nationalobserver--2020-11-16--PM Trudeau praises journalists and says 'crackdowns' dangerous

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has highlighted the work of journalists working under pressure in Hong Kong and Belarus at an international conference on media freedom .
Canada has been vocal in condemning the clampdowns on democracy and free expression by the Chinese government in the former British colony of Hong Kong and the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus that has given rise to pro-democracy protests .
`` Today , we see citizens calling for change , from Hong Kong to Belarus , only to have the authorities attack the freedom of the press , '' Trudeau told the conference co-hosted @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the imprisonment of Reuters journalists Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone for reporting on military atrocities committed against the Rohingya people in Myanmar , and of Philippine journalist Maria Ressa .
The Reuters journalists have since gained freedom and have been awarded a Pulitzer Prize .
In June , Ressa was convicted of `` cyber libel '' and sentenced to six years behind bars after complaints from her country 's strongman president , Rodrigo Duterte , and other officials from his government .
• Young activists win right to sue Ontario ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one Indigenous farmer in the north is improving food security in his community `` It is never acceptable for a journalist to be attacked for doing their job , '' said Trudeau .
`` A crackdown on the media puts democracy in danger .
It puts lives in danger . ''
At the same event , a coalition of international lawyers , led by a former Canadian attorney general , called for a new global charter to protect the rights of imprisoned journalists in an increasingly hostile world .
Irwin Cotler , the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ rights lawyer , made the recommendation in a report he authored for a coalition of independent international legal experts .
The new charter would upgrade legal obligations on a country that arbitrarily imprisons a journalist and impose new legal duties on the home country of a journalist who has been rounded up .
Cotler says the new measures are needed because the current international laws designed to protect the diplomatic access to people imprisoned in foreign countries are not adequate .
`` We meet today on the occasion not only of a global @ @ @ @ @ @ @ pandemic , characterized by a resurgent global authoritarianism , the backsliding of democracies and global assaults on media freedom , where journalists are increasingly under threat and under assault , '' Cotler told the video conference .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has highlighted the work of journalists working under pressure in Hong Kong and Belarus at an international conference on media freedom .
# Journalism # FreedomOfPress `` Although some states already do this to some extent , the system is haphazard and weak , '' said Amal Clooney , an international human @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Cotler and Clooney say the COVID-19 pandemic has emboldened authoritarian governments and created new risks to journalists working internationally .
`` So the report proposes a new charter of rights for detained journalists and a new code of conduct for governments to be overseen by a newly appointed international commissioner who would be tasked with monitoring states compliance , '' said Clooney .
Clooney and Cotler are the leading figures on a panel created last year by the Canadian and British governments to find ways to increase protection to journalists and prevent abuses @ @ @ @ @ @ @ work of their committee `` a great example of the power of working together — as civil society , government , and global organizations — to stand up for the kind of future we all want to build . ''
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 16 , 2020 .

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has highlighted the work of journalists working under pressure in Hong Kong and Belarus at an international conference on media freedom.
Canada has been vocal in condemning the clampdowns on democracy and free expression by the Chinese government in the former British colony of Hong Kong and the fraudulent presidential election in Belarus that has given rise to pro-democracy protests.
"Today, we see citizens calling for change, from Hong Kong to Belarus, only to have the authorities attack the freedom of the press," Trudeau told the conference co-hosted by Canada and Botswana.
Trudeau denounced the imprisonment of Reuters journalists Kyaw Soe Oo and Wa Lone for reporting on military atrocities committed against the Rohingya people in Myanmar, and of Philippine journalist Maria Ressa.
The Reuters journalists have since gained freedom and have been awarded a Pulitzer Prize. In June, Ressa was convicted of "cyber libel" and sentenced to six years behind bars after complaints from her country's strongman president, Rodrigo Duterte, and other officials from his government.


nationalobserver--2020-11-16--Tens of thousands of Trump supporters flood downtown D.C. to show solidarity

Tens of thousands of the 72 million Americans who voted for Donald Trump showed up on his doorstep Saturday , urging on the president in his quixotic bid to subvert the results of last week 's election .
Police cordoned off an enormous swath of downtown Washington , D.C. , from the White House to Capitol Hill , steering an endless caravan of Make America Great Again devotees down Pennsylvania Ave. to their ultimate destination outside the U.S. Supreme Court .
The stream of red , white and blue — dotted throughout with now-familiar Trump 2020 flags , banners and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ large , stone-faced faction of the white supremacist Proud Boys , their black-and-yellow shirts emblazoned with the president 's infamous message from the presidential debate : `` Stand back and stand by . ''
Across the street from the Canadian Embassy , a woman with a megaphone shouted the rallying cry from the pro-Trump online conspiracy-theory group QAnon : `` Where we go one , we go all . ''
Leading up to the weekend , it was unclear whether the event , promoted on social media in recent days under various names @ @ @ @ @ @ @ go ahead at all .
• Young activists win right to sue Ontario ’ s Ford government over climate policy • How one Indigenous farmer in the north is improving food security in his community But hours before the march was scheduled to begin a few blocks from the White House , it was clear from the number of people already filling the streets that turnout would not be a problem .
`` We drove from Florida because we knew everybody was coming , '' said Cheri Lavigne , a real estate entrepreneur @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the car to get to D.C. Trump 's detractors , who are legion in a famously liberal city that voted for Democrat Joe Biden by a margin of more than 90 per cent , also came out in force Saturday to rain abuse down on the MAGA crowd .
Bring it on , some of them seemed to say .
Throughout the morning , a steady parade of Trump supporters making their way to the main event ran the gauntlet through Black Lives Matter Plaza — hallowed ground for social justice activists that @ @ @ @ @ @ @ against violent police treatment of Black people .
Thousand of Americans who voted for Donald Trump marched in Washington in a massive show of support .
# USelection .
# MarchForTrump # MAGA # DonaldTrump They brazenly strolled past a line of counter-protesters who were busy urging the president to pack up and leave , inviting fierce exchanges of angry words and extended middle fingers .
One solitary protester , her face mask emblazoned with Joe Biden 's campaign logo , taunted the mostly maskless Trump crowd with a steady barrage of profanities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ close , she cowered mockingly : `` I do n't want to catch COVID . ''
On several occasions , the tensions boiled over .
Police detained a man in a Black Lives Matter T-shirt after a profanity-laced altercation with a Trump supporter who accused him of grabbing her hair as she passed .
And outside the Supreme Court , Trump loyalists got into a shoving match with a lone antagonist , chanting `` USA , USA '' to drown out his protestations .
The clashes drew more intense as night fell and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
At least 10 people were arrested .
Americans continue to support Trump , Lavigne said , because they see him as an ally in defending their closely guarded freedoms — freedoms they believe are under assault in a year defined by the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` There 's always going to be things that need to be corrected and worked on , but to take all of our freedom away — none of us are willing to stand for that , '' she said .
`` This '' — she waved at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ how strongly we all feel .
We love our country , our president , our flag and what it stands for . ''
Trump himself put in an appearance earlier in the day , directing the presidential motorcade through the downtown core past throngs of supporters before heading to Virginia for another day of golf .
`` Hundreds of thousands of people showing their support in D.C. , '' he tweeted upon his return .
Police did not provide an estimate of the size of the crowd .
`` They will not stand @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Even though senior government officials and electoral watchdogs have declared the Nov. 3 presidential election to be free of fraud — `` the most secure in American history , '' according to the Department of Homeland Security — Trump has steadfastly refused to concede defeat to Biden .
The issues that Trump 's campaign and its allies have pointed to are typical in every election : problems with signatures , secrecy envelopes and postal marks on mail-in ballots , as well as the potential for a small number of ballots miscast or @ @ @ @ @ @ @ wide margins in key battleground states , none of those issues would have any impact on the outcome of the election .
Trump ’ s campaign has also filed legal challenges complaining that their poll watchers were unable to scrutinize the voting process .
Many of those challenges have been tossed out by judges , some within hours of their filing .
Some of those dismissals came on Friday in the swing states of Arizona , Michigan and Pennsylvania .
This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 14 , 2020 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Press

Tens of thousands of the 72 million Americans who voted for Donald Trump showed up on his doorstep Saturday, urging on the president in his quixotic bid to subvert the results of last week's election. Police cordoned off an enormous swath of downtown Washington, D.C., from the White House to Capitol Hill, steering an endless caravan of Make America Great Again devotees down Pennsylvania Ave. to their ultimate destination outside the U.S. Supreme Court. The stream of red, white and blue — dotted throughout with now-familiar Trump 2020 flags, banners and the Stars and Stripes — included a large, stone-faced faction of the white supremacist Proud Boys, their black-and-yellow shirts emblazoned with the president's infamous message from the presidential debate: "Stand back and stand by." Across the street from the Canadian Embassy, a woman with a megaphone shouted the rallying cry from the pro-Trump online conspiracy-theory group QAnon: "Where we go one, we go all." Leading up to the weekend, it was unclear whether the event, promoted on social media in recent days under various names, would attract many participants or even go ahead at all.
But hours before the march was scheduled to begin a few blocks from the White House, it was clear from the number of people already filling the streets that turnout would not be a problem. "We drove from Florida because we knew everybody was coming," said Cheri Lavigne, a real estate entrepreneur from Jacksonville who spent 13 hours in the car to get to D.C. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions "It was worth it."
Trump's detractors, who are legion in a famously liberal city that voted for Democrat Joe Biden by a margin of more than 90 per cent, also came out in force Saturday to rain abuse down on the MAGA crowd. Thousand of Americans who voted for Donald Trump marched in Washington in a massive show of support. #USelection. #MarchForTrump #MAGA #DonaldTrump Bring it on, some of them seemed to say. Throughout the morning, a steady parade of Trump supporters making their way to the main event ran the gauntlet through Black Lives Matter Plaza — hallowed ground for social justice activists that played host to months of angry protests against violent police treatment of Black people. They brazenly strolled past a line of counter-protesters who were busy urging the president to pack up and leave, inviting fierce exchanges of angry words and extended middle fingers. One solitary protester, her face mask emblazoned with Joe Biden's campaign logo, taunted the mostly maskless Trump crowd with a steady barrage of profanities and insults. Whenever one came too close, she cowered mockingly: "I don't want to catch COVID."
On several occasions, the tensions boiled over. Police detained a man in a Black Lives Matter T-shirt after a profanity-laced altercation with a Trump supporter who accused him of grabbing her hair as she passed. And outside the Supreme Court, Trump loyalists got into a shoving match with a lone antagonist, chanting "USA, USA" to drown out his protestations. The clashes drew more intense as night fell and police used bicycles to separate the factions. At least 10 people were arrested. Americans continue to support Trump, Lavigne said, because they see him as an ally in defending their closely guarded freedoms — freedoms they believe are under assault in a year defined by the COVID-19 pandemic.


