• Some of Canada's top scientists push for changes to Carney's new major projects bill

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-10-22 08:00:00.0
  Tags: [National, British Columbia, Environment, Infrastructure, Energy, Governance]

  More than 50 fellows of the Royal Society of Canada published an open letter urging Parliament to make six significant amendments to Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act. The 243-page bill aims to fast-track major energy and infrastructure projects by establishing a one-year review deadline and pre-approved regions of national interest, while amending over a dozen federal laws including those protecting species at risk, fisheries, and water quality. Scientists, including representatives from the University of British Columbia and Queen's University, warn that eliminating the five-year sunset clause from the original Building Canada Act (Bill C-5) and weakening environmental oversight could drive irreversible harm and species extinction, such as the endangered southern resident orca population. Federal ministers, including Dominic LeBlanc, defended the legislation before a special legislative committee, arguing that clearer timelines and robust oversight can coexist.

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• Liberal MP calls for more safeguards in new bill to fast-track development projects

  Source: CBC Politics
  Date: 2026-10-07 22:35:17.0
  Tags: [National, British Columbia, Infrastructure, Energy, Environment, Governance]

  Liberal MP Patrick Weiler publicly raised concerns in the House of Commons regarding Bill C-39, the Building Canada Strong Act, which grants the Carney government sweeping powers to fast-track major infrastructure projects like pipelines, mines, and ports within one year. Weiler flagged shortcomings including excessive ministerial discretion to exempt projects from environmental regulations, compressed timelines limiting Indigenous and public input, and provisions allowing preliminary construction before environmental assessments are complete. The legislation, overseen by Transport Minister and House Leader Steven MacKinnon, is being studied in the House of Commons via a rare legislative committee structure covering its more than 200 clauses. Environmental groups and labour unions have also pushed back against the bill, warning it threatens environmental protections, at-risk species like caribou, and labour standards.

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• First candidate area announced for Working Forest Landscape Model

  Source: British Columbia - Government News
  Date: 2026-09-15 14:45:00.0
  Tags: [British Columbia, Resources, Environment, Indigenous, Industry, Governance]

  The British Columbia Ministry of Forests and the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, in partnership with the Na̲nwak̲olas Council (including the Tlowitsis, We Wai Kai, Wei Wai Kum, and K’ómoks First Nations), have identified an area north of Campbell River as the first candidate site to explore a three-zone Working Forest Landscape Model. The model divides public forests into a Working-Forest Zone for commercial timber, a Multiple-Use Zone for biodiversity and ecosystem restoration, and a Conservation and Protection Zone. This exploration phase aims to improve predictability for industry, workers, and First Nations while addressing fibre constraints, climate pressures, and biodiversity values across tenures such as Tree Farm Licence 64 and BC Timber Sales operating areas.

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• Opening engagement on dock management in southern Gulf Islands

  Source: British Columbia - Government News
  Date: 2026-09-03 21:15:00.0
  Tags: [British Columbia, Environment, Resources, Indigenous, Governance]

  The Government of British Columbia, through the Ministry of Water, Land and Resource Stewardship, has opened a public consultation period running from September 3, 2026, to October 18, 2026, regarding a draft Strategic Management Plan for private marine docks on Crown foreshore areas in the southern Gulf Islands and southeastern Vancouver Island. Following a pause on new private moorage applications implemented in 2021 that ended in March 2026, the proposed strategy establishes guidelines to balance environmental protection, First Nations rights, public coastline access, and clear application requirements. Existing authorized docks will not be forced to relocate or be removed, but owners will be required to transition to defined best management practices over time.

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