Canada's National Observer
@nationalobserver.com
Canada's National Observer (CNO) delivers vital reporting on the defining crisis of our time: climate change. Through rigorous investigation and compelling storytelling, we expose the forces shaping Canada's climate future.
NEW: Councillors and sources inside the City of Vancouver say the city's mayor, Ken Sim, will put forth a budget Wednesday that will eliminate the city's celebrated climate and sustainability department.
Vancouver mayor plans to eliminate city's climate and sustainability department
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is planning to eliminate the city's sustainability and climate department under the guise of a push to prevent increases to property taxes. Canada's National Observer learned a...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 11, 2025 at 1:47 AM
NEW: Councillors and sources inside the City of Vancouver say the city's mayor, Ken Sim, will put forth a budget Wednesday that will eliminate the city's celebrated climate and sustainability department.
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A nice Remembrance Day read from @maxfawcett.bsky.social
In the age of selfishness, let’s rediscover our sense of shared sacrifice
Remembrance Day is a reminder of what we were willing to fight for in the past — and how much it mattered that we fought together.
www.nationalobserver.com
November 10, 2025 at 11:44 PM
A nice Remembrance Day read from @maxfawcett.bsky.social
Reposted by Canada's National Observer
The end is drawing near. The departure of two Conservative MPs this week doesn't bode well for Poilievre's chances of surviving a January leadership review. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/07/o...
Pierre Poilievre's goose is cooked
The departure of two Conservative MPs this week doesn't bode well for Poilievre's chances of surviving a January leadership review
www.nationalobserver.com
November 8, 2025 at 1:47 PM
The end is drawing near. The departure of two Conservative MPs this week doesn't bode well for Poilievre's chances of surviving a January leadership review. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/07/o...
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Great first-hand account of the ostrich cull and its implications for public trust in Canadian institutions. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/07/a...
The ostriches are dead. What about public trust?
The government-ordered ostrich cull has revealed how social media can help a family transform their tragedy into spectacle. And their story has offered a window into the ways trust breaks down between...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 8, 2025 at 2:44 AM
Great first-hand account of the ostrich cull and its implications for public trust in Canadian institutions. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/07/a...
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"Ostriches, especially males during mating season, are extremely dangerous. … Consider sedating birds prior to euthanasia for large, uncontrollable, or dangerous birds such as ostriches or emus," states a government manual released under Freedom of Information legislation.
Documents detail how to cull ostriches as court decision looms
For weeks, a team of Canadian Food Inspection Agency employees caring for a herd of ostriches in BC have faced considerable threats: Doxxing. Harassment. Violence. Contracting a dangerous strain of av...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:00 AM
"Ostriches, especially males during mating season, are extremely dangerous. … Consider sedating birds prior to euthanasia for large, uncontrollable, or dangerous birds such as ostriches or emus," states a government manual released under Freedom of Information legislation.
Reposted by Canada's National Observer
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was outfoxed by a former Alberta Deputy Premier last week. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/04/o...
Danielle Smith has half a million reasons to support a united Canada
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has been flirting with the notion of a separatist referendum to prove her fealty to oil and gas and keep her fragile coalition intact. She was outfoxed by a former deput...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 5, 2025 at 1:20 PM
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith was outfoxed by a former Alberta Deputy Premier last week. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/04/o...
"Ostriches, especially males during mating season, are extremely dangerous. … Consider sedating birds prior to euthanasia for large, uncontrollable, or dangerous birds such as ostriches or emus," states a government manual released under Freedom of Information legislation.
Documents detail how to cull ostriches as court decision looms
For weeks, a team of Canadian Food Inspection Agency employees caring for a herd of ostriches in BC have faced considerable threats: Doxxing. Harassment. Violence. Contracting a dangerous strain of av...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 5, 2025 at 2:00 AM
"Ostriches, especially males during mating season, are extremely dangerous. … Consider sedating birds prior to euthanasia for large, uncontrollable, or dangerous birds such as ostriches or emus," states a government manual released under Freedom of Information legislation.
Tuesday's federal budget proposes to weaken the truthfulness standard companies must meet to back environmental claims and prevent third-parties greenwashing complaints to the Competition Bureau.
Carney scraps anti-greenwashing law, even as research shows Canadians want fewer climate lies online
Most Canadians want the federal government to do more about climate disinformation, especially during extreme weather, new research shows, even as the Carney government scraps Canada's laws against gr...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:19 PM
Tuesday's federal budget proposes to weaken the truthfulness standard companies must meet to back environmental claims and prevent third-parties greenwashing complaints to the Competition Bureau.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first budget did not deliver new investments on climate or clean tech. In fact, some experts say it takes a step backwards.
‘Climate negative’: Canada’s energy transition progress stalls in first Carney budget
From its underwhelming climate competitiveness strategy through near-static clean economy tax credits, the Liberal government’s 2025 spending plan is declared a fiscal and regulatory failure by indust...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first budget did not deliver new investments on climate or clean tech. In fact, some experts say it takes a step backwards.
