nationalobserver--2020-07-12--Canada's largest Indigenous police force has never shot and killed anyone

In its 26 years of existence , officers with Canada 's largest Indigenous police force have never shot and killed anyone and no officer has died in the line of duty , despite a grinding lack of resources and an absence of normal accountability mechanisms .
It 's a record of which the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service is proud , especially in light of the recent uproar in North America over police killings and brutality involving Indigenous , Black , and mentally distressed people .
It 's a record achieved in communities frequently in social distress , places where hunting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ key difference from urban , non-Indigenous policing , insiders and observers say , is the relationship building between officers and the people they serve .
`` In the past , you might have been the only officer in there , '' Roland Morrison , chief of NAPS says from Thunder Bay , Ont .
`` You would have no radio , you 've got no backup , so you really effectively have to use your communication and talk to people .
You have to develop relationships with the communities in order to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , NAPS is responsible for policing more than 38,000 people in 34 communities , many beyond remote , across a vast , largely untamed swath of northern Ontario .
Currently the service has 203 officers , about 60 per cent of them Indigenous , Morrison says .
Its mandate is culturally responsive policing .
• Rep. Adam Schiff could n't resist : `` We may all be moving to Canada soon '' • Islanders want BC Ferries to follow order that lets residents board before tourists • Are taxes going to have to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , a criminology PhD candidate at the University of Toronto , says people from First Nation communities — many with an ingrained suspicion of police given the brutal realities of generations of enforced residential school attendance — have a higher level of trust when officers are Indigenous .
In contrast , he said , new RCMP recruits with no such background might find themselves in Nunavut or Yukon confronted with significant language and cultural barriers .
`` If you 're from the community , you have those lived experiences .
You can relate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to deal with the issues , '' says Laming , who is from the Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation north of Kingston , Ont .
`` If you do n't have that history , you can have all the cultural-sensitivity training in the world , you 'll never fully be able to fully integrate into that situation . ''
Another example , he said , is the service in Kahnawake , Que.
, which calls itself the Kahnawake Peacekeepers rather than a police force .
While all officers in Ontario undergo the same basic @ @ @ @ @ @ @ police services are fundamentally different from their non-Indigenous counterparts .
The key difference from urban , non-Indigenous policing , insiders and observers say , is the relationship building between officers and the people they serve .
For one thing , they are not deemed an essential service , although federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said last month that policing First Nations communities should be .
Nor are those in Ontario subject to the provincial Police Services Act , which mandates standards , including for an extensive oversight framework .
Now , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an Indigenous police force is ad hoc , although NAPS does have a professional standards branch and will on occasion call in Ontario Provincial Police .
Officers have been disciplined , charged or even fired for excessive use of force .
Another difference is that Indigenous forces are completely reliant on the vagaries of government program funding — with Ottawa footing 52 per cent of the bill and provinces 48 per cent .
The current operations budget for NAPS , for example , is around $ 37.7 million — more than its peers @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The upshot , particularly in years gone by , has been a dire shortage of officers and even of basic facilities and equipment that urbanites can scarcely imagine .
In more than a dozen cases , Indigenous self-administered police services in Canada have simply folded .
Now retired , Terry Armstrong , who spent 22 years with Ontario Provincial Police as well as five years as chief of NAPS , says people would be shocked to find out just how poorly funded First Nations policing has been .
Armstrong recounts how a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Bay community of Fort Severn , Ont.
, a NAPS officer found himself dealing with a homicide .
Besides having to secure three crime scenes and the body , the lone officer had to arrest the suspect and deal with a separate gun call .
Bad weather prevented any forensic or other help flying in until the following day .
One thing he always stressed to newcomers as chief , Armstrong says , is the importance of treating people respectfully .
`` Some day , they 're going to be your backup .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ going to need people to support you , '' he says .
`` If you 're going to be a dick ... when you need help , they are n't going to be there for you . ''
One frigid afternoon in February 2013 , the only on-duty NAPS officer in Kasabonika Lake First Nation in Ontario 's far north detained Lena Anderson , an intoxicated young mother upset over the apprehension of her daughter .
The new detachment portable was unheated .
The old holding cell was unusable because prisoners could escape @ @ @ @ @ @ @ arresting officer left Anderson , 23 , in the caged back seat of his Ford 150 police truck for warmth while he went to get help from his off-duty colleague .
Alone for 16 minutes , Anderson strangled herself .
The tragedy , combined with a threatened strike over working conditions by NAPS officers , caused an uproar .
The situation , says Grand Chief Alvin Fiddler , prompted his Nishnawbe Aski Nation to take a stand .
Governments , he said , had to do better or face the far more daunting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ As a result , Fiddler says , a new funding agreement was reached in 2018 that allowed the hiring of 79 new officers over five years and critical infrastructure upgrades to detachments and poor or non-existent communication systems .
Most importantly , he said , the deal set in motion pending Ontario legislation that would finally allow First Nations police services to opt in to the Police Services Act , putting in place solid standards and accountability mechanisms .
`` That 's something our communities and citizens deserve . ''
Fiddler says .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ NAPS , there should be a forum for them to pursue their grievance . ''
However , giving investigative authority to the province 's Special Investigations Unit or Office of the Independent Police Review Director must come with cultural safety built in , he says .
Stephen Leach , current review director , says his office is not yet involved in the opt-in process .
`` My expectation is that once the Community Safety and Policing Act is proclaimed and the opt-in process is further along , then I would be involved in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and listening to how it might have to be adapted to meet the needs of First Nations communities , '' Leach says .
Stephen Warner , a spokesman for Ontario Solicitor General Sylvia Jones , confirmed the government was working on regulations to the new act .
Part of the work , he said , was to set clear and consistent standards for policing delivery `` informed by , and responsive to , the views of the communities that police are both a part of and serve . ''
Toronto-based lawyer Julian @ @ @ @ @ @ @ changer .
Despite having devoted much of his career to holding police accountable , he says he has no qualms in representing NAPS .
Despite , or perhaps because of , their chronic lack of resources , Falconer says Indigenous police behave much differently from their urban counterparts .
He cites the dearth of police killings and racist behaviours that have sown deep mistrust of policing among Indigenous , Black and marginalized groups .
`` Mainstream policing has a lot to learn from Indigenous policing , '' Falconer said .
`` The relationship @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on July 12

In its 26 years of existence, officers with Canada's largest Indigenous police force have never shot and killed anyone and no officer has died in the line of duty, despite a grinding lack of resources and an absence of normal accountability mechanisms. It's a record of which the Nishnawbe Aski Police Service is proud, especially in light of the recent uproar in North America over police killings and brutality involving Indigenous, Black, and mentally distressed people. It's a record achieved in communities frequently in social distress, places where hunting rifles and shotguns are ubiquitous. The key difference from urban, non-Indigenous policing, insiders and observers say, is the relationship building between officers and the people they serve. "In the past, you might have been the only officer in there," Roland Morrison, chief of NAPS says from Thunder Bay, Ont. "You would have no radio, you've got no backup, so you really effectively have to use your communication and talk to people. You have to develop relationships with the communities in order to have positive policing." Inaugurated in 1994, NAPS is responsible for policing more than 38,000 people in 34 communities, many beyond remote, across a vast, largely untamed swath of northern Ontario. Currently the service has 203 officers, about 60 per cent of them Indigenous, Morrison says. Its mandate is culturally responsive policing.
Erick Laming, a criminology PhD candidate at the University of Toronto, says people from First Nation communities — many with an ingrained suspicion of police given the brutal realities of generations of enforced residential school attendance — have a higher level of trust when officers are Indigenous. In contrast, he said, new RCMP recruits with no such background might find themselves in Nunavut or Yukon confronted with significant language and cultural barriers. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "If you're from the community, you have those lived experiences. You can relate to people. You just know how to deal with the issues," says Laming, who is from the Shabot Obaadjiwan First Nation north of Kingston, Ont.
"If you don't have that history, you can have all the cultural-sensitivity training in the world, you'll never fully be able to fully integrate into that situation." The key difference from urban, non-Indigenous policing, insiders and observers say, is the relationship building between officers and the people they serve. Another example, he said, is the service in Kahnawake, Que., which calls itself the Kahnawake Peacekeepers rather than a police force. While all officers in Ontario undergo the same basic training, the province's nine Indigenous police services are fundamentally different from their non-Indigenous counterparts. For one thing, they are not deemed an essential service, although federal Public Safety Minister Bill Blair said last month that policing First Nations communities should be. Nor are those in Ontario subject to the provincial Police Services Act, which mandates standards, including for an extensive oversight framework. Now, the process for filing complaints against members of an Indigenous police force is ad hoc, although NAPS does have a professional standards branch and will on occasion call in Ontario Provincial Police. Officers have been disciplined, charged or even fired for excessive use of force.
Another difference is that Indigenous forces are completely reliant on the vagaries of government program funding — with Ottawa footing 52 per cent of the bill and provinces 48 per cent. The current operations budget for NAPS, for example, is around $37.7 million — more than its peers — with expenses approaching $40 million. The upshot, particularly in years gone by, has been a dire shortage of officers and even of basic facilities and equipment that urbanites can scarcely imagine. In more than a dozen cases, Indigenous self-administered police services in Canada have simply folded. Now retired, Terry Armstrong, who spent 22 years with Ontario Provincial Police as well as five years as chief of NAPS, says people would be shocked to find out just how poorly funded First Nations policing has been.


nationalobserver--2020-07-12--Conservatives don't want to bring down Liberal government over WE

