Carl Meyer

On Canada Day, more than an average month’s worth of rain fell in a matter of hours in a corner of Ottawa. More than 7,000 people have reported flooded basements. But the event was so localized, it didn't even register on Environment Canada's rapid attribution system. thenarwhal.ca/ottawa-munic...

The special committee examining the latest bill to fast-track industrial projects gets going today, but senators already had a chance to question the government. Senator Michèle Audette told me she's concerned First Nations’ traditional territories could be ignored: thenarwhal.ca/bill-c39-ind...

Senator Suze Youance asked about a "middle ground between economic haste and environmental prudence.” Senator Rosa Galvez asked, "how will scientific independence be maintained?" Govt response: environmental standards, obligations to Indigenous Rights, public participation have all "not changed"

The special committee examining the latest bill to fast-track industrial projects gets going today, but senators already had a chance to question the government. Senator Michèle Audette told me she's concerned First Nations’ traditional territories could be ignored: thenarwhal.ca/bill-c39-ind...

A document meant for a behind-closed-doors group of fossil fuel advocates earlier this year got right to the point: Canada’s policies to fight the climate crisis, protect nature and defend Indigenous Rights are a “problem” and environmental organizations are “opponents” thenarwhal.ca/fossil-fuel-...

Another doc showcases campaigns to defend natural gas in homes, attack the emissions cap, downplay the necessity of low-carbon, and suggest LNG can lead to lower emissions. Studies show pollutants seep into homes with gas heat, gas stoves linked to asthma risk, + LNG climate impact is underestimated

A document meant for a behind-closed-doors group of fossil fuel advocates earlier this year got right to the point: Canada’s policies to fight the climate crisis, protect nature and defend Indigenous Rights are a “problem” and environmental organizations are “opponents” thenarwhal.ca/fossil-fuel-...

The document relates to a presentation scheduled to be part of a session where fossil fuel advocacy groups were to discuss shaping public perceptions in favour of the industry. It referenced @writermjs.bsky.social and his excellent work reporting on a pipeline: thenarwhal.ca/csis-resourc...

Canada’s large oil companies are raking in record profits during an energy crisis. We’ve been here before — but unlike last time, Ottawa isn’t prodding the industry to use more of the money to clean up its act. In some ways, it’s even volunteering to pick up the tab. thenarwhal.ca/canada-oilsa...

When he was minister @stevenguilbeault.bsky.social criticized oil companies for directing record profits to shareholders. I asked @juliedabrusin.bsky.social's office if she shared that view. “Oil and gas companies have an important role to play in driving down Canada’s emissions" her spox responded.

Canada’s large oil companies are raking in record profits during an energy crisis. We’ve been here before — but unlike last time, Ottawa isn’t prodding the industry to use more of the money to clean up its act. In some ways, it’s even volunteering to pick up the tab. thenarwhal.ca/canada-oilsa...

“We are in a frightening summer from wildfire smoke. The damage yet again will be in the billions, and the question is, who should pay for that? Should it be the general public?” - Former Toronto mayor David Miller, now at @c40cities.bsky.social and Elbows Up For Climate @climatecaucus.bsky.social

It is 2006. The government wants to cut emissions with carbon capture. It is 2016. The government wants to cut emissions with carbon capture. It is 2026. The government wants to cut emissions with carbon capture. thenarwhal.ca/canada-carbo...

Now, like Harper, Carney is putting his faith in carbon capture to do the heavy lifting, while he advocates for more oil production that will increase emissions. The government still claims that carbon capture and storage "holds great opportunity" and offers a "practical path to reduce emissions."

It is 2006. The government wants to cut emissions with carbon capture. It is 2016. The government wants to cut emissions with carbon capture. It is 2026. The government wants to cut emissions with carbon capture. thenarwhal.ca/canada-carbo...

I talked with both @cathmckenna.bsky.social and @stevenguilbeault.bsky.social for this story. "Oil and gas companies talked to me about carbon capture and storage, and made promises, for like a decade. We have yet to see anything," McKenna said.

It is 2006. The government wants to cut emissions with carbon capture. It is 2016. The government wants to cut emissions with carbon capture. It is 2026. The government wants to cut emissions with carbon capture. thenarwhal.ca/canada-carbo...

The context around the Alberta MOU is that the deal promises not to implement the Trudeau-era oil and gas emissions cap. The cap came after oilsands producers put a more ambitious carbon capture proposal on the table than what's in the MOU deal today. At the time, they said they didn't need a cap.

It is 2006. The government wants to cut emissions with carbon capture. It is 2016. The government wants to cut emissions with carbon capture. It is 2026. The government wants to cut emissions with carbon capture. thenarwhal.ca/canada-carbo...

I've been reporting on federal politics since 2008. My entire career I've listened to politicians talk about using carbon capture to cut industrial emissions. Carbon capture removed 68 million tonnes over a 24-year period. The oilsands added much more, 92 million tonnes, over a single year, 2024.

In 2023 I reported Canada lacked evidence backing industry's claim Canadian LNG exports could lower global emissions by displacing coal. They knew domestic LNG would pollute, so they went digging for proof it could lower it elsewhere. As Matt writes here, our deal with Germany isn't displacing coal.

It's interesting that, at the time, the govt said demonstrating lower emissions could create "social license" for LNG in Canada, and was mindful of "advancing LNG within Canada’s climate commitments." Now, the Carney govt just describes Canadian LNG as "low-carbon" when announcing the Germany deal.

In 2023 I reported Canada lacked evidence backing industry's claim Canadian LNG exports could lower global emissions by displacing coal. They knew domestic LNG would pollute, so they went digging for proof it could lower it elsewhere. As Matt writes here, our deal with Germany isn't displacing coal.