Earth Day: Canada to Protect Ocean
Plastic waste and marine litter pose an increasingly serious threat to our oceans and marine life. Canada is committed to protecting our environment and preserving our waterways, so that all Canadians can continue to enjoy the beauty, health and economic benefits that our oceans, lakes and rivers provide. The Government of Canada is working at home and with international partners to address this serious and growing problem. As Canadians celebrate Earth Day, Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change, launched Canada's Dialogue on Plastic Waste to gather Canadians' views on plastics and identify ways we can achieve zero plastic waste and reduce marine litter.
Canada's Largest Electric Tour Boat Launched
A new, emission-free electric tour boat now plies the Rideau Canal, powered by two 80 horsepower Torqeedo electric motors. The 75-foot, 100-passenger vessel Queen Elizabeth Dr. is the first of two planned vessels to offer guided tours and host events on the canal. The second, Colonel By, is expected to enter service in the spring of 2017. “Torqeedo's high-power Deep Blue system was the obvious choice to propel Canada's largest electric passenger vessel because of its comprehensive safety systems,” said Robert Taillefer, owner of The Queen Elizabeth Dr. and operator of Ottawa Boat Cruises.
Panel to Review Roberts Bank Terminal 2 Project
An independent three-member review panel has been established to conduct the environmental assessment of the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority's Roberts Bank Terminal 2 project, a proposed new three-ship container terminal that would accommodate growing demand for goods shipped in containers. According to the Vancouver Fraser Port Authority, the construction of the privately-funded project would create 12,700 person-years of employment over a five-and-a-half year period and its operation would support approximately 12,400 full-time jobs on an ongoing basis. Appointed to the review panel are members Dr. Diana Valiela, Dr. David Levy and panel chair Jocelyne Beaudet, announced Catherine McKenna, Canadian Minister of Environment and Climate Change.
Scientists Slam BC LNG Proposal
International climate scientists are calling on the Canadian government to reject a proposed liquefied natural gas project by Petronas-backed Pacific NorthWest LNG in British Columbia, saying it would have dire environmental effects, according to a report in Canadian Press. Ninety academics from Canada, the United States, Australia and the United Kingdom released an open letter Monday saying the Pacific NorthWest LNG project would be one of the country’s largest greenhouse gas emitters, and if built, would undermine Canada’s climate change commitments. The $36-billion dollar plant backed by Malyasian state-owned energy giant Petronas is slated to be built south of Prince Rupert, B.C.
Canada PM Tells Minister to Modernize Energy Regulator
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau instructed his natural resources minister to "modernize" Canada's independent pipeline regulator, said a letter released on Friday that gave details on the newly elected leader's environmental plans. Trudeau asked Natural Resources Minister James Carr to ensure the Calgary-based National Energy Board (NEB) has a balanced representation from across the country, as well as sufficient expertise in environmental science, community development and indigenous traditional knowledge. The Liberal prime minister on Friday published all of the mandate letters sent to his cabinet ministers, which instructed several of them to restore environmental legislation that was changed by the previous Conservative government.
