Adding (Less Intense) Fuel to the File: Proposed Canadian Clean Fuel
Regulations Will Reduce the Carbon Intensity of Liquid Fuels
Last month, Canada's Climate Plan made headlines for its pledges to accelerate the national carbon price to $170/tonne by 2030 and to invest heavily in low-carbon technologies and projects. While setting ambitious emissions targets, the Climate Plan also recognizes that many sectors of the economy will continue to rely on fossil fuels for many years to come, even under the most rapid decarbonisation scenarios. Accordingly, the Climate Plan is complemented by the federal Clean Fuel Standard ("CFS") – a policy proposal for reducing the carbon intensity of liquid fuels that are produced and used in Canada, as well as liquid fuels that are imported into Canada. Read the full article by Alex Sadvari, Chris Hummel and Graham Reeder with Gowling WLG.

Alaska Demanding Action on BC Mining Oversight
The United States government has approved $3.6 million in spending to help Alaska pressure BC's government into reforming mining regulations they claim are lax and present an imminent threat to fish and habitat in transboundary watersheds. On Dec. 21, U.S. Congress approved the Consolidated Appropriations Act for 2021 that included $3.1 million for the United States Geological Survey (USGS) to expand a 2019 baseline water-quality monitoring program on rivers downstream from BC mines. Read the Global News article.

Banner Year for Exploration in BC, Despite Pandemic
Despite the challenges posed by the pandemic, BC recorded one of its best years in nearly a decade in terms of mineral exploration spending in 2020. It was a year that also saw several acquisitions, the advancement of what promises to be one of the largest gold mining districts in Canada (the Barkerville-Cariboo Gold project), and most mines continuing to operate and keep thousands of workers employed, despite a pandemic. Read the BIV article.

Recent BCOGC Bulletins
The BCOGC has recently issued the following bulletin:

• INDB 2021-01 – Online Submissions for Corporate Financial and Reserves Information Launched
• INDB 2021-02 – Pre-engagement with Halfway River First Nation
• INDB 2021-03 – Changes to the EMA and CSR

Gas Utility Act

PGA Sections Come Into Force February 5th
Bill 49, the Professional Governance Act was partially brought into force on June 1, 2019. The Professional Governance Act (PGA) provides a consistent governance framework for self-regulating professions that incorporates best practices of professional governance. The PGA initially governs the five professional regulators overseeing agrologists, applied biologists, applied science technologists and technicians, engineers and geoscientists, and forest professionals. Professional regulators governed by the PGA will be referred to as "regulatory bodies". The PGA also strengthens government oversight by establishing a statutory Office of the Superintendent of Professional Governance (OSPG) in the Ministry of Attorney General. On February 5th, B.C. Reg. 11/2021 brings into force a significant number of sections of the Bill that were not yet law.

• Industrial Projects Restart – January 12, 2021 (PDF, 313KB)
• Resource Sector Worksites and Industrial Camps in the Region of the Northern Health Authority – January 12, 2021 (PDF, 393KB)
• Gatherings and Events – January 8, 2021 (PDF, 447KB)
• Read related Public Heath guidelines