to entice funding from private-sector partners, particularly big institutional investors like pension funds, to pay for what the government called "transformational" infrastructure projects. However, the bank has been criticized for the relatively few investments it has made thus far, in just nine projects. During last fall's federal election campaign, both the Conservatives and the NDP promised to abolish the bank if elected. Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole reiterated that promise on Thursday, calling the Liberals' plan just another re-announcement.
"Construction workers in New Brunswick, commuters in Montreal, and agricultural workers in the Prairies don’t need more Liberal hashtags and photo ops," he said in a statement. "They need an actual plan to build roads, bridges, and railways." The Liberals say the investment plan is part of the government's promise in last week's throne speech to create one million jobs and revive an economy ravaged by the COVID-19 pandemic. It is also intended to help the government meet its goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.


nationalobserver--2020-10-02--B.C. Supreme Court hears Wet'suwet'en petition for review of Coastal Gas Link certificate

Lawyers for the Office of the Wet ’ suwet ’ en were in British Columbia Supreme Court Thursday seeking an order quashing the extension of the environmental assessment certificate for a pipeline that was at the centre of countrywide protests in February .
The executive director of B.C.
’ s Environmental Assessment Office granted Coastal GasLink an extension last October , nearly five years after a certificate was first issued for the 670-kilometre natural gas pipeline .
A petition filed in February on behalf of the Office of the Wet ’ suwet ’ en , a non-profit society governed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certificates set a deadline of five years , by which time a project must be `` substantially ” underway .
If it 's not , the certificate holder may apply for a one-time extension .
Coastal Gaslink submitted its application in April 2019 , about six months before its certificate was to expire .
The document says the assessment office confirmed that the factors informing the decision to grant Coastal GasLink the extension included the company ’ s compliance record , as well as `` any new or changed potential significant adverse effects @ @ @ @ @ @ @ certificate and its conditions .
• New data shows extent of opioid crisis across Canada • New benefits for workers hurt by pandemic stalls in Senate • Missing ballots , donations have two Green candidates questioning the race Lawyers for the society said the Environmental Assessment Office 's records of the decision failed to address what they argue is an established track record of non-compliance by the company , including more than 50 instances of failure to adhere to existing conditions throughout last year .
They argue the office failed to meaningfully consider @ @ @ @ @ @ @ National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released in June 2019 or undertake an analysis of possible gender-based harms associated with the pipeline project .
`` The harms raised are a risk of rape and domestic violence and racialized violence , '' DJ Larkin , a lawyer for the Office of the Wet'suewt'en , told the court .
She referred to a passage in the inquiry 's report that notes it heard evidence directly linking the influx of temporary labourers and work camps for resource extraction projects with escalating gender-based @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Larkin argued the company 's existing social and economic effects management plan for the project does not and is not capable of mitigating such gender-based violence , which she said was not addressed in the original assessment of the project .
Larkin acknowledged that recommendations in the report from the inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls are not legally binding .
Lawyers for the Office of the Wet ’ suwet ’ en were in British Columbia Supreme Court Thursday seeking an order quashing the extension of the environmental assessment certificate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ centre of countrywide protests in February .
But she argued that public confidence in the system of administrative justice requires the Environmental Assessment Office to perform its statutory function to assess and mitigate the potential gender-based harm associated with the pipeline project in a meaningful and reasonable way .
The Environmental Assessment Office has the power to attach new conditions when it extends a project certificate .
The Office of the Wet'suwet'en is seeking an order that would send the decision back for further consideration .
The response to the petition filed on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ there is no merit for the judicial review .
It argues the petition conflates a report by the assessment office that recommended the extension of the certificate with the decision of the executive director , saying the report is an important component of the record of the decision but it ’ s not correct to describe it as the reasoning .
The hereditary chiefs have opposed Coastal GasLink ’ s project , while five elected Wet'suwet'en band councils signed agreements with the company approving construction .
The hearing resumes on Friday , when @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for the pipeline company and the Environmental Assessment Office .

Lawyers for the Office of the Wet’suwet’en were in British Columbia Supreme Court Thursday seeking an order quashing the extension of the environmental assessment certificate for a pipeline that was at the centre of countrywide protests in February. The executive director of B.C.’s Environmental Assessment Office granted Coastal GasLink an extension last October, nearly five years after a certificate was first issued for the 670-kilometre natural gas pipeline. A petition filed in February on behalf of the Office of the Wet’suwet’en, a non-profit society governed by several hereditary chiefs, says environmental assessment certificates set a deadline of five years, by which time a project must be "substantially” underway. If it's not, the certificate holder may apply for a one-time extension. Coastal Gaslink submitted its application in April 2019, about six months before its certificate was to expire. The document says the assessment office confirmed that the factors informing the decision to grant Coastal GasLink the extension included the company’s compliance record, as well as "any new or changed potential significant adverse effects that would require revisions” to the certificate and its conditions.
Lawyers for the society said the Environmental Assessment Office's records of the decision failed to address what they argue is an established track record of non-compliance by the company, including more than 50 instances of failure to adhere to existing conditions throughout last year. They argue the office failed to meaningfully consider the findings of the report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls released in June 2019 or undertake an analysis of possible gender-based harms associated with the pipeline project. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "The harms raised are a risk of rape and domestic violence and racialized violence," DJ Larkin, a lawyer for the Office of the Wet'suewt'en, told the court.
She referred to a passage in the inquiry's report that notes it heard evidence directly linking the influx of temporary labourers and work camps for resource extraction projects with escalating gender-based violence against Indigenous women and girls. Lawyers for the Office of the Wet’suwet’en were in British Columbia Supreme Court Thursday seeking an order quashing the extension of the environmental assessment certificate for a pipeline that was at the centre of countrywide protests in February. Larkin argued the company's existing social and economic effects management plan for the project does not and is not capable of mitigating such gender-based violence, which she said was not addressed in the original assessment of the project. Larkin acknowledged that recommendations in the report from the inquiry into missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls are not legally binding. But she argued that public confidence in the system of administrative justice requires the Environmental Assessment Office to perform its statutory function to assess and mitigate the potential gender-based harm associated with the pipeline project in a meaningful and reasonable way. The Environmental Assessment Office has the power to attach new conditions when it extends a project certificate. The Office of the Wet'suwet'en is seeking an order that would send the decision back for further consideration.
The response to the petition filed on behalf of the Environmental Assessment Office asserts there is no merit for the judicial review. It argues the petition conflates a report by the assessment office that recommended the extension of the certificate with the decision of the executive director, saying the report is an important component of the record of the decision but it’s not correct to describe it as the reasoning. The hereditary chiefs have opposed Coastal GasLink’s project, while five elected Wet'suwet'en band councils signed agreements with the company approving construction.


nationalobserver--2020-10-02--Canada in top 10 for hydropower jobs, but doesn't rank on other renewables

