David V. Wright
@davevwright.bsky.social
Law prof. Environment, natural resources, sustainability, dispute resolution, treaties, North. Never played for the Mets, sadly.
UC: https://profiles.ucalgary.ca/david-wright
UC: https://profiles.ucalgary.ca/david-wright
Oil pipelines never cease to generate political friction and legal confusion. I spoke w @markhamhislop.bsky.social about the latest Alberta-BC spat and the relevant legal landscape. Might help clear the air to the extent possible, but open legal questions linger.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt9Q...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt9Q...
BC and Alberta's Pipeline Political Fight Takes a Legal Turn
YouTube video by Energi Media
m.youtube.com
October 17, 2025 at 5:07 PM
Oil pipelines never cease to generate political friction and legal confusion. I spoke w @markhamhislop.bsky.social about the latest Alberta-BC spat and the relevant legal landscape. Might help clear the air to the extent possible, but open legal questions linger.
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt9Q...
m.youtube.com/watch?v=Rt9Q...
Helpful modelling from @pembina.org here. Canada and Alberta should both be transparently doing same and then relating it to comprehensive emission reduction plans and scenarios that demonstrate achieving climate commitments (or not). Present “grand bargain” discourse needs to be contextualized.
A new pipeline paired with carbon capture may sound promising, but the numbers tell a different story.
Our analysis finds the so-called “grand bargain” would result in oilsands emissions going up, even with the Pathways carbon capture project.
Our analysis finds the so-called “grand bargain” would result in oilsands emissions going up, even with the Pathways carbon capture project.
October 9, 2025 at 3:13 PM
Helpful modelling from @pembina.org here. Canada and Alberta should both be transparently doing same and then relating it to comprehensive emission reduction plans and scenarios that demonstrate achieving climate commitments (or not). Present “grand bargain” discourse needs to be contextualized.
The pathway to a credible “climate competitiveness strategy” is getting narrower by the day: www.ipolitics.ca/2025/10/07/p...
Grey Cup is Nov 16
Next climate summit is Nov 10 - 21
Canada now poised to further repeal and weaken climate policies right before COP30. Tough needle to thread. We’ll see
Grey Cup is Nov 16
Next climate summit is Nov 10 - 21
Canada now poised to further repeal and weaken climate policies right before COP30. Tough needle to thread. We’ll see
October 8, 2025 at 12:47 AM
The pathway to a credible “climate competitiveness strategy” is getting narrower by the day: www.ipolitics.ca/2025/10/07/p...
Grey Cup is Nov 16
Next climate summit is Nov 10 - 21
Canada now poised to further repeal and weaken climate policies right before COP30. Tough needle to thread. We’ll see
Grey Cup is Nov 16
Next climate summit is Nov 10 - 21
Canada now poised to further repeal and weaken climate policies right before COP30. Tough needle to thread. We’ll see
Bill to create a new Commissioner of Modern Treaty Implementation re-tabled as Bill C-10. Good to see.
www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en...
www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en...
C-10 (45-1) - LEGISinfo - Parliament of Canada
C-10 (45-1) - LEGISinfo - Parliament of Canada
www.parl.ca
September 26, 2025 at 3:39 PM
Bill to create a new Commissioner of Modern Treaty Implementation re-tabled as Bill C-10. Good to see.
www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en...
www.parl.ca/legisinfo/en...
First 5 PONIs now identified under the Building Canada Act. But is it a case of hot to trot, or all for naught? TLDR: legal framework is in place to corral PONIs and lead to greenlight pastures. But it behooves the govt to get implementation right at this early juncture.
ablawg.ca/2025/09/25/f...
ablawg.ca/2025/09/25/f...
First Five Building Canada Act Projects of National Interest (PONIs): Hot to Trot, or All for Naught?
By: David V. Wright Matter Commented On: Building Canada Act, SC 2025, c 2, s 4 PDF Version: First Five Building Canada Act Projects of National Interest (PONIs): Hot to Trot, or All for Naught? Af…
ablawg.ca
September 26, 2025 at 3:36 PM
First 5 PONIs now identified under the Building Canada Act. But is it a case of hot to trot, or all for naught? TLDR: legal framework is in place to corral PONIs and lead to greenlight pastures. But it behooves the govt to get implementation right at this early juncture.
ablawg.ca/2025/09/25/f...
ablawg.ca/2025/09/25/f...
