While National Newswatch does not keep an archive of external articles for longer than 6 months, we do keep all articles written by contributors who post directly to our site. Here you will find all of the contributed and linked external articles from David Thurton.
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s push for closer diplomatic co-operation between middle powers heads to a new venue this week, as he departs later Monday for the biennial Commonwealth Heads of Government Meeting, hosted this year by Antigua and Barbuda. The timing for this year's talks is extraordinary.
Prime Minister Mark Carney says Ottawa has made progress on a trade irritant with the European Union — a carbon tariff on energy intensive Canadian exports. At the closing news conference for the Canada-EU summit in Montreal, Carney said there are "common solutions" to resolving the carbon import levy on Canadian products such as iron ore, steel, aluminum, cement and...
No exemptions for Canada despite adopting carbon pricing. Canada is facing a carbon tariff threat from the European Union within months as the economic bloc fully implements its Carbon Border Adjustment Mechanism (CBAM). According to internal documents CBC News obtained through an access to information request, Canadian iron, steel and aluminum are not exempt from the carbon tariff even with...
Canada is showing up at this year's international nature summit in Armenia with pledges to protect swaths of land bigger than most countries. But it's also facing criticism for advancing major projects that put those protections in jeopardy. Environment and Climate Change Minister Julie Dabrusin spoke to CBC News about the work she hopes to advance in Yerevan and responded...
Patrick Weiler's comments are some of the first signs of Liberal dissent to Bill C-39. A Liberal MP is calling for more guardrails as the Carney government moves to fast-track construction of major projects like pipelines, mines and ports. Liberal MP Patrick Weiler spoke in the House of Commons on Tuesday night, breaking ranks with his party on the Building...
Briefing notes outline potential fiscal shocks, population outflows, head office exodus. Internal federal documents offer insights into how Ottawa is assessing the economic fallout from the possibility of Alberta separating from Canada and becoming an independent state. The documents from Finance Canada and the Justice Department also shed light on the consequences being considered from the uncertainty caused by Alberta...
As NDP MPs meet in Toronto for their fall caucus retreat, the party is still in rough shape politically and financially. Federal New Democrats are digging themselves out of their election debt. Their leader still doesn't have a seat in the House of Commons. And their tiny caucus enters the fall Parliament
Canadians will have to prepare for a future that's 5 C hotter, according to a new report summarizing the latest science on climate change. The second edition of Canada's Changing Climate Report, a synthesis of the science on the impact of a warming planet on Canadians, confirms with greater confidence that burning fossil fuels, or what the report calls "human...
The federal government is asking a court to toss out a high-profile environmental lawsuit, arguing that it's not required to update Canada's climate plan to meet national emissions reduction targets. The government also says it's not the court's role to make or direct climate policy, and has filed a motion asking the court to strike the case before it goes...
The Carney government's financial support for the oil and gas industry amounts to breaking a federal commitment to phase out fossil fuel subsidies, according to environmental advocates. They say the measures represent further federal backsliding on climate policy at a time when oil industry earnings are on the rise. After the Trudeau Liberals promised to phase out "inefficient" fossil fuel...
New analyses suggest EV adoption will fall short of target under proposed tailpipe rules. The federal government pitched its new tailpipe standards as a way to make fuel-efficient cars more accessible to Canadians. But two groups advocating for low-emission travel say the rules would put the country short of its goal — and ultimately leave most Canadians at the mercy...
Ex-environment minister says climate change not a priority for the government. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson says a second pipeline to the West Coast will be money well-spent for the federal government but can't say how much Ottawa would be on the hook for. "I am quite comfortable that this is a good investment for Canadian taxpayers," Hodgson said in an...
Former environment minister reveals to CBC News why he is leaving politics. Ex-environment minister Steven Guilbeault says Canada is 'backsliding' on climate action as he announced Wednesday that he is leaving his job as an MP. In a candid interview with CBC's Power and Politics, Guilbeault elaborated on why he decided to leave, how the Alberta energy deal impacted his...
After a hiatus, the popular greener homes program is returning to Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, Quebec and British Columbia. Environment, Climate Change and Nature Minister Julie Dabrusin and Energy Minister Tim Hodgson announced on Monday morning the federal program’s relaunch in the four provinces.
News comes as Ottawa has set the ambitious goal of doubling Canada's electric grid by 2050. The federal government is expected to announce on Friday that it will prioritize infrastructure upgrades that would allow provinces to share excess electricity more cheaply and easily. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson is expected to highlight five power-line projects, or interties, that the federal government...