nationalobserver--2020-11-16--COVID-19 counts keep rising as Canada approaches 300,000 cases

Canada 's COVID-19 hot spots reported minor declines in daily infections on Sunday , but health officials urged people to remain cautious as the country rapidly approaches the 300,000-case mark and overall trends remain worrisome .
The national case count stood just shy of 296,000 after daily tallies in Alberta , Ontario and Quebec declined from Saturday 's record-setting levels .
Alberta reported 991 new cases of COVID-19 and six deaths , while Ontario reported 1,248 new cases and 29 deaths .
Health authorities in Quebec , meanwhile , logged 1,211 new cases and 15 additional deaths .
Those figures @ @ @ @ @ @ @ cases , respectively , a day earlier .
Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube said the slight decline was `` encouraging , '' but said ongoing vigilance around public health protocols will be critical if residents want to contain the spread of the virus .
• Young activists win right to sue Ontario ’ s Ford government over climate policy • How one Indigenous farmer in the north is improving food security in his community `` I think it 's encouraging to see that we can have a good day , but it 's @ @ @ @ @ @ @ '' Dube told reporters during a Sunday morning news conference in Montreal .
`` I 'm going to let the next days bring us more good news , but in the meantime , we need to continue to follow safety measures , '' he said .
The virulence of the novel coronavirus was dramatically demonstrated in Nunavut over the weekend , where territory-wide case counts more than doubled over the past 48 hours .
The 10 new cases reported on Sunday , all linked to an outbreak in the community of Arviat , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Arviat 's first positive diagnosis was only confirmed on Friday .
`` Due to the number of cases of COVID-19 in Arviat , anyone ... who left the community on or after Nov. 2 is being asked to immediately isolate for 14 days wherever they are , '' territorial Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Michael Patterson said in a statement .
Canada 's top doctor also urged residents not to let their guard down in indoor settings as winter approaches .
COVID-19 case count nears 300,000 after daily tallies in # Alberta , @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Saturday 's record-setting levels .
# COVID19 Dr. Theresa Tam has exhorted Canadians to be more proactive in their efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19 to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed in the weeks ahead .
Despite the modest decline in several infection hot spots , numbers continued to soar in much of the country .
In Manitoba , new COVID-19 cases surged to 494 on Sunday compared to 237 the day before .
The province reported 10 new deaths , seven of which were linked to an outbreak at a Winnipeg @ @ @ @ @ @ @ died .
Shortly after the province reported the spike in infections , Justice Minister Cliff Cullen criticized Manitobans who attended a rally on Saturday to protest against mandatory masks and other lockdown measures .
The event in Steinbach , Man.
, about 60 kilometres south of Winnipeg , was `` incredibly unfortunate , dangerous and wrong , '' Cullen said in a statement .
He urged residents to follow public health guidelines and warned that law enforcement officers would ticket anyone found breaking the rules .
Meanwhile , Saskatchewan reported 181 new COVID-19 @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
The numbers bring the provincial total to 31 deaths since the pandemic began .
Premier Scott Moe said Sunday that more measures could be coming to fight COVID-19 in the province in addition to those already slated to take effect this week .
Effective Monday and for the next 28 days , masks will be mandatory in indoor public spaces in any community with more than 5,000 residents .
Restaurants and bars must also stop selling alcohol by 10 p.m. and make sure everyone has finished their drinks by 11 .

Canada's COVID-19 hot spots reported minor declines in daily infections on Sunday, but health officials urged people to remain cautious as the country rapidly approaches the 300,000-case mark and overall trends remain worrisome. The national case count stood just shy of 296,000 after daily tallies in Alberta, Ontario and Quebec declined from Saturday's record-setting levels. Alberta reported 991 new cases of COVID-19 and six deaths, while Ontario reported 1,248 new cases and 29 deaths. Health authorities in Quebec, meanwhile, logged 1,211 new cases and 15 additional deaths. Those figures declined from 1,026, 1,585 and 1,448 cases, respectively, a day earlier. Quebec Health Minister Christian Dube said the slight decline was "encouraging," but said ongoing vigilance around public health protocols will be critical if residents want to contain the spread of the virus.
"I think it's encouraging to see that we can have a good day, but it's going to take several good days," Dube told reporters during a Sunday morning news conference in Montreal. "I'm going to let the next days bring us more good news, but in the meantime, we need to continue to follow safety measures," he said. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The virulence of the novel coronavirus was dramatically demonstrated in Nunavut over the weekend, where territory-wide case counts more than doubled over the past 48 hours.
The 10 new cases reported on Sunday, all linked to an outbreak in the community of Arviat, took the overall total to 18. Arviat's first positive diagnosis was only confirmed on Friday. COVID-19 case count nears 300,000 after daily tallies in #Alberta, #Ontario and #Quebec declined from Saturday's record-setting levels. #COVID19 "Due to the number of cases of COVID-19 in Arviat, anyone ... who left the community on or after Nov. 2 is being asked to immediately isolate for 14 days wherever they are," territorial Chief Public Health Officer Dr. Michael Patterson said in a statement. Canada's top doctor also urged residents not to let their guard down in indoor settings as winter approaches. Dr. Theresa Tam has exhorted Canadians to be more proactive in their efforts to stem the spread of COVID-19 to prevent hospitals from being overwhelmed in the weeks ahead. Despite the modest decline in several infection hot spots, numbers continued to soar in much of the country.
In Manitoba, new COVID-19 cases surged to 494 on Sunday compared to 237 the day before. The province reported 10 new deaths, seven of which were linked to an outbreak at a Winnipeg care home where dozens of residents have died. Shortly after the province reported the spike in infections, Justice Minister Cliff Cullen criticized Manitobans who attended a rally on Saturday to protest against mandatory masks and other lockdown measures. The event in Steinbach, Man., about 60 kilometres south of Winnipeg, was "incredibly unfortunate, dangerous and wrong," Cullen said in a statement.


nationalobserver--2020-11-16--Sustainable development researcher offers advice to young people fighting for the climate

