Emma McIntosh, TorontoStar

Emma McIntosh

TorontoStar

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Recent:
  • Unknown
Past:
  • TorontoStar
  • National Observer
  • WR Record
  • Edmonton Journal
  • Calgary Herald

Past articles by Emma:

Highway 413 route threatens 11 at-risk species, provincial government documents reveal

Documents show Ontario has confirmed the presence of 11 at-risk species, raising questions about whether Ottawa might have to take over the project. → Read More

What the Ford government hasn’t told you about its next controversial highway project

In their rush to resurrect the Bradford Bypass, Premier Doug Ford’s Progressive Conservatives are forging ahead without divulging some basic information about the highway. → Read More

Former environmental watchdog Dianne Saxe appointed deputy leader of Ontario Greens

Dianne Saxe was the Ontario environmental commissioner from 2015 until 2019, when the Ford government eliminated her position. On Friday, Canada's National Observer reported that Saxe would run for the Greens in 2022. → Read More

America’s QAnon problem is infecting Canada. What should we do about it?

Though the unfortunate cultural import from the United States has been kicking around Canada for years, QAnon has gained new prevalence this year. How bad is it, and what can be done to stop it? → Read More

Facebook suspends, then reinstates hundreds of accounts linked to anti-Coastal GasLink event

The social media giant said the suspensions were done by mistake and that it had reinstated the accounts Monday. But it didn’t explain how the incident happened, and some said they still weren’t able to access their accounts. → Read More

Eight candidates on the ballot for race to succeed Elizabeth May as Green Party leader

Online voting will open later this month, with a party leader to be chosen Oct. 3. The new leader will take over at a pivotal time, in a moment where talk of a green recovery from COVID-19 is gaining momentum and the possibility of a snap election this fall looms. → Read More

After MP’s offensive tweet, O’Toole says Tories will counter anti-Semitism

“When I found out about it, the tweet was already down," the new Conservative leader told reporters Wednesday. → Read More

Catch up on Erin O’Toole’s first week as Conservative leader

O'Toole's early days on the job were fairly routine, but his first week ended with controversy over a tweet from a Conservative MP and his answer to a question about systemic racism. → Read More

Fort Albany First Nation calls for repeal of Ford’s omnibus economic recovery bill

The Ontario government passed the omnibus economic recovery bill, which included a significant overhaul of environmental assessments, last week. The auditor general has previously said the government’s failure to consult on the change wasn’t compliant with the law. → Read More

Alberta to redefine ‘minerals,’ excluding 500 sand projects from environmental scrutiny

Is sand a mineral? An Alberta court decision recently found it is, a crucial distinction that means hundreds of projects suddenly require an environmental assessment. → Read More

Ford government plans would strip endangered species protections in the Golden Horseshoe, critics say

The Ontario government wants to make it easier to build quarries in endangered species habitat. Combined with plans to exempt logging companies from endangered species rules, the effect could be devastating, critics say. → Read More

Doug Ford promises transparency on environmental changes made during COVID-19

For several months, the Doug Ford government suspended environmental protections and transparency requirements, citing COVID-19. On Thursday, the premier committed to releasing a full accounting of environmental changes made during that period. → Read More

Doug Ford tests negative for COVID-19

The Ontario premier and his health minister got tested yesterday after another minister was in contact with someone who had the virus. → Read More

Front-line hospital workers left out of Ontario pandemic pay

Ontario’s pandemic pay left out many health-care workers who are on the front line of the pandemic. The province won’t explain how it chose who would get the top-up. → Read More

Canadian cleantech pushes to be part of COVID-19 recovery

As Canada continues to battle COVID-19, calls for a green recovery are growing. "We can use this moment to start building an innovative, sustainable, inclusive and resilient national economy," said Jim Balsillie, chair and co-founder of the Council of Canadian Innovators. → Read More

Ontario sees spike in COVID-19 cases, testing lags again

What's behind this week's “little surge” in COVID-19 cases in Ontario? Premier Doug Ford has said if cases don't begin to decline again soon, he may have to reintroduce restrictions. → Read More

Court overturns Ford government's decision to cancel partially built wind farm

Environment Minister Jeff Yurek lacked the legal authority to cancel the Nation Rise wind farm and either ignored or misunderstood key evidence, the Ontario Superior Court ruled. “This decision does not meet the requirements of transparency, justification and intelligibility," the decision said. → Read More

'Alberta didn’t contain it': COVID-19 outbreak at oilsands camp has spread across the country

Outbreaks linked to the Kearl Lake project in northern Alberta have killed two Indigenous elders in northern Saskatchewan, and infected a B.C. long-term care home. Critics say the Alberta government should have restricted fly-in work weeks ago. → Read More

Doug Ford went against COVID-19 health advice to visit his cottage

Before the Easter weekend, the Ontario premier promised he wouldn't go to his cottage in Muskoka due to COVID-19 health advice. Following news reports to the contrary, Ford admitted he had driven there alone to check the property's plumbing. → Read More

Ontario allowing ‘secret lobbying’ amid COVID-19: critic

The Progressive Conservative government has invited businesses to ask for rule changes to help them weather the pandemic. Companies do not have to disclose lobbying activity if they receive a written invitation to do it. → Read More