In many respects, this is the most harmful budget from a climate perspective since the Harper era, writes Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood
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 9:46 PM
In many respects, this is the most harmful budget from a climate perspective since the Harper era, writes Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood
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“If Carney continues to put the blame on the Ontario ad for the freeze in trade talks and not on the president for having an overreaction to it, one wonders how long the unequal levels of goodwill between Ford and Carney will last.”
Carney's apology to Trump reveals the limits of the Team Canada approach: when provinces are making their own moves, Carney may be left cleaning up the mess, @supriya.bsky.social writes.
Carney apology to Trump shows rift in Team Canada approach on tariffs
After the Trump administration spent the better part of the last week and a bit complaining about an ad paid for the Ontario government that accurately represented former US president Ronald Reagan’s ...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:34 PM
“If Carney continues to put the blame on the Ontario ad for the freeze in trade talks and not on the president for having an overreaction to it, one wonders how long the unequal levels of goodwill between Ford and Carney will last.”
Communities on Vancouver Island have been asking for changes to how privately managed forests work for years. The BC government confirmed to CNO that those changes are not coming.
Long-awaited changes to BC’s private forests not coming, government confirms
Despite years of fighting by local governments to force legislative changes, the priority for the province's Forests ministry is protecting jobs in the sector, which has been impacted by the trade war...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Communities on Vancouver Island have been asking for changes to how privately managed forests work for years. The BC government confirmed to CNO that those changes are not coming.
Inuit leaders are urging Carney not to forget northern priorities, like deepwater ports and a road to Nunavut.
Inuit urge Ottawa to include northern initiatives on major projects list
Inuit leaders are claiming that decades of federal underinvestment have left the North’s basic infrastructure lagging — and urging Ottawa to tap into the zeal for nation-building and Arctic sovereignt...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:24 PM
Inuit leaders are urging Carney not to forget northern priorities, like deepwater ports and a road to Nunavut.
Carney's apology to Trump reveals the limits of the Team Canada approach: when provinces are making their own moves, Carney may be left cleaning up the mess, @supriya.bsky.social writes.
Carney apology to Trump shows rift in Team Canada approach on tariffs
After the Trump administration spent the better part of the last week and a bit complaining about an ad paid for the Ontario government that accurately represented former US president Ronald Reagan’s ...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:23 PM
Carney's apology to Trump reveals the limits of the Team Canada approach: when provinces are making their own moves, Carney may be left cleaning up the mess, @supriya.bsky.social writes.
Mark Carney thinks Canada could more than double its LNG exports by 2050. He might want to remember what happened the last time a Canadian politician made big promises like that, @maxfawcett.bsky.social writes.
The LNG bridge is starting to collapse
Global demand for LNG is supposed to be driven by its role as a so-called "bridge" between coal and renewables. What happens when the shores it's supposed to connect keep getting closer with each pass...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:19 PM
Mark Carney thinks Canada could more than double its LNG exports by 2050. He might want to remember what happened the last time a Canadian politician made big promises like that, @maxfawcett.bsky.social writes.
Eby has backed down on his plan to air ads, as BC hunts for new markets for forest products — including setting up a new trade office in Europe and sending a mission to Asia.
BC won't run anti-tariff ads, Eby says after emergency summit
The US is the province’s largest trading partner, but BC is making moves to find new markets in Asia and Europe for its softwood lumber and other wood products.
www.nationalobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:18 PM
Eby has backed down on his plan to air ads, as BC hunts for new markets for forest products — including setting up a new trade office in Europe and sending a mission to Asia.
Toronto! @cloelogan.bsky.social is the new reporter in town. Drop her a line with your story tips and burning questions you need answered about the city's changing climate, building plans and political challenges.
I’m still with @nationalobserver.com, but as of today, I’m reporting from Toronto! Excited to cover climate, energy and the environment from a new perspective — please reach out with story ideas or just to say hi ☺️
November 3, 2025 at 10:21 PM
Toronto! @cloelogan.bsky.social is the new reporter in town. Drop her a line with your story tips and burning questions you need answered about the city's changing climate, building plans and political challenges.
Even after Ontario's disastrous experience with Trump, BC Premier David Eby will run his own anti-tariff ads in the US. His office said the prime minister has not been consulted on the ads, @natashabulowski.bsky.social reports.
Eby sidesteps Carney with anti-tariff ads after Ontario blowup
BC Premier David Eby plans to press ahead with an anti-tariff ad campaign despite US President Donald Trump's swift reprisal following Ontario's anti-tariff ad ran during the baseball World Series. To...
www.nationalobserver.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Even after Ontario's disastrous experience with Trump, BC Premier David Eby will run his own anti-tariff ads in the US. His office said the prime minister has not been consulted on the ads, @natashabulowski.bsky.social reports.
While acknowledging wildfires “have become a cross-border issue,” EPA administrator Lee Zeldin blamed Canada’s forest practices instead of climate-driven extreme heat and drought.