As part of a series highlighting the work of young people in addressing the climate crisis , writer Patricia Lane interviews sustainable development researcher Vanessa Corkal .
The 1990s were personally tough for me .
I spent the decade immersed in action based on climate catastrophe science , trying , and by all accounts failing , to stem the tide .
Hardest of all , death and dementia came to my family .
As my awareness deepened about the growing divide between young and old and rich and poor , grief had become a pretty constant companion .
I could @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of fear and loss or choose the only thing stronger : love .
To choose love is to hope .
But I had forgotten how .
So I made a resolution — one that could last a year or even a decade if need be .
I chose to study hope .
Part of my journey is to seek out promising young people who are contending in evidence-based and impactful ways with the climate crisis and engage them in conversations about hope .
I am grateful for Canada ’ s National Observer ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ provides these determined , joyful and , yes , hopeful young people a voice .
Sustainable development researcher Vanessa Corkal is not afraid to ask the big questions .
Could the $ 830 million a year B.C .
subsidizes fossil fuel companies with be better spent ?
Is Alberta ’ s decision to double down on its oil investments wise ?
Can we tie recovery stimulus spending to a more equal and healthier recovery ?
• Young activists win right to sue Ontario ’ s Ford government over climate policy • How one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food security in his community The answers to these questions are important , and Corkal 's research at the International Institute for Sustainable Development equips Canadians to discern whether governments are spending our money wisely .
The 32-year-old 's Green Strings report contributed to the research base for a Just and Green Recovery movement .
Her Locked In and Losing Out report is part of the evidence base for a campaign to pressure B.C.
’ s government to stop subsidizing fossil fuels .
Vanessa Corkal , a sustainability researcher with the International Institute @ @ @ @ @ @ @ speaking in New York .
Photo submitted by International Institute for Sustainable Development Can you tell us your goals ?
The fossil fuel industry has created jobs and infrastructure in communities but is not poised to keep doing so .
In Green Strings , I lay out a pathway to a future that includes bold climate action without leaving workers or communities behind .
In Locked In and Losing Out , I point out that B.C .
's potential growth as a clean economy and jobs powerhouse is being stunted as a result @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 's important to show the complexity of these issues while at the same time presenting solutions that answer people ’ s concerns .
Why is providing information like this so important to you ?
My mother is a first-generation Chilean immigrant who knew what it was to live under Pinochet .
The regime cast a huge and lasting shadow .
My elders talk about living with the fear of being disappeared or killed if you spoke out .
Even now , 40 years later , some people are afraid to participate in protests @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to speak up against the status quo and express opinions about climate justice is precious to me .
Climate change solutions must put people first , says researcher @ vcorkal with the International Institute for Sustainable Development .
# climatechange # climatecrisis What got you started on your current path ?
A Grade 11 outdoor experiential program in my hometown of Saskatoon allowed me to approach problems with others from diverse backgrounds using an integrated curriculum with literature and social sciences combined with ecology and natural sciences .
We read ecological literature and @ @ @ @ @ @ @ live in nature .
This contributed a lot to my instinct to look for integrated solutions .
Vanessa Corkal , a sustainability researcher with the International Institute for Sustainable Development ( Canada ) in Alaska .
Photo submitted by Vanessa Corkal It seems an integrated and holistic approach is a focus for you .
How does this affect your work now ?
At the International Institute for Sustainable Development , I am trying to make fossil fuel subsidies transparent to better inform government decisions .
I am learning that while policy-makers appreciate accurate @ @ @ @ @ @ @ about what citizens care about and how to frame our research and our messages to answer their concerns .
For example , people care about their own health and the health of others , made even clearer by COVID-19 .
Organizations like the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment are showing we can integrate what we learn about climate change with the concerns people have about caring for health and human life .
What keeps you awake at night ?
Not everyone understands how dire the climate situation is and how rapidly @ @ @ @ @ @ @ gaps in social and economic equity differently and the stakes of failing on climate are not always apparent .
I hope to provide stepping stones to help people connect the dots .
We do have the power to effect real change .
Earlier in my career , I watched the start of a small , garden project at an elementary school .
It grew into a significant community-networking and problem-solving hub and an important food and skill exchange .
It started pretty small but now , eight years later , it ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ and gathering .
That all started from one person taking a small amount of initiative .
I am also hopeful because there are many good people in government who want to do the right thing and it is impossible to be completely pessimistic once you have any appreciation for the magnitude — the breadth and depth — of the efforts in civil society .
How can older people support you and others like you ?
Yield space and listen .
Youth and BIPOC people need to be part of the decision-making .
Spend @ @ @ @ @ @ @ for a habitable and equitable planet .
What advice do you have for young people ?
Just put one foot in front of the other .
Don ’ t worry about figuring it all out right this moment .
See life as a journey to find out what you care about .
Once you know what that is , try to work in that area or at least be in that space in some way outside of work .
You can always switch things around .
Just start .

As part of a series highlighting the work of young people in addressing the climate crisis, writer Patricia Lane interviews sustainable development researcher Vanessa Corkal. The 1990s were personally tough for me. I spent the decade immersed in action based on climate catastrophe science, trying, and by all accounts failing, to stem the tide. Hardest of all, death and dementia came to my family. As my awareness deepened about the growing divide between young and old and rich and poor, grief had become a pretty constant companion. I could choose to go further into the abyss of fear and loss or choose the only thing stronger: love. To choose love is to hope. But I had forgotten how. So I made a resolution — one that could last a year or even a decade if need be. I chose to study hope. Part of my journey is to seek out promising young people who are contending in evidence-based and impactful ways with the climate crisis and engage them in conversations about hope. I am grateful for Canada’s National Observer’s commitment to solutions journalism, which provides these determined, joyful and, yes, hopeful young people a voice. Sustainable development researcher Vanessa Corkal is not afraid to ask the big questions. Could the $830 million a year B.C. subsidizes fossil fuel companies with be better spent? Is Alberta’s decision to double down on its oil investments wise? Can we tie recovery stimulus spending to a more equal and healthier recovery?
The answers to these questions are important, and Corkal's research at the International Institute for Sustainable Development equips Canadians to discern whether governments are spending our money wisely. The 32-year-old's Green Strings report contributed to the research base for a Just and Green Recovery movement. Her Locked In and Losing Out report is part of the evidence base for a campaign to pressure B.C.’s government to stop subsidizing fossil fuels. Vanessa Corkal, a sustainability researcher with the International Institute for Sustainable Development (Canada), speaking in New York. Photo submitted by International Institute for Sustainable Development Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Can you tell us your goals?
The fossil fuel industry has created jobs and infrastructure in communities but is not poised to keep doing so. In Green Strings, I lay out a pathway to a future that includes bold climate action without leaving workers or communities behind. In Locked In and Losing Out, I point out that B.C.'s potential growth as a clean economy and jobs powerhouse is being stunted as a result of its fossil fuel subsidies. It's important to show the complexity of these issues while at the same time presenting solutions that answer people’s concerns. Climate change solutions must put people first, says researcher @vcorkal with the International Institute for Sustainable Development. #climatechange #climatecrisis Why is providing information like this so important to you? My mother is a first-generation Chilean immigrant who knew what it was to live under Pinochet. The regime cast a huge and lasting shadow. My elders talk about living with the fear of being disappeared or killed if you spoke out. Even now, 40 years later, some people are afraid to participate in protests over inequality. The right and opportunity to speak up against the status quo and express opinions about climate justice is precious to me. What got you started on your current path?
A Grade 11 outdoor experiential program in my hometown of Saskatoon allowed me to approach problems with others from diverse backgrounds using an integrated curriculum with literature and social sciences combined with ecology and natural sciences. We read ecological literature and met community members while learning how to live in nature. This contributed a lot to my instinct to look for integrated solutions. Vanessa Corkal, a sustainability researcher with the International Institute for Sustainable Development (Canada) in Alaska. Photo submitted by Vanessa Corkal It seems an integrated and holistic approach is a focus for you. How does this affect your work now?


nationalobserver--2020-11-16--Women lead the climate movement. Don’t leave them out of the green recovery

For example , since the pandemic struck , the federal government has made several green funding announcements but has also subsidized the fossil fuel sector , including with self-described “ clean technology investments.
” Will women benefit from these considering that they make up only about a quarter of the energy ( including clean energy ) workforce ?
A green transition has to include , support and listen to women — from a national child-care program that allows women to fully participate in building a green and just economy to jobs that address the she-cession .
We absolutely need to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ forms of energy .
We need to build affordable green housing and retrofit buildings to be more energy efficient .
We need to electrify public transit .
But these kinds of “ shovel-ready ” decarbonization projects heavy on construction also tend to be male-dominated .
Women should be intentionally included in green job creation and retraining programs , as well as be supported to join and remain in STEM fields ( science , technology , engineering and mathematics ) .
These are critical disciplines essential to clean energy innovation but where women ( @ @ @ @ @ @ @ remain underrepresented .
By consciously making space for women in the green recovery from COVID-19 , we ’ ll find new pathways for fixing the economic and ecological imbalances with which our society is reckoning , write @ jessatGP and Lydie Padilla .
At the same time , a green “ recov-her-y ” challenges us to think less narrowly about what defines a “ green job.
” If we really want to heal what ’ s ailing us , we need to imagine beyond bricks , mortar and labs .
As we ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , elder care , social work and education are “ the glue that builds humane , resilient communities , ” as the 2015 Leap Manifesto put it .
They ’ re low-carbon sectors in which women are already leading , but remain underpaid and undervalued .
Women ’ s contributions to the economy are too often left untallied — scrawled in the margins , bracketed , footnoted , appended — left to us readers to add up .
That , of course , goes double for Indigenous and racialized women .
By consciously @ @ @ @ @ @ @ recovery from COVID-19 , we ’ ll find new pathways for fixing the economic and ecological imbalances with which our society is reckoning .
After all , women are already showing our leaders the way forward .
Lydie Padilla leads Greenpeace Canada ’ s green and just recovery campaign and is a full-time mom .
Jesse Firempong is a climate justice communicator on the campaign with a background in gender justice .

For example, since the pandemic struck, the federal government has made several green funding announcements but has also subsidized the fossil fuel sector, including with self-described “clean technology investments.” Will women benefit from these considering that they make up only about a quarter of the energy (including clean energy) workforce? By consciously making space for women in the green recovery from COVID-19, we’ll find new pathways for fixing the economic and ecological imbalances with which our society is reckoning, write @jessatGP and Lydie Padilla. A green transition has to include, support and listen to women — from a national child-care program that allows women to fully participate in building a green and just economy to jobs that address the she-cession. We absolutely need to replace oil and gas with more sustainable forms of energy. We need to build affordable green housing and retrofit buildings to be more energy efficient. We need to electrify public transit. But these kinds of “shovel-ready” decarbonization projects heavy on construction also tend to be male-dominated. Women should be intentionally included in green job creation and retraining programs, as well as be supported to join and remain in STEM fields (science, technology, engineering and mathematics). These are critical disciplines essential to clean energy innovation but where women (especially racialized women) face difficulties and remain underrepresented. At the same time, a green “recov-her-y” challenges us to think less narrowly about what defines a “green job.” If we really want to heal what’s ailing us, we need to imagine beyond bricks, mortar and labs. As we’ve come to realize, child care, elder care, social work and education are “the glue that builds humane, resilient communities,” as the 2015 Leap Manifesto put it. They’re low-carbon sectors in which women are already leading, but remain underpaid and undervalued. Women’s contributions to the economy are too often left untallied — scrawled in the margins, bracketed, footnoted, appended — left to us readers to add up. That, of course, goes double for Indigenous and racialized women. By consciously making space for women in the green recovery from COVID-19, we’ll find new pathways for fixing the economic and ecological imbalances with which our society is reckoning. After all, women are already showing our leaders the way forward.
Lydie Padilla leads Greenpeace Canada’s green and just recovery campaign and is a full-time mom. Jesse Firempong is a climate justice communicator on the campaign with a background in gender justice.


