Version published in Policy Options, May 29, 2023 The recent federal budget reinforced the centrality of the electrification of transportation, building heating, and industrial activities in meeting Canada’s climate change targets and obligations. The situation has led to suggestions that …
Is Ottawa’s ‘clean’ industrial and climate strategy putting energy production ahead of energy productivity?
Version published in Policy Options, April 23, 2023. By Mark Winfield and Johanne Whitmore The federal government’s 2023 Budget has drawn considerable praise for its $80 billion in federal investments in a ‘clean industrial’ strategy aimed at meeting Canada’s climate …
Doug Ford calls federal environment minister ‘a real piece of work’
March 31, 2023 The Editors The Toronto Star Toronto, Ontario Dear Editors, Doug Ford says he will put his “record on the environment against any government in the history of this province, or right across the country.” He had better …
Re: Critics wary of Moltex’s nuclear-waste strategy
Published in the Globe and Mail April 5, 2023 The Editors The Globe and Mail Toronto, Ontario Dear Editors The Globe’s article on the proposed molten salt nuclear reactor at the Point Lepreau site highlights a critical weakness in the …
Has Metrolinx become a law unto itself?
February 23, 2023, updated March 2, 2023; Related story in the Toronto Star, April 22, 2023 Photo: CBC Although Metrolinx has recently backed down on its proposal to build a railway yard in the Don Valley, the project, along with …
Letter to the Editor Toronto Star and Globe and Mail re: “Greenbelt is Ontario’s jurisdiction, Ford says”
January 28, 2023 Published in the Globe and Mail, February 5, 2023 Dear Editors, Ontario Premier Doug Ford claims that matters related to the GTA Greenbelt and land-use are “our jurisdiction.” The constitutional, legal and financial reality is a bit …
A Triumph of the Incumbents? Assessing the federal government’s choices on the road to decarbonization.
Published in Policy Options, January 25, 2023 Canada’s nuclear industry got an important pre-Christmas gift from the federal government in the form of the announcement of its decision not to conduct an impact assessment of a proposed small modular nuclear …
Has Ontario’s housing ‘plan’ been built on a foundation of evidentiary sand?
Mark Winfield (York) and Joe Castrilli (CELA) Published in the Conversation, January 22, 2023; the National Post, January 23, 2023, The Narwal, January 27, 2023 In late 2022, the Ontario government adopted Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act. …
Re: Comments re: ERO number019-6163 – Proposed Planning Act and City of Toronto Act Changes (Schedules 9 and 1 of Bill 23 – the proposed More Homes Built Faster Act, 2022)
December 8, 2022 To: PlanningConsultation@ontario.ca From: Mark Winfield, Ph.D., Professor, Faculty of Environmental and Urban Change York University (marksw@yorku.ca) Re: Comments re: ERO number019-6163 – Proposed Planning Act and City of Toronto Act Changes (Schedules 9 and 1 of Bill …
Letter to the Editor – Globe and Mail Re: Ontario needs density, its getting sprawl
November 23 The Editors The Globe and Mail Toronto, Ontario Dear Editors, The Globe continues to treat Ontario’s housing task force report as if it should constitute the guiding light for the province’s approach to planning and development. The reality …