¢ Vancouver Titans match recaps Have an idea for a story? Mi news@theotherpress.ca ¢ First step to SFU Surrey’s expansion now complete A * Tensions rise between Alberta and BC post-election Simon Fraser University's major step towards sustainability » First step to SFU Surrey’s expansion now complete Roshni Riar Staff Writer n April 25, Simon Fraser University (SFU) unveiled their newly constructed Surrey campus expansion— the SFU Sustainable Energy Engineering building. The Leadership in Energy and Environmental Design (LEED) Gold- certified building is the first significant step towards SFU Surrey’s overall three-step expansion. Renowned architect the late Bing Thom designed the building before his passing in 2016. Revery Architecture completed and constructed the project on his behalf. The building spans 20,458 square metres over five storeys and will act as a living lab due to its sustainable construction. It comprises classrooms, offices, study spaces, wet and dry teaching labs, a 400-seat lecture hall, and a large atrium space for people to gather. The interior design features natural wood finish panels and walls, sleek furniture, and a number of plants and trees. The Sustainable Energy Engineering building will be home to SFU’s new Sustainable Energy Engineering program, which will be offered starting this September. The program will allow up to 440 full-time students—320 undergraduates, War between environment and energy 120 graduates—to study sustainable energy engineering while integrating environmental science and business courses into their curriculum. The program’s aim is for students to be well rounded and prepared to work in clean technology departments such as clean city planning, renewable energy, and clean power generation. The Bachelor of Applied Science undergraduate program—the first of its kind in Western Canada—will allow students to have paid cooperative work experience and involvement in capstone projects. The space will also house 4o faculty members, as well as provide a home to SFU’s 75 mechatronics graduate students. $45 million of the overall $126-million budget was supplied by the Government of Canada’s Post-Secondary Institutions Strategic Investment Fund. Another $45 million was brought in by the BC Government. The remainder of the budget was provided by SFU and numerous donors. The BC government plans to further invest into tech program expansion, with hopes to add almost 3,000 additional spots in post-secondary programs across the province. Simran Brar, an SFU English student, shared her thoughts on the expansion. “I think this is an important look at [where] the future of engineering can go. Hopefully the example that SFU is setting will influence other [post-secondary education] institutions [and show] that fostering sustainability in a learning environment can be achievable.’ When discussing the new engineering program coming this fall, Brar added, “Considering the province's recent focus on sustainability and the environment [with CleanBC], it’s a great time to offer [the Sustainable Energy Engineering] program because it will prepare students for specific jobs that will hopefully be available and need filling when they graduate.” » Tensions rise between Alberta and BC post-election Tania Arora Staff Reporter n the opening lines of his victory speech, United Conservative Party leader and new Alberta Premier Jason Kenney stated: “Today, our province has sent a message to Canada and the world: Alberta is open for business.” Justin Trudeau congratulated him by issuing a statement where he said, “I look forward to working with the provincial government to create good, middle class jobs, build infrastructure, and grow the businesses and industries at the heart of Alberta’s prosperity so the province can remain competitive in our changing economy.” April 17 saw the UCP defeating Rachel Notley and the New Democrats by leading in 63 ridings. Since the beginning, Kenney claimed to be all about the business. Out of all the promises made by Kenney, one has a major impact of the province of British Columbia. After an intense back and forth between the provinces on the issue of pipeline construction, Kenney has threatened to “turn off the taps” if BC continues to oppose the Trans Mountain pipeline in particular. However, Kenney’s threat has largely been seen as an empty one, according to many experts in the field. “T think a lot of what Mr. Kenney’s saying is grandstanding,” said economist Robyn Allan to Global News. “There's a significant amount of revenue involved for Alberta’s oil producers when you're sending 300,000 barrels a day of crude product and refined product.” Kenney has also recently claimed that BC’s current spike in gas prices—in some places reaching over $1.70 per litre—is a result of BC’s opposition to Alberta’s Trans Mountain pipeline. “Unfortunately, since coming to office in July of 2017, the BC government has opposed the expansion of this pipeline every step of the way [...] and in so doing they've driven up gasoline prices in the Lower Mainland,” said Kenney at a recent press conference. This claim has also been rebutted by economists, who believe that the two things are completely unrelated. In fact, according to an Albertan economist, the BC government has had little direct impact on Trans Mountain pipeline delays. “What's delayed Trans Mountain [...] has very little to do with the actions of the BC government to date,” said s Andrew Leach, an energy economist atthe [) | | University of Alberta, to the CBC. “It has more to do with the federal government's xc not meeting its duty to consult with First Nations and not adequately following up on its responsibilities under the Species at Risk Act.” The Trans Mountain pipeline expansion could provide a short-term economic boost but at the same time it would result in a drastic increase in coast-to-port tanker traffic. This would increase the risk of oil spills, as well as result in potential harm to resident orca populations in the area due to increased underwater noise pollution. The pipeline has faced drastic opposition from many BC residents, Indigenous groups, and environmental protection groups. Photos by Billy Bui Photo of Jason Kenney via Policy Exchange on Flickr