Carbon pricing gone. And now ZEV pause.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
As federal GHG emission reduction measures slip, there’s still a legal requirement for the Carney government to present a comprehensive plan at some point. Will slip lead to fall? Under CNZEAA it shouldn’t
ablawg.ca/2025/06/23/f...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
As federal GHG emission reduction measures slip, there’s still a legal requirement for the Carney government to present a comprehensive plan at some point. Will slip lead to fall? Under CNZEAA it shouldn’t
ablawg.ca/2025/06/23/f...
Federal Climate Plans, Policies and Projections: Have no fear, CNZEAA is (still) here? - ABLawg
By: David V. Wright Matter Commented On: Implementation of the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, SC 2021, c 22 PDF Version: Federal Climate Plans, Policies and Projections: Have no fear,...
ablawg.ca
September 6, 2025 at 11:50 PM
Carbon pricing gone. And now ZEV pause.
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
As federal GHG emission reduction measures slip, there’s still a legal requirement for the Carney government to present a comprehensive plan at some point. Will slip lead to fall? Under CNZEAA it shouldn’t
ablawg.ca/2025/06/23/f...
www.cbc.ca/news/politic...
As federal GHG emission reduction measures slip, there’s still a legal requirement for the Carney government to present a comprehensive plan at some point. Will slip lead to fall? Under CNZEAA it shouldn’t
ablawg.ca/2025/06/23/f...
What’s going on with federal climate policy? C-5 has taken up a lot of oxygen so it’s fair to wonder. Also fair to fret. We do have a law to reduce risk of backslipping. Is it up to the task? Can we have no fear, or at least less fear, because CNZEAA is still here?
My latest via @ablawg.bsky.social
My latest via @ablawg.bsky.social
New Post: Federal Climate Plans, Policies and Projections: Have no fear, CNZEAA is (still) here?
ablawg.ca/2025/06/23...
ablawg.ca/2025/06/23...
June 23, 2025 at 6:26 PM
What’s going on with federal climate policy? C-5 has taken up a lot of oxygen so it’s fair to wonder. Also fair to fret. We do have a law to reduce risk of backslipping. Is it up to the task? Can we have no fear, or at least less fear, because CNZEAA is still here?
My latest via @ablawg.bsky.social
My latest via @ablawg.bsky.social
Update: Bill C-5 will pass third reading today. Now senate for most of next week. Finish line likely next Friday. BUT amendments from house committee mostly adopted. These create some guardrails and constraints that steer toward transparency and accountability.
www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentView...
www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentView...
June 20, 2025 at 8:05 PM
Update: Bill C-5 will pass third reading today. Now senate for most of next week. Finish line likely next Friday. BUT amendments from house committee mostly adopted. These create some guardrails and constraints that steer toward transparency and accountability.
www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentView...
www.ourcommons.ca/DocumentView...
Reposted by David V. Wright
New Post: Provincial Referendum Legislation, Citizen-Led Secession Proposals, and Non-Derogation Clauses
ablawg.ca/2025/06/11...
ablawg.ca/2025/06/11...
June 11, 2025 at 4:00 PM
New Post: Provincial Referendum Legislation, Citizen-Led Secession Proposals, and Non-Derogation Clauses
ablawg.ca/2025/06/11...
ablawg.ca/2025/06/11...
Bill C-5 / Building Canada Act sure ain’t impact assessment; it’s an unprecedented deregulation move in modern times. Serious risk that ‘move fast and make things’ results in move fast and break things’. Leap before you look = risky at best.
w/ @molszyns.bsky.social
ablawg.ca/2025/06/10/b...
w/ @molszyns.bsky.social
ablawg.ca/2025/06/10/b...
Bill C-5: Move Fast and Make Things, or Move Fast and Break Things? - ABLawg
By: David V. Wright and Martin Olszynski Bill Commented On: Bill C-5 - An Act to enact the Free Trade and Labour Mobility in Canada Act and the Building Canada Act PDF Version: Bill C-5: Move Fast and...
ablawg.ca
June 10, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Bill C-5 / Building Canada Act sure ain’t impact assessment; it’s an unprecedented deregulation move in modern times. Serious risk that ‘move fast and make things’ results in move fast and break things’. Leap before you look = risky at best.
w/ @molszyns.bsky.social
ablawg.ca/2025/06/10/b...
w/ @molszyns.bsky.social
ablawg.ca/2025/06/10/b...
