Ottawa ought to get out of the grip of oil’s deep state, ditch output-based giveaways
Re: “Why feds should consider a carbon tariff,” (The Hill Times, Nov. 26, 2018, p. 19). Thank you to Member of Parliament Erin Weir for impeccable economic and environmental logic. But there is also a political aspect he didn’t mention in his opinion piece. The cost of rebates of carbon prices to trade-exposed industries would […]
Senate Tories block steering group of committee studying contentious environment assessment bill
A move to block meetings of the organizing body of the Senate committee responsible for studying the Liberals’ sweeping environmental assessment bill isn’t an attempt to delay the legislation, says the Red Chamber’s opposition whip. Instead, according to Conservative Don Plett (Landmark, Man.), preventing meetings of the Senate’s Energy, Environment, and Natural Resources’ Steering Committee […]
Some progress in Poland
Global warming is physics and chemistry, and you can’t negotiate with science for more time to solve the problem: more emissions mean a hotter planet. Dealing with the problem, however, requires an international negotiation involving almost 200 countries. In big gatherings of that sort, the convoy always moves at the speed of the slowest ships. […]
This just in: a carbon tax won’t kill jobs
CHELSEA, QUE.—How does the old expression go? A lie is halfway around the world before the truth gets its pants on in the morning. With social media, as we see every day, the lie travels even farther and faster. One of the most dangerous current lies—although it has been around at least a decade—involves the […]
Renewed mineral exploration tax credit will maintain Canada’s tax advantage: Minister Sohi
Natural Resources Minister Amarjeet Sohi says the recently renewed Mineral Exploration Tax Credit will help maintain Canada’s tax competitiveness and provide investors and mineral explorers with greater certainty. In an email interview with The Hill Times, Mr. Sohi (Edmonton–Mill Woods, Alta.) said the $73-million annual program that directly supports a “dynamic exploration sector” is essential to […]
Canadian uranium under U.S. tariff threat as national security investigation continues
Canada’s uranium industry may soon find itself burdened by the same U.S. protectionist tariffs that have been targeted at Canada’s steel and aluminum sectors since the summer under the guise of national security protection, trade observers say. On July 18, the U.S. Commerce Department began a Section 232 investigation looking into uranium imports and if […]
Time to unclog the pipes
Getting Canadian oil to market is a burning platform for policy-makers. With various well-publicized setbacks, increased pipeline export capacity has been kiboshed or delayed. Facing constrained transport, Alberta has moved on Band-Aid measures to address the stranded supply glut and price discount. However, for the medium and long term, the federal government must get the […]
Building blocks: Why Canada should be the world leader in wood construction
At the UN Climate Change Conference in Katowice, Poland last week, UN Secretary-General António Guterres told reporters that the summit will focus on delivering three key outcomes, including “transformative action in the real economy.” Slowing climate change and mitigating its impacts are top of mind for many Canadians. As a conservationist and as chair of […]
Market (in)access for Canadian oil: lessons for other resource sectors?
The government of Alberta’s decision to impose production cuts in the oilsands in an effort to buoy prices is the latest surreal twist in the saga that has become the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project. Getting Canadian oil to international markets beyond the United States has proven frustratingly elusive for producers. Are there lessons to […]
Feds must better support forestry research collaboration, industry and experts say
The federal government needs to act as a better co-ordinator for scientific research and information sharing on wildfires and forest pests, industry stakeholders and experts agree, especially as the threats become more urgent from the growing impacts of climate change. While the management of Canada’s forests mainly lies with the provinces and territories (almost 90 per […]
