Statement from Keith Brooks, Programs Director Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Huron-Wendat – New data released today by the Government of Canada shows that Canada is finally starting to bend the curve when it comes to climate pollution. GHG emissions in 2022 were the lowest they have been in 25 years, with the exception of the pandemic years. However, more action is needed to get the country on track to avoid catastrophic and irreversible climate damages. Critically, Canada must quickly reduce its dependen ..read more

We’ve been closely following all the controversy surrounding Enbridge’s greenwashing and price gouging in Ontario, so we knew we had to make some additions to the Climate Villains roster. Welcome Gregory L. Ebel, the CEO of Enbridge, to our list of infamous Climate Villains – powerful people with fossil fuel interests holding Canada back from effective climate action. If you haven’t heard of Mr. Ebel before, don’t worry; you’re not alone. The executives behind the fossil fuel industry often avoid public scrutiny, which is why we’re shining the spotlight on their activities. We’ve sourced publ ..read more

Statement from Julia Levin, Associate Director, National Climate Ottawa | Traditional, unceded territory of the Algonquin Anishinaabeg People – Today Capital Power announced that they would not be pursuing carbon capture at the Genesee Generating Station, east of Edmonton Alberta, given the high costs and complexity of implementing the technology. The project was first proposed in 2021, and has already received government subsidies.  This decision is just the latest failure in carbon capture’s terrible track record. It should serve as a lesson for governments on how reckless it is to be ..read more

Statement from Phil Pothen, Land Use and Land Development program manager Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – In November 2022, Ontario Premier Doug Ford claimed that sprawl construction would be in progress on the Greenbelt by the end of 2023. Developers tried to evict tenants to make way for construction and survey trucks were on the ground in the Duffins Rouge Agricultural Preserve. Ontarians all know how that turned out. Amid multiple investigations, federal intervention and public outrage at the attack ..read more

This Earth Month, Environmental Defence celebrated its 40th Anniversary. Our Executive Director, Tim Gray, marked the occasion with a speech underscored with a message of hope—a message we’d like to share with all of you now. Four decades of creating meaningful change is no small feat and perseverance often requires hope. But, as you’ll read in Tim’s message below, there’s a certain type of hope that promises a better future, and it’s one rooted in grit, not blind optimism. Hope is a gift that all of us share. We can tap into it to make our lives richer and more productive. So how does the sc ..read more

This blog was written by Melina Laboucan-Massimo, Founder and Executive Director of Sacred Earth Solar My name is Melina Laboucan-Massimo. I am from the Lubicon Cree First Nation in Little Buffalo, Alberta.  In 2011, my community experienced what was the second-largest oil spill in the province’s history – 4.5 million litres of crude oil (28,000 barrels) contaminated hectares of an aquifer, beaver ponds, muskeg and dense forest. The pipeline owner – Plains Midstream Canada ULC – later faced three charges under provincial law.  The effects of the spill were disastrous. I remember fam ..read more

Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – Environmental Defence Executive Director, Tim Gray, will speak at Saturday’s “Keep the Promise – Respect Milton Rally” co-hosted in partnership with a number of local community groups. Together, the groups stand in opposition to re-opening the former Reid Road gravel pit and its conversion into a blasting quarry. The proposed quarry’s close proximity to homes is a danger to the people of Campbelleville and the local environment. It also provides an example of the destruct ..read more

Canada promised to cut its greenhouse gas emissions after the 2016 Paris Agreement. It was part of the global agreement where 195 countries all agreed to reduce their emissions, and Canada has set this promise into law. While other G7 countries are slashing emissions, Canada lags far behind. In order to meet our targets, every sector of the Canadian economy must row in the same direction. The federal government has set targets and policies for most sectors in the economy….except for the banks, pension funds, and insurers who make investments across our economy. Why financial regulation? Regul ..read more

This is a guest blog by George Minakakis, Chair of ACTION Milton and Campbellville resident.    In the heart of Milton, a looming threat endangers the very essence of community life. The proposed Reid Road Reservoir Quarry is more than just a local issue – it’s a call to protect our fundamental right to clean drinking water, fresh air, and a safe living environment. The stakes couldn’t be higher. The quarry’s potential approval threatens to contaminate Milton and Campbellville’s water supply and degrade our air quality. Imagine 60,000 gravel truck trips each year, stirring dust, di ..read more

On April 15th, Members of Parliament did something we have been urging them to do for months: they passed the Sustainable Jobs Act, or Bill C-50. This is good news.  Countries that are leading the transition to a green economy have had similar legislation for years. Bill C-50 will help Canadian workers and communities prepare for the future in a low-carbon economy.  It took time to get the legislation to this important milestone. Despite being a good and necessary policy, Bill C-50 faced fierce opposition from the oil and gas industry and the politicians who defend big polluters. No ..read more