Canada news roundup

B.C. glaciers disappearing at record-setting pace: UNBC study

Extreme weather events in Northern British Columbia are accelerating glacier melt at an all-time rate according to a recently published study.

According to the research led by University of Northern British Columbia (UNBC) researcher Dr. Brian Menounos, glaciers in western Canada and Switzerland experienced the largest mass losses on record over the past four years, due to early-season heat waves, prolonged dry conditions, low winter snow accumulation and surface darkening.

The findings were published in the peer-reviewed journal Geophysical Research Letters and revealed an acceleration in glacier melt rates in the regions between 2021 and 2024 that doubled the pace observed during the previous decade. Approximately 22.2 gigatonnes of ice per year were lost in western Canada and neighbouring American regions over the four-year period, which resulted in a 12 per cent decline in total ice volumes since 2020. .(Chiiliwack Progress)

Yukon disaster one of two ‘most catastrophic’ in heap-leach mining history: expert

The spill of about two million tonnes of cyanide-soaked ore at a Yukon gold mine was one of the two “most catastrophic failures” in the 45-year history of the heap-leaching mining process, an engineer tasked with reviewing it said.

Mark Smith said the disasters last year, the other occurring in Turkey, would “define the next 10 or 20 years for heap-leach practices,” in which minerals are extracted from piles of ore by running liquid chemicals through them.

Smith is a member of the independent review board that examined the disaster at the Eagle Gold Mine in June 2024, when an ore slope failed, leading to the contamination of local groundwater in central Yukon.

He told a briefing hosted by the Yukon government on Tuesday that the board found several underlying causes along with a trigger for the disaster. (Nanaimo Now)

Saskatoon's Prairie Lily riverboat cancels all summer voyages due to low water levels

Extremely low water levels in the South Saskatchewan River have left one of Saskatoon's biggest tourist attractions high and dry.

The Prairie Lily riverboat usually cruises the river, giving tours of Saskatoon and the Meewasin Valley. This year, low water levels and sandbars have made it too dangerous. With low water levels and build-ups of silt changing the riverbed's ecosystem, the boat's owners say they won't be able to run any cruises for the entire summer season.

Joan Steckhan, the co-owner of the Prairie Lily is still hopeful for business, even if it's not out on the river. (CBC)

Chiefs in Ontario and Alberta condemn opposition to reintroducing First Nations safe drinking water bill

The head of the Chiefs of Ontario (COO) has blunt words for Ontario and Alberta, who this week called on the federal government to not reintroduce legislation that would mandate safe drinking water in First Nation communities.

“Ontario and Alberta’s opposition to Bill C-61 is not only disappointing, it is a direct attack on the rights, health, and safety of First Nations,” COO Regional Chief Abram Benedict told APTN News in a statement.

“This legislation was developed to ensure that our communities finally have access to clean, safe drinking water, a basic human right that far too many have been denied.”

He reiterated that Ontario has the highest number of long-term drinking water advisories in the country and gave the example of Neskantaga First Nation whose members have lived under a boil water advisory for over 30 years, calling it “a national failure that must be addressed.” (APTN News)

A New Wave of Quebec Water-Tech Entrepreneurs Joins AquaEntrepreneur

As Canada faces a water crisis marked by increasing scarcity, the devastating effects of climate change and cross-border pressures, a bold response is required. 

Today, AquaAction proudly unveiled 15 Quebec water technology companies at a ceremony marking the launch of the fourth edition of its flagship commercialization program, AquaEntrepreneur. This was the first event to showcase the province's water technology ecosystem at Montreal's brand-new Espace Ax.c, Quebec's innovation hub.

The selected companies, representing several regions of Quebec, took the stage alongside Ax.c Founding Director Richard Chénier and Luc Sirois, Quebec's Chief Innovator, to present innovations addressing pressing water-related issues. All participating start-up, scale-up and SME teams are now officially part of the 2025 edition of AquaEntrepreneur. They will engage in an eight-month program focused on commercialization, personalized coaching, implementation of early pilots, connections with technology adopters, as well as access to essential resources to help scale their businesses.

New Brunswickers should expect more cyanobacteria in rivers and lakes from now on

Pack your swimsuit and towel, lather on sunscreen, and don't forget to check the water for floating scum. 

That's Sarah Blenis's advice for a day in a river or lake in New Brunswick from now on, since cyanobacteria, also known as blue-green algae, is here to stay.

"Given the warmer water temperatures, it is very likely that other water bodies will continue to experience cyanobacteria blooms," said Blenis, project manager for the Hammond River Angling Association.

Public Health put out the first safety advisory about the potentially toxic bacteria on May 15 this season in Wards Creek, near Sussex. That's earlier than researchers normally detect it, Blenis said.

The province has put out five new advisories since, and there are 20 other locations that remain on the list from previous outbreaks.

(CBC)