Environment, Tourism

Summer with the Friends of Cortes Island

Leave a comment

The Friends of Cortes Island (FOCI) has a very full summer calendar for 2026. 

Their  events program started Monday June 28 with Misty Isles, and the Secret Shelf Exploration. Executive Director Helen Hall recently explained, “That’s a guided visit to a really amazing intertidal area off southern Cortes. People will get the chance to explore by snorkel and learn all about the marine environment there.” It was fully booked, and unfortunately, those who might have liked to go along have now missed the opportunity.

Upcoming Events

Continue reading Summer with the Friends of Cortes Island →
Communications, Indigenous Nations, Water

AI Data Centres: Can Bill C-37 deliver real authority to First Nations over water?

Leave a comment

By Aaron Walker, Windspeaker, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As First Nations leaders challenge one of Canada’s largest proposed artificial intelligence data centres over its potential impact on fresh water, many say Ottawa’s newly introduced clean water legislation leaves a fundamental question unanswered: Who ultimately decides what happens to waters in First Nations territory?

Continue reading AI Data Centres: Can Bill C-37 deliver real authority to First Nations over water? →
Communications

In cities across Canada, hundreds gather to oppose unchecked AI data centre proliferation

Leave a comment

By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

A national protest movement against AI data centres is emerging in Canada, as residents in a dozen cities push back against the speed and scale of projects they say could strain supplies of water and power and the quality of life in their communities.

In Vancouver, demonstrators marched from the Vancouver Art Gallery to City Hall against two proposed TELUS-linked AI data centres, part of a BC cluster that could consume 150 megawatts of BC Hydro power by 2032. The protesters “feel it’s been imposed on them and that they had no say and that their interests are not being taken to heart,” said Guerric Haché, a 36-year-old organizer with NO AI Vancouver.

Continue reading In cities across Canada, hundreds gather to oppose unchecked AI data centre proliferation →
Politics

Area C Director’s Report: successes, insights, challenges, opportunities… and running for re-election

Leave a comment

Hello, 
Since November 2022 I’ve had the honour of representing the Discovery Islands and Mainland Inlets at the Strathcona Regional District Board. Representing Area C has been challenging & rewarding. I’m happy to share my intention to run for re-election this fall and I hope I can count on your support. General local elections are scheduled for October 17.

Continue reading Area C Director’s Report: successes, insights, challenges, opportunities… and running for re-election →
Energy, Environment

Camera footage of Canada’s first LNG terminal raises questions about invisible pollution

Leave a comment

By Sonal Gupta, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

New camera footage from Canada’s first LNG export terminal is raising concerns about invisible pollution and whether current monitoring adequately detects what reaches nearby communities.

To the naked eye, the sky looks mostly clear above LNG Canada’s Kitimat facility on the northern coast of BC. But footage taken with a specialized infrared camera and presented at a media briefing Wednesday showed dark plumes around flares, stacks and processing equipment.

Continue reading Camera footage of Canada’s first LNG terminal raises questions about invisible pollution →

Whats Current on Cortes and Beyond