environment

Tuesday December 5, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Tuesday December 5, 2017

Justin Trudeau’s great expectations clash with reality in China

Charles Dickens wrote a classic when he penned Great Expectations. Political leaders, on the other hand, make the classic mistake whenever they create expectations they don’t meet.

November 14, 2017

Justin Trudeau was no exception Monday as he left the Great Hall of the People in Beijing without an expected announcement that Canada and China would begin formal free trade negotiations.

Not that it was the prime minister’s fault.

His trade minister, François-Philippe Champagne, insisted during an interview Sunday with CBC Radio’s The House that issues remained to be worked out. And Canadian officials made the point to reporters in an off-the-record briefing before the trip.

June 17, 2017

It’s just that few people were buying the line.

Most business leaders, diplomats and political pundits thought this week’s trip to China — with its high-level meetings between Trudeau and the top two Chinese leaders, with its stated focus on trade, closer ties and shared prosperity — would produce an announcement that after four rounds of exploratory talks and months of efforts, Canada and China would finally make a commitment.

September 2, 2016

“Prime ministers usually don’t go on trips like that without something to announce,” said John Manley, the CEO of the Business Council of Canada, who was one of the few people cautioning Trudeau to proceed slowly after being the sole holdout two weeks earlier in signing an agreement in principle with Japan and the other members of Trans-Pacific Partnership.

The two sides have been engaged in exploratory talks for a year. China made it clear it was ready to take the next step, to try and forge its first agreement in North America, and its first with a member of the G7 group of industrialized nations. (Continued: CBC) 

 

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Thursday July 27, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday July 27, 2017

No guarantee Hamilton’s waterfront trail will open this summer

Uncertainty over the extent of flood damage to Hamilton’s waterfront trail means there is no guarantee the popular path will reopen this summer.

February 27, 2009

The mystery timeline has upset users of one of the city’s most popular trails and forced the relocation of cycling and running scheduled as far ahead as September.

Record spring water levels flooded large swaths of the trail in April, prompting the city to fence off the paved path between Princess Point and Bayfront Park.

Water levels have since receded — spurring pointed questions from residents as well as trespassing — but not enough for the city to assess damage to the trail caused by flooding and pounding waves.

“We know people are impatient, we are getting all those questions. We hope to have the answers soon,” said parks manager Kara Bunn, who is waiting on a final assessment and recommendations from consultant Shoreplan Engineering. “But we know for sure some sections are unsafe.”

The Spectator paddled alongside and, at one point, over top the trail Tuesday to eyeball the damage.

The only remaining drowned section of paved trail includes several metres curving around Cootes Paradise and across from Princess Point.

But asphalt is clearly crumbling into Hamilton Harbour at several locations between the mouth of the Desjardins Canal and the temporary gate near Bayfront Park. In a few spots, the water has clearly undermined the path, despite temporary canvas barriers and sandbags visible along the shoreline. (Source: Hamilton Spectator) 

 

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Friday June 2, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Friday June 2, 2017

Trump announces U.S. will withdraw from Paris climate accord

U.S. President Donald Trump has announced that the United States will withdraw from the Paris agreement on climate change.

April 11, 2017

At a news conference in the White House Rose Garden on Thursday afternoon, Trump said the accord is “very unfair to the United States.”

“In order to fulfil my solemn duty to protect America and its citizens, the United States will withdraw from the Paris Climate Accord.”

Trump said his country would either renegotiate its re-entry into the Paris agreement under different terms, or participate in the creation of a whole new climate deal.

March 8, 2017

White House officials had signalled withdrawal was likely to reporters, but Trump has been known to change his mind at the last minute on major decisions, as happened recently with the NAFTA trade deal.

Abandoning the accord was one of Trump’s principal campaign pledges, but America’s allies have expressed alarm about the likely consequences.

April 20, 2017

The Paris agreement was struck in 2015 and months later, the U.S. and China jointly said they would sign off on the deal. The agreement went into effect for the U.S. in November 2016.

