Category Archives: Canadian Politics

Why the cancellation of Keystone XL is bad for the climate, the environment and Canada

Posted on January 20, 2021 by Blair

By now we all know that President Biden has cancelled the Presidential Permit for the Keystone XL (KXL) pipeline. Needless to say climate activists have gleefully celebrated the decision. But as I pointed out on Twitter, cancelling KXL will not … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Pipelines, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

Another day, another flawed CCPA report, this time about the Trans Mountain Expansion Project

Posted on October 30, 2020 by Blair

Yesterday, I was directed to a new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA) about the Trans Mountain Expansion (TMX) project. As I have written previously, every time I get a notification about one of their reports, I … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Pipelines, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 11 Comments

Revisiting activist myths about the Trans Mountain Pipeline – or Why Climate leaders may sometimes need to build pipelines

Posted on August 18, 2020 by Blair

Activists are trying to get the Trans Mountain Pipeline Expansion Project (TMX) back in the news. On my social media feed I first saw Dr. Tim Takaro hanging in a tree then watched him as he was replaced by YouTuber … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Pipelines, Renewable Energy, Trans Mountain, Uncategorized | 9 Comments

No Rising Carbon Dioxide Concentrations will not make us Stupider – Confusing Acute versus Chronic effects of Elevated Carbon Dioxide Concentrations on Human Cognition

Posted on April 26, 2020 by Blair

I am a professional Chemist whose practice includes occupational health and safety and risk assessment. I did my first indoor air assessment involving “sick building syndrome” in 2001 and have done countless indoor air assessments in the last two decades. … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Uncategorized | 2 Comments

How new puritans, petty bureaucrats and irresponsible activists risk eroding the public will necessary to fight Coronavirus

Posted on April 15, 2020 by Blair

Watching and reading the news this weekend three stories caused me a lot of worry. Consider the following three headlines: Physical distancing ‘loopholes’ need to stop, Ottawa health official says; Oakville, Ont., family hit with $880 ticket after going rollerblading; … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Winding Down BC’s Fossil Fuel Industries – another CCPA report that just doesn’t cut it

Posted on March 4, 2020 by Blair

This morning I was directed to a new report by the Canadian Centre for Policy Alternatives (CCPA). As I have written previously, every time I get a notification about one of their reports, I hope that it will present an evidence-based analysis … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Climate Change, LNG, Uncategorized | 6 Comments

I debunk yet another misleading CAPE article about fracking and BC LNG

Posted on December 21, 2019 by Blair

As someone who specializes in evidence-based environmental decision-making, I am regularly disappointed by the dismal level of discourse in the environmental field. Organizations and individuals you would expect to provide useful insight end up doing exactly the opposite. No group … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Chemistry and Toxicology, LNG, Uncategorized | 8 Comments

BC’s Dormancy and Shutdown Regulation – Another example of BC making the right decisions in regulating our oil and gas industry

Posted on November 18, 2019 by Blair

I have written a lot about the BC natural gas and liquefied natural gas (LNG) industry. I have pointed out how BC produces some of the lowest greenhouse gas LNG on the planet; how we regulate flaring and venting better … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, LNG, Uncategorized | 9 Comments

Why environmental professionals and policy specialists are often frustrated with the climate strikers

Posted on September 2, 2019 by Blair

What parent hasn’t experienced this situation? Due to circumstances outside your control you are going to be late for a family commitment. You got out of the house late, or an accident on the highway has you stuck in traffic. … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Climate Change, Climate Change Politics, Uncategorized | 25 Comments

Why political demands we radically speed up decarbonization represent wishful thinking

Posted on July 24, 2019 by Blair

This blog post started as a potential Twitter thread that got out of hand. It grew out of recent demands by major political organizations that Canada increase its pace of decarbonization. First it was the Canadian pact for a Green … Continue reading →

Posted in Canadian Politics, Climate Change, Climate Change Politics, Leap Manifesto, Uncategorized | 8 Comments