nationalobserver--2020-09-16--Canada's seed system is complicated. Does it need an update?

Seeds are democratic .
For now .
Last month , the Canadian Seed Growers Association , which represents 3,500 Canadian seed growers , voted against a proposed merger with four other seed industry organizations .
The decision marked the latest development in a long struggle between efficiency , farmers ’ independence — and who governs our food .
“ This consolidation was part of the ongoing process of usurping and taking away seed from farmers and putting it in corporate hands , ” Terry Boehm , a farmer and Saskatchewan representative for the National Farmers Unions , said .
That @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
“ The majority of seed growers , in this vote , concluded that no , their interests aren ’ t the same as the interests of the big players in the seed , chemical , and pharmaceutical industries , ” he explained , noting that the agri-tech corporations developing seed varieties played a key role in advocating for the merger .
These companies have also been advocating for changes to seed royalty regulations that would limit farmers ’ abilities to save and sell seed , and potentially make them more expensive — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ face skyrocketing debt , Boehm explained .
“ # Farmers are the ultimate stakeholders when it comes to # foodsystems , ” Aabir Dey said .
“ To exclude them from all of the essential production processes of # agriculture just does n't make sense '' @ [ email protected ] @ SeedInnovation Still , the debate is far from simple .
And its roots go back more than 100 years .
Canada ’ s seed system grew out of farmers ’ complaints in the early 1900s that they were being sold low-quality @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of uncertainty to their production cycle that could threaten their financial viability .
In 1905 , in response to these complaints , Parliament passed the Seed Control Act , which limited how many weeds could be found in commercial grass and legume seeds intended for pasture and haying .
By 1923 , the legislation had evolved to regulate cereals , vegetables , and root crops and established a variety registration system that ensured the genetic purity of registered seeds grown in Canada .
This protected farmers from unscrupulous seed sellers and separated seed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
By 1923 , Canada 's seed legislation had developed enough to regulate cereals , vegetables , and potatoes like those harvested on this N.B .
farm in 1953 .
Photo by Herb Taylor/National Film Board of Canada .
The new legislation created a two-tiered certification process , administered by the Canadian Seed Growers Association with federal oversight , that divided seed into unregistered , registered , and pedigreed varieties .
Registered and pedigreed varieties are controlled under the seed act to ensure they are of consistently high quality There are currently 52 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in Canada , primarily consisting of grains , legumes , and forage crops .
Seed for registered crops can only be sold in Canada if it ’ s from a registered variety , while pedigreed seed ( a category of registered seed ) rules ensure the purity of a pedigreed seed variety .
Seed that is from both a registered and pedigreed variety needs to meet both standards before it can be sold under the variety name and is monitored for purity from the seed farmers ’ field until the final sale .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ only grow pedigreed seed .
This oversight process is managed in partnership by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Canadian Seed Growers Association , which relies on a network of private seed inspectors , graders , and testers who are accredited by the relevant seed industry associations .
For instance , the Canadian Seed Institute accredits and monitors private and public seed laboratories and graders for the Canadian Seed Growers Association and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency , but doesn ’ t have regulatory powers over registered and pedigreed seed production .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ amalgamation been successful .
Canada 's seed system is complex , but ensures Canadian farmers have reliable access to high quality seed .
Graph by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada .
“ The proposed … structure would give the seed corporations on its board legal authority over delivery and enforcement of ( pedigreed and registered seed rules ) and other seed-related regulations , ” Cathy Holtslander , the National Farmers Union director of research and policy , wrote in a July policy brief about the amalgamation .
The merger would have also raised the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ part of the seed system , such as “ Bayer , Cargill , BASF , Limagrain , Syngenta , Pioneer , and Corteva , ” while sidelining seed growers in the advocacy and regulatory process , she wrote .
Still , not everyone agrees that would be the case .
“ Seeds Canada would also be a member-driven organization , with members having the opportunity for democratic participation and the ability to vote for diverse representation in the organization ’ s leadership , ” the Canadian Seed Trade Association said in an emailed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ development in increasing the large role played by private interests across the seed system .
“ A generation ago , public breeding was the dominant innovation model … and fees for publicly delivered regulatory services were low , ” a 2018 white paper by the merger ’ s proponents notes .
Over the past 40 years , governments have scaled back their role in seed development and have been replaced by private sector investments .
It ’ s possible to see the scale of this change in the past 10 years alone : @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 171 million in plant breeding , research , and variety development — a 56 per cent increase from 2012 .
These investments are expected to reach $ 179 million in 2022 .
It 's a system some think is due for an update .
“ We believe the current seed system has served Canadians well , but it is outdated .
That is why the government is launching seed regulatory modernization when everyone involved , and the public , will have the opportunity to provide input into the modernization of the seed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Association wrote .
“ The corporate sector has been lobbying for a long time trying to convince farmers that our seed system is broken and that the only way we ’ re going to get the varieties we need is if private industry develops those varieties , ” Boehm , the Saskatchewan representative for the National Farmers Union , said .
“ But private industry wants all kinds of things before they develop varieties — mostly guaranteed massive profits.
” The search for those profits has put significant strain on Canadian farmers over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ comprise six per cent of Canadian farmers ' gross operating expenses .
However , in some case consolidation in the industry means the same company sells farmers their seeds , pesticides , fertilizers , and feed , giving them significant control over farmers ' livelihoods - and Canadians ' food security .
Graph by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada .
Costs of production have increased exponentially since the 1980s — largely because of higher seed , fertilizer , pesticide , and fuel costs — and farmers ’ gross incomes haven ’ t kept pace @ @ @ @ @ @ @ consolidation in the industry .
It ’ s a trend mirrored in the seed industry : The average acreage of seed farms more than doubled between 1978 and 2012 .
Meanwhile , the total number of farms dropped by about 30 per cent between 1982 and 2012 .
The proposed merger , Boehm said , would accelerate this process and reduce the influence independent seed growers could have on agricultural policies .
“ There needs to be a system for farmers to express their say in an equal way , ” said Aabir @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Initiative on Canadian Seed Security .
“ What we ’ re doing right now is we ’ re prioritizing ... a certain type of farming — and excluding all other types of farming — that we believe to be essential for building climate resilience.
” Dey works with farmers to develops seeds well-adapted to regenerative agriculture — a key tool in the arsenal against climate change and something that does n't interest industrial agriculture .
Most pedigreed and registered varieties have been developed for industrial agriculture , Dey explained , which relies on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
That ’ s an issue for organic farmers growing registered varieties — and the planet .
Agroecology is how food is produced and how producers relate to their ecological and social contexts .
Agroecological production emphasizes whole systems approaches , unlike extractive agriculture .
Learn more https : //t.co/tlCinlXoya .
# threetimesaday # cdnag # covidrecovery # nfucanada pic.twitter.com/wHFfkUyz1H — NationalFarmersUnion ( @ NFUcanada ) September 15 , 2020 According to a 2020 report by the National Farmers Union , moving towards more ecological and regenerative agricultural practices could reduce greenhouse gas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 50 per cent by 2050 .
It could also , the report notes , help sustain independent farmers and increase the number of farmers — key players in the creation of a more resilient food system .
“ Farmers are the ultimate stakeholders when it comes to food systems , ” Dey said .
“ They assume virtually all the risk when it comes to putting food on our table .
They do the majority of the work .
They ’ re the most impacted by all kinds of decisions related to agriculture @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the essential production processes of agriculture just doesn ’ t make sense .
”