Conservative MPs said Friday their party does n't want to bring down the government over the latest ethics scandal ensnaring Prime Minister Justin Trudeau .
Current leader Andrew Scheer is in his final weeks in the job .
Party members are now voting for his replacement with the winner to be announced in late August .
Meanwhile , the issue is not going away .
The ethics commissioner has been called in to see if Trudeau broke conflict-of-interest law in awarding a multimillion-dollar contract to the WE organization , given Trudeau 's long-standing family ties to the organization .
• @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We may all be moving to Canada soon '' • Islanders want BC Ferries to follow order that lets residents board before tourists • Are taxes going to have to go up in Canada ?
The commissioner is also being asked to probe Finance Minister Bill Morneau 's ties as well — one of the minister 's daughters works for the organization .
The Liberals , and WE , have said there is no direct link between the awarding of the contract to run the $ 900 million Canada Student Services Grant @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the Trudeaus .
The Conservatives also say that revelations Trudeau family members have been paid by WE for speaking engagements in the past elevates the seriousness of the matter .
The party says the police should investigate for possible fraud .
Trudeau himself was never paid .
Both ethics and criminal investigations take time .
The investigation by the ethics commissioner into the SNC-Lavalin affair was requested in February 2019 and completed in August of that year .
Conservative MPs said on Friday , July 10 , 2020 , their party does n't @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the latest ethics scandal ensnaring Prime Minister Justin Trudeau .
The Senate expenses scandal first broke in 2012 and it took two years for criminal charges related to fraud to surface in that case .
Former Conservative senator Mike Duffy was acquitted on all of them in April 2016 .
So , given that the Opposition Conservatives will have a new boss while the WE story likely continues to percolate , how will Scheer 's replacement seek to proceed ?
The Canadian Press asked all four leadership candidates how they would deal with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the ethics commissioner has proven himself capable in the past of getting to the bottom of Trudeau 's scandals and she trusts him to do that job here as well .
`` The problem is that every time the ethics commissioner proves Trudeau has broken the rules , he just shrugs and moves on , '' Lewis said in a statement .
`` The only way to hold Justin Trudeau accountable is for voters to vote him out .
I look forward to leading the charge and replacing him with an honest and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have a seat in the House of Commons .
If she wins , she would have to appoint someone to be the parliamentary leader until she could get elected .
MacKay 's wife , Nazanin Afshin Jam , a human rights activist , has spoken at WE events .
His campaign says she has never taken money from the organization .
In an interview , MacKay said the WE controversy raises questions about the need to broaden and strengthen the power of the ethics commissioner , so if there 's a finding a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ they could actually be penalized .
He also suggested that a stronger ethics screen might be required for whomever is prime minister to ensure there can be no blurring of lines between a prime minister 's private life and public role .
In the meantime , MacKay , a former justice minister , said he thinks a criminal investigation into the WE contract could be warranted under Section 122 of the Criminal Code , which is breach of trust involving government officials .
The purpose of the section is to ensure government officials @ @ @ @ @ @ @ office , MacKay said .
By being in the cabinet room when the decision was made , knowing their family connection to WE , is a very serious thing , MacKay said .
`` It 's essential we keep confidence in public office holders , '' MacKay said .
`` This undermines that . ''
While it is the kind of issue that could result in a motion of non-confidence in the Liberal government , it 's not that simple , MacKay said .
`` We ca n't lose sight of the bigger @ @ @ @ @ @ @ health crisis that still rages on as a result of COVID-19 , '' he said .
`` This is going to undermine severely the prime minister 's legitimacy and ability to govern throughout this period . ''
MacKay also does not have a seat in the House of Commons .
What levers of parliamentary power he might want pulled would have to be done by someone else .
O'Toole has suggested the scandal brings with it the threat of a fall election .
When his campaign was asked whether he would seek to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spokesperson did not directly answer the question , repeating only that they think the chances of a fall election are higher .
O'Toole supports his party 's call for a criminal investigation .
In an email , campaign spokesperson Melanie Paradis said that given O'Toole already has a seat in the House of Commons , he would be ready take on Trudeau on this issue from `` day one . ''
`` As leader , Erin will stand up for Canadians and get to the bottom of this corruption , '' she said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he would do that .
O'Toole 's children have also attended WE events and he has spoken at one in his riding .
His campaign said his family has never financially benefited from WE .
Sloan is also a sitting MP .
His campaign did not return two requests for comment on what he would do to address the issue .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 11 , 2020 .

Conservative MPs said Friday their party doesn't want to bring down the government over the latest ethics scandal ensnaring Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Current leader Andrew Scheer is in his final weeks in the job. Party members are now voting for his replacement with the winner to be announced in late August. Meanwhile, the issue is not going away. The ethics commissioner has been called in to see if Trudeau broke conflict-of-interest law in awarding a multimillion-dollar contract to the WE organization, given Trudeau's long-standing family ties to the organization.
The commissioner is also being asked to probe Finance Minister Bill Morneau's ties as well — one of the minister's daughters works for the organization. The Liberals, and WE, have said there is no direct link between the awarding of the contract to run the $900 million Canada Student Services Grant program and the organization's connections to the Trudeaus. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The Conservatives also say that revelations Trudeau family members have been paid by WE for speaking engagements in the past elevates the seriousness of the matter. The party says the police should investigate for possible fraud.
Trudeau himself was never paid. Conservative MPs said on Friday, July 10, 2020, their party doesn't want to bring down the government over the latest ethics scandal ensnaring Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. Both ethics and criminal investigations take time. The investigation by the ethics commissioner into the SNC-Lavalin affair was requested in February 2019 and completed in August of that year. The Senate expenses scandal first broke in 2012 and it took two years for criminal charges related to fraud to surface in that case. Former Conservative senator Mike Duffy was acquitted on all of them in April 2016. So, given that the Opposition Conservatives will have a new boss while the WE story likely continues to percolate, how will Scheer's replacement seek to proceed?
The Canadian Press asked all four leadership candidates how they would deal with the scandal. Leslyn Lewis: The Toronto lawyer said the ethics commissioner has proven himself capable in the past of getting to the bottom of Trudeau's scandals and she trusts him to do that job here as well.


nationalobserver--2020-07-12--Are taxes going to have to go up in Canada?

The Trudeau Liberals ' fiscal update this week put a cost to all the emergency COVID-19 aid the federal treasury will dole out .
It delivered some shocks : a gigantic deficit and a projection that the federal debt will top $ 1 trillion .
What is causing the federal deficit to hit $ 343.2 billion ?
Late last year , the government forecast this year 's deficit at $ 28.1 billion .
But the federal government is staring at a rapid drop in revenues due to the economic lockdown slashing the taxes people and businesses pay : that alone @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Spending spiked by $ 236 billion for measures such as the $ 500-a-week emergency benefit for people whose work vaporized .
Combined , that borrowing will push the federal debt past $ 1 trillion by the end of the fiscal year .
Former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page , in a post on Finances of the Nation , a website run by researchers and tax professionals , summed up what all that debt will mean for the government .
He said future generations will pay for it through a mix of higher @ @ @ @ @ @ @ less fiscal room to address the next pandemic crisis or climate change , '' or `` less generous government programs . ''
• Rep. Adam Schiff could n't resist : `` We may all be moving to Canada soon '' • Islanders want BC Ferries to follow order that lets residents board before tourists What 's the interest like on that debt ?
Can we afford it ?
`` Ironically , it 's not as hard as you think , thanks to record-low interest rates , '' said Sherry Cooper , chief economist @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mortgage company .
The government can borrow money for five years at less than 0.6 per cent interest , for 10 years at just slightly higher , and for 30 years at a touch over one per cent , she said , which makes the cost of carrying the debt less today than it was one year ago .
`` It 's even less of a problem because the Bank of Canada is buying so much of it , '' Cooper said of federal debt , referring to the $ 5 billion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ weekly as a form of low-cost loans .
`` So you have a buyer of last resort which will keep a lid on interest rates at least for the next year . ''
The government calculates lower rates will save it $ 4 billion on debt charges this year .
Finance Minister Bill Morneau said Wednesday the government is going to increase its issuing of long-term bonds to 26 per cent from 14 per cent of offerings to capitalize on rates and help manage the debt .
The Trudeau Liberals ' fiscal update @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the emergency COVID-19 aid the federal treasury will dole out .
It delivered some shocks : a gigantic deficit and a projection that the federal debt will top $ 1 trillion .
Rates are eventually going to go up , though , and when they do , so will the amount taxpayers shell out on interest .
Are taxes going to have to go up ?
Morneau rejected that idea for now , saying hiking taxes would cause more financial hardship .
The New Democrats have asked for a wealth tax on the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ parliamentary budget officer calculated this week could net $ 5.6 billion .
Cooper said raising taxes while the economy is still recovering would n't be wise because it would make Canada less competitive , which would make it more difficult to raise the necessary revenues to pay off the debt .
That leaves another option , she said : Grow our way out of it .
The idea is as the economy grows , there will be more workers and companies paying taxes .
The same debt , in raw dollars , is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , more prosperous economy .
The Liberals have favoured the `` debt-to-GDP ratio '' as a measure of the government 's fiscal health for exactly this reason .
In their fiscal snapshot , they predict that ratio will shoot up from 31 per cent last year to 49 per cent this year .
Though that 's a big increase , the ratio peaked at just under 70 per cent in the mid-1990s .
To help growth along , government will need to spend on things like high-speed internet , Cooper said , or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ also note a need for greater government spending on child care to help mothers whose job losses have been greater , and returns to work slower , than fathers ' during the pandemic .
Even a best-case growth scenario may not be enough to keep the debt sustainable , said Rebekah Young , director of fiscal and provincial economics at Scotiabank , saying more `` decisive action '' is needed .
`` If we do n't keep spending and we do n't get hit again like a depression type of growth scenario , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ it , but that should n't be enough , '' she said .
What other actions could the government take ?
Cutting spending is where most eyes will go , and Morneau promised another update or budget come the fall .
Research suggests cutting spending , rather than raising taxes , is better at aiding growth out of a recession .
It 's also less politically problematic than raising taxes , Young noted .
Tightening purse-strings too early could hamstring the Bank of Canada into keeping rates lower for longer , Young said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ respond to whatever crisis comes next .
If spending is brought under control relatively soon , the debt should be sustainable , RBC chief economist Craig Wright and economist Colin Guldimann wrote in a report this week .
If not , `` the red ink could keep flowing , '' highlighting the need for careful moves in the coming months .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 11 , 2020 .