nationalobserver--2020-11-16--Canada public pension managers questioned on U.S. fossil fuel investments

Public-sector pension plan managers in Canada are being asked to explain their investments in an energy company building a new fossil fuel facility on the West Coast .
The US $ 310-million liquefied natural gas facility , called Tacoma LNG , is being built at the Port of Tacoma by Puget Sound Energy ( PSE ) , a utility in the state of Washington , and is expected to be completed next year .
Proponents of the facility , like the utility , the port and a union working on the project , hope that it will spell the end @ @ @ @ @ @ @ that ships usually use .
These fuels emit harmful air pollutants like sulphur dioxide , nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter , as well as pollute port waters .
The four also all make mention of climate change in their investment approaches .
CPPIB has said it requires “ bottom-up analyses of climate change risks and opportunities.
” BCI promotes integrating “ climate considerations into every investment decision.
” OMERS considers it a “ fiduciary duty to address climate-related financial risk.
” AIMCo says it hopes to “ drive more effective climate-related engagement between @ @ @ @ @ @ @ argued that LNG , while an “ imperfect solution ” to the challenge of climate change , still “ represents a significant improvement ” over bunker fuel .
“ We appreciate the desire to move our economy beyond fossil fuels , but at this moment in history , there exists no real-world alternative to fossil fuels for powering these vessels , ” the port wrote in response to Inslee ’ s opposition .
But DeRochie said this argument represents a discredited position that using natural gas can be a bridge to a low-carbon @ @ @ @ @ @ @ contributes significantly to emissions of methane , the primary component of natural gas .
Methane concentrations in the atmosphere are making climate change harder to fight .
Reports show methane emissions are much higher than previously thought .

Public-sector pension plan managers in Canada are being asked to explain their investments in an energy company building a new fossil fuel facility on the West Coast. The US$310-million liquefied natural gas facility, called Tacoma LNG, is being built at the Port of Tacoma by Puget Sound Energy (PSE), a utility in the state of Washington, and is expected to be completed next year. Proponents of the facility, like the utility, the port and a union working on the project, hope that it will spell the end of the dirty diesel or bunker fuel that ships usually use. These fuels emit harmful air pollutants like sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and particulate matter, as well as pollute port waters. But the project has attracted considerable controversy. Washington Gov. Jay Inslee has come out against it, saying he “cannot in good conscience” support its construction given the scientific consensus around the impacts of natural gas production and distribution. As well, the Affiliated Tribes of Northwest Indians has passed a resolution against the project. The Puyallup Tribe sees it as a threat to its lands and waters and has led protests against the project, saying it wasn’t meaningfully consulted.
Advocacy group Shift: Action for Pension Wealth and Planet Health says it’s time that Canada’s biggest public pension fund and three other large public pensions in Canada explain why they are continuing to hold interests in the utility behind the LNG project. “Canadian pension funds can’t credibly claim to understand the financial risks of the climate crisis at the same time that they're investing in the expansion of fossil fuel infrastructure,” said Patrick DeRochie, pension engagement manager at Shift. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “Financing the expansion of any fossil fuel infrastructure is incompatible with a safe climate future and a healthy retirement for anyone.”
In addition to natural gas, Puget Sound Energy says it is the largest utility producer of renewable energy in the Pacific Northwest, and supports both wind and solar infrastructure. Andrew Padula, media engagement program manager at the utility, said Tacoma LNG “will benefit Puget Sound Energy customers and the communities we serve.” “It’s critical to ensuring we can serve our customers at times of peak usage — on the coldest days of the year — and will also play a key role in creating the greenest shipping fleet on the West Coast,” said Padula.


nationalobserver--2020-11-16--Campus Corps enlists university students in divestment, renewables push

Post-secondary students at a trio of university campuses in Canada will soon get the chance to shake things up with climate change training from Al Gore and others to help them convince their institutions to divest from fossil fuels and embrace renewable energy .
The Climate Reality Project is adding to its efforts to get Canadian municipalities to turn green by linking up with already robust student movements leading the charge on climate action on some campuses and , prior to COVID-19 , on the streets .
“ What we are trying to make sure is that those voices have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the concerns of students are being taken into account by those institutions , ” said André-Yanne Parent , the executive director of the project ’ s Canadian operations .
The initiative joins a growing movement of post-secondary students and faculty in Canada calling on institutions of higher learning to divert from fossil fuels and take other climate-friendly actions .
In September , a coalition including the University of Toronto ’ s School of the Environment and its chapter of The Leap , a movement co-founded by author and activist Naomi Klein to push @ @ @ @ @ @ @ an open letter calling for school endowments to completely eliminate fossil fuel companies from their portfolios by 2025 .
• Young activists win right to sue Ontario ’ s Ford government over climate policy • How one Indigenous farmer in the north is improving food security in his community Such investments are increasingly seen as risky , with the U.S. Federal Reserve this month warning for the first time that the effects of climate change risk the stability of the financial system .
Parent said the project is working closely with Quebec ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , CEVES , as well as Fridays for Future Toronto , both of which play major roles in the massive climate marches pressuring politicians and policy-makers before COVID-19 hit .
Daphné Mongeau , the project ’ s co-ordinator and a master ’ s student of sustainability at Quebec ’ s University of Sherbrooke , says its three main goals are to get universities to shift their own energy consumption to completely renewable sources , divest from fossil fuels and integrate climate change in their curriculum .
The group ’ s aim is to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ different provinces by the end of the three-year pilot and have each chapter run at least five different campaigns each year .
“ If there is a change in policy within a university after three years thanks to a Campus Corps chapter , that would be a great success , ” she said .
Project co-ordinator Daphné Mongeau says the goal is to get universities to shift investment away from polluting companies , use only renewable energy themselves and incorporate climate change into their curriculum .
Photo supplied by Daphné Mongeau The front-runners @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the program so far are the University of British Columbia ’ s Okanagan campus and Ontario ’ s University of Waterloo and University of Windsor , the organizers said , but applications remain open , and they are eager to hear from any students who identify a need for change on their campus .
The Climate Reality Project joins a growing movement of post-secondary students and faculty in Canada calling on institutions of higher learning to divert from fossil fuels and take other climate-friendly actions .
The Climate Reality Project ’ s main @ @ @ @ @ @ @ year — shifting from three days of intensive training to two hours a day spread over a week — but still managed to train more than 5,000 people from around the world over the summer , including almost 400 in Canada .
The project has so far trained some 1,400 Climate Reality Leaders across Canada and established 23 community climate hubs since 2017 ( 10 more are on the way ) to push municipal governments to be more green .

Post-secondary students at a trio of university campuses in Canada will soon get the chance to shake things up with climate change training from Al Gore and others to help them convince their institutions to divest from fossil fuels and embrace renewable energy.
The Climate Reality Project is adding to its efforts to get Canadian municipalities to turn green by linking up with already robust student movements leading the charge on climate action on some campuses and, prior to COVID-19, on the streets.
“What we are trying to make sure is that those voices have impact with the decision-making process, that the concerns of students are being taken into account by those institutions,” said André-Yanne Parent, the executive director of the project’s Canadian operations.
The initiative joins a growing movement of post-secondary students and faculty in Canada calling on institutions of higher learning to divert from fossil fuels and take other climate-friendly actions.
In September, a coalition including the University of Toronto’s School of the Environment and its chapter of The Leap, a movement co-founded by author and activist Naomi Klein to push for a Green New Deal, released an open letter calling for school endowments to completely eliminate fossil fuel companies from their portfolios by 2025.


nationalobserver--2020-11-16--How one Indigenous farmer in the north is improving food security in his community