The industry employs about 63,600 people — everyone from independent seed farmers to plant breeders and researchers to intellectual property lawyers and consultants — represented through five non-profit organizations, including the Canadian Seed Growers Association, that manages the industry in concert with the federal government.
Seeds are Canada’s third-largest crop, worth about $2.6 billion , with about 485 million acres under production across the country and formed the basis for almost $22 billion worth of Canadian crops, primarily wheat, barley, soy, and corn.
“This consolidation was part of the ongoing process of usurping and taking away seed from farmers and putting it in corporate hands,” Terry Boehm , a farmer and Saskatchewan representative for the National Farmers Unions, said.
Last month, the Canadian Seed Growers Association , which represents 3,500 Canadian seed growers, voted against a proposed merger with four other seed industry organizations. The decision marked the latest development in a long struggle between efficiency, farmers’ independence — and who governs our food.
“The idea of bringing the CSTA (Canadian Seed Trade Association) and the other organizations together was to be able to put all that under one roof,” Jonathan Nyborg, a N.B.-based seed farmer and former president of the Canadian Seed Growers Association, said.
Canada’s seed system grew out of farmers’ complaints in the early 1900s that they were being sold low-quality and inconsistent seed, adding a layer of uncertainty to their production cycle that could threaten their financial viability.
Still, the debate is far from simple. And its roots go back more than 100 years.
These companies have also been advocating for changes to seed royalty regulations that would limit farmers’ abilities to save and sell seed, and potentially make them more expensive — a major blow for farmers who already face skyrocketing debt, Boehm explained.
“The majority of seed growers, in this vote, concluded that no, their interests aren’t the same as the interests of the big players in the seed, chemical, and pharmaceutical industries,” he explained, noting that the agri-tech corporations developing seed varieties played a key role in advocating for the merger.
By 1923, the legislation had evolved to regulate cereals, vegetables, and root crops and established a variety registration system that ensured the genetic purity of registered seeds grown in Canada. This protected farmers from unscrupulous seed sellers and separated seed breeders and sellers from direct regulatory power.
In 1905, in response to these complaints, Parliament passed the Seed Control Act, which limited how many weeds could be found in commercial grass and legume seeds intended for pasture and haying.
The new legislation created a two-tiered certification process, administered by the Canadian Seed Growers Association with federal oversight, that divided seed into unregistered, registered, and pedigreed varieties. Registered and pedigreed varieties are controlled under the seed act to ensure they are of consistently high quality
There are currently 52 registered — and 70 pedigreed — crops in Canada, primarily consisting of grains, legumes, and forage crops.
Seed for registered crops can only be sold in Canada if it’s from a registered variety, while pedigreed seed (a category of registered seed) rules ensure the purity of a pedigreed seed variety.
Seed that is from both a registered and pedigreed variety needs to meet both standards before it can be sold under the variety name and is monitored for purity from the seed farmers’ field until the final sale. Members of the Canadian Seed Growers Association only grow pedigreed seed.
This oversight process is managed in partnership by the Canadian Food Inspection Agency and the Canadian Seed Growers Association, which relies on a network of private seed inspectors, graders, and testers who are accredited by the relevant seed industry associations.
For instance, the Canadian Seed Institute accredits and monitors private and public seed laboratories and graders for the Canadian Seed Growers Association and the Canadian Food Inspection Agency, but doesn’t have regulatory powers over registered and pedigreed seed production.
That would have changed had the proposed amalgamation been successful.
Canada's seed system is complex, but ensures Canadian farmers have reliable access to high quality seed. Graph by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
“The proposed … structure would give the seed corporations on its board legal authority over delivery and enforcement of (pedigreed and registered seed rules) and other seed-related regulations,” Cathy Holtslander, the National Farmers Union director of research and policy, wrote in a July policy brief about the amalgamation.
The merger would have also raised the prominence of companies that profit at any part of the seed system, such as “Bayer, Cargill, BASF, Limagrain, Syngenta, Pioneer, and Corteva,” while sidelining seed growers in the advocacy and regulatory process, she wrote.
Still, not everyone agrees that would be the case.
“Seeds Canada would also be a member-driven organization, with members having the opportunity for democratic participation and the ability to vote for diverse representation in the organization’s leadership,” the Canadian Seed Trade Association said in an emailed statement.
It would be the latest development in increasing the large role played by private interests across the seed system.
“A generation ago, public breeding was the dominant innovation model … and fees for publicly delivered regulatory services were low,” a 2018 white paper by the merger’s proponents notes. Over the past 40 years, governments have scaled back their role in seed development and have been replaced by private sector investments.
It’s possible to see the scale of this change in the past 10 years alone: In 2017, private companies invested about $171 million in plant breeding, research, and variety development — a 56 per cent increase from 2012. These investments are expected to reach $179 million in 2022.
It's a system some think is due for an update.
“We believe the current seed system has served Canadians well, but it is outdated. That is why the government is launching seed regulatory modernization when everyone involved, and the public, will have the opportunity to provide input into the modernization of the seed system,” the Canadian Seed Trade Association wrote.
“The corporate sector has been lobbying for a long time trying to convince farmers that our seed system is broken and that the only way we’re going to get the varieties we need is if private industry develops those varieties,” Boehm, the Saskatchewan representative for the National Farmers Union, said.
“But private industry wants all kinds of things before they develop varieties — mostly guaranteed massive profits.”
The search for those profits has put significant strain on Canadian farmers over the past several decades.
Seeds only comprise six per cent of Canadian farmers' gross operating expenses. However, in some case consolidation in the industry means the same company sells farmers their seeds, pesticides, fertilizers, and feed, giving them significant control over farmers' livelihoods - and Canadians' food security. Graph by Agriculture and Agri-Food Canada.
Costs of production have increased exponentially since the 1980s — largely because of higher seed, fertilizer, pesticide, and fuel costs — and farmers’ gross incomes haven’t kept pace, leading to skyrocketing farm debt and consolidation in the industry.
It’s a trend mirrored in the seed industry: The average acreage of seed farms more than doubled between 1978 and 2012. Meanwhile, the total number of farms dropped by about 30 per cent between 1982 and 2012.
The proposed merger, Boehm said, would accelerate this process and reduce the influence independent seed growers could have on agricultural policies.
“There needs to be a system for farmers to express their say in an equal way,” said Aabir Dey, director for the Bauta Family Initiative on Canadian Seed Security.
“What we’re doing right now is we’re prioritizing ... a certain type of farming — and excluding all other types of farming — that we believe to be essential for building climate resilience.”
Dey works with farmers to develops seeds well-adapted to regenerative agriculture — a key tool in the arsenal against climate change and something that doesn't interest industrial agriculture.
Most pedigreed and registered varieties have been developed for industrial agriculture, Dey explained, which relies on pesticides and fertilizers to ensure seed quality. That’s an issue for organic farmers growing registered varieties — and the planet.
Agroecology is how food is produced and how producers relate to their ecological and social contexts. Agroecological production emphasizes whole systems approaches, unlike extractive agriculture. Learn more https://t.co/tlCinlXoya. #threetimesaday #cdnag #covidrecovery #nfucanada pic.twitter.com/wHFfkUyz1H — National Farmers Union nationale des fermiers (@NFUcanada) September 15, 2020
According to a 2020 report by the National Farmers Union, moving towards more ecological and regenerative agricultural practices could reduce greenhouse gas emissions from Canadian farms by up to 50 per cent by 2050. It could also, the report notes, help sustain independent farmers and increase the number of farmers — key players in the creation of a more resilient food system.
“Farmers are the ultimate stakeholders when it comes to food systems,” Dey said.
“They assume virtually all the risk when it comes to putting food on our table. They do the majority of the work. They’re the most impacted by all kinds of decisions related to agriculture. To exclude them from all of the essential production processes of agriculture just doesn’t make sense.”
Marc Fawcett-Atkinson / Local Journalism Initiative / Canada's National Observer


nationalobserver--2020-09-16--Liberal House leader points to B.C.'s vote-by-Zoom legislature

Government House leader Pablo Rodríguez on Tuesday pointed to British Columbia ’ s vote-by-Zoom method as a temporary measure for MPs when they return next week for a new session of Parliament .
The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia sat this summer using a hybrid model where some MLAs participated in person , and others virtually , voting over video conference .
Such video voting has also been used by some municipal councils in Canada .
Meanwhile , in Ottawa , the minority Liberal government used a combination of a special committee format and a skeleton crew of MPs over @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a handful of meetings , instead of regular official sittings .
That format died when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prorogued Parliament on Aug. 18 .
Now , as MPs prepare to return on Sept. 23 for a speech from the throne and a new session , they are again faced with the issue of how to carry out their duties , vote on legislation , and hold government to account all while navigating the reality of the COVID-19 world .
B.C 's .
Lt.-Gov .
Janet Austin .
The B.C .
Legislative Assembly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ attend virtually .
Technically , all 338 MPs are on course to gather again in one room .
The Liberals , however , appear reluctant to let that happen .
• As CERB winds down , calls for universal basic income intensify • How 393 million firearms may lead to carnage in America ’ s streets after Nov. 3 • When it comes to WE , there are unanswered questions that go beyond politics “ We believe that the return of the House should continue on the basis of the hybrid model that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ not 338 people packed into a very small room where we could really contaminate each other , ” said Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault on Tuesday , on the sidelines of a two-day cabinet retreat in Ottawa .
File photo of Yves-François Blanchet in the 2019 federal election in Ottawa .
Photo by Andrew Meade The threat posed by the mass gathering of MPs was underlined this week when the entire Bloc Québécois caucus went into isolation after a staffer in leader Yves-François Blanchet ’ s office tested positive for COVID-19 .
On @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to negotiate with opposition parties over remote voting , pointed to the Bloc ’ s sudden isolation as a reason for setting up a new system that would emulate B.C .
's legislature .
As MPs prepare to return on Sept. 23 for a Speech from the Throne and a new session , they are again faced with the issue of how to carry out their duties , vote on legislation , and hold government to account all while navigating the COVID-19 world .
Some MPs could attend in person , while others @ @ @ @ @ @ @ like Zoom , he said .
“ The situation with the Bloc clearly demonstrates what democracy is in the time of a pandemic .
In my opinion , it makes no sense that you have , I do n't know , dozens of MPs who can not vote because they 're doing exactly what is asked from them , which is to isolate , ” said Rodríguez .
“ And in my mind , it 's one MP , one vote .
They 've been elected democratically across the country , and we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
And in this case , the MPs from the Bloc Québécois , if they 're following all the guidelines — well , if there 's a vote today , for example , they should be able to vote either from the hotel , from their house or whatever.
” NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has said the party is focused on the Liberals ' next budget , rather than the throne speech .
Bloc MPs are in self-isolation after they discovered a case of Covid among their staff .
Our thoughts are with @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one else will be affected .
( 1/2 ) ... — Gérard Deltell ( @ gerarddeltell ) September 15 , 2020 As MPs switch to the vote-by-Zoom method , Rodríguez said , a new voting app for smartphones could be tested out .
Eventually , he said , MPs could move to a second system , where they would vote through the phone app .
“ The chamber has developed an application that you just have to test for a short period , and during that time , we can do like British @ @ @ @ @ @ @ he told media at the cabinet retreat .
“ The House has developed an application , it has to be tested , it 's not going to take very long .
While it 's being tested , we can vote by Zoom , like it 's being done in B.C.
” Conservative House leader Gérard Deltell has agreed that all 338 MPs shouldn ’ t be exactly in the same locations in the House chamber as before .
“ But there are plenty of other ways , ” he said .
Many opposition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ committee format over the summer .
Opposition parties could not introduce bills , debate motions or set the agenda during opposition days , for instance .
Conservative MP Candice Bergen , now deputy leader , had called it a “ fake Parliament.
” The Conservatives have also accused the Liberals of trying to engineer a shift towards voting via smartphone app .
When a House committee recommended this option over the summer , MPs Blake Richards , John Brassard , Eric Duncan , and Corey Tochor released a dissenting report that said that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ had their eyes on app-based voting.
” The Tories said they want to accommodate MPs who can ’ t be present in the House due to COVID-19 public health guidance .
“ However , we draw the line at votable business and remote decision-making , ” they wrote .
Their report recommended instead that the House resume scheduled sittings this fall , in the House chamber , while ensuring physical distancing by regulating the number of members in the chamber at one time .
They said MPs should be encouraged to “ remain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ between sitting weeks ” to minimize travel .
MPs should be screened and tested regularly , they said .
The Tory report did say that , despite concerns over remote voting , “ it is noteworthy that several of the committee ’ s witnesses strongly urged the use of video-based voting , based on our existing video conference platform , rather than going with a separate , new smartphone application .
”

