BC Premier discusses recent Enbridge oil pipeline spill in Michigan
The American safety board said Enbridge failed to deal adequately with structural problems detected on the pipeline years before the rupture and then failed to respond appropriately to the catastrophe.
The board’s report said Enbridge didn’t realize the oil was pouring into the Michigan river until a worker from another company called in the alert, and during the time Enbridge control centre personnel twice pumped more oil into the ruptured line.
The spill fouled more than 50 kilometres of waterways and wetlands. About 320 people reported symptoms from crude oil exposure. Enbridge’s cleanup costs have exceeded $800 million.
I was impressed with quotes by Christy Clark @ CTV.ca Apparently this is the first time she or any BC liberals have expressed opposition to the proposed pipeline. Obviously her response was quite mild, and a bit delusional. If Enbridge does build the pipeline, British Columbians have every reason to expect similar results.
The Globe and Mail has a piece on the Koch Brother’s stakes in the Alberta oil sands. Read it all here.
Excerpt:
» The company is one of Canada’s largest crude oil purchasers, shippers and exporters, with more than 130 crude oil customers.
» It is among the largest U.S. refiners of oil sands crude, responsible for about 25 percent of imports.
» It is one of the largest holders of mineral leases in Alberta, where most of Canada’s tar sands deposits are located.
» It has its name attached to hundreds of well sites across Alberta tracked by Canadian regulators.
» It owns pipelines in Minnesota and Wisconsin that import western Canadian crude to U.S. refineries and also distribute finished products to customers.
» It owns and operates a 675,000 barrel oil terminal in Hardisty, Alberta, a major tar sands export hub.
»And this year it kicked off a 10,000 barrel-a-day mining project in Alberta that could be the seed of a much larger project.
Increasingly nasty skirmishes in Quebec between police and student protesters resulted in 150 arrests in one spot Thursday, in a province filled with politically charged anti-tuition demonstrations.
The arrests came at the Universite du Quebec at Gatineau, where authorities described scenes of vandalism and considerable damage.
The protesters were released but the majority will face serious charges — including acts of criminal mischief and illegal occupation, which are much more severe than the tickets for municipal violations that have been handed out so far.
Quebec students have been in the streets this spring protesting against tuition hikes, which would raise university fees 75 per cent over five years but still leave the province with rates lower than the Canadian average.
While many students have returned to their classrooms, the ongoing protests have become increasingly radical, including acts that have disrupted subway service in Montreal.
Meanwhile, baton-wielding police have also become aggressive in dealing with crowds. Even some teachers have been arrested.
“I feel like I’m living in a dictatorship,” said student Laurent Paradis-Charette, pointing at the riot squad blocking access to a university pavillion.
“This is a clear signal to the federal government, and all legislatures across the country, that Ontario is leading the way in harmonizing and modernizing the way legal documents are distributed and accessed by trans people. This is a wonderful day.”
I want to speak freely without fear that my words will be deemed too political, and harm the organization of which I am so proud. I am keenly aware that some governments, industries and special interest groups are working hard to silence us. They use threats to the Foundation’s charitable status in attempts to mute its powerful voice on issues that matter deeply to you and many other Canadians.
This bullying demonstrates how important it is to speak out.
The association says drivers are expected to work 12-hour shifts, seven days a week, without guaranteed minimum pay. Because drivers are independent contractors, they are not protected under labour laws nor entitled to health benefits or paid vacation time.
we can’t say it’s accidental that racialized immigrants are red-lined from labour rights and are the targets and tools for canada’s neoliberal agenda in the working force.
The commission calls for all provinces and territories to develop residential school education materials for public schools. Provinces and territories should hold education campaigns about the history and impact of residential schools in their jurisdictions.