Jacob Beaton wouldn ’ t be a farmer without lettuce .
Lots of lettuce .
It was among the first vegetables he grew using agro-ecological techniques on the small farm near Kitwanga , B.C.
, that he co-owns with his partner , Tea Creek Farm .
These techniques , which maximize the productivity of small plots of land by organic weed reduction , soil fertilization and irrigation systems , are well-known by organic growers worldwide .
For Beaton , who is Tsimshian , they were also a possible solution to rampant food insecurity in the First Nations surrounding his farm @ @ @ @ @ @ @ communities built on abundant , local agriculture , ” said Beaton .
“ ( We teach ) a set of proven ideas that can lead to abundance , local food production in the future , and start to address food insecurity we have here.
” Northern B.C .
is the most food-insecure part of the province , with about 17 per cent of households going hungry before the pandemic , according to B.C.
’ s Public Health Services Authority .
The region surrounding Kitwanga is particularly hard hit .
About 27 per cent @ @ @ @ @ @ @ census region is classified as low-income , according to Statistics Canada , and poverty is a key driver of food insecurity .
Food , particularly produce , is also more expensive in the area due to steep transportation costs — if it can get to grocery store shelves at all .
• Young activists win right to sue Ontario ’ s Ford government over climate policy “ The ( B.C . )
food distribution network , it all goes through the city and that functionally means that Vancouver , in B.C.
, gets @ @ @ @ @ @ @ s where the warehousing is , ” said Beaton .
COVID-19 made that vulnerability crystal clear , with delivery trucks from southern B.C .
repeatedly arriving at local supermarkets with less food than the stores had ordered .
For Beaton , it was an affirmation that increasing local agricultural production is essential to the region ’ s food security .
Especially when , short on supplies , the stores turned to Beaton and his lettuce ( and other produce ) for their supply .
“ To actually improve food security , you have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ critically important , ” he said .
“ You have to produce food , ” lots of food , he explained .
For instance , he aims to produce hundreds or thousands of heads of lettuce and other greens — which provide much-needed fresh food — not “ a couple dozen , ” as many gardeners do .
“ Then there are issues of accessibility and affordability , ” he said , both issues where getting local food into grocery stores — as opposed to selling at farmers markets — is key .
@ @ @ @ @ @ @ his produce at an equivalent cost to imported goods because of his reduced transportation costs .
That ’ s a major advantage over small farmers in more accessible parts of the province who often have to compete against dirt-cheap prices .
“ ( Farming ) is exhausting , but we get up in the morning and there ’ s a big part of us that wants to do it , ” said @ jacobbeaton from Tea Creek Farm .
“ It feels good to grow food and to provide food to the community @ @ @ @ @ @ @ third part of Beaton ’ s vision to increase local food security centres on increasing how many people grow food .
Farming is a skill few in the area have , in part because of colonial policies that forced Indigenous people onto tiny reserves and children into residential schools .
Jacob Beaton 's children also help out on the farm .
His son is particularly enthusiastic , starting his own garden several years ago , at age 10 , to grow vegetables he could sell at the local farmers market .
Photo provided @ @ @ @ @ @ @ needed for food self-sufficiency is a key part of the farm ’ s purpose , Beaton explained .
He also hopes to teach agro-ecological techniques he has borrowed from other parts of the world that can increase food production with relatively little labour .
It ’ s a need the pandemic-emptied grocery shelves — and the spike of interest in Beaton ’ s farm by his neighbours — made more acute .
“ In April , I had this kind of ‘ aha ’ moment , ” said Beaton .
“ We need @ @ @ @ @ @ @ re the only ones in our valley that are able to do this .
We were the only ones that had the ability to potentially go out and help get a garden established , or ( help others ) farm.
” In addition to offering support to those who reach out , Beaton is collaborating with four local First Nations to offer agricultural training programs in the near future .
Funding-dependent , these would be available to community members free of charge and teach agro-ecological farming techniques and tractor maintenance .
He ’ @ @ @ @ @ @ @ develop long-term food security plans , drawing on skills built during an earlier career as a business consultant for First Nations across Canada .
Still , despite the busy schedule , Beaton makes sure to carve out time with his hands in the dirt and the community it is helping to feed .
“ ( Farming ) is exhausting , but we get up in the morning and there ’ s a big part of us that wants to do it , ” he said .

Jacob Beaton wouldn’t be a farmer without lettuce. Lots of lettuce. It was among the first vegetables he grew using agro-ecological techniques on the small farm near Kitwanga, B.C., that he co-owns with his partner, Tea Creek Farm. These techniques, which maximize the productivity of small plots of land by organic weed reduction, soil fertilization and irrigation systems, are well-known by organic growers worldwide. For Beaton, who is Tsimshian, they were also a possible solution to rampant food insecurity in the First Nations surrounding his farm. “We want to see resilient communities built on abundant, local agriculture,” said Beaton. “(We teach) a set of proven ideas that can lead to abundance, local food production in the future, and start to address food insecurity we have here.” Northern B.C. is the most food-insecure part of the province, with about 17 per cent of households going hungry before the pandemic, according to B.C.’s Public Health Services Authority. The region surrounding Kitwanga is particularly hard hit. About 27 per cent of the population in Beaton’s census region is classified as low-income, according to Statistics Canada, and poverty is a key driver of food insecurity. Food, particularly produce, is also more expensive in the area due to steep transportation costs — if it can get to grocery store shelves at all.
“The (B.C.) food distribution network, it all goes through the city and that functionally means that Vancouver, in B.C., gets first dibs on food because that’s where the warehousing is,” said Beaton. COVID-19 made that vulnerability crystal clear, with delivery trucks from southern B.C. repeatedly arriving at local supermarkets with less food than the stores had ordered. For Beaton, it was an affirmation that increasing local agricultural production is essential to the region’s food security. Especially when, short on supplies, the stores turned to Beaton and his lettuce (and other produce) for their supply. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions “To actually improve food security, you have to do a couple things that are critically important,” he said.
“You have to produce food,” lots of food, he explained. For instance, he aims to produce hundreds or thousands of heads of lettuce and other greens — which provide much-needed fresh food — not “a couple dozen,” as many gardeners do. “(Farming) is exhausting, but we get up in the morning and there’s a big part of us that wants to do it,” said @jacobbeaton from Tea Creek Farm. “It feels good to grow food and to provide food to the community." #foodsecurity #sustainableag “Then there are issues of accessibility and affordability,” he said, both issues where getting local food into grocery stores — as opposed to selling at farmers markets — is key. According to Beaton, he can offer his produce at an equivalent cost to imported goods because of his reduced transportation costs. That’s a major advantage over small farmers in more accessible parts of the province who often have to compete against dirt-cheap prices. The third part of Beaton’s vision to increase local food security centres on increasing how many people grow food. Farming is a skill few in the area have, in part because of colonial policies that forced Indigenous people onto tiny reserves and children into residential schools. Jacob Beaton's children also help out on the farm. His son is particularly enthusiastic, starting his own garden several years ago, at age 10, to grow vegetables he could sell at the local farmers market. Photo provided by Jacob Beaton
Helping rebuild the skills needed for food self-sufficiency is a key part of the farm’s purpose, Beaton explained. He also hopes to teach agro-ecological techniques he has borrowed from other parts of the world that can increase food production with relatively little labour. It’s a need the pandemic-emptied grocery shelves — and the spike of interest in Beaton’s farm by his neighbours — made more acute. “In April, I had this kind of ‘aha’ moment,” said Beaton. “We need to be training people because we’re the only ones in our valley that are able to do this. We were the only ones that had the ability to potentially go out and help get a garden established, or (help others) farm.”


nationalobserver--2020-11-15--Westcoast Energy fined $40,000 for pipeline blast near Prince George, B.C.

In its final report released in March , the Transportation Safety Board said the 90-centimetre pipeline that supplies much of southern B.C .
ruptured due to stress corrosion cracks on the outside surface of the pipe .
The Enbridge subsidiary was issued the $ 40,000 fine after the Canada Energy Regulator determined Westcoast did not adequately implement a stress corrosion monitoring program that would have identified the problem section of the pipe .
Westcoast Energy has been fined for failing to prevent a fiery pipeline blast northeast of Prince George , B.C.
, two years ago that led to natural @ @ @ @ @ @ @ winter .
The safety board said the company did n't follow its own procedures in technical assessment and approvals before deciding to defer the inspection that may have identified the cracks .
Since the blast , an Enbridge spokeswoman says the company has paid the fine as well as completed enhanced inspections on its natural gas pipeline system and undertaken an aggressive integrity program to prevent future incidents .
No one was hurt in the Oct. 9 , 2018 , explosion but 125 people within a two-kilometre radius had to be evacuated as @ @ @ @ @ @ @ incident , we ’ ve completed a comprehensive pipeline integrity program on our natural gas pipeline system in B.C .
to prevent similar incidents from occurring and to significantly improve pipeline safety .
This is the most aggressive integrity program ever undertaken by Enbridge on its pipeline system in B.C.
, '' said Tracie Kenyon , Enbridge 's senior corporate communications advisor .
Kenyon said the company understands the concerns and disruptions faced by people living in the area , and has taken steps to ensure the safety of its natural gas system @

Westcoast Energy has been fined for failing to prevent a fiery pipeline blast northeast of Prince George, B.C., two years ago that led to natural gas shortages in the province through the winter.
The Enbridge subsidiary was issued the $40,000 fine after the Canada Energy Regulator determined Westcoast did not adequately implement a stress corrosion monitoring program that would have identified the problem section of the pipe.
In its final report released in March, the Transportation Safety Board said the 90-centimetre pipeline that supplies much of southern B.C. ruptured due to stress corrosion cracks on the outside surface of the pipe.
The safety board said the company didn't follow its own procedures in technical assessment and approvals before deciding to defer the inspection that may have identified the cracks.
Since the blast, an Enbridge spokeswoman says the company has paid the fine as well as completed enhanced inspections on its natural gas pipeline system and undertaken an aggressive integrity program to prevent future incidents.


nationalobserver--2020-11-15--Citizens of city south of Montreal protest plan to cull half the deer