Government House leader Pablo Rodríguez on Tuesday pointed to British Columbia’s vote-by-Zoom method as a temporary measure for MPs when they return next week for a new session of Parliament. The Legislative Assembly of British Columbia sat this summer using a hybrid model where some MLAs participated in person, and others virtually, voting over video conference. Such video voting has also been used by some municipal councils in Canada. Meanwhile, in Ottawa, the minority Liberal government used a combination of a special committee format and a skeleton crew of MPs over the summer to represent the parties for a handful of meetings, instead of regular official sittings. That format died when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau prorogued Parliament on Aug. 18. Now, as MPs prepare to return on Sept. 23 for a speech from the throne and a new session, they are again faced with the issue of how to carry out their duties, vote on legislation, and hold government to account all while navigating the reality of the COVID-19 world. B.C's. Lt.-Gov. Janet Austin. The B.C. Legislative Assembly had video screens installed for members to attend virtually.
Technically, all 338 MPs are on course to gather again in one room. The Liberals, however, appear reluctant to let that happen. “We believe that the return of the House should continue on the basis of the hybrid model that we have, so that there's not 338 people packed into a very small room where we could really contaminate each other,” said Canadian Heritage Minister Steven Guilbeault on Tuesday, on the sidelines of a two-day cabinet retreat in Ottawa. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions File photo of Yves-François Blanchet in the 2019 federal election in Ottawa. Photo by Andrew Meade
Bloc MPs in isolation after positive test The threat posed by the mass gathering of MPs was underlined this week when the entire Bloc Québécois caucus went into isolation after a staffer in leader Yves-François Blanchet’s office tested positive for COVID-19. As MPs prepare to return on Sept. 23 for a Speech from the Throne and a new session, they are again faced with the issue of how to carry out their duties, vote on legislation, and hold government to account all while navigating the COVID-19 world. On Tuesday, Rodríguez, who is continuing to negotiate with opposition parties over remote voting, pointed to the Bloc’s sudden isolation as a reason for setting up a new system that would emulate B.C.'s legislature. Some MPs could attend in person, while others could vote over a video conference platform like Zoom, he said. “The situation with the Bloc clearly demonstrates what democracy is in the time of a pandemic. In my opinion, it makes no sense that you have, I don't know, dozens of MPs who cannot vote because they're doing exactly what is asked from them, which is to isolate,” said Rodríguez.
“And in my mind, it's one MP, one vote. They've been elected democratically across the country, and we should be all be able to vote. And in this case, the MPs from the Bloc Québécois, if they're following all the guidelines — well, if there's a vote today, for example, they should be able to vote either from the hotel, from their house or whatever.” NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh has said the party is focused on the Liberals' next budget, rather than the throne speech. http://twitter.com/gerarddeltell/status/1305902827915669504


nationalobserver--2020-09-16--When it comes to WE, there are unanswered questions that go beyond politics

Amid a political firestorm , WE Charity announced last week that it would wind down its Canadian operations .
“ I wish that the certain politicians had recused themselves , but there 's no one we blame , ” said co-founder Craig Kielburger in an interview with CTV News that aired that evening .
In a statement at the time , the charity blamed both COVID-19 and the controversy it was embroiled in this summer for its troubles .
But beyond the scandal that has surrounded WE and the Liberal government , many questions remain about what the charity ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ leading up to the controversy and what winding down entails , charity experts say .
“ Their announcement appears to be largely a public relations manoeuvre to change the focus on the numerous ongoing investigations of them , ” said lawyer Mark Blumberg , who specializes in Canadian charity law at Blumberg Segal LLP and runs CharityData.ca .
• As CERB winds down , calls for universal basic income intensify • How 393 million firearms may lead to carnage in America ’ s streets after Nov. 3 • Sadhu Johnston , who pushed @ @ @ @ @ @ @ resigns “ The announcement raises more questions than it answers , which is very unfortunate.
” WE Charity , founded in 1995 , has been a household name in recent years .
It 's particularly well-known for running stadium-sized WE Day events , which were rallies where thousands of high school students would come to hear speeches from celebrities and activists about social change .
But WE came into the spotlight this summer in a new way , as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his former finance minister Bill Morneau , who resigned @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the federal ethics commissioner over the cabinet 's decision to award the charity a contract for a $ 544-million student volunteer grant program .
Both the Trudeau and Morneau families had financial ties to the organization , and in July , Morneau said he ’ d repay WE $ 41,000 in expenses for a trip he took with the charity in 2017 .
Amid the political fallout , several of WE ’ s donors and sponsors severed ties .
In a statement Tuesday , WE told Canada ’ s National Observer the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ agreed to suspend sponsorship agreements.
” Meanwhile , COVID-19 significantly disrupted Me to We , a for-profit arm of the organization that funds much of the charity 's work .
Me to We made much of its income from selling travel packages , and with travel largely suspended due to the pandemic , that revenue source dried up .
As the organization decided what to do next , advisers — including some from outside the organization — met once or twice a week , WE said .
Ultimately , after “ extensive financial @ @ @ @ @ @ @ decided to fold .
The modelling accounted for what it would cost to run WE 's international programs , and to preserve its Canadian educational programs ( for example , by digitizing the curricula it used in schools ) .
The charity announced this week that it will shut down its Canadian operations .
Many questions remain about what the charity ’ s finances were like in the months leading up to the controversy and what winding down entails , charity experts say .
# cdnpoli “ It became clear that decisive action @ @ @ @ @ @ @ funding as possible in order to sustain our work in the long term , ” WE said in the statement .
“ As the funding picture became clearer , the simple fact is that the charity would soon be spending more than it raised .
Without such decisive action , the charity would overly deplete its assets , leaving the charity with insufficient funds for key global programs .
Like every decision we have made over the last 25 years , this decision was made with the children we help in mind.
” @ @ @ @ @ @ @ estate assets — worth tens of millions of dollars , with the sales to be handled by commercial real estate company Colliers International — and use the money to create an endowment fund to support its international programs , the charity has said .
The fund will be overseen by a board of directors , but it isn ’ t clear whether that will happen within WE or at a different organization .
Co-founders Marc and Craig Kielburger said they ’ ll leave the organization , along with the rest of WE Charity @ @ @ @ @ @ @ will take six months to a year , WE said Tuesday , and after that , the charity will “ no longer exist.
” Kate Bahen , the managing director of watchdog group Charity Intelligence Canada , said she 's puzzled by WE 's conclusion .
She tracks charities using their publicly available financial information .
Although WE 's 2020 filings wo n't be available until next year , and wo n't provide a complete picture because Me to We 's financial information is n't included , she said she believes the organization @ @ @ @ @ @ @ operating .
Though WE had run a deficit last year , it still appeared to be in decent financial condition until March , Bahen added .
“ Shutting down the office is a drastic move , ” she said .
“ All charities are going through COVID and belt-tightening .
We ’ re all in this together .
( Many other charities are ) not shutting down ...
I just can ’ t figure out where the money ’ s going.
” WE 's real estate assets in particular could have given the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ “ Some financial experts have said that WE Charity had trouble for a significant period prior to the government grant or even COVID , but they actually did have a significant cushion with their real estate assets , ” he said .
In a statement , WE said it needed to shutter its operations in Canada to maintain its work abroad .
“ This was a heartbreaking decision , ” the statement said .
“ With respect to Ms. Bahen , she has not been privy to the extensive financial planning and modelling @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the charity moves ahead with the process of shutting down , Blumberg said he wants to know more about how WE 's endowment to support its international programs will work .
“ Almost no information was provided on who will actually own and control it , how much it will disburse each year , etc.
, ” he said .
Rules governing how charities can move money means WE has limited options , he added .
Though it ca n't transfer the endowment to WE 's branches in the United States and United @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to a “ completely independent ” registered charity in Canada to do similar activities , Blumberg said .
“ They could transfer some funds to foreign groups to implement charitable activities for example in Kenya using a “ structured arrangement ” with direction and control and some oversight , ” he said .
“ They could also run the endowment in-house in the WE Charity with the Kielburgers controlling the funds , or they could move the funds to another Canadian registered charity controlled by the Kielburgers.
” “ The final structure ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by the WE Charity board of directors , ” WE said in the statement .
Meanwhile , on Friday , Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said he regretted not recusing himself from discussions about the grant program , but denied there had been a conflict of interest .
He also sidestepped a question about whether he was to blame , in part , for WE 's decision to stop its Canadian operations .
“ Obviously , the way it ended up working out was really unfortunate for everyone involved , ” Trudeau said .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ I regret not having recused myself from the beginning because of the perception involved .
But there was no conflict of interest here .
”