A new analysis shows the Carney government's pipeline deal could lead Canada further from its climate targets, even with an agreement on carbon pricing. The independent Canadian Climate Institute modelled the impact of the new deal between Alberta and Ottawa on carbon pollution. Compared with the emissions trajectory before the deal was signed, the institute's analysis found Canada's emissions would...
Nearly 3,000 Chinese-manufactured EVs landed in the country last month. More than 2,900 Chinese-made electric passenger vehicles arrived in Canada during the month of May. Data from Global Affairs Canada indicates that May was the first month of EV imports from China after Prime Minister Mark Carney agreed to let in tens of thousands of the vehicles under a reduced...
As Guilbeault resigns, McKenna, Wilkinson and 'Katy Perry's boyfriend' in one room. It was the end of an era and the four politicians who were its chief architects gathered in one room in Ottawa. Former prime minister Justin Trudeau and his former climate change cabinet ministers — Catherine McKenna, Jonathan Wilkinson and Steven Guilbeault — on Wednesday were at the...
Canada's headline carbon price was supposed to rise to $170/tonne by 2030.The federal government and the Alberta government are nailing down a deal on industrial carbon pricing, largely considered Canada's most important policy for driving down harmful greenhouse gas pollution. CBC News has confirmed that both levels of government have agreed that Alberta's effective carbon price would increase to $130/tonne...
Government will consult for 30 days before tabling legislation. The federal government is proposing legislative changes to streamline the review process for major projects, including energy projects such as pipelines. The changes are aimed at completing these reviews within a year.
Government considers changes to the Impact Assessment Act and the Fisheries Act, sources say. The government House leader confirmed on Thursday plans to change regulations and legislation in order to speed up the approvals of major resource projects. The confirmation comes following a report from CBC News, in which federal sources said the government plans to present proposals aimed at...
Changes coming as Alberta MOU negotiations drag on. The Carney government is planning to propose changes to make it easier for natural resource projects — including pipelines — to be approved and built faster. Two federal sources say an announcement is planned for later this week that could shift the regulatory framework for all natural resource and federally regulated major...
In the closing days of the NDP leadership race, Avi Lewis's past activism has resurfaced. But the front-runner's campaign is standing by his past work and a decade-old vision that's been both criticized within the New Democrats' ranks and weaponized by their opponents. Lewis's campaign is deflecting criticism after an old video was shared on social media this week of...
Plan formerly known as 'just transition' limited to previously announced policies. The Carney government's plan to protect jobs in the energy sector amounts to a list of existing policies that critics say aren't focused enough on those at risk of losing work. Previously called the 'just transition,' the new federal sustainable jobs action plan offers little in the way of...
Attacks underscore the need to develop Canada's natural resources, says energy minister. Energy Minister Tim Hodgson says he's starting to get calls from countries about how Canadian energy producers can fill the gap amid the war in Iran, which is driving up oil and gas prices. "The world right now is feeling incredibly insecure as a result of this weekend,"...
Canada's energy minister says the country is poised to become one of the world's biggest suppliers of liquefied natural gas, exporting as much as 100 million tonnes per year. Tim Hodgson delivered that optimistic outlook to a parliamentary committee earlier this month, noting that countries such as Japan, South Korea, China and India all want Canadian gas. "If we deliver...
As a nation Canada might not be meeting its national climate targets, but the federal government is exceeding its own internal greenhouse-gas-reduction goals. In an update Monday, the government of Canada said carbon pollution from its operations is down by 42.5 per cent below 2005 levels. This exceeds Ottawa's 40 per cent reduction target and represents a slashing of 1.02...
5 hopefuls take the stage as party looks to both rebuild and prove its relevance. When the five NDP leadership candidates take the debate stage on Thursday, they will face two challenges — convincing Canadians the party is still relevant, and then rebuilding it. "We don't know when the next election will be, it could be a few months away...
Climate experts say emission rules still need to be worked out — and automakers hold much power. Despite widespread approval from provinces and auto manufacturers, Prime Minister Mark Carney's auto plan might not accelerate the transition to electric vehicles as fast as he says. On Thursday, Carney ended Canada's electric vehicle mandate, resumed purchase incentives and said higher standards for...
Up to $5,000 business or lease incentives coming for EVs. Prime Minister Mark Carney is repealing Canada’s electric vehicle mandate that required all new car sales to be electric in a decade, scrapping another Trudeau-era environmental policy. Instead, Carney is taking his own approach by introducing stronger greenhouse gas emission standards for vehicle models 2027-2032 to encourage automakers to produce...