The Trudeau Liberals' fiscal update this week put a cost to all the emergency COVID-19 aid the federal treasury will dole out. It delivered some shocks: a gigantic deficit and a projection that the federal debt will top $1 trillion. What is causing the federal deficit to hit $343.2 billion? Late last year, the government forecast this year's deficit at $28.1 billion. But the federal government is staring at a rapid drop in revenues due to the economic lockdown slashing the taxes people and businesses pay: that alone adds $81.3 billion to the deficit. Spending spiked by $236 billion for measures such as the $500-a-week emergency benefit for people whose work vaporized. Combined, that borrowing will push the federal debt past $1 trillion by the end of the fiscal year. Former parliamentary budget officer Kevin Page, in a post on Finances of the Nation, a website run by researchers and tax professionals, summed up what all that debt will mean for the government. He said future generations will pay for it through a mix of higher debt interest payments or taxes, "less fiscal room to address the next pandemic crisis or climate change," or "less generous government programs."
What's the interest like on that debt? Can we afford it? "Ironically, it's not as hard as you think, thanks to record-low interest rates," said Sherry Cooper, chief economist at Dominion Lending Centres, a big mortgage company. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The government can borrow money for five years at less than 0.6 per cent interest, for 10 years at just slightly higher, and for 30 years at a touch over one per cent, she said, which makes the cost of carrying the debt less today than it was one year ago.
"It's even less of a problem because the Bank of Canada is buying so much of it," Cooper said of federal debt, referring to the $5 billion in federal bond purchases the bank is making weekly as a form of low-cost loans. The Trudeau Liberals' fiscal update this week put a cost to all the emergency COVID-19 aid the federal treasury will dole out. It delivered some shocks: a gigantic deficit and a projection that the federal debt will top $1 trillion. "So you have a buyer of last resort which will keep a lid on interest rates at least for the next year." The government calculates lower rates will save it $4 billion on debt charges this year. Finance Minister Bill Morneau said Wednesday the government is going to increase its issuing of long-term bonds to 26 per cent from 14 per cent of offerings to capitalize on rates and help manage the debt. Rates are eventually going to go up, though, and when they do, so will the amount taxpayers shell out on interest. Are taxes going to have to go up?
Morneau rejected that idea for now, saying hiking taxes would cause more financial hardship. The New Democrats have asked for a wealth tax on the top one per cent, which the parliamentary budget officer calculated this week could net $5.6 billion. Cooper said raising taxes while the economy is still recovering wouldn't be wise because it would make Canada less competitive, which would make it more difficult to raise the necessary revenues to pay off the debt. That leaves another option, she said: Grow our way out of it. How does that work?


nationalobserver--2020-07-13--Virtual day in court for youth climate activists ends without verdict

Climate change and what to do about it were at the centre of a legal wrestling match on Monday .
Lawyers for seven young climate activists sparred with Crown counsel over whether the court should decide if Premier Doug Ford ’ s Ontario government can be held accountable for its contribution to global climate chaos .
Government lawyers want Justice Carole Brown to dismiss the claim , hoping to avoid a high-profile hearing in which the young people plan to argue that Ford ’ s ripping up of prior green policy had violated their charter rights .
Hasan argued that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Ontario and the world , and that the province ’ s plan to fight it should not be immune from judicial scrutiny .
“ It is not the subject of reasonable dispute that Ontario ’ s contribution to the problem exacerbates the problem , ” Hasan said .
That problem is global warming , which is creating more frequent extreme weather , including floods , fires and famines around the world .
`` We just want our day on court , '' says @ Nader_Hasan_law , who is representing seven young people who @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate policy is violating their constitutional rights .
Hasan argued that global scientific consensus has formed around the limited amount of carbon the entire planet could emit in future and still hit a target of limiting warming to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels .
Ford ’ s government has committed to a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030 , weaker than a previous target equivalent to a 45 per cent cut .
Ontario ’ s auditor general late last year slammed Ford ’ s climate plan @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidence ” and insufficient to meet the province ’ s 2030 target .
Hasan calculated Ontario ’ s fair share of the so-called ‘ carbon budget ’ would be around 670 MT ( out of Canada ’ s 2,000 MT ) .
He said Ford ’ s existing plan puts the province on course to emit more like 1,670 MT of CO2 by 2030 , which “ puts us on the path to climate disaster.
” Hello everyone , and welcome to the afternoon session of virtual court hearing between the seven youth @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Lawyers for youth to make case that court should be venue in which Doug Ford government 's climate policy is judged .
— Alastair Sharp ( @ 5thEstate ) July 13 , 2020 Lawyers for the government said the case is about whether Ontario 's climate ambitions are “ sufficiently aspirational , ” which they argue is outside the remit of the court , and that it would be impossible to prove a cause-and-effect link between the province ’ s target and plan to achieve it and the worst effects of global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ built into that kind of reasoning , that for the courts to declare an outcome at the end of that chain of speculative reasoning is something that is effectively meaningless , ” said government counsel Padraic Ryan .
They also argued that the charter protects people from a government seeking to deprive them of their rights , but does n't compel that government to provide them .

Climate change and what to do about it were at the centre of a legal wrestling match on Monday. Lawyers for seven young climate activists sparred with Crown counsel over whether the court should decide if Premier Doug Ford’s Ontario government can be held accountable for its contribution to global climate chaos. Government lawyers want Justice Carole Brown to dismiss the claim, hoping to avoid a high-profile hearing in which the young people plan to argue that Ford’s ripping up of prior green policy had violated their charter rights. “We just want our day in court,” said Nader Hasan, a Stockwoods LLP lawyer representing the young people in the virtual hearing, which was streamed live on YouTube. Law charity Ecojustice is also backing the young people's claim. Justice Brown withheld judgement at the end of the hearing.
The ruling on whether to proceed will be significant; if the case is thrown out, the youth have no avenue to appeal and the next judgement of Ford’s climate record will be the 2022 provincial election. But if Brown rules that courts can intervene, it will set up a legal reckoning over whether governments must actively avoid conduct that can be expected to result in future harm, in this case the section 7 constitutional right to life, liberty and security of the person. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Happy Monday everybody!
This morning, Ford government lawyers are facing seven young people and their legal counsel (@stockwoodsllp
and @ecojustice_ca) in a fight over whether government climate inaction breaches Charter rights, especially for the young. — Morgan Sharp (@5thEstate) July 13, 2020
Hasan argued that climate change is an existential threat to Ontario and the world, and that the province’s plan to fight it should not be immune from judicial scrutiny. "We just want our day on court," says @Nader_Hasan_law, who is representing seven young people who claim @fordnation's lack of adequate climate policy is violating their constitutional rights. “It is not the subject of reasonable dispute that Ontario’s contribution to the problem exacerbates the problem,” Hasan said. That problem is global warming, which is creating more frequent extreme weather, including floods, fires and famines around the world. Hasan argued that global scientific consensus has formed around the limited amount of carbon the entire planet could emit in future and still hit a target of limiting warming to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels. Ford’s government has committed to a 30 per cent reduction in greenhouse gas emissions from 2005 levels by 2030, weaker than a previous target equivalent to a 45 per cent cut.
Ontario’s auditor general late last year slammed Ford’s climate plan for being “not based on sound evidence” and insufficient to meet the province’s 2030 target. Hasan calculated Ontario’s fair share of the so-called ‘carbon budget’ would be around 670 MT (out of Canada’s 2,000 MT). He said Ford’s existing plan puts the province on course to emit more like 1,670 MT of CO2 by 2030, which “puts us on the path to climate disaster.” Hello everyone, and welcome to the afternoon session of virtual court hearing between the seven youth climate advocates and the government of Ontario.
Lawyers for youth to make case that court should be venue in which Doug Ford government's climate policy is judged. — Morgan Sharp (@5thEstate) July 13, 2020


nationalobserver--2020-07-13--Alberta suspended environmental monitoring for oilsands. Key officials were left in the dark.

Alberta suspended environmental monitoring for oilsands companies without notifying the Northwest Territories , despite a legally binding agreement to do so .
The omission is revealed in a series of emails between the two governments obtained by The Canadian Press .
`` We have been made aware ... that the Alberta Energy Regulator has indefinitely suspended several environmental monitoring requirements for major oilsands producers , '' wrote Erin Kelly , the N.W.T .
's deputy environment minister to her Alberta counterpart .
`` Do you have any information that can be shared about this ? ''
The May 15 email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Alberta 's regulator suspended a wide array of monitoring over what it said were public-health concerns raised by the COVID-19 pandemic .
Kelly said her government learned about the move from news reports .
• Rep. Adam Schiff could n't resist : `` We may all be moving to Canada soon '' • Islanders want BC Ferries to follow order that lets residents board before tourists • Are taxes going to have to go up in Canada ?
Ten days later , Kelly had not received a response .
`` This is concerning @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still maintain subsistence lifestyles , '' she wrote May 25 .
`` With COVID-19 we have even more residents relying on food harvested from the land and it is almost certain that concerns related to reduced monitoring upstream will be brought up during ( the upcoming legislative ) session . ''
The N.W.T .
is downstream from the oilsands and in 2015 signed an agreement with Alberta that spelled out clear responsibilities on information-sharing , notification and consultation for cross-boundary waters .
In her second email , Kelly points to that deal .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ without notifying the Northwest Territories , despite a legally binding agreement to do so .
`` The ( territory ) has not been informed of or discussed new changes to monitoring as per ( the agreement ) .
I have yet to receive a response to my last email . ''
An Alberta Environment and Parks email shows Kelly 's second note provoked an `` urgent '' request within the department for a response to her concerns .
In answer to a request for an explanation for the lack of consultation , Alberta @ @ @ @ @ @ @ email .
`` There have been ongoing discussions and information-sharing with the N.W.T .
on the status of ambient water quality monitoring at sites referenced in the Alberta-N.W.T .
Bilateral Agreement throughout the COVID-19 pandemic , starting in March , '' wrote Alberta Environment spokesman John Muir .
Joslyn Oosenbrug , spokeswoman for the N.W.T .
Environment Department , said several meetings were held in June to address the territory 's concerns .
`` Alberta has committed to sharing information and discussing any changes to monitoring , '' she wrote in an email @ @ @ @ @ @ @ includes emails and letters exchanged at the deputy minister and ministerial level . ''
However , the territory wants a stronger voice in managing water flowing into its land .
It wants a seat on several committees that determine how waters will be monitored `` to ensure downstream interests are represented , '' Oosenbrug wrote .
Marlin Schmidt , environment critic for Alberta 's Opposition New Democrats , said the snub showed a `` lack of respect . ''
`` It 's really disappointing to me to see the government of Alberta is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ lightly right now , '' he said .
`` When our government is complaining about the poor treatment that we 're allegedly getting from other Canadians , we should be treating ( them ) with the respect with which we expect to be treated . ''
The N.W.T .
is n't the only interested group that was n't consulted about the suspensions .
First Nations in the oilsands area , environmental groups , Alberta 's chief scientist and the scientific consultants who perform monitoring work all say they were left out of the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ move was made in response to concerns from the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers about operators not being able to meet certain monitoring requirements while complying with COVID-19 orders .
Alberta has yet to release work plans or budget for this year 's field season of a joint federal-provincial program responsible for environmental monitoring outside various oilsands leases .
Industry , which funds the efforts , has been lobbying heavily for a less extensive and cheaper plan .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 13 , 2020