Amid a political firestorm, WE Charity announced last week that it would wind down its Canadian operations. “I wish that the certain politicians had recused themselves, but there's no one we blame,” said co-founder Craig Kielburger in an interview with CTV News that aired that evening. In a statement at the time, the charity blamed both COVID-19 and the controversy it was embroiled in this summer for its troubles. But beyond the scandal that has surrounded WE and the Liberal government, many questions remain about what the charity’s finances were like in the months leading up to the controversy and what winding down entails, charity experts say. “Their announcement appears to be largely a public relations manoeuvre to change the focus on the numerous ongoing investigations of them,” said lawyer Mark Blumberg, who specializes in Canadian charity law at Blumberg Segal LLP and runs CharityData.ca.
“The announcement raises more questions than it answers, which is very unfortunate.” WE Charity, founded in 1995, has been a household name in recent years. It's particularly well-known for running stadium-sized WE Day events, which were rallies where thousands of high school students would come to hear speeches from celebrities and activists about social change. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions But WE came into the spotlight this summer in a new way, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his former finance minister Bill Morneau, who resigned in August, are currently under investigation by the federal ethics commissioner over the cabinet's decision to award the charity a contract for a $544-million student volunteer grant program. Both the Trudeau and Morneau families had financial ties to the organization, and in July, Morneau said he’d repay WE $41,000 in expenses for a trip he took with the charity in 2017.
Amid the political fallout, several of WE’s donors and sponsors severed ties. In a statement Tuesday, WE told Canada’s National Observer the organization “proactively contacted sponsors and mutually agreed to suspend sponsorship agreements.” The charity announced this week that it will shut down its Canadian operations. Many questions remain about what the charity’s finances were like in the months leading up to the controversy and what winding down entails, charity experts say. #cdnpoli Meanwhile, COVID-19 significantly disrupted Me to We, a for-profit arm of the organization that funds much of the charity's work. Me to We made much of its income from selling travel packages, and with travel largely suspended due to the pandemic, that revenue source dried up. As the organization decided what to do next, advisers — including some from outside the organization — met once or twice a week, WE said. Ultimately, after “extensive financial modelling,” the charity said it decided to fold. The modelling accounted for what it would cost to run WE's international programs, and to preserve its Canadian educational programs (for example, by digitizing the curricula it used in schools). “It became clear that decisive action would be required to preserve as much funding as possible in order to sustain our work in the long term,” WE said in the statement. “As the funding picture became clearer, the simple fact is that the charity would soon be spending more than it raised. Without such decisive action, the charity would overly deplete its assets, leaving the charity with insufficient funds for key global programs. Like every decision we have made over the last 25 years, this decision was made with the children we help in mind.”
WE will now sell off its real estate assets — worth tens of millions of dollars, with the sales to be handled by commercial real estate company Colliers International — and use the money to create an endowment fund to support its international programs, the charity has said. The fund will be overseen by a board of directors, but it isn’t clear whether that will happen within WE or at a different organization. Co-founders Marc and Craig Kielburger said they’ll leave the organization, along with the rest of WE Charity’s Canadian staff. That process will take six months to a year, WE said Tuesday, and after that, the charity will “no longer exist.” Kate Bahen, the managing director of watchdog group Charity Intelligence Canada, said she's puzzled by WE's conclusion. She tracks charities using their publicly available financial information. Although WE's 2020 filings won't be available until next year, and won't provide a complete picture because Me to We's financial information isn't included, she said she believes the organization would have had enough funding to keep operating.


nationalobserver--2020-09-16--Why every Canadian city needs a carbon budget

This week , Edmonton city council is considering a historic plan — one that incorporates a carbon budget limiting greenhouse gas emissions it can emit .
It would be the first city to do so in Canada .
The plan sets a goal for Edmonton to become carbon neutral by 2050 — meaning the city would minimize how many greenhouse gas emissions it produces and offset the rest — while doubling its population to two million and fostering a vibrant economy .
So there will be twice as many people powering their homes , travelling to and from work , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ all while producing net-zero greenhouse gas emissions .
It ’ s ambitious , almost unimaginable .
And it is something every town and city in Canada needs to do .
Cities are responsible for 42 per cent of Canada ’ s greenhouse gas emissions , which , according to the latest data from Statistics Canada , hit their highest level in more than a decade in 2018 .
If we are going to meet our national climate goals and help limit global warming , every Canadian municipality must follow Edmonton ’ s lead @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carbon budget .
Just as a fiscal budget sets a limit on how much money a city can spend , a carbon budget sets a limit on the emissions it can produce .
In Edmonton , the city ’ s proposed carbon budget of 135 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent sets a cap on how much it can emit — ever .
It ’ s not a budget for a year or a decade , but for the city ’ s entire future .
• As CERB winds down , calls for @ @ @ @ @ @ @ million firearms may lead to carnage in America ’ s streets after Nov. 3 • When it comes to WE , there are unanswered questions that go beyond politics That ’ s because , according to the global scientific consensus , the atmosphere can only absorb so many GHG emissions before dangerous levels of climate change occur .
Edmonton ’ s carbon budget is based on a calculation of how many more emissions Edmontonians can produce if they use their fair share of a global carbon budget that would limit global warming to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ climate planning consultancy of which I am a part , helped Edmonton crunch the numbers and determine what policies and actions will enable the city to stay within its budget while promoting local prosperity and well-being .
We found that it is possible for the city to reduce emissions while thriving and overcoming the economic challenges created by low oil prices and the pandemic .
Investments in climate-friendly infrastructure , including public transit and green space , and low-carbon industries , such as green construction and renewable energy , can create tens of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ city ’ s plan will make the carbon budget official policy .
This is a key step , because planning decisions made today can lock in levels of emissions for generations to come .
City plans shape the built environment , which shapes how people move around and the types of spaces they spend their time in , as well as the economic opportunities they can access .
In compact cities , it is easier for people to walk , bike or take transit to their destination , producing few to zero emissions @ @ @ @ @ @ @ spend hours on congested highways , emitting carbon dioxide — and losing time they could spend with their families or at work — along the way .
In cities with low-carbon building regulations , it takes less energy — and costs less — to heat , cool and power buildings .
In cities where plans emphasize green space , there are more trees and plants to sequester carbon and help keep residents cool in a heat wave .
Take Atlanta and Barcelona .
Both cities have similar populations , but , on a @ @ @ @ @ @ @ footprint is 10 times higher than Barcelona 's .
Why the difference ?
Barcelona ’ s population occupies a space one-twentieth that of Atlanta .
Moreover , because Barcelona is so dense , it ’ s cost effective to take steps to reduce emissions , such as enhancing public transit so people use their cars less often , and building district energy networks that efficiently distribute energy within a neighbourhood .
In Atlanta , such solutions are ineffective and expensive .
`` In Edmonton , the city ’ s proposed carbon budget of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sets a cap on how much it can emit — ever .
It ’ s not a budget for a year or a decade , but for the city ’ s entire future . ''
@ SSGcoop @ YuillHerbert Edmonton ’ s plan envisions 15-minute communities — places where residents can reach all their basic needs , from work to shopping to recreation , with a 15-minute walk or bike ride .
Planning such communities would make it easier for Edmontonians to adopt low-emissions lifestyles .
The carbon budget creates incentives for city @ @ @ @ @ @ @ throughout their work .
At the same time , incorporating a carbon budget into Edmonton ’ s city plan will create a policy framework for the city to support industries and infrastructure that reduce emissions , including renewable energy , green-building retrofits and construction , public transit and low-carbon technologies .
Perhaps , most importantly , policies that reduce emissions improve quality of life .
Edmonton ’ s city plan proposes steps to reduce air pollution and emissions , such as planting two million trees and making public transit more accessible , that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ carbon budget isn ’ t just a tool for fighting climate change , it ’ s a pathway to better cities for all .