Canada has made the top 10 list of countries for the number of jobs in hydropower , but didn ’ t rank in three other key renewable energy technologies , according to new international figures .
Although Canada has only two per cent of the global workforce , it had one of the 10 largest slices of the world ’ s jobs in hydropower in 2019 , says the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency ( IRENA ) .
Canada didn ’ t make IRENA ’ s other top-10 employment lists , for solar photovoltaic ( PV ) technology , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sept. 30 .
Figures from the agency show the whole sector represents 61,130 jobs across Canada , or 0.5 per cent of the world ’ s 11.5 million jobs in renewables .
Clockwise from top left : Top 10 countries for liquid biofuels by employment , solar PV employment , hydropower employment and wind power employment in 2019 .
IRENA screenshots A powerful renewables sector is not just about job creation .
It is also imperative if we are to meet global climate objectives , according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up at least a 63 per cent share of the global electricity market by mid-century to battle the more extreme effects of climate change , it said .
Canada is in the # top10 for hydropower jobs , but didn ’ t rank in three other key renewables , according to new @ IRENA figures .
@ BCSEA says Canada needs to move faster , while @ cleanenergycan says tallying clean energy jobs is worth a broader look .
“ The IRENA report shows that people all over of the world are building @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said Tom Hackney , policy adviser for the BC Sustainable Energy Association .
“ Many people in Canada are doing so , too .
But we need to move faster to minimize climate change .
For example , at the level of trade policy , a great idea would be to develop low-carbon trading blocs that put tariffs on goods with high embodied carbon emissions.
” Canadian Renewable Energy Association president and CEO Robert Hornung said the IRENA jobs review highlights “ significant job creation potential ” in Canada .
As governments explore @ @ @ @ @ @ @ impact of the COVID-19 pandemic , said Hornung , it 's important to “ capitalize on Canada 's untapped renewable energy resources.
” In Canada , 82 per cent of the electricity grid is already non-emitting , noted Sarah Petrevan , policy director for Clean Energy Canada .
With the federal government committing to a 90 per cent non-emitting grid by 2030 , said Petrevan , more wind and solar deployment can be expected , especially in the Prairies where renewables are needed to help with Canada ’ s coal-fired power plant phase @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Prairies is the Travers Solar project , which is expected to be constructed in Alberta through 2021 , and is being touted as “ Canada 's largest solar farm.
” But renewables are only “ one part of the broader clean energy sector , ” said Petrevan .
Clean Energy Canada has calculated clean tech supports around 300,000 jobs , and those are projected to grow to half a million by 2030 .
“ We ’ re talking about a transition of our energy system in every sense — not just in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the IRENA figures provide global context , they reflect only a portion of both our current reality and the opportunity for Canada , ” she said .
The organization ’ s research has shown that manufacturing of electric vehicles would be one of the fastest-growing job creators over the next decade .
Putting a punctuation mark on that is a recent $ 1.8-billion deal with Ford Motor Company of Canada to produce five models of electric vehicles in Oakville , Ont .
With 4.3 million renewable energy jobs in 2019 , or 38 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ China “ remains the clear leader in renewable energy employment worldwide , ” the IRENA report states .
China has the world 's largest population and the second-largest GDP .
The country is also by far the world ’ s largest emitter of carbon pollution , at 28 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions , and has significant fossil fuel interests .
Chinese President Xi Jinping called for a “ green revolution ” last month , and pledged to “ achieve carbon neutrality before 2060.
” China holds the largest proportion of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cent of all jobs , followed by India at 19 per cent , Brazil at 11 per cent and Pakistan at five per cent , said IRENA .
Canada , with 32,359 jobs in the industry , and Turkey and Colombia hold two per cent each of the world ’ s hydropower jobs , while Myanmar and Russia hold three per cent each and Vietnam has four per cent .
China also dominates the global solar PV workforce , with 59 per cent of all jobs , followed by Japan , the United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , Malaysia , Brazil , Germany and the Philippines .
There are 4,261 jobs in solar PV in Canada , IRENA calculated , out of a global workforce of 3.8 million jobs .
In wind power , China again leads , with 44 per cent of all jobs .
Germany , the United States and India come after , with the United Kingdom , Denmark , Mexico , Spain , the Philippines and Brazil following suit .
Canada has 6,527 jobs in wind power out of 1.17 million worldwide .
As for liquid @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with 34 per cent of all jobs .
Indonesia , the United States , Colombia , Thailand , Malaysia , China , Poland , Romania and the Philippines fill out the top 10 .
There are 17,691 jobs in Canada in liquid biofuels .

Canada has made the top 10 list of countries for the number of jobs in hydropower, but didn’t rank in three other key renewable energy technologies, according to new international figures. Although Canada has only two per cent of the global workforce, it had one of the 10 largest slices of the world’s jobs in hydropower in 2019, says the Abu Dhabi-based International Renewable Energy Agency (IRENA). Canada didn’t make IRENA’s other top-10 employment lists, for solar photovoltaic (PV) technology, liquid biofuels or wind power, released Sept. 30. Figures from the agency show the whole sector represents 61,130 jobs across Canada, or 0.5 per cent of the world’s 11.5 million jobs in renewables. The numbers show Canada needs to move faster to minimize the climate crisis, including by joining trade blocs that put tariffs on high-carbon goods, argued the Victoria-based BC Sustainable Energy Association after reviewing IRENA’s report. The Canadian Renewable Energy Association also said it showed the country has untapped job creation potential. But other clean tech advocates say there’s more to the story. When tallying clean energy jobs, it's worth a broader look, Clean Energy Canada argued, pointing to the recent Ford-Unifor deal that includes a $1.8-billion commitment to produce electric vehicles in Oakville, Ont.
Natural Resources Minister Seamus O'Regan’s office also pointed out the renewables employment figures from IRENA are proportional to global population. “While Canada's share of the global clean energy job market is in line with our population size, we produce almost 2.7 per cent of the world’s total primary renewable energy supply. As only 0.5 per cent of the global population, we punch above our weight,” said O'Regan's press secretary, Ian Cameron. Canada joined IRENA in January 2019 and the country has been described by the association as an “important market” for renewables over the long term. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions On Thursday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a new $10-billion “Growth Plan” to be run by the Canada Infrastructure Bank that would include “$2.5 billion for clean power to support renewable generation and storage and to transmit clean electricity between provinces, territories, and regions, including to northern and Indigenous communities.” The infrastructure bank's plan is expected to create 60,000 jobs, the government said.
Clockwise from top left: Top 10 countries for liquid biofuels by employment, solar PV employment, hydropower employment and wind power employment in 2019. IRENA screenshots World ‘building the renewable energy revolution now’ A powerful renewables sector is not just about job creation. It is also imperative if we are to meet global climate objectives, according to the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change. Renewable energy sources have to make up at least a 63 per cent share of the global electricity market by mid-century to battle the more extreme effects of climate change, it said. Canada is in the #top10 for hydropower jobs, but didn’t rank in three other key renewables, according to new @IRENA figures. @BCSEA says Canada needs to move faster, while @cleanenergycan says tallying clean energy jobs is worth a broader look. “The IRENA report shows that people all over of the world are building the renewable energy revolution now,” said Tom Hackney, policy adviser for the BC Sustainable Energy Association. “Many people in Canada are doing so, too. But we need to move faster to minimize climate change. For example, at the level of trade policy, a great idea would be to develop low-carbon trading blocs that put tariffs on goods with high embodied carbon emissions.”
Canadian Renewable Energy Association president and CEO Robert Hornung said the IRENA jobs review highlights “significant job creation potential” in Canada. As governments explore how to stimulate economic recovery from the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, said Hornung, it's important to “capitalize on Canada's untapped renewable energy resources.” In Canada, 82 per cent of the electricity grid is already non-emitting, noted Sarah Petrevan, policy director for Clean Energy Canada. With the federal government committing to a 90 per cent non-emitting grid by 2030, said Petrevan, more wind and solar deployment can be expected, especially in the Prairies where renewables are needed to help with Canada’s coal-fired power plant phase out.


nationalobserver--2020-10-02--Solar energy firms in B.C. say market at tipping point

