Hadrian
@hadrianmk.bsky.social
Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood (he/him) 🇨🇦 • Senior Researcher @policyalternatives.bsky.social • Climate/AI/industrial policy 🌎✊⚙️
Reposted by Hadrian
"It’s a catch-22—the more we rely on AI tools, the more we need to be able to critically assess their outputs. Yet the more we use them, the worse we get at doing so." www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Whose (artificial) intelligence? - CCPA
The many contradictions of the AI moment
www.policyalternatives.ca
January 7, 2026 at 3:29 PM
"It’s a catch-22—the more we rely on AI tools, the more we need to be able to critically assess their outputs. Yet the more we use them, the worse we get at doing so." www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
"We are at a crucial societal juncture for artificial intelligence. And to arrive at an AI-saturated world that actually serves the public interest, we need a clear-eyed view of what artificial intelligence is and is not."
My latest with Rachel Pettigrew: www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
My latest with Rachel Pettigrew: www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Whose (artificial) intelligence? - CCPA
The many contradictions of the AI moment
www.policyalternatives.ca
January 6, 2026 at 8:10 PM
"We are at a crucial societal juncture for artificial intelligence. And to arrive at an AI-saturated world that actually serves the public interest, we need a clear-eyed view of what artificial intelligence is and is not."
My latest with Rachel Pettigrew: www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
My latest with Rachel Pettigrew: www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Reposted by Hadrian
When Carney became prime minister, many in the climate community (and beyond) wondered if he understood politics as well as he did $$.
Turns out that was the wrong thing to worry about.
My latest for @thewalrus.ca
thewalrus.ca/no-matter-wh...
Turns out that was the wrong thing to worry about.
My latest for @thewalrus.ca
thewalrus.ca/no-matter-wh...
No Matter Which Way You Look at It, Carney Has Abandoned Climate | The Walrus
It’s one thing to make compromises in times of national crisis. It’s another to twist the math on emissions
thewalrus.ca
December 22, 2025 at 4:31 PM
When Carney became prime minister, many in the climate community (and beyond) wondered if he understood politics as well as he did $$.
Turns out that was the wrong thing to worry about.
My latest for @thewalrus.ca
thewalrus.ca/no-matter-wh...
Turns out that was the wrong thing to worry about.
My latest for @thewalrus.ca
thewalrus.ca/no-matter-wh...
Reposted by Hadrian
We are at the stage of the energy transition where we have to invent new terms for structurally weak oil prices.
December 9, 2025 at 12:40 PM
We are at the stage of the energy transition where we have to invent new terms for structurally weak oil prices.
I'll be on @cbcradiocanada.bsky.social's Just Asking today (alongside @rjcsmith.bsky.social) to talk pipelines, climate and the future of the Canadian economy. We're taking calls from across the country at 4pm ET! Join us!
www.cbc.ca/radio/justas...
www.cbc.ca/radio/justas...
What questions do you have about the Ottawa-Alberta energy deal and climate change? | CBC Radio
President of the Canadian Climate Institute Rick Smith and political economist Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood answer your questions about the Ottawa-Alberta energy deal and climate change. In hour two, what...
www.cbc.ca
November 29, 2025 at 1:53 PM
I'll be on @cbcradiocanada.bsky.social's Just Asking today (alongside @rjcsmith.bsky.social) to talk pipelines, climate and the future of the Canadian economy. We're taking calls from across the country at 4pm ET! Join us!
www.cbc.ca/radio/justas...
www.cbc.ca/radio/justas...
Reposted by Hadrian
Look out BC! China’s LNG demand drops for 13th month running. Last week, Pakistan cancelled a huge contract to purchase LNG from Qatar (even choosing to pay a penalty) because they no longer need/want it -- the solar revolution is quickly displacing demand for LNG.
financialpost.com/pmn/business...
financialpost.com/pmn/business...
China's LNG Imports Set to Drop for 13th Month, Kpler Data Show
Seaborne shipments of liquefied natural gas to China in November are set to drop for a 13th straight month on an annual basis, extending a slump in purchases as dom…
financialpost.com
November 28, 2025 at 7:19 PM
Look out BC! China’s LNG demand drops for 13th month running. Last week, Pakistan cancelled a huge contract to purchase LNG from Qatar (even choosing to pay a penalty) because they no longer need/want it -- the solar revolution is quickly displacing demand for LNG.
financialpost.com/pmn/business...
financialpost.com/pmn/business...
