Canadian Media Resource Articles – Page 618

Tim Hudak sets election agenda with explosive pledges – by Martin Regg Cohn (Toronto Star – May 10, 2014)

May 12, 2014

The Toronto Star has the largest circulation in Canada. The paper has an enormous impact on federal and Ontario politics as well as shaping public opinion.

Give the Tory leader credit for laying his job on the line by promising to lay off 100,000 public servants.

Hello Tim Hudak! If Ontarians hadn’t noticed you yet, they’ll know you soon enough. Give the Tory leader credit for laying his job on the line: not many politicians go into an election campaign telling voters they’d ditch 100,000 jobs from the provincial government, schools and municipalities.

That’s a lot of public servants — and plenty of public services. Depending on the June 12 election results, all those people will lose their positions, or Hudak will. Beyond the explosive job cuts, he’d also cut corporate taxes by a stunning 30 per cent. The Tory leader announced Saturday he’d make Ontario the lowest-tax jurisdiction for business in North America.

Why keep cutting government and taxes?

Corporate rates in Ontario are already far lower than in neighbouring U.S. states that compete for the same investments. You may remember Republican Mitt Romney pointing enviously to Ontario’s low taxes in the last U.S. presidential election.

Environmental study on uranium mining announced – by Michelle Lalonde (Montreal Gazette – May 8, 2014)

May 12, 2014

http://www.montrealgazette.com/index.html

A coalition of doctors, environmental groups and First Nations leaders gathered in Montreal Thursday to publicly urge Quebec’s new premier to maintain the moratorium on uranium mining until the risks and impacts of these mines on surrounding communities have been thoroughly studied.

The province’s environmental watchdog, the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE), announced Tuesday it will begin a year-long study of the uranium mining issue starting later this month.

That process, lead by former environmental journalist Louis-Gilles Francoeur, will be carried out in three phases: pre-consultation hearings to determine public concerns from May 20 to June 23, an information phase this fall where the committee will consult experts, and an official public hearing phase next fall and winter where interested parties can present written briefs or speak directly to the commissioners.

Uranium is a naturally occurring radioactive element that is present in many areas of Quebec, including northern Quebec, Temiscaming, the Laurentians, Gatineau, Shawinigan, Sept-Îles and the North Shore.

Vale N.L. not ordered to hold back waste – by Ashley Fitzpatrick (St. John’s Telegram – May 8, 2014)

May 9, 2014

http://www.thetelegram.com/

Former Environment Canada officer details slow response to failed tests

Environment Canada officer Ron Hunter was kept informed as, repeatedly, samples of treated liquid waste from Vale Newfoundland and Labrador’s mine site at Voisey’s Bay failed a key environmental safety test in October 2011.

According to the now-retired officer’s testimony, during a day of trial at provincial court in St. John’s Wednesday, it took the better part of the month and a third failed test before he felt the need to give formal direction to the company about the discharge of the waste into nearby Anaktalak Bay, on the Labrador coast.

Release of treated mine waste into the waters is permitted, but only with regular testing showing it remains within specific parameters, for the protection of the environment.

During Hunter’s testimony, a reference was made to a “final discharge point monthly summary,” stating a total volume of waste released into the bay during the month in question was 492,337 cubic metres — enough to fill 197 Olympic-size swimming pools.

The Telegram has yet to see that document.

Magna says no new plants for Canada, cites Ontario energy costs – by Dana Flavelle (Toronto Star – May 9, 2014)

May 9, 2014

The Toronto Star has the largest circulation in Canada. The paper has an enormous impact on federal and Ontario politics as well as shaping public opinion.

Ontario energy, pension costs a concern, the company says.

Magna International Inc. says it has no plans to open any new plants in Canada despite a lower dollar, chief executive officer Don Walker says. The nearly 10 per cent decline in the Canadian dollar relative to the U.S. greenback has helped make the Aurora-based global auto parts supplier more cost competitive, Walker told the company’s annual general meeting Thursday.

But the company said it’s concerned about Ontario’s industrial electricity rates and proposed pension plan, along with the future of its auto assembly plants.

“I’m worried about electricity prices in Ontario, where all of our plants are located,” Walker told a press conference after the meeting at The Westin Prince Hotel in Toronto. Magna operates 46 auto plants in Canada, all in Ontario where the major auto makers’ assembly plants are located.