Alberta suspended environmental monitoring for oilsands companies without notifying the Northwest Territories, despite a legally binding agreement to do so. The omission is revealed in a series of emails between the two governments obtained by The Canadian Press. "We have been made aware ... that the Alberta Energy Regulator has indefinitely suspended several environmental monitoring requirements for major oilsands producers," wrote Erin Kelly, the N.W.T.'s deputy environment minister to her Alberta counterpart. "Do you have any information that can be shared about this?" The May 15 email was written more than a week after Alberta's regulator suspended a wide array of monitoring over what it said were public-health concerns raised by the COVID-19 pandemic. Kelly said her government learned about the move from news reports.
Ten days later, Kelly had not received a response. "This is concerning to many N.W.T. residents, who still maintain subsistence lifestyles," she wrote May 25. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "With COVID-19 we have even more residents relying on food harvested from the land and it is almost certain that concerns related to reduced monitoring upstream will be brought up during (the upcoming legislative) session."
Monitoring is expected to resume Wednesday. Alberta suspended environmental monitoring for oilsands companies without notifying the Northwest Territories, despite a legally binding agreement to do so. The N.W.T. is downstream from the oilsands and in 2015 signed an agreement with Alberta that spelled out clear responsibilities on information-sharing, notification and consultation for cross-boundary waters. In her second email, Kelly points to that deal. "The (territory) has not been informed of or discussed new changes to monitoring as per (the agreement). I have yet to receive a response to my last email." An Alberta Environment and Parks email shows Kelly's second note provoked an "urgent" request within the department for a response to her concerns.
In answer to a request for an explanation for the lack of consultation, Alberta's United Conservative government provided a one-sentence email. "There have been ongoing discussions and information-sharing with the N.W.T. on the status of ambient water quality monitoring at sites referenced in the Alberta-N.W.T. Bilateral Agreement throughout the COVID-19 pandemic, starting in March," wrote Alberta Environment spokesman John Muir. Joslyn Oosenbrug, spokeswoman for the N.W.T. Environment Department, said several meetings were held in June to address the territory's concerns.


nationalobserver--2020-07-13--Green Party ejects leadership hopeful after 'inappropriate' remarks

The Green Party of Canada has removed Dylan Perceval-Maxwell from its leadership race , saying it could not “ stay silent ” after several comments he made were denounced as racist , offensive and absurd .
The party said its leadership contest authority had determined that “ several recent statements ” by Montreal environmental activist Perceval-Maxwell were “ inappropriate ” and “ not aligned with the party ’ s core values , in particular respect for diversity.
” Perceval-Maxwell appealed the ruling to another committee that oversees the leadership race , the party said , but was unsuccessful .
“ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ or stay silent in situations like these , ” it said on July 8 .
“ The party respects every individual ’ s right of free speech , but we will not provide a platform to normalize racism and discrimination.
” Montreal refugee lawyer and Green leadership hopeful Meryam Haddad — who first spoke out against Perceval-Maxwell ’ s comments during the party ’ s leadership debate on the TVO network last month , and again after National Observer reported on his reaction to her denunciation — said she was pleased with the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ n't resist : `` We may all be moving to Canada soon '' • Islanders want BC Ferries to follow order that lets residents board before tourists • Are taxes going to have to go up in Canada ?
“ This decision shows that our organization will not tolerate someone who makes racist or offensive comments , and who then refuses to apologize .
Just and equitable dialogue is only possible in safe spaces , and we must make them a priority , ” she said July 10 .
After Perceval-Maxwell 's comments @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Haddad said that “ hundreds of Green Party members were scandalized and demanded that the leadership contest authority take action .
Their voices were heard.
” Perceval-Maxwell , meanwhile , said he accepts “ the consequences of my mistakes ” and that he does not plan to take any further steps .
In fact , the outcome has provided a bit of respite , he said .
“ I feel relieved of a duty , ” he said .
“ I ran for leader not because I want to win — it would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ I knew that my running would help slow climate change.
” As a young , queer woman of colour in politics , I sometimes face a lot of hate online .
To date , I have found that the best way to deal with it is just to laugh .
Please enjoy these mean tweets with me !
!
!
# funny # meantweets # queer # cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/0Pa5efSVAd — Meryam Haddad ( @ MeryamHd2020 ) July 10 , 2020 'There are now nine quality candidates ' During a leadership debate last month @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ defund the police ” movement , Perceval-Maxwell proposed that police should “ give $ 20 to every person of colour they stop.
” He said this would “ compensate , a little bit , the trauma and inconvenience of being stopped.
” The Green Party of Canada has removed Dylan Perceval-Maxwell from its leadership race , saying it could not “ stay silent ” after several comments he made were denounced as racist , offensive and absurd .
The debate then moved on to other candidates .
When given the opportunity to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ idea was racist and offensive .
She challenged him to think through the implications : “ What would be the next step — if the person gets beaten up , you give them $ 50 ?
” The debate ended before Perceval-Maxwell could engage in a back-and-forth over the issue .
Afterwards , he said he didn ’ t think Haddad “ even listened to the important part of my proposal.
” “ She was too angry that a white person came up with an idea , which I think she thought was @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
Haddad said his reaction made the situation “ even worse ” and called on the Green Party to “ take action against what he said.
” She also questioned the party ’ s vetting process for candidates .
Green Party press secretary Rosie Emery said at the time that the party stood behind its leadership candidate vetting .
The party had also not received any official complaint by that point .
Haddad said she never did file a complaint with the party .
“ This is because I do n't think people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for speaking out against racism every time they experience it , ” she said .
Instead , she thanked fellow leadership hopefuls Amita Kuttner , David Merner and Dimitri Lascaris for reaching out with their support .
“ There are now nine quality candidates in this leadership race .
I hope the next debates will be both peaceful and respectful , ” Haddad said .
Perceval-Maxwell said he felt it was important for the remaining contestants to focus on the Green Party ’ s raison d'etre : “ We need to put the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of our desire to get the maximum number of votes , ” he said .
“ If we agree that the goal is to make our world a better place , if we agree on social justice , if we agree that climate change is the most serious threat humans have ever faced , then we should all agree that this work should be done together , as a wonderful team , putting together everyone ’ s knowledge and strengths because each of us are not only precious , but necessary .
”

The Green Party of Canada has removed Dylan Perceval-Maxwell from its leadership race, saying it could not “stay silent” after several comments he made were denounced as racist, offensive and absurd. The party said its leadership contest authority had determined that “several recent statements” by Montreal environmental activist Perceval-Maxwell were “inappropriate” and “not aligned with the party’s core values, in particular respect for diversity.” Perceval-Maxwell appealed the ruling to another committee that oversees the leadership race, the party said, but was unsuccessful. “The Green Party will not remain neutral or stay silent in situations like these,” it said on July 8. “The party respects every individual’s right of free speech, but we will not provide a platform to normalize racism and discrimination.” Montreal refugee lawyer and Green leadership hopeful Meryam Haddad — who first spoke out against Perceval-Maxwell’s comments during the party’s leadership debate on the TVO network last month, and again after National Observer reported on his reaction to her denunciation — said she was pleased with the outcome.
“This decision shows that our organization will not tolerate someone who makes racist or offensive comments, and who then refuses to apologize. Just and equitable dialogue is only possible in safe spaces, and we must make them a priority,” she said July 10. After Perceval-Maxwell's comments on TVO and in this publication, Haddad said that “hundreds of Green Party members were scandalized and demanded that the leadership contest authority take action. Their voices were heard.” Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Perceval-Maxwell, meanwhile, said he accepts “the consequences of my mistakes” and that he does not plan to take any further steps. In fact, the outcome has provided a bit of respite, he said.
“I feel relieved of a duty,” he said. “I ran for leader not because I want to win — it would mean extreme sleep deprivation — but because I knew that my running would help slow climate change.” The Green Party of Canada has removed Dylan Perceval-Maxwell from its leadership race, saying it could not “stay silent” after several comments he made were denounced as racist, offensive and absurd. http://twitter.com/MeryamHd2020/status/1281394678902992902 'There are now nine quality candidates' During a leadership debate last month, when the discussion turned to the “defund the police” movement, Perceval-Maxwell proposed that police should “give $20 to every person of colour they stop.” He said this would “compensate, a little bit, the trauma and inconvenience of being stopped.” The debate then moved on to other candidates. When given the opportunity to speak, Haddad said the $20 idea was racist and offensive. She challenged him to think through the implications: “What would be the next step — if the person gets beaten up, you give them $50?”
The debate ended before Perceval-Maxwell could engage in a back-and-forth over the issue. Afterwards, he said he didn’t think Haddad “even listened to the important part of my proposal.” “She was too angry that a white person came up with an idea, which I think she thought was belittling the situation,” he said. Haddad said his reaction made the situation “even worse” and called on the Green Party to “take action against what he said.” She also questioned the party’s vetting process for candidates.