When it comes to grand bargains negotiated with Alberta to advance climate action, this is a "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me" sort of situation.
November 27, 2025 at 8:41 PM
When it comes to grand bargains negotiated with Alberta to advance climate action, this is a "fool me once, shame on you; fool me twice, shame on me" sort of situation.
Reposted by Hadrian
Other stuff I wont comment on thats outside my wheelhouse (impact of tankers etc). But on the whole very disappointing MOU that has a whole lot of backpedaling and climate delay. (Reminder that climate delay is the new climate denial and in 2025 leads in effect to the same outcome).
November 27, 2025 at 7:21 PM
Other stuff I wont comment on thats outside my wheelhouse (impact of tankers etc). But on the whole very disappointing MOU that has a whole lot of backpedaling and climate delay. (Reminder that climate delay is the new climate denial and in 2025 leads in effect to the same outcome).
Here's the Carney-Smith pipeline MOU: www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/back...
Canada-Alberta Memorandum of Understanding
PREFACE At this pivotal global moment, Canada and Alberta, working closely with Indigenous Peoples and industry, must work together cooperatively, and within their respective jurisdictions, to foster ...
www.pm.gc.ca
November 27, 2025 at 5:17 PM
Here's the Carney-Smith pipeline MOU: www.pm.gc.ca/en/news/back...
Reposted by Hadrian
"The way that the federal government ... talks about AI is very ideological … We need to adopt it for its own sake, independent of what that actually means … We’re rushing without having a clear sense of where we’re going.” @hadrianmk.bsky.social #cdnpoli rabble.ca/podcast/the-...
The AI hype-machine: Canada’s ill-advised ‘national sprint’ on artificial intelligence
Cynthia Khoo, Jeff Doctor and Hadrian Mertons-Kirkwood discuss the dangers of Canada’s accelerated approach to artificial intelligence.
rabble.ca
November 27, 2025 at 3:55 PM
"The way that the federal government ... talks about AI is very ideological … We need to adopt it for its own sake, independent of what that actually means … We’re rushing without having a clear sense of where we’re going.” @hadrianmk.bsky.social #cdnpoli rabble.ca/podcast/the-...
Reposted by Hadrian
Stop wasting money on pipelines. Give us real nation-building projects.
📰 My latest in the Toronto Star, as we wait to see the final details today of this MOU between the governments of Alberta and Canada.
#Cdnpoli #EnergySky #Climate
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
📰 My latest in the Toronto Star, as we wait to see the final details today of this MOU between the governments of Alberta and Canada.
#Cdnpoli #EnergySky #Climate
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
Stop wasting money on pipelines. Give us real nation-building projects
This week’s agreement between Ottawa and Alberta on a pipeline to B.C.’s north coast is the latest chapter in this weird, depressing tale of wasting tens of billions of dollars
www.thestar.com
November 27, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Stop wasting money on pipelines. Give us real nation-building projects.
📰 My latest in the Toronto Star, as we wait to see the final details today of this MOU between the governments of Alberta and Canada.
#Cdnpoli #EnergySky #Climate
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
📰 My latest in the Toronto Star, as we wait to see the final details today of this MOU between the governments of Alberta and Canada.
#Cdnpoli #EnergySky #Climate
www.thestar.com/opinion/cont...
This month's #ShiftStorm newsletter contains more than 50 links and dives into dozens of pieces of research tackling #climate, #labour, #justtransition, #fossilfuels, #ai and more. Subscribe now and don't miss it when the newsletter goes live tomorrow!
mailchi.mp/policyaltern...
mailchi.mp/policyaltern...
Subscribe to Shift Storm
A climate and work newsletter from the CCPA.
mailchi.mp
November 26, 2025 at 3:39 PM
This month's #ShiftStorm newsletter contains more than 50 links and dives into dozens of pieces of research tackling #climate, #labour, #justtransition, #fossilfuels, #ai and more. Subscribe now and don't miss it when the newsletter goes live tomorrow!
mailchi.mp/policyaltern...
mailchi.mp/policyaltern...
"LNG production is definitively not an alternative to reducing Canadian emissions."
Essential reading from @dalebeugin.bsky.social & Nancy Olewiler: climateinstitute.ca/will-canadia...
Essential reading from @dalebeugin.bsky.social & Nancy Olewiler: climateinstitute.ca/will-canadia...
