Tag Archives: Gov of Canada

Cost of Climate Change, Politics

Climate Realities: A Response to Liberal Environmental Policies

In yesterday’s broadcast, Jennifer Lash, a former senior advisor from Environment and Climate Change Canada, explained that  the Prime Minister had to make an MOU with Alberta in order to bring that province on board to initiate further climate initiatives. The potential cost was building a pipeline across BC, but she believes the opposition in BC is too strong for this to become a reality. She also talked about other past and present Liberal environmental policies. Max Thaysen, a leader of the Cortes Island Climate Action Network and  regional representative for North Island on the BC NDP’s Standing Committee on Economy and Environment, responds in this morning’s interview. 

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Cost of Climate Change, Energy, Environment, Politics

Liberal Environmental Policies for Dummies

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The first thing that comes to mind when thinking of Justin Trudeau’s environmental policy is often either purchasing the Trans Mountain Pipeline (TMX) or expanding Canada’s LNG sector. Yet Jennifer Lash, a former senior advisor with Environment and Climate Change Canada, speaks of his accomplishments in the fight against climate change. In this morning’s interview, she explains the rationale behind Liberal environmental policies. As it is actually quite simple once you get the underlying theme, Cortes Currents is calling it ‘Liberal Environmental Policies for Dummies.’

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Animals, Politics

House of Commons Exchange: Ongoing Neonicotinoid Insecticide Controversy

Neonicotinoid pesticides (neonics) are widely believed to be the most effective chemical insecticides and in one study their usage was linked to a 70% crop increase in the United States. Yet numerous scientists have pointed to their lethal impact on beneficial insects like the honeybee. According to a study published in the National Library of Medicine, “neonicotinoids can affect the reproduction, foraging, and flying ability of honeybee and other insects including pollinators.” Many believe they are a principle contributor colony collapse disorder. The EU banned three key neonicotinoids (imidacloprid, clothianidin and thiamethoxamin) 2013 and, starting in 2026, will prohibit imports of products containing even trace amounts. In North America, there are partial bans in Ontario, Quebec, Illinois, New York, Rhode Island and California. So far, the federal  governments of Canada and the United States have not taken action. 

Green Party leader Elizabeth May has brought this issue before the House of Commons many times since 2014, often requesting that Canada follow the lead of the European Union, exercise the precautionary principle, and remove the authorizations for neonicotinoid insecticide use within Canada. May raised this issue once again on the  snowy evening of December 4, 2025. 

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Energy

“Grand bargain” would result in more oilsands emissions, not less

By Janetta McKenzie and Ian Sanderson, News release from the Pembina Institute

CALGARY — There is no feasible scenario where a new oil pipeline from Alberta to the west coast could be filled with “decarbonized barrels” of oilsands bitumen, a new report from the Pembina Institute finds. 

This is the case even if a theoretical pipeline were twinned with the Pathways Alliance carbon capture and storage project, via the “Pathways Plus” concept the federal government has signalled it is considering for the next tranche of major projects, to be announced next month. 

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Politics

Environment minister won’t say whether new pipeline would increase or decrease emissions

By Natasha Bulowski, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter 

Federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Julie Dabrusin would not say whether she supports a new oil pipeline, nor acknowledge that a new pipeline would increase planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions, at a federal committee meeting Monday morning.

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