nationalobserver--2020-07-13--Here’s what Ontario’s stage 3 reopening will look like

The third stage of Ontario ’ s post-COVID reopening will start Friday in much of the province , Premier Doug Ford announced Monday .
This reopening , like stage two , will initially leave out Toronto , the Golden Horseshoe and a few southern Ontario regions where new COVID-19 cases remain relatively high .
But with stage three , nearly everything will be allowed to resume , as long as physical distancing can be maintained .
The province will likely remain there , perhaps tightening or loosening measures at times as case numbers fluctuate , until a vaccine is found @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` We expect the province will stay in stage three for the foreseeable future , '' Elliott said .
Limits on the size of gatherings have also been increased — once stage three beings , up to 50 people can gather for indoor events and up to 100 outdoors , as long as people can remain two metres apart .
• Rep. Adam Schiff could n't resist : `` We may all be moving to Canada soon '' • Islanders want BC Ferries to follow order that lets residents board before tourists • @ @ @ @ @ @ @ up in Canada ?
Gyms and other indoor fitness facilities will be allowed to reopen in stage three , along with dine-in restaurants and live sporting events , though some close-contact sports like wrestling are still a no-go .
So will movie theatres , and nearly all workplaces and businesses .
( The 50-person limit for indoor spaces applies to entire facilities , not including staff and performers , which means cinemas may be limited in the number of theatres they can open . )
There are notable exceptions to the reopening : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , dancing at restaurants and bars except by hired performers , overnight camps for kids , private karaoke rooms , saunas , steam rooms , bathhouses and table games at casinos are still deemed too dangerous .
Those types of spaces may still be allowed to reopen if individual businesses can present an adequate and safe plan to the government , Ford said .
Some hallmarks of the last few months will remain part of our reality for some time , the stage three plan indicates .
Physical distancing for those outside your @ @ @ @ @ @ @ still required , and working remotely as much as possible is still encouraged .
The province ’ s plan also continues to urge the public to wear masks indoors and outdoors , wherever physical distancing is not possible and in accordance with local guidelines .
Businesses are encouraged to take down patrons ' contact information so they can be tracked down easily in case of an outbreak .
But some events that the government had said would be verboten for the foreseeable future in April will be allowed to start again within the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ performing arts shows and festivals , for example .
Nightclubs may also reopen , but only to provide sit-down bar or restaurant services — no dancing allowed .
Friday ’ s reopening will apply to all regions except Toronto , Peel , York , Durham , Halton , Hamilton , Niagara , Lambton , Windsor-Essex and Haldimand-Norfolk .
The government will continually reassess conditions in those 10 areas to see when they can enter stage three and give updates every Monday , Ford said .
`` We expect the province will stay in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said .
# onpoli “ We need just a little more time , ” Ford said .
A map of the regions entering stage three of Ontario 's reopening on Friday .
Courtesy Government of Ontario Public health officials need about four weeks ' worth of data from stage two to assess whether a region is ready for stage three , Elliott said .
Since some areas entered stage two before others , those places will likely reopen sooner , she added .
“ There 's several @ @ @ @ @ @ @ before Toronto did , we expect that it will happen in the same way ( for stage three ) , ” Elliott said .
As long as COVID-19 is circulating and there 's no vaccine , reopening will cause an increase in cases , infectious disease experts say .
In the coming weeks , the province will closely track how the virus is spreading , the capacity of local health systems and how well public health officials are able to trace outbreaks , Elliott said .
The Ontario Hospital Association called for the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's prepared for a second wave of cases that will likely coincide with flu season .
“ Given the scale of the reopening decision announced today , it is essential that the Government of Ontario monitor the status of COVID-19 extremely closely , ” the association said in a statement .
“ Experience in the United States demonstrates that events can escalate out of control very quickly .
By its very nature , moving to stage three introduces heightened risk of renewed spread .
As a result , it is essential that Ontario @ @ @ @ @ @ @ further outbreaks and a second wave of the pandemic .
Nothing should be taken for granted.
” Critics say province should support businesses , parents more during reopen In other jurisdictions , widespread reopenings have led to spikes in new cases of COVID-19 .
In Montreal , for example , public health officials have asked anyone who had been at a bar since the beginning of July to get tested for the virus , with five establishments reporting cases .
Ontario chief medical officer of health Dr. David Williams said Monday that he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ other jurisdictions ' mistakes .
Whereas other places reported a jump in cases after opening patios , Ontario has n't so far , he said .
“ I think the regular patrons of these facilities would like to have them available on a regular basis and I think they would want everybody to follow the rules accordingly , so that they can enjoy those facilities as well as the business being given to the organizations , ” Williams said .
“ It 's like a team approach.
” STATEMENT : GTHA Mayors and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
We support the Province ’ s measured and regional approach to reopening .
We are renewing calls to senior levels of government to reach a funding agreement in support of municipalities .
# onpoli # cdnpoli pic.twitter.com/CAl1IyI5pf — Mayor Frank Scarpitti ( @ frankscarpitti ) July 13 , 2020 The opposition NDP criticized the government Monday for pursuing a further reopening without giving more assistance to businesses , who must now invest in personal protective equipment ( PPE ) for employees and making plans to adapt to physical distancing after months of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ called for the Progressive Conservative government to create a fund to help businesses with those costs .
“ There is no question that many business owners are desperate to safely reopen , ” Horwath said in a statement .
“ They need support.
” Ford said there are some supports for businesses out there , but the province does n't have enough funding to assist everyone .
“ The best way to help them is to let them open their doors and get their customers back , ” Ford said .
Ontario Green @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how the province will ramp up contact tracing , as the rollout of an app meant to help that process was delayed .
“ The premier is opening the door to a second wave if he loosens public health restrictions without beefing up investments in contact tracing efforts , ” Schreiner said in a statement .
“ People want to move to stage three , but if we are going to do it safely , the premier must show leadership on how we will keep people safe.
” Schreiner also said the government @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
During Monday 's announcement , Ford said the government is aiming to have kids back in school full time by September .
( The government has said it is working on plans for several scenarios . )
Education Minister Stephen Lecce said he has “ confidence ” that more daycare centres will open up as parents need to head back to work , and that the government is continuing to work on giving “ certainty ” to schools for the fall .
“ Summer camps are coming along and summer schools in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in place to ensure that we really try to cover as many parents in the province to ensure they can get back to work , as the economy recovers , ” Lecce said .
Schreiner said concrete plans for schools and child care should have been a higher priority than opening bars .
“ The premier is forgetting that workplaces are staffed by working parents who can not leave their children unattended , ” he said .

The third stage of Ontario’s post-COVID reopening will start Friday in much of the province, Premier Doug Ford announced Monday. This reopening, like stage two, will initially leave out Toronto, the Golden Horseshoe and a few southern Ontario regions where new COVID-19 cases remain relatively high. But with stage three, nearly everything will be allowed to resume, as long as physical distancing can be maintained. The province will likely remain there, perhaps tightening or loosening measures at times as case numbers fluctuate, until a vaccine is found, Health Minister Christine Elliott said. "We expect the province will stay in stage three for the foreseeable future," Elliott said. Limits on the size of gatherings have also been increased — once stage three beings, up to 50 people can gather for indoor events and up to 100 outdoors, as long as people can remain two metres apart.
Gyms and other indoor fitness facilities will be allowed to reopen in stage three, along with dine-in restaurants and live sporting events, though some close-contact sports like wrestling are still a no-go. So will movie theatres, and nearly all workplaces and businesses. (The 50-person limit for indoor spaces applies to entire facilities, not including staff and performers, which means cinemas may be limited in the number of theatres they can open.) There are notable exceptions to the reopening: amusement and water parks, food buffets, dancing at restaurants and bars except by hired performers, overnight camps for kids, private karaoke rooms, saunas, steam rooms, bathhouses and table games at casinos are still deemed too dangerous. Those types of spaces may still be allowed to reopen if individual businesses can present an adequate and safe plan to the government, Ford said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Some hallmarks of the last few months will remain part of our reality for some time, the stage three plan indicates. Physical distancing for those outside your social bubble, for example, is still required, and working remotely as much as possible is still encouraged.
The province’s plan also continues to urge the public to wear masks indoors and outdoors, wherever physical distancing is not possible and in accordance with local guidelines. Businesses are encouraged to take down patrons' contact information so they can be tracked down easily in case of an outbreak. "We expect the province will stay in stage three for the foreseeable future," Ontario Health Minister Christine Elliott said. #onpoli But some events that the government had said would be verboten for the foreseeable future in April will be allowed to start again within the new gathering limits: concerts, live performing arts shows and festivals, for example. Nightclubs may also reopen, but only to provide sit-down bar or restaurant services — no dancing allowed. Friday’s reopening will apply to all regions except Toronto, Peel, York, Durham, Halton, Hamilton, Niagara, Lambton, Windsor-Essex and Haldimand-Norfolk. The government will continually reassess conditions in those 10 areas to see when they can enter stage three and give updates every Monday, Ford said. “We need just a little more time,” Ford said. A map of the regions entering stage three of Ontario's reopening on Friday. Courtesy Government of Ontario
Public health officials need about four weeks' worth of data from stage two to assess whether a region is ready for stage three, Elliott said. Since some areas entered stage two before others, those places will likely reopen sooner, she added. “There's several other communities that moved into stage two before Toronto did, we expect that it will happen in the same way (for stage three),” Elliott said. As long as COVID-19 is circulating and there's no vaccine, reopening will cause an increase in cases, infectious disease experts say. In the coming weeks, the province will closely track how the virus is spreading, the capacity of local health systems and how well public health officials are able to trace outbreaks, Elliott said.


