We can, and must, act to stop climate change in its tracks
Today we think the coffee we enjoy every morning is a given. But is the supply of clean water and coffee beans inexhaustible and readily available in the decades to come? Many take it for granted that it will. Unfortunately, facts say otherwise. A recent UN report on the state of our natural world shows […]
On fuel-efficient cars, where do Canada’s federal parties stand?
When it comes to regulations, there are few things that automakers have wanted more than certainty and harmonization across borders. Flash back to 2012, when prime minister Harper’s government decided to harmonize vehicle emission regulations with president Obama’s Environmental Protection Agency, laying out a schedule of improved performance to 2025. Looking out to 2025, cars, […]
Canada needs ocean conservation leadership to stem loss of marine life
VANCOUVER—Healthy oceans are an invaluable source of life and wonder. Many people look over the ocean and only see a great expanse of water and waves. They don’t see the highly productive web of life below the surface—the enormous whales, millions of salmon, colourful anemones spreading their tentacles, ancient glass sponge reefs harbouring a multitude of marine life and warm hydrothermal vents creating an oasis for many rare species. This abundance and […]
Lack of clear definitions behind Liberal lag in phasing out fossil fuel subsidies: experts
Ten years after the federal government’s commitment to phase out fossil fuel subsidies by 2025, the Liberals are lagging in slashing funding for non-renewable energy sources. The plan to cut subsidies was established during a G20 summit in 2009, and aims to mitigate the consumption of fossil fuels and encourage the growth of the low-carbon […]
Environmental groups urging government to add plastics to toxic substances list
As domestic and international opposition to plastics and plastic pollution increases, some advocates are urging the federal government to take a tougher approach to regulation. While some municipalities and provinces are already pushing forward with initiatives such as banning plastic shopping bags, the Liberals could go even further by naming certain types of single-use plastics […]
The clean fuel standard is coming to Canada and there’s lessons to be learned from past Canadian struggles
Soon, the federal government will be requiring that all fossil fuels consumed in Canada be less emissions intensive. And no, we’re not talking about the carbon tax. We are talking about the Clean Fuel Standard (CFS)—the government’s latest and potentially most ambitious climate policy yet. The goal of the CFS is to strengthen Canada’s efforts […]
Indigenous women look to federal parties to commit to national inquiry calls in October platforms
With the release of the National Inquiry into Missing and Murdered Indigenous Women and Girls’ final report and recommendations, Indigenous women say they’re looking to all federal parties to pick up the inquiry’s calls in their platforms for October. “I’m really hoping that all the parties will make a commitment to what their platform will […]
Liberals to move ‘quickly’ after Alberta chops carbon pricing, says McKenna
As Alberta’s carbon tax is on the chopping block, Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna wouldn’t provide a specific timeline for implementing the federal backstop in Alberta, but said the government will “move as quickly as possible” and that she’ll have “more to say in the coming weeks.” Alberta’s new United Conservative government ended […]
Canada slow to come clean on removing fossil fuel subsidies
A few weeks ago, researchers in Hawaii found our atmosphere’s concentration of carbon dioxide is the highest it’s been in three million years. Back then, humans didn’t exist. Earth was significantly hotter. Sea levels were 15 metres higher. We’re heading toward a similarly unrecognizable world. The need to take bold climate change action could not […]
Feds, Irving need to clean up their act and find a better PR move than threatening reporters
OTTAWA—Last week the Globe and Mail broke the story about Irving Shipbuilding being allowed to claim a $40-million industrial benefit for a french fry factory as part of a contract to build navy ships. As odd as this might sound, that was not the bizarre part of this news story. Shortly after the Globe and […]
