News & Reports
Articles
Counting the risks of Canada of losing yet another pipeline project
Environmental, social and economic questions abound when considering major energy infrastructure investments that have aided humanity's recent gains. We should take care not to thwart the innovation that can be the defining thread of humanity’s progress over the next century.
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Cheap attack on responsible Canadian resources a black eye for Greenpeace UK
Greenpeace UK is known for its outrageous stunts to capture media attention, but by lying about the Canadian oil sands it is not only misleading Britons – the group is harming global climate progress.
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Key First Nation open to pipeline, and seeks "a reasonable solution"
It's another sign that indigenous leaders have recognized the need to stand up and be counted when it comes to projects that can help them break free of the poverty trap.
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Should Canada refine its crude oil instead of, or before, exporting it?
It seems like a common sense argument to state that a raw resource becomes more valuable if it is manufactured into a refined product. Yet this assumption remains a controversial one in 2018, especially when it comes to crude oil and pipeline politics. Stewart Muir shares his research.
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Debunking six myths about the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion
DYK? The pipeline's expansion is legally in the national interest, and the approval process heard from 1,650 intervenors and commenters.
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What is revealed by an honest appraisal of pipeline safety
To hear some tell it, pipelines are an inherently unsafe way to move crude oil because they will (so the story goes) inevitably spring a leak.
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In pursuit of sensible climate policy, one country encounters serious challenges to its approach
Germany has gone from being a global model for climate change to an emissions-spewing "problem child". But for those with the courage to accept the challenge, solutions exist.
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United Nations Sustainable Development Goals provide clues on how to improve Canada's sustainability performance
SDG Sustainable Oil Index: Everyone is concerned about sustainability today. By choosing more carefully how it sources its oil imports, Canada has a big opportunity to enhance its progress.
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As the nation hits breaking point, it's a matter of confidence
Kinder Morgan's decision to suspend non-essential spending because of "unquantifiable risk" means Canada's global reputation as a safe and secure place to invest is at serious risk. Urgent steps are needed without further delay.
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Onward and upward for Resource Works research
The movement for responsible Canadian resources is building in so many ways. One encouraging sign is the recent accomplishment of two researchers who are bringing their fresh perspective to important questions.
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Northern BC mayors take strong message to Ottawa on rural opportunities
Seven mayors from across northern British Columbia have taken the rare step of jointly travelling to Ottawa to lobby the federal government in favour of a resource project that will create not just regional, but national prosperity.
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First Nations group charts path to becoming a real economic force
The First Nations Major Projects Coalition is a BC-based group that aims to bring indigenous values and culture into the work of developing major projects. The group met in Prince George where Resource Works caught up with them.
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LNG project gets a tax boost, and now steels itself for final steps
Liquefied natural gas (LNG) is how Canada can fetch higher prices for a relatively climate-friendly commodity, and on March 22 the British Columbia government gave the industry a major boost.
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Rally in Vancouver for Our Shared Future: Turning point for Canada?
A sunny day overlooking Vancouver's port and mountains provided the perfect setting. But it was people who made Saturday's pro-resources rally a game changer.
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BC mining titans step up to give nature a voice in Africa
Some of BC’s biggest names in the mining industry came together in Vancouver to raise money for a series of documentaries that showcase critical environmental issues facing the continent.
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Vancouver gasoline prices: A market that is desperately short of supply
Motorists have been hit hard by high gas prices, according to gasoline market analyst Dan McTeague of GasBuddy. Relief is in sight in the form of added pipeline capacity from the upcoming Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.
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Rally in Vancouver: Saturday March 10
Join us at Jack Poole Plaza to send a clear message to government that the people of Canada know it is time to stop playing politics and get on with vital resource infrastructure that is in the national interest.
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Decisions based on facts or fears?
Canada’s natural resource development opponents are indicating that an increase in the number of crude oil tankers leaving the Port of Vancouver would make a catastrophic crude oil spill inevitable. They continue to promote this position even though their evidence has been considered and rejected by the judicial bodies involved.
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Reports & Series
Healing the Divide: A plan for B.C.'s rural development strategy
REPORT: In contemporary British Columbia, non-Native society is embracing more and more of the Indigenous approach to sustainable resource development. This Resource Works submission to the provincial Rural Development Strategy shows how this is tied to some fundamental economic truths.
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A Walk in the Park: Two views on Canada's natural-resource future
AUDIO: People are torn between the environment and the economy – but what can we do about this? Resource Works executive director Stewart Muir and pipeline opponent Tzeporah Berman, who has been working for years to undermine Canadian energy sovereignty, took this question to a cross-Canada radio audience.
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Moving beyond conflict on resource issues
What’s the way to move beyond conflict on key resource issues? Not just on a contentious pipeline, but on the larger questions of balance between economy and environment? Stewart Muir looks at what will help—and at what won’t.
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How crude oil exports pay Canada's bills
Canadians enjoy the sixth highest standard of living in the world. This single largest factor behind this is our ability to export crude oil.
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Snapshot of Northern B.C.'s resource economy
A study from the Northern Development Initiative Trust shows that the region continues its hefty contribution to provincial well-being. Uncertainties in trade and decision making have consequences for all British Columbia residents.
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A small victory for an industry creating thousands of quality jobs
A Supreme Court judge has rejected the use of violent threats against salmon farm workers' families.
