We are having the wrong conversation, we are in a climate emergency
We are in a climate emergency and we are doing nothing substantive or effective to confront it. Within Parliament and media circles, we ignore the urgency of the climate crisis. Some Members of Parliament understand the grave nature of the threat. Some of us grasp that when the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) reports […]
How do you know when a carbon price works?
For months now, Canadians have been treated to two starkly different carbon tax stories. In one version, it’s a fair, highly effective and essential policy to combat climate change—endorsed by economists and environmentalists alike. In the other, it’s little more than a tax grab that “does nothing” for emissions or the environment. So, which is […]
Now more than ever, government needs to reassure farmers their voices are being heard on climate change
On Thursday, Feb. 28, the Senate adopted “Feast or Famine: Impacts of Climate Change and carbon Pricing on Agriculture, Agri-food and Forestry,” a report of the Standing Senate Committee on Agriculture and Forestry. During my speech in the Senate Chamber prior to the adoption of the report, I referenced an article that ran on the […]
Carbon pricing ‘most cost-effective’ way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, but not a ‘panacea’ to meet Paris targets, experts say
In order to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, Canada’s Liberal government has a direct price on carbon dioxide emissions that will start at $20 per tonne, and increase by $10 each year until 2022 when it will reach $50 per tonne. The Canadian government has estimated that the pricing system “could” cut carbon emission by 80- […]
Liberal plan to double women entrepreneurs ‘very ambitious,’ money not flowing to grassroots, say observers, critics
This spring, the Liberals will announce the winners of the $20-million Women’s Entrepreneurship Fund, but University of Ottawa professor Barbara Orser says it’s not a lot of money to support women-owned or women-led businesses and help them grow. And while the minister in charge of the program says it’s the “right thing to do,” opposition […]
The intricacies of indecisiveness show why Canada must prioritize the Air Force
The Canadian government’s decision to acquire used F-18 Hornet fighter jets from the Australian Air Force has cast doubt regarding the long-term operational ability of the Royal Canadian Air Force (RCAF) to meet its international military obligations to NATO and NORAD to protect North American airspace. Early reports indicated that the acquisition cost for 25 […]
‘People might die’: Canada’s looming exit leaves concerns over safety of UN Mali peacekeeping mission
Despite pleas from the United Nations to extend its peacekeeping deployment in Mali until Romanian peacekeepers take over in October, Canada has not swayed from its decision to leave after its one-year commitment concludes at the end of July. This could threaten the well-being of the UN mission by losing a vital helicopter medical evacuation […]
The real crime in the SNC-Lavalin affair is Canada’s role in Libya’s destruction
OTTAWA—In the wake of astonishing testimony by Jody Wilson-Raybould at the Feb. 27 House Justice Committee hearing, there has been plenty of finger pointing and howls of indignation leveled at the prime minister and his senior officials. As a result of the increased scrutiny, we are now aware of many of the more sordid details […]
Bill C-84 is an important first step
WINNIPEG—Bestiality is not a topic of polite dinner conversation. You won’t hear it being discussed over the clinking of glasses and scrape of cutlery across fine china. Even in less refined settings, most Canadians don’t want to think about bestiality, unless it’s wrapped in a joke—a common way to deal with things that make us […]
Grain farmers want to make agri-food economic strategy report a reality
This week, grain farmers from across Canada are in Ottawa for the second annual National Grain Week. Grain farmers come to Ottawa in February so that we can meet with legislators and policy-makers before the weather warms up and we get to work preparing for spring planting. Right now, farmers are ready to roll up […]