Walker said he hoped whoever wins the Ontario election on June 12 takes action to reduce energy costs for the corporate sector.

Kathleen Wynne gets good value in her fight with Stephen Harper: Editorial (Toronto Star – May 9, 2014)

May 9, 2014

The Toronto Star has the largest circulation in Canada. The paper has an enormous impact on federal and Ontario politics as well as shaping public opinion.

“… the $11 billion that Ontario sends to Ottawa each year and doesn’t
get back in federal transfer payments, and his government’s lack of investment
in northern Ontario’s massive resource opportunity, the Ring of Fire….
To be fair, Wynne’s promise to invest $1 billion in the Ring of Fire
relies on matching funds from the feds, so it’s essentially meaningless.”

Liberal Kathleen Wynne says she’s the only Ontario leader who will fight the stingy federal government on behalf of Ontario. Who is Kathleen Wynne campaigning against, anyway?

The premier and Liberal leader has spent the past few days attacking Prime Minister Stephen Harper with such glee that you’d think he was her chief competitor in the provincial election.

The best part, for Wynne, is Harper’s response. Instead of ignoring her, as the nation’s leader should do with a pesky provincial politician, Harper and his staff keep firing back, which only fuels awareness of the big Liberal ideas that the federal Conservatives oppose.

Nickel soars to two-year high on Goro mine halt, shortages – by Eric Onstad and Harpreet Bhal (Globe and Mail – May 9, 2014)

May 9, 2014

The Globe and Mail is Canada’s national newspaper with the second largest broadsheet circulation in the country. It has enormous influence on Canada’s political and business elite.

LONDON — Reuters – Nickel raced to its strongest level in more than two years on Thursday as industrial consumers scrambled to secure supplies and speculators extended their buying spree after Vale halted its Goro nickel operations in New Caledonia.

Though the Goro shutdown was not expected to have a major impact on physical nickel supplies, it served to fire up bullish sentiment and chart-based purchases.

The nickel market, which has soared nearly 40 per cent this year, was already nervous about shortfalls from top producer Indonesia and worried about potential Russian supply problems.

“Today we’ve seen some panicked consumer hedging and the hedge funds have already been in there for a while,” said analyst David Wilson at Citi in London.

Three-month nickel on the London Metal Exchange (LME) surged 6.1 per cent to a high of $19,786 a tonne, the strongest since March 2, 2012. It later retreated to $19,451 a tonne at 1421 GMT, up 4 per cent from Wednesday’s close, with trading volumes of over 10,700 lots compared with Wednesday’s full-day volume of 5,121.

100 years of Alberta oil: How an industry was born – by Yadullah Hussain (National Post – May 9, 2014)

May 9, 2014

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper.

When Canadians from Eastern Canada move to Western Canada these days to seek better prospects they are merely following in the footsteps of William Stewart Herron, who packed up his bags in Ontario’s Haliburton county and ended up in Okotoks south of Calgary.

Except that Herron’s migration spawned an industry that transformed Alberta’s fortunes. Herron has been credited for discovering and laying the ground for the development of Alberta’s first well that gushed oil nearly a 100 years ago on May 14, 1914. Herron didn’t accomplish his feat alone, of course. There were other major actors including a future prime minister, a senator and one Archibald Dingman.

Born in Peterborough, Ont., Herron began modestly as a cook’s helper, but soon honed his entrepreneurial skills building a logging and road-building business in Northern Ontario. As work waned in the region, he caught the oil bug after visiting an oilfield in Pennsylvania while on holiday, and in the hope of deploying his equipment in the south.

“While Herron did not find work south of the border, the trip did establish what would become a consuming interest in petroleum geology,” wrote R.C. Macleod in his 1984 book ‘William Stewart Herron, Father of the Petroleum Industry in Alberta.’

The British may be coming: As U.S. shuns Canadian energy, UK seeks stronger ties – by Claudia Cattaneo (National Post – May 9, 2014)

May 9, 2014

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper.

With Canada’s long-standing energy partnership with the United States at a low point over disagreements on pipelines, climate change and oil sands development, the British are as eager as ever to step in and strengthen ties.

Michael Fallon, energy minister in David Cameron’s conservative government, was in Calgary Thursday to promote U.K./Canada energy cooperation — including learning from Canada’s “leadership” in carbon capture and storage, promoting more mutual investment and encouraging Canadian oil and gas exports to boost British and European energy security.

