MANITOBA GOVERNMENT ANNOUNCES VIVIAN SAND PROPOSAL WILL NOT MOVE FORWARD

- - - Serious Environmental Concerns Outweigh Uncertain  Economic Benefit: Kinew The Manitoba government has decided to not issue an environmental licence for the Vivian sand extraction project in the Rural Municipality of Springfield, Premier Wab Kinew and Environment and Climate Change Minister Tracy Schmidt announced today. “Our government will always put the health and safety of Manitobans first, and this includes ensuring communities have safe, clean drinking water,” said Kinew. “After taking the time and doing our due diligence, our government has come to the decision that the risks of this proposal outweigh any potential benefits.” The decision made by Schmidt was based on the information and data provided by experts including the report done by the Clean Environment Commission (CEC) as well as consultation with impacted communities and First Nations, noted Kinew. The CEC report identified a number of serious environmental concerns about this project, which would have extracted sand through aquifers that provide drinking water to 100,000 Manitobans, said the premier. “We have a responsibility to ensure we are not endangering Manitobans’ drinking water,” said Schmidt. “This proposal failed to adequately consider long-term impacts including potential aquifer collapse. That’s why we made the decision to not issue a license for the Vivian sand extraction project.” The CEC also heard from hundreds of Manitobans voicing their opposition to this project including the community of Springfield, local leaders, scientists and environmental advocacy groups, noted the minister. - 30 -

Climate Scientist Michael Mann Wins $1M in Defamation Suit

THE ENERGY MIX

A jury on Thursday awarded US$1 million to climate scientist Michael Mann who sued a pair of conservative writers 12 years ago after they compared his depictions of global warming to a convicted sex offender. Story here.

Palm oil supplier to Nestle, Kellogg's & Colgate linked to Peru deforestation in report

REUTERS

 A supplier to brands including Nestle, Kellogg's and Colgate has been farming palm oil on deforested land in one of the best-preserved areas of Peru's Amazon rainforest, an environmental group said in an investigative report, opens new tab released on Wednesday. STORY HERE.

"COMMON GROUND" DOCUMENTARY TRAILER

Oilsands Release Up to 63x More Pollution than Industry Reports, New Study Finds

The Energy Mix

Alberta’s oilsands are releasing potentially hazardous compounds into the atmosphere at rates dozens of times higher than official estimates, newly published research suggests. Story here.

PRISTINE WATERSHED STEPS CLOSER TO PROTECTION FOR POSTERITY.

Canada's National Observer.

The Seal River is pristine and untouched by development with waters clean enough to drink. Now, the remote watershed is one step closer to becoming one of Canada’s first Indigenous-led conservation areas.

Story here.

MISLEADING NEWSPAPER SPREADING IN MANITOBA.

City news interviewed me for this story a few years back. I thought it is worth repeating. And please STAY VIGILANT! L.P. ========