John Woodside
Senior Ottawa Reporter | Ottawa |
English
About John Woodside
John Woodside was named one of Canada Clean50's emerging leaders in 2023 for his outstanding reporting on the climate and related issues. Focusing on finance, lobbying, energy policy and the climate emergency from Ottawa, Woodside brings a depth of experience to Canada's National Observer. Before joining Canada's National Observer, John reported on energy for allNewBrunswick and allNewfoundlandLabrador, and focused on Muskrat Falls, nuclear power, and the Irving group of companies. He has also worked with Cited Media and with the foreign policy news outlet OpenCanada. He graduated from the University of British Columbia with a Masters in Journalism.
He also contributes to reporting on federal policy thanks to a grant from the Local Journalism Initiative and the Government of Canada.
Tired slogans in face of Trump tariffs spell real risk for Poilievre
As incoming U.S. President Donald Trump threatens a trade war to push Canadian officials to cave on a list of demands, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre is in a political bind that represents his first real threat to his electoral chances.
Boosting oil exports central to Canada's charm offensive on Trump
Increasing the flow of oil and gas to the United States to help avoid Trump's threat of 25 per cent tariffs is a key plank of Canada's diplomatic maneuvering, but it reveals a longstanding problem for the Canadian economy: we're severely vulnerable to an unpredictable neighbour.
Hydrogen won’t protect pension profits from gas utilities death spiral
Pension funds are gambling with Canadians’ retirement savings by placing multi-billion dollar bets on hydrogen's ability to rescue old, polluting gas pipelines from terminal decline, according to a climate finance advocacy organization.
Pathways Alliance flagship project looks like a big money loser without long term government subsidy
According to a global think tank, the business case for the Pathways Alliance's flagship carbon capture