NigelBankes
@nigelb.bsky.social
Retired law prof ucalgary law; I principally post on energy, resources and climate change issues; committed to intergenerational equity; grateful settler on Treaty 7 lands.
Wonderful concert with Jim Byrnes at Fish Creek Concerts in #YYC tonight. What a great performer, wonderful patter and a band that was loving every minute. jimbyrnes.ca
November 8, 2025 at 6:37 AM
Wonderful concert with Jim Byrnes at Fish Creek Concerts in #YYC tonight. What a great performer, wonderful patter and a band that was loving every minute. jimbyrnes.ca
It was a wet and muddy day in the upper Highwood, but I reckon that there were betwn 60 & 80 folks who showed up in enthusiastic defence of the eastern slopes - not from coal this time but clearcut logging.
Good to see old friends and make new contacts.
We need to protect our headwaters. #abpoli
Good to see old friends and make new contacts.
We need to protect our headwaters. #abpoli
November 2, 2025 at 1:28 AM
It was a wet and muddy day in the upper Highwood, but I reckon that there were betwn 60 & 80 folks who showed up in enthusiastic defence of the eastern slopes - not from coal this time but clearcut logging.
Good to see old friends and make new contacts.
We need to protect our headwaters. #abpoli
Good to see old friends and make new contacts.
We need to protect our headwaters. #abpoli
I spent Friday night at the Strawberry Camp and then today at “The Wall” to support the protest organized by Defenders of the Eastern Slopes against logging in the Highwood and Loomis Creek areas - listed critical habitat for endangered bull trout.
Solidarity.
#abpoli #ableg
Solidarity.
#abpoli #ableg
November 2, 2025 at 12:17 AM
Bill C 2 overrides the Charter. It also overrides Alberta's Bill of Rights. Here's what the GoA said about that less than a year ago.
#abpoli #ableg
www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?...
#abpoli #ableg
www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?...
October 30, 2025 at 2:22 AM
Bill C 2 overrides the Charter. It also overrides Alberta's Bill of Rights. Here's what the GoA said about that less than a year ago.
#abpoli #ableg
www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?...
#abpoli #ableg
www.alberta.ca/release.cfm?...
This is the best - all credit to @jaredwesley.ca
October 28, 2025 at 12:33 AM
This is the best - all credit to @jaredwesley.ca
“I am a firm believer in recall, when used appropriately and for the right reasons.” LOL.
October 26, 2025 at 8:06 PM
“I am a firm believer in recall, when used appropriately and for the right reasons.” LOL.
This is from Alberta Energy and Minerals, Annual Report 2024 - 25. You can barely see coal. Why is the GoA so stubbornly supportive of this industry?
October 22, 2025 at 10:45 PM
This is from Alberta Energy and Minerals, Annual Report 2024 - 25. You can barely see coal. Why is the GoA so stubbornly supportive of this industry?
I urge my fellow Albertans to read the Wyant report. It's actually not that long! It's not as well organized as one might hope but it is damning. #abpoli #ableg
open.alberta.ca/publications...
Take this, for example:
open.alberta.ca/publications...
Take this, for example:
October 19, 2025 at 1:03 AM
I urge my fellow Albertans to read the Wyant report. It's actually not that long! It's not as well organized as one might hope but it is damning. #abpoli #ableg
open.alberta.ca/publications...
Take this, for example:
open.alberta.ca/publications...
Take this, for example:
I can't celebrate the freedom to use wealth & power to restrict the freedoms & liberties of others or to limit the power of government to fulfil societal obligations to the marginalized. I fear that it is this last form of freedom that Premier Smith wishes to memorialize on our licence plates. 3/
October 17, 2025 at 2:29 AM
I can't celebrate the freedom to use wealth & power to restrict the freedoms & liberties of others or to limit the power of government to fulfil societal obligations to the marginalized. I fear that it is this last form of freedom that Premier Smith wishes to memorialize on our licence plates. 3/
Justice Feasby has issued his decision on interventions in the Alberta Independence referendum case. P'raps the most imp point is the clarification that even if the referendum crosses this hurdle the CEO will still have to assess the "same Q" issue: 2025 ABKB 552, #abpoli
September 25, 2025 at 7:59 PM
Justice Feasby has issued his decision on interventions in the Alberta Independence referendum case. P'raps the most imp point is the clarification that even if the referendum crosses this hurdle the CEO will still have to assess the "same Q" issue: 2025 ABKB 552, #abpoli
A glorious day picking berries south of Trondheim.
September 25, 2025 at 2:10 PM
A glorious day picking berries south of Trondheim.
