To stop plastic pollution, stop producing it
At the 2023 Global Plastics Treaty negotiation session in Nairobi, the fossil fuel and chemical industry’s lobbyists outnumbering the combined delegates from 70 of the smallest nations. The UN must disclose the number and nature of the industry lobbyists in Ottawa, and establish a conflict-of-interest policy.
The federal carbon-pricing plan’s broken promise to small business
Almost none of the billions of dollars collected in carbon tax revenues have found their way back to SMEs since 2019, leaving them disillusioned and struggling to keep up with the rising cost of doing business.
Environmental groups urge an end to fossil fuel subsidies in two reports outlining Canada’s oil and gas financing
The government gave at least $18.553-billion in financial support in 2023 to fossil fuel and petrochemical firms, including $8-billion worth of loan guarantees for the TransMountain pipeline, $7.339-billion in public financing through Export Development Canada, and over $1.3-billion for carbon capture and storage projects, according to the reports.
Why wait for disasters to strike to draw on research evidence?
We need to strengthen the evidence-support system by taking stock of what we already have and building on these strengths. Political staffers from all parties and public servants have key roles to play in these efforts.
To curb pollution, government should put a price on it, says letter writer
Re: “Trudeau’s carbon tax hike will hurt future generations,” (The Hill Times, March 27, p. 15). Author Kenneth Green claims that the carbon tax will yield no appreciable benefits. If he had challenged the effectiveness of the tax, comparing it to other policies, that would have earned a reader’s respect. Many years ago, the apostle of […]
A closer look at the federal carbon tax
As of April 1, the federal carbon tax that applies in nine provinces and two territories rose from $65 a tonne to $80 a tonne.
Inuit at the UN plastic talks
The global community is coming to Ottawa at the end of April to continue key talks on a global plastics treaty, with a goal to have a completed treaty text at the end of 2024. But we’re up against ‘Big Plastic’. For them, billions of dollars are on the line.
Investing in plastics recycling infrastructure to create a circular economy
For Canada and the world to successfully scale recycling as part of the global solution to reduce plastic waste, we need four key actions that span the recycling chain from material design to market demand. Here they are.
If not the carbon tax, what?
The carbon tax is unpopular, but is primarily misunderstood; why would so many oppose a policy that makes them better off? Unless, they don’t understand it.
We need more natural infrastructure, and fast
While natural infrastructure alone could not have prevented the Red River spill, a well-funded hybrid system of grey and natural infrastructure will help mitigate the impacts of such disasters, and help prevent them happening again in the future, as well as support the Canadian environment, and the economy.