Solar energy businesses in British Columbia believe their market is at a tipping point following years of niche status , as costs come down , governments demand greener buildings and residents offset rising utility bills from power-hungry electric cars .
Industry leaders also said the Canadian playing field has become more level after Alberta and Ontario ended government rebates on solar energy upgrades .
“ It is coming , you can definitely feel it , ” said Kol Henrikson , business development manager at Rikur Energy .
“ The leader on the block will be getting solar right now , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ building around that ... there ’ s definitely a lot more projects coming.
” China dominates the field , with 59 per cent of all solar PV jobs .
But other countries such as Japan , the United States , India , Bangladesh , Vietnam , Malaysia , Brazil , Germany and the Philippines also play big roles in solar employment .
B.C .
has not had a direct government rebate program that might have created a boom in business early on , argued Rob Baxter , principal at Vancouver Renewable Energy .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ sales tax exemption , as well as a commercial incentive for businesses to add panels .
Solar energy firms @ VanRenew @ RikurEnergy @ TerratekEnergy believe the market is at a tipping point as costs come down , governments demand greener buildings and residents offset rising utility bills from EVs : “ In the last few years , the industry has been growing more in Alberta and Saskatchewan , and before that it was Ontario .
So a lot of the jobs that were created were in those areas , ” Baxter said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some really good government incentives — that ’ s the reason why the market there was growing .
In Alberta there were also some incentives , and they also have more expensive and dirtier electricity .
Here in B.C.
, it ’ s just that we have relatively low electricity rates.
” Under the former Ontario Liberal government of Kathleen Wynne , the province offered thousands of dollars in rebates for solar installations and other green upgrades such as smart thermometers .
The program was paid for by revenues from the province ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with Quebec and California .
The Progressive Conservative government of Premier Doug Ford pulled Ontario out of the cap-and-trade market after it came to power in 2018 , and wound down the green rebate program .
The former Alberta NDP government of Rachel Notley had also offered rebates on solar power and other green upgrades in that province , which covered up to 30 per cent of a system ’ s initial cost .
It , too , was paid for by a provincial carbon tax , and that rebate program and the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ended by the United Conservative government of Premier Jason Kenney , after it came to power in 2019 .
Both Ontario and Alberta are still subject to carbon pricing , except now it is imposed on the provinces by the federal government ’ s minimum national standards regime .
Both provinces are fighting the federal system in court .
Baxter said the price of solar energy has come down , making the product more attractive to consumers looking to invest .
“ About five years ago we did more business in one year @ @ @ @ @ @ @ combined , and then last year it was even higher .
So yeah , definitely a growing market here , ” he said .
Another issue is the push toward “ net-zero ” buildings in B.C .
John Horgan , the BC NDP leader who is currently on the campaign trail , has promised to legislate net-zero carbon emissions by 2050 if re-elected .
Henrikson said new tenders coming out at the municipal level are more likely to have solar integrated into the designs now — everything from schools to aquatic centres and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in B.C.
, which does have a provincial incentive program of its own , could help drive solar adoption as well , he said .
Solar can help offset the higher electricity costs that come from home car charging .
In B.C.
, residential customers are charged one rate for electricity up to a certain threshold .
All electricity consumed beyond that threshold is then charged under a significantly higher rate , or what ’ s known as the Step 2 rate .
The higher rate is “ designed to encourage conservation , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you get an electric car , you ’ re basically paying an extra 40 per cent always when you ’ re charging at your house , ” Henrikson said .
“ If you add , say , 10 solar panels on your roof , you can basically keep out of that Step 2 — or , your hydro will never go up , even though you ’ re charging your car .
”

Solar energy businesses in British Columbia believe their market is at a tipping point following years of niche status, as costs come down, governments demand greener buildings and residents offset rising utility bills from power-hungry electric cars. Industry leaders also said the Canadian playing field has become more level after Alberta and Ontario ended government rebates on solar energy upgrades. “It is coming, you can definitely feel it,” said Kol Henrikson, business development manager at Rikur Energy. “The leader on the block will be getting solar right now, and then you can feel the interest building around that ... there’s definitely a lot more projects coming.” Scott Fleenor, principal at Terratek Energy Solutions, said he was doubling his capacity next year, thanks to rising demand. He predicted the industry would likely double in the province over the next few years. “Until now, we’ve been working with early adopters,” he said. “Now we’re starting to get into the mass market.”
China dominates the field, with 59 per cent of all solar PV jobs. But other countries such as Japan, the United States, India, Bangladesh, Vietnam, Malaysia, Brazil, Germany and the Philippines also play big roles in solar employment. Solar energy firms @VanRenew @RikurEnergy @TerratekEnergy believe the market is at a tipping point as costs come down, governments demand greener buildings and residents offset rising utility bills from EVs: B.C. has not had a direct government rebate program that might have created a boom in business early on, argued Rob Baxter, principal at Vancouver Renewable Energy. In B.C., there is a provincial sales tax exemption, as well as a commercial incentive for businesses to add panels. “In the last few years, the industry has been growing more in Alberta and Saskatchewan, and before that it was Ontario. So a lot of the jobs that were created were in those areas,” Baxter said. “In Ontario, they had some really good government incentives — that’s the reason why the market there was growing. In Alberta there were also some incentives, and they also have more expensive and dirtier electricity. Here in B.C., it’s just that we have relatively low electricity rates.”
Under the former Ontario Liberal government of Kathleen Wynne, the province offered thousands of dollars in rebates for solar installations and other green upgrades such as smart thermometers. The program was paid for by revenues from the province’s participation in the cap-and-trade carbon market with Quebec and California. The Progressive Conservative government of Premier Doug Ford pulled Ontario out of the cap-and-trade market after it came to power in 2018, and wound down the green rebate program.


nationalobserver--2020-10-02--Toronto council votes down electoral reform until at least 2026

