Blogs are opinion pieces and reflect their author’s views

It has become increasingly difficult in Canada to gain and sustain public acceptance of energy

projects. Increased levels of protest, combined with traditional media and social media coverage of

opposition, combine to suggest decreased public acceptance of energy projects. Decision-makers

have responded accordingly, and a variety of energy projects have either been delayed or put on

hold indefinitely. This is true for both conventional and renewable energy projects and in many

different regions across the country. A number of proposed energy projects have recently faced

opposition from various stakeholder groups. For instance, the decision of the Joint Review Panel for

the Northern Gateway Pipeline is being challenged in Canada’s court system. First Nations groups

have issued an ultimatum to the Federal Government that it must choose between Site C (a proposed

hydro dam) and liquefied natural gas development in B.C. Rapid expansion of wind energy projects

in Ontario has engendered lengthy and costly appeals and the rise of an anti-wind social movement.

In Nova Scotia, tidal energy development is being positioned as a new renewable energy option;

gaining public acceptance is critical in light of recent opposition to wind energy development. As

these experiences suggest, not only has the regulatory process become more contentious, but also

an apparently new concept — social licence — has had popular appeal.