The climate crisis: learning and taking inspiration from our COVID response
Imagine a world where the federal government regularly holds press conferences with scientists and experts. Together, in front of a phalanx of reporters ready with tough questions, they present in detail the most recent data and research related to carbon emissions and climate change in Canada. They highlight the successes and shortcomings in recent months […]
What would an ethical recovery look like?
OTTAWA—Canadians are not accustomed to Googling the websites of their various houses of worship for scintillatingly brilliant advice on how to design vibrant economies. That might be as useful as asking the current denizen of the White House for clues on hairstyling. But if faith communities are places where adherents go to have their moral […]
Environment, resource development agenda among April’s top-lobbied files
COVID-19 is offering important lessons for Canada’s approach to climate change and the need for green programs to be built into economic recovery, say some of the groups lobbying the ministers focused on these files and pushing them to the top of the list during the pandemic. Over the last two months, Natural Resources Minister […]
Environment and Climate Change Canada wins Code of Silence (dis)honour
For its departmental secrecy and a slow response to an access to information request, four journalism advocacy groups have awarded Environment and Climate Change Canada the 2019 Code of Silence Award for Outstanding Achievement in Government Secrecy. With last October’s federal election just months away, Ottawa Citizen reporter Tom Spears filed an access to information […]
Is this really a turning point?
LONDON, U.K.—People who look for silver linings (a.k.a. optimists) think that COVID-19 might be the inflection point where we start getting serious about our relationship with the planet. There’s no direct link between coronavirus and climate change, but if a tiny virus can bring our whole bustling civilization to a halt, then how vulnerable will […]
‘Pandemic bump’ pushes March lobbying up 60 per cent over last year
The flood of influencers contacting officials in March increased communication by almost 60 per cent compared to the year before, part of what lobbyists describe as a “pandemic bump” in activity they expect to be the new normal as industry, associations, and governments respond to the impacts of COVID-19. Lobbyists filed 2,329 communication reports in […]
We need a Canada for what matters
As an economist observing this downturn, I find myself wondering, “What if?” For the first time in our history, we have a chance to rebuild our economy to enrich collective well-being rather than individual profit. We have a chance to create an economic system designed to care and produce real joy. I believe we could all participate in steering it that way. Over the past month, our priorities have shifted dramatically. Governments have been forced to determine which businesses are essential to […]
Lessons about climate change for government from COVID-19
GIBSONS, B.C.—First of all, I’d like to thank Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland and her government’s leadership and competence in its medical and economic response to the pandemic. The foremost lesson from the COVID-19 crisis is that governments must act in emergency situations to protect their citizens—even if this means taking measures that cause temporary […]
Can we fix COVID-19 and climate change in one breath?
We are now trained to believe that being smart is to stay home, being socially connected is better online, and going to school is no more than rolling to the other side of the bed and turning on your computer, pyjamas optional. Smart is being redefined as we adapt to survive current circumstances. We didn’t […]
COVID and the environment: a rare opportunity
MONTREAL—COVID-19 may breed fear, but it also spells opportunity. Moments like these are ones where people are listening and change is imminent. But change can move in two directions—the better and the worse. We must push for the former. Above all, I believe we must look to ensure that the changes we make now will […]
