Poverty in Canada presents more than obvious symptoms
Poverty in Canada presents more than the obvious symptoms. Not only does it trap people in an endless cycle that is nearly impossible to break, it also has a significant impact on their health. To put it simply, poverty is making people sick, very sick. In fact, according to Statistics Canada, poverty reduces the life […]
We’re laggards when it comes to new digital economy, despite doing many things right
STRATFORD, ONT.—Canadians are using the internet a great deal. As Statistics Canada reports in its most recent survey, 80.3 per cent of Canadians 16 and older—that’s 21.7 million Canadians—used the internet for personal purposes last year, compared to 73 per cent just two years earlier. And 75 per cent of these Canadians—or about 60 per […]
Still ‘room for improvement’ in Parliament Hill’s own green strategy
There is a house in Washington, D.C. with a kitchen garden out back, and solar panels on the roof. Its residents turn off the lights when they leave the room, and talk about “showing the American people it’s not that hard” to be environmentally friendly. U.S. President Barack Obama is aware of the White House’s […]
Government urged to strengthen endangered species protections
Environmentalists and opposition critics say the federal government has made some improvements, but has also failed to enforce legislative protections for endangered species, accusing the Tories of putting the interest of resource companies above those of scarce animals. The Species at Risk Act (SARA), is currently undergoing a mandatory review in the House Environment and […]
Feds need a national clean energy strategy, say critics
Renewable energy industry players say Ontario’s Green Energy Act is stimulating development in a big way, while the federal government is doing virtually nothing to support clean energy. Critics say Ottawa needs to step up with a national clean energy strategy in order to maintain Canada’s competitiveness in the global economy, and cut greenhouse gas […]
Ontario and B.C going ‘gangbusters’ on green jobs, feds not so much
The United States, Ontario, and British Columbia are going “gangbusters” creating new green jobs, but critics say Canada’s federal government needs to step up with funding, regulations, and infrastructure improvements in order to compete with other jurisdictions. “The Green Energy Act in Ontario is going gangbusters. There’s been something like $14-billion of investment announced,” said […]
‘Canada roughly 33 or 34 per cent above Kyoto target’
Almost four years after the governing Conservatives introduced their first environmental plan to fight climate change, there has been little progress because the federal government has failed to introduce its regulatory framework, says Canada’s Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development, Scott Vaughan. “This office has said in the past that the federal government is […]
Taking action: conscientious stewards of a precious environment
Canada’s government is taking real action in protecting and conserving our ecosystems and sensitive species, and promoting stewardship of our valuable water resources. We are doing this through our many investments, leading-edge research, world-class expertise, policies and programs. Our goal is to preserve our natural treasures so that all Canadians can continue to enjoy a […]
Critics say Canada needs a national strategy on water management
Prime Minister Stephen Harper, in both the 2007 and 2010 Throne Speeches, stated his government’s commitment to better managing Canada’s water resources, but critics say Ottawa has yet to match words with action. Nancy Goucher, program coordinator at the Forum for Leadership On Water (FLOW), said currently the federal government’s action plan is narrowly focused […]
Canada needs to shift paradigm, get with green economy
One unfortunate prevailing idea held by this government is that dealing with climate change needs to entail significant economic hardship. This view ignores the human and economic costs from unmitigated climate change. Many expert economists and studies also indicate that climate change action will be much more affordable than we now think, especially if we […]
