Think O’Toole’s carbon price hurt him? It didn’t
Back in April, Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole made a bold decision to include a price on carbon in his climate platform. This marked a big departure from the approach taken by his predecessor, Andrew Scheer, who made opposition to carbon pricing a signature part of his election campaign. O’Toole chose to go the other way, […]
Biodiversity loss in Canada: an urgent priority for new government
The degradation of nature and rapid loss of biodiversity was, regrettably, not a ballot box issue in the federal election. This happened, despite growing appreciation during the pandemic that the natural world, the climate crisis, and human health and well-being are inextricably linked. But while electioneering dominated the summer months, behind the scenes Canada and […]
Humans in the Americas: two mysteries
LONDON, U.K.—It’s been the biggest shock in archaeology for a long time. British and American archaeologists have found solid evidence that human beings—we could call them the forerunners—were in the Americas around 6,000 years before the earliest previously accepted date. What the archaeologists found, at White Sands in New Mexico, were thousands of actual footprints, […]
Speak out for ambitious climate action, says Quebec reader
Do you remember fall 2019? We have witnessed something remarkable: hundreds of thousands of people have taken to the streets in Canada to demand action to deal with a growing climate crisis. On Friday, Sept. 24, young climate strikers from around the world returned to the streets. They reminded us that, despite 18 months of […]
The gathering storm: building climate resilience requires innovative financing
To avoid massive social and economic disruption, Canada needs to seriously ramp up climate change adaptation measures. Adaptation pays big dividends, yet the public and private funding needed to start to secure our homes, businesses, and communities has been scant. So where will the money come from? We point to emerging innovations in sustainable finance […]
Suzuki urges Liberals to double-down on climate change fight
HALIFAX—When Jonathan Wilkinson gets back to work, and assuming he is still federal environment minister, there will already be an important letter sitting on his desk. He would be well advised to pay it close attention. It was sent by David Suzuki, the scientist and legendary climate change warrior, who for years has been trying […]
Déjà vu vote gives Trudeau a mandate of sorts in a volatile, disjointed political landscape
OTTAWA—Canada demonstrated its deeply etched divisions again in the Sept. 20 election, but opted in the end for a progressive, forward-looking approach to the post-COVID era rather than the right-wing agenda the Conservatives couldn’t keep under wraps for 36 days. The early adverse public reaction to Justin Trudeau’s decision to call an election was ironically […]
All party leaders should work together on the climate emergency: McNamara
Re: “English leaders’ debate had a few bright spots worth appreciating,” (The Hill Times, Sept. 13, editorial). One other bright spot during the English-language leaders’ debate was Green Party Leader Annamie Paul’s message to other leaders about working together to address the existential threat of climate change. Prior to the election call, the Intergovernmental Panel on […]
Federal party positions: should new nuclear reactors be part of a climate action plan?
The nuclear industry lobby in Canada is conducting an intensive campaign for federal funding to build new nuclear reactors–so-called “small modular nuclear reactors” or SMNRs–claiming they are required for climate action. The federal government is boosting the industry campaign, with Natural Resources Minister Seamus O’Regan famously revealing his unfamiliarity with the considerable research demonstrating that net zero carbon emissions can […]
The race for Parliament Hill: Liberals, NDP jockey to fill void left in Ottawa Centre
With an incumbent cabinet minister not seeking re-election, the race for Ottawa Centre may seem wide open, but history has shown it’s going to be a two-way fight between the Liberals and the NDP to represent Parliament Hill’s riding. Minister of Infrastructure and Communities Minister Catherine McKenna, first elected in 2015, regained the Ottawa Centre […]
