Jordan Omstead

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 Jordan Omstead.

Municipal climate plans under threat by new Ontario housing bill, critics say

Municipal climate plans under threat by new Ontario housing bill, critics say

TORONTO -- A major piece of Toronto's climate plan appears to be in the Ontario government's crosshairs, critics warn, as the province advances a bill that could strip municipalities of their power to set green building standards.

Dresden locals, First Nations take landfill fight to Queen's Park

Dresden locals, First Nations take landfill fight to Queen's Park

TORONTO -- Local residents and a First Nation brought their fight against a large landfill to Queen's Park, where they accused the premier of trampling over the community's concerns to fast-track a project backed by his donors.

After Ontario backtracks on landfill study, Liberals seek probe into donor links

After Ontario backtracks on landfill study, Liberals seek probe into donor links

TORONTO -- The Ontario Liberals are asking the integrity commissioner to investigate the province's decision to backtrack on an environmental assessment of a massive landfill expansion project backed by Progressive Conservative donors.

Ontario to ask for appeal of court order pausing Toronto bike lane removal

Ontario to ask for appeal of court order pausing Toronto bike lane removal

TORONTO -- Ontario is seeking to appeal a temporary court order stopping it from ripping up three major Toronto bike lanes while a judge weighs whether the plan is unconstitutional.

Canada's top court to decide whether to hear a trailblazing youth-led climate case

Canada's top court to decide whether to hear a trailblazing youth-led climate case

TORONTO -- Canada's highest court is set to decide whether it will hear arguments in a trailblazing climate change lawsuit that could clarify whether governments are constitutionally required to tackle planet-warming emissions.

Ontario ordered to pause Toronto bike lane removal until Charter case decided

Ontario ordered to pause Toronto bike lane removal until Charter case decided

TORONTO -- Premier Doug Ford's government has been ordered to keep its hands off three major Toronto bike lanes until a judge can decide whether a plan to remove them is unconstitutional.

New climate institute at University of Toronto launched with $60M gift

New climate institute at University of Toronto launched with $60M gift

TORONTO -- The University of Toronto is launching a new climate institute with the help of a $60-million gift.

Ontario's bid to remove certain bike lanes to be tested with Charter challenge

Ontario's bid to remove certain bike lanes to be tested with Charter challenge

TORONTO -- The Ontario government's "irrational and dangerous" bid to remove three major Toronto bike lanes should be ruled unconstitutional, a lawyer for a group of cyclists said in court Wednesday, arguing the province's own internal advice and experts suggest the move won't accomplish its stated goal to ease congestion.

Ontario's bill to remove certain bike lanes to be tested with Charter challenge

Ontario's bill to remove certain bike lanes to be tested with Charter challenge

TORONTO -- An Ontario law empowering the province to remove three major Toronto bike lanes is being tested in court by a group of cyclists who argue it's unconstitutional.

EV-ready parking spots should be required in new apartment builds: report

EV-ready parking spots should be required in new apartment builds: report

TORONTO -- A newly released report suggests new apartments across Canada should be required to make their parking spots electric-vehicle ready as a way to help boost uptake.

Canada advances toxic label for 'forever chemicals,' phased regulation approach

Canada advances toxic label for 'forever chemicals,' phased regulation approach

The federal government says it's moving ahead with a plan to designate the entire class of so-called forever chemicals as toxic and expects to begin consultations in two years on further regulating their use in cosmetics, food packaging and other consumer products.

Collapses, menacing calls, 'reptilian kitten-eater': A look at past Ontario elections

Collapses, menacing calls, 'reptilian kitten-eater': A look at past Ontario elections

The Progressive Conservatives are looking to win a third consecutive majority government for the first time in more than 50 years when Ontario votes on Thursday.

Clean energy transition must be key for next Ontario government: report

Clean energy transition must be key for next Ontario government: report

TORONTO -- The next Ontario government should take the lead in encouraging urgent expansion of interprovincial electricity transmission while ensuring it advances a transition to a clean economy, a new report by the Pembina Institute said Wednesday.

After 15 years at the helm, can Schreiner lead the Ontario Greens to a breakthrough?

After 15 years at the helm, can Schreiner lead the Ontario Greens to a breakthrough?

KITCHENER, Ont. -- There was a moment in 2023 when it seemed possible the man who had become practically synonymous with the Green Party of Ontario might leave it behind.

Land long reserved for possible Pickering airport will go to Parks Canada: minister

Land long reserved for possible Pickering airport will go to Parks Canada: minister

After half a century in limbo, the federal government says it will scrap plans to build an airport on thousands of acres in Pickering, Ont., and instead look to transfer the land to Parks Canada.

One in 10 Canadians live in places susceptible to green transition disruption: report

One in 10 Canadians live in places susceptible to green transition disruption: report

One in 10 Canadians live in communities susceptible to workforce disruption from the transition to a greener economy, a new report suggests while underlining solutions that could help those regions adapt.

Climate groups tried to spur action with a Taylor Swift ticket giveaway. Can it work?

Climate groups tried to spur action with a Taylor Swift ticket giveaway. Can it work?

TORONTO -- Taylor Swift commands a legion of devotees, but among the thousands decked out in cowboy boots, friendship bracelets and glitter at her Canadian performances, one was not like the others.

Canada says it wants to slash its emissions in half by 2035. Will that be enough?

Canada says it wants to slash its emissions in half by 2035. Will that be enough?

TORONTO -- Canada is aiming to cut its emissions in half by 2035 compared to 2005 levels, the federal government announced Thursday, a target more modest than what a federal advisory body had previously recommended.

Canada says it wants to slash its emissions by half by 2035. Will that be enough?

Canada says it wants to slash its emissions by half by 2035. Will that be enough?

Canada is aiming to cut its emissions in half by 2035 compared to 2005 levels, a newly released target range that is lower than what a federal advisory body recommended. Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault says a target of reducing emissions by 45 to 50 per cent balances both ambition and achievability. He says the target's lower end...

Canada says it wants to slash its emissions by half by 2035. Will that be enough?

Canada says it wants to slash its emissions by half by 2035. Will that be enough?

TORONTO -- Canada is aiming to cut its emissions in half by 2035 compared to 2005 levels, a newly released target range that is lower than what a federal advisory body recommended.

Poll suggests 13% of Canadians think Canada should become the 51st American state

Poll suggests 13% of Canadians think Canada should become the 51st American state

President-elect Donald Trump is calling Prime Minister Justin Trudeau the governor of the "Great State of Canada" on his social media account. Trump said in a taunting post to Truth Social early Tuesday it was a "pleasure to have dinner" with Trudeau at his Mar-a-Lago estate and that he looks forward to seeing the "governor again soon" to talk tariffs...

Guilbeault disappointed plastic treaty talks end with no agreement

Guilbeault disappointed plastic treaty talks end with no agreement

Canada was disappointed negotiators failed to reach a deal on a global treaty to end plastics pollution, Environment Minster Steven Guilbeault said, though he remained hopeful an agreement could still be struck with talks set to resume next year.

Guilbeault disappointed as plastic treaty talks end with no deal

Guilbeault disappointed as plastic treaty talks end with no deal

Canada's environment minister says he's disappointed that international negotiations over a treaty to end plastic pollution have ended without an agreement.

COP29 primer: Canada's priorities at the global climate talks, and the Trump impact

COP29 primer: Canada's priorities at the global climate talks, and the Trump impact

Canada could be an important consensus builder at this year's international climate negotiations, Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault said, while downplaying concerns that Donald Trump's presidential election victory could hamper the talks.