Trans Mountain, capital flight and bank law put Finance Minister Bill Morneau atop the May lobbying list
Finance Minister Bill Morneau was the most lobbied cabinet minister in May, and lobbyists say his move up the list may have something to do with the government’s decision to buy the Trans Mountain Pipeline. Lobbyists communicated with designated public office holders 2,538 times in May. Mr. Morneau (Toronto Centre, Ont) was lobbied 22 times in […]
Like father, like son? Is Justin Trudeau the keeper of his father’s legacy?
MONTREAL—To mark the 50th anniversary of the election of Pierre Trudeau’s first government, Radio-Canada’s version of CBC’s The Current set out to look back on what it called 50 years of Trudeauism. But can the last half-century of federal governance—including nearly two decades of Conservative rule—really be summed up as the pursuit of a so-called […]
In praise of political pragmatism
OAKVILLE, ONT.—Ideological principles can be wonderful things, but they also tend to be delicate, so delicate, in fact, they rarely survive for long when released into the wilds of politics. Once they fall into the clutches of politicians they’re either callously abandoned by the roadside to die or else cruelly twisted into something that barely […]
Indigenous participation essential in Canada’s mining sector
The Indigenous Relations policy briefing in The Hill Times (June 18, pp. 17-29) rightly focused on the significant role Indigenous peoples play in Canada’s resource economy. The mining sector, more than any other, has seen firsthand the positive impact of Indigenous relationships and partnerships. The mining industry is one of the largest private sector employers […]
Why the Métis Nation supports the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project
The May 28 issue of this newspaper featured a joint op-ed from the leadership of the Métis Nation and the Canadian Chamber of Commerce in support of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion project. The Métis Nation supports major projects that can balance economic growth and environmental protection and ensure meaningful participation of Métis communities in their […]
Canadians get raw deal on Kinder Morgan pipeline buy
With the Canadian government’s purchase of the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline, oil producers in Western Canada are not losing any money; the only ones losing money are Canadian taxpayers. In fact, production in the Alberta oilsands is going up and companies are making more profits. Considering that production is going up, it must mean […]
Climate leader? Trudeau needs to walk the talk
Never before has the health of our global climate and environment been in such a precarious position. The fight against climate change is one of our generation’s biggest challenges, and the world needs Canada to show leadership. The Prime Minister has repeatedly claimed, in Canada and abroad, that Canada will be a leader in fighting […]
Respect provincial laws to ensure the highest standard applies
During the last electoral campaign, the Liberal Party’s platform stated that a Trudeau government would respect provincial and municipal authority before authorizing oil or pipeline projects. “While governments grant permits for resource development, only communities can grant permission.” So the Liberals said—before the elections. In Bill C-69, the government has decided not to take into […]
Talks underway for ‘ambitious’ clean fuel standard not broad enough, says Tory critic
Consultations on the development of a clean fuel standard to reduce Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions aren’t broad enough, according to the Conservative environment critic, though stakeholders say they’re generally content with the process the Liberals are using to obtain feedback. “The quality of the clean fuel standard will ultimately be the product of the quality […]
C-69 still ‘a mess’ after more than 100 amendments, say stakeholders, critics
After an abbreviated committee study, 130 amendments and time allocation, the Liberals’ Impact Assessment Bill was “improved somewhat,” say stakeholders, but is still a “mess” that was pushed through the House too quickly, according to observers and critics. Bill C-69, which would change the country’s environmental assessment process, cleared report stage on June 11 by […]