Incentives for consumers buying EVs also expected to resume. The federal government is expected to announce its national automotive strategy on Thursday that includes scrapping Canada's electric vehicle mandate and replacing it with a new system of fuel efficiency standards and credits, CBC News has learned. Two sources say Ottawa is also expected to bring back popular electric vehicle incentives...
Alberta NDP leader says province doesn't have 'luxury' of getting stuck in internal ideological battles. Alberta NDP Leader Naheed Nenshi has a blunt message for federal NDP leadership candidates. Nenshi said he has spoken with the three front-runners — Avi Lewis, Heather McPherson and Rob Ashton — and suggested to CBC News that he asked candidates not to stand in...
No decision yet on future of the EV sales mandate, sources say. The federal government is considering bringing back consumer incentives for electric vehicles and plug-in hybrids as it finalizes its national automotive strategy, CBC News has learned. Sources with knowledge of the plans, whom CBC News has agreed not to name because they weren't authorized to speak publicly, say...
NDP leadership candidate Avi Lewis is calling for a moratorium on data centres along with other measures in a bid to rein in emerging generative artificial intelligence (AI) companies that he says are stealing private data, threatening jobs and harming the environment. Lewis, one of the frontrunners in the leadership race, dropped another platform plank on Thursday that called for...
Labour leader Rob Ashton has raised concerns about AI replacing workers. Despite being concerned artificial intelligence is replacing workers, NDP leadership candidate and union leader Rob Ashton used AI during an online campaign event on Sunday. Attentive users of the discussion platform Reddit noticed several of Ashton's responses during his AMA (short for "ask me anything") seemed like they had...
Despite 3 front-runners, some fear race could be turning into a snoozer. The NDP leadership race could be turning into a nail-biter with no clear winner in sight. But it's unclear if Canadians are tuning in. The field of candidates now has three front-runners, several NDP strategists and analysts tell CBC News.
'Many New Democrats are allergic to fundraising,' report says. The federal NDP released its internal campaign review Friday, largely avoiding casting blame on senior party officials and instead citing issues that were beyond the control of New Democrats for its worst election loss. "The overall verdict from campaign staff was that the NDP ran a technically solid campaign in a...
The Carney government is making good on a promise to help tackle one of the most potent forms of climate pollution, as it announces new measures to address methane emissions from the oil and gas industry. CBC News obtained an early copy of the announcement that Environment, Climate Change and Nature Minister Julie Dabrusin is expected to deliver in Metro...
Environment minister suggests equivalency agreement with Alberta is in the works. Ottawa’s clean electricity regulations' days are numbered in Alberta, after Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith signed their memorandum of understanding last week. The federal government suspended the regulations meant to rein in Canada’s worst polluter, but it hasn’t explained how it is going to ensure...
Deal to be formally announced on Thursday. Prime Minister Mark Carney and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith have agreed to the broad outlines of a memorandum of understanding that would give Alberta special exemptions from federal environmental laws and offer political support to a new oil pipeline to the B.C. coast, CBC News has learned. The deal is set to be...
Canada’s new environment minister and Environment and Climate Change officials confirmed that the federal government is standing by the national climate targets previously set under Justin Trudeau. On several occasions, Environment and Climate Change Minister Julie Dabrusin was asked about whether the current Liberal government was still committed to working toward the near-term targets set under the previous prime minister...
Alberta’s premier hopes to make a deal before Grey Cup. The Alberta and federal governments are in negotiations to sign a major accord that could reset their relationship. Both sides have said the aim of the talks is to sign a formal memorandum of understanding (MOU). The Alberta premier’s office has said they hope to ink the deal before the...
Ahead of the release of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s climate competitiveness strategy, his energy minister offered some hints of what will be included when it's introduced in Tuesday’s budget.
Policy is one of several supports for tariff-impacted sectors announced this month. Ottawa's "Buy Canadian" policy will be featured in the fall federal budget and is expected to be fully place by next spring, according to a senior federal source. The source said initial elements of the policy should be in effect by as early as November, and will be...
Does the EV mandate really ban gas-powered vehicles? The future of Canada's electric vehicle mandate is uncertain. Prime Minister Mark Carney announced this month that he is pausing the national mandate, what Ottawa calls the electric vehicle availability standard. Conservatives have been calling for some time for policy to be scrapped. Carney stopped short of doing that, but did not...
