News & Reports
Articles
A youth perspective on the future of efficient and safer pipelines
It will take passion, creativity, and personal investment to ensure there is a sustainable future for the pipeline-building industry, Sarah Vandaiyar told senators at hearings for Bill C-69.
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In search of the win-win solution for Canada and the planet
Here's a paper everyone should read, authored by one of Canada's most accomplished and informed investors, who shared a career's worth of knowledge recently with senators examining two pieces of legislation that many argue will have a deep impact on the country's future.
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A First Nation searches for opportunity through responsible resources
Eva Clayton, president of the Nisga’a Nation, told senators recently that federal tanker ban Bill C-48 undermines the principles of self-determination and environmental management that lie at the heart of the Nisga'a Treaty.
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With B.C. forestry "on pause" because of investment threats, what's at risk for a way of life?
Forestry is typically associated with rural settings. Yet 40 per cent of jobs supporting the $13 billion industry are in the Lower Mainland and Southwest British Columbia.
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Look to Venezuela for why Alberta’s Canadian energy ‘war room’ is needed
This article by Stewart Muir appeared in The Globe and Mail on May 2, 2019.
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British Columbia, don’t go the way of California
Victoria and its mayor Lisa Helps were the first to call for a class action lawsuit against oil companies last year, seemingly bringing some credence to the West Coast Environmental Law Centre’s years-long campaign to convince municipalities to bring litigation against these energy producers. Stewart Muir looks at the issue.
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Dreaming of a green energy future? Then you might not like Bill C-68
Canadian resource people have been preoccupied with two pieces of controversial legislation in Bills C-48 and C-69. In a surprise twist, a third federal bill would increase emissions by placing unexpected new constraints on hydroelectric power.
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10 million barrels of crude oil are sailing to Los Angeles
Four supertankers from Iraq and one from Angola are currently bound for the refineries of Long Beach carrying hydrocarbon cargoes.
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Visual tanker evidence features in Resource Works' Senate submission
As Senate considers tanker ban Bill C-48, maps show the reality of tanker safety around the world, and elsewhere in Canada
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VIDEO: China wants Canada's oil sands crude oil and here's the latest evidence
While some peddle the myth that China is not interested in buying high-quality crude oil from Canada's oil sands, here's the evidence that proves otherwise.
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Pipeline progress: Trans Mountain CEO Ian Anderson reflects on the project so far
Here's a rare interview with the chief executive of what is surely Canada's most talked about infrastructure project: a twinned crude oil pipeline to the west coast of British Columbia.
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CHARTS: Here's why Canada has a big future in LNG
Europe and Asia don't have enough natural gas. North America has more than it needs. Righting the imbalance through LNG trade is creating big opportunities for Canada.
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The confusion around natural resources in Canada
ESSAY: Who wants to start a process and commit money to developing a project under circumstances of prevailing uncertainty and confusion in law and practice? In this sweeping essay, longtime political affairs columnist Jeffrey Simpson looks at the landscape of Canadian natural resources and prosperity.
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What's this - a big city mayor who wants to put Canadians first?
Toronto Mayor John Tory says he's not a fan of making homeowners pay for vexatious litigation against fuel companies. In doing so, he sent a message about Canadian unity.
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DATA: Latest statistics confirm that crude oil still pays the rent for Canada
Western Canada's oil sector continued in 2018 to be the foundation stone of national prosperity. That's why innovation is so important for our future, says Stewart Muir.
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Industry voices as one on Bill C-48: it needs to be stopped
In a rare missive, the heads of four major industry groups are calling on the Trudeau government to rethink need for a discriminatory ban on economic activity.
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POLICY NOTE: A closer look at Bill C-48, the proposed ban on shipping oil along British Columbia's north coast
After careful consideration, we've found that Bill C-48 comes up short in striking a balance between environmental and economic interests.
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A woman hereditary chief speaks out
VIDEO SERIES: Who speaks for members of the Wet'suwet'en First Nation? That's at the heart of a controversy involving elected and hereditary representatives of the northwest British Columbia group. We asked Theresa Tait Day, a hereditary chief known as Wi'hali'yte, for her perspective.
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Critical thinking on energy more important than ever
STEWART MUIR IN THE CALGARY HERALD: "It’s increasingly difficult to see the reward for Canada’s energy self-flagellation."
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We’re at the dawn of the LNG era
As the world pursues cleaner forms of energy to reduce GHG emissions, the outlook for a Canadian liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry only gets better.
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TANKER MAPS: Tracking where oil tankers go continues to fascinate
For more than a year, Resource Works' Stewart Muir has been sharing real-time oil tanker maps in Twitter, making the point that safe ship movement is an everyday occurrence all around the world. Here are some recent maps.
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Thanks to a founding Advisory Council member
Soon to retire as CEO of the Pacific Salmon Foundation (PSF), Dr. Brian Riddell was also among the community leaders who answered the call from Resource Works in 2014 to be part of our Advisory Council.
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Overview: Climate litigation in British Columbia
Municipalities are being asked to participate in campaigns that would seek funds from fuel companies. A range of differing views is emerging as to its efficacy, writes Stewart Muir.
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5th anniversary draws a committed crowd
110 friends and supporters of Resource Works gathered on March 14, 2019 at Vancouver’s Terminal City Club to help us celebrate our first five years of service.
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Mountain caribou and the future of land access
What started as a government initiative to protect the mountain caribou has become a hot issue in rural British Columbia, with some residents concerned that traditional access to the backcountry is in jeopardy.
