Canada Energy Regulator report shows a need for new climate scenario planning
The recently released Energy Future 2020 report (EF2020) from the Canada Energy Regulator (CER) is the latest long-term energy outlook that builds on the history of projections published by the precursor to the CER, the National Energy Board, since 1967. As the CER explains the goal of the modelling exercise is to “explore how possible […]
Energy Policy Briefing
Approaching the Biden administration on energy: don’t lead with Keystone
A Biden administration represents opportunities and challenges for Canadian energy, but to be successful in its relations with Washington, Canada needs to think differently about how it approaches the U.S. Gone are the days when the U.S. looked to Canada as a pivotal energy supplier and crucial pillar of national energy security. What happened? Two […]
UNDRIP legislation is mostly symbolic: here’s how to give it meaning
There is a lot of optimism in Indigenous communities about the reintroduction of legislation to implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). But passing legislation will not magically improve the social and economic conditions of Indigenous nations overnight. As the federal government prepares its UNDRIP bill, we need to think […]
Canada is slowly rolling towards low-carbon transport
Last year, the federal government recognized climate change as an “emergency,” yet one doesn’t get much of a sense of urgency when reviewing the government’s efforts to curtail greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the transport sector. While every other sector of Canada’s economy has seen emissions reductions since 2005, emissions from transport have grown substantially […]
Federal transit funding means jobs galore
Environmentalists point to public transit—especially electric buses and light rail—as a climate change solution and contributor to clean air. It’s certainly that. But it’s increasingly clear that transit offers something in addition: a very significant amount of employment. When government puts money into transit, it generates jobs in a whole range of sectors. It gives […]
Public transit in crisis
Greens have long called for significant investments in public transit. The reasons are obvious. Transportation, movement of goods and people, is a huge chunk of Canada’s contribution to global warming. Second only to oil and gas, transportation at 186 megatonnes is 25.5 per cent of our total emissions (729 MT in 2018, the last year […]
The Canada Infrastructure Bank’s growth plan: taking action to invest in new infrastructure
More than ever, Canada needs growth to create jobs, generate economic opportunities, and ensure a sustainable transition to a low-carbon, digital economy. The Canada Infrastructure Bank (CIB) recently announced its $10-billion growth plan to invest in major infrastructure initiatives to help achieve these goals. Over the next 36 months, the CIB will invest in projects […]
Feds trumpet uncertain WTO reform to protect Canada from trade whims of superpowers
With growing trade uncertainty around the globe, the Liberal government is trumpeting its leadership of a group of likeminded nations to reform the World Trade Organization, but progress is far from guaranteed. The Canadian government formed the Ottawa Group in 2018 with Australia, Brazil, Chile, the European Union, Japan, Kenya, South Korea, Mexico, New Zealand, […]
New ministerial anchoring of Canada-U.S. file is a return to regular operations, say experts
As cabinet ministers take on new roles and more voices are being added to the crucial Canada-U.S. file, experts say it is a normalization of ministerial responsibilities after the chaos of the Trump administration and the NAFTA renegotiations was met with an unconventional approach. International Trade Minister Mary Ng (Markham-Thornhill, Ont.) and Foreign Affairs Minister […]
