Elizabeth MayThe news out of Detroit is pretty shocking. The only thing more shocking is that it is not making headlines in Canada. The New York Times has been…
We have now crossed a dangerous line in the global build up of greenhouse gases. Greenhouse gas concentrations have moved from the pre-Industrial Revolution level that never exceeded…
The essence of Westminster Parliamentary democracy is that all MPs, including the Prime Minister, are equal, all are elected to represent their constituents, and that, even though a…
As the pro-bitumen export crowd notices the gathering storm clouds over their Northern Gateway and Kinder-Morgan options, and, further south, sees long shadows falling over the Keystone XL…
I am frequently asked how I maintain a positive attitude when confronted by Stephen Harper’s destructive agenda—dismembering our environmental laws and policies. Honestly, I can respond that most…
Harper’s public relations and spin team hit Vancouver last week to unveil their super-duper enviro-protection plan for pipelines and tankers. Minister of Natural Resources Joe Oliver and Minister…
On February 15, with the Conservatives’ typical, quiet Friday afternoon, splash-less launch, the 2012 Progress Report to the Federal Sustainable Development Strategy was tabled in the House of…
I had originally intended to write this column about my trip to Washington, DC on February 7-8, when I met with United States Senators and Congresspersons about climate…
When a situation is as desperate as the climate crisis and yet, year after year, no leadership emerges, it is hard to believe that the situation may be…
“You won’t recognize Canada when I’m through with it,” Stephen Harper in 2006, -Noah Richler, National Post, May 5, 2012 How do you re-make a country? How do…
I admit that I have failed in my number one goal for 2012—either convincing Stephen Harper to change his mind about Kyoto or to force him out of…
On November 26, voters in three ridings went to the polls to replace MPs who resigned within the last few months. In June, Calgary Centre Conservative Lee Richardson…
Last year many Canadians were saddened when Private Members Bill C-393, which had passed in the House, died in the Senate when the spring 2011 election was called.…
We had some very good news at the end of October. Agriculture minister Gerry Ritz confirmed that the Plant Health Centre on the Saanich Peninsula would not be…
In the last issue of Island Tides, I detailed my fears about the Canada-China version of the Foreign Investment Promotion and Protection Agreement (FIPPA). In Question Period, I…
One of the hot topics in Parliament these days is the proposed $15 billion takeover of Canadian energy giant Nexen by the China National Offshore Oil Corporation (CNOOC).…
From most of my Island Tides columns, one could conclude that my every waking hour was absorbed in documenting the horrific decisions of the current federal government. It…
In what has become an annual media photo-op, Stephen Harper made his seasonal trek to Canada’s North in August. The bravado of proclamations of “use it or lose…
The idea of a shell game is simple enough. Three small shells or cups glide around a surface, hiding one small object. Wikipedia notes that this game is…
For anyone familiar with Stephen Harper’s role as a provincial rights advocate, the federal posturing on the Enbridge risky tanker and pipeline scheme is more than ironic. It…
On Wednesday, June 13, just after Question Period and before the tabling of amendments to the Omnibus Budget Bill C-38, a rally took place outside Parliament. The online…
Canada has two approaches when dealing with totalitarian regimes. If they have no money or inclination to invest, we are quick to condemn and to shut such nations…
The appalling 420 page so-called omnibus budget implementation bill, C-38, will likely clear the Senate before you read this. All 700+ of the Opposition amendments were defeated after…
There has been no announcement of the devastating decision to stop studying the natural world, but the evidence is piling up that such a decision has been taken.…
Since my last article for Island Tides, Parliament has been dominated by the March 29 Budget and the April 26 budget implementation bill, Bill C-38. The first set…