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It's a new year, but the challenges ahead look awfully familiar
In 2018, many British Columbians don’t want to see an expansion of natural resource industries here, especially energy-based export industries.
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COUNTRY FOCUS: Taiwan claims its role in international climate action
In this free downloadable report, Resource Works looks at how Taiwan is dealing with pressures to curtail its greenhouse gas emissions. LNG is shaping up as a vital part of the solution.
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Naturally Resourceful: Green growth in the new economy
Can we harness technology to ensure necessary natural resource activities are as safe and beneficial as possible? Judging by the turnout at the Nov. 29 Naturally Resourceful event in Vancouver hosted by Resource Works, the answer is yes.
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Economists provide their top charts for 2018
Here are seven charts that touch on trends in Canada's natural resource future. They are drawn from Maclean's magazine in its annual Chartapalooza feature looking at the biggest economic trends for the coming year.
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The British Columbia government has made a principled and responsible decision to support Site C's completion.
After reviewing the Site C hydro project, British Columbia's decision to keep going to completion is an important step in a long-term energy transition. Stewart Muir looks at the issue.
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Making the progressive case for a modern oil pipeline
TURNING POINT: Two political leaders, two views of how the expanded TransMountain pipeline project benefits Canada's environmental journey.
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Why hydro electricity is a futuristic climate solution
To reduce its greenhouse gas emissions, Canada must commit to building a vast amount of clean energy infrastructure. That's why projects like Site C are critically important.
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The Notley Doctrine: Making the progressive case for the Kinder Morgan pipeline
Alberta's premier Rachel Notley had a powerful message for Vancouver residents in her Nov. 30 speech: expanding the TransMountain pipeline is a project that centre-left Canadians can embrace. Stewart Muir examines her argument.
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Naturally Resourceful lunch draws an audience of 150
Natural resource businesses mean high wages and high productivity. At our Naturally Resourceful conference, we heard why this is a winning advantage.
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Sacrificing the economy to advance class-action climate lawsuits a terrible idea
An academic calling for class-action lawsuits against Canadian energy companies is ignoring the obvious fact that, ultimately, it's always the consumer who pays. That's you, writes Kim Lonsdale.
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Working from home = Win + Win + Win + Win
An emerging trend that offers significant reductions in carbon emissions is working from home, or telecommuting. Kim Lonsdale takes a look.
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Current measures of eco performance do a poor job of valuing Canada
Canada’s climate is challenging and hugely variable given that our land area begins at the 42nd latitude and extends to the magnetic north. Between long distances and extreme temperature, Canadians use lots of energy for basic heating, cooling, and mobility.
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These nine companies are breaking through tech barriers
Meet nine companies enabling a clean, efficient natural resource industry. They're leading an exciting new export industry based on Canada's traditional strengths: learn more Nov. 29.
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Gaining traction: Why vehicle and engine choice make a huge difference
Most Canadians are concerned about climate change, yet their actions as consumers paint a contradictory picture. In his second article in a series, Kim Lonsdale illustrates how making better vehicle and engine choices can help make actual headway in terms of reducing our carbon emissions.
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Articles
Don't miss our Naturally Resourceful event on Nov. 29 2017
Tickets are now on sale for this powerful lineup of thinkers talking about the shift to a more diversified, green resource economy through the global export value chain.
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Spinning our wheels: Why carbon emissions are going in the wrong direction
Over 80% of Canadians, and an even greater percentage of British Columbians indicate that they are concerned or very concerned about climate change. Kim Lonsdale looks into how is this translating into how we get around.
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Can you guess the seven fields leading B.C.'s green diversification?
Extracting added value from commodities like minerals, energy, paper and lumber is the most realistic option we have to create more high-tech jobs in an era when over 70 per cent of global trade is in intermediate goods and services and capital goods.
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Helios Wire: Satellite technology levels the data playing field
Greener and more efficient use of our precious natural resources can only come from harnessing technology. In the Naturally Resourceful series, Resource Works writer Don Hauka looks at the British Columbia companies that are on the leading edge of this transformation. Eighth in the series.
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RESOURCES PRIMER: Five proof points showing how primary industries drive the economy
The world is just as dependent as ever on basic materials that need to be responsibly sourced from somewhere. This can be challenging to understand for those who've heard the arguments that Canada is a post-resource economy. This material can help.
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How natural resources are spinning high-tech and clean-tech jobs
British Columbia's highest productivity, highest paying jobs are in natural resources. But did you know resources are creating a stunning level of high-tech and clean tech jobs? Meet some of the companies driving this renaissance.
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At the nexus of high tech and natural resources
To mark the British Columbia Tech Summit, Resource Works looked at how foundational industries are at the leading edge of innovation. You'll be amazed at what we discovered.
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What can be learned from the disappointment of losing one major project?
Industry and government are paying the price for being tone deaf and numb to their obligations to First Nations and communities. Regulatory burden and uncertainty is another. Layer on top of that regulatory uncertainty and a lack of a real and clear commitment by governments, and it's clear Canada is in trouble. 
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Articles
International energy guru's message for Canada
Canada has natural advantages in its oil and gas industry that the country would be wise to consider as it plans its energy future. The head of the International Energy Agency, Fatih Birol, took time out from a recent visit to Winnipeg to explain what those are.
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