Ottawa Insider

Natasha Bulowski reports from Ottawa with a slant on how federal policy is impacting British Columbians.

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828 Articles

Trade deal could put corporate profits over people, say groups

As Canada and Ecuador prepare to negotiate a free trade deal, environmental and human rights organizations from both countries speak out against the likely inclusion of investor-state dispute settlement mechanisms.

Natasha Bulowski

March 4th 2024

Ottawa puts chips down on nuclear

Federal Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathon Wilkinson reaffirmed his government’s support for the nuclear industry with a $50-million investment to expand nuclear power generation in Ontario.

February 29th 2024

Canada’s pension funds must pick up the pace on climate

Despite progress to improve climate policies, some of Canada’s largest pension funds are still moving too slowly and betting unwisely against the energy transition, a new report indicates.

Natasha Bulowski

February 27th 2024

Push grows to turn the sustainable jobs act into law

Twelve labour and environmental groups are urging federal politicians to get the sustainable jobs act back on the House of Commons agenda so the long-awaited legislation can become law.

Natasha Bulowski

February 26th 2024

striking picture of a coal mine in B.C.'s Elk Valley

Plans for new coal mine show the need for water pollution probe

A new coal mine proposed in B.C.’s Elk River Valley highlights the need for a long-overdue cross-border investigation into water quality and an end to coal mining in the region, some environmental groups argue.

Canada's Coal Connection

Natasha Bulowski

February 23rd 2024

We need to better understand hydrogen pros and pitfalls

Hydrogen production is touted by the Canadian government and others around the world as a clean alternative to fossil fuel use, but climate-impact assessments are vulnerable to miscalculations, according to new research by the Environmental Defense Fund.

Natasha Bulowski

February 21st 2024

Feds tweak energy regulations for provincial flexibility

Most of the possible changes respond to concerns raised by provincial governments and industry during the six-month consultation period on the draft regulations published in August 2023.

Natasha Bulowski

February 16th 2024

A group of people gathered at Whiteshell Laboratories in Manitoba in 1979

Waste headed for Ontario site is a radioactive ‘mishmash’: nuclear industry veterans

Approval of a nuclear waste disposal site near the Ottawa River hinged on a promise that only low-level radioactive waste would be accepted.

Natasha Bulowski

February 13th 2024

Bill seeks crackdown on fossil fuel ads

A new private member’s bill is taking aim at fossil fuel companies using the same tactics that forced Big Tobacco to stop advertising.

Natasha Bulowski

February 7th 2024

view of Chalk River Labs from a boat in the Ottawa River

‘All we can do is hope for the best’: Concerns persist about radioactive waste disposal site

Canadian Nuclear Laboratories got the go-ahead from Canada's nuclear regulator to build a disposal facility for one million cubic metres of waste but the licensing process has been fraught with concerns and interventions from former employees and concerned scientists and citizens.

Natasha Bulowski

February 6th 2024

New coal mine proposed for B.C. Rockies

A mining company wants to open a coal mine in B.C.’s Rocky Mountains to extract, process and export coal in high demand by Asian steelmakers.

Canada's Coal Connection

Natasha Bulowski

January 31st 2024

A person putting on a hazmat suit, taping it all up so there's no gaps, with the help of another individual

Nuclear waste safety top of mind for politicians after Ontario disposal site approval

Approval of a contentious radioactive waste facility in Deep River, Ont., is bringing flaws in Canada’s nuclear waste management to the fore, say area politicians.

Natasha Bulowski

January 22nd 2024

Feds approve $2B loan guarantee to help TMX over finish line

The federal government has issued yet another taxpayer-backed loan guarantee — this time for up to $2 billion — to help get the massively over-budget Trans Mountain pipeline expansion over the finish line.

Natasha Bulowski

January 15th 2024

Radioactive waste site ‘shoved down our throats,’ critics say

The approval of the controversial Chalk River project has left critics and some Algonquin First Nations reeling that environmental concerns brought to the nuclear safety regulator fell on deaf ears.

January 11th 2024

Brick buyildings and smoke stacks of the Chalk River nuclear laboratory are visible from the river on a bright, sunny day

Radioactive waste site in Chalk River a go

The Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission has greenlit a proposed nuclear waste storage facility in Chalk River, Ont., after a years-long battle waged by concerned citizens, environmentalists and First Nations.

Natasha Bulowski

January 9th 2024