The Merriam-Webster dictionary defines due diligence as: “The care that a reasonable person exercises to avoid harm to other persons or their property.” As the debate on British Columbia’s proposed liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry enters its fourth year, it is past time to bring one aspect of that industry under scrutiny – the safety of people in proximity to LNG vessels and terminals.
The provincial government views the multiple benefits agreements for Metlakatla and Lax Kw’alaams as a win for both the LNG industry and First Nations reconciliation.
In conversation with John Rustad, the minister of Aboriginal relations and reconciliation, on Feb. 16, the day following the landmark deal, he explained that even if the Pacific NorthWest LNG project doesn’t follow through with a final investment decision (FID) some land will still be transferred to First Nations.
challenging BC Liberal Government's approval of Kinder Morgan Expansion
PIPE UP and Democracy Watch launched a lawsuit on January 31 challenging the BC government's approval of Kinder Morgan, based on the conflict of interest inherent in the BC LIberal Party accepting more than $550,000 from Kinder Morgan and assorted shippers and then approving the project.
A bizarre twist in a decade-long battle over a proposed mine on Tsilhqot’in Nation traditional territory could see the B.C.government issue extensive exploration permits for the mine this month even though the project has twice been turned down by the federal government.
Not long ago, BC received huge annual royalty revenues from its growing natural gas sector. The revenues were often billed as paying for essential public services like health care and education, and were appealing politically as they meant governments did not have to raise taxes to do so.
[Editor: Not sure this plan is 'awesome'! Maybe competition with the Green Party and public concern is spurring the NDP on to give more attention to climate change. And the BC Liberals seem to have little interest in dealing with climate change. The NDP have said 'no' to the Kinder Morgan Expansion but what steps will they take to stop it? And will they commit to stopping Site C? How will they deal with LNG projects and with a timely just transition from fossil fuel jobs?