The electoral reform dreams of ranked ballot proponents in Toronto have been delayed once more , with city council agreeing that complications due to COVID-19 make it impossible to deliver in time for the 2022 municipal election .
“ That is a hard motion for me to move , ” said Shelley Carroll , the councillor for Don Valley North , who had pushed for the city to switch to ranked ballots for 2022 .
“ It 's no secret to most people that this is something I 've wanted for a long time.
” Advocates say ranked ballots can @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a more diverse field of candidates to run and stay in a race until the end , since it removes the pressure to withdraw to avoid splitting the vote .
Council was set to vote for staff to halt all work on the initiative in the wake of the pandemic , but Carroll introduced an amendment asking them to report back by the end of 2023 on how to get it done for 2026 .
It passed by 18 votes to 6 .
The move to halt was recommended by Ulli Watkiss , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ motion recommending that was passed by the city ’ s executive committee last week .
• New data shows extent of opioid crisis across Canada • New benefits for workers hurt by pandemic stalls in Senate • Missing ballots , donations have two Green candidates questioning the race Coun .
Carroll 's amendment replaced a motion to cease work on ranked ballots for the 2022 election with a direction that work continue on a longer timeframe .
Longtime advocate Dave Meslin sought to give the delay a positive spin , noting the vote @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with the topic .
“ As long as you 're moving in the right direction then you 're winning , ” said Meslin , who founded the Ranked Ballot Initiative of Toronto ( RaBIT ) advocacy group .
“ It always takes longer than you think.
” “ Democratic reform will continue to move forward no matter how much Toronto city council continues to drag their feet , ” said Meslin , who quit RaBIT five years ago to take the reform push provincewide .
Ranked ballots allow voters to rank candidates in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ secures more than half the vote , the candidate with the least votes is removed from the running and the votes they secured are given out to each voter ’ s second choice .
The process is repeated until a candidate secures a majority .
Council for @ cityoftoronto directed staff to work on getting ranked ballots ready for the 2026 election after hearing from the city clerk that it would not be possible to deliver for 2022 .
# electoralreform Under the current first-past-the-post system , the eventual winner can emerge victorious @ @ @ @ @ @ @ much less than half of the vote .
Several councillors spoke out in favour of the reform Friday , saying that their constituents often express frustration with the current system .
“ When I talk to voters , particularly younger voters , I think there are people who are disenfranchised with this ( current ) system , when they see time and time again the same electoral outcomes despite a deep desire for genuine change , ” said Brad Bradford , a first-term councillor who represents Beaches-East York .
He said there are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the system , which include allowing permanent residents to vote and introducing public campaign financing and term limits .
“ I think we should be taking steps to level that playing field , to bring forward more diverse voices , new voices , new perspectives .
I think that ’ s healthy , I think that 's good for democracy.
” Coun .
Brad Bradford connected remotely to the hybrid virtual/in-person council meeting , advocating in favour of ranked ballots .
Screenshot Kristyn Wong-Tam , who represents Toronto Centre , said the current @ @ @ @ @ @ @ white and male , does not reflect Toronto ’ s diversity .
“ We simply do n't look like the folks who are riding the transit system every single day , and yet that ’ s who we want to serve and that 's who we purport to serve , ” she said .
Wong-Tam said ranked ballots “ are going to be a game-changer once we get there , ” resulting in a more engaged electorate and an elevation of civic discourse .
She said the negativity in today ’ s politics @ @ @ @ @ @ @ who took part in her Women Win TO project in 2018 that encouraged their involvement .
Opponents on council argued that ranked ballots would confuse voters , especially those for whom English is not their first language , with Stephen Holyday ( Etobicoke Centre ) arguing that “ if it ai n't broke , do n't fix it.
” Anthony Perruzza , councillor for Humber River-Black Creek , argued ranked ballots would in fact reduce turnout among racialized communities and make it harder to dislodge incumbents .
“ You want to suppress the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ get diversity , do ranked ballots , ” he said .
“ Make it more confusing for people who have language and literacy barriers , make it more complicated for them .
Give them a real , real complex table or formula to go into an election , and then they will all stay home.
” Reform advocate Meslin took issue with that argument .
“ I think it 's really racist to suggest that any particular ethnicity will have trouble counting to three , ” he said .
“ Voting reform gives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ away from politicians , and a lot of them are scared of that.
” Ranked ballots were used in the 2018 municipal election in London , Ont.
, in which a young Black woman joined council for the first time in that municipality ’ s history , and young , gay and Indigenous candidates also won seats .
At least two other cities in the province , Kingston and Cambridge , are working to introduce the method for their 2022 elections .
Danielle Manton , the city clerk for Cambridge , said she @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s council on the viability of a ranked ballot vote by early January at the latest .
“ I 'm going to give council all the information I can collect to allow council to make an informed decision , ” she said by phone .
Manton said the city would need to request proposals for companies that supply voting equipment capable of counting ranked ballots .
Cambridge is days away from a ward byelection that was postponed in the early days of the pandemic , with voting restricted to a city hall @ @ @ @ @ @ @ curbside voting and extended advance voting .
Voters can request in-home voting , but no one has yet asked for that , Manton said , with the vote on Monday .
Kingston has not altered Dec. 2018 instructions to staff to prepare for ranked ballots , but must still hold an open house and a public meeting on the topic before passing the required bylaw .
Consultations planned for mid-2020 were delayed by COVID-19 , spokesperson Jen Pinarski said , but staff will “ make every reasonable effort ” to involve residents , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , phone , email and mail-in surveys and small group information sessions , if permitted by public health requirements .
Burlington council this week said it would hold public consultations on ranked ballots for 2022 .
All municipalities that plan to switch to ranked ballots in 2022 must have their process in place by May 1 , 2021 , according to provincial regulation .
Elections are due to take place on Oct. 24 , 2022 .

The electoral reform dreams of ranked ballot proponents in Toronto have been delayed once more, with city council agreeing that complications due to COVID-19 make it impossible to deliver in time for the 2022 municipal election. “That is a hard motion for me to move,” said Shelley Carroll, the councillor for Don Valley North, who had pushed for the city to switch to ranked ballots for 2022. “It's no secret to most people that this is something I've wanted for a long time.” Advocates say ranked ballots can improve the tenor of campaigning and encourage a more diverse field of candidates to run and stay in a race until the end, since it removes the pressure to withdraw to avoid splitting the vote. Council was set to vote for staff to halt all work on the initiative in the wake of the pandemic, but Carroll introduced an amendment asking them to report back by the end of 2023 on how to get it done for 2026. It passed by 18 votes to 6. The move to halt was recommended by Ulli Watkiss, the retiring city clerk, and a motion recommending that was passed by the city’s executive committee last week.
Coun. Carroll's amendment replaced a motion to cease work on ranked ballots for the 2022 election with a direction that work continue on a longer timeframe. Longtime advocate Dave Meslin sought to give the delay a positive spin, noting the vote showed strong support for an eventual reckoning with the topic. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “As long as you're moving in the right direction then you're winning,” said Meslin, who founded the Ranked Ballot Initiative of Toronto (RaBIT) advocacy group. “It always takes longer than you think.”
“Democratic reform will continue to move forward no matter how much Toronto city council continues to drag their feet,” said Meslin, who quit RaBIT five years ago to take the reform push provincewide. Council for @cityoftoronto directed staff to work on getting ranked ballots ready for the 2026 election after hearing from the city clerk that it would not be possible to deliver for 2022. #electoralreform Ranked ballots allow voters to rank candidates in order of preference. If no candidate secures more than half the vote, the candidate with the least votes is removed from the running and the votes they secured are given out to each voter’s second choice. The process is repeated until a candidate secures a majority. Under the current first-past-the-post system, the eventual winner can emerge victorious from a crowded field of candidates with much less than half of the vote. Several councillors spoke out in favour of the reform Friday, saying that their constituents often express frustration with the current system.
“When I talk to voters, particularly younger voters, I think there are people who are disenfranchised with this (current) system, when they see time and time again the same electoral outcomes despite a deep desire for genuine change,” said Brad Bradford, a first-term councillor who represents Beaches-East York. He said there are a range of other ways to improve the system, which include allowing permanent residents to vote and introducing public campaign financing and term limits. “I think we should be taking steps to level that playing field, to bring forward more diverse voices, new voices, new perspectives. I think that’s healthy, I think that's good for democracy.”


nationalobserver--2020-10-02--Airline unions call on Ottawa for $7 billion in loans for ailing industry