This week, Edmonton city council is considering a historic plan — one that incorporates a carbon budget limiting greenhouse gas emissions it can emit. It would be the first city to do so in Canada. The plan sets a goal for Edmonton to become carbon neutral by 2050 — meaning the city would minimize how many greenhouse gas emissions it produces and offset the rest — while doubling its population to two million and fostering a vibrant economy. So there will be twice as many people powering their homes, travelling to and from work, shopping and going about daily life, all while producing net-zero greenhouse gas emissions. It’s ambitious, almost unimaginable. And it is something every town and city in Canada needs to do. Cities are responsible for 42 per cent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions, which, according to the latest data from Statistics Canada, hit their highest level in more than a decade in 2018. If we are going to meet our national climate goals and help limit global warming, every Canadian municipality must follow Edmonton’s lead and adopt a city plan with a carbon budget. Just as a fiscal budget sets a limit on how much money a city can spend, a carbon budget sets a limit on the emissions it can produce. In Edmonton, the city’s proposed carbon budget of 135 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent sets a cap on how much it can emit — ever. It’s not a budget for a year or a decade, but for the city’s entire future.
That’s because, according to the global scientific consensus, the atmosphere can only absorb so many GHG emissions before dangerous levels of climate change occur. Edmonton’s carbon budget is based on a calculation of how many more emissions Edmontonians can produce if they use their fair share of a global carbon budget that would limit global warming to 1.5 C. Sustainability Solutions Group, the climate planning consultancy of which I am a part, helped Edmonton crunch the numbers and determine what policies and actions will enable the city to stay within its budget while promoting local prosperity and well-being. We found that it is possible for the city to reduce emissions while thriving and overcoming the economic challenges created by low oil prices and the pandemic. Investments in climate-friendly infrastructure, including public transit and green space, and low-carbon industries, such as green construction and renewable energy, can create tens of thousands of jobs. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Now, the city’s plan will make the carbon budget official policy. This is a key step, because planning decisions made today can lock in levels of emissions for generations to come. City plans shape the built environment, which shapes how people move around and the types of spaces they spend their time in, as well as the economic opportunities they can access.
In compact cities, it is easier for people to walk, bike or take transit to their destination, producing few to zero emissions. In sprawling cities, residents might spend hours on congested highways, emitting carbon dioxide — and losing time they could spend with their families or at work — along the way. "In Edmonton, the city’s proposed carbon budget of 135 million tonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent sets a cap on how much it can emit — ever. It’s not a budget for a year or a decade, but for the city’s entire future." @SSGcoop @YuillHerbert In cities with low-carbon building regulations, it takes less energy — and costs less — to heat, cool and power buildings. In cities where plans emphasize green space, there are more trees and plants to sequester carbon and help keep residents cool in a heat wave. Take Atlanta and Barcelona. Both cities have similar populations, but, on a per-capita basis, Atlanta’s carbon footprint is 10 times higher than Barcelona's. Why the difference? Barcelona’s population occupies a space one-twentieth that of Atlanta. Moreover, because Barcelona is so dense, it’s cost effective to take steps to reduce emissions, such as enhancing public transit so people use their cars less often, and building district energy networks that efficiently distribute energy within a neighbourhood. In Atlanta, such solutions are ineffective and expensive. Edmonton’s plan envisions 15-minute communities — places where residents can reach all their basic needs, from work to shopping to recreation, with a 15-minute walk or bike ride. Planning such communities would make it easier for Edmontonians to adopt low-emissions lifestyles. The carbon budget creates incentives for city planners to follow through and consider climate throughout their work. At the same time, incorporating a carbon budget into Edmonton’s city plan will create a policy framework for the city to support industries and infrastructure that reduce emissions, including renewable energy, green-building retrofits and construction, public transit and low-carbon technologies.


nationalobserver--2020-09-15--Sadhu Johnston, who pushed Vancouver to forefront of global sustainability, resigns

`` As City Manager , Sadhu has helped the City of Vancouver push forward many innovative and challenging initiatives that have helped Vancouver tackle critical issues , and none were as transformative to the City as the Greenest City Action Plan .
You ca n't create systemic change without being able to completely reform how every single city department functions and works with one another .
That 's something pretty hard to do at the best of times , but this was in a complex government bureaucracy , '' Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart told Canada 's National Observer .
He @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a city with a $ 1.5 billion operating budget and more than 7,000 employees — is seen as a leader for its green initiatives , including the Greenest City Action Plan , carbon emission reductions , waste diversion programs , separated bike lanes , electric vehicle and car-sharing proliferation across the city , and capital projects such as the Burrard Bridge and the Killarney Seniors Centre .
The man who helped make Vancouver one of the world ’ s greenest cities is leaving .
City Manager Sadhu Johnston announced his resignation today , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ with his family .
This will bring to an end the tenure of a broadly trusted and admired City Manager , one who was a powerful influence in implementing Vancouver ’ s global climate action leadership , and made a mark nationally in Canada ’ s urban climate action awakening .
The plan is divided into 10 goal areas addressing three overarching areas of focus , which are : When Johnston signed on as city manager , he inherited a plan that perfectly reflected his own views on what cities can and should @ @ @ @ @ @ @ was launched in February 2009 shortly before Johnston ’ s tenure began .
Part of his mandate was to build and implement that plan , which was meant to put Vancouver on the path to being the greenest city in the world .
For Johnston , managing a city is about more than the traditional functions of picking up garbage and fixing roads .
It is about designing change .
It is about setting an example .
And , as he wrote in the book The Guide to Greening Cities , which he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , “ greening cities is all about making the case , building coalitions , breaking down silos , solving thorny problems , championing innovative and integrated solutions , and demonstrating performance.
” Johnston was the “ 35-year-old whiz kid who spearheaded Mayor Richard Daley ’ s ‘ greening of Chicago ’ , according to The Chicago Sun-Times .
He left his post as Daley ’ s Chief Environmental Officer , where he was responsible for the oversight of City ’ s environmental initiatives , in 2009 .
He joined the Gregor Robertson-led Vision @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s election as Mayor , and later replaced Dr. Penny Ballem as the administrative head of the City .
He immediately set about applying to Vancouver the same drive and unique perspective that he had applied in Chicago .
“ The double-whammy decision against the Trans Mountain pipeline validates the strong concerns of the City of Vancouver and many others that Indigenous peoples were not adequately consulted — and marine impacts of oil tankers were ignored — in the federal review pipeline approval , '' then-Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said , according @ @ @ @ @ @ @ time .
The project was later re-approved by the Trudeau government , and the Supreme Court of Canada later dismissed legal challenges by First Nations to block the project 's construction .
One of Johnston ’ s lasting contributions must certainly be the role he played in helping the City of Vancouver fight the expansion of the TransMountain pipeline , a fight that put it at odds not only with a huge energy company , Kinder Morgan , but also with the federal government .
The legal battle raged for four years , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of Appeal sided with First Nations and quashed Ottawa ’ s approval of the troubled Trans Mountain expansion project .
“ You get an increase in jobs and a decrease in climate change .
We are constantly in this field overestimating what we can do in a year and totally underestimating what we can do in ten.
” “ Seniors are saying it ’ s the first time I can bike downtown .
And kids are doing it as well .
At transit , we have 50,000 riders , and a 180 per @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per cent increase in walking and 50 per cent increase in public transit ridership.
” At the Garrison Institute ’ s 2011 Climate , Cities and Behavior Symposium , Johnston reflected on the changes he had seen and helped bring about .
He said that Vancouver had “ the lowest GHG emissions per capita in North America and talked about the ‘ significant results ’ the city achieved by replacing car lanes with bike lanes , making ‘ it easy to walk around.
’ “ The work over the last 11 years on @ @ @ @ @ @ @ evidenced by the numerous awards it 's won , '' according to former City Councillor Andrea Reimer , who later became Deputy Mayor and is now Co-Chair , of the Climate & Energy Commission for the World Future Council .
`` It was made all the more so because Vancouver is the only city in the top tier of green cities that had to deal with a hostile federal government and an ambivalent provincial government for the majority of that time .
It also finally broke the logjam in dozens of policy areas @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and objectives , and being willing to fail tactically in order to learn , adjust the strategies and get to the goals.
” In his announcement letter to staff , obtained by Canada ’ s National Observer , Johnston explains he is leaving the job because `` this role has taken my full attention , and has required sacrifices for me and my family .
My daughters are growing up fast , and they have generously supported my work with the City , but now it 's time to prioritize them . ''
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ will be news to most people today , may come as a surprise because he is seen as a driving force behind the city ’ s green initiatives .
And at the age of 46 , he still has a long career ahead of him .
But at the end of the day , he says family won out .
Johnston had planned to leave in June , but then the pandemic intervened .
“ I didn ’ t feel I could leave at a time with so much turbulence , ” he @ @ @ @ @ @ @ $ 160 million in our budget and temporarily layoff 2,000 staff .
It was just a very , very difficult time for the city .
It didn ’ t feel like ( it was ) the right time to leave .
So , I did delay it based on that . ''
`` A good public servant understands they have three constituencies - council , staff , the community , '' Andrea Reimer notes .
`` A great public servant is able to make all three of those constituencies understand and value each @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policy forward within the parameters Council sets is because he is a great public servant . ''
As he prepares to leave , Johnston took some time to talk to Canada ’ s National Observer about his legacy , and the challenges that cities such as Vancouver still face as the world struggles through the ravages of a pandemic and a possible second wave .
The following is an edited version of Johnston 's conversation with Canada 's National Observer Deputy Managing Editor , David McKie .
Johnston : We are in certain @ @ @ @ @ @ @ areas we have work to do .
McKie : Give me an example that proves Vancouver is the greenest city .
Johnston : I think we ’ ve been global leaders in building a compact , walkable community that is transit-oriented .
And I think that way we are real global leaders and have a lot to teach the world .
You can walk or bike around the city and you can generally get most of what you need in your neighbourhood .
You don ’ t need a car .
We have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ per capita for any city in the world .
So , we are global leaders , but still have more to do .
Johnston : Well , I think we have work to do in virtually every area .
Reducing our carbon emissions .
Reducing our waste .
Producing more food locally .
There ’ s definitely more work to do across the board .
McKie : Doesn ’ t the city ’ s climate make many of the achievements you ’ ve mentioned a lot easier ?
Johnston : Yes , as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ you can heat and cool your buildings with electricity .
McKie : You also mentioned carbon reduction in your announcement letter to staff .
What role can municipalities play in helping to reduce the carbon footprint ?
Johnston : It can play a significant role in the way that we regulate construction .
What type of buildings are built ?
How energy efficient are they ?
Are they connected to district energy systems ?
Are they transit-oriented ?
A lot of our carbon emissions come from how we heat our buildings and our @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how we get around .
Our ability to shape development is a core part of that .
But we can also provide ways for folks to get around differently .
And investments in car-sharing .
Bike-sharing .
McKie : Are other cities following Vancouver ’ s lead in implementing a similar green action plan ?
Johnston : Vancouver has been a global leader in some areas .
And then we look to other places to learn from them .
There are a lot of amazing things happening in other cities in the Lower @ @ @ @ @ @ @ North America .
And so it is a very , very robust area of work for cities , and I helped to create something called the Urban Sustainability Director ’ s Network , which is city staff in cities across North America working to address these issues .
We do a lot of sharing of information and experiences , what has worked and what hasn ’ t worked.Ultimately , there are leading practices , like in the American southwest , where there ’ s huge innovation around water conservation where we can really @ @ @ @ @ @ @ we can provide a lot of experience around areas like dense urban development , transit-oriented communities and that sort of thing .
So , we have a lot to share and a lot to learn .
McKie : Are there other cities that Vancouver can emulate when it comes to reducing its carbon footprint ?
Johnston : There are cities like Copenhagen that have done very interesting things around mobility and bike infrastructure .
London , for example , is using waste heat from its subway system to heat houses .
So , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
There is innovation coming from all over the world .
Cities are very vulnerable places to climate change .
We need to take action and we have many of the tools that can have an impact .
McKie : Are a number of these cities within jurisdictions that are not climate friendly ?
Johnston : You see oftentimes a change in a national government can drive a huge change in how they approach climate .
You saw that in Australia a few years ago , and in the U.S. between ( former @ @ @ @ @ @ @ U.S. President Donald ) Trump .
Generally speaking , you don ’ t see that kind of swing in cities .
New York has been a leader on this issue for changing administrations , as has Vancouver , because people want this kind of thing and local governments are very responsive to what people want .
There ’ s a real benefit in our communities to better air and clean water ... better transportation infrastructure , more energy-efficient buildings .
Local municipal government is very much closer to the people that way .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ can really improve quality of life .
And people respond to that .
McKie : What are some of the green challenges still facing Vancouver that you were working on , but didn ’ t make as much progress as you would have liked ?
Johnston : We had very ambitious goals for carbon reduction .
We were able to see considerable reduction in our per capita greenhouse gas emissions between 2007 and 2019 , there was about a 19 per cent reduction .
Meanwhile , we had a very considerable growth in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ many ways Vancouver has demonstrated to the world that you can grow your population and grow your economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions .
McKie : So , what would be an example of something Vancouver could do that you were pushing for but couldn ’ t quite achieve ?
Johnston : Probably energy retrofits ( for ) buildings… There are a lot of existing buildings with old boilers and many of those buildings are vulnerable .
So , ( it ’ s ) figuring out how to create tools to get homeowners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ seismic retrofits .
That stuff is expensive to do .
You need to come up with innovative financing and programs to help building owners .
I think we made some progress , but ... getting to the existing building stock has proven to be very challenging for Vancouver and other cities .
McKie : What makes it so challenging ?
Johnston : Well , it ’ s expensive .
If someone is coming in to build a new building , they have to get a building permit from us .
So , we @ @ @ @ @ @ @ in an energy-efficient way .
And the occupants of the buildings enjoy cleaner air and lower heating costs .
But for an existing building , they ’ re not coming in for a building permit .
We don ’ t have a chance to really work with them because they aren ’ t making upgrades .
McKie : What parting advice would you have for other city managers and politicians when it comes to reducing the carbon footprint ?
Johnston : When you look at the amount of energy we ’ re putting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ crisis , I would encourage all of us to not drop the longer-term crisis that we ’ re facing .
We ’ ve seen cities that are reducing their investment in ... greenhouse gas emission reductions .
Those are longer-term crises that we need to tackle , and I would encourage all of us to keep our eye on the ball .