Should Canada come clean and admit it won’t meet its climate goals? Prime Minister Mark Carney is facing mounting pressure to act on climate change amid another near-record-shattering wildfire season and scorching hot summer. But five months after taking Canada's top political job, it's unclear whether he will pursue his Liberal predecessor's deep emissions cuts.
The president of the national Inuit organization says he's been given reassurances that Prime Minister Mark Carney's plan to fast-track major nation-building projects won't violate modern treaties and there will be "full partnership of the Inuit within these processes." The prime minister is meeting with Natan Obed, president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami, and other Inuit leaders in Inuvik, NW.T., as...
Sweeping powers, level of consultation questioned as bill races through Parliament Liberals are attempting to bulldoze their mega projects bill through Parliament, according to critics who say the legislation interferes with Indigenous rights, environmental protection and democracy itself. The government's One Canadian Economy Act is generating controversy inside and outside the House of Commons, with some arguing it confers king-like...
Internal federal documents suggest legislation could be tabled as early as next month. The Liberal government will introduce legislation to assist in identifying projects in the national interest and provide "up-front regulatory approvals" to major projects, according to a federal document obtained by CBC News. "Once a project is determined to be in the national interest, federal reviews will shift...
Sources say party was focused on saving leader's seat at the expense of other incumbents. In the dying days of the federal election campaign, senior New Democrats made a desperate, last-ditch attempt to save Jagmeet Singh's Burnaby, B.C., seat. Some say it was unwinnable. At least 20 staff from the party's Ottawa headquarters packed the leader's campaign plane just days...
Polls suggest the Green Party is at risk of being wiped off Canada's electoral map on election night, but co-Leader Elizabeth May believes the numbers don't reflect the party's ground game. May, who's running for a fifth term, said she's knocked on so many doors that only her left hand can continue.
Canadians will receive an extra carbon tax rebate on April 22. The last Canada Carbon Rebate arrives on Tuesday after Liberal Leader Mark Carney killed the federal consumer price on carbon. Only those who filed their 2024 income taxes electronically by April 2 will receive the payment on Tuesday. Otherwise, the final payment will be deposited once the Canada Revenue...
As Jagmeet Singh heads into his third week of campaigning, the NDP leader is dropping his assertive messaging that he is running to be prime minister. Singh is no longer explicitly repeating the line at news conferences. On Wednesday and Friday, CBC News asked Singh if he was still running for the country's top political job.
Party says it's a 'volatile' time as CBC Poll Tracker shows support under 12%. In a "get ready with me" video posted this week, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh twists his long hair under his turban and talks about his life before politics. "I went out and got three minimum-wage jobs … to put food on the table," he says to...
3 former Ontario MPPs among those hoping to make inroads for national party. The NDP has a list of battleground ridings where party insiders believe they are competitive and have a chance to grow. Although the party intends to field candidates in all 343 federal ridings during the 2025 election, local riding associations and the party have been working for...
New Democrats say Conservative MPs were missing in action as Canadian parliamentarians visited Capitol Hill and met with American lawmakers and business leaders this week. Canadian MPs and senators were in Washington on Tuesday and Wednesday as part of Parliament's diplomatic efforts. The trip coincided with the start of the U.S.-Canada trade war. In a social media post, NDP MP...
Singh calls Trump a 'fascist' as he outlines his foreign policy vision. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh became the first Canadian political leader to call on the U.S. president to be uninvited from a major summit of world leaders this summer in Canada. "Why would we invite someone who threatens our sovereignty and economic well-being? Why would we invite someone who...
Favourability moving in the wrong direction while election could be weeks away. The 2025 federal election seemed to have all the makings of a breakthrough for Canada's New Democratic Party. Polling shows voters want change. The Liberal Party is leaderless. Plus, those vying to replace Prime Minister Justin Trudeau have promised policies that would move the party back to the...
Memo accuses Liberals of turning the tariff crisis into a political opportunity. The NDP's national campaign director has sent a memo to all candidates and campaign staff warning them to be prepared for a snap federal election as early as March 10. CBC obtained a copy of the memo titled "Election timing and planning," sent on Wednesday to about 14...
The NDP made new election commitments on Monday: imposing tariffs on Tesla electric vehicles, bringing back the federal EV rebate and doubling it if consumers buy a Canadian-made plug-in car. NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is on a campaign-style swing in Canada's automotive capital and border town: Windsor, Ont. Singh told reporters that if Trump follows through with his threat to...