Labour leaders are calling on Ottawa to provide immediate financial aid and rapid viral testing to an airline industry devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic .
The heads of two pilots ' unions and Unifor asked the federal government on Thursday to offer carriers loans totalling $ 7 billion at a one per cent interest rate .
The 10-year credit plan being requested includes loan guarantees and direct financial aid , but no grants and aligns with the support extended by other countries , they said .
The unions also asked Ottawa to back approval and deployment of rapid COVID-19 tests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ travel restrictions and quarantine rules .
“ The COVID-19 pandemic has created a crisis in Canada 's aviation industry unlike anything seen before , and recovery may be years away , '' Tim Perry , head of the Air Line Pilots Association 's Canadian branch , said at a news conference in Toronto .
• New data shows extent of opioid crisis across Canada • New benefits for workers hurt by pandemic stalls in Senate • Missing ballots , donations have two Green candidates questioning the race `` Make no mistake , decimating @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for Canadians tomorrow and beyond , '' said Robert Giguere , head of the Air Canada Pilots Association .
Labour groups differed on the best approach to a bailout .
The Canadian Union of Public Employees , which was not a part of the media event Thursday , said any government support should include `` significant carve-outs for supporting workers , rather than protecting only corporate bottom lines . ''
CUPE , which represents 15,000 flight attendants , also said a government stake in the companies should be a condition of any federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 14-billion bailout of Lufthansa that saw the government take a 20 per cent share of the airline .
However , Unifor president Jerry Dias said a government stake should only come into consideration if an airline defaults on a loan .
Governments across the globe have doled out $ 123 billion to assist the airline industry , Dias said .
Canada , on the other hand , has steered clear of sector-specific support , instead rolling out financial aid such as wage subsidies available to many industries .
Labour leaders are calling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and rapid viral testing to an airline industry devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic .
# cdnpoli Ottawa has also held off on requiring airlines to refund customers whose flights were cancelled due to the pandemic , potentially saving carriers hundreds of millions of dollars .
In contrast , European and U.S. authorities have demanded airlines reimburse travellers , on top of the strings attached to financial lifelines that range from limiting dividends and executive bonuses to cutting carbon emissions and carving out ownership stakes for government .
Travel restrictions and dried-up demand continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and tourism industries .
More than 30,000 employees have been laid off or furloughed at Air Canada and WestJet Airlines Ltd .
Passenger numbers in Canada were down 90 per cent year over year in July , though the 845,000 travellers made up nearly twice the number of the previous month , according to Statistics Canada .
`` We are in dire , dire straits .
Air Canada is blowing through about $ 15 million a day in cash ... That is completely unsustainable , '' said Dias , whose union represents 15,000 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ baggage handlers and customers sales agents .
Dias applauded Prime Minister Justin Trudeau 's government for extending the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy into next summer , but noted that some carriers such as Air Canada have not signed on , leaving thousands of former employees without a steady income .
Meanwhile the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility ( LEEFF ) , a federal program that provides loans starting at $ 60 million to large firms , `` just is n't working '' due to `` incredible restrictions '' and roughly eight per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throne speech last week , the Liberal government pledged to `` support regional routes , '' but has provided no details .
“ Unfortunately , the Trudeau government continues to leave the thousands of Canadians who rely on the aviation industry in the dark about how or if they will have jobs to return to , '' said Conservative transport critic Stephanie Kusie , who called the LEEFF program `` broken and untenable . ''
NDP labour critic Scott Duvall echoed the unions in demanding that help go `` directly to workers and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ . ''
Airlines should also be required to refund the thousands of passengers whose flights were cancelled as a result of the coronavirus , he said in a statement .
The National Airlines Council of Canada welcomed the plea from union leaders and backed their call for government adoption of a rapid testing regime as a critical step toward recovery , which remains in `` Stage Zero , '' president Mike McNaney said in a release .
Air Canada — one of the council 's four members — announced Thursday it has finalized @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by U.S.-based Abbott Laboratories .
The health-care company 's point-of-care kits , called ID NOW tests , will be taken voluntarily by employees , Air Canada said .

Labour leaders are calling on Ottawa to provide immediate financial aid and rapid viral testing to an airline industry devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. The heads of two pilots' unions and Unifor asked the federal government on Thursday to offer carriers loans totalling $7 billion at a one per cent interest rate. The 10-year credit plan being requested includes loan guarantees and direct financial aid, but no grants and aligns with the support extended by other countries, they said. The unions also asked Ottawa to back approval and deployment of rapid COVID-19 tests for passengers as a step toward easing travel restrictions and quarantine rules. “The COVID-19 pandemic has created a crisis in Canada's aviation industry unlike anything seen before, and recovery may be years away," Tim Perry, head of the Air Line Pilots Association's Canadian branch, said at a news conference in Toronto.
"Make no mistake, decimating this industry today will impede the recovery for Canadians tomorrow and beyond," said Robert Giguere, head of the Air Canada Pilots Association. Labour groups differed on the best approach to a bailout. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The Canadian Union of Public Employees, which was not a part of the media event Thursday, said any government support should include "significant carve-outs for supporting workers, rather than protecting only corporate bottom lines."
CUPE, which represents 15,000 flight attendants, also said a government stake in the companies should be a condition of any federal assistance, with parallels to Germany's $14-billion bailout of Lufthansa that saw the government take a 20 per cent share of the airline. Labour leaders are calling on Ottawa to provide immediate financial aid and rapid viral testing to an airline industry devastated by the COVID-19 pandemic. #cdnpoli However, Unifor president Jerry Dias said a government stake should only come into consideration if an airline defaults on a loan. Governments across the globe have doled out $123 billion to assist the airline industry, Dias said. Canada, on the other hand, has steered clear of sector-specific support, instead rolling out financial aid such as wage subsidies available to many industries. Ottawa has also held off on requiring airlines to refund customers whose flights were cancelled due to the pandemic, potentially saving carriers hundreds of millions of dollars. In contrast, European and U.S. authorities have demanded airlines reimburse travellers, on top of the strings attached to financial lifelines that range from limiting dividends and executive bonuses to cutting carbon emissions and carving out ownership stakes for government. Travel restrictions and dried-up demand continue to take a toll on the airline and tourism industries. More than 30,000 employees have been laid off or furloughed at Air Canada and WestJet Airlines Ltd. Passenger numbers in Canada were down 90 per cent year over year in July, though the 845,000 travellers made up nearly twice the number of the previous month, according to Statistics Canada.
"We are in dire, dire straits. Air Canada is blowing through about $15 million a day in cash... That is completely unsustainable," said Dias, whose union represents 15,000 workers in the industry including pilots, baggage handlers and customers sales agents. Dias applauded Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's government for extending the Canada Emergency Wage Subsidy into next summer, but noted that some carriers such as Air Canada have not signed on, leaving thousands of former employees without a steady income. Meanwhile the Large Employer Emergency Financing Facility (LEEFF), a federal program that provides loans starting at $60 million to large firms, "just isn't working" due to "incredible restrictions" and roughly eight per cent interest, he said. In its throne speech last week, the Liberal government pledged to "support regional routes," but has provided no details.


nationalobserver--2020-10-02--Trudeau sends good wishes to Trumps after positive COVID test

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie are sending their best wishes to Donald Trump and his wife Melania after the pair tested positive for COVID-19 .
Trudeau says on Twitter that they are hoping for a full recovery for the president and the first lady .
Sophie and I are sending our best wishes to @ POTUS Trump and @ FLOTUS .
We hope you both get well soon and have a full recovery from this virus .
— Justin Trudeau ( @ JustinTrudeau ) October 2 , 2020 Trump dropped the bombshell early Friday just hours after Hope @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , tested positive herself .
Tonight , @ FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19 .
We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately .
We will get through this TOGETHER !
— Donald J. Trump ( @ realDonaldTrump ) October 2 , 2020 He says he and Melania will quarantine at home , an ironic development for a president and an administration that critics have assailed for a cavalier and haphazard approach to the pandemic .
• New data shows extent of opioid crisis across Canada • New benefits for workers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Missing ballots , donations have two Green candidates questioning the race The revelations are galvanizing Washington with questions about everything from the first family 's true health ⏤ the president is 74 , in a high-risk age group ⏤ to how deeply the virus has infected the White House .
Vice-President Mike Pence and his wife Karen , meanwhile , say they have both tested negative for the virus .
`` Sophie and I are sending our best wishes to @ POTUS Trump and @ FLOTUS , '' Trudeau tweeted .
`` We @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a full recovery from this virus . ''
Sophie Grégoire Trudeau tested positive for COVID-19 early in the pandemic .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 2 , 2020 .

