1. Candidate Survey on Oil Sands Helps Alberta Voters Cast Their Ballots
 The political parties competing to form Alberta's next government have a critical
challenge before them: to chart a responsible course for oil sands development. On March 3 Albertans have an opportunity to cast their ballots for the party they believe will ensure responsible oil sands development. The oil sands have emerged as Canada's fastest growing source of greenhouse gas pollution. The rapid pace of oil sands development lies at the root of many of the issues being discussed in the Alberta election. The complete survey results for 192 participating candidates are available to inform Albertans about their candidates' views on oil sands development. Find out more:» Candidates' Perspectives on Oil Sands Compared with Albertans' Views
» Results of Alberta Election All-Candidates Oil Sands Survey
» First-ever Oil Sands Mine Environmental Report Card Reveals Weak Environmental Performance
2. A Tale of Two Budgets: Federal Budget Fails to Provide Leadership on Global Warming; B.C. Leads the Way with Carbon Tax
 While British Columbia's government forged ahead with a groundbreaking carbon tax, the federal government's 2008 budget made no progress on the most crucial policies needed to fight global warming.
In advance of the federal budget, the Pembina Institute called for a real price on greenhouse gas pollution, through either a cap-and-trade system or a carbon tax, and for major new investments in energy efficiency and renewable energy. Instead, the budget maintained Ottawa's inadequate approach to global warming while providing new funding to environmentally problematic technologies like nuclear energy. In contrast, British Columbia used its February budget to announce a tax on greenhouse gas pollution that will go into effect in 2008, reaching the level of $30 per tonne in 2012. "B.C.'s government should be congratulated for introducing a broad-based carbon tax significant enough to start to influence decisions," said Matt Horne, acting British Columbia Policy Director. Find out more:» Federal Budget Must Include a Real Price on Greenhouse Gas Pollution
» Letter to Minister Flaherty Re: Inclusion of Key Climate Change and Clean Energy Measures in the 2008 Budget
» Canada and Climate Change - Not a Happy Story
3. Groups Urge Canada to Step Up to the Plate on Renewable Energy
 Next week ministers from around the globe will meet in Washington to discuss ways of scaling up renewable energy. At the Washington Renewable Energy Conference (WIREC) - the largest renewable energy conference ever held - each country will be asked to make major new policy commitments that will support new investment in renewable energy technology. The Canadian Renewable Energy Alliance (CanREA) is calling on Canada to step up to the plate and announce new or strengthened renewable energy polices at the conference.
» Read the media release » Read the backgrounder paper
4. Mining for Dollars in British Columbia
 High mineral prices have created a rush to develop new mining projects in Northwest British Columbia. In the Stikine and Taku regions alone, seven new mines have been proposed, and many more exploration projects are underway. The Pembina Institute explores how rapid industrial development will affect local communities, as well as the region's abundant wildlife and wilderness, in a series of new primers.
Download the Fact Sheets: » Boom to Bust: Social and cultural impacts of the mining cycle » Sizing it Up: Scenarios for powering Northwest British Columbia » Mining for Dollars: The economic value of minerals in the Stikine and Taku
Hot Off the Press
 This report by the Pembina Institute and the Canadian Parks and Wilderness Society (CPAWS) proposes a blueprint for improving Albertans' quality of life and ensuring environmental sustainability. The report sets out guiding principles for an effective land-use framework.
 The value of many minerals in Northwest British Columbia has more than doubled in the past five years, setting the stage for a mining boom. However, mineral prices are historically volatile. When prices fall, production slows and mines are often forced to close. From the "boom" of a new mining project to the "bust" of a mine closure, this primer explores the impact this cycle can have on local communities.
 With a mining boom underway and pressure to power mining projects heating up in Northwest British Columbia, a new primer encourages people to look past the gold rush and plan for the future they want. The British Columbia government favours a proposal to build a 287-kilovolt (kV) power line along Highway 37, an option which could encourage rapid industrial development of the region. This primer evaluates potential impacts from the 287-kV Northwest Transmission Line and compares it with two other options: a 138-kV power line and the development of regional renewable energy sources.
 Seven mines, with an estimated mineral value of $204 billion, have been proposed for the Taku and Stikine regions in Northwest British Columbia. Although British Columbia's minerals are a public resource, mining companies earn by far the most profit from them. "Mining for Dollars" explains who gets the revenue from mining in British Columbia, and explores the impacts of a rush to capitalize on high mineral prices.
 This report explores corporate perspectives on Corporate Environmental Responsibility (CER) within the Canadian unconventional gas industry. In it, executives, senior managers, engineers and others comment on their definitions of corporate environmental responsibility, their views on the role of environmental NGOs in promoting CER, and their experiences collaborating with the ENGO community.
 This Pembina Institute and WWF-Canada report is the most comprehensive comparative assessment of ten of Alberta's operating, approved or applied for oil sands mines. The first of its kind, this report finds that for the most part oil sands mines get a failing grade.
Oil sands mines were ranked on 20 different environmental indicators in five categories: environmental management, land impacts, air pollution, water use, and management of greenhouse gases.
Pembina Op-Eds
By: Matthew Bramley, Director, Climate Change, Pembina Institute  The recent UN climate conference in Bali concluded with governments adopting the "Bali Roadmap." But confidence in the environmental effectiveness of the agreement to be negotiated is undermined by the vagueness of the Roadmap text relating to the U.S. and developing countries.
See also: It's Time for Rhetoric to Give Way to Ambition, Action
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