The meeting comes on the heels of an American letter — which also ignored climate — attacking Canada over smoke.
The meeting comes on the heels of an American letter — which also ignored climate — attacking Canada over smoke.
US officials praise Canada on wildfires but ignore climate at Toronto G7 meeting
Senior members of the Trump administration praised Canada for wildfire coordination on Friday at the G7 meeting in Toronto, while downplaying climate science and pushing forest management as the main ...
www.nationalobserver.com
October 31, 2025 at 6:04 PM
While acknowledging wildfires “have become a cross-border issue,” EPA administrator Lee Zeldin blamed Canada’s forest practices instead of climate-driven extreme heat and drought.
The meeting comes on the heels of an American letter — which also ignored climate — attacking Canada over smoke.
The meeting comes on the heels of an American letter — which also ignored climate — attacking Canada over smoke.
Reposted by Canada's National Observer
What do Canada’s renewable energy and cleantech industry leaders want from the Carney government’s first budget? Read the full story on @nationalobserver.com to find out: www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/31/a...
Canada's clean industry leaders outline wishlist for Carney's first budget
From renewable energy and cleantech developers to EV supply chain companies and sustainable home builders, all agree that next week's budget is a pivotal moment in accelerating the country’s energy tr...
www.nationalobserver.com
October 31, 2025 at 3:21 PM
What do Canada’s renewable energy and cleantech industry leaders want from the Carney government’s first budget? Read the full story on @nationalobserver.com to find out: www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/31/a...
Reposted by Canada's National Observer
My column today, on how police departments' car-first attitude makes them say the darnedest things. Like "leave your e-bike at home."
The scariest part of Halloween is drivers — yet police departments blame bikes and kids
For pedestrians, the message is common-sense — wear bright and reflective clothing, don’t dart into traffic, watch where you’re going — but in its tunnel vision, the overall impression veers into vict...
www.nationalobserver.com
October 31, 2025 at 2:02 PM
My column today, on how police departments' car-first attitude makes them say the darnedest things. Like "leave your e-bike at home."
Reposted by Canada's National Observer
Canadian power must help people, not tech bros and crooks. All provinces should follow BC's example and ban power allocation for cryptocurrency mines and set electricity allocation priorities for businesses they believe matter most www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/30/o...
Canadian power must serve people before tech bros and crooks
All provinces should follow BC's example and ban power allocation for cryptocurrency mines and set electricity allocation priorities for businesses they believe matter most
www.nationalobserver.com
October 30, 2025 at 3:33 PM
Canadian power must help people, not tech bros and crooks. All provinces should follow BC's example and ban power allocation for cryptocurrency mines and set electricity allocation priorities for businesses they believe matter most www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/30/o...
“If much of the rest of the world is in a state of prolonged recession or depression because of climate change, there is no way that Canada, on a GDP per capita basis, could really benefit," said researcher Timothy Neal.
Climate change will hurt Canada's GDP more than previously thought
New economic research indicates Canada (and all countries) will see a larger hit to GDP thanks to climate change.
www.nationalobserver.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:08 PM
“If much of the rest of the world is in a state of prolonged recession or depression because of climate change, there is no way that Canada, on a GDP per capita basis, could really benefit," said researcher Timothy Neal.
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Automaker @volkswagen.bsky.social has started building NAm’s biggest #EV #battery plant, in St Thomas, Ont., as the Canadian auto sector reels from plans by Stellantis and GM to halt production of key models in the province. Read on at @nationalobserver.com: www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/29/n...
Volkswagen starts building Canada's biggest EV battery plant amid tariff turmoil
The German automaker's PowerCo has completed concrete foundations for a trio of gigafactories, even as the Ontario auto industry reels from the trade war and other automakers' exits.
www.nationalobserver.com
October 29, 2025 at 10:12 AM
Automaker @volkswagen.bsky.social has started building NAm’s biggest #EV #battery plant, in St Thomas, Ont., as the Canadian auto sector reels from plans by Stellantis and GM to halt production of key models in the province. Read on at @nationalobserver.com: www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/29/n...
The problem with the Ontario government’s ad wasn’t that it doctored or “cherry-picked” Reagan’s remarks on tariffs and free trade or that it angered Trump to this degree. The main issue is that the ad was targeted at Reagan Republicans — a group that no longer exists, @supriya.bsky.social writes.
Ford’s anti-tariff ad was dumb, but not for the reasons you think
The problem with the Ontario government’s ad wasn’t that it doctored or “cherry-picked” Reagan’s remarks on tariffs and free trade or that it angered Trump to this degree. The main issue is that — by ...
www.nationalobserver.com
October 29, 2025 at 5:06 PM
The problem with the Ontario government’s ad wasn’t that it doctored or “cherry-picked” Reagan’s remarks on tariffs and free trade or that it angered Trump to this degree. The main issue is that the ad was targeted at Reagan Republicans — a group that no longer exists, @supriya.bsky.social writes.