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and wife Sophie are sending their best wishes to Donald Trump and his wife Melania after the pair tested positive for COVID-19. Trudeau says on Twitter that they are hoping for a full recovery for the president and the first lady. Sophie and I are sending our best wishes to @POTUS Trump and @FLOTUS. We hope you both get well soon and have a full recovery from this virus. — Justin Trudeau (@JustinTrudeau) October 2, 2020 Trump dropped the bombshell early Friday just hours after Hope Hicks, one of his closest advisers, tested positive herself. Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately. We will get through this TOGETHER! — Donald J. Trump (@realDonaldTrump) October 2, 2020
He says he and Melania will quarantine at home, an ironic development for a president and an administration that critics have assailed for a cavalier and haphazard approach to the pandemic. The revelations are galvanizing Washington with questions about everything from the first family's true health ⏤ the president is 74, in a high-risk age group ⏤ to how deeply the virus has infected the White House. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Vice-President Mike Pence and his wife Karen, meanwhile, say they have both tested negative for the virus.


nationalobserver--2020-10-02--Federal Liberals want to outlaw forced LGBTQ conversion therapy

The federal Liberals have reintroduced a bill that would ban forcing children or adults to undergo therapy aimed at altering their sexual orientation or gender identity .
The government had previously introduced the legislation in March , just before Parliament shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic , and then their decision to prorogue in August erased the bill from the House of Commons agenda .
Diversity Minister Bardish Chagger said choosing to reintroduce an effort to ban so-called conversion therapy just days into the new parliamentary session sends a strong signal .
`` On this side of the House @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights , '' she told the House of Commons Thursday .
• New data shows extent of opioid crisis across Canada • New benefits for workers hurt by pandemic stalls in Senate • Missing ballots , donations have two Green candidates questioning the race The NDP had backed the previous bill .
They suggested Thursday they would support this one as well , ensuring its passage through the House of Commons .
`` Attempting to change a person 's sexual orientation or gender identity is impossible and the attempts themselves do great harm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rejection by family , friends and their community , '' NDP MP Randall Garrison said in the House of Commons .
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole called conversion therapy wrong and said it should be banned .
But he accused Liberals of deliberately introducing a potentially divisive piece of legislation just as he 's begun his job as leader of the party .
There are MPs in his caucus who have been vocally opposed to the bill in the past .
The new bill ignores the `` drafting failures '' of the first one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one of the goals of legislative drafting but the Liberals know that clarity and sincerity do n't always make for good wedge politics in the age of Twitter , '' he said .
The federal Liberals have reintroduced a bill that would ban forcing children or adults to undergo therapy aimed at altering their sexual orientation or gender identity .
`` The government knows if the bill is more clearly drafted they might lose their 'gotcha ' effect that is becoming far too common in the politics we see to the south of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ conversation therapy for minors and also outlaw forcing an adult to undergo conversation therapy against their will .
The bill would also ban removing a minor from Canada for the purpose of obtaining conversion therapy abroad .
The bill also aims to make it illegal to profit from providing conversion therapy and to advertise an offer to provide conversion therapy .
The new offences would not apply to those who provide support to individuals questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity , such as parents , friends , teachers , doctors , mental @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and faith leaders .
But those who oppose the bill have suggested it is too vaguely worded to assure those protections .
Among them , former leadership contestant and MP Derek Sloan , who has the previous bill amounts to `` effectively putting into law child abuse '' because it promotes gender-reassignment surgery and criminalizes conversations between parents and their kids .
Justice Minister David Lametti insisted Thursday it does not .
He said conversations youth have with supportive adults and professionals are critical to their development .
The bill also would n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ on sexual orientation or gender identity are expressed , he said .
`` What this bill targets , what we are targeting , are those who actively work to and provide services designed to change someone 's gender identity . ''
Lametti said the Liberals will work in good faith with the opposition on the bill and noted the support O'Toole gave the ban itself .
`` If Mr. O'Toole is sincere , and I think he is , it will be up to him to bring his caucus in line . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ party will also support the bill .
`` The sooner ( LGBTQ2 people ) get all the respect that they deserve as much as anybody else , the sooner it is possible , the sooner it must happen , '' he said .
O'Toole 's office did not directly answer a question about whether Conservative MPs would be told how to vote on the bill or allowed to choose .
During the leadership race , O'Toole had pledged to allow free votes on matters of conscience .
He has specifically mentioned that legislation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Many Tories are against the law , and O'Toole himself voted against it .
But amendments to it are required to conform with a court ruling last year .
It struck down a provision that only allows those near death to end their lives with medical assistance .
The Liberals put forward a bill with the changes before prorogation , meaning they now have to introduce it again .
The court gave the government until Dec. 18 to change the law , and Lametti said Thursday bill will be tabled `` in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1 , 2020 .

The federal Liberals have reintroduced a bill that would ban forcing children or adults to undergo therapy aimed at altering their sexual orientation or gender identity. The government had previously introduced the legislation in March, just before Parliament shut down due to the COVID-19 pandemic, and then their decision to prorogue in August erased the bill from the House of Commons agenda. Diversity Minister Bardish Chagger said choosing to reintroduce an effort to ban so-called conversion therapy just days into the new parliamentary session sends a strong signal. She called conversion therapy destructive, harmful and deadly "On this side of the House we focus on advancing and protecting LGBTQ2 rights," she told the House of Commons Thursday.
The NDP had backed the previous bill. They suggested Thursday they would support this one as well, ensuring its passage through the House of Commons. "Attempting to change a person's sexual orientation or gender identity is impossible and the attempts themselves do great harm to those fearing or already suffering from rejection by family, friends and their community," NDP MP Randall Garrison said in the House of Commons. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole called conversion therapy wrong and said it should be banned.
But he accused Liberals of deliberately introducing a potentially divisive piece of legislation just as he's begun his job as leader of the party. There are MPs in his caucus who have been vocally opposed to the bill in the past. The federal Liberals have reintroduced a bill that would ban forcing children or adults to undergo therapy aimed at altering their sexual orientation or gender identity. The new bill ignores the "drafting failures" of the first one, O'Toole said. "Clarity is one of the goals of legislative drafting but the Liberals know that clarity and sincerity don't always make for good wedge politics in the age of Twitter," he said. "The government knows if the bill is more clearly drafted they might lose their 'gotcha' effect that is becoming far too common in the politics we see to the south of us." The bill would ban conversation therapy for minors and also outlaw forcing an adult to undergo conversation therapy against their will. The bill would also ban removing a minor from Canada for the purpose of obtaining conversion therapy abroad.
The bill also aims to make it illegal to profit from providing conversion therapy and to advertise an offer to provide conversion therapy. The new offences would not apply to those who provide support to individuals questioning their sexual orientation or gender identity, such as parents, friends, teachers, doctors, mental health professionals, school or pastoral counsellors and faith leaders.
But those who oppose the bill have suggested it is too vaguely worded to assure those protections. Among them, former leadership contestant and MP Derek Sloan, who has the previous bill amounts to "effectively putting into law child abuse" because it promotes gender-reassignment surgery and criminalizes conversations between parents and their kids.


nationalobserver--2020-10-02--President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the coronavirus

President Donald Trump said early Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the coronavirus , a stunning announcement that plunges the country deeper into uncertainty just a month before the presidential election .
Trump , who has spent much of the year downplaying the threat of a virus that has killed more than 205,000 Americans , said he and Mrs. Trump were quarantining .
The White House physician said the president is expected to continue carrying out his duties `` without disruption '' while recovering .
Still , Trump 's diagnosis was sure to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ questions about how far the virus had spread through the highest levels of the U.S. government .
Hours before Trump announced he had contracted the virus , the White House said a top aide who had travelled with him during the week had tested positive .
`` Tonight , @ FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19 .
We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately , '' Trump tweeted just before 1 a.m. `` We will get through this TOGETHER ! ''
Trump was last seen by reporters returning to the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not appear visibly ill. Trump is 74 years old , putting him at higher risk of serious complications from a virus that has infected more than 7 million people nationwide .
• New data shows extent of opioid crisis across Canada • New benefits for workers hurt by pandemic stalls in Senate • Missing ballots , donations have two Green candidates questioning the race The president 's physician said in a memo that Trump and the first lady , who is 50 , `` are both well at this time '' and `` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ White House during their convalescence . ''
The diagnosis marks a devastating blow for a president who has been trying desperately to convince the American public that the worst of the pandemic is behind them .
In the best of cases , if he develops no symptoms , which can include fever , cough and breathing trouble , it will force him off the campaign trail just weeks before the election .
Trump 's handling of the pandemic has already been a major flashpoint in his race against Democrat Joe Biden , who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ campaign trail and at his home in Delaware because of the virus .
Biden has since resumed a more active campaign schedule , but with small , socially distanced crowds .
He also regularly wears a mask in public , something Trump mocked him for at Tuesday night ’ s debate .

