Environment

Federal Reforms and the Empty Shell of Environmental Assessment

— May 31, 2018

Federal Reforms and the Empty Shell of Environmental Assessment finds that environmental assessments for resource development projects, such as oil and gas pipelines, have always been arbitrary and political, and the federal government’s proposed reforms—contained in Bill C-69—do nothing to change that. If anything, the changes may increase uncertainty in the project approval process.

Environmental Ranking for Canada and the OECD

— Apr 19, 2018

Environmental Ranking for Canada and the OECD finds that Canada is a world leader in environmental performance and ranks in the top ten among the world’s wealthiest, cleanest and most developed countries on a wide range of environmental indicators.

Canada’s Climate Action Plans: Are They Cost-effective?

— Nov 16, 2017

Canada’s Climate Action Plans: Are they cost-effective? finds that current provincial plans will cost Canadians billions and likely produce very little environmental benefits, based on a detailed review of provincial climate action plans and results from countries and other jurisdictions around the world that have pursued similar policies.

Poor Implementation Undermines Carbon Tax Efficiency in Canada

— May 4, 2017

Poor Implementation Undermines Carbon Tax Efficiency in Canada finds that the theoretical benefits of carbon taxes and cap-and-trade schemes—that they can lower emissions and improve the economy at the same time—are negated by poor implementation such as layering these schemes on top of, instead of replacing existing regulations.

Canada's Air Quality Since 1970: An Environmental Success Story

— Apr 20, 2017

Canada's Air Quality Since 1970: An Environmental Success Story finds that levels of four major air pollutants—ground-level ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide—have all fallen substantially since the 1970s despite significant population and economic growth and increased energy usage over the same time.

Did the Coal Phase-out Reduce Ontario Air Pollution?

— Jan 17, 2017

Did the Coal Phase-out Reduce Ontario Air Pollution finds that the coal phase-out produced only a small reduction in fine particulates, a common measure of air pollution, and in Toronto and Hamilton, the reduction was statistically insignificant. In fact, had the province completed its modernization of the coal-fired plants, instead of shutting them down, fine particulate reductions of the same size could have been achieved at a much lower cost.

Recent Environment Commentaries and Blog Posts

Ontario to scrap Green Energy Act, which increased electricity prices and killed jobs

Elmira Aliakbari, Ashley Stedman

High electricity prices were responsible for roughly 75,000 job losses in the province’s manufacturing sector.

Alberta needs less words, more deeds from Premier Notley

Kenneth P. Green

Appeared in the Calgary Sun, September 19, 2018

This government has saddled Albertans with carbon taxes, carbon-emission caps, coal power plant phase-outs, and more.

Ottawa wants yet another carbon tax for Albertans

Kenneth P. Green

Appeared in the Calgary Sun, September 12, 2018

Conventional energy can be made “clean” with existing technologies, even coal power plants.

More obstacles ahead for Canada’s energy sector if Bill C-69 becomes law

Elmira Aliakbari, Ashley Stedman

Bill C-69 would overhaul the assessment process of major energy projects and add new criteria including “gender implications."

Court ruling puts Trans Mountain pipeline expansion at risk

Kenneth P. Green

The Court also mentioned the potential impact of oil tankers on killer whales.

Smoky days are here again—but Canada’s air is cleaner

Kenneth P. Green

Appeared in the Calgary Sun, August 22, 2018

Concentrations of sulfur dioxide have sharply declined over the last four decades.

Did Prime Minister Trudeau flinch on the federal carbon price backstop?

Kenneth P. Green

Expect more “tweaks” to come for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s carbon price backstop with the 2019 election fast approaching.

Eliminating 'GreenON' program will save taxpayer money

Ben Eisen, Elmira Aliakbari

Appeared in the Toronto Sun, June 28, 2018

Individuals are actually better decision-makers than government planners seem to believe.

And here’s your carbon bill, Canada

Kenneth P. Green

Appeared in the Financial Post, June 27, 2018

Already across Canada, a significant number of households are in “energy poverty.”

Environmental group identifies minuscule spillage rates for pipelines

Kenneth P. Green

The total spill volume from 2004 to 2017 equaled an estimated 0.00003 per cent of hydrocarbons moved through the four analyzed pipelines.

Research Experts

Elmira Aliakbari

Associate Director, Natural Resource Studies, Fraser Institute
Pierre Desrochers

Associate Professor of Geography, University of Toronto
Glenn Fox

Professor of Agricultural Economics and Business, University of Guelph
Kenneth P. Green

Resident Scholar and Chair in Energy and Environmental Studies, Fraser Institute
Ross McKitrick

Professor of Economics, University of Guelph
Cornelis "Kees" van Kooten

Professor of Economics, University of Victoria
Joel Wood

Associate Professor of Economics, Thompson Rivers University

Search form

Environment

Federal Reforms and the Empty Shell of Environmental Assessment

Environmental Ranking for Canada and the OECD

Canada’s Climate Action Plans: Are They Cost-effective?

Poor Implementation Undermines Carbon Tax Efficiency in Canada

Canada's Air Quality Since 1970: An Environmental Success Story

Did the Coal Phase-out Reduce Ontario Air Pollution?

Research Experts