TRANSCANADA SCUTTLES ENERGY EAST: TransCanada Corp. has abandoned its $15.7-billion proposed Energy East pipeline, citing changed circumstances. The company would not elaborate. Critics speculate the cancellation was prompted by low oil prices and the lack of commercial need for the project while supporters blame costs and delays from federal government regulatory meddling. The project ran into headwinds when regulatory hearings collapsed after protesters shut down hearings and accused the review panel members of bias, prompting the board to start the review process from scratch.

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B.C. SAYS FEDS PUT ALBERTA’S CONCERNS FIRST: A lawyer representing the B.C. government in its fight against the Trans-Mountain pipeline expansion is arguing that the Trudeau government put Alberta’s economic needs ahead of B.C.’s concerns in approving the project. Thomas Berger told the Federal Court of Appeal Thursday that the federal government also breached its statutory duty to provide reasons for deciding the project is not likely to cause significant adverse environmental effects. First Nations, two environmental groups and the cities of Vancouver and Burnaby are also fighting the pipeline expansion.

FEDS TO COMPENSATE ’60s SCOOP SURVIVORS: The federal government will pay hundreds of millions of dollars to Indigenous survivors of the ’60s Scoop. Sources tell The Canadian Press that the agreement to be announced Friday includes a payout of between $25,000 and $50,000 for each claimant. The compensation aims to resolve 18 related lawsuits over the harm done to Indigenous children who were placed with non-native families.

LINDHOUT RELIVES KIDNAPPING IN SOMALIA: Former Canadian hostage Amanda Lindhout recounted her ordeal of being kidnapped in Somalia in 2008. She testified at the trial of one of the men accused of being involved in her hostage taking. Lindhout sobbed as she walked into court to give testimony Thursday. Ali Omar Ader, a 40-year-old Somalian national, has pleaded not guilty to a charge of hostage-taking for his alleged role as a negotiator.

Source-saultonline.com