Will Canadian LNG increase or decrease emissions?
Evidence suggests that expanding Canadian LNG will increase domestic emissions and have uncertain implications for global emissions.
climateinstitute.ca
November 17, 2025 at 4:06 PM
"LNG production is definitively not an alternative to reducing Canadian emissions."
Essential reading from @dalebeugin.bsky.social & Nancy Olewiler: climateinstitute.ca/will-canadia...
Essential reading from @dalebeugin.bsky.social & Nancy Olewiler: climateinstitute.ca/will-canadia...
Always fun to chat with @steho.bsky.social! Great deep dive into the budget and federal climate policy.
On 🌍 GREEN MAJORITY🌍 ep993 @policyalternatives.ca's @hadrianmk.bsky.social and co-host @steho.bsky.social discuss Prime Minister Carney’s first federal budget's lack of a climate plan and its focus on military spending, services cuts and tax cuts.
www.greenmajority.ca/the-podcast/... 🔶
www.greenmajority.ca/the-podcast/... 🔶
November 17, 2025 at 3:09 PM
Always fun to chat with @steho.bsky.social! Great deep dive into the budget and federal climate policy.
Reposted by Hadrian
On 🌍 GREEN MAJORITY🌍 ep993 @policyalternatives.ca's @hadrianmk.bsky.social and co-host @steho.bsky.social discuss Prime Minister Carney’s first federal budget's lack of a climate plan and its focus on military spending, services cuts and tax cuts.
www.greenmajority.ca/the-podcast/... 🔶
www.greenmajority.ca/the-podcast/... 🔶
November 17, 2025 at 2:46 PM
On 🌍 GREEN MAJORITY🌍 ep993 @policyalternatives.ca's @hadrianmk.bsky.social and co-host @steho.bsky.social discuss Prime Minister Carney’s first federal budget's lack of a climate plan and its focus on military spending, services cuts and tax cuts.
www.greenmajority.ca/the-podcast/... 🔶
www.greenmajority.ca/the-podcast/... 🔶
In case it wasn't clear to folks, the #Budget2025 "Climate Competitiveness Strategy" is not about building a competitive clean economy. It is about making sure oil and gas remains competitive in the context of a global economy that is moving away from fossil fuels.
November 6, 2025 at 2:58 PM
In case it wasn't clear to folks, the #Budget2025 "Climate Competitiveness Strategy" is not about building a competitive clean economy. It is about making sure oil and gas remains competitive in the context of a global economy that is moving away from fossil fuels.
Reposted by Hadrian
Oil and gas trumps climate action in brutal federal budget.
Excellent climate analysis of today's federal budget from @hadrianmk.bsky.social...
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/04/o...
Excellent climate analysis of today's federal budget from @hadrianmk.bsky.social...
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/04/o...
Oil and gas trumps climate action in brutal federal budget
The budget makes clear that fossil fuel production for export is a central pillar of this government’s economic strategy — and that it won’t let climate measures get in the way.
www.nationalobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 11:51 PM
Oil and gas trumps climate action in brutal federal budget.
Excellent climate analysis of today's federal budget from @hadrianmk.bsky.social...
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/04/o...
Excellent climate analysis of today's federal budget from @hadrianmk.bsky.social...
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/04/o...
Reposted by Hadrian
This is the most harmful budget from a climate perspective since the Harper era. It's a complete abdication of climate responsibilities, and while at least $3 billion in climate funding gets cut, taxpayer supports for oil and gas are set to grow.
Great breakdown @hadrianmk.bsky.social
Great breakdown @hadrianmk.bsky.social
Oil and gas trumps climate action in brutal federal budget
The budget makes clear that fossil fuel production for export is a central pillar of this government’s economic strategy — and that it won’t let climate measures get in the way.
www.nationalobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 9:50 PM
This is the most harmful budget from a climate perspective since the Harper era. It's a complete abdication of climate responsibilities, and while at least $3 billion in climate funding gets cut, taxpayer supports for oil and gas are set to grow.
Great breakdown @hadrianmk.bsky.social
Great breakdown @hadrianmk.bsky.social
The budget makes clear that fossil fuel production for export is a central pillar of this government’s economic strategy — and that it won’t let climate measures get in the way.
My take in @nationalobserver.com: www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/04/o...
My take in @nationalobserver.com: www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/04/o...