President Donald Trump said early Friday that he and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the coronavirus, a stunning announcement that plunges the country deeper into uncertainty just a month before the presidential election.
Trump, who has spent much of the year downplaying the threat of a virus that has killed more than 205,000 Americans, said he and Mrs. Trump were quarantining. The White House physician said the president is expected to continue carrying out his duties "without disruption" while recovering.
Still, Trump's diagnosis was sure to have a destabilizing effect in Washington, raising questions about how far the virus had spread through the highest levels of the U.S. government. Hours before Trump announced he had contracted the virus, the White House said a top aide who had travelled with him during the week had tested positive.
"Tonight, @FLOTUS and I tested positive for COVID-19. We will begin our quarantine and recovery process immediately," Trump tweeted just before 1 a.m. "We will get through this TOGETHER!"
Trump was last seen by reporters returning to the White House on Thursday evening and did not appear visibly ill. Trump is 74 years old, putting him at higher risk of serious complications from a virus that has infected more than 7 million people nationwide.


nationalobserver--2020-10-02--Ontario will not appeal ruling against carbon tax stickers

Ontario will not appeal a court ruling against its anti-carbon tax stickers , the government said Thursday , putting an end to an 18-month political and legal battle between Ottawa and the province .
Last month , a Superior Court judge struck down a law that forced Ontario gas stations to display the stickers , calling it unconstitutional .
Energy Minister Greg Rickford said the province will abide by that decision .
`` We stand by our position that Ontarians deserve to know the true cost of the federal carbon tax , '' Rickford said in a statement .
`` @ @ @ @ @ @ @ focus is protecting the health and well-being of the people of Ontario as we continue to battle COVID-19 . ''
Justice Edward Morgan ruled in early September that Premier Doug Ford and his Progressive Conservative government overstepped in mandating the stickers , saying the Federal Carbon Tax Transparency Act could not be justified under the charter .
`` A government or political party can , in the words of Ontario 's Minister of Energy , 'stick it to ' another tier of government or political party as a matter of free speech in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Morgan wrote .
`` But a government can not legislate a requirement that private retailers post a sticker designed to accomplish that task . ''
• New data shows extent of opioid crisis across Canada • New benefits for workers hurt by pandemic stalls in Senate • Missing ballots , donations have two Green candidates questioning the race Under the law , gas stations that did n't display the stickers faced fines of up to $ 10,000 per day , though a judge later lowered the daily penalty to $ 150 .
Morgan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ can now choose to leave the stickers up or tear them down .
The stickers show the federal carbon tax adding 4.4 cents per litre to the price of gas now , rising to 11 cents a litre in 2022 .
They do not include information about rebates available to residents .
The Canadian Civil Liberties Association , which brought the challenge a year ago , welcomed news of the province 's decision not to appeal the ruling .
`` Not forcing businesses to convey their own political messages is a good call @ @ @ @ @ @ @ CCLA said in a tweet .
Ontario Green party Leader Mike Schreiner said the anti-carbon tax stickers belong in the `` dustbin of history .
Ontario will not appeal a court ruling against its anti-carbon tax stickers , the government said on Thursday , October 1 , 2020 , putting an end to an 18-month political and legal battle between Ottawa and the province .
`` I still can not believe the Premier thought he could get away with this ridiculous stunt , '' Schreiner said in a statement .
`` The Premier @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , but it does n't change his total inaction on the climate crisis . ''
Ford has defended his `` Made in Ontario '' climate change plan , saying in late 2019 that the province was on track to meet its emissions reduction targets for 2030 — a claim the province 's auditor general has said is not based on sound evidence .
The New Democrats on Thursday called on the government to release the full cost of the `` stickers that did n't stick , '' including design and legal fees .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ not challenge this decision .
We remain horrified that it happened in the first place , '' NDP energy critic Peter Tabuns said in a statement .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1 , 2020 .

Ontario will not appeal a court ruling against its anti-carbon tax stickers, the government said Thursday, putting an end to an 18-month political and legal battle between Ottawa and the province.
Last month, a Superior Court judge struck down a law that forced Ontario gas stations to display the stickers, calling it unconstitutional. Energy Minister Greg Rickford said the province will abide by that decision.
"We stand by our position that Ontarians deserve to know the true cost of the federal carbon tax," Rickford said in a statement. "Right now, however, our sole focus is protecting the health and well-being of the people of Ontario as we continue to battle COVID-19."
Justice Edward Morgan ruled in early September that Premier Doug Ford and his Progressive Conservative government overstepped in mandating the stickers, saying the Federal Carbon Tax Transparency Act could not be justified under the charter.
"A government or political party can, in the words of Ontario's Minister of Energy, 'stick it to' another tier of government or political party as a matter of free speech in an election campaign or otherwise," Morgan wrote. "But a government cannot legislate a requirement that private retailers post a sticker designed to accomplish that task."


nationalobserver--2020-10-02--Trump tests positive for coronavirus, here's a look at Canadian politicians and coronavirus

United States President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19 .
Here is a look as some Canadian politicians who have tested positive or needed to isolate themselves and get tested for COVID-19 : Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole _ O'Toole and his wife tested positive for the virus last month , not long after O'Toole won the leadership of the party .
It 's believed he contracted the virus from a staffer who was in his immediate circle .
He emerged from quarantine this week to deliver his official reply to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ We all have to be very cautious , '' he said upon his return .
Yves-Francois Blanchet _ The Bloc Quebecois leader and his wife also tested positive for the virus last month .
He returned to Parliament the same day as O'Toole saying he was lucky to have caught a mild case of the illness .
`` Some people go through it much more painfully than I did , '' he said .
`` I was very , very , very lucky .
Some people die of that thing . ''
Prime @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sophie Gregoire Trudeau tested positive for COVID-19 on March 12 after a trip to the United Kingdom .
The prime minister subsequently went into a 14-day isolation at home with his three kids , just as the pandemic lockdown was beginning in Canada .
Trudeau remained in isolation for almost a month , not returning to Parliament Hill until April 8 .
He never developed symptoms and never got tested for COVID-19 , but says he will take an antibody test when they are widely available .
Bill Morneau _ The former federal @ @ @ @ @ @ @ eight MPs who were tested for COVID-19 and self-isolated after meeting with United Nations World Food Program executive director David Beasley in Ottawa on March 11 and March 12 .
Beasley met privately with Morneau , attended a reception and appeared at a House of Commons committee .
He tested positive for COVID-19 about a week later .
Liberal Anita Vandenbeld , NDP Heather McPherson , and Conservatives David Sweet , Mike Lake and Randy Hoback are among those who isolated after coming into contact with Beasley .
None tested positive .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ across Canada • New benefits for workers hurt by pandemic stalls in Senate • Missing ballots , donations have two Green candidates questioning the race Kamal Khera _ The Brampton-West Liberal MP was the first Canadian politician to test positive for COVID-19 on March 25 .
Khera developed flu-like symptoms and was tested the next day .
She was one of the MPs who met with Beasley , though her office said it was not clear where she contracted the virus .
Seamus O'Regan _ The federal minister of natural resources was tested @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a bad cold .
He had earlier gone to a mining conference in Toronto attended by more than 23,000 people from around the world .
At least three people at the conference tested positive for COVID-19 , but O'Regan was not among them .
Francois-Philippe Champagne _ The foreign affairs minister was tested for COVID-19 in March after falling ill following a trip overseas .
He tested negative .
Mary Ng _ The international trade minister went into isolation March 11 on the advice of her doctor after a persistent cough , and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
She tested negative .
Jagmeet Singh _ The NDP Leader isolated himself in March out of an abundance of caution when he experienced mild cold symptoms .
Anthony Housefather _ The Montreal Liberal MP put himself into isolation in mid-March after returning from the American Israel Public Affairs Committee conference in Washington , D.C. the first three days of March .
A Toronto resident who also attended the conference tested positive after returning home .
US President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the virus that causes @ @ @ @ @ @ @ some Canadian politicians who have tested positive or needed to isolate themselves and get tested for COVID-19 .
Sylvie Parent _ The mayor of Longueuil , Que.
, on Montreal 's south shore , tested positive for COVID-19 this week .
Her positive test has led to the isolation and testing of at least seven other Quebec politicians , including three provincial cabinet ministers and Montreal Mayor Valerie Plante .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 1 , 2020 .

