Since they resumed sitting the week after Thanksgiving, the Government of Ontario has been throwing a lot at us, and then on Halloween they proposed sweeping changes to conservation authorities in Ontario. If it feels like we’ve been here before we kind of have, and while conservation authorities have weathered provincial meddling before, can they survive it again? Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #493 – They’re Coming for the Conservation Authorities… Again (feat. Phil Pothen)”
When Doug Ford and the Ontario government announced that they were expanding alcohol sales to grocery and convenience stores it was seen as a positive move to break up a government monopoly, but The Beer Store still has one important piece of that monopoly: returns. It was an effective example of what we now call the circular economy, but in making alcohol more available, has it cost us the most successful recycling program we’ve ever had? Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #474 – Running on Empties (feat. Karen Wirsig)”
You may have heard about the Government of Ontario’s Bill 23, the More Homes Built Faster Act. Literally introduced the day after the October 24 municipal election, the legislation proposes to change significant portions of municipal planning policy to, in theory, increase the development of housing units. With the first round of feedback about the legislation coming due, the new Guelph city council will assemble to have their say. Continue reading “Emergency Council Meeting to Discuss Impact of Bill 23”
Just in time for this podcast, the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change released another report last week, which was described by UN Secretary-General as “an atlas of human suffering and a damning indictment of failed climate leadership.” So what’s the current provincial government’s record on fighting climate change, and with an election that’s now less than three months away? Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #314 – The Environment, an Election, a Premier, and His Politics”
The day after Canadian environmental groups voiced their concern that Elections Canada was going to classify any discussion about climate change as potentially partisan, the CEO of Elections Canada says talk is free, but paid ads means groups have to register as third-party advertisers. Continue reading “Elections Canada CEO Says You Can Talk Climate Change Partisan-Free”
It’s not news that the provincial government under Doug Ford can be controversial, but when the Ontario government introduced Bill 66 a few weeks ago it courted some major controversy as the worst fears of environmentalists were realized: developing the Greenbelt was on the table. Continue reading “GUELPH POLITICAST #151 – Tim Gray, Environmental Defence”
Guelph Politico 