“Canada is a very important and a very welcome investor in our energy mix,” Mr. Fallon said in an interview during a day long-visit that included meetings with British companies active in Canada such as Royal Dutch Shell PLC and Centrica PLC, and Canadian companies active in the U.K. including Talisman Energy Inc. and Canadian Natural Resources Ltd.

“There is huge potential [for Canadian companies] in the development of shale, in Canada there is a lot of gas that could contribute to a more stable international market in gas and Canada is at the top of everybody’s list of being a reliable supplier,” he said.

China decries Canada’s ‘negative’ investment rules – by Nathan Vanderklippe (Globe and Mail – May 8, 2014)

May 8, 2014

The Globe and Mail is Canada’s national newspaper with the second largest broadsheet circulation in the country. It has enormous influence on Canada’s political and business elite.

HONG KONG — China’s incoming ambassador, saying Beijing still does not fully trust Canada, called on the federal government to roll back “negative” new foreign investment rules and smooth the way for increased trade with China.

Luo Zhaohui, a veteran diplomat with a love of basketball, will board a plane Thursday for Ottawa, where he will take charge of an international relationship that is as vital to Canada’s economic future as it is fraught with problems.

China has become banker to Canada’s oil and gas industry and buyer of its minerals and lumber, a country whose vast market and deep pockets have stoked lust among Canadian political and business leaders alike. Annual trade has reached nearly $60-billion (U.S.), although that’s “not enough” in the opinion of Mr. Luo, who held out the promise of a China open to buying more of what Canada has to sell.

But mutual suspicion has clouded the relationship even as ties between the two counties have deepened, with Canadian anxiety over the clout of the rising superpower and China bridling at trade and investment restrictions.

Time to counter human rights abuses by Canada’s mining companies – by Alex Neve (Toronto Star – May 8, 2014)

May 8, 2014

The Toronto Star has the largest circulation in Canada. The paper has an enormous impact on federal and Ontario politics as well as shaping public opinion.

Alex Neve is Secretary General of Amnesty International Canada.

Major change is required to ensure accountability for companies that cause harm and effective remedy for those who are harmed, especially in the mining industry.

The stories mount, stories of human rights abuse and injustice: “mining activists shot,” “mine operations suspended,” “company accused of water pollution.” Far too often a Canadian mining company is behind the story. Canadian mining companies lead the mining world; but none aspire to lead the world in mining-related human rights abuses.

There is a common theme to all the cases: lack of an effective remedy open to the individuals and communities that suffer human rights harms associated with Canadian mining operations. Victims have nowhere to turn for justice. Not in their home country, nor in Canada.

Over the last two decades, as Canadian companies dig in evermore far-flung corners of the world for gold and other precious metals, disturbing accusations of human rights abuses follow.

Centerra Gold continues to navigate minefield of Kyrgyzstan politics – by Peter Koven (National Post – May 8, 2014)

May 8, 2014

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper.

Centerra Gold Inc. is so used to getting threatened by its host government in Kyrgyzstan that it scarcely blinks anymore.

Over the past couple of weeks, Centerra watched as the Kyrgyz parliament passed a law prohibiting activities (like gold mining) that affect glaciers, and as a government agency suggested the company’s flagship Kumtor mine could be suspended. On top of that, its 2014 mine plan has still not been approved by the state.

If these events happened in another country, mining investors would be running for the hills. But they are so commonplace in Kyrgyzstan that Centerra shares barely budged, remaining around the $5.50 mark so far this week. It is simply the price Centerra has to pay to operate in a country that the Fraser Institute recently deemed the worst mining jurisdiction on earth.

Yet through all the noise, the one constant is that the Kumtor mine continues to run and churn out cash. It has done so for 16 years, with only one brief interruption last year that had anything to do with politics.

“Even though the mine comes under a lot of rhetoric and is used as a political football, they do allow it to continue to operate because it’s such a key part of the country,” Centerra chief executive Ian Atkinson said in an interview.

Showdown looms in South African platinum strike – by Geoffrey York (Globe and Mail – May 7, 2014)

May 7, 2014

The Globe and Mail is Canada’s national newspaper with the second largest broadsheet circulation in the country. It has enormous influence on Canada’s political and business elite.

JOHANNESBURG — Platinum mining companies are heading into a final showdown with 70,000 striking workers this week, trying to break a stubborn union that has spearheaded the longest and costliest strike in the history of South African mining.