I post a lot on ABlawg. Some of it pretty dry & arcane oil & gas law
But this is far more imp & shd be of wider interest. It deals with how an Aussie coal mining company was able to manipulate AER decision-making to shield the company’s project from public review. #abpoli
ablawg.ca/wp-content/u...
But this is far more imp & shd be of wider interest. It deals with how an Aussie coal mining company was able to manipulate AER decision-making to shield the company’s project from public review. #abpoli
ablawg.ca/wp-content/u...
September 12, 2025 at 4:04 PM
I post a lot on ABlawg. Some of it pretty dry & arcane oil & gas law
But this is far more imp & shd be of wider interest. It deals with how an Aussie coal mining company was able to manipulate AER decision-making to shield the company’s project from public review. #abpoli
ablawg.ca/wp-content/u...
But this is far more imp & shd be of wider interest. It deals with how an Aussie coal mining company was able to manipulate AER decision-making to shield the company’s project from public review. #abpoli
ablawg.ca/wp-content/u...
The Alberta Utilities Commission used to have the best website of any Canadian energy regulator by far.
But that is no longer true IMO.
It is now frustratingly difficult to locate older decisions of this regulator and the website forces you to log in to the efiling system, but ....
#ableg #abpoli
But that is no longer true IMO.
It is now frustratingly difficult to locate older decisions of this regulator and the website forces you to log in to the efiling system, but ....
#ableg #abpoli
September 4, 2025 at 1:57 AM
September 3, 2025 at 10:06 PM
That's it. And so all states have a duty to impose sanctions.
Looking at you @mark-carney.bsky.social and @anitaoakvilleeast.bsky.social
Looking at you @mark-carney.bsky.social and @anitaoakvilleeast.bsky.social
September 3, 2025 at 4:14 AM
That's it. And so all states have a duty to impose sanctions.
Looking at you @mark-carney.bsky.social and @anitaoakvilleeast.bsky.social
Looking at you @mark-carney.bsky.social and @anitaoakvilleeast.bsky.social
The real sanction is disbarment i.e. the inability to practice law. Here's what the panel had to say.
September 3, 2025 at 1:46 AM
The real sanction is disbarment i.e. the inability to practice law. Here's what the panel had to say.
The actual decision is well worth a read.
September 3, 2025 at 12:31 AM
The actual decision is well worth a read.
Re: GoA coal settlement with Atrum
On July 22 I wrote to Minister Jean asking what the GoA got for its $136.8m payout, specifically whether it acquired Atrum's freehold coal rights in addition to Atrum's Crown leases.
I didn't get a clear answer to that Q. #ableg #abpoli
Here's the Minister's reply.
On July 22 I wrote to Minister Jean asking what the GoA got for its $136.8m payout, specifically whether it acquired Atrum's freehold coal rights in addition to Atrum's Crown leases.
I didn't get a clear answer to that Q. #ableg #abpoli
Here's the Minister's reply.
August 19, 2025 at 9:02 PM
Fin “A referendum on Alberta independence that could lead to the break-up of Canada is serious business. The question of the constitutionality of the constitutional referendum proposal requires a full hearing where a broad range of perspectives on the issue can be presented to the Court.” [94] /fin
August 15, 2025 at 8:33 PM
Fin “A referendum on Alberta independence that could lead to the break-up of Canada is serious business. The question of the constitutionality of the constitutional referendum proposal requires a full hearing where a broad range of perspectives on the issue can be presented to the Court.” [94] /fin
Other matters [2] “minorities inevitably will be squeezed in a political process driven by a majoritarian desire to establish AB as an independent state. Leaving consideration of [constitutionality] to the end of the process once a deal has been concluded may result in ... short shrift.” [67] /14
August 15, 2025 at 8:28 PM
Other matters [2] “minorities inevitably will be squeezed in a political process driven by a majoritarian desire to establish AB as an independent state. Leaving consideration of [constitutionality] to the end of the process once a deal has been concluded may result in ... short shrift.” [67] /14
Death trap for cyclists on University Av NW east side as you pass under 16th Av. The Scylla of swerving into the traffic lane to avoid the hole or the Charybdis of hitting the hole and losing your front wheel.
Reported to 311. #yycc
Reported to 311. #yycc
August 5, 2025 at 8:49 PM
Death trap for cyclists on University Av NW east side as you pass under 16th Av. The Scylla of swerving into the traffic lane to avoid the hole or the Charybdis of hitting the hole and losing your front wheel.
Reported to 311. #yycc
Reported to 311. #yycc