After 11 years of bringing you local reporting, the team behind the Vancouver Observer has moved on to Canada's National Observer. You can follow Vancouver culture reporting over there from now on. Thank you for all your support over the years!

contamination

Feds stifle media questions around oil sands' toxic effects, FOIs reveal

For the first time ever a federal scientist is studying toxins in animals near the Alberta oilsands but Environment Canada won't let him speak with the media about his research.
Mount Polley, tailings pond, drinking water, mercury, arsenic, Imperial Metals

No start date in sight for Imperial Metals' Mount Polley spill cleanup

Sludge from the Imperial Metals Mount Polley mine tailings pond still clogs what used to be Hazeltine Creek and extends out into Quesnel Lake. No cleanup date is set.

Locals refuse to drink water near Mount Polley despite authorities' assurances

Residents surrounding the Mount Polley mine are concerned about using the local water, even after officials have cleared it for drinking.

Toxic tar sands waste leaking into groundwater, documents confirm

Government documents confirm Fort McMurray's massive tailings ponds are seeping tar sands waste into local groundwater.

Japan earthquake continues to shake up Vancouverites

After the Japan earthquake and tsunami, locals continue to feel the impact of the disaster in their lives.

Pulling meat inspectors in BC could mean unsafe food: Union

Federal inspectors yanked, provinces scramble to patch together alternate safety regime.