nationalobserver--2020-07-12--Why we must protect the world’s quiet places

This story was originally published by Yale Environment 360 and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration It is a frosty March morning in the Hoh Rainforest , deep within Olympic National Park in Washington state .
The forest is full of Jurassic ferns , hanging moss , and towering spruce and cedars , but what I hope to find is an absence .
I seek a spot known as the “ One Square Inch of Silence ” — one of the quietest places in the contiguous United States , free from chattering people , humming power lines @ @ @ @ @ @ @ When I find the moss-covered log surrounded by a collection of red stones marking the spot , I listen .
I hear the roar of the river and maybe a waterfall .
There is an occasional bird song .
And nothing else .
I had worried that something would ruin it — that there would already be someone there , a plane would rumble overhead , or I would hear kayakers yelling on the river nearby — but as I sit and close my eyes I can ’ t hear a single human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed this quiet .
We all do .
In popular spots like Zion National Park in Utah , music blares in campsites and on trails .
Hiker Erica Langston from Wilmington , North Carolina recalls the end of a Zion backcountry hike in 2017 : “ We converged with a popular trail and could hear the human traffic from it well before we reached it , ” with people playing music or yelling to be heard over the din , ” she says .
“ The last few miles felt more like standing @ @ @ @ @ @ @ out of the woods.
” Part of the problem is simply numbers .
National parks received over 327.5 million visitors in 2019 , up 9 million from the year before .
Yellowstone , Rocky Mountain , Joshua Tree , Acadia : tourism is surging .
While Covid-19 closures provided rangers and wildlife a temporary respite , federal parks are starting to reopen .
In addition , people flocked to local parks and trails during the pandemic , raising noise levels in previously out-of-the-way spots .
“ If you want to go hiking on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ shoulder to shoulder , ” says Laurabeth Roundy , a member of the Facebook group PNW Hiking with Kids who lives in Washington state .
There are still some quiet places left , however , where the sounds of humanity give way to the natural world .
A 2019 study pinged both the noisiest U.S. national parks and monuments — including parts of the Grand Canyon , Arches National Park in Utah , and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado — and also the quietest places , which included Great Sand Dunes National @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Park in California , and El Malpais National Monument in New Mexico .
A growing coalition of environmental organizations , scientists , and grassroots activists are working to protect and restore quiet places .
Now , a growing coalition of environmental organizations , scientists , and grassroots activists are working to protect and restore quiet places .
Scientists at Colorado State University and the National Park Service are working to document where quiet has been lost and the most prominent drivers of noise in the places people go to escape it .
Local @ @ @ @ @ @ @ petitioning policymakers to reduce or stop helicopter and plane flyovers near wilderness areas .
And the nonprofit Quiet Parks International is turning public attention to the fragility of quiet by flagging remaining quiet areas as worthy of special protection .
Human-created noise is more than annoying .
Decades of research has implicated it in a host of chronic health conditions , including low sleep quality and high blood pressure , as well as increased risk of heart attack or stroke , diabetes , and even cancer .
“ Noise is a known psychological @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Pedersen , an epidemiologist at the University of Copenhagen who studies how environmental exposures affect pregnancies and children .
Wildlife is affected too : Studies show that the auditory landscape is a key component of habitat , and human noise masks critical sounds .
Animals listen for prey , predators , and territorial alarm calls , to locate group members , and find sexual partners .
“ The absence of noises , replaced in parks by sounds of leaves crunching under shoes or birds creating their own symphonies , is what draws so @ @ @ @ @ @ @ says Rob Smith , Northwest Regional Director of the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Association ( NPCA ) .
“ Yet , even these values are under threat .
There is definitely a growing awareness of the importance of protecting parks ’ sounds… so they can continue to be useful places of refuge.
” The movement in the U.S. follows an almost two-decades-long effort in Europe to protect quiet areas .
In 2002 , the European Union approved an Environmental Noise Directive that set out goals for determining noise levels and exposures across Europe @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and working to prevent and reduce environmental noise .
In 2014 , the European Environment Agency recommended the creation , identification , and protection of “ quiet areas.
” As of this year , 85 percent of reporting EU countries have established “ criteria for designating quiet areas in their territories , ” and 60 percent have “ designated at least one quiet area.
” They include places like Blessington Basin in Ireland , Lake Bäcksjön in Sweden , and Tondiloo Park in Estonia .
Protecting quiet in wilderness spaces “ is why @ @ @ @ @ @ @ activist .
In Washington state , the NPCA is working to protect the natural quiet of Olympic National Park , where starting in 2008 a nearby Navy base began sending noisy Growler jet training flights over it .
“ These Growler fighter jets are among the loudest jets in the sky and fly frequently over the park , disrupting visitors and wildlife , ” Smith says .
The NPCA is petitioning the Navy ’ s Northwest commander to stop the flyovers , developing a Growler Tracker app to build a noise map with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ over failing to comply with a Freedom of Information Act request for the Navy ’ s research on the impact of Growler noise in the park .
In Hawaii , the largest threat to quiet is helicopters .
More commercial air tours fly over Hawaii Volcanoes National Park than any other protected area in the U.S. , with reported flights totaling 8,333 in 2018 ; Haleakalā National Park ranks fourth , with 4,757 reported flights .
But citizens are pushing back .
In 2017 , HICoP ( Hawaii Island Coalition Malama Pono ) @ @ @ @ @ @ @ restore “ serenity free from tour copter noise pollution ” — and a group of federal workers anonymously represented by Public Employees for Environmental Responsibility sued the Federal Aviation Administration ( FAA ) to limit air tours over seven protected areas , including Hawaii Volcanoes and Haleakalā .
Protecting quiet in wilderness spaces “ is why national parks exist , ” HICoP founding board member Bob Ernst says .
Quiet Parks International ( QPI ) is a nonprofit working to establish certification for quiet parks to raise awareness of and preserve quiet places @ @ @ @ @ @ @ include audio engineers , scientists , environmentalists , and musicians — has identified at least 262 sites worldwide , including 30 in the U.S. , that it believes are quiet or could become so with management changes .
Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado and Haleakalā Crater in Hawaii are two of them .
According to the Great Sand Dunes resource manager , Fred Bunch , the dunes are so quiet that when the Park Service monitored sounds in the area , noise levels often fell below their equipment ’ s measurement @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Parks for certification are Doñana National Park in Spain , Ballycroy National Park in Ireland , and the Wadi Rum Protected Area in Jordan .
QPI has no regulatory authority , but like the International Dark Sky Association ’ s Dark Sky Parks initiative , the nonprofit believes its certification — granted only after a detailed , three-day sound analysis — can encourage public support of preservation efforts and provide guidelines for protection .
“ The places that are quiet today… are basically leftovers — places that are out of the way , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The group ’ s biggest success so far is the April 2019 certification of its first Wilderness Quiet Park , Zabalo River , in Ecuador ’ s Amazon rainforest .
The designation has helped to boost tourism to the region , bringing travelers who seek the experience of a pristine auditory environment .
QPI organizes limited tours to the area guided and hosted by local Cofán people .
While Quiet Parks is focused on preserving natural quiet in its most pristine form , the National Park Service must balance competing goals of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ It ’ s really hard because in the National Park Service we take public access very seriously , ” says Karen Trevino , chief of the agency ’ s Natural Sounds and Night Skies Division .
Natural Sounds assists the parks in monitoring and modeling noise , developing best practices , and creating mitigation strategies to reduce noise impacts , Trevino says .
In the busy summer months , Zion , Denali , and Rocky Mountain national parks now run shuttles , which reduce vehicle traffic inside the parks .
Other parks , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with permit-only visitation .
The Park Service is working with the FAA to reduce airline noise over some areas .
Drones are prohibited in all but a few national parks , and there are limits on snowmobile tours in winter , following public outcry in the late 1990s about snowmobile noise pollution in Yellowstone .
Like the planet ’ s visual gems , people are beginning to understand that sounds also matter .
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area nature preserve in Minnesota is a place of continued conflict between those who prioritize auditory @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The Boundary Waters Canoe Area Wilderness Act of 1978 enacted a compromise , restricting snowmobiling and mining , but allowing motorboats on 16 of the refuge ’ s 1100 lakes .
Today , permits are required , with daily and weekly restrictions , and no more than nine people and four watercraft are allowed together in the wilderness .
In California ’ s Muir Woods , staff put up signs asking people to be quiet as part of a study by the Park Service .
“ And people listened !
” says @ @ @ @ @ @ @ noise pollution at Carleton University who was not involved in the research .
“ All it took was putting up a couple of signs in the middle of the forest grove and sound levels dropped.
” The findings indicate people are willing to accept trade-offs , like limiting conversations , staying off of certain trails , and having signs and rangers present , to preserve the auditory experience of nature , Barber says .
QPI says the response to its work has been overwhelming .
“ We ’ re being flooded by people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” says Hempton .
“ And we ’ re being flooded by management of locations who wish to be recognized for their quiet.
” I think of that spot in the Hoh Rainforest , where I sat aware of the crack of each twig under my feet , and the sound of my own breath .
Like the planet ’ s visual gems , people are beginning to understand that sounds also matter , that the experience of natural sounds — wolves howling in the distance , the dawn chorus of birds @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — is worth protecting too .

