Trudeau should target fossil fuel subsidies at the G20
The G20 has a credibility challenge. The 2008 and 2009 leaders’ summits dealt effectively with the financial crisis. Since then, the G20 has had a limited impact on economic growth outcomes and little influence on multilateral and regional developments. By dealing with fossil fuel subsidies at the upcoming G20 leaders’ meeting, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau […]
Summer committee meeting on softwood lumber ‘waste of time and money,’ says Liberal MP
Liberal and Conservative MPs jousted Thursday over the need for another irregular mid-summer meeting of the House Trade Committee, this time on softwood lumber negotiations. After opposition members asked for it, the committee unanimously agreed to sit Thursday morning to be briefed by and question the top public servants on the softwood file, as an October […]
Five ways for Canada to get back into the diplomacy game
The Liberal government has launched defence and development reviews, but little is known of its intentions regarding diplomacy. This is the third and final part of a series meant to offer thoughts on Canada’s role in a changing world. The first instalment set out the defining features of the transition from the Cold War to […]
Energy
Consultations on National Energy Board reform coming before fall: Carr
Natural Resources Minister Jim Carr says he will announce the members of an expert panel to advise on reforming the National Energy Board before the end of the summer. The board, the federal regulator of Canadian energy projects including new pipeline projects, has been criticized for being too close to industry and a weak watchdog. […]
Harper’s parting patronage clouds eastern pipeline debate
MONTREAL—In the dying days of his government, Stephen Harper went to considerable lengths to ensure that the National Energy Board panel tasked with vetting the controversial Energy East pipeline be made up of commissioners hand-picked by the Conservatives—regardless of the election outcome. In the months prior to the election call, Harper reappointed to various boards […]
As renewable costs drop, fossil-fuel market responds to remain competitive
The International Renewable Energy Agency says renewable-energy costs are about to fall dramatically, which means the benefits are about to skyrocket. However, the group says it is all dependent on the right policy choices being made by governments as fossil fuel markets respond to the emerging renewable market. In its June report, The Power to Change: […]
Trudeau Liberals face defining choices on energy: but they might not be the ones you think
Seasoned energy observers are watching the federal government closely this fall. The Trudeau Liberals have some mandate-defining choices to make on energy, not the least of which is whether they will give the green light to the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion to carry crude oil from Alberta’s oilsands to Burnaby and whether they will approve […]
Sharing a wealth of information: how regulators can improve fracking disclosure practices
Hydraulic fracturing (“fracking”) is a technology employed in the production of oil and gas from unconventional shale formations. The technology has become ubiquitous, with tens of thousands of fracking wells drilled worldwide over the past decade. Fracking often takes place in relatively populated areas, thus posing an array of risks to public health such as […]
On the edge of a new world: Canada’s clean energy future
Canada is at a crossroads on clean energy. Last year was officially the hottest year on record. There is growing global recognition of the urgent need to take action on climate change, just as the costs of clean energy technology are falling. As a result, renewable energy is having a moment. For the first time ever, […]