Latest reports from Canada’s federal Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development just released:
www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/Eng...
www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/Eng...
2025 Reports 1 to 4 of the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development
www.oag-bvg.gc.ca
June 10, 2025 at 3:17 PM
Latest reports from Canada’s federal Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development just released:
www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/Eng...
www.oag-bvg.gc.ca/internet/Eng...
Reposted by David V. Wright
Oooooh boy, @davevwright.bsky.social and I have been brewing some hearty @ablawg.bsky.social soup this past weekend. Looking forward to sharing it tomorrow — strong ‘Building Canada’ flavour. #BillC5 #cdnpoli
a stove with a clock that says 8:08
Alt: a muppet (chef) cooking soup on a stove.
media.tenor.com
June 9, 2025 at 10:32 PM
Oooooh boy, @davevwright.bsky.social and I have been brewing some hearty @ablawg.bsky.social soup this past weekend. Looking forward to sharing it tomorrow — strong ‘Building Canada’ flavour. #BillC5 #cdnpoli
And just like that, it’s over. But what a two weeks it was for this special group of students in this year’s Modern Treaties & the Law course in the Yukon. Deep experiential learning, immersed in special spaces and communities. Huge thanks to all involved, including these courageous students.
May 26, 2025 at 5:24 PM
And just like that, it’s over. But what a two weeks it was for this special group of students in this year’s Modern Treaties & the Law course in the Yukon. Deep experiential learning, immersed in special spaces and communities. Huge thanks to all involved, including these courageous students.
Fantastic first week of this year’s Modern Treaties and the Law course with @roberthamilton.bsky.social and a group of wonderful @ucalgary.bsky.social students. Amazing to see students’ deep learning happening right before your eyes.
May 17, 2025 at 1:55 PM
Fantastic first week of this year’s Modern Treaties and the Law course with @roberthamilton.bsky.social and a group of wonderful @ucalgary.bsky.social students. Amazing to see students’ deep learning happening right before your eyes.
Reposted by David V. Wright
Seem like a good time to re-up this piece from @davevwright.bsky.social and myself: ablawg.ca/2019/11/01/a...
Albexit/Wexit/Albwexit and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples - ABLawg
By: Robert Hamilton and David V. Wright PDF Version: Albexit/Wexit/Albwexit and the Rights of Indigenous Peoples Matter Commented On: Secession by Alberta or Western Provinces Talk of western alienati...
ablawg.ca
May 2, 2025 at 4:49 PM
Seem like a good time to re-up this piece from @davevwright.bsky.social and myself: ablawg.ca/2019/11/01/a...
Haven’t done this for decades but seems wise as summer-spring travel season begins.
April 27, 2025 at 9:12 PM
Haven’t done this for decades but seems wise as summer-spring travel season begins.
A must read post by my colleague and impact assessment guru, Arlene Kwasniak. The case for federal impact assessment is not just some intergenerational moralistic plea. It’s rooted in economics imperatives, constitutional obligations, scientific integrity, ecosystem realities, and good governance.
We must defend the role of federal environmental assessment in Canada, not wrongly denigrate it: ablawg.ca/2025/04/21/t...
The Vital Importance of Federal Environmental Assessment and the Federal Election - ABLawg
By: Arlene Kwasniak Matter Commented On: The federal leaders’ debate and how the role of federal environmental assessment was inappropriately miscast, denigrated, and not defended. PDF Version: The Vi...
ablawg.ca
April 22, 2025 at 4:15 PM
A must read post by my colleague and impact assessment guru, Arlene Kwasniak. The case for federal impact assessment is not just some intergenerational moralistic plea. It’s rooted in economics imperatives, constitutional obligations, scientific integrity, ecosystem realities, and good governance.
Watching the federal debate? Want fact check resource re ‘C-69’? Voila below.
