Searching for unity of purpose in a world beset by crisis
OTTAWA—U.S. President Joe Biden has recommitted his country and his power to the world of multilateral co-operation. But the G20 summit in Rome was still a lesson in the difficulties of significant diplomatic progress at a time of increasing nationalism and sharp North-South divisions. Even with the Pope urging them on, the leaders of the […]
‘A major slap in the face’: Steven Guilbeault’s appointment draws ire, concern over the future of Alberta’s energy industry
Steven Guilbeault’s history of environmental activism has some Alberta MPs worried about the future of oil and gas in the province, while others say there needs to be a transition away from reliance on this sector in Alberta. Mr. Guilbeault’s (Laurier–Sainte-Marie, Que.) appointment on Oct. 26 as the environment and climate change minister came less […]
Taiwan’s COP26 participation deserves Canada’s support
“Inequality and climate injustice is already the heart of the climate crisis,” Greta Thunberg, the high-profile climate activist, tweeted recently to her followers. Thunberg’s focus, however, was on the inequality of COVID-19 vaccine availability that would prevent representatives of poor countries attending the 2021 United Nations Climate Change Conference, known as COP26, currently running in […]
By all accounts, Guilbeault knows his stuff
OTTAWA—Alberta believes the best way to tackle climate change is to appoint a minister who knows nothing about it. How else to explain the chorus of criticism levelled at the prime minister for appointing Steven Guilbeault to the post? By all accounts, the minister knows his stuff. Prior to joining the Liberal government in 2019, […]
Canada struck ‘good balance’ in approach with China, says new U.K. envoy
The United Kingdom’s newest envoy to Canada says London isn’t worried about how Canada has handled its relationship with Beijing. The U.K. recently entered into a national security pact with the United States and Australia (AUKUS) in hopes to deter the growing reach of Beijing in the Indo-Pacific. Canada—a traditional Five Eyes ally with the […]
Glasgow at high noon
With one week to go, it is imperative—in ways that are impossible to predict or imagine—to acknowledge the future of our planet is on the line or at stake. The Oct. 24 New York Times lead editorial says it all: “The Global Stake at Glasgow.” Looking back 33 years, in June of 1988, a remarkable event occurred […]
Climate change and urgent need for an energy revolution offer enormous scope for innovators and entrepreneurs
TORONTO—Where there’s great need, there’s great opportunity—and the greater the need, the greater the opportunity. Which is why climate change and the urgent need for an energy revolution offer such enormous scope for our innovators and entrepreneurs. But will Canadians be left out of the global energy revolution, what some call the green industrial revolution, […]
The post-election dividing line on climate change
GIBSONS, B.C.—There is a consensus that climate change is now unequivocal, and that each and every Canadian political party will have a climate plan from now on. But from a climate activist’s point of view, a dividing line still exists, despite the apparent political consensus that climate change is real and that all parties require […]
How Canada can fix the single greatest miscalculation in climate policy
On Oct. 1, in a virtual room filled with government leaders, philanthropic organizations and preeminent climate policy experts from across the G7, Mark Carney issued a warning: leaving the ocean out of our calculations to achieve net zero globally is a mistake we cannot afford to make. The fact is, if we leave COP26 without […]
COP26 big moment for Canada to act on empowering food producers in face of climate crisis
At a time when the world is facing two urgent crises—pandemic and planetary—the upcoming UN Climate Change Conference is a prime opportunity for Canada to show its seriousness in tackling both emergencies. At COP26, to be held in Glasgow, Scotland, from Oct. 31 to Nov. 12, Canada should demonstrate its support for more climate resilient food systems. Building resilient food systems will allow small-scale food producers to cope with shocks, adapt to […]
