The Narwhal https://thenarwhal.ca/ Deep Dives, Cold Facts, & Pointed Commentary en-US Copyright 2024 The Narwhal hourly 1 I experienced unimaginable grief. In birds, I found a reason to go on https://thenarwhal.ca/grief-birdwatching-melissa-hafting/ Wed, 27 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=102458 Research has shown that birdwatching can help with mental and physical health. After losing my parents, I found out how true that was Melissa Hafting Opinion B.C. biodiversity wildlife Photo: Alia Youssef / The Narwhal Melissa Hafting (she/her) sits down while bird watching in Iona Regional Park in Richmond, B.C. Inside Irving Oil’s repeated push to change federal pollution rules https://thenarwhal.ca/irving-oil-clean-fuel-regulations/ Tue, 26 Mar 2024 10:00:00 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=103325 The New Brunswick oil giant sends most of its refined fossil fuels to the U.S., meaning efforts to lighten the carbon load of those products won't be rewarded with federal clean fuel credits. The company desperately wants to change that Carl Meyer In-Depth Atlantic Canada climate change Corporate Influence federal politics oil and gas Photo: Desmond Simon / The Narwhal Man in a rainjacket stands in front of oil storage tanks spelling Irving. ‘You start with us’: conservation authority head has parting message for Ontario government https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-conservation-authority-halton-basit/ Mon, 25 Mar 2024 11:00:00 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=103147 After 20 years with Conservation Halton, Hassaan Basit reflects on Doug Ford’s cuts and how to enable development while protecting nature and future generations Fatima Syed In-Depth environmental law Ontario urban development Photo: Conservation Halton Conservation Halton CEO Hassaan Basit From the Torngat Mountains to the Labrador Sea, a new Inuit-led protected area takes a step forward https://thenarwhal.ca/torngats-inuit-marine-conservation-feasibility/ Fri, 22 Mar 2024 12:49:35 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=103160 A marine conservation area covering 16,791 square kilometres of ocean off the Nunatsiavut coast has been deemed feasible and desirable — a key part of establishing the project led by Labrador Inuit Elaine Anselmi News Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas Newfoundland and Labrador Spirits of Place wildlife Photo: Pat Kane / The Narwhal A man in an orange reflective suit looks out over the waters of St. John's Bay in the Torngat Mountains as a minki whale breaches Mines, logging, sprawl — but no wind turbines. Here’s what Alberta is still doing in ‘pristine viewscapes’ https://thenarwhal.ca/alberta-renewable-wind-energy-buffer-zones/ Thu, 21 Mar 2024 15:38:34 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=103110 The Alberta government has moved to ban new wind developments in large swaths of the province, citing their ‘visual impact’ on the landscape. The Narwhal looks at some of the other industries and activities that can continue Drew Anderson Explainer Alberta Alberta coal mining forestry fracking logging oil and gas ranching renewable energy Photo: Leah Hennel / The Narwhal Wind turbines in southern Alberta visible in a landscape with a river, forests and mountains B.C. isn’t getting an endangered species law. Maybe that’s okay https://thenarwhal.ca/opinion-bc-endangered-species-law/ Thu, 21 Mar 2024 13:00:00 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=103007 The province is instead promising an ecosystem-based view of protection — an intriguing idea, but will it keep at-risk species safe? Arno Kopecky Opinion B.C. biodiversity Endangered Species environmental law forestry Photo: Carol Linnitt / The Narwhal A spotted owl sitting on a branch in an enclosure with foliage around it Frustrated with Canada’s spill response, Heiltsuk leaders take their fight international https://thenarwhal.ca/heiltsuk-nation-international-marine-organization/ Wed, 20 Mar 2024 17:40:03 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=102600 In the lasting aftermath of the Nathan E. Stewart spill off coastal B.C., Heiltsuk leaders embark on a mission to reshape maritime law, advocating for recognition of cultural losses and justice for their community Steph Kwetásel’wet Wood News B.C. Indigenous Rights Oceans Photo: Taylor Roades In Namu, B.C., on the central coast, Hereditary Chief Harvey Humchitt stands in the centre against a calm beach, and the glassy water reflects the overcast sky. Mountainous islands are visible on the horizon. Humchitt has dark hair with a bit of grey and a greying mustache. He wears a blue rain jacket and looks off camera to the right. Hhe has a soft expression and his eyes look deep and reflective Costs to clean up Teck’s B.C. coal mines are billions higher than previously thought: report https://thenarwhal.ca/teck-elk-valley-mine-cleanup-cost-2024/ Tue, 19 Mar 2024 12:00:00 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=102885 A new report finds the price tag to treat water contaminated with selenium in the Elk Valley could be $6.4 billion — more than three times the amount reported to the B.C. government Francesca Fionda and Ainslie Cruickshank News B.C. coal Elk Valley freshwater mining Photo: Jesse Winter / The Narwhal A dump truck works at Teck's Fording River Operations coal mine, one of several mountain-top-removal coal mines in the Elk Valley near Fernie, B.C. The Narwhal snags 3 National Newspaper Awards nominations https://thenarwhal.ca/national-newspaper-awards-nominations-2024/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 22:25:00 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=102828 The National Newspaper Awards celebrate some of the best journalism in Canada. This year, our work is in the running in three categories Karan Saxena Inside The Narwhal media Photo: Marty Clemens / The Narwhal A crowd of people gathered to witness the rematriation of the pole, all wearing Nisga'a regalia, some holding drums. One person looks at the camera. Announcing The Narwhal’s 2024 Indigenous photojournalism fellowship https://thenarwhal.ca/announcing-the-narwhals-2024-indigenous-photojournalism-fellowship/ Mon, 18 Mar 2024 21:56:03 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=102793 We are excited to offer a new photojournalism fellowship for First Nations, Inuit and Métis photographers based in so-called Ontario Michelle Cyca and Denise Balkissoon Inside The Narwhal media Photo: Robby Dick / The Narwhal A young child in a carrying sack is perched in the snow in front of a fire