Many observers of the current Ontario election have highlighted the lack of substance in the platforms of all four major parties. In the cases of energy issues and the environment the platforms are most notable for what they don’t say. …
Energy, the Environment and the Ontario 2014 Election: The Platforms vs What Needs to Happen May 2014
Issue What Needs to Happen Green Party NDP PC Liberal Energy/ Electricity Defer nuclear refurbishments pending completion of an independent, external, public review of likely costs and costs of alternatives (i.e. conservation, renewables and storage, natural gas, hydro-imports from Quebec).Phase …
Ontario’s not-so-green election: What Needs to Happen vs. the Platforms
May 28th, 2014 Following up my blog yesterday on the Ontario election and environment and energy issues (http://marksw.blog.yorku.ca/2014/05/26/ontarios-not-so-green-election/), I’ve prepared a table comparing what needs to happen in the key areas of Electricity/Energy; Urban Sustainability; Air/Water/Waste; Natural Resources and the …
Ontario’s not-so-green election published in the Hamilton Spectator, June 3, 2014; Toronto Star June 5, 2014
With the leaders’ debate complete and the 2014 election platforms of all four major parties now published, those looking for inspiration and new ideas around the environmental and economic challenges facing Ontario are likely to be disappointed. Green has not …
Re: “Flawed tests play down crude oil’s explosiveness” Letter to the Editor, The Globe and Mail, April 7, 2014
April 7, 2014 The Editors The Globe and Mail 444 Front St. Toronto, Ontario Dear Sir/Madam, Your story today (“Flawed tests play down crude oil’s explosiveness”) highlights again the extent to which the rapid pace of development of “unconventional” fossil …
Re: “Harzardous goods disclosure security risk, Lisa Raitt says” Letter to the Editor, Published in The Toronto Star, March 24, 2014
March 19, 2014 The Editors The Toronto Star 1 Yonge St. Toronto, Ontario Re: “Harzardous goods disclosure security risk, Lisa Raitt says” Dear Sir/Madam I find Transport Minister Lisa Raitt’s claim that disclosing greater information regarding the movement of dangerous …
Six Functions of Non-Governmental Organizations in a Democratic Society (Updated February 12, 2014)
The lead up to this week’s federal budget featured news that the Canada Revenue Agency, the federal government’s tax collector, has undertaken an unprecedented series of audits focussed on the activities of environmental organizations in Canada. The audits, which are …
LAC-MÉGANTIC : LA CAUSE TOUT INDIQUÉE POUR UNE ENQUÊTE JUDICIAIRE – PUBLIÉ PAR THE MONTREAL GAZETTE, 1ER JANVIER 2014
Mark S. Winfield Professeur agrégé, Faculté des Etudes Environnementales, Université York, Toronto Traduit par Luce Lefebvre (www.lucelefebvre.com) Le 29 décembre 2013 La semaine dernière, la reprise du service ferroviaire de Lac-Mégantic, au Québec, a fait revivre de pénibles souvenirs …
Lac-Megantic: The Case for a Judicial Inquiry – Published in the Montreal Gazette, January 1, 2014
December 29, 2013 The return to train service to Lac-Megantic, Quebec last week has brought back painful memories of the events of the early hours of July 6th 2013 for the town’s residents, when an unattended train of 73 car-loads of …
Ontario’s new energy plan – some initial thoughts
December 2, 2013 My initial thoughts on the new Ontario energy plan might be of interest. They are as follows: Renewables: The big loser here looks like renewables, with the exception of some additional hydro. Although the target date for …