Budget reflects Trudeau’s view of Canadian federalism, big government spending
OTTAWA—Last Tuesday, Finance Minister Morneau presented the Trudeau government’s first budget, but it was less of a budget and more of statement regarding Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s view of Canadian federalism and the place of the federal government within the federation. Canadians are now in for at least four years of big government or, at […]
Trudeau has profound opportunity to galvanize faltering economy
In October, an overwhelming majority of Canadians cast ballots to defeat the Harper Conservatives and bring a new government to Ottawa. Canadians took prime minister Justin Trudeau at his word and his promise of “real change”—especially when it comes to Canada’s role fighting climate change. There is no issue more critical to this generation and […]
Liberals light on details for green innovation spending, opposition wants answers
The government is committed to growing Canada’s green economy, says Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna, but critics are calling for a concrete plan. In an email interview with The Hill Times last week, Ms. McKenna (Ottawa Centre, Ont.) was light on details when asked about how the government intends to spend a collective $300-million a […]
There is only one future economy, and it’s green
We can no longer discuss the economy in isolation from the climate crisis. Put bluntly, we have no economic future if we continue to assume the changes to meet the Paris Agreement commitments are mere tweaks on “business as usual.” Nor do we avoid climate disaster through carbon pricing alone. We need to set a […]
Economic growth not threatened by current carbon pricing: experts
The approach of various provinces in pricing carbon will likely not have a significant effect on economic growth in the short term because current incentives are so modest, according to some sector observers. “At the levels of ambition that the provinces are targeting right now … there’s no real tension between economic growth for the whole […]
Alberta oilpatch braces for higher carbon costs
Alberta’s oil-and-gas sector is measuring potential costs that are soon to be added to the price of taking fossil fuels out of the ground. Some of those costs may be guesstimates right now, but additional costs are a fact, as governments pile-on to the idea of pricing carbon as a way to curb greenhouse gas […]
Energy, Environment and Climate Change Pre-Budget Consultation Recommendations:
Energy Oil and Gas The government should defend and promote Canada’s oil and gas industry. The 2012 changes to the role of the National Energy Board should be reversed, the board should modernize. Ensure the National Energy Board’s composition reflects regional views and has sufficient expertise and particularly greater indigenous representation. A complete phase-out of the […]
Government spending needs to embrace carbon first
Rare in the history of our collective battle to address climate change has there been a more serendipitous opportunity for our federal, provincial, and territorial governments to lead by example. On the one hand, first ministers at their recent Vancouver meeting underscored their commitment to move towards a low carbon economy. On the other, in […]
Canada needs a clear energy, climate policy to decrease GHG emissions, increase certainty in Canada’s business environment
LETHBRIDGE, ALTA.—In Paris, the new federal government announced Canada was joining the High Ambition Coalition, a group of countries aiming to limit global warming to no more than 1.50C. On March 3, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau met in Vancouver to address a framework for a sustainable Canadian economy better positioned to compete globally in the areas […]
Friendlier first ministers, but mission failure on climate
GATINEAU, QUE.—Justin Trudeau’s showpiece first ministers’ conference on climate change ended last week in unanimity on one point, at least: none of our intrepid leaders is interested in tackling the country’s major single source of greenhouse gas emissions, the Alberta oilsands, or proposed pipelines that will keep the oil flowing. On the contrary, as Prime […]
