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

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.

Prime Minister Trudeau needs better advice—fast

Herbert Grubel

Appeared in the National Post, June 14, 2018

Increased capacity to move oil to tidewater should eliminate the gap between world oil prices and prices in North America.

Pembina’s renewable revolution requires a rethink

Kenneth P. Green

If wind and solar power are “cheaper” than conventional generation, then there would be no need for subsidies.

The long list of disincentives to oil and gas investment in Canada keeps getting longer

Kenneth P. Green

Bill C-69 would completely overhaul how major energy projects are reviewed by government in Canada.

The finance minister said what? Part 3

Elmira Aliakbari, Ashley Stedman, Jason Clemens

The theoretical or “ideal” carbon-pricing system has never been implemented.

The high cost of getting climate policy wrong

Kenneth P. Green

According to the PBO, provincial cooperation with the federal carbon floor may reduce the size of Canada's economy by 0.5 per cent in 2020.

Canada is an environmental leader, not a laggard

Ross McKitrick, Elmira Aliakbari, Ashley Stedman

Appeared in the National Post, April 20, 2018

Overall, Canada ranks 10th with a score well above the OECD average.

The results are in—Canada’s air quality among the best in the world

Elmira Aliakbari, Ashley Stedman

Appeared in the Calgary Herald, April 20, 2018

Previous reports from other organizations including the David Suzuki Foundation used flawed methods to measure air quality.

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

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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