Protesters gathered in a city south of Montreal on Saturday to urge their elected officials to reconsider a plan to cull half the deer in a local park in a bid to control overpopulation .
About 100 people , some wearing deer antler headbands , waved handmade signs as they made their case for officials to spare the beloved animals that are a common sight along the wooded trails of Longueuil 's Michel-Chartrand park .
Many in the crowd urged Longueuil city officials to take up a zoo on its offer to give the animals a new home instead of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ a food bank .
Local resident Koleighna Wilbur said the deer are beloved by those in the area , and seeing them provides a much-needed bright spot during a tough year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic .
`` You walk in the beautiful trails here , they come right up out of the woods , they ’ re not afraid of you , they don ’ t do any harm , and they bring everyone so much happiness , '' she said .
• Young activists win right to sue Ontario ’ s @ @ @ @ @ @ @ one Indigenous farmer in the north is improving food security in his community `` We had nothing to do all summer , this was our saving grace . ''
City officials said there are roughly twice as many deer living in Michel-Chartrand Park as there should be , and the 30 or so animals are threatening the area 's biodiversity and increasing the risk of accidents .
But their plan to capture and euthanize half the herd has been met with opposition , including a petition with more than 32,000 signatures and at @ @ @ @ @ @ @ mayor that is being investigated by police .
That anger has been further galvanized in the last few days after an animal rescue company and a zoo came forward to offer to trap , sedate , and transport the animals to a new home .
The city has warned the stress of moving the animals could kill some of them .
They also warn that moving them could displace the problem elsewhere , or even introduce diseases to a new area .
But many in the crowd believe the risk of moving the @ @ @ @ @ @ @ chance at all .
Protesters gathered in a city south of Montreal on Nov. 14 , 2020 , to urge their elected officials to reconsider a plan to cull half the deer in a local park in a bid to control overpopulation .
# deer # cull # Quebecpoli # Longueuil # MichelChartrandPark Eric Dussault , the head of the animal rescue company that has offered to move the animals , believes it can be done safely .
He said the cases of deer dying from stress involve wild animals moving to an @ @ @ @ @ @ @ said , are already used to humans and will be heavily sedated during transport and taken to a controlled area where they 'll be cared for and kept apart from other animals to be sure no illnesses are passed on .
He believes the city has a responsibility to save the deer , especially since it contributed to the growth of the herd by feeding them in previous winters .
`` To say we 're going to kill deer in the middle of the city who are used to humans , and it @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , I think it ’ s our responsibility somewhere to give them a better life , to take them somewhere they can be safe , '' he said .
The City of Longueuil acknowledged that it fed the deer in past winters in the hopes of stopping them from wandering onto roads and getting killed .
It reduced the feeding in 2015 and stopped it in 2017 as knowledge of best practices evolved , the city said in an email .
As of Friday , the city indicated that it planned to continue @ @ @ @ @ @ @ than move , the animals .

Protesters gathered in a city south of Montreal on Saturday to urge their elected officials to reconsider a plan to cull half the deer in a local park in a bid to control overpopulation. About 100 people, some wearing deer antler headbands, waved handmade signs as they made their case for officials to spare the beloved animals that are a common sight along the wooded trails of Longueuil's Michel-Chartrand park. Many in the crowd urged Longueuil city officials to take up a zoo on its offer to give the animals a new home instead of killing them and donating the meat to a food bank. Local resident Koleighna Wilbur said the deer are beloved by those in the area, and seeing them provides a much-needed bright spot during a tough year marked by the COVID-19 pandemic. "You walk in the beautiful trails here, they come right up out of the woods, they’re not afraid of you, they don’t do any harm, and they bring everyone so much happiness," she said.
"We had nothing to do all summer, this was our saving grace." City officials said there are roughly twice as many deer living in Michel-Chartrand Park as there should be, and the 30 or so animals are threatening the area's biodiversity and increasing the risk of accidents. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions But their plan to capture and euthanize half the herd has been met with opposition, including a petition with more than 32,000 signatures and at least one threat against the city's mayor that is being investigated by police.
That anger has been further galvanized in the last few days after an animal rescue company and a zoo came forward to offer to trap, sedate, and transport the animals to a new home. Protesters gathered in a city south of Montreal on Nov. 14, 2020, to urge their elected officials to reconsider a plan to cull half the deer in a local park in a bid to control overpopulation. #deer #cull #Quebecpoli #Longueuil #MichelChartrandPark The city has warned the stress of moving the animals could kill some of them. They also warn that moving them could displace the problem elsewhere, or even introduce diseases to a new area. But many in the crowd believe the risk of moving the animals is better than giving them no chance at all. Eric Dussault, the head of the animal rescue company that has offered to move the animals, believes it can be done safely. He said the cases of deer dying from stress involve wild animals moving to an unsecured location. These animals, he said, are already used to humans and will be heavily sedated during transport and taken to a controlled area where they'll be cared for and kept apart from other animals to be sure no illnesses are passed on.
He believes the city has a responsibility to save the deer, especially since it contributed to the growth of the herd by feeding them in previous winters. "To say we're going to kill deer in the middle of the city who are used to humans, and it’s us who created the problem, I think it’s our responsibility somewhere to give them a better life, to take them somewhere they can be safe," he said. The City of Longueuil acknowledged that it fed the deer in past winters in the hopes of stopping them from wandering onto roads and getting killed. It reduced the feeding in 2015 and stopped it in 2017 as knowledge of best practices evolved, the city said in an email.


nationalobserver--2020-11-17--Forget Keystone — Canada needs a cross-border clean energy economy

It was our current prime minister ’ s father , former prime minister Pierre Trudeau , who once described sharing a border with America as akin to sleeping with an elephant .
“ No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast , ” he said , “ one is affected by every twitch and grunt.
” And while the simile broadly summarizes Canada ’ s long-standing relationship with its closest trading partner and ally , it proves doubly true at times .
Such as with climate action and the future of our economy .
Because it ’ s not @ @ @ @ @ @ @ ’ s climate ambition that matters — but , much like the elephant , the sheer scale of it , too .
Case in point : Biden says he aims to electrify all 500,000 school buses in the United States .
While it ’ s impossible to predict private-sector winners at this early stage , one can ’ t help but feel a twinge of excitement for Quebec-based Lion Electric , which manufactures and delivers electric school buses across North America , especially to climate-forward California .
The size of the opportunity is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ of the competitive threat .
• How one Indigenous farmer in the north is improving food security in his community • Women lead the climate movement .
Don ’ t leave them out of the green recovery For Canada ’ s clean energy sector and a myriad of exporters , America ’ s impending shift to a cleaner economy is a double-edged sword .
It means not only increased opportunity , but increased competition ( Lion Electric , for example , is considering building one of its manufacturing plants in the U.S. rather @ @ @ @ @ @ @ t want the elephant rolling onto our side of the bed .
Biden ’ s plans to invest in clean energy and innovation , scale up clean-tech deployment , commit the U.S. to net-zero emissions by 2050 and require public companies to disclose climate risk will , together and along with other measures , define a different kind of relationship with Canada : One in which the goods and services we export need to be cleaner , especially if we want to demonstrate that Canada is a worthy partner in the face of @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to U.S.-based companies .
Which is why Canada wants to be inside — rather than outside — the U.S. clean energy market .
Quebec , which already shares a carbon market with California and sells electricity to New England , provides some precedent ( B.C .
and Manitoba similarly sell power to the U.S. ) .
America is by far our largest trading partner , and while there are many made-in-Canada success stories deserving of praise , a number of clean energy jobs — like building electric vehicles for Ford and Chrysler in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ by American companies , whether they ’ re setting up shop here or simply buying our wares .
Already , much attention is being paid to the Keystone XL pipeline , a project Biden has said he ’ ll rescind the permits for .
Canada should listen to our southern neighbour when they tell us what they want more of ( clean energy ) and what they want less of ( pipelines and fossil fuels ) .
`` Building a sustainable economy , together , needs to be a conversation that continues well @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Smith and Sarah Petrevan of @ cleanenergycan .
# cdnpoli # cleanenergy Our political capital should be spent forging a resilient cross-border clean energy economy .
It should be spent securing opportunities to export our abundant clean electricity resources ( Biden wants America to be powered entirely by clean electricity by 2035 ) .
It should be spent building a robust market for our world-leading low-carbon exports like aluminum .
It should be spent ensuring America is utilizing our supply chains and setting up shop within our borders .
We have a fire @ @ @ @ @ @ @ the increasingly frequent literal ones .
This isn ’ t merely an economic opportunity , but a downright imperative .
Our next biggest trading partner , the European Union , has similarly increased the scope of its climate ambition in 2020 , pouring billions into a cleaner recovery , while Asia continues to be a key market for many Canadian clean-tech companies ( Japan and South Korea have 2050 net-zero goals , China a 2060 one ) .
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Biden had their first call on Monday following the president-elect @ @ @ @ @ @ @ headlines told us that combating climate change was a topic they chose to discuss .
Building a sustainable economy , together , needs to be a conversation that continues well into the future , as we once again find common ground and shared prosperity with our closest neighbour .
Merran Smith is the executive director and Sarah Petrevan is the policy director of Clean Energy Canada , a program at Simon Fraser University ’ s Centre for Dialogue .