Reality - federal project assessment regime gives ample basis to show case project benefits. For better or worse, thumb is on scale for *approving* all projects, incl energy projects.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Reality - federal project assessment regime gives ample basis to show case project benefits. For better or worse, thumb is on scale for *approving* all projects, incl energy projects.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
The New Federal Impact Assessment Act: Implications for Canadian Energy Projects
Implementation of the new Impact Assessment Act regime is now underway, changing the process for federal assessment of energy projects. While the reformed regim
papers.ssrn.com
April 17, 2025 at 11:18 PM
Watching the federal debate? Want fact check resource re ‘C-69’? Voila below.
Reality - federal project assessment regime gives ample basis to show case project benefits. For better or worse, thumb is on scale for *approving* all projects, incl energy projects.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
Reality - federal project assessment regime gives ample basis to show case project benefits. For better or worse, thumb is on scale for *approving* all projects, incl energy projects.
papers.ssrn.com/sol3/papers....
So much crap but remember that bikes are still pure goodness. Even with snow and sub-zero temps… IN APRIL!
#biketowork #yyc
#biketowork #yyc
April 4, 2025 at 2:17 PM
So much crap but remember that bikes are still pure goodness. Even with snow and sub-zero temps… IN APRIL!
#biketowork #yyc
#biketowork #yyc
Corridors back in the news, once again an election issue. Discussion here on s.35 Indigenous consultation, incl links to deeper dive.
ablawg.ca/wp-content/u...
TLDR: you can change your approach; you can’t shortcut Crown consultation. (Same for ‘shovel ready zones’, whatev that’s supposed to mean)
ablawg.ca/wp-content/u...
TLDR: you can change your approach; you can’t shortcut Crown consultation. (Same for ‘shovel ready zones’, whatev that’s supposed to mean)
ablawg.ca
March 21, 2025 at 4:31 PM
Corridors back in the news, once again an election issue. Discussion here on s.35 Indigenous consultation, incl links to deeper dive.
ablawg.ca/wp-content/u...
TLDR: you can change your approach; you can’t shortcut Crown consultation. (Same for ‘shovel ready zones’, whatev that’s supposed to mean)
ablawg.ca/wp-content/u...
TLDR: you can change your approach; you can’t shortcut Crown consultation. (Same for ‘shovel ready zones’, whatev that’s supposed to mean)
Reposted by David V. Wright
Keep this in mind as you think about today's events: The United States is Appeasing Evil www.persuasion.community/p/the-united...
The United States is Appeasing Evil
A plea from Ukraine.
www.persuasion.community
February 28, 2025 at 8:09 PM
Keep this in mind as you think about today's events: The United States is Appeasing Evil www.persuasion.community/p/the-united...
What a beauty.
Goose over eagle,
north over south,
grit over goons,
red & white over fake orange.
Sleep well, Canada 💪
Goose over eagle,
north over south,
grit over goons,
red & white over fake orange.
Sleep well, Canada 💪
February 21, 2025 at 5:58 AM
What a beauty.
Goose over eagle,
north over south,
grit over goons,
red & white over fake orange.
Sleep well, Canada 💪
Goose over eagle,
north over south,
grit over goons,
red & white over fake orange.
Sleep well, Canada 💪
Hey Bluesky gang, a friendly but earnest reminder that if you’re in Canada or care about Canada, here is a go to legal resource that cuts through the fog every time.
For information on how to lead in these trying times, give it a follow!
bsky.app/profile/abla...
For information on how to lead in these trying times, give it a follow!
bsky.app/profile/abla...
bsky.app
February 20, 2025 at 6:04 PM
Hey Bluesky gang, a friendly but earnest reminder that if you’re in Canada or care about Canada, here is a go to legal resource that cuts through the fog every time.
For information on how to lead in these trying times, give it a follow!
bsky.app/profile/abla...
For information on how to lead in these trying times, give it a follow!
bsky.app/profile/abla...
Rule number one for a lower power party in negotiation and conflict: coalition building. Don’t stand alone. If Canada stays in bilateral tit-for-tat tariff mode we’re toast. It’s time for a coordinated response with intl trade partners, US states, cities, and everyday American friends.
February 2, 2025 at 4:03 AM
Rule number one for a lower power party in negotiation and conflict: coalition building. Don’t stand alone. If Canada stays in bilateral tit-for-tat tariff mode we’re toast. It’s time for a coordinated response with intl trade partners, US states, cities, and everyday American friends.
Reposted by David V. Wright