Jean-Claude Juncker, president of the European Commission, has criticized Trump’s resistance to the deal, saying the U.S. president doesn’t understand the fine print of the agreement and that the process of formally withdrawing could take two to three years. (Source: CBC News)

 

Wednesday March 8, 2017

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday March 8, 2017

Trump administration proposes 97 per cent cut to Great Lakes restoration initiative

Alarm bells are ringing over potentially drastic cuts to the protection of the Great Lakes.

August 25, 2016

U-S President Donald Trump’s administration is proposing to slash the budget to the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative by 97 percent.

Scientists say these cuts would be devastating to the efforts by Canada and the U-S to restore the precious resource.

The Great Lakes represent 20 percent of the world’s surface fresh water, and provides drinking water for 45 million people.

The Executive Director of the Great Lakes Institute for Environmental Research can’t believe the news.

“When I first heard it, I thought it was a joke,” says Daniel Heath.

Internal US budget documents obtained by CTV News suggest the Trump government plans to cut nearly two dozen EPA programs. Funding for the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative would drop from $300-million a year to $10-million.

June 23, 2016

The funding for the Initiative helps fight invasive species, curbs nutrient fueled algae blooms, cleans up toxic messes and restores the sensitive fish and wildlife habitat.

Derek Coronado of the Citizens Environment Alliance suggests this is a “public health issue” and a “human security issue.”

“It’s not good for fisheries in Lake Erie, and tourism. Who wants to go to a beach with toxic material,” adds Coronado.

Heath adds the cuts would undermine all of the protection efforts currently underway.

“It may save some money, but it would put back Great Lakes conservation by decades,” adds Heath.

Scientists are urging residents on both sides of the border to speak to their elected officials about the potential cuts.(CTV News) 

 

Thursday December 1, 2016

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday December 1, 2016 Liberals face flood of outrage in B.C. after approval of Trans Mountain pipeline The federal cabinetÕs decision to approve Kinder Morgan CanadaÕs Trans Mountain pipeline expansion has prompted a flood of outrage and promises of protests, court challenges and civil disobedience in British Columbia. Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said he was Òprofoundly disappointed,Ó calling the decision a Òbig step backwardsÓ for CanadaÕs environment and economy. ÒI Ñ along with the tens of thousands of residents, local First Nations, and other Metro Vancouver cities who told the federal government a resounding ÔnoÕ to this project Ñ will keep speaking out against this pipeline expansion that doesnÕt make sense for our economic or environmental future.Ó The $6.8-billion project would triple the capacity of the Trans Mountain pipeline, from 300,000 to 890,000 barrels a day, and would add 980 kilometres of new pipe along the route from near Edmonton to Burnaby, B.C. It would also increase the number of tankers leaving Vancouver-area waters seven-fold, from five to 34 per month, prompting fierce opposition from local mayors and First Nations who say any risk of a diluted-bitumen spill is unacceptable. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the project would be approved with 157 conditionsÊat a news conference Tuesday. He said he expects the decision to be Òbitterly disputedÓ by a number of people across the country, but said the project is in CanadaÕs best interests. (Source: Toronto Star)Êhttps://www.thestar.com/news/canada/2016/11/30/liberals-face-flood-of-outrage-in-bc-after-approval-of-trans-mountain-pipeline.html Kinder Morgan, Trans Mountain, pipeline, Justin Trudeau, energy, oil, BC, natives, first nations, environment, Elizabeth May, David Suzuki

