Social Impacts. Overnight injections of migrant workers will not build healthy communities and can have severely adverse impacts on existing communities, especially those of indigenous nations on their traditional lands. Such development brings vices and long term displacement too often. Drugs, alcohol and associated violence spreads. Hunting becomes difficult when the land is threatened, leading to a further loss of culture and tradition. In towns like Fort McMurray there is no planning for the future, but merely consumption in the present. However transient the individuals may be, the populations will not leave, as “development” takes on a logic all its own. All levels of run away development are subordinate to that development, not social need.
2nd June 2009
Are Private Corporations Entwined in Olympic Security?
Olympics Watch
by Tim Groves
Canada's plans to involve US Government agencies in security for the 2010 Olympics may lead to US corporations, like Mircosoft and Boeing gaining access to Canadian security information. Top Canadian security officials have traveled to US military bases, security conferences, and congressional hearings in order to keep US officials abreast of planning in Canada.
Alberta explosion sends four to hospital
Vancouver Sun
June 3, 2009
Canada not yet ready for China
Claudia Cattaneo, Financial Post
Published: Wednesday, June 03, 2009
China and Canada have talked about developing a mutually beneficial energy relationship for a long time. Yet China seems to have made significant oil and gas investments everywhere but Canada, while Canada seems to have seen an influx of significant foreign investment in energy from everywhere but China in recent years.
Four vie to become DFN grand chief
Roxanna Thompson
Northern News Services
Published Thursday, May 28, 2009
DEH CHO - For the first time in six years there's an election race underway for the position of grand chief with the Dehcho First Nations.
Four candidates, three from Fort Simpson and one from Fort Providence, are campaigning in the election.
ALBERTA IN TIE-UP WITH OPEC
Province will get voice in energy discussions
Claudia Cattaneo, Financial Post
Published: Monday, May 25, 2009
Chris Schwarz, Canwest News Service
For the first time, Alberta and the Organization of Petroleum Exporting Countries have established an official relationship. It's a new strategy with big implications, including potential investment by OPEC members in Canada's oil sands.
Tar sands' climate threat, security promise both exaggerated -- report
By NATHANIAL GRONEWOLD, Greenwire [NYTimes]
Published: May 22, 2009
NEW YORK -- Further development of Alberta's famous oil sands will be neither the climate disaster that activists fear nor the energy security panacea that proponents suggest it is, the Council on Foreign Relations concludes in a new report.
Oil sands crucial to energy mix: Imperial CEO
By Claudia Cattaneo, Financial PostMay 15, 2009
Canwest News Service
CALGARY -- Canada’s oil sands represent such a large part of the remaining world oil resources it’s unrealistic to exclude them from North America’s future energy mix, said the CEO of Imperial Oil Ltd.
Despite a push to stop or contain their development, Bruce March said Alberta’s deposits represent 40% of known oil resources in the world that are not under the control of national oil companies.
Guujaaw, President, Council of the Haida Nation
May 19 2009
To: John Carruthers
President of Enbridge "Northern Gateway Pipeline"
In response to your letter dated April 29th.
You have invited us to attend a meeting in Kitimat on June 18 and 19, "to guide
the design, construction, and operations of the proposed project".
This project that you are proposing would necessitate the movement of tankers
through these waters on a daily basis, which of course, is of concern to us.
We are a people who depend on the health and well-being of the seas around us.
Natives, environmentalists assail proposed Enbridge oil pipeline to Kitimat
May 6, 2009
TORONTO — First nations and environmental activists say the oil industry is trying for an end run around U.S. concerns about oilsands pollution and will trample on native lands with Enbridge Inc.'s (TSX:ENB) proposed pipeline from Alberta to the B.C. coast.
A small group journeyed from British Columbia to the pipeline company's annual meeting Wednesday in Toronto to protest against the Northern Gateway project.
*News Release:*
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*Statoil in trouble with major investors over its tar sands involvement*
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13 May 2009 (Oslo, Norway) — Four major investors are putting pressure on
Statoil to withdraw from the tar sands, Greenpeace has learned.
Danske Bank has expressed its opposition to the contentious project while
Norway’s largest bank, DnBNOR, is holding meetings today to discuss whether
continued involvement in the Alberta tar sands is a sound investment.
In addition, prominent Statoil stakeholders, Folksam, a Swedish insurance
