The Alberta Energy Regulator (AER), the province’s arms-length environmental watchdog, declined to enforce curbs on gas flaring after a government official called for a “softer” approach to the issue, according to emails Reuters obtained via access-to-information request. (Reuters)

Talking point: Gas flaring is the burning of excess natural gas that comes as a byproduct of oil extraction. Alberta has enforced a flaring limit for 20 years, but urged the AER to ease those thresholds after numerous companies overshot their targets, according to Reuters. Cutting back flaring would in turn curtail the associated oil production. The government’s push to soften flaring regulations underscores the tension between Canada’s economic and environmental ambitions, particularly as Prime Minister Mark Carney looks to boost the country’s oil output while also reducing emissions. – Jesse