Canada needs better protection for its ocean-protected areas, says new report
When Canada declared 14 per cent of its ocean was protected from overfishing, pollution and industrial development a couple of years ago, the world took notice of a come-from-behind conservation champion. The country had pledged—along with almost 200 other signatories to the UN Convention on Biological Diversity—to safeguard fish and other marine life in at […]
Climate change will also impact Canada’s traditional security interests
MONTREAL—On Oct. 29, 2021, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau proposed that Canada host a NATO Centre of Excellence on Climate and Security. Trudeau may be conceiving this initiative as a preliminary multilateral effort among like-minded developed states, before embarking on broader and more complex policy efforts beyond Europe and North America. Climate change will primarily exacerbate […]
Where’s Canada as trading partners address global shipping emissions?
World leaders are currently gathered in Glasgow, Scotland, to discuss what their nations can do to help avert the catastrophic consequences of climate change. Previous agreements have focused on how individual countries can cut emissions. Now, countries are also working to address a major source of emissions that lies outside of any one country’s jurisdiction: […]
Nursing the green hangover and getting back to work
As the UN Climate Change Conference comes to a close this week, many Canadians will be asking those who spent two weeks lauding themselves as the green saviours of the globe: what happens now? For the Canadian delegation in Scotland, the event kicked off with big pronouncements and headlines, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau reiterated […]
How to push for ideals in a pragmatic world
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Warning: if you’re an idealist who goes into politics armed with grand notions about changing the world for the better, the odds are good you’ll likely end up being disappointed. After all, the cynicism that drenches most aspects of politics has a way of scouring away idealism and replacing it with a hard-headed pragmatism. […]
Canada must get serious about Arctic science
Canada needs to take a larger role in Arctic research. So far, despite all the dire warnings, the campaign promises, and the clear responsibility we hold, our country has failed to step up. With the UN Climate Change Conference (COP26) underway and a new cabinet minted after a summer of devastating fires, wild weather, and […]
Politics This Morning: Innovation Minister in Washington to discuss unblocking supply chains
Good Thursday morning! Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry FRANCOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE is in Washington, D.C. today for his second and final day of meetings. His goal? Unblocking North America’s currently buckling supply chains and making them more resilient to outside shocks. Quite the tall order. According to a press release, Mr. Champagne will speak with […]
Three key priorities Canadians should expect from Parliament on climate action
As we continue to grapple with the COVID-19 pandemic and look to establish a new sense of normalcy, there is an increasing threat looming ready to challenge governments and citizens alike. Raging forest fires, floods and record-breaking temperatures are the not-so-subtle and unrelenting knock of the next crisis we collectively face—climate change. Policy-makers, politicians, and […]
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 […]
