One of the 14 indigenous groups that signed a deal approving the giant Teck mine on their lands, now says the federal government should delay approving the mine because cultural and environmental questions haven’t been answered..Chief Allan Adam, of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN), wrote a letter, obtained by the CBC, to federal Environment Minister Jonathon Wilkinson asking for the delay..The feds had promised to give an answer on the mine, north of Fort McMurray, by the end of February. Construction on the mine is expected to create 7,000 jobs..The ACFN has threatened legal action in the past and Adam’s letter says time is running out for Alberta to live up to its responsibilities..“”We are still talking with Alberta and remain hopeful that progress can be made from now until the end of February. However, this seems increasingly unlikely within the prescribed timelines for a final decision on the project,” the letter reads..“Canada and Teck have gone to great lengths to ensure that this [project] can be built in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. However, Alberta has not yet taken the appropriate actions or put the policies in place to support this goal.”.An Alberta government spokesperson told the CBC they must consider the best interests of Alberta taxpayers..“We recognize that Chief Adam intends to drive a hard bargain, as should any official representing his constituents,” Jess Sinclair, press secretary to Alberta’s environment minister, Jason Nixon, told CBC..“However, the Government of Alberta must carefully consider the interests of Alberta taxpayers.”.In Calgary, Finance Minister Bill Mourneau said cabinet was still mulling the decision..The $20.6-billion mega project in northern Alberta has already been approved by the non-political regulators, but Liberal the natural resources minister said last week that the federal government may delay approval of the project unless Alberta drops its opposition to Ottawa’s carbon tax. Adding fuel to the fire were several Eastern Liberal MPs lobbying to kill the project outright..Reports of an aid package for the beleaguered province appear to confirm that the federal government is seriously considering nixing the mega project, which Teck says will create 7,000 jobs and significantly add to the provinces GDP..In place of allowing the private investment project to go ahead, federal sources say that direct government spending on infrastructure projects and well cleanup is in the mix..Teck itself issued a statement this week saying it also hoped it would become a net-zero emitter by 2050..The project, a “truck and shovel” oil sands mine, “will consist of surface mining operations, a processing plant, tailings management facilities, water management facilities, and associated infrastructure and support facilities,” according to a statement on the company’s website. It’s expected to produce 260,000 barrels of oil a day..“Teck has also reached agreements with all 14 Indigenous communities in the broader Frontier project area.”.The federal government has said they would give an answer on the mine before the end of February..Federal Environment Minister Johnathan Wilkinson has hinted approval would be based on how Alberta approaches climate change..“With respect to (Frontier), we need to look at all the environmental impacts, we obviously need to look at the economic opportunities, and we need to ensure we’re taking both into account,” Wilkinson said..“Certainly, one of those issues is how does this project fit with Canada’s commitments to achieving the reductions we are committing to (for) 2030, and the net zero commitment to 2050? I would just say again that it’s important that all provinces are working to help Canada to achieve its targets.”.Wilkinson said all provinces, including Alberta, are expected to do their part to help Canada meet those commitments..The UCP government unveiled their industrial emitter plan, TIER (Technology, Innovation and Emissions Reduction system), in Bill 19, passed during the fall legislature session..TIER replaced the NDP’s Climate Leadership Plan by maintaining the price on pollution for large emitters but repealing the price on other businesses and residents. The federal price on carbon for Albertans, excepting large emitters, came into effect January 1, 2020..Under TIER, facilities can either reduce their emissions or; use credits from other facilities, use emissions offsets from non-regulated organizations, or pay into the TIER fund at $30 per tonne..The Alberta government launched its challenge of federal carbon pricing in 2019 and presented arguments Dec. 16-18 in Alberta’s Court of Appeal..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter: Nobby7694
One of the 14 indigenous groups that signed a deal approving the giant Teck mine on their lands, now says the federal government should delay approving the mine because cultural and environmental questions haven’t been answered..Chief Allan Adam, of the Athabasca Chipewyan First Nation (ACFN), wrote a letter, obtained by the CBC, to federal Environment Minister Jonathon Wilkinson asking for the delay..The feds had promised to give an answer on the mine, north of Fort McMurray, by the end of February. Construction on the mine is expected to create 7,000 jobs..The ACFN has threatened legal action in the past and Adam’s letter says time is running out for Alberta to live up to its responsibilities..“”We are still talking with Alberta and remain hopeful that progress can be made from now until the end of February. However, this seems increasingly unlikely within the prescribed timelines for a final decision on the project,” the letter reads..“Canada and Teck have gone to great lengths to ensure that this [project] can be built in a socially and environmentally responsible manner. However, Alberta has not yet taken the appropriate actions or put the policies in place to support this goal.”.An Alberta government spokesperson told the CBC they must consider the best interests of Alberta taxpayers..“We recognize that Chief Adam intends to drive a hard bargain, as should any official representing his constituents,” Jess Sinclair, press secretary to Alberta’s environment minister, Jason Nixon, told CBC..“However, the Government of Alberta must carefully consider the interests of Alberta taxpayers.”.In Calgary, Finance Minister Bill Mourneau said cabinet was still mulling the decision..The $20.6-billion mega project in northern Alberta has already been approved by the non-political regulators, but Liberal the natural resources minister said last week that the federal government may delay approval of the project unless Alberta drops its opposition to Ottawa’s carbon tax. Adding fuel to the fire were several Eastern Liberal MPs lobbying to kill the project outright..Reports of an aid package for the beleaguered province appear to confirm that the federal government is seriously considering nixing the mega project, which Teck says will create 7,000 jobs and significantly add to the provinces GDP..In place of allowing the private investment project to go ahead, federal sources say that direct government spending on infrastructure projects and well cleanup is in the mix..Teck itself issued a statement this week saying it also hoped it would become a net-zero emitter by 2050..The project, a “truck and shovel” oil sands mine, “will consist of surface mining operations, a processing plant, tailings management facilities, water management facilities, and associated infrastructure and support facilities,” according to a statement on the company’s website. It’s expected to produce 260,000 barrels of oil a day..“Teck has also reached agreements with all 14 Indigenous communities in the broader Frontier project area.”.The federal government has said they would give an answer on the mine before the end of February..Federal Environment Minister Johnathan Wilkinson has hinted approval would be based on how Alberta approaches climate change..“With respect to (Frontier), we need to look at all the environmental impacts, we obviously need to look at the economic opportunities, and we need to ensure we’re taking both into account,” Wilkinson said..“Certainly, one of those issues is how does this project fit with Canada’s commitments to achieving the reductions we are committing to (for) 2030, and the net zero commitment to 2050? I would just say again that it’s important that all provinces are working to help Canada to achieve its targets.”.Wilkinson said all provinces, including Alberta, are expected to do their part to help Canada meet those commitments..The UCP government unveiled their industrial emitter plan, TIER (Technology, Innovation and Emissions Reduction system), in Bill 19, passed during the fall legislature session..TIER replaced the NDP’s Climate Leadership Plan by maintaining the price on pollution for large emitters but repealing the price on other businesses and residents. The federal price on carbon for Albertans, excepting large emitters, came into effect January 1, 2020..Under TIER, facilities can either reduce their emissions or; use credits from other facilities, use emissions offsets from non-regulated organizations, or pay into the TIER fund at $30 per tonne..The Alberta government launched its challenge of federal carbon pricing in 2019 and presented arguments Dec. 16-18 in Alberta’s Court of Appeal..Dave Naylor is the News Editor of the Western Standard.dnaylor@westernstandardonline.com.Twitter: Nobby7694
