Tag Archives: Gov of Ontario

Politics

There is no easy way for Canada to de-escalate the trade war

By John Woodside, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

As a federal election kicks off, the trade war with the U.S. is casting a long shadow  over voters’ choices, and whoever forms the next government will have  the tall order of trying to draw this conflict to a close. 

“President  Trump wants to break us so America can own us,” said Liberal Leader  Mark Carney at a campaign stop in Gander, NL on Monday. “We are over the  shock of betrayal, but we should never forget the lessons. We have to  look out for ourselves.”

International trade experts interviewed by Canada’s National Observer say  that will be much easier said than done. The two economies are more  integrated than ever before, and President Donald Trump’s chaotic  governing style makes it extremely difficult to know how to even begin  to unravel this dispute. 

Continue reading There is no easy way for Canada to de-escalate the trade war →
Cost of Climate Change, Politics

Middle ground is collapsing on climate action, Canada concedes in submission to UN

By John Woodside, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Polarization is gripping the country and the centre isn’t holding, Environment and  Climate Change Canada found when setting the country’s latest emissions  reduction target. 

The department solicited  feedback from provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous  groups, think tanks and the public to determine what Canada’s  internationally binding 2035 pollution reduction obligations should be.  It was a monumental effort with over 11,000 participants, more than  23,000 comments, and just over 100 official submissions. The results  found that overcoming polarization is a major hurdle to implementing  aggressive emissions reductions that climate scientists say is required to avoid catastrophic warming. 

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Politics

Pierre Poilievre promises patriotism but stays vague about U.S. tariff threat

Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

On the eve of Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s meeting with premiers to tackle the threat of looming U.S. tariffs, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre was on the West Coast hosting a packed “axe the tax” rally. 

Poilievre’s speech Tuesday night to the large crowd at Dwight Hall in Powell River was heavy with patriotism but didn’t address how he’d tackle incoming U.S. president Donald Trump’s promise to impose a 25-per-cent tariff on Canadian goods. 

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Indigenous Nations, Industry, Politics

Mining and conservation can go hand in hand, environment ministers say

By Matteo Cimellaro, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Mining projects and protected land can co-exist, two provincial environment ministers said at a press conference on Friday after two days of meetings with their counterparts from across the country.

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Indigenous Nations, Industry

Mining companies are snapping up claims to develop Indigenous land. But what happens when a nation doesn’t consent?

By Matteo Cimellaro, Canada’s National Observer, Local Journalism Initiative Reporter

Reconciliation isn’t the only thing threatened when mining exploration companies fail to get consent from Indigenous nations, says one ethical investor.

Provinces — and the junior mining companies that obtain exploration permits connected to a nation’s ancestral territories — ignore consultation with Indigenous Peoples at their own peril, as the oversight can set the stage for future conflict, court challenges and delays, hampering any future economic development before it begins.

Continue reading Mining companies are snapping up claims to develop Indigenous land. But what happens when a nation doesn’t consent? →