It was our current prime minister’s father, former prime minister Pierre Trudeau, who once described sharing a border with America as akin to sleeping with an elephant. “No matter how friendly and even-tempered is the beast,” he said, “one is affected by every twitch and grunt.” And while the simile broadly summarizes Canada’s long-standing relationship with its closest trading partner and ally, it proves doubly true at times. Such as with climate action and the future of our economy. Because it’s not just the scope of president-elect Joe Biden’s climate ambition that matters — but, much like the elephant, the sheer scale of it, too. Case in point: Biden says he aims to electrify all 500,000 school buses in the United States. While it’s impossible to predict private-sector winners at this early stage, one can’t help but feel a twinge of excitement for Quebec-based Lion Electric, which manufactures and delivers electric school buses across North America, especially to climate-forward California. The size of the opportunity is enormous. And so is the size of the competitive threat.
For Canada’s clean energy sector and a myriad of exporters, America’s impending shift to a cleaner economy is a double-edged sword. It means not only increased opportunity, but increased competition (Lion Electric, for example, is considering building one of its manufacturing plants in the U.S. rather than Canada). We don’t want the elephant rolling onto our side of the bed. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions Biden’s plans to invest in clean energy and innovation, scale up clean-tech deployment, commit the U.S. to net-zero emissions by 2050 and require public companies to disclose climate risk will, together and along with other measures, define a different kind of relationship with Canada: One in which the goods and services we export need to be cleaner, especially if we want to demonstrate that Canada is a worthy partner in the face of “Buy American” policies giving preference to U.S.-based companies.
Which is why Canada wants to be inside — rather than outside — the U.S. clean energy market. Quebec, which already shares a carbon market with California and sells electricity to New England, provides some precedent (B.C. and Manitoba similarly sell power to the U.S.). "Building a sustainable economy, together, needs to be a conversation that continues well into the future," write Merran Smith and Sarah Petrevan of @cleanenergycan. #cdnpoli #cleanenergy America is by far our largest trading partner, and while there are many made-in-Canada success stories deserving of praise, a number of clean energy jobs — like building electric vehicles for Ford and Chrysler in Ontario — will be brought to us by American companies, whether they’re setting up shop here or simply buying our wares. Already, much attention is being paid to the Keystone XL pipeline, a project Biden has said he’ll rescind the permits for. Canada should listen to our southern neighbour when they tell us what they want more of (clean energy) and what they want less of (pipelines and fossil fuels). Our political capital should be spent forging a resilient cross-border clean energy economy. It should be spent securing opportunities to export our abundant clean electricity resources (Biden wants America to be powered entirely by clean electricity by 2035). It should be spent building a robust market for our world-leading low-carbon exports like aluminum. It should be spent ensuring America is utilizing our supply chains and setting up shop within our borders. We have a fire under us now — and not just the increasingly frequent literal ones. This isn’t merely an economic opportunity, but a downright imperative. Our next biggest trading partner, the European Union, has similarly increased the scope of its climate ambition in 2020, pouring billions into a cleaner recovery, while Asia continues to be a key market for many Canadian clean-tech companies (Japan and South Korea have 2050 net-zero goals, China a 2060 one).


nationalobserver--2020-11-17--Global tourism conglomerate faces climate change head-on in new sustainable travel strategy

If we are ever able to fly to far-flung destinations again , 27-year-old Nadine Pinto is standing by to make those adventures more sustainable .
Pinto has been working for the past year on the expanded sustainability strategy that The Travel Corporation ( TTC ) , a global conglomerate of tourism brands including Contiki , AAT Kings and Red Carnation hotels , released in September .
“ The opportunity is there to rebuild in a sustainable manner , ” the University of Waterloo graduate said in an interview .
“ More and more , there are people looking for opportunities @ @ @ @ @ @ @ A U.S. survey of travellers done before the pandemic showed almost half expect climate change to significantly influence where they want to travel in the next decade , and that almost a third were willing to pay up to 10 per cent more for an environmentally responsible trip .
The World Travel and Tourism Council has meanwhile estimated that the industry has shed around 100 million jobs since the pandemic began , prompting TTC to check in more frequently this year with hotels and other suppliers for its itineraries .
• How one @ @ @ @ @ @ @ food security in his community • Women lead the climate movement .
Don ’ t leave them out of the green recovery Pinto said this has enabled TTC to start conversations about sourcing of organic or local food , for example , in order to expand its use on the company ’ s trips .
The strategy she helped create sets 11 goals for the company , including becoming carbon-neutral by 2030 , cutting food waste in half at its hotels and cruise ships by 2025 and eliminating unnecessary single-use plastic use by @ @ @ @ @ @ @ environmental problem with global tourism will remain getting there , and environmentalists are pushing for any government bailout of Canada ’ s airlines to include tough climate conditions .
“ Any financial assistance to the aviation sector should have strings attached : binding conditions , including maintaining employees ' jobs , limiting executive pay , and cutting carbon emissions , ” said Jesse Firempong , a spokesperson for Greenpeace Canada .
“ We 're calling for conditions that could reduce emissions , such as decarbonizing ground operations , improving low-carbon infrastructure , setting @ @ @ @ @ @ @ flights , ” she said .
Ottawa and Canada ’ s airlines are circling the topic of a bailout currently , with the Globe and Mail recently reporting on the airlines ’ frustration at a lack of progress .
A new sustainability strategy for The Travel Corporation , a global conglomerate of tourism brands , includes goals such as becoming carbon-neutral by 2030 and cutting food waste in half at its hotels and cruise ships by 2025 .
# sustainabletravel Pinto said it would be reasonable for Ottawa to ask these companies to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ sustainable aviation fuel , while Greenpeace ’ s Firempong said that won ’ t be enough .
“ We also need to recognize that it is unlikely that truly sustainable biofuels can be produced on the scale of current aviation fuel use , so flying less needs to be the priority , ” she said .
But Pinto argued that the travel experience itself could help push people to integrate more sustainable practices when they return .
“ When you 're travelling , you 're in this entirely different headspace , where you @ @ @ @ @ @ @ , and when you come back you should be able to bring what you 've learned and have those sustainable habits at home as well , ” she said .

If we are ever able to fly to far-flung destinations again, 27-year-old Nadine Pinto is standing by to make those adventures more sustainable.
Pinto has been working for the past year on the expanded sustainability strategy that The Travel Corporation (TTC), a global conglomerate of tourism brands including Contiki, AAT Kings and Red Carnation hotels, released in September.
“The opportunity is there to rebuild in a sustainable manner,” the University of Waterloo graduate said in an interview. “More and more, there are people looking for opportunities to give back on their travels.”
A U.S. survey of travellers done before the pandemic showed almost half expect climate change to significantly influence where they want to travel in the next decade, and that almost a third were willing to pay up to 10 per cent more for an environmentally responsible trip.
The World Travel and Tourism Council has meanwhile estimated that the industry has shed around 100 million jobs since the pandemic began, prompting TTC to check in more frequently this year with hotels and other suppliers for its itineraries.


nationalobserver--2020-11-17--Buying food online could become a post-COVID norm, researchers say

Pamela Smith started buying her groceries online when the pandemic started , and she isn ’ t looking back .
“ ( It ) replaced grocery store visits , ” said the Vancouver-based communications professional and parent .
“ I will still go to our local butcher to pick up meat , but as far as staples and produce , anything like that I just order ( online now ) .
” She ’ s not alone .
About 30 per cent of Canadians have bought groceries online in the past six months , and online food sales — everything @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have surged since the pandemic started , according to a new study by researchers at Dalhousie University .
It ’ s a seismic shift the research team expects will stay , even as it transforms how Canadians relate to their food , and each other .
“ Due to COVID-19 , e-commerce is clearly becoming an option for a growing number of shoppers , ” said Sylvain Charlebois , director of Dalhousie ’ s Agri-Food Analytics Lab and a lead researcher on the project .
“ Based on the data we have now @ @ @ @ @ @ @ industry , we believe Canadians will continue to appreciate the convenience of online food shopping beyond the pandemic.
” The growth of online food shopping has been as dramatic as the virus ’ s surge .
According to the study , over the past six months , the number of Canadians ordering food online has shot up by close to 15 per cent .
That ’ s about 4.2 million people , or roughly twice the population of B.C.
’ s Lower Mainland .
• How one Indigenous farmer in the north is @ @ @ @ @ @ @ Women lead the climate movement .
Don ’ t leave them out of the green recovery More than half of them also anticipate they will continue to buy food online at least once a week after the pandemic has passed .
It ’ s a shift that has been felt particularly strongly in B.C.
, where the team estimates about 65 per cent of consumers uses an online food purchasing service weekly .
You can find our latest food report on e-commerce here ( Français/English ) https : //t.co/Fg6cvFPMfq — The Food Professor @ @ @ @ @ @ @ 2020 And despite the initial surge of COVID-driven interest , the study found that by now , almost twice as many people buy food online because of convenience , not concerns about the virus .
It ’ s a shift Smith experienced first-hand .
“ For about six weeks , the only place I went was to the grocery store , for an hour … and I would do my grocery shopping on a Sunday morning , ” she said .
“ And then I discovered Instacart.
” The app lets customers place @ @ @ @ @ @ @ have someone else pick it up .
For Smith , it was a more convenient way to buy groceries than blitzing through her local supermarket on Sunday mornings .
It ’ s a market shift grocery stores are racing to capitalize on , often at the expense of farmers and processors further down the supply chain .
About 30 per cent of Canadians have bought groceries online in the past six months , and online food sales have surged since the pandemic started , according to a new study by researchers at Dalhousie @ @ @ @ @ @ @ autumn , Walmart Canada started requiring its suppliers to pay an additional fee that is intended to pay for the retail giant ’ s $ 3.5-billion expansion into e-commerce .
They ’ re not alone , Michael Graydon , CEO of Food , Health , and Consumer Products of Canada , explained to Canada 's National Observer in September : Canada ’ s five major grocery chains are also offloading some costs of e-commerce expansions onto their suppliers , he said .
Online grocery shopping isn ’ t alone in its surge in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ more Canadians to start buying meal prep kits than before .
“ We ’ ve seen quite a large increase since COVID happened , ” said Becky Brauer , co-CEO of Fresh Prep , a Vancouver-based meal kit company .
“ We ’ ve gone from about 175 to 230 staff just prepping food and working in our office … excluding our delivery fleet of drivers , and that ’ s just since March !
” That growth has remained constant , she said .
It ’ s an indication that many people @ @ @ @ @ @ @ because of the pandemic have integrated them into their weekly routines .
She also noted that the company has seen a surge of interest in their “ add-ons , ” products made by other food companies in the Vancouver area that are sold alongside the meal prep kits .
Becky Brauer , right , said that when the pandemic started , her company , Fresh Prep , saw a surge in sales .
That surge has n't stopped , and she expects the growth will remain post-COVID .
Photo by Fresh Prep Interest @ @ @ @ @ @ @ phenomenon in Canada — doesn ’ t surprise Charlebois .
“ For one , it keeps people away from the stores , but it also addresses the issue of cooking fatigue — it ’ s nice to be home and cook , but at some point , you want some creativity … and meal kits come in handy there.
” For Charlebois , the growth of online sales reflects a democratization in Canada ’ s food retail landscape .
Companies that used to be brokers in the journey from farm to fork — @ @ @ @ @ @ @ — started to reach out to customers online instead of selling through grocery chains or cafeterias .
And newcomers to the scene , like meal kit companies and farmers markets , have also proved competitive .

