Steph Wechsler, National Observer

Steph Wechsler

National Observer

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Past:
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  • This Magazine

Past articles by Steph:

Ford guts grant to help further truth and reconciliation

The Ontario government of Doug Ford – which has already cancelled curriculum-writing sessions intended to increase Indigenous content – is now coming after cultural grants. → Read More

McKenna and Ontario environment minister still in a stalemate on climate action

Ontario and federal environment ministers remain locked in a stalemate on climate action, but characterized their discussions Thursday as useful and constructive. They discussed such areas of agreement as protecting species at risk, plastic pollution and conservation of the Great Lakes. → Read More

Doctors prescribe action for 'eco-anxiety'

The lead author of a new report, Dr. Courtney Howard, says climate-related events have “started to shift peoples thoughts away from thinking of climate change as something that has to do with carbon dioxide on a graph and something that has to do with them and their children and their health and their future.” → Read More

Alberta regulator apologizes for spooking public with $260-billion cleanup cost estimate

The Alberta Energy Regulator is apologizing for a “staggering” presentation, made last February by one of its highest-ranking officials, warning the province’s oilpatch that it could be sitting on an estimated $260 billion in financial liabilities. → Read More

Ford government moves to slash Green Energy Act, claims it ‘tramples’ municipal rights

The Ontario government tabled legislation to repeal the province's Green Energy Act on Thursday, claiming the nine-year-old law has allowed the province to "trample" municipal rights to choose local energy projects for too long. → Read More

While countries take steps to protect bees, Canada straggles

An international consortium of scientists is calling for more countries to get on board with restricting certain pesticides after two regions have taken strong action. → Read More

Green leader ridicules Ford's claim that scrapping climate policy lowered gas prices

Green Party Leader Mike Schreiner ridiculed the claim as “a complete farce,” saying price declines now are seasonal. → Read More

Court ruling makes way for Ford government to halve Toronto council

Toronto’s election will proceed with the reduced wards imposed by Premier Doug Ford’s council-slashing bill, the Court of Appeal has ruled. → Read More

Judges urged to disregard 'looming nightmare' while deciding fate of Toronto city council

Three justices should disregard the “looming nightmare” of the notwithstanding clause as they decide whether or not to allow the Ontario government to slash Toronto’s city council, a lawyer representing residents and council candidates said Tuesday. → Read More

What you need to know about Bill 5 before judge decides Toronto's fate

Ontario Superior Court Justice Edward Belobaba is expected to make a critical decision for the future of democracy in Toronto early this week. → Read More

Canada Child Benefit rules discriminatory, say newcomer advocates

A federal benefit program for children “unfairly and arbitrarily” excludes some families without permanent resident status, including those paying taxes, says a research report released Friday. → Read More

Postmedia loses Pecker following Cohen guilty plea

David Pecker, the chairman and CEO of the company that owns National Enquirer, resigned from his board seats at Postmedia Network Canada Corp. and Postmedia Network Inc., the Canadian media company has announced. → Read More

Skilled workers in Canada explain what ‘keeps them up at night’

The report, which aggregated its findings through a nationwide survey and focus groups, found “a surprisingly higher incidence of precarious professionals among workers aged 55 to 64 years and among professionals with more 10 years of work experience.” → Read More

Ford government jettisons Hydro One board

The act that will regulate Hydro One compensation has been proclaimed, Premier Doug Ford said on Wednesday, one that will regulate board compensation and require cabinet approval for any changes. → Read More

Ontario legislature adjourns without adopting Ford government bill to cancel cap and trade

The Ontario legislature adjourned for the summer on Tuesday, delaying plans to formalize its signature cap and trade cancellation bill. → Read More

McKenna and Phillips get off to a rough start

Canadian Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna says she has come out of her first meeting with her new Ontario counterpart feeling "disappointed." → Read More

Doctors urge population to stay cool after dozens die during heat wave in Central Canada

Health officials in Central Canada are urging the population to find ways to stay cool after dozens of deaths struck the country's two most populous provinces during a recent heat wave. → Read More

Mike Schreiner sworn in as Ontario's first Green MPP

A moment after he swore his oath, Mike Schreiner said he was looking forward to doing politics differently. → Read More

Here's what you need to know about Doug Ford's new cabinet

Ontario has a new environment minister with a background in gambling, an energy minister who has taken on Indigenous affairs and no one in cabinet whose main job will be tackling immigration. → Read More

Progressive Conservative Premier Doug Ford introduces 21-member cabinet at Queen's Park

Doug Ford is now the premier of Ontario, putting an end to 15 years of Liberal rule in Canada's most populous province, with a brand new 21-member cabinet. → Read More