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Here's the latest evidence that natural resources are growing in importance

The resource economy is a thing of the past? Not so fast. New data from the British Columbia government proves the opposite. 

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British Columbia's electricity use hit an all-time high in 2017

A new report from the provincial government shows that across all measures – production, consumption, total demand and exports – electricity hit all-time highs last year, says Stewart Muir.

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Advisory Council welcomes a steady voice for communities: Walt Cobb of Williams Lake

Walt Cobb is the mayor of Williams Lake. He joins the Resource Works Advisory Council to share his perspective on the contribution of natural resource activities to healthy communities.

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RESET: Saving the people's pipeline

With $4.5 billion of taxpayer money invested in the Trans Mountain Pipeline, the federal government needs more support than ever in getting the expansion project over the finish line. 

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Workers brace for pink slips after federal court decision stops work on pipeline

Thousands of workers are bracing for pink slips in the wake of a Federal Court of Appeal decision that put the brakes on construction of the Trans Mountain Expansion Project, reports Don Hauka for Resource Works.

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From Russia, with oil

EXCLUSIVE: This week saw a loaded oil tanker arrive from Vladivostok at the refinery port of Anacortes, Washington. What does this surprising event mean for the Trans Mountain pipeline project? Stewart Muir looks at the situation.

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Bright day for a local green industry that can feed the world

Salmon farming has quietly become British Columbia's leading agricultural sector by export value. Recent scientific findings from the federal and provincial governments came as welcome news for the industry. 

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Want to afford Vancouver housing? Aim for a well-paying job in natural resources

Although we constantly hear about the scenic city's affordability problem, almost never are its embarrassingly low salaries flagged as a causative factor.

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Federal move to buy oil pipeline reflects global trend

A report from the International Energy Agency suggests that Canada's $4.5 billion Trans Mountain purchase may be more typical than critics of the deal have maintained.

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Once again, majority of Top 100 B.C. companies are in resources

The idea that natural resources are receding as the driver of the provincial economy proves to be just as mythical as ever. Forestry, mining and other sectors are going from strength to strength.

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Why we're taking such pride in Canadian resources

Why are we suddenly acting ashamed or embarrassed at Canada’s abundant crude oil, natural gas, pulp and paper, lumber, potash, water, coal, land, and base metal resources? Energy executive Paul Colborne makes an eloquent case for getting past those feelings.

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No easy out: climate action's tough and necessary decisions

Acting to reduce emissions means that everybody must sacrifice some degree of unrestrained consumption of hydrocarbons. The question is, will Canadians embrace cross-Canada carbon pricing, which is set to start in 2019? Margareta Dovgal looks at the issue.

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Environmental advocate urges scrapping professional reliance system

Forestry, mining and business groups were quick off the mark with strong criticisms of a British Columbia review calling for a costly overhaul of how foresters, geoscientists, engineers and other professionals are governed. Stewart Muir looks at the issue. 

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Stress alert: Salmon farming's new uncertainty has broad implications

Potential chaos in British Columbia's largest agriculture sector means we need to get back to the basics of trust and collaboration, and deal with the reality of differing opinions and uncertain evidence. Stewart Muir looks at the situation.

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Are "subsidies" an actual problem in British Columbia oil & gas?

It's not uncommon to hear critics decrying fossil fuel subsidies as a giveaway to the petroleum industry. When we went looking for them in British Columbia, we found a different story. 

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Elizabeth May's criminal contempt action "extremely dangerous": former Supreme Court justice

Two MPs who defied a judicial order using the excuse of "social justice" forgot their role as political leaders. Ian Binnie spoke out on the practice at the Law Society of BC's Rule of Law lecture.

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Funding the transition to the green economy with billions of dollars in tax revenues

Funding the transition to the green economy is possible, but it will cost money. First in a series on the economic impacts of the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project. By Don Hauka.

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Unlocking potential of salmon farming depends on crucial decisions

Sharing a vision for the future is the way forward for coastal aquaculture, writes Stewart Muir.

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What good is environmental idealism anyways?

As I see it, writes Margareta Dovgal, the greatest challenge in facilitating a constructive dialogue across Canada on the role of natural resources is in bridging knowledge and perspective gaps.

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Resources: the source of BC's prosperity

Margareta Dovgal shares her thoughts on a weekend roadtrip from Vancouver to Smithers, and back again. 

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