In the news today: Coutts blockade sentencing, oilsands decarbonization uncertainty

Coutts Blockade Sentencing and Oilsands Decarbonization Uncertainty

Today’s news covers the Coutts blockade sentencing and the uncertain future of oilsands decarbonization in Canada

Politics

Coutts, Alberta, Canada, Oilsands, Decarbonization, COVID-19, Overdose, Doug Ford

Coutts: So, there’s a lot happening today. First off, the sentencing for three guys involved in that blockade at the Canada-U.S. border is kicking off. They were found guilty of mischief back in April for blocking traffic for two weeks in early 2022. It was all part of the protests against COVID-19 rules.

These guys—Alex Van Herk, Marco Van Huigenbos, and Gerhard Janzen—didn’t even put up a defense during the trial. The Mounties said they were the ones negotiating as the protest dragged on. It’s a big deal, and people are watching closely.

Now, on another note, there’s some serious uncertainty around Canada’s biggest carbon capture project. With Prime Minister Trudeau announcing he’s stepping down, experts are saying this could really shake things up for energy and climate policies. The project, which is supposed to capture carbon emissions from the oilsands, is worth a whopping $16.5 billion.

It’s being pushed by the Pathways Alliance, which includes some major energy companies. But with all this political chaos, folks are worried about what’s next. A new government could change everything.

And speaking of chaos, Ontario is seeing a rise in overdose deaths, especially with people mixing drugs. A new report shows that since the pandemic, more deaths are linked to combinations of opioids and stimulants. It’s a scary trend.

In other news, Premier Doug Ford was in a car that got hit on Highway 401, but he’s okay. An 18-year-old driver from Oshawa has been charged with dangerous driving. Ford joked about his tough head, saying it’s like limestone!

Lastly, there’s a growing trend for alcohol-free drinks. A store in Vancouver is seeing a boom in business as more people are looking for non-alcoholic options, especially during “Dry January.” It’s nice to see people have choices beyond just soda.

That’s the scoop for today! Stay tuned for more updates.

Image Credits and Reference: https://ca.news.yahoo.com/news-today-coutts-blockade-sentencing-091503980.html