Experts, strategists warn feds of risks of appealing recent Federal Court decision on Trans Mountain pipeline
As the Liberal government mulls its response to the Federal Court of Appeal’s decision to overturn Ottawa’s approval for the $7.4-billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project, experts and strategists warn of risks of taking it to the Supreme Court. “Appealing potentially could add more damage, because they’re in a position where they don’t want to […]
It was Trudeau’s bad week, but we may all pay for it
OTTAWA—Let me partially join the pile-on. Yes, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau had a bad week last week. Having United States President Donald Trump push Canada’s back, at least in public, against the wall on NAFTA negotiations, as well as the Federal Court of Appeal’s decision on delaying the construction of the Trans Mountain pipeline, were […]
Trans Mountain court decision a ‘political no-win’ that could hurt Liberals in Quebec, B.C., Alberta, says pollster
The Liberals stand to take a hit on multiple political fronts from the Federal Court of Appeal’s decision to but the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion on ice, and the governing Grits have now alienated “basically everyone” with an opinion on the pipeline, says pollster Nik Nanos. “It’s a political no-win,” said Mr. Nanos, chairperson at […]
Whither—or is it wither?—the NDP
CHELSEA, QUE.—Federal leader Jagmeet Singh isn’t the only New Democrat facing a daunting uphill climb this fall: trying to win a seat, losing veteran MPs to retirement, stumbling into unnecessary controversies. The entire party, federal and provincial, is a mess of contradictory policies, clashing priorities, tired or tentative standard-bearers, and few obvious signs of enthusiasm […]
Pipeline politics won’t help Scheer in Quebec
OTTAWA—It is not a Maxime Bernier-led breakaway party that stands to most damage Conservative prospects in Quebec in next year’s federal election, but rather some of leader Andrew Scheer’s own promises. In a keynote speech to his party’s national convention on Friday, Scheer laid out part of his 2019 battle plan. As expected, it borrows heavily […]
Mining group leads July lobbying, urges feds to review pace of policy changes affecting resource industries
An unprecedented level of legislation and consultation affecting the mining industry is creating a “cumulative burden” on all industry players, according to the head of the Mining Association of Canada, which led the charge in July lobbying, as it has month after month. “It’s ironic—we very much welcome the much more open approach to consultation that […]
Kofi Annan had his flaws, but he inspired a generation
KAMOURASKA, QUE.—I met Kofi Annan only once, but I remember the encounter as if it were yesterday. The former United Nations secretary general’s calm demeanour, genuine interest in people, and undeniable charisma were all evident in the few minutes I had to speak with him at a UN meeting in Geneva. Despite that short meeting, […]
Liberals could cede some ground on the left, as they contend with Conservatives, says strategist
The 2019 election may be more than a year away, but there are signs that the Trudeau government could lean into a more centrist agenda given the political challenge it faces from the Conservatives, according to some political observers. As Prime Minister Justin Trudeau (Papineau, Que.) and his cabinet decamp to Nanaimo, B.C., on Tuesday […]
Setting record straight on oil industry’s contributions to economy
There have been some arguments that the use of fossil fuels since the industrial revolution has been tantamount to conducting a 200-year experiment on the climate. But the inconvenient truth for many is that the use of fossil fuels has reduced energy poverty and is something several countries around the world today are still working […]
Feds shouldn’t let Alberta undercut efforts to lower methane emissions
All eyes are on Saskatchewan and Ontario’s plan to oppose the federal government’s coming price on carbon emissions all across Canada. But there’s another federal-provincial dispute over climate action that may surface soon: how methane emissions from the oil and gas sector are managed. Reducing methane emissions from oil and gas facilities is a no-brainer. […]