This story was originally published by Yale Environment 360 and appears here as part of the Climate Desk collaboration It is a frosty March morning in the Hoh Rainforest, deep within Olympic National Park in Washington state. The forest is full of Jurassic ferns, hanging moss, and towering spruce and cedars, but what I hope to find is an absence. I seek a spot known as the “One Square Inch of Silence” — one of the quietest places in the contiguous United States, free from chattering people, humming power lines, and the whoosh of cars. When I find the moss-covered log surrounded by a collection of red stones marking the spot, I listen. I hear the roar of the river and maybe a waterfall. There is an occasional bird song. And nothing else. I had worried that something would ruin it — that there would already be someone there, a plane would rumble overhead, or I would hear kayakers yelling on the river nearby — but as I sit and close my eyes I can’t hear a single human sound. It feels amazing. I needed this quiet. We all do. Yale Environment 360 · Sounds at the “One Square Inch of Silence” in the Hoh Rainforest, Washington.
As the global population soars, cities and towns sprawl out, and roads stretch into even the most remote parts the world, quiet is becoming increasingly scarce. The noise of buzz saws and trucks infiltrate deep into the Amazon rainforest. The blast of ship horns ring out over the Arctic Ocean. The U.S. has become a highly developed landscape, with just a fraction of its original wilderness remaining, split up into parks and protected areas. Now, even in these refuges, cars, planes, motorboats, helicopters, and crowds contribute to the growing din. A 2017 study by scientists at Colorado State University and the National Park Service found that human noise doubled background sounds in 63 percent of U.S. protected areas. In 21 percent of parks, human noise increased background sounds 10-fold, “surpassing levels known to interfere with human visitor experience and disrupt wildlife behavior, fitness, and community composition.” Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Part of the problem is simply numbers. U.S. national parks received over 327.5 million visitors in 2019.
In popular spots like Zion National Park in Utah, music blares in campsites and on trails. Hiker Erica Langston from Wilmington, North Carolina recalls the end of a Zion backcountry hike in 2017: “We converged with a popular trail and could hear the human traffic from it well before we reached it,” with people playing music or yelling to be heard over the din,” she says. “The last few miles felt more like standing in line at Disney World than walking out of the woods.” A growing coalition of environmental organizations, scientists, and grassroots activists are working to protect and restore quiet places. Part of the problem is simply numbers. National parks received over 327.5 million visitors in 2019, up 9 million from the year before. Yellowstone, Rocky Mountain, Joshua Tree, Acadia: tourism is surging. While Covid-19 closures provided rangers and wildlife a temporary respite, federal parks are starting to reopen. In addition, people flocked to local parks and trails during the pandemic, raising noise levels in previously out-of-the-way spots. “If you want to go hiking on a weekend, be prepared to stand shoulder to shoulder,” says Laurabeth Roundy, a member of the Facebook group PNW Hiking with Kids who lives in Washington state. There are still some quiet places left, however, where the sounds of humanity give way to the natural world. A 2019 study pinged both the noisiest U.S. national parks and monuments — including parts of the Grand Canyon, Arches National Park in Utah, and Rocky Mountain National Park in Colorado — and also the quietest places, which included Great Sand Dunes National Park in Colorado, Lassen Volcanic National Park in California, and El Malpais National Monument in New Mexico. Now, a growing coalition of environmental organizations, scientists, and grassroots activists are working to protect and restore quiet places. Scientists at Colorado State University and the National Park Service are working to document where quiet has been lost and the most prominent drivers of noise in the places people go to escape it. Local activists in Hawaii and Washington state are petitioning policymakers to reduce or stop helicopter and plane flyovers near wilderness areas. And the nonprofit Quiet Parks International is turning public attention to the fragility of quiet by flagging remaining quiet areas as worthy of special protection. Human-created noise is more than annoying. Decades of research has implicated it in a host of chronic health conditions, including low sleep quality and high blood pressure, as well as increased risk of heart attack or stroke, diabetes, and even cancer. “Noise is a known psychological and physiological stressor,” says Marie Pedersen, an epidemiologist at the University of Copenhagen who studies how environmental exposures affect pregnancies and children. Wildlife is affected too: Studies show that the auditory landscape is a key component of habitat, and human noise masks critical sounds. Animals listen for prey, predators, and territorial alarm calls, to locate group members, and find sexual partners.
“The absence of noises, replaced in parks by sounds of leaves crunching under shoes or birds creating their own symphonies, is what draws so many of us to them,” says Rob Smith, Northwest Regional Director of the nonprofit National Parks Conservation Association (NPCA). “Yet, even these values are under threat. There is definitely a growing awareness of the importance of protecting parks’ sounds… so they can continue to be useful places of refuge.” The movement in the U.S. follows an almost two-decades-long effort in Europe to protect quiet areas. In 2002, the European Union approved an Environmental Noise Directive that set out goals for determining noise levels and exposures across Europe, making this data publicly available, and working to prevent and reduce environmental noise. In 2014, the European Environment Agency recommended the creation, identification, and protection of “quiet areas.” As of this year, 85 percent of reporting EU countries have established “criteria for designating quiet areas in their territories,” and 60 percent have “designated at least one quiet area.” They include places like Blessington Basin in Ireland, Lake Bäcksjön in Sweden, and Tondiloo Park in Estonia. Protecting quiet in wilderness spaces “is why national parks exist,” says one activist.


nationalobserver--2020-07-14--Saskatchewan pilots hydrogen to fuel the future

First of its kind in the world , Strem 's method can extract hydrogen from orphaned oil wells and repurpose oilfields to produce close to zero-emissions fuel .
`` We plan to supply 10 per cent of the world ’ s energy needs in the form of exported hydrogen by 2040 , ” Proton Technologies CEO Grant Strem told Canada ’ s National Observer .
A hydrogen production pilot project in Saskatchewan could be the start of a new resource economy in Canada , industry insiders say .
“ This project already employs 14 people in the Kerrobert area and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 30 people by the end of the year , and lead to further economic diversification and growth , despite these challenging times.
” '' Our province looks forward to being the home of the world ’ s first zero-emission hydrogen oil reservoir extraction technology , ” Kindersley MLA Ken Francis said .
Grant Strem , Jacky Wang , and Ian Gates during a 2020 hydrogen demo in Saskatchewan .
Strem said the steam in the background was thawing some test-setup lines that had frozen in the -35 degree weather in February .
Photograph @ @ @ @ @ @ @ extraction method is being tested near Kerrobert , Sask.
, and could change the way we power our economy .
“ We already have the systems in place to make the switch , ” he said .
Strem said Canada , because of its vast underground energy reserves , is uniquely positioned to become a global leader in clean energy production through the new extraction process .
Proton 's technology is unique because it extracts the gas directly from underground water , using bitumen to free hydrogen from water before the hydrogen is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ associated pollutants such as CO2 underground .
One of the techniques that has been used in the oil industry is to inject oxygen into an oilfield .
Historically that ’ s been done to warm up the oil so that it flows more easily .
Every project produces hydrogen as a byproduct .
His company developed a way of getting at the hydrogen byproduct of oil extraction , which until recently has been ignored by industry in Canada .
Strem said that Proton 's technology is a combination of existing technologies that are @ @ @ @ @ @ @ refurbished to extract hydrogen , in a near zero-emissions process .
“ As a chemical feedstock , oil will always be necessary , but as an energy product , I think it will be priced out of the market in the next five to 10 years , ” Strem said .
The hydrogen market is expanding globally , with increasing use in power generation , transportation fuel and feedstock in the chemical industry .
Analysts at the Pembina Institute , a Canadian think tank that advocates for a clean energy transition , say @ @ @ @ @ @ @ has not been fully tested yet .
“ Technology that is capable of turning an existing high-carbon product like bitumen into zero-carbon hydrogen , while leaving the carbon dioxide byproduct stored in the ground , is exactly the kind of innovation we need for zero-carbon jobs and energy systems , ” Benjamin Israeli , senior fossil fuels analyst at the Pembina Institute said .
“ To be validated as a zero-carbon technology , this new technology would have to go through a full life-cycle assessment of environmental and social benefits and risk , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ is the first full deployment of Proton 's technology , and the first time the project ’ s emissions performance can be measured in the field .
“ If life-cycle assessment of this technology demonstrates it can reach its potential , then there may be more energy production in the future for orphaned wells , as well as wells reaching their end-of-life at large .
Environmental concerns with the oilsands industry extend beyond orphaned wells , however.
” Israeli said that “ at the end of the day , carbon intensity is key @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to demonstrate that their technology permanently sequesters emissions underground .
But a slam-dunk on the technology side isn ’ t always an automatic win according to Transition Accelerator CEO Dan Wicklum .
“ We have this assumption that if we get the economics right and the technology right then all of a sudden we will go through this energy transformation , but it ignores the social component , ” Wicklum said .
Wicklum ’ s Alberta based company is focused on building up the supply and demand chain for hydrogen fuel as the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Right now he is working on laying out a step by step pathway to a hydrogen-based economy .
Wicklum said it ’ s important to be able to present clean energy through a positive lens to get investors onboard .
“ People have an easy time with change if they know the state that they are changing to is better than the state they are changing from , ” he said .
Saskatchewan Energy and Resources spokesperson Robin Speer said that if Proton ’ s technology is proven effective , repurposing oil and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ help optimize the value generated from Saskatchewan ’ s natural resources as well as support economic growth in the province .
“ Hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in the world ’ s future energy mix , as countries strive to achieve net-zero emissions goals by 2050 , so hydrogen production , processing and exporting in Saskatchewan could lead to significant economic impacts , ” Speer said .
But even if innovation makes hydrogen a more cost effective fuel source , there are barriers to commercialization that need to be addressed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Existing standards for gas pipelines , furnaces and boilers would likely need to be revised before they can handle large volumes of hydrogen being blended into the natural gas stream .
“ If this technology is proven effective in the pilot stage , it could lead to the large-scale development of hydrogen from oil and gas reservoirs in Saskatchewan , ” Speer said .
Hydrogen could reduce the cost of power and the emissions associated with traditional power generation allowing the oil industry to `` grow faster , meet their environmental management objectives @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , ” Speer said .
Speer said if the project goes full scale , Saskatchewan residents “ would be hired for facility construction and ongoing operations.
” He said that employees with experience in Saskatchewan ’ s oil and gas sector have many of the transferable skills needed in the hydrogen sector , especially for Proton ’ s subsurface technology .
He said that the application of this technology to extend or renew the life of mature oil reservoirs can reduce or delay the need for future well site closure .
That would @ @ @ @ @ @ @ liability and risk associated with maintaining abandoned operations like orphaned wells .
“ As it happens someone else ’ s abandonment liability is our opportunity , so that ’ s a natural thing .
We ’ re not doing it just to fix an abandonment problem , we ’ re doing it so that we can make significant volumes of hydrogen and sell it , ” Strem said .
Strem said that shifting to Proton 's method of extracting hydrogen will help Saskatchewan , and Canada , make a smooth transition to clean @ @ @ @ @ @ @ place while employing oilsands workers .
“ Oilpatch skills and hydrogen patch skills are essentially the same .
You need geologists , geophysicists , engineers , facilities people , pipeline guys , welders , pressure vessel people , truckers… ” Strem said .
But that change doesn ’ t come without a lot of facility upgrading .
“ Our process is very different since we ’ re not targeting oil production .
We ’ re converting the oil facility to be more of a hydrogen facility , ” Strem said .
Speer said @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ” in part because it is an existing commodity that industry already understands how to handle .
It is currently shipped by pipeline , truck , rail and ship .
“ Economic development and environmental stewardship can go hand-in-hand and Saskatchewan can be a global leader in supporting the technologies that are needed to create the global energy sector of the future , ” Speer said .
Speer said that the Saskatchewan Petroleum Innovation Incentive , through which Proton Technologies is operating , was designed to capture the developmental life cycle of an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ risk of competition .
“ Saskatchewan is really well-positioned to maintain leadership in this industry ”