Johnston was the “35-year-old whiz kid who spearheaded Mayor Richard Daley’s ‘greening of Chicago’, according to The Chicago Sun-Times. He left his post as Daley’s Chief Environmental Officer, where he was responsible for the oversight of City’s environmental initiatives, in 2009. He joined the Gregor Robertson-led Vision Vancouver team in Canada shortly after Robertson’s election as Mayor, and later replaced Dr. Penny Ballem as the administrative head of the City. He immediately set about applying to Vancouver the same drive and unique perspective that he had applied in Chicago.
"As City Manager, Sadhu has helped the City of Vancouver push forward many innovative and challenging initiatives that have helped Vancouver tackle critical issues, and none were as transformative to the City as the Greenest City Action Plan. You can't create systemic change without being able to completely reform how every single city department functions and works with one another. That's something pretty hard to do at the best of times, but this was in a complex government bureaucracy," Vancouver Mayor Kennedy Stewart told Canada's National Observer.
He leaves at a moment when Vancouver — a city with a $1.5 billion operating budget and more than 7,000 employees — is seen as a leader for its green initiatives, including the Greenest City Action Plan , carbon emission reductions, waste diversion programs, separated bike lanes, electric vehicle and car-sharing proliferation across the city, and capital projects such as the Burrard Bridge and the Killarney Seniors Centre.
The man who helped make Vancouver one of the world’s greenest cities is leaving. City Manager Sadhu Johnston announced his resignation today, citing a desire to spend more time with his family. This will bring to an end the tenure of a broadly trusted and admired City Manager, one who was a powerful influence in implementing Vancouver’s global climate action leadership, and made a mark nationally in Canada’s urban climate action awakening.
When Johnston signed on as city manager, he inherited a plan that perfectly reflected his own views on what cities can and should be. The Greenest City Action Plan was launched in February 2009 shortly before Johnston’s tenure began. Part of his mandate was to build and implement that plan, which was meant to put Vancouver on the path to being the greenest city in the world.
For Johnston, managing a city is about more than the traditional functions of picking up garbage and fixing roads. It is about designing change. It is about setting an example. And, as he wrote in the book The Guide to Greening Cities , which he co-wrote in 2013 with other municipal leaders, “greening cities is all about making the case, building coalitions, breaking down silos, solving thorny problems, championing innovative and integrated solutions, and demonstrating performance.”
At the Garrison Institute’s 2011 Climate, Cities and Behavior Symposium, Johnston reflected on the changes he had seen and helped bring about. He said that Vancouver had “the lowest GHG emissions per capita in North America and talked about the ‘significant results’ the city achieved by replacing car lanes with bike lanes, making ‘it easy to walk around.’
“The work over the last 11 years on The Greenest City was globally significant as evidenced by the numerous awards it's won," according to former City Councillor Andrea Reimer, who later became Deputy Mayor and is now Co-Chair, of the Climate & Energy Commission for the World Future Council. "It was made all the more so because Vancouver is the only city in the top tier of green cities that had to deal with a hostile federal government and an ambivalent provincial government for the majority of that time. It also finally broke the logjam in dozens of policy areas by being willing to set audacious goals and objectives, and being willing to fail tactically in order to learn, adjust the strategies and get to the goals.”
The plan is divided into 10 goal areas addressing three overarching areas of focus, which are:
“You get an increase in jobs and a decrease in climate change. We are constantly in this field overestimating what we can do in a year and totally underestimating what we can do in ten.”
“Seniors are saying it’s the first time I can bike downtown. And kids are doing it as well. At transit, we have 50,000 riders, and a 180 per cent increase in biking, a 44 per cent increase in walking and 50 per cent increase in public transit ridership.”
TransMountain pipeline pitted City against Feds
One of Johnston’s lasting contributions must certainly be the role he played in helping the City of Vancouver fight the expansion of the TransMountain pipeline, a fight that put it at odds not only with a huge energy company, Kinder Morgan, but also with the federal government. The legal battle raged for four years, ending in 2018 when the Federal Court of Appeal sided with First Nations and quashed Ottawa’s approval of the troubled Trans Mountain expansion project.
“The double-whammy decision against the Trans Mountain pipeline validates the strong concerns of the City of Vancouver and many others that Indigenous peoples were not adequately consulted — and marine impacts of oil tankers were ignored — in the federal review pipeline approval," then-Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said, according to a National Observer article at the time. The project was later re-approved by the Trudeau government, and the Supreme Court of Canada later dismissed legal challenges by First Nations to block the project's construction.
"A great public servant"
Johnston will officially step down next January.
In his announcement letter to staff, obtained by Canada’s National Observer, Johnston explains he is leaving the job because "this role has taken my full attention, and has required sacrifices for me and my family. My daughters are growing up fast, and they have generously supported my work with the City, but now it's time to prioritize them."
Johnston concedes that his letter, which will be news to most people today, may come as a surprise because he is seen as a driving force behind the city’s green initiatives. And at the age of 46, he still has a long career ahead of him.
But at the end of the day, he says family won out.
Johnston had planned to leave in June, but then the pandemic intervened.
“I didn’t feel I could leave at a time with so much turbulence,” he says. “We had to find $160 million in our budget and temporarily layoff 2,000 staff. It was just a very, very difficult time for the city. It didn’t feel like (it was) the right time to leave. So, I did delay it based on that."
"A good public servant understands they have three constituencies - council, staff, the community," Andrea Reimer notes. "A great public servant is able to make all three of those constituencies understand and value each other. Sadhu's success at moving policy forward within the parameters Council sets is because he is a great public servant."
As he prepares to leave, Johnston took some time to talk to Canada’s National Observer about his legacy, and the challenges that cities such as Vancouver still face as the world struggles through the ravages of a pandemic and a possible second wave.
The following is an edited version of Johnston's conversation with Canada's National Observer Deputy Managing Editor, David McKie.
David McKie: Is Vancouver the greenest city?
Johnston: We are in certain areas, yeah. And in other areas we have work to do.
McKie: Give me an example that proves Vancouver is the greenest city.
Johnston: I think we’ve been global leaders in building a compact, walkable community that is transit-oriented. And I think that way we are real global leaders and have a lot to teach the world.
You can walk or bike around the city and you can generally get most of what you need in your neighbourhood. You don’t need a car. We have one of the lowest greenhouse gas emissions per capita for any city in the world. So, we are global leaders, but still have more to do.
McKie: Like what?
Johnston: Well, I think we have work to do in virtually every area. Reducing our carbon emissions. Reducing our waste. Producing more food locally. There’s definitely more work to do across the board.
McKie: Doesn’t the city’s climate make many of the achievements you’ve mentioned a lot easier?
Johnston: Yes, as does the source of electricity, because you can heat and cool your buildings with electricity.
McKie: You also mentioned carbon reduction in your announcement letter to staff. What role can municipalities play in helping to reduce the carbon footprint?
Johnston: It can play a significant role in the way that we regulate construction. What type of buildings are built? How energy efficient are they? Are they connected to district energy systems? Are they transit-oriented? A lot of our carbon emissions come from how we heat our buildings and our hot water. And the second is how we get around. Our ability to shape development is a core part of that. But we can also provide ways for folks to get around differently. And investments in car-sharing. Bike-sharing.
McKie: Are other cities following Vancouver’s lead in implementing a similar green action plan?
Johnston: Vancouver has been a global leader in some areas. And then we look to other places to learn from them. There are a lot of amazing things happening in other cities in the Lower Mainland, and then other cities across North America. And so it is a very, very robust area of work for cities, and I helped to create something called the Urban Sustainability Director’s Network, which is city staff in cities across North America working to address these issues.
We do a lot of sharing of information and experiences, what has worked and what hasn’t worked.Ultimately, there are leading practices, like in the American southwest, where there’s huge innovation around water conservation where we can really learn a lot, versus areas where we can provide a lot of experience around areas like dense urban development, transit-oriented communities and that sort of thing.
So, we have a lot to share and a lot to learn.
McKie: Are there other cities that Vancouver can emulate when it comes to reducing its carbon footprint?
Johnston: There are cities like Copenhagen that have done very interesting things around mobility and bike infrastructure. London, for example, is using waste heat from its subway system to heat houses. So, there are amazing lessons across the world.
There is innovation coming from all over the world. Cities are very vulnerable places to climate change. We need to take action and we have many of the tools that can have an impact.
McKie: Are a number of these cities within jurisdictions that are not climate friendly?
Johnston: You see oftentimes a change in a national government can drive a huge change in how they approach climate. You saw that in Australia a few years ago, and in the U.S. between (former U.S. president Barack) Obama and (U.S. President Donald) Trump. Generally speaking, you don’t see that kind of swing in cities. New York has been a leader on this issue for changing administrations, as has Vancouver, because people want this kind of thing and local governments are very responsive to what people want.
There’s a real benefit in our communities to better air and clean water ... better transportation infrastructure, more energy-efficient buildings. Local municipal government is very much closer to the people that way. And by doing these things, you can really improve quality of life. And people respond to that.
McKie: What are some of the green challenges still facing Vancouver that you were working on, but didn’t make as much progress as you would have liked?
Johnston: We had very ambitious goals for carbon reduction. We were able to see considerable reduction in our per capita greenhouse gas emissions between 2007 and 2019, there was about a 19 per cent reduction. Meanwhile, we had a very considerable growth in jobs and population. So, in many ways Vancouver has demonstrated to the world that you can grow your population and grow your economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
McKie: So, what would be an example of something Vancouver could do that you were pushing for but couldn’t quite achieve?
Johnston: Probably energy retrofits (for) buildings… There are a lot of existing buildings with old boilers and many of those buildings are vulnerable. So, (it’s) figuring out how to create tools to get homeowners and building owners do energy retrofits and seismic retrofits. That stuff is expensive to do. You need to come up with innovative financing and programs to help building owners. I think we made some progress, but ... getting to the existing building stock has proven to be very challenging for Vancouver and other cities.
McKie: What makes it so challenging?
Johnston: Well, it’s expensive. If someone is coming in to build a new building, they have to get a building permit from us. So, we have an opportunity to make them build in an energy-efficient way. And the occupants of the buildings enjoy cleaner air and lower heating costs. But for an existing building, they’re not coming in for a building permit. We don’t have a chance to really work with them because they aren’t making upgrades.
McKie: What parting advice would you have for other city managers and politicians when it comes to reducing the carbon footprint?
Johnston: When you look at the amount of energy we’re putting into addressing COVID, which is a crisis, I would encourage all of us to not drop the longer-term crisis that we’re facing. We’ve seen cities that are reducing their investment in ... greenhouse gas emission reductions. Those are longer-term crises that we need to tackle, and I would encourage all of us to keep our eye on the ball.