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Natural resources maintain strong support in B.C., Canada
70 per cent of Canadians believe the economy will suffer if resource development projects don't get built. In the case of British Columbia, a mere 3 per cent of people are strongly opposed to such progress.
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NEB's Trans Mountain Reconsideration raises bigger questions about future of the Salish Sea
What responsible management of oil shipping can teach us about protecting ecosystems around the Salish Sea, starting with our sewage. Stewart Muir looks at recent developments.
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Breaking boundaries, changing lives
Crystal Smith, elected chief councillor of the Haisla First Nation in Kitimat, is the latest indigenous leader speaking out against threats of violence.
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The path to Canadian Energy 2.0
POLICY NOTE: The business of energy is facing a crisis of perception around the world, causing energy exporters to become increasingly strategic in how they approach climate risk, economic growth, and politics. Canada is going to have to sharpen its elbows to reclaim its rightful place as an energy leader. Stewart Muir weighs in.
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Homeland Journey: Stories of First Nations and the land
VIDEO SERIES: Across western Canada, a movement is stirring. Aboriginal people, seeking to revive their cultures and preserve myriad indigenous languages, are increasingly seeing natural resources as the key to unlock their hopes and dreams.
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Citizen's Guide: Economic impacts of Trans Mountain pipeline expansion
In our ongoing Citizen's Guide series, Resource Works tackles the question of what economic benefits will flow from completion of the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion project. This document was independently prepared by veteran journalists Stewart Muir and Don Hauka.
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The true cost of climate litigation in Canada
POLICY BRIEF: Should corporations be sued for supplying fuels to local residents? Stewart Muir, Resource Works founding executive director, takes a look at a campaign imported from the United States where it has met with little success in the legal system.
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Resource Works marks 5 years – with event and special guest speaker Vivian Krause
Researcher Krause has become known nationally for her work on the causes behind Canada's frustrating inability to deliver on nation-building resource investments. Book your ticket now to hear her speak on March 14 in Vancouver.
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THRONE SPEECH 2019: Recognition for the "bedrock" sector
British Columbia's 2019 got off to a positive start on Feb. 12 when natural resources were acknowledged as the bedrock of the province's economy.
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Travels in LNG: Hear firsthand why First Nations are embracing opportunity
HOMELAND JOURNEY: More than 20 First Nations are actively supporting the LNG Canada project. Many of their members are choosing to speak out about their personal views. Meet Diane Lukasser of Kitsumkalum First Nation.
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What empowered society builders can learn from radicals
Increasingly, society is divided into those (including resource people like us) with the vision and knowledge to improve and shape a better world; and those afraid to embrace change. Stewart Muir looks back to a radical thinker from the 1970s for reminders of how to thrive in these times.
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FREE WALLPAPERS: Resources & Global Transformation
The 5th anniversary of Resource Works is coming up, and we've collaborated with resource champion Tony Morley to provide this gallery of stunning computer wallpaper images for you to download and appreciate.
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ResourceWorksTV: What does 2019 hold in store?
The BC Natural Resources Forum drew some 1,200 delegates to Prince George in early January for the largest conference of its kind in western Canada. For the second year in a row, ResourceWorksTV was there. Check out these videos.
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New process, new soapbox: Inside the strategy of thwarting nation-building energy investment
Groups hacking Canada’s regulatory system to stop projects through technicalities find a rage-fuelled ally to help them throw a wrench in the works. Dave Johnston and Steven Simons of The North Matters take a look at the situation.
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Flash mobs for the protest era
A few observations about LNG’s brusque rite of passage into resource radicalism, from Stewart Muir of Resource Works.
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OPINION: How a strategy to undermine the Canadian oilpatch worked like a charm
Canada’s debilitating inability to gain fair market value for its largest export commodity – crude oil – has become the top economic story of 2018. It will likely dominate headlines in 2019, writes Stewart Muir.
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Who gets to decide? A conversation on making the rules
VIDEO: The Canadian economy is based on free markets, competition, capitalism, and the rule of law. Should we drop this model in favour of imposing high costs onto business resulting in merely symbolic benefits?
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Struggle continues to find right path for climate policy
How divided is the public conversation on carbon taxes? A hint comes from the reaction to a recent report by the Canadian Chamber of Commerce on the subject.
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Energy company letters backfire, with neither municipalities nor climate better off
Whistler mayor backtracked, vowed to focus on local actions where municipal efforts can actually make a difference
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British Columbia has an opportunity to gain from slow global shift to a lower GHG future
The results of the CleanBC plan, should they be achieved, will have "zero effect" on the level, pattern, or growth of global greenhouse gas emissions, states a new commentary from leading business group.
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Gift shopping for a resource realist? Here are five 2018 titles worth a look
From the 10 reasons eco-pessimists are wrong about the world to how energy has shaped civilization, these books challenge and expand our knowledge of humanity and nature.
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"Maximizing returns on investments in people" is motto of newest Resource Works Advisory Council member
Kerry A. Jothen, a former CEO of the British Columbia Industry Training & Apprenticeship Commission, has aided strategic planning and capacity building throughout the resource industry.
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Export figures show why Canadians need to confront their pipeline fears
There are easy ways and hard ways to pay for the things we need in everyday life, such as vaccines. The easiest thing we can do is simply ensure that our largest export commodity, crude oil, trades for a fair price.
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Amid automotive turmoil, resources keep nation's trade on even keel
Government moves to restrict wealth-building resource activities have grave consequences as the automotive industry sheds jobs.
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