The outcome is likely to trigger a major overhaul of the country’s platinum sector, leading to mine closings, greater mechanization and thousands of job cuts. It could indirectly benefit several Canadian companies that plan to operate mechanized platinum mines in South Africa.

The three major producers, accounting for about 40 per cent of the world’s platinum production, are seeking to bypass the union by taking their wage offer directly to employees in cellphone text messages, public meetings and radio commercials.

One of the three companies, Lonmin PLC , has set a Thursday deadline for phone-message acceptance from its employees. It is hoping to have its employees back at work by the middle of next week. The other two companies are making similar efforts.

The strike is in its 15th week, inflicting heavy damage on the mining firms and the workers, with no sign of a revival of the talks. The three major producers have lost an estimated $1.6-billion (U.S.) in revenues so far, while the employees have lost about $700-million in earnings.

Sherritt International Corp. wins solid victory in proxy fight, but activist George Armoyan vows to keep pushing for change – by Peter Koven (National Post – May 7, 2014)

May 7, 2014

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper.

TORONTO — Sherritt International Corp. won a convincing victory in its proxy battle with George Armoyan on Tuesday, but the activist investor insists he is not selling his shares and going away.

Mr. Armoyan earned a round of applause at Sherritt’s annual meeting in Toronto after stating that the company has good potential and is making progress in realizing shareholder value. It was a subdued speech by his standards that cast aside the bad blood from the proxy fight.

“We offered ideas; some have been accepted, some not. But we intend to remain active and involved shareholders,” he said.

Mr. Armoyan, the chief executive of Halifax-based Clarke Inc., launched his campaign against Sherritt last December, claiming the company’s directors were enriching themselves while failing to create value for shareholders. He wanted to replace three existing directors with himself and two handpicked nominees.

Ultimately, his efforts fell well short. All of Sherritt’s nominees were elected at the annual meeting, with each one getting more than 146 million shares voted in their favour.

Europe softens stance on Canada’s oil sands as relations with Russia sour – by Yadullah Hussain (National Post – May 7, 2014)

May 7, 2014

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper.

As Europe reels from Moscow’s belligerence and utter dependence on its oil and gas supplies, the Harper government is positioning itself as a reliable partner ready to offer energy security to the continent.

In his first international assignment, Canada’s Natural Resources Minister Greg Rickford was out in full force advertising the country’s formidable crude oil and natural gas resources to energy ministers of Germany, France, Italy, Japan, U.K. and U.S. in Rome on Tuesday.

“In a time where many countries are faced with the dual challenges of increasing demands for energy and an unstable energy supply, Canada is a reliable, secure and responsible source of energy,” Mr. Rickford told reporters after a special meeting with the Group of Seven ministers.

As the only major oil and gas exporter in the group, Canada is leveraging its oil and gas reserves to position itself as a reliable supplier of energy and an alternative source to Vladimir Putin’s Russia.

“Our government is committed to expanding markets for our energy products to Asia and Europe, creating jobs and prosperity for Canadians.

Matt Gurney: Wynne does her best to out gas plants McGuinty – by Matt Gurney (National Post – May 7, 2014)

May 7, 2014

The National Post is Canada’s second largest national paper.

There’s an election underway in Ontario, with the Liberals, led by Kathleen Wynne, trying to hold onto power against the Tim Hudak-led Progressive Conservatives and Andrea Horwath’s New Democrats.

Ms. Wynne is in a tricky position. Though long a senior Liberal, she only took over as leader of the party — and by extension, Ontario premier — 15 months ago, after the former premier, Dalton McGuinty, resigned. Mr. McGuinty took his ball and went home in the face of mounting evidence that the Liberals had blown a billion dollars of borrowed money to cancel two controversial gas-fired power plants, long championed by his government, in order to shore up his party’s prospects in several hotly contested ridings.

It worked. The Liberals held the seats. But the crass opportunism of the move, combined with the eye-popping price tag and efforts to whitewash the entire affair, destroyed Mr. McGuinty’s credibility. So he left. That’s where Ms. Wynne came in, and she’s been been trying to disassociate herself from Mr. McGuinty and the gas plants ever since.

In theory, at any rate. She apologized for the scandal. She insists she’s running as her own woman, on her record, not that of Mr. McGuinty — though her government has seemed a bit unclear on that, claiming the victories while denying the failures.