Tag Archives: Stephen Harper

Cost of Climate Change, History, Politics

Two Abolitionist Models For Ending the Reign of Carbon

In his book The New Abolition, Chris Hayes draws a provocative parallel between the modern transition from fossil fuels and and the historical abolition of slavery in America. The challenge is truly staggering: in 1860, 400,000 Southern slaveholders faced the total loss of their “property” and economic base. Fast forward to 2014, and the fossil fuel sector sat upon at least $10 trillion in wealth. Hayes argues that it is nearly impossible to find a precedent for such a massive economic upheaval other than abolition. It took a bloody civil war for the United States to free its slaves, but the British abolitionists accomplished this through legislative action rather than armed conflict. 

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Politics

Pierre Poilievre: Stronger At Home – Leverage Abroad (Full text)

To some extent the speech that Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre gave at the Economic Club of Canada, in Toronto, on Thursday February 26, 2026, seems like a response to what Prime Minister Mark Carney said at the World Economic Forum a month before. Here is the full text, obtained through MP Aaron Gunn’s constituency office in Ottawa.

Toronto, ON – Merci beaucoup. Thank you very much to Michael and Shelby, two critical members of our Conservative team, to deliver a stronger Canada at home so we have unbreakable leverage abroad. Nearly two thousand years ago, Marcus Aurelius delivered a timeless truth:

You have power over your mind – not outside events. Realize this, and you will find strength.

That idea is not only true for people, but also for countries. Canada cannot control decisions made by foreign leaders or words by foreign presidents. We cannot control what global shocks and volatility might happen, but we do control what we do in our own country.

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Communications

The day pipeline security followed me — and what I learned later about Canada’s spy agency

Matt Simmons – The Narwhal, Local Journalism Initiative reporter

The truck slowly pulled alongside as I idled at the side of a remote dirt road in northern B.C. No cell service, the nearest town half an  hour away. I’d pulled off to let industrial traffic heading the other  direction pass. It was 2022 and I was on my way to meet with Indigenous  land defenders embroiled in a years-long fight against a major pipeline  being built through Wet’suwet’en lands and waters without the permission  of Hereditary Chiefs. 

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Indigenous Nations History, Politics

Aaron Gunn responds: About Residential Schools

Originally published on Twitter

I’d like to clear up what has been said today.

I have always been firm in recognizing the truly horrific events that transpired in residential schools, and any attempt to suggest otherwise is simply false. I have never wavered in condemning these institutions of abuse, where countless First Nations suffered at the hands of a patronizing federal government. 

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Politics

Aaron Gunn Responds: About Putin

Originally published on Twitter

I am firmly opposed to Putin’s heinous and illegal actions in Ukraine, and his oppression of the Russian people within Russia. I have held and articulated these views publicly for years. 

In early 2014, when I was still in my early 20s, I made foolish comments about Putin and Ukraine. I stopped holding those views a long time ago. 

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