Grant Strem, Jacky Wang, and Ian Gates during a 2020 hydrogen demo in Saskatchewan. Strem said the steam in the background was thawing some test-setup lines that had frozen in the -35 degree weather in February. Photograph courtesy of Proton Technologies.
The new extraction method is being tested near Kerrobert, Sask., and could change the way we power our economy.
First of its kind in the world, Strem's method can extract hydrogen from orphaned oil wells and repurpose oilfields to produce close to zero-emissions fuel.
"We plan to supply 10 per cent of the world’s energy needs in the form of exported hydrogen by 2040,” Proton Technologies CEO Grant Strem told Canada’s National Observer.
A hydrogen production pilot project in Saskatchewan could be the start of a new resource economy in Canada, industry insiders say.
“This project already employs 14 people in the Kerrobert area and has the potential to employ up to 30 people by the end of the year, and lead to further economic diversification and growth, despite these challenging times.”
"Our province looks forward to being the home of the world’s first zero-emission hydrogen oil reservoir extraction technology,” Kindersley MLA Ken Francis said.
His company developed a way of getting at the hydrogen byproduct of oil extraction, which until recently has been ignored by industry in Canada.
Strem said that Proton's technology is a combination of existing technologies that are currently used in oil extraction, but refurbished to extract hydrogen, in a near zero-emissions process.
“As a chemical feedstock, oil will always be necessary, but as an energy product, I think it will be priced out of the market in the next five to 10 years,” Strem said.
The hydrogen market is expanding globally, with increasing use in power generation, transportation fuel and feedstock in the chemical industry.
Strem said Canada, because of its vast underground energy reserves, is uniquely positioned to become a global leader in clean energy production through the new extraction process.
Proton's technology is unique because it extracts the gas directly from underground water, using bitumen to free hydrogen from water before the hydrogen is extracted in its pure form, leaving associated pollutants such as CO2 underground.
One of the techniques that has been used in the oil industry is to inject oxygen into an oilfield. Historically that’s been done to warm up the oil so that it flows more easily. Every project produces hydrogen as a byproduct.
“We already have the systems in place to make the switch,” he said.
Heat exchanger for a small-scale H2 separation demonstration in 2018 which cooled H2 gas. Photograph courtesy of Proton Technologies.
ENVIRONMENTAL IMPACT
Analysts at the Pembina Institute, a Canadian think tank that advocates for a clean energy transition, say that the technology, while promising, has not been fully tested yet.
“Technology that is capable of turning an existing high-carbon product like bitumen into zero-carbon hydrogen, while leaving the carbon dioxide byproduct stored in the ground, is exactly the kind of innovation we need for zero-carbon jobs and energy systems,” Benjamin Israel, senior fossil fuels analyst at the Pembina Institute said.
“To be validated as a zero-carbon technology, this new technology would have to go through a full life-cycle assessment of environmental and social benefits and risk,” Israel said.
Oilfields operations and orphaned wells in Saskatchewan and Alberta would be converted into hydrogen production facilities, which would allow oil workers to transfer their skills into the emerging clean energy sector. Photograph by Canadian Press.
The pilot project is the first full deployment of Proton's technology, and the first time the project’s emissions performance can be measured in the field.
“If life-cycle assessment of this technology demonstrates it can reach its potential, then there may be more energy production in the future for orphaned wells, as well as wells reaching their end-of-life at large. Environmental concerns with the oilsands industry extend beyond orphaned wells, however.”
Israel said that “at the end of the day, carbon intensity is key,” and that they will have to demonstrate that their technology permanently sequesters emissions underground.
Transition Accelerator CEO Dan Wicklum said that shifting the narrative on renewables to a positive one is key to de-risking potential investors across the supply and demand chain. Photograph courtesy of Dan Wicklum.
SHIFTING THE NARRATIVE
But a slam-dunk on the technology side isn’t always an automatic win according to Transition Accelerator CEO Dan Wicklum.
“We have this assumption that if we get the economics right and the technology right then all of a sudden we will go through this energy transformation, but it ignores the social component,” Wicklum said.
Wicklum’s Alberta based company is focused on building up the supply and demand chain for hydrogen fuel as the world transitions to cleaner energy systems. Right now he is working on laying out a step by step pathway to a hydrogen-based economy.
Wicklum said it’s important to be able to present clean energy through a positive lens to get investors onboard.
“People have an easy time with change if they know the state that they are changing to is better than the state they are changing from,” he said.
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe's government said that the emerging technology will help diversify Saskatchewan's energy sector. Photograph courtesy of Premier Scott Moe.
AN ECONOMIC WIN?
Saskatchewan Energy and Resources spokesperson Robin Speer said that if Proton’s technology is proven effective, repurposing oil and gas wells to support hydrogen production could help optimize the value generated from Saskatchewan’s natural resources as well as support economic growth in the province.
“Hydrogen is expected to play a significant role in the world’s future energy mix, as countries strive to achieve net-zero emissions goals by 2050, so hydrogen production, processing and exporting in Saskatchewan could lead to significant economic impacts,” Speer said.
But even if innovation makes hydrogen a more cost effective fuel source, there are barriers to commercialization that need to be addressed before hydrogen can be broadly adopted.
Existing standards for gas pipelines, furnaces and boilers would likely need to be revised before they can handle large volumes of hydrogen being blended into the natural gas stream.
“If this technology is proven effective in the pilot stage, it could lead to the large-scale development of hydrogen from oil and gas reservoirs in Saskatchewan,” Speer said.
Hydrogen could reduce the cost of power and the emissions associated with traditional power generation allowing the oil industry to "grow faster, meet their environmental management objectives and obligations, and operate more efficiently,” Speer said.
Alberta's inventory of orphaned wells in need of decommissioning grew to 3,406 as of January this year. File photo courtesy Alberta Energy Regulator.
Speer said if the project goes full scale, Saskatchewan residents “would be hired for facility construction and ongoing operations.”
He said that employees with experience in Saskatchewan’s oil and gas sector have many of the transferable skills needed in the hydrogen sector, especially for Proton’s subsurface technology.
He said that the application of this technology to extend or renew the life of mature oil reservoirs can reduce or delay the need for future well site closure.
That would help the oil and gas industry manage liability and risk associated with maintaining abandoned operations like orphaned wells.
“As it happens someone else’s abandonment liability is our opportunity, so that’s a natural thing. We’re not doing it just to fix an abandonment problem, we’re doing it so that we can make significant volumes of hydrogen and sell it,” Strem said.
Inside one of the production satellite buildings where gas and liquids from wells are measured separately. At Proton’s hydrogen facility near Superb Saskatchewan. Photograph courtesy of Proton Technologies.
Strem said that shifting to Proton's method of extracting hydrogen will help Saskatchewan, and Canada, make a smooth transition to clean energy, and keep existing infrastructure in place while employing oilsands workers.
“Oilpatch skills and hydrogen patch skills are essentially the same. You need geologists, geophysicists, engineers, facilities people, pipeline guys, welders, pressure vessel people, truckers…” Strem said.
But that change doesn’t come without a lot of facility upgrading.
“Our process is very different since we’re not targeting oil production. We’re converting the oil facility to be more of a hydrogen facility,” Strem said.
Dr. Ian Gates, Jackie Wang, and Grant Strem at their expansive hydrogen facility near Smiley Saskatchewan. Photograph courtesy of Proton Technologies.
Speer said that hydrogen is an “intriguing opportunity” in part because it is an existing commodity that industry already understands how to handle. It is currently shipped by pipeline, truck, rail and ship.
“Economic development and environmental stewardship can go hand-in-hand and Saskatchewan can be a global leader in supporting the technologies that are needed to create the global energy sector of the future,” Speer said.
Speer said that the Saskatchewan Petroleum Innovation Incentive, through which Proton Technologies is operating, was designed to capture the developmental life cycle of an innovation, which may also limit the risk of competition.
“Saskatchewan is really well-positioned to maintain leadership in this industry”
Michael Bramadat-Willcock/Local Journalism Initiative/Canada's National Observer