nationalobserver--2020-09-15--Trudeau Liberals shouldn't shelve $100 billion climate plan

As of Sunday , around 4 million acres have been scorched by wildfires in California , Washington and Oregon .
These fires are a reminder that for all our struggles with COVID-19 , climate change remains the number one threat against human civilization .
Yet even now , we ca n't even acknowledge this reality .
The Liberal government was expected to unveil an ambitious $ 100-billion green spending plan , plus major changes in environmental regulation in the upcoming throne speech , according to a Global News report .
Last fall , wildfires were terrifying in Australia .
Today @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the west coast of America , carrying toxicity into Canada .
The Los Angeles Times summed it up with a banner headline splashed across the top of the Sunday paper : 'California 's climate apocalypse . ''
`` The calamity is no longer in the future , '' the subtitle read .
`` It 's here , now . ''
Monster fires .
Families fleeing .
Children killed .
Now is the time to act , and to act boldly to come out of the Covid-19 economic crisis with a smart green stimulus @ @ @ @ @ @ @ # cdnpoli In Vancouver , we were having our own apocalyptic scene .
Smoke blowing in from the U.S. turned the Greenest City white , making it the second most polluted in the world , following Portland .
The mountains disappeared , and so did visibility .
Public health warnings sounded through the city and communities up the coast .
Stay inside .
No strenuous outdoor activities .
Wear a mask outside .
It was depressing .
And what was possibly even more depressing was that hundreds of anti-mask and QAnon conspiracy theorists @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Sunday , even as smoke and ash from wildfires clogged up the sky .
As my 24-year-old son put it : “ First Covid constricts social interactions .
Now smoke is preventing me from biking , playing soccer , etc . ''
“ Pretty apocalyptic-looking , ” he added , captioning a photo of the smoke-dulled downtown scene out of his apartment window .
It must be strange to be young in this world .
I live in a household with three teenagers .
Yet I still ca n't wrap my mind around @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , coming of age during a pandemic , explosive wildfires , racially-based murders , rising extremism , polarization , and above all else , to be aware of mass species extinctions and the mounting dangers of climate change .
Scary .
And normal .
And that 's the scariest thing of all , how normal it is beginning to seem .
Meanwhile , it turns out that Big Oil has been lying to the public about plastic recycling since at least the early seventies .
The plastics industry , including Exxon , Chevron @ @ @ @ @ @ @ into ads to convince the public that plastic waste could be recycled , when in reality that was never possible for the majority of products .
They lied , knowing that plastics were going to fill our oceans for decades to come .
So what can people do to push back against this barrage of disinformation and denial ?
We can all write letters to our MPs , demand more action from the federal government now , for a start .
We depend upon the government to do the right thing , to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ public health .
Protecting the lives of Canadians is crucial and , like Covid-19 , climate change mitigation is urgent , too .
As climate chaos intensifies and COVID-19 rates swing upwards , trustworthy journalism is more important than ever .
As we watch the West Coast go up in flames , let 's be sure the sight of smoke does n't blind us .
Let 's be proactive and do whatever we can to protect the earth 's climate , reduce global warming–– to bring about real and meaningful change .
Canada @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the way .
Wildfire smoke in Vancouver reminds me that borders are make believe .
We ‘ re all living and dying together in the same big , breaking spaceship .
🔥 💨 🌎 pic.twitter.com/UxpKfJqIMG — Mike Barrett Bryan-Soron ( @ MikeSoron ) September 12 , 2020 Trump on climate change : `` It 'll start getting cooler .
You just watch ...
I do n't think science knows , actually . ''
pic.twitter.com/JdYzdrcjgq — Aaron Rupar ( @ atrupar ) September 14 , 2020