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Thursday December 1, 2016

Liberals face flood of outrage in B.C. after approval of Trans Mountain pipeline

The federal cabinet’s decision to approve Kinder Morgan Canada’s Trans Mountain pipeline expansion has prompted a flood of outrage and promises of protests, court challenges and civil disobedience in British Columbia.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator Ð Thursday October 13, 2016 Federal Liberals signal desire for Ômeaningful investmentÕ in Bombardier The federal government investing in aerospace giant Bombardier is not a matter of if but how, Innovation Minister Navdeep Bains said Tuesday. ÒWe want to be a partner,Ó Bains said after announcing up to $54 million in funds for a Bombardier-led aerospace-research consortium. ÒWe want to find a solution and we want to continue to make meaningful investments. We want to be a partner, we are at the table, we want to find a solution. ItÕs not a matter of if but how we want to make the investment.Ó His comments are the clearest the Liberals have been to date regarding whether theyÕll accept the Montreal-based companyÕs request for $1 billion in federal funding. In early September, Bombardier (TSX:BBD.B) received the second of two instalments of US$500 million from the Quebec government. Quebec now owns 49.5 per cent of a new limited partnership of the CSeries aircraft program, including larger versions of the plane beyond the CS100 and CS300 should they be developed. Bains wouldnÕt give details as to exactly how much Ottawa will invest or where the money will be targeted. He did reiterate the conditions his government will place on any future funding. Ottawa wants Bombardier to keep its head office and the jobs connected to its research and development activities in the country, he said. (Source: Financial Post) http://business.financialpost.com/news/transportation/federal-liberals-signal-desire-to-invest-in-bombardier-but-dont-indicate-dollar-amount Canada, Ottawa, Parliament, Bombardier, aerospace, subsidy, corporate, welfare, Quebec, pipeline, Justin Trudeau, Navdeep Bains, philippe couillard

October 13, 2016

Vancouver Mayor Gregor Robertson said he was “profoundly disappointed,” calling the decision a “big step backwards” for Canada’s environment and economy.

“I — along with the tens of thousands of residents, local First Nations, and other Metro Vancouver cities who told the federal government a resounding ‘no’ to this project — will keep speaking out against this pipeline expansion that doesn’t make sense for our economic or environmental future.”

By Graeme MacKay, Editorial Cartoonist - Saturday September 26, 2015 During a testy phone call, Justin Trudeau dismissed David SuzukiÕs views on the Liberal climate change policy as Òsanctimonious crap,Ó according to Suzuki. Suzuki revealed the contents of the conversation during an interview on SiriusXMÕs Everything is Political with Evan Solomon. Suzuki says he fired back, calling Trudeau a Òtwerp.Ó The renowned scientist, broadcaster and activist says Trudeau called him personally June 28, 2015 to talk about the Liberal platform on climate change that was to be revealed the next day. ÒI didnÕt call Justin, he called me,Ó Suzuki said. ÒHe wanted an endorsement and he wanted to tell me exactly what his program was.Ó For the record: Justin TrudeauÕs speech on the environment: June 29, 2015 The program includes support for the Keystone XL pipeline, a rejection of the Northern Gateway pipeline and a commitment to work with the provinces to establish a cap-and-trade system. ÒI said, ÔJustin, stop it, youÕre just being political, you just want to make headway in Alberta,ÕÓ Suzuki says he told Trudeau. ÒYouÕre for the development of the tar sands, youÕre for the Keystone pipeline, but youÕre against the Northern Gateway, youÕre all over the damn map!Ó MacleanÕs explains: Where the leaders stand on the environment Suzuki went on to advise Trudeau that taking the target of a 2 degree rise in temperature seriously means 80 per cent of the oil sands has to stay in the ground. Suzuki believes stopping oil sands development will mean Òno debate about pipelines or expanding railways or shipping stuff offshoreÑnone of that comes into it.Ó Suzuki says this is when the exchange turned nasty. ÒHe said, ÔI donÕt have to listen to this sanctimonious crap. I proceeded to call him a twerp.Ó (Source: MacLean's) http://www.macleans.ca/politics/ottawa/why-david-suzuki-called-justin-trudeau-a-twerp/ Canada, Justin Trudeau, environment, climate change, Liberal, Mother Nature, Davi

September 26, 2015

The $6.8-billion project would triple the capacity of the Trans Mountain pipeline, from 300,000 to 890,000 barrels a day, and would add 980 kilometres of new pipe along the route from near Edmonton to Burnaby, B.C.

It would also increase the number of tankers leaving Vancouver-area waters seven-fold, from five to 34 per month, prompting fierce opposition from local mayors and First Nations who say any risk of a diluted-bitumen spill is unacceptable.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced the project would be approved with 157 conditions at a news conference Tuesday. He said he expects the decision to be “bitterly disputed” by a number of people across the country, but said the project is in Canada’s best interests. (Source: Toronto Star)