Alex Ballingall
TorontoStar
Canada
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Recent articles by Alex:
Big questions loom in the aftermath of the Emergencies Act to deal with the so-called ‘Freedom Convoy’
After the crisis comes the reckoning, as a public inquiry gears up study the episode and the government faces legal challenges and opposition questions over whether it properly used the Emergencies Act to address the “Freedom Convoy” movement this winter. → Read More
Ottawa grapples with echo of trucker convoy as biker rally descends on downtown core
Canada’s capital city grappled with an echo of the so-called “Freedom Convoy” Saturday as hundreds of flag-bearing demonstrators converged in downtown Ottawa under the banner of the “Rolling Thunder” biker rally. → Read More
Russia is threatening Europe’s natural gas supply. Can Canada help?
With limited pipeline capacity and a lack of export terminals for liquified natural gas, Canada is pretty much tapped out after beating the bushes for a modest increase of production this year. → Read More
Ottawa is leaving 170,000 fossil fuel workers behind, environment watchdog says
The federal government is failing to adequately support more than 170,000 fossil fuel workers whose livelihoods are at risk in the global shift to a low-carbon economy, according to a new report from Canada’s independent environment commissioner. → Read More
5 big numbers in this year’s federal budget
The federal government introduced its first budget since the 2021 election on Thursday. → Read More
Ottawa approves major offshore oil project in Newfoundland just days after UN calls new fossil fuel projects ‘madness’
Environmentalists decried the approval of the Bay du Nord project as a breach of Canada’s obligation to fight climate change. → Read More
Why does Ottawa’s new climate plan ask so little from agriculture?
The government says the plan doesn’t account for all reductions linked with the sector, and that larger gains from current climate action for farms won’t be seen until after 2030. → Read More
Less oil, more electric cars: 5 highlights of Canada’s new emissions reduction plan
The federal government’s new plan to meet Canada’s 2030 climate target charts a possible path forward in never-before-seen detail. → Read More
Ottawa to spend $9.1 billion to end Canada’s climate change losing streak
The federal government has unveiled its new road map to slash greenhouse gas emissions over the next decade, charting more than $9 billion in new spending on climate initiatives and a vision to reverse and drive down rising carbon pollution from Canada’s oil and gas sector. → Read More
Jagmeet Singh says NDP will ‘get help to people’ through deal to support Trudeau government
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh says he would be willing to pull out of a new deal that props up the Liberal minority government for the next three years, but that he is confident his party can secure the social programs and other policies Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has promised to implement in their accord. → Read More
Convoy leader and Farfadaas spokesperson Steeve ‘L’Artiss’ Charland granted bail
Charland, 48, arrested on Feb. 26 near Vankleek Hill, Ont., after he posted online about “certain plans” for so-called Freedom Convoy protesters who had been cleared from the streets of Ottawa one week earlier. → Read More
Vladimir Putin bans Justin Trudeau and hundreds of other Canadians from Russia
The Russian government blacklisted the prime minister, along with more than 300 other Canadians on Tuesday, as it retaliated against Canada and the United States over the growing array of economic sanctions imposed since the invasion of Ukraine. → Read More
Europe needs more clean energy, not Canadian oil, critics say
Canada’s top oil-and-gas lobby group and a major pipeline company are part of the federal government’s ongoing effort to possibly boost fossil fuel production and exports to help with Europe’s energy woes after the invasion of Ukraine. → Read More
Trans Mountain pipeline expansion could leave Canadians on the hook for billions of dollars
The ballooning cost of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion could make the government-owned project a money-losing enterprise for the Canadian public. → Read More
Chrystia Freeland uniquely well-placed to take on Canada’s response to Russian invasion of Ukraine
When Canada was ready to lay out its response to Russia’s invasion of Ukraine, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau turned to the three women holding the most powerful roles in his cabinet. → Read More
Meet the Russians who Canada has sanctioned since the invasion of Ukraine
On Monday, Foreign Affairs Minister Mélanie Joly vowed “there will be more sanctions coming” this week, as Canada and its allies try to “put maximum pressure on Russia, and to isolate it.” → Read More
Ottawa protest organizer Tamara Lich denied bail
Ontario Court Justice Julie Bourgeois ruled Tuesday morning that Lich poses a “substantial likelihood” of re-offending and placing public safety at risk if she is released on bail. → Read More
‘Immediately’ end protest or face arrest, Ottawa police warn truckers
The federal government made clear that it is not prepared to invoke emergency powers to take the reins of the crisis. → Read More
Ottawa police appeal for more help as “Freedom Convoy” occupation drags on
Ottawa police chief Peter Sloly is appealing for more help from Ontario and the federal government, as the city mayor suggests the Trudeau Liberals should appoint a mediator. → Read More
Ottawa police brace for weekend surge of ‘Freedom Convoy’ protesters
The police chief also said he has received death threats, and urged protesters not to bring guns and other weapons to the demonstration. → Read More