Despite U.S. reluctance, MPs hope Arctic Council forges ahead on climate change
In the face of the U.S.’s unwillingness to support the Arctic Council’s declaration on climate change-related challenges in the region, MPs are hoping to keep the Council focused on environmental issues. Liberal MP John McKay (Scarborough-Guildwood, Ont.) said the U.S. position “is consistent with a head-in-the-sand attitude toward climate change.” Regardless of the U.S. stance, […]
Fight over Ottawa River nuclear waste dump getting political, but Liberals downriver standing behind the project—or staying quiet
A proposed dump for low-level nuclear waste near the Ottawa River has stirred up opposition from community groups, environmentalists, and municipalities worried the waste could leach into the river that flows past about 50 federal ridings, including Ottawa Centre, the home of Parliament Hill and Canada’s environment minister, Catherine McKenna. Members of Parliament from riverside […]
Conservative MP Gallant blames spring flooding on fed regulations, but experts say there are no links
Conservative MP Cheryl Gallant is blaming federal regulations for the recent heavy flooding in her Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke, Ont., riding and other ridings along the Ottawa River last month, but experts dispute her claims, saying there’s no link between the damages and the measures being taken to manage the water flows. This is the second time in […]
Environment will break through the electoral noise with 100 Debates
Unprecedented, near impossible, and absolutely necessary. All reactions I’ve heard when I’ve talked about an ambitious effort to create a country-wide, non-partisan conversation on the environment during the upcoming federal election campaign. Although Kim Campbell’s famous quote comes to mind, that “An election is no time to discuss serious matters,” GreenPAC is putting this notion […]
Bill C-69 can’t fix what’s really plaguing pipelines
At the end of May, the Senate accepted a committee report with an enormous package of amendments to Bill C-69, which seeks to reform how major energy projects, including pipelines, are regulated. The bill is one of the most contentious, well-studied, and well-lobbied pieces of legislation in recent memory. Alberta Premier Jason Kenney—echoing industry concerns—has […]
A made-in-Canada climate plan can’t rely on outsourcing the solution
Any political party serious about governing in Canada and sincere about slowing climate change will put forward a climate plan designed to rapidly and significantly drive down greenhouse gas emissions here at home to improve the lives of Canadians and honour our international commitments. What’s more, given the incredible economic opportunity that decarbonizing presents, that […]
The clock is ticking on tackling climate change
Eleven. That’s how many years we have left to get our act together before we reach the point of no return. As a father of four, it’s a fact that I’m reminded of every single day. How will future generations look back upon us? As a Member of Parliament, I feel twice as responsible. Humans […]
Northern Canada facing the climate change challenge in practical, culturally meaningful ways
The threat of climate change to property and infrastructure has become increasingly apparent to Canadians. With increasing intensity and frequency, forest fires and floods are having a devastating impact on all kinds of communities, whether rural or urban. But imagine a world where climate change puts your way of life and cultural identity at risk. […]
Can Canada break its fossil fuel addiction?
Canada has an uneasy history when it comes to fossil fuels and climate change. Our leaders have been great at setting far-off targets for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) or carbon emissions, then failing to meet them. As part of the 2015 Paris Agreement on climate change, Canada committed to a 30 per cent reduction in […]
Trudeau’s climate failures call for a new approach
In the weeks ahead, Canada’s Conservatives will put forward a climate change plan that will give Canada the best possible chance of meeting its Paris greenhouse gas emission targets. That plan will recognize that climate change is a global problem that requires global solutions, which Canadians are well-positioned to deliver. With that in mind, the […]
