Economics

Lone-wolf threat feared at Vancouver Olympics

Authorities see single terrorist as a key threat

Stewart Bell, National Post Published: Thursday, November 27, 2008

Ward Perrin/Canwest News Service

A federal study of terrorist threats to Olympic facilities in
Vancouver has raised the spectre of an attack by a "lone wolf," like
the anti-abortionist who struck during the 1996 Atlanta games.

The lone-wolf scenario is one of four terrorist threats listed in the
government intelligence assessment, a copy of which was obtained by

The Nuclear Push
Mining lobby wants uranium ban lifted
November 24, 2008

by David Parker, Asaf Rashid, Angela Day

HANTS COUNTY, NOVA SCOTIA–As the global demand for energy increases and resources dwindle, a collusion of provincial government and extractive industry officials are pushing to establish a uranium mining industry in rural Nova Scotia through a "voluntary planning” process.

Risk-free pipeline projects make sense
Deborah Yedlin, Calgary Herald
Published: Tuesday, November 25, 2008

In the midst of the market mayhem, something surprising happened last week; two Calgary-based pipeline companies raised almost $2 billion from the debt and equity markets.

First out of the blocks was TransCanada Pipelines, tapping the public equity markets for a total take of $1 billion priced at $33 per share. The shares closed Monday at $32.22, up 27 cents.

Controversy rocks lead-up to 2010 Olympics
Real News // November 26, 2008 (Video below)
2010 Olympics promotional train tour becomes target for protests across Canada

Hidden tar-sands agendas
BARRY HEALEY
November 13, 2008

Toronto -- Jeffrey Simpson points out the dishonesty of Stephen Harper in proposing to unite with the U.S. to combat global warming while leaving the tar sands out of the agreement (Little New For Obama In Ottawa's Energy 'Offer' - Nov. 12).

Company may delay McKay River project
2008-11-25
By KRISTINE OWRAM, THE CANADIAN PRESS

TORONTO -- Petro-Canada CEO Ron Brenneman says the company is considering a delay of its McKay River oilsands expansion and a $1-billion equipment improvement at its Montreal refinery to reduce costs.

Brenneman, speaking to media ahead of the company's investor day, said the McKay River expansion in northern Alberta, as well as its Montreal coker, haven't yet received regulatory and corporate approvals.

Tue, November 25, 2008
Oilsands surviving downturn
Projects benefit as economic crisis makes contractors and suppliers hungrier for work
By MARKUS ERMISCH, SUN MEDIA

While delays of several oilsands projects have again raised the question whether it is cheaper to upgrade bitumen in the U.S. rather than in Alberta, the sagging loonie, easing inflation and lower demand for labour could be working in the oilpatch's favour.

Claims of industrial genocide in northern AB
Click here to email Troy Adams
11/24/2008

A speaker at a conference of people opposed to oilsands development in northern Alberta says aboriginals face a ``genocide'' as companies release waste into rivers that flow through their communities.

Mike Mercredi told the Everyone's Downstream 2 conference in Edmonton that it's a slow, industrial genocide.

"Indians: Oil sands development 'genocide'"

EDMONTON, Alberta, Nov. 24 (UPI) -- A Canadian Indian rights advocate claims oil sands development in Alberta is akin to genocide from water contamination on reservation lands.

Speaking at a conference in Edmonton Sunday, Mike Mercredi, 33, said death rates at the Fort Chipewyan reservation's 1,200 people 400 miles northeast of Edmonton were on the rise, the Edmonton Sun reported.

Could jittery sponsors drop the torch?
Globe and Mail, November 18, 2008
ROD MICKLEBURGH // VANCOUVER

— Are economic vultures beginning to hover over the 2010 Winter
Olympics? Or is it business as usual despite concerns that many parts
of the world, including North America, are slipping into recession?

The questions are pertinent because more than half of the Games'
$1.63-billion operating budget is to be covered by corporate
sponsorships, and at least two key 2010 sponsors, Nortel and GM Canada,
are having an exceedingly tough time making any kind of ends meet.