Reckless pipeline purchase distracts from needed transition
Climate change is undeniably the greatest challenge facing our generation. We are already experiencing its disastrous consequences and it is imperative that all countries assume their responsibilities and start transitioning away from fossil fuels. The facts are incontrovertible, the science is unquestionable, and all experts agree: we need to act now, before it is too […]
Still troubled by government’s overall approach to ensuring Canada’s businesses remain competitive
In April 2018, the Senate’s Committee on Energy, the Environment and Natural Resources released an interim report on decarbonizing heavy industry as part of its ongoing study on Canada’s transition to a lower-carbon economy. We heard from dozens of witnesses representing emission-intensive trade-exposed industries such as iron and steel, cement, aluminum, fertilizer and others. These […]
Charities still feeling chill despite court ruling striking down limits on political activity
As the government considers appealing a judge’s decision granting greater freedom to charities and their political activities, some non-profits are still playing by the old rules they say put a chill on important policy work. The Income Tax Act says charities can’t spend more than 10 per cent of their time on “political activities,” which […]
Where will catastrophic climate change all end?
LONDON, U.K.—This is Armageddon summer in the Northern Hemisphere: out-of-control wildfires all around the Arctic Circle (not to mention California and Greece), weeks-long heatwaves with unprecedented high temperatures, torrential downpours and biblical floods. And, yes, it’s climate change. It’s quite appropriate to be frightened, because the summers will be much worse 10 years from now, […]
Economists, ‘not surprised’ by carbon-pricing changes, explain what they mean
Economists say the Liberal government’s changes to its proposed carbon-pricing subsidy rates for industrial emitters offered them no surprises, despite growls from politicians and some journalists that the update was a “retreat” from carbon pricing. Politicians, including Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, were quick to accuse the feds of “watering down” their carbon-pricing plan. On social […]
Sohi brings finesse, not ferocity to $4.5-billion Trans Mountain Pipeline file, say Alberta political observers
The federal Liberal government’s new point man for the $4.5-billion Trans Mountain pipeline is known in Alberta as a politician with a soft touch and the skills to soothe pipeline opponents, but not to fight a nasty public battle over the most important file in the province, say Alberta political observers. Amarjeet Sohi (Edmonton Mill […]
Canada should not stray from climate commitments in face of criticism
Things look bleak these days for the Trudeau government’s Pan-Canadian Framework on climate change (PCF). The framework represents Canada’s primary compliance path with the Paris Climate Accord, requiring provinces to establish a price on carbon or have one imposed by Ottawa. Opposition Conservatives have railed against the plan in the House of Commons. Newly-elected Ontario […]
Now is no time to build a pipeline
Recent extreme weather across the country is evidence of a warming world: heat waves and drought in central Canada, forest fires in British Columbia last summer, flooding earlier this spring in the Prairies or in the Maritimes. Temperature records have been set all over the world in recent weeks, from across Asia to the Middle […]
Federal government should update Canadian Environmental Protection Act before next election
I just find it so demoralizing that the federal government has delayed addressing the urgently needed changes to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act for a year and has now announced it will not be updating the act before the next election. It shows me the government works for industry against citizens because thousands of citizens […]
Circumpolar Inuit gather for historic assembly in Alaska
UTQIAGVIK, ALASKA—Inuit from four circumpolar nations are gathered on the shores of the Beaufort Sea this week for the quadrennial general assembly of the Inuit Circumpolar Council (ICC). They include Canada, Alaska (United States), Greenland, and Chukotka (Russia). The meeting is taking place in the birthplace of the international Inuit organization, founded 41 years ago […]