Oil and gas trumps climate action in brutal federal budget
The budget makes clear that fossil fuel production for export is a central pillar of this government’s economic strategy — and that it won’t let climate measures get in the way.
www.nationalobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:16 PM
The budget makes clear that fossil fuel production for export is a central pillar of this government’s economic strategy — and that it won’t let climate measures get in the way.
My take in @nationalobserver.com: www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/04/o...
My take in @nationalobserver.com: www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/04/o...
Reposted by Hadrian
Senior @policyalternatives.ca researcher @hadrianmk.bsky.social said Carney came to power with a reputation for understanding climate change but is burning through goodwill with environmentalists.
“He has been actively undermining that reputation..." #cdnpoli www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/22/n...
“He has been actively undermining that reputation..." #cdnpoli www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/22/n...
Major Projects Office can’t back up its boss’ claim Trans Mountain helps fight climate change
After Dawn Farrell told a House of Commons committee she believes the Trans Mountain pipeline helps fight climate change, Canada’s National Observer asked if the Major Projects Office she leads could ...
www.nationalobserver.com
October 22, 2025 at 2:10 PM
Senior @policyalternatives.ca researcher @hadrianmk.bsky.social said Carney came to power with a reputation for understanding climate change but is burning through goodwill with environmentalists.
“He has been actively undermining that reputation..." #cdnpoli www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/22/n...
“He has been actively undermining that reputation..." #cdnpoli www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/22/n...
Reposted by Hadrian
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is Canada’s leading progressive think tank. Let’s make a difference, together: Join us at policyalternatives.ca/Makeadifference
October 2, 2025 at 8:36 PM
The Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives is Canada’s leading progressive think tank. Let’s make a difference, together: Join us at policyalternatives.ca/Makeadifference
Such a vital point. Max doesn't focus on it here, but this is also essentially the reason why the consumer carbon price failed. There is no political constituency for broad-based regulations that have no tangible local benefits. It doesn't matter if a policy is "efficient" if it's not durable.
October 2, 2025 at 4:16 PM
Such a vital point. Max doesn't focus on it here, but this is also essentially the reason why the consumer carbon price failed. There is no political constituency for broad-based regulations that have no tangible local benefits. It doesn't matter if a policy is "efficient" if it's not durable.
Reposted by Hadrian
For more than a decade, the economists have led the design of Canadian climate policies. It's time for the political scientists to take over -- and the debate over rooftop solar offers a perfect example of why. #cdnpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/02/o...
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/02/o...
The political case for rooftop solar
If there’s one lesson progressive politicians should take to heart from the last decade, it’s that the durability of their climate policies is more important — way, way more important — than their eco...
www.nationalobserver.com
October 2, 2025 at 2:44 PM
For more than a decade, the economists have led the design of Canadian climate policies. It's time for the political scientists to take over -- and the debate over rooftop solar offers a perfect example of why. #cdnpoli
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/02/o...
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/02/o...
The new AI task force includes 26 people who will ask how Canada can develop, commercialize and adopt artificial intelligence. Will a single person ask whether we ought to?
www.canada.ca/en/innovatio...
www.canada.ca/en/innovatio...
Government of Canada launches AI Strategy Task Force and public engagement on the development of the next AI strategy - Canada.ca
Public feedback and stakeholder engagement will inform strategy for Canada to be an AI leader
www.canada.ca
September 29, 2025 at 1:58 PM
The new AI task force includes 26 people who will ask how Canada can develop, commercialize and adopt artificial intelligence. Will a single person ask whether we ought to?
www.canada.ca/en/innovatio...
www.canada.ca/en/innovatio...
What happens if projects of vital national importance have no private sector backers? What happens if the only projects brought forward seek to double down on the very industries that created our present economic vulnerabilities?
You get a list like this.
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
You get a list like this.
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
Carney’s initial “major projects” list disappoints. Where’s the industrial strategy? - CCPA
The initial tranche of nation-building projects selected by the Carney government is as disappointing as it is predictable—but it is a failure more for what it leaves out than what it includes.
www.policyalternatives.ca
September 12, 2025 at 1:40 PM
What happens if projects of vital national importance have no private sector backers? What happens if the only projects brought forward seek to double down on the very industries that created our present economic vulnerabilities?
You get a list like this.
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...
You get a list like this.
www.policyalternatives.ca/news-researc...