Why 2018 is a crucial year for global climate action
This year is shaping up to be crucial for the Paris Agreement implementation. This week, the European Union, Canada, and China co-hosted the second Ministerial on Climate Action in Brussels in hopes of stepping up international cooperation in the global fight against climate change. The scale of the climate challenges we face today and in […]
Ford’s right-wing populism: the gift that keeps on giving, for the rich
OTTAWA—Nothing says “for the people” like “buck-a-beer.” Ontarians put Doug Ford in office and slammed the Liberals in an election that confirmed the anti-progressive, me-first attitude that has become a prominent force in Western democracies as voters take out their unfocused anger over a changing world. Leaving aside immigration scare-mongering, Ford followed the Donald Trump […]
What happens if Ontario makes good on plan to scrap cap and trade?
With the election of Doug Ford as Ontario’s next premier, the carbon market is in danger. The Quebec government plans to turn on the charm in order to keep its neighbour in the game. But what will happen if Ontario’s new Conservative government follows through with its intention to withdraw from the cap-and-trade system? Between […]
Canadians get raw deal on Kinder Morgan pipeline buy
With the Canadian government’s purchase of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline, oil producers in Western Canada are not losing any money; the only ones losing money are Canadian taxpayers. In fact, production in the Alberta oilsands is going up and companies are making more profits. Considering that production is going up, it must mean […]
Climate leader? Trudeau needs to walk the talk
Never before has the health of our global climate and environment been in such a precarious position. The fight against climate change is one of our generation’s biggest challenges, and the world needs Canada to show leadership. The Prime Minister has repeatedly claimed, in Canada and abroad, that Canada will be a leader in fighting […]
Respect provincial laws to ensure the highest standard applies
During the last electoral campaign, the Liberal Party’s platform stated that a Trudeau government would respect provincial and municipal authority before authorizing oil or pipeline projects. “While governments grant permits for resource development, only communities can grant permission.” So the Liberals said—before the elections. In Bill C-69, the government has decided not to take into […]
Talks underway for ‘ambitious’ clean fuel standard not broad enough, says Tory critic
Consultations on the development of a clean fuel standard to reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions aren’t broad enough, according to the Conservative environment critic, though stakeholders say they’re generally content with the process the Liberals are using to obtain feedback. “The quality of the clean fuel standard will ultimately be the product of the quality […]
Strange bedfellows: industry and eco-advocates lobby together on CEPA reforms
Two leading environmentalist groups and Canada’s largest chemicals industry association have formed an unexpected alliance in pushing the federal government for consensus reforms to what is arguably the country’s most important environmental law. While industry and environmental advocates diverge on certain issues, they’ve established common ground on a series of recommendations for updating the 1999 […]
C-69 still ‘a mess’ after more than 100 amendments, say stakeholders, critics
After an abbreviated committee study, 130 amendments and time allocation, the Liberals’ Impact Assessment Bill was “improved somewhat,” say stakeholders, but is still a “mess” that was pushed through the House too quickly, according to observers and critics. Bill C-69, which would change the country’s environmental assessment process, cleared report stage on June 11 by […]
The difference between a plan and a wish list
I represent an unusually engaged electoral district. Voters in Saanich-Gulf Islands, B.C., are well-informed and active. Among my constituents is an impressive group of retired scientists, judges, and Parliamentarians, including former cabinet minister Pat Carney. Firmly committed to stopping the Kinder Morgan expansion, she has pointed out that the Liberals do not have an Oceans […]
