Given the growing importance of climate change and the environment, the IIGR has been analyzing and monitoring recent policy debates, developments, and their implications. These issues clearly have implications for intergovernmental relations. With both the federal and provincial governments introducing policy initiatives in this area, intergovernmental relations are clearly becoming an increasingly important dimension of global warming and climate change. Below are recent news articles and opinion pieces written by, or about, IIGR researchers, regarding energy and environmental policy issues.
Changing provincial funding a political disaster: think tank
Tobin Dalrymple, Canwest News Service
Published: Thursday, June 05, 2008
OTTAWA - It will be "a political disaster" similar to the failed Meech Lake accord if the Conservative government proceeds with a promise to change how federal funds are allocated to provinces, say two senior researchers with a policy think tank. In a new report from the Institute for Research on Public Policy, author Thomas Courchene warns that Prime Minister Stephen Harper's promise in his 2007 speech from the throne to limit federal spending power will impair the ability to shape key, nation-building programs.
Cut greenhouse gas emissions in ways that preserve jobs
Jun 05, 2008 04:30 AM
Ken Neumann
Download the Full Article [PDF 259 KB]
After many years of vague talk by governments about fighting global warming, it is encouraging that the debate has finally begun to tackle specific mechanisms to achieve cuts in greenhouse gas emissions. However, now that policy-makers are considering competing proposals for setting a price on carbon in the Canadian economy, it is vital to make sure that the design preserves and enhances Canadian jobs, especially in the manufacturing sector, rather than accelerating the job-destroying trends already in place.
Counterpoint: Level the greenhouse
Posted: May 14, 2008, Financial Post online
By John R. Allan and Thomas J. Courchene
Continuing media reports that St茅phane Dion is poised to unveil a carbon tax as a major plank in his party鈥檚 electoral platform inevitably raise the issue of the adequacy of Canada鈥檚 efforts to curb greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and the viability of proposed remedies. As advocates of either carbon tariffs or taxes, we would like to comment briefly on some of the issues involved, most particularly on the need for such measures.