Our newsletter: 12 October 2023
Push for federal loan program grows
Calls for federal loan guarantees to help Indigenous Peoples invest in natural-resource projects have taken on a new life.
The latest champion is Enbridge CEO Greg Ebel: “If used to displace coal in Asia and eastern Europe, Canadian natural gas would have a tremendous impact on reducing global emissions — one far greater than Canada merely achieving its own 2050 net-zero commitment. . . .
“At the same time, investment in the entire energy sector and many others could be accelerated by the immediate implementation of a federal Indigenous loan-guarantee program to ensure Canada’s Indigenous Peoples have a seat at the table while also having equity that helps them secure a more prosperous future.”
The new push also notes fears that Ottawa might seek to exclude oil and gas projects from any loan-guarantee system.
Heather Exner-Pirot of the Macdonald-Laurier Institute, a special adviser to the Business Council of Canada, points out that provincial loan programs in Ontario, Saskatchewan and Alberta can include oil and gas.
“For many nations across the country, the oil and gas sector offers by far the best opportunities to generate revenues to fund things like housing, elder and cultural centres, student support and more — not to mention good jobs.”
The new drive is linked to campaigns for federal loan-guarantees led by the Indigenous Resource Network and the First Nations Major Projects Coalition (FNMPC).
- Read more: https://ow.ly/NRGw50PUmrf
Coastal GasLink in home stretch
Its natural-gas pipeline is 98% complete, and now make that 100% in Section 5, a 54-kilometre section from north of Vanderhoof to south of Burns Lake.
Section 5 was completed safely and on time by Nadleh-Macro, a partnership of Nadleh Whut’en First Nation and Macro Pipelines.
Five sections of the 670-kilometre pipeline now have completed pipe installation.
And CGL reports all 800 water crossings have been safely completed.
- Read the construction update: https://ow.ly/ewbx50PUmuu
- Learn more about water crossings: https://ow.ly/SBoC50PUmsK
Haisla work toward new EDC
The Haisla Nation is planning a new Economic Development Corporation, and seeks applicants.
“The new EDC will play a major role in the economic self-sufficiency of our Nation. Through its success, the Nation will be empowered with the monetary resources required to attain its cultural, social, spiritual and environmental goals.”
- Learn more: https://ow.ly/KstB50PUmfp
Haisla Nation gives $500,000 to Dementia House
The gift brings the total amount raised to over $1.75 million for a 12-room home at Kitimat, which will be designed specifically for dementia residents,
“We want to do our part in helping the Kitimat Valley Housing Society reach their goal,” said Haisla Chief Councillor Crystal Smith. “When we work together, great things can happen.”
- Read more: https://ow.ly/GtsZ50PUmj1
Indigenous clean-energy news
- Haida Nation’s solar array (pictured above) will reduce diesel use by up to 600,000 litres a year: https://ow.ly/EgpF50PUlYZ
- Westbank First Nation partners in deal to create natural gas and compost from waste, at former mine site in BC: https://ow.ly/pmae50PU2Ci
- Yukon windfarm opens, with Kwanlin Dün First Nation a partner: https://ow.ly/2JPU50PUm04
- First Nations look for partnerships in BC Hydro call for power suppliers: https://ow.ly/lO1O50PUm2G
- Indigenous green-energy projects in Alberta affected by government pause: https://ow.ly/nbSX50PUm14
- Indigenous Clean Energy is accepting applications for the Bringing It Home Project Accelerator program, open to Indigenous youth aged 18-30 interested in energy efficiency and Indigenous housing. To apply, visit https://ow.ly/gzra50PUEla
ALSO IN THE NEWS
- HaiSea Wee’git, the second electric tugboat in the HaiSea fleet of the Haisla Nation and Seaspan ULC, arrives in North Vancouver: https://ow.ly/bC8250PVnG0
- Five reasons why the world needs more Canadian energy; one being the benefits to First Nations: https://ow.ly/bnFt50PSAaj
- Qatar breaks ground on massive LNG expansion; Canada’s full potential remains untapped: https://ow.ly/e4OZ50PVifi
- Canada is leading the way in developing carbon capture, utilization and storage technology: https://bit.ly/3RtIIge
- International Energy Agency’s ‘pathway to net zero’ is unrealistic, but recognizes that natural gas/LNG will still be needed: https://ow.ly/ymVv50PQ8AT
- Small modular nuclear reactors would be a clean win for nearly 300 Canadian communities stuck with dirty diesel and no easy access to the electricity grid. https://ow.ly/25Yj50PRUSO
DATES
Our session at Nation2Nation forum
Nation2Nation’s 7th annual forum takes place in Terrace BC Oct. 17-19.
And on the afternoon of Wednesday Oct. 18 the Alliance will hold the breakout session above.
The facilitator will be Lori Ackerman, former mayor of Fort St. John BC and now CEO of Blueberry River Resources, which manages the business interests of Blueberry River First Nations.
And it will include our Alliance chair, Chief Councillor Crystal Smith of the Haisla Nation, and Alliance CEO Karen Ogen, plus Denis Mullen of the Business Council of B.C., and Matt Vickers of Clean Energy B.C.
- Register here for the forum: https://ow.ly/JwkY50PUmnP
Also in October
- Canadian Council for Aboriginal Business, Indigenous Women in Leadership and West Coast Business Forum, Vancouver, Oct. 18-19: https://ow.ly/rQEl50PUBj0
November
- Metro Vancouver Zero Waste Conference, Vancouver, Nov. 1-2: https://ow.ly/aBBu50PILKN
- First Nations Energy Summit, Vancouver, Nov. 6-7: https://ow.ly/12P050PKQKK
2024
- The 21st annual BC Natural Resources Forum, Prince George, Jan. 16-18: https://ow.ly/YokA50PIsAW
- National Coalition of Chiefs Clean Energy Summit, Feb. 15-16, Tsuut’ina Nation, near Calgary: https://ow.ly/KRF250PTvVy
- The First Nations Major Projects Coalition’s 7th annual conference, Toronto, April 22-23: https://ow.ly/4nw750PHYCf
- The 8th Indigenous Resource Opportunities Conference, Nanaimo: April 24 – 26. https://ow.ly/f1bl50PvYnx
- The International Gas Research Conference, Banff, May 13-16. Our Alliance CEO, Karen Ogen, is on the national organizing committee. https://igrc2024.org/
- National Coalition of Chiefs Energy and Natural Resource Summit, June 9-10, Tsuut’ina Nation, near Calgary: https://ow.ly/ch9u50PTw7X?
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(Posted here 15 October 2023)