United States President Donald Trump and first lady Melania Trump have tested positive for the virus that causes COVID-19. Here is a look as some Canadian politicians who have tested positive or needed to isolate themselves and get tested for COVID-19:
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole _ O'Toole and his wife tested positive for the virus last month, not long after O'Toole won the leadership of the party. It's believed he contracted the virus from a staffer who was in his immediate circle. He emerged from quarantine this week to deliver his official reply to the Liberals' throne speech. "We all have to be very cautious," he said upon his return.
Yves-Francois Blanchet _ The Bloc Quebecois leader and his wife also tested positive for the virus last month. He returned to Parliament the same day as O'Toole saying he was lucky to have caught a mild case of the illness. "Some people go through it much more painfully than I did," he said. "I was very, very, very lucky. Some people die of that thing."
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau _ Trudeau's wife Sophie Gregoire Trudeau tested positive for COVID-19 on March 12 after a trip to the United Kingdom. The prime minister subsequently went into a 14-day isolation at home with his three kids, just as the pandemic lockdown was beginning in Canada. Trudeau remained in isolation for almost a month, not returning to Parliament Hill until April 8. He never developed symptoms and never got tested for COVID-19, but says he will take an antibody test when they are widely available.
Bill Morneau _ The former federal finance minister was one of at least eight MPs who were tested for COVID-19 and self-isolated after meeting with United Nations World Food Program executive director David Beasley in Ottawa on March 11 and March 12. Beasley met privately with Morneau, attended a reception and appeared at a House of Commons committee. He tested positive for COVID-19 about a week later. Liberal Anita Vandenbeld, NDP Heather McPherson, and Conservatives David Sweet, Mike Lake and Randy Hoback are among those who isolated after coming into contact with Beasley. None tested positive.


nationalobserver--2020-10-03--Hearing over controversial Coastal GasLink pipeline resume

Arguments over the extension of the environmental assessment certificate for a natural gas pipeline in B.C .
resumed in court on Friday with lawyers for Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs telling a judge an evaluation is needed on the potential risk of violence to Indigenous women and girls .
Lawyers for the Office of the Wet'suwet'en are seeking an order in B.C .
Supreme Court quashing the decision to extend the certificate for Coastal GasLink 's 670-kilometre pipeline project , which has been the source of national protests .
They argued in part that B.C .
's Environmental Assessment Office did not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls when it approved the extension .
They also pointed to more than 50 instances of Coastal Gaslink 's failure to adhere to existing conditions throughout last year , arguing it 's not clear whether the company 's track record of non-compliance was considered by the director when making the decision .
They said on Thursday the regulatory agency has the power to attach new conditions when it extends a certificate under B.C .
's Environmental Assessment Act .
Counsel for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the legislation on Friday , telling the court that its executive director already has the power to amend the conditions of a certificate outside the scope of an extension application .
Karrie Wolfe also argued that quashing the extension of Coastal GasLink 's certificate could leave the pipeline that 's under construction in northern B.C .
in a `` vacuum , '' since the original certificate expired last October .
If the decision is quashed , she said there would be no certificate to attach conditions to .
• Solar energy firms @ @ @ @ @ @ @ point • New data shows extent of opioid crisis across Canada • The soil revolution that could save farming and the climate Caily DiPuma , counsel for the Office of the Wet'suwet'en , suggested an alternative remedy could be an interim injunction pausing construction until the regulator reconsiders its decision .
`` The risk of violence and harm to Indigenous women and girls persists today and every day the project construction continues without a proper assessment of that harm and mitigation as necessary , '' she told the court on Friday .
The @ @ @ @ @ @ @ scope and the meaning of records from the decision to extend the pipeline certificate .
Wolfe asserted the records show the Environmental Assessment Office and its director were handling issues of non-compliance as well as concerns over work camps for resource extraction projects in relation to gender-based harm .
DiPuma conceded the documents are part of the `` universe of records '' related to the decision , but said `` we ca n't know whether they were considered by the executive director in making the decision . ''
On Thursday , DiPuma said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ unreasonable , arguing that the assessment office failed to assess potential gender-based harms or offer any mitigation measures .
Wolfe replied on Friday that even if the office had a duty to provide its reasons for a given decision , they do not have to be exhaustive or address every single comment or concern .
Lawyers for Coastal GasLink appeared briefly on Friday , but court was adjourned before they could fully present their positions .
The hearing resumes Oct. 16 .
The Office of the Wet'suwet'en is a non-profit society governed by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pipeline sparked countrywide protests in February .
Five elected Wet'suwet'en band councils have signed agreements with the company approving construction .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Oct. 2 , 2020 .
— This story was produced with the financial assistance of the Facebook and Canadian Press News Fellowship

Arguments over the extension of the environmental assessment certificate for a natural gas pipeline in B.C. resumed in court on Friday with lawyers for Wet'suwet'en hereditary chiefs telling a judge an evaluation is needed on the potential risk of violence to Indigenous women and girls.
Lawyers for the Office of the Wet'suwet'en are seeking an order in B.C. Supreme Court quashing the decision to extend the certificate for Coastal GasLink's 670-kilometre pipeline project, which has been the source of national protests.
They argued in part that B.C.'s Environmental Assessment Office did not meaningfully address the findings of the 2019 report from the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls when it approved the extension.
They also pointed to more than 50 instances of Coastal Gaslink's failure to adhere to existing conditions throughout last year, arguing it's not clear whether the company's track record of non-compliance was considered by the director when making the decision.
They said on Thursday the regulatory agency has the power to attach new conditions when it extends a certificate under B.C.'s Environmental Assessment Act.
Counsel for the Environmental Assessment Office disputed their interpretation of the legislation on Friday, telling the court that its executive director already has the power to amend the conditions of a certificate outside the scope of an extension application.
Karrie Wolfe also argued that quashing the extension of Coastal GasLink's certificate could leave the pipeline that's under construction in northern B.C. in a "vacuum," since the original certificate expired last October. If the decision is quashed, she said there would be no certificate to attach conditions to.