The Drilldown: Neurological problems, birth defects and cancer among possible health risks linked to fracking – iPolitics.ca

The Lead

Findings from a report written by the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment show that the chemicals involved in the fracking of natural gas have wide-ranging impacts on humans including the potential for birth defects, cancer, neurological issues, psychological impacts, disease and illness, reports the Toronto Star.

According to Dr. Melissa Lem, a board member of the association, the majority of the reports research comes from the United States. She stressed that Canadas fracking practices still need to be better understood.

Canadians have to be aware that fracking is happening in our country and that its causing some extreme harms to our water sources, our air quality, our land, and also contributing to the climate crisis, she said.

Were hoping by bringing the health voice to this issue, that we can help change peoples minds and just make them more aware.

The report says that Canada is the fourth largest producer of natural gas in the world and recommends a rapid and just transition away from natural gas and oil extracted with fracking to clean and equitable renewable energy sources.

Internationally

Ovintiv Inc. previously Encana Corp. is expected to meet with investors today to discuss the companys progress since purchasing Newfield Exploration Co. for US$5.5 billion in 2018. The oil giant decided to ditch Canada in order to improve its standing, but there hasnt been a large improvement since Ovintiv began to trade on the U.S. market this past Monday. Shares have dropped nine per cent in two days, according to Bloomberg.

On Wednesday morning, Brent Crude was at US$59.13 and West Texas Intermediate US$53.64.

In Canada

Canadian Natural Resources Ltd. is opposed to Enbridge Inc.s newest proposal to turn services from the mainline pipeline project into long-term contracts, as opposed to the existing monthly services. According to a filing that the company made with the Canada Energy Regulator, changing the contracts would be an abuse of Enbridges market power, reported Bloomberg.

The proposed conversation of the Mainline from common carriage to contract carriage is unprecedented and inconsistent with the common carriage obligations established in the CER Act, Canadian Natural wrote in the filing.

In other news, the federal government has until the end of February to decide whether or not to approve the $20.6 billion Frontier mine proposed by Teck Resources Ltd. There is also the potential that the minority Liberal government could delay the project, Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson stated, according to the Calgary Herald.

Noteworthy

In Opinion

When asked about the indecision on the Frontier mine project on Monday, Premier Jason Kenney said responding to First Nations and Indigenous Canadians doesnt simply mean saying no when theres some opposition. It means saying yes to projects and prosperity when there is a broad Indigenous support. Rick Bell has more in his latest for the Calgary Herald.