Environmental Law & Policy

Federal Government Writes Off Alberta Caribou

War on Wolves Goes National

A long overdue federal woodland caribou recovery strategy released today allows ongoing habitat loss at the hands of Alberta’s energy and forestry industries. For the weakest herds in Alberta and across Canada, it leaves the only key management tool as the killing of thousands of wolves. Alberta Wilderness Association (AWA) finds this approach unacceptable within Species at Risk Act obligations, and calls for habitat protection and restoration for herds throughout their current distribution. Read More

Pembina reacts to draft Woodland Caribou Recovery Strategy

CALGARY — Simon Dyer, policy director with the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the Government of Canada's release of a draft recovery strategy for woodland caribou:

"By allowing 95 per cent of woodland caribou habitat in northeastern Alberta to be lost, the Government of Canada is proposing that Canadians 'write off' virtually all the habitat that supports Alberta's caribou herds in order to promote irresponsible levels of oilsands development. Read More

Proposed caribou recovery strategy violates SARA

EDMONTON — The federal government’s draft woodland caribou recovery strategy — released today, four years overdue — is illegal and fails on multiple fronts to comply with requirements under the Species at Risk Act, Ecojustice said today.

“This is not a recovery plan. This is barely a survival plan,” said Melissa Gorrie, Ecojustice staff lawyer. “SARA requires that recovery plans be based in science, but this plan clearly prioritizes political and industrial interests over that of the animals it is supposed to protect.” Read More

Pembina reacts to new federal regulations for coal-fired electricity

Edmonton, AB — Tim Weis, Director of Renewable Energy and Efficiency, made the following statement in response to today's announcement by Environment Minister Peter Kent regarding federal regulations for greenhouse gas emissions from coal-fired electricity:  Read More

Alberta’s Woodland Caribou in Peril

Newly-revealed Documents Show Scientists Trying to Sound the Alarm

The plight of Alberta’s woodland caribou has become so desperate that Alberta government scientists are recommending that the species be downgraded from a threatened species to an endangered species, according to newly‐released documents. Although the province’s Scientific Subcommittee recommended the downgrading nearly a year ago, still the government is failing to act. Read More

Alberta Utilities Commission fails to protect public interest with final coal plant approval

CALGARY — Today's final decision by the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) to approve a coal plant expansion proposed by Maxim Power Corp. represents a serious failure by the AUC to safeguard the public interest that could undermine upcoming federal greenhouse gas regulations, according to two of Canada's leading environmental groups. Read More

Groups call on Minister Kent to ensure Maxim Power’s proposed coal plant plays by the rules

OTTAWA – More than 40 diverse civil society organizations from across Canada have signed on to a letter calling on federal Environment Minister Peter Kent to protect the integrity of Canada’s forthcoming coal regulations by ensuring that this proposed new coal plant is not permitted to evade Ottawa’s rules. Read More

Alberta Utilities Commission faces court challenge over approval of Milner coal plant expansion

Failure to hold public hearing, expedited approval sparks lawsuit

CALGARY — Ecojustice and the Pembina Institute are taking the Alberta Utilities Commission (AUC) to court over its decision to grant Maxim Power Corp.’s coal plant expansion interim approval without a public hearing.

As the AUC itself made clear, the expedited approval was given in a blatant attempt to beat the federal government’s deadline for new greenhouse gas regulations. Read More

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