This week’s highlights:
Article: Oceans Protection Plan to Work with First Nations
Infographic: Who is investing in BC LNG?
Headlines: Recent News
Oceans Protection Plan to work with First Nations
There are numerous management changes on the horizon that will help safeguard B.C.’s oceans, thanks to Canada’s nation-wide Oceans Protection Plan announced in November of 2016. The Oceans Protection Plan will help keep Canadian waters and coasts safe and clean. Under the plan, the Government of Canada will partner with Indigenous and coastal communities to develop a marine safety system and ensure that commercial shipping is taking place in a way that is safe for mariners and that protects and sustains the economic, environmental, social and cultural health of Canadian oceans and coasts. This is good news for coastal First Nations since it will provide extensive resources to keep our oceans healthy as LNG projects go ahead.
The extensive Oceans Protection Plan includes $1.5 billion in funding over a five year period, though given the magnitude of the plan, it will take some time for specific program and initiative announcements to roll out.
To implement the plan, the Government of Canada will partner with Indigenous and coastal communities and seek their advice regarding:
- Environmental monitoring plans
- Mitigation measures for marine mammals
- Coastal habitat restoration
- New systems for real-time information and modernized tools
- Mitigation measures for marine traffic
- Training
- Emergency Response
Environmental Monitoring Plans
The federal government will work with First Nations to develop environmental monitoring plans on all three of Canada’s coasts. The plans will look at environmental indicators, proposals and strategies, and facilitate environmental data collection in order to detect changes in each respective ecosystem and improve our understanding of cumulative shipping effects.
Read the rest of the article on our website.
Recent news
- A local group of governments in Northwest B.C. is asking for a share of the revenue their communities help create, to maintain their infrastructure that experiences wear and tear as a result of local industry.
- Although neither of the two planned LNG plants at Kitimat have reached final investment, each provincial election candidate framed statements around the potential.
- Reclaimed land is re-opening the Fraser River to Tsawassen First Nation.
- Christy Clark highlighted her hopes for LNG in Northwest B.C. NDP strongholds.
- Michael Danielewicz, P2 Energy Solutions’ Senior Vice President and Canadian General Manager talk about getting oil and gas startups running quickly.
- OGC has approved KT Energy’s Fort Nelson LNG plant.