Friday, October 22, 2010

Canada criticized for "Business as Usual" approach to BP Oil Spill, Six Months Later

Six months after the Gulf of New Mexico's oil disaster, Canada is being harshly criticized for not having stricter regulations and monitoring of offshore oil wells. This article subtly attacks Canada's government, and is particularly interesting as oil is a very Conservative in nature. Considering this, the majority of offshore wells is on the east coast, where Conservatives have a lesser share in voter stakes than the west side of Canada.
Mike Blais - Analysis

James Cameron in Alberta's Oil Sands

James Cameron's visit to Alberta's economic super centres has been one of the most widely-covered celebrity visits in Alberta's recent history. Most interesting is the way which individual media centres slanted Cameron's visit based on the media's views. In particular, Macleans is very harsh on Cameron's critique of the oil sands. When examined, the article shows a "this is what Cameron thinks of the oil sands, this is what the oil companies are doing to show him he's wrong, how do you like that, James Cameron?" structure, playing him off as someone who assumed one thing and is perhaps misguided in his views.
Mike Blais - Analysis
Macleans Article on Cameron's Visit

New Oil And Gas Regulations Take Effect Today

News of updated regulations on the oil and gas industry quickly spread though the media today. Chief among these regulations are stricter environmental controls and guideline. Despite this article being printed in a widely distributed paper across Canada, it is interesting to note that the articles themselves are barely more than blog postings. In a media environment where any news about the BP oil spills still receives an article of substantial length, it is interesting to note the shallow depth in which this news is covered.
Mike Blais - Analysis
Vancouver Sun Article of Regulation

Thursday, October 21, 2010

BP's Economic Implications

Approximately six months after the explosion of the Deepwater Horizon rig, CBC outlines the effects on the economy, and fish and wildlife. CBC also summarizes the timeline of the oil spill as well as the clean-up which occurred in the last six months.
Erika Recarro - News

Big Spending On Anti-Oil

Contributions to anti-oil foundations have increased in recent years, and are getting some big backers. As reported by Vivian Krause, one foundation, Tides U.S., has single handedly funded 36 anti oil movements. Yet there is no real knowledge existing about the company, and its validity is questioned in the article with plentiful states.
Kammryn Dancy - Analysis
Montreal Gazette Report of Charitable Foundations

Wednesday, October 20, 2010

Gulf for the Future

Ray Mabus, US Navy secretary, was asked by President Obama to design a strategy to restore the ecosystem of the Gulf that goes beyond the BP spill. Two main recommendations are cooperation by Congress to create a recovery council, and to ensure the penalties owed by BP and others are invested in this recovery project. Editorial from the NY Times that praises Mabus' plan.
Vern McGill - Opinion
NY Times Article of Suggested Oil Spill Measures

City and Colour to record a song inspired by the Gulf Oil Spill

Dallas Green from City and Colour has recorded a new song, At the Bird’s Foot, which commemorates the eleven men who died in the Gulf Oil Spill. The song will be recorded as a compilation album, with proceeds going to help those affected by the spill.
Arielle Berze - News
CBC Article of the Dedicated Song