As of Sunday, around 4 million acres have been scorched by wildfires in California, Washington and Oregon. These fires are a reminder that for all our struggles with COVID-19, climate change remains the number one threat against human civilization.
Yet even now, we can't even acknowledge this reality.
The Liberal government was expected to unveil an ambitious $100-billion green spending plan, plus major changes in environmental regulation in the upcoming throne speech, according to a Global News report. But now the government seems to have shelved that plan, over fears of being perceived as taking advantage of the pandemic to execute its climate agenda, according to information obtained by Global News. The idea of this is infuriating and it's wrong.
Global News sources say the government will still focus on a structural recovery that will include a “green” and “clean” recovery plan and industrial strategy. But that is not enough. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Now is the time to act, and to act boldly to come out of the Covid-19 economic crisis with a smart green stimulus package.
We watch as monster fires burn. Families flee. Children die. Last fall, wildfires were terrifying in Australia. Today, the tragedy of massive wildfires revisited the west coast of America, carrying toxicity into Canada. Monster fires. Families fleeing. Children killed. Now is the time to act, and to act boldly to come out of the Covid-19 economic crisis with a smart green stimulus package, writes @linda_solomon #ClimateCrisis #cdnpoli The Los Angeles Times summed it up with a banner headline splashed across the top of the Sunday paper: 'California's climate apocalypse." "The calamity is no longer in the future," the subtitle read. "It's here, now." Los Angeles Times, Sunday September 13 In Vancouver, we were having our own apocalyptic scene. Smoke blowing in from the U.S. turned the Greenest City white, making it the second most polluted in the world, following Portland.
The mountains disappeared, and so did visibility. Public health warnings sounded through the city and communities up the coast.
Stay inside. No strenuous outdoor activities. Wear a mask outside. It was depressing. And what was possibly even more depressing was that hundreds of anti-mask and QAnon conspiracy theorists still turned up to protest downtown on Sunday, even as smoke and ash from wildfires clogged up the sky. As my 24-year-old son put it: “First Covid constricts social interactions. Now smoke is preventing me from biking, playing soccer, etc."


nationalobserver--2020-09-18--Canada’s Just Transition Task Force can offer lessons for a green recovery

Recent polling reveals pockets of strong opposition to addressing climate change during this recession .
This is to be expected ; the single biggest obstacle that prevents Canadians from supporting stronger action on climate change is concern about the economy .
Given the uneven and uncertain nature of economic recovery — particularly in energy-producing provinces hit by the one-two punch of the pandemic and low commodity prices — these concerns are likely to remain for some time .
After her swearing in , Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland stated “ all Canadians understand that the restart of our economy needs to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that Canadians are more supportive than not of this approach , support is far from unanimous .
Research from the University of Ottawa ’ s Positive Energy project due later this month can offer lessons , as leaders shift their focus to longer-term supports for workers and industries reshaped by COVID-19 .
We examined the Task Force on Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities , a federally commissioned body that consulted communities affected by the national phase-out of coal-fired electricity .
We looked for aspects of the task force ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s climate and energy dialogue .
Along the way , we uncovered some bedrock principles that can help assure workers , communities , and businesses that recovery efforts can be both green and inclusive .
As we look forward to the speech from the throne , there is no shortage of ideas to help with the rebuild .
Task forces , commissions , councils and coalitions are popping up across the country , some with explicit mandates to accelerate a green recovery .
But many lack a government mandate and pan-Canadian representation @ @ @ @ @ @ @ set of interests .
It is an open question whether they can effectively knit together accelerated climate action and economic revitalization and depolarize the conversation to build a more inclusive vision for our economy .
First , meet directly with the people the task force is trying to help .
Any initiative seeking to influence policymaking — commissioned or not — should include consultations as part of its mandate .
Transitioning away from coal power is an active choice about the type of energy we want powering our society .
Accelerating a transition @ @ @ @ @ @ @ To enact informed and durable changes , communities must perceive the decision-making processes are fair .
If you are not a part of the process , you are less likely to believe the process is legitimate .
If you do n't believe the process is legitimate , you are far less likely to trust the outcomes .
Consultations can offer perspective on the human implications of policy decisions .
Outcomes that appear optimal on paper may clash with community values , economic development goals , or even climate targets .
This is not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ are on the line ; they can not easily be collapsed into numbers .
Task forces should try to hear directly from people and communities , and use their experiences to create a path forward .
Second , it is vital that any task force is viewed as an honest broker , free of bias or partisan influence .
It should be a point of emphasis , and is particularly important in regions that do not share the political views of the sitting government .
Positive Energy ’ s survey research has shown @ @ @ @ @ @ @ issues are polarized , it is most often along partisan lines .
Fostering nonpartisan conversations can enhance perceptions of legitimacy .
Third , the group doing the consulting should be demographically representative of the people and communities it meets with .
Given Canada ’ s distinct regional cultures , those creating task forces , panels , and commissions should consider whether these bodies resemble the groups on whose behalf they are making recommendations and decisions .
This includes geographic representation .
Any group looking to make recommendations at the federal level should have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , including Indigenous communities .
Collaboration with provinces is particularly important .
Electricity and natural resources are largely areas of provincial jurisdiction .
As we rethink the industries and jobs that can thrive in a carbon-constrained world , these relationships will grow in importance .
The work of the Just Transition Task Force can offer valuable lessons for decision-makers as they try to reboot Canada ’ s economy .
Conversations around long-term recovery , particularly in carbon-intensive sectors , could prove divisive or polarizing .
When it comes to fostering a climate of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ policymakers should borrow what worked for the Just Transition Task Force .
Recommendations developed in a silo are less likely to be unifying and less likely to survive the long haul .
Soliciting broad input from regionally , politically and demographically diverse groups will help produce outcomes that are more robust and politically durable .

After her swearing in, Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland stated “all Canadians understand that the restart of our economy needs to be green.” While Freeland is correct that Canadians are more supportive than not of this approach, support is far from unanimous. Recent polling reveals pockets of strong opposition to addressing climate change during this recession. This is to be expected; the single biggest obstacle that prevents Canadians from supporting stronger action on climate change is concern about the economy. Given the uneven and uncertain nature of economic recovery — particularly in energy-producing provinces hit by the one-two punch of the pandemic and low commodity prices — these concerns are likely to remain for some time. As we look forward to the speech from the throne, there is no shortage of ideas to help with the rebuild. Task forces, commissions, councils and coalitions are popping up across the country, some with explicit mandates to accelerate a green recovery. But many lack a government mandate and pan-Canadian representation or are dedicated to advancing a narrow set of interests. It is an open question whether they can effectively knit together accelerated climate action and economic revitalization and depolarize the conversation to build a more inclusive vision for our economy.
Research from the University of Ottawa’s Positive Energy project due later this month can offer lessons, as leaders shift their focus to longer-term supports for workers and industries reshaped by COVID-19. We examined the Task Force on Just Transition for Canadian Coal Power Workers and Communities, a federally commissioned body that consulted communities affected by the national phase-out of coal-fired electricity. We looked for aspects of the task force’s activities that could help depolarize Canada’s climate and energy dialogue. Along the way, we uncovered some bedrock principles that can help assure workers, communities, and businesses that recovery efforts can be both green and inclusive. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions
First, meet directly with the people the task force is trying to help. Any initiative seeking to influence policymaking — commissioned or not — should include consultations as part of its mandate. Transitioning away from coal power is an active choice about the type of energy we want powering our society. Accelerating a transition to low-emissions energy involves similar choices. To enact informed and durable changes, communities must perceive the decision-making processes are fair. If you are not a part of the process, you are less likely to believe the process is legitimate. If you don't believe the process is legitimate, you are far less likely to trust the outcomes. "As we look forward to the speech from the throne, there is no shortage of ideas to help with the rebuild. Task forces, commissions, councils and coalitions are popping up... some with explicit mandates to accelerate a green recovery." Consultations can offer perspective on the human implications of policy decisions. Outcomes that appear optimal on paper may clash with community values, economic development goals, or even climate targets. This is not a technocratic problem. Lives and livelihoods are on the line; they cannot easily be collapsed into numbers. Task forces should try to hear directly from people and communities, and use their experiences to create a path forward. Second, it is vital that any task force is viewed as an honest broker, free of bias or partisan influence. It should be a point of emphasis, and is particularly important in regions that do not share the political views of the sitting government. Positive Energy’s survey research has shown that when opinions on climate and energy issues are polarized, it is most often along partisan lines. Fostering nonpartisan conversations can enhance perceptions of legitimacy.
Third, the group doing the consulting should be demographically representative of the people and communities it meets with. Given Canada’s distinct regional cultures, those creating task forces, panels, and commissions should consider whether these bodies resemble the groups on whose behalf they are making recommendations and decisions. This includes geographic representation. Any group looking to make recommendations at the federal level should have representation from across sectors and across Canada, including Indigenous communities. Collaboration with provinces is particularly important. Electricity and natural resources are largely areas of provincial jurisdiction. As we rethink the industries and jobs that can thrive in a carbon-constrained world, these relationships will grow in importance.