Federal government’s efforts to rein in climate change fall short, with expectations highest in Quebec, poll suggests
The Trudeau government’s response to climate change is falling short of many Canadians’ expectations, a new national poll suggests. But that doesn’t necessarily mean people are willing to bear the costs of aggressive targets and policies designed to reduce fossil-fuel dependency, said Lorne Bozinoff, president of Forum Research. Forum Research’s survey suggested that 63 per […]
Bills C-48, C-69 seen as ‘direct attack on Alberta and the energy sector,’ linked to rising alienation, say Conservative MPs
The passage of bills C-48 and C-69 are exacerbating rising sentiments of alienation in Alberta and Saskatchewan, say some Alberta Conservative MPs and experts. Since the two bills were passed in a marathon voting session on June 21 in the House, the bills have together become a “flashpoint” for existing anger that Ottawa is not […]
Here’s a truth about democracy
TORONTO—Here is a truth about democracy. When faith in our judicial system is lost—and when the reputation of those who preside over it is similarly gone—we start to become much less of a democracy. We start sliding downward, inexorably, towards something else. Something diminished. Something dangerous. Recent events in New Brunswick have reminded us of […]
Here’s a thought: why not just forbid ad hominem, anywhere?
Re: ” ‘Embarrassing,’ ‘bullying’ social media posts prompt some Senators to push for policies governing how Senators, staff use the platforms,” (The Hill Times, June 19, p. 1). In theory, Senators are supposed to be the adults in the room. But, for at least a decade, Canadians have witnessed disgraceful, and embarrassingly juvenile, ad hominem […]
Dealing with climate change is ultimately a moral responsibility
TORONTO—We were promised a climate action plan that would be more effective than that of the Trudeau government, a plan that would meet Canada’s greenhouse gas emission targets for 2030, and a plan that would be cheaper. Instead, we got a big zero. Andrew Scheer’s long-awaited climate plan turned out to be long on wishful […]
Global warming followers may be flummoxed by party positions on climate change action plans
OTTAWA—Global warming followers may be flummoxed by the differences in party positions on climate change action plans. Andrew Scheer’s announcement last week was long on photos and short on specifics. He characterized his plan as the most anticipated policy announcement of an opposition leader in the history of the country. Scheer framed his work in […]
Managing economic tightrope a make-or-break factor for October
OTTAWA—Embroiled in an uncertain Ontario election campaign back in 2011, then-premier Dalton McGuinty observed: “The polls tell us I’m not the most popular guy in the country. I accept that.” But McGuinty went on to win that election by keeping the focus on the Liberals’ commitment to a moderately activist role in promoting economic growth […]
How Indigenous peoples are reclaiming control over academics’ research agenda
In Canada, the resource-based industry contributes a significant portion of the gross national product. There has been increasing tension, however, between developers and Indigenous peoples, especially when the proposed project affects Indigenous lands. Legacy projects such as the Giant Mine in the Northwest Territories or the chloro-alkali plant upstream of Grassy Narrows in Ontario […]
Is the nature of Arctic co-operation about to change?
Scientific co-operation on Arctic issues crosses state borders and regional boundaries. An intergovernmental forum, the Arctic Council, which comprises the eight Arctic states, six Arctic Indigenous people’s organizations (as permanent participants), and a growing number of observers, provides a way for scientists from Arctic and non-Arctic countries to contribute to its working groups. The Arctic […]
Arctic sovereignty is contested, Inuit rights are not
Recently, the question of “who owns the Arctic” was thrust back into the news following comments by U.S. Secretary General Mike Pompeo challenging Canada’s sovereignty over the Northwest Passage. Pompeo was speaking at the Arctic Council’s Ministerial meeting in Rovaniemi, Finland. In his speech, Pompeo restated the long-held American position that the Northwest Passage is […]