Pamela Smith started buying her groceries online when the pandemic started, and she isn’t looking back. “(It) replaced grocery store visits,” said the Vancouver-based communications professional and parent. “I will still go to our local butcher to pick up meat, but as far as staples and produce, anything like that I just order (online now).” She’s not alone. About 30 per cent of Canadians have bought groceries online in the past six months, and online food sales — everything from restaurant food to pre-prepped meals — have surged since the pandemic started, according to a new study by researchers at Dalhousie University. It’s a seismic shift the research team expects will stay, even as it transforms how Canadians relate to their food, and each other. “Due to COVID-19, e-commerce is clearly becoming an option for a growing number of shoppers,” said Sylvain Charlebois, director of Dalhousie’s Agri-Food Analytics Lab and a lead researcher on the project. “Based on the data we have now, and given the investments made by industry, we believe Canadians will continue to appreciate the convenience of online food shopping beyond the pandemic.” The growth of online food shopping has been as dramatic as the virus’s surge. According to the study, over the past six months, the number of Canadians ordering food online has shot up by close to 15 per cent. That’s about 4.2 million people, or roughly twice the population of B.C.’s Lower Mainland.
More than half of them also anticipate they will continue to buy food online at least once a week after the pandemic has passed. It’s a shift that has been felt particularly strongly in B.C., where the team estimates about 65 per cent of consumers uses an online food purchasing service weekly. You can find our latest food report on e-commerce here (Français/English) https://t.co/Fg6cvFPMfq — The Food Professor (@FoodProfessor) November 12, 2020 Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions And despite the initial surge of COVID-driven interest, the study found that by now, almost twice as many people buy food online because of convenience, not concerns about the virus. It’s a shift Smith experienced first-hand.
“For about six weeks, the only place I went was to the grocery store, for an hour … and I would do my grocery shopping on a Sunday morning,” she said. “And then I discovered Instacart.” About 30 per cent of Canadians have bought groceries online in the past six months, and online food sales have surged since the pandemic started, according to a new study by researchers at Dalhousie University. The app lets customers place an order with local grocery stores and have someone else pick it up. For Smith, it was a more convenient way to buy groceries than blitzing through her local supermarket on Sunday mornings. It’s a market shift grocery stores are racing to capitalize on, often at the expense of farmers and processors further down the supply chain. For instance, earlier this autumn, Walmart Canada started requiring its suppliers to pay an additional fee that is intended to pay for the retail giant’s $3.5-billion expansion into e-commerce. They’re not alone, Michael Graydon, CEO of Food, Health, and Consumer Products of Canada, explained to Canada's National Observer in September: Canada’s five major grocery chains are also offloading some costs of e-commerce expansions onto their suppliers, he said. Online grocery shopping isn’t alone in its surge in popularity. The pandemic has also pushed more Canadians to start buying meal prep kits than before.
“We’ve seen quite a large increase since COVID happened,” said Becky Brauer, co-CEO of Fresh Prep, a Vancouver-based meal kit company. “We’ve gone from about 175 to 230 staff just prepping food and working in our office … excluding our delivery fleet of drivers, and that’s just since March!” That growth has remained constant, she said. It’s an indication that many people who may have started purchasing meal kits because of the pandemic have integrated them into their weekly routines. She also noted that the company has seen a surge of interest in their “add-ons,” products made by other food companies in the Vancouver area that are sold alongside the meal prep kits. Becky Brauer, right, said that when the pandemic started, her company, Fresh Prep, saw a surge in sales. That surge hasn't stopped, and she expects the growth will remain post-COVID. Photo by Fresh Prep


nationalobserver--2020-11-17--Pick up the pace on combating climate change, Bank of Canada governor says

Canada 's top central banker is making a plea for the country to more quickly address the impacts of climate change to avoid any economic ripple effects on households and businesses .
Tiff Macklem made the case in a speech Tuesday that Canada 's financial system needs to become as resilient to climate change as it has been during the pandemic .
The governor of the Bank of Canada said that will require financial institutions to better gauge what risks they face from extreme weather , or rough transitions to a low-carbon economy .
Failing to do so could throw @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to support households and businesses in their hour of need , Macklem said , or threaten the stability of the financial system in the worst case .
As a result , the central bank is picking up the pace on its plans to study the implications of climate change on the financial system .
• How one Indigenous farmer in the north is improving food security in his community • It 's all in the family for Canada 's most famous sibling activists And , he said , the pandemic seems to have @ @ @ @ @ @ @ .
A decade ago , in the wake of the global financial crisis , climate change issues faded from the forefront of the public conscious , Macklem said in the speech to the Public Policy Forum .
The situation , he said , is far different today as the pandemic appears to have put public attention on `` extreme global risks and the value of resilience . ''
`` We need to position Canada to seize the climate-smart opportunities that consumers , workers and investors are looking for , '' Macklem said in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ `` But to mitigate the threat and capitalize on the opportunity , we all need to mobilize .
And we need to do it quickly . ''
Climate change has been an interest for Macklem since before his time as head of the central bank , having helmed an expert panel on sustainable finance .
Canada 's top central banker is making a plea for the country to more quickly address the impacts of climate change to avoid any economic ripple effects on households and businesses .
# climatechange It recommended a suite @ @ @ @ @ @ @ which asked for the report , including tax credits to encourage Canadians to put their retirement savings into climate-conscious investments .
On Tuesday , just as he did last year when he was still in academia , Macklem said finance wo n't alone solve climate change , but it can help with the needed investments to smoothly transition to a low-carbon economy .
In his speech , Macklem noted that the issuance in Canada of `` green '' bonds has jumped in the past three years from just under $ 2 billion in @ @ @ @ @ @ @ far this year .
Bank officials earlier this year released a research paper , which is n't official Bank of Canada policy , that calculated economic risks related to various public policy scenarios .
The timing and impact of some of those changes varied depending on how slow or sudden the policy shifts , with risks affecting the central bank , governments , financial institutions and the resource sector .
This week , the central bank built on that research to launch a pilot project with the federal banking regulator , the Office @ @ @ @ @ @ @ to help a handful of banks and insurance companies develop climate change risk scenarios .
Macklem said the risks from more extreme and more frequent weather events are often underappreciated , while risks linked to future earnings or asset evaluations are mispriced in the context of climate change .
`` The longer that persists , the greater the risk of a sharp repricing , with the potential for substantial losses for financial institutions , '' he said .
`` At a minimum , this would impair the ability of the financial system to @ @ @ @ @ @ @ threaten the stability of our financial system . ''

Canada's top central banker is making a plea for the country to more quickly address the impacts of climate change to avoid any economic ripple effects on households and businesses. Tiff Macklem made the case in a speech Tuesday that Canada's financial system needs to become as resilient to climate change as it has been during the pandemic. The governor of the Bank of Canada said that will require financial institutions to better gauge what risks they face from extreme weather, or rough transitions to a low-carbon economy. Failing to do so could throw a wrench into central banks' ability to support households and businesses in their hour of need, Macklem said, or threaten the stability of the financial system in the worst case. As a result, the central bank is picking up the pace on its plans to study the implications of climate change on the financial system.
And, he said, the pandemic seems to have sharpened public interest in climate change issues. A decade ago, in the wake of the global financial crisis, climate change issues faded from the forefront of the public conscious, Macklem said in the speech to the Public Policy Forum. Billion-dollar land deals in Ontario raise corruption suspicions The situation, he said, is far different today as the pandemic appears to have put public attention on "extreme global risks and the value of resilience."
"We need to position Canada to seize the climate-smart opportunities that consumers, workers and investors are looking for," Macklem said in the prepared text of his speech. Canada's top central banker is making a plea for the country to more quickly address the impacts of climate change to avoid any economic ripple effects on households and businesses. #climatechange "But to mitigate the threat and capitalize on the opportunity, we all need to mobilize. And we need to do it quickly." Climate change has been an interest for Macklem since before his time as head of the central bank, having helmed an expert panel on sustainable finance. It recommended a suite of options to the federal Liberals, which asked for the report, including tax credits to encourage Canadians to put their retirement savings into climate-conscious investments. On Tuesday, just as he did last year when he was still in academia, Macklem said finance won't alone solve climate change, but it can help with the needed investments to smoothly transition to a low-carbon economy.
In his speech, Macklem noted that the issuance in Canada of "green" bonds has jumped in the past three years from just under $2 billion in 2017 to almost $13 billion so far this year. Bank officials earlier this year released a research paper, which isn't official Bank of Canada policy, that calculated economic risks related to various public policy scenarios. The timing and impact of some of those changes varied depending on how slow or sudden the policy shifts, with risks affecting the central bank, governments, financial institutions and the resource sector.