Opinion
Canadians’ appetite for climate action growing, but beware of polarization
By Monica Gattinger January 7, 2021
How keen are Canadians for climate action in these extraordinarily trying times? New survey results from the University of Ottawa’s Positive Energy program and Nanos Research suggest that enthusiasm may be on the rise, despite the unprecedented fiscal, economic, and health situation, writes Monica Gattinger.
The oilsands, pictured in Fort McMurray, Alta. Decision-makers need to remain attuned to these concerns. Successfully charting Canada’s energy and climate future depends on it. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright
Last fall, the federal government released a flurry of new climate measures: net zero by 2050 legislation, a climate plan that will increase the carbon price to $170 per tonne by 2030, and strategies for hydrogen and small modular nuclear reactors. Ottawa says these measures pack the policy muscle needed to hit the country’s 2030 emissions targets and 2050 ambitions.
Related Stories
-
Sponsored Content
Canada and COVID-19: Our Future Depends on Industry Revitalization
Conservative call for ethics probes ‘entirely to script,’ making character a ballot box question, say strategists
Strategists and pollsters say they expected the focus to shift to the issue of a leader’s character at this point in the campaign calendar.
Legislative change needed on access to information, but ‘overheated rhetoric’ doesn’t help, says Wernick
Canada has a ‘blackout bureaucracy,’ says journalism professor Sean Holman, who debated the former Privy Council clerk this week on the role of access to information in Canada’s democracy.AFN’s call for Indigenous voters to be election ‘kingmakers’ challenged by lack of voter enthusiasm, say chiefs and politicos
First Nations electors have the political power to flip several ridings, but turnout among Indigenous voters is traditionally much lower than it is for the average population.Rising support for far-right People’s Party unlikely to trouble Tories, say strategists and experts, as O’Toole makes a pitch for the centre
Conservative Leader Erin O'Toole has tried to recruit support from the centre, but it may have left the party vulnerable to a challenge on its right flank. Green Party targets Prince Edward Island seats in rare campaign trip by leader Annamie Paul
The provincial Greens' rise to become the official opposition in 2019 signals that P.E.I. voters are tired of 'politics as usual,' says one prof, which could translate into increased support for the Greens at the federalYouth turnout may be stronger than expected this year and the NDP are reaching them the best: politicos
The Liberals have a conflicting track record, the Conservatives are sticking mostly to their older base, and the Greens are failing to capitalize on their opportunities, say experts and candidates.Northern races heat up as candidates vie to succeed Qaqqaq, Bagnell
Experts say that left-leaning parties seem to have a foothold in the Northwest Territories and Nunavut, but Yukon could be anyone’s game.International students struggle to come to Canada amid COVID-19 variant concerns, says Universities Canada president
The number of international students may rise this year compared to 2020, but travel restrictions related to COVID-19 variants may be a roadblock, according to Paul Davidson, the president of Universities Canada.Trades worker shortage getting worse as politicians promise more construction
More than 700,000 skilled tradespeople will retire by 2028, and Canada's efforts to replace them are falling short, warns a new report from the Royal Bank of Canada.Trending Stories
