Media.Knet.Ca

From Toronto Star ...

Hydro plan generates controversy
Ian Urquhart - Aug 31, 2007

In the current debate over Ontario's future choices for electricity, coal and nuclear are often demonized while hydroelectric power is portrayed as saintly.

After all, hydro is clean and green, with zero greenhouse gas emissions and a relatively low cost.

Not surprisingly then, the government's electricity planning agency – the Ontario Power Authority – included significant additions to the province's hydro capacity as part of its latest plan to keep the lights on in the province over the next 20 years.

The plan, released this week, is the third attempt by the power authority to provide a road map for the province to wean itself off coal without increasing reliance on nuclear power. The two previous plans were found wanting by the government, especially in the areas of conservation and "renewable" energy (primarily hydro and wind).

So in an effort to be more environmentally sound, the power authority's new plan includes almost 3,000 more megawatts from hydroelectric power, which is about the equivalent of a nuclear plant.

But environmental soundness is in the eye of the beholder. Back in the 1970s, for instance, major hydroelectric initiatives like the James Bay projects in Quebec were vehemently opposed by environmentalists on the grounds that the dams would flood vast plots of land and disrupt flora and fauna.

In 1972, the Sierra Club produced a book on the Quebec projects called The Plot to Drown the North Woods describing them as "a brutal assault on nature." Flash forward to today, when the Ontario Power Authority envisions new hydro dams on several northeastern Ontario rivers, including the Albany.

Located north of the 51st parallel, the Albany runs 980 kilometres through Precambrian shield in a series of falls and rapids from Lake St. Joseph to James Bay. The flooding that would result from a dam on the river would be even worse than on the Quebec side of James Bay as the vertical drop is not nearly as big.

Nevertheless, wouldn't environmentalists support such projects today, given that more hydroelectricity would enable the province to close the coal-fired power plants or opt for fewer nuclear reactors?

No, according to Keith Stewart of World Wildlife Fund Canada. He said the environmental groups have discussed this trade-off among themselves and decided they still have to oppose major new hydroelectric dams.

There is another problem with hydroelectric projects in northeastern Ontario: the land belongs to aboriginal peoples.

The Albany, for example, runs through the Eabametoong First Nation at Fort Hope and the Marten Falls First Nation at Ogoki.

I contacted Chief Sol Atlookan of the Eabametoong First Nation yesterday. He said it was the first he had heard of a proposal for a hydro dam on the Albany and expressed concern that it would show up in a government plan without prior consultation.

Brian Hay of the power authority said he had spoken to other representatives of First Nations in the Albany River area but conceded: "There's still a lot of consultation to be done."

Hay also described the Albany project as more of "a high-level concept" than a concrete proposal.

In other words, it has a lot of hurdles left to clear.

Energy Minister Dwight Duncan acknowledged this in an interview. "But we have to look at every available opportunity," he added.

Fair enough, but these new hydroelectric projects may prove to be more in the category of pipe dreams than opportunities.

From CBC News ...

NDP Leader Jack Layton says Ottawa needs to deal with social issues in North
Canadian Press - August 31, 2007

YELLOWKNIFE (CP) - Prime Minister Stephen Harper needs to take more steps to deal with economic, social and environmental concerns in Canada's north, says NDP Leader Jack Layton.

Wrapping up a tour that included stops in Iqaluit, Pangnirtung and Cambridge Bay, Layton said Friday the Harper government is taking the wrong approach to Arctic sovereignty.

"Let's not put so much emphasis on the military approach to sovereignty in the North, let's put emphasis on the people of the North," Layton said in a telephone interview from Yellowknife.

Layton said Canada's best claim to sovereignty is the fact that Inuit communities have been established across the North for thousands of years.

During his tour, Layton met with Nunavut Premier Paul Okalik, as well as community leaders and social agencies in Nunavut and the Northwest Territories. He said he is supporting a vision created by the three northern premiers in May to tackle climate change and deal with the social ills of the North.

Layton said he will also be pushing for a resource-revenue sharing agreement with the territories once Parliament reconvenes in September.
 
"There's vast dollars flowing into the coffers in Ottawa, and yet the people of the North are living with living costs and circumstances that really require some of that revenue to be diverted back."

He said more scientific studies of the Arctic are needed so that Canada will meet a 2013 deadline to make submissions to the Commission on the Limits of the Continental Shelf, which could allow the country to extend its economic claims farther than 320 kilometres from its shore.

Layton added that the government needs to make living in the North more affordable by increasing the northern tax credit, and to consult with communities on new military and commercial developments.

NAAF press release ...

Achievement Foundation’s Aboriginal Youth Career Fair Scheduled for October in Montreal

TORONTO--(Marketwire - Aug. 27, 2007) - A high energy and engaging one-day career fair for Aboriginal high school students is being brought to the Palais des Congres in Montreal on October 30, 2007, by the National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation.

Roberta Jamieson, the Foundation's president and CEO, notes the career fairs are designed to encourage and promote education and training for First Nations, Metis, and Inuit students.

"Our youth are Canada's fastest-growing demographic group at a time when Canada is facing severe labour shortages. The Foundation's career fairs are powerful motivators and information providers of the many career and educational possibilities available to them so they can realize their potential."

David Gill, of the Mashteuiiatsh First Nation at Lac St-Jean, 2006 Commonwealth Games competitor and Olympic hopeful will co-host the career fair, presenting a role model of achievement and realization of potential..

"First Nation youth have incredible potential. The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation is a spring-board. I want to help bring this potential out through my association with the Foundation and want to show the world what we are capable of," Gill says.

One of the events will feature Gemini-nominated television producer and noted actress Jennifer Podemski, seen most recently on Moose TV. The talented and captivating rap performer, Samien, an Anishinabe rap singer from Pikogan First Nation at Abitibi, joined by CerAmony, a Cree, progressive rock group from the James Bay area, will perform during the lunch session and closing ceremonies.

The National Aboriginal Achievement Foundation is a registered charity that encourages and empowers young First Nation, Métis, and Inuit people to advance their educational and career aspirations. It is the biggest non-governmental provider of scholarships to First Nation, Metis and Inuit youth, disbursing more than $2.8-million annually to First Nations, Inuit and Métis students across the country. In addition, the Foundation recognizes and celebrates Aboriginal career accomplishment through the annual National Aboriginal Achievement Awards, a dazzling showcase of entertainment that is broadcast nationally on Global and APTN.

The career fairs are part of the Foundation's "Blueprint for the Future" program now in its 11th year. The fairs have encouraged more than 28,000 First Nations, Inuit and Metis youth to further their education and career plans. They present information on a wide range of fields in an interactive and exciting forum where youth (age 13 to 18) have a chance to meet and speak with Aboriginal and other business leaders from across the country. The youth also visit a trade fair area with public sector and private sector based organizations providing information on the organizations themselves, engage students, and discuss available careers, programs, internships and scholarships. The day concludes with a Town Hall session where students can ask questions of leaders and youth achievers taking part in the day-long fair.

/For further information: Scott Cavan, Dir. Communications
416.926.0775 ext: 237
416.903.4331 cell/