New climate change ambassador eyeing Chinese cleantech market, backs feds’ progress on Paris goals
Canada’s new climate change ambassador is getting ready to try to sell Canadian clean technology companies to the world, and to try to build global momentum towards meeting the Paris Agreement emissions reduction targets, even as the government she represents struggles to do so. Patricia Fuller was named to the role June 5, with a […]
After G7 gains on gender equality, environment, it’s time to focus on policy coherence
As we emerge from the G7 summit this past weekend in Charlevoix, Que., it is important to underline the progress that was made on several key issues, especially given the highly volatile and charged political context. As we look forward, we must seize the opportunity this progress presents, to infuse greater coherence in Canada’s policies […]
Reduce plastic use to bolster environment, and economy
Last week was Canadian Environment Week, a time to reflect on humanity’s impact on the natural world and what individuals can do to preserve the planet for future generations. Unfortunately, reflection is often as far as we go, once day-to-day concerns return to dominate our thoughts. This is a mistake. Not just because it ignores […]
Data is the next frontier for environmental entrepreneurs
More than 150 Canadian entrepreneurs and other senior leaders in business and government recently gathered in Ottawa at Sustainable Development Technology Canada’s annual summit to discuss the changing global competitive environment for clean technologies. Not so long ago, the discussion would have been dominated by talk about money—or the lack thereof—and the challenges of starting […]
Recycling won’t cut it: a roadmap for a plastic-free Canada
Concerns over plastic pollution have never been more prevalent in public discourse. We have more evidence than ever about the abundance of plastics in our environment and their effects on communities and wildlife. Birds are getting trapped in plastic bags, straws are choking sea turtles, and coastal communities are seeing endless amounts of plastic waste […]
Pipeline purchase financially, environmentally bad for Canada: McNamara
Re: “Trudeau gambles his promise, his progress, our planet,” (The Hill Times, June 4, p. 12). Thank you to Susan Riley for contesting claims that the federal government’s pipeline purchase is good for the nation, financially and environmentally. James Hansen, a former NASA scientist and leading voice on climate change, visited Toronto for a public […]
Trans Mountain purchase to expose Liberals on multiple fronts, say pollsters: ‘they wear everybody’s mistakes’
Buying the $4.5-billion Trans Mountain pipeline has made the governing Liberals politically vulnerable on multiple fronts and will likely endanger seats in British Columbia and Quebec without providing a boost in Alberta, say pollsters. The controversial move, announced by Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr (Winnipeg South Centre, Man.) and Finance Minister Bill Morneau (Toronto Centre, […]
British Columbians concerned about Trans Mountain aren’t disloyal Canadians
Both the federal and Alberta governments have taken to dumping on British Columbians as a bunch of radicals who don’t care about Canada. To the contrary, they are thoughtful about this country, care deeply, and want to protect it. The spin about the Trans Mountain pipeline being in the “national interest” is questionable at best, deceptive […]
Tories displaying opportunism, dangerous stalling by digging in their heels on carbon pricing
“Political opportunism one reason for Conservative rejection of carbon pricing,” (The Hill Times, May 21, p. 18). It used to be acknowledged as a compliment when someone else mirrored our tastes and ideas. One could sarcastically bow to the opponent, saying, “Ah, at last, you are displaying smarts by moving our genius idea of old. I […]
Setting the record straight on the Trans Mountain pipeline project
PARLIAMENT HILL—Like a majority of Canadians, I support the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, and yet what we mostly hear are the voices of its opponents. This vocal minority has a host of reasons for their opposition, many of which have been addressed by the Senate during Senators’ many deliberations on this matter. One of […]
