The federal government intends to pursue a sale of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project to Indigenous groups. The government also intends to provide support so that they "don't have to risk any of their own money to participate." Costs of the expansion, which involves a twinning of the current pipeline along its route from Strathcona County into B.C., have ballooned to $30.9 billion - more than double an earlier estimate of $12.6 billion. Can Ottawa stop risking taxpayer money on projects?
The Province will cover a portion of the cost of a newly approved ALS medication. The medication helps to slow the progression of the incurable disease, but the cost is out of reach for most people. The government will cover $18,500 a month for the medication, which can cost over $225,000 for a patient’s first year.
Several Treaty 5 Nations are exploring building a pipeline to transport Alberta hydrogen to tidewater in Churchill, Manitoba. The plan calls for the creation of the Wáwátéwák Corridor, a Cree term translated to English as “northern lights”. The Corridor also includes other infrastructure projects, like a fibre-optic network and all-weather road, and all components of the Corridor are expected to be operational in 9-10 years. Perhaps the Treaty 5 Nations can teach the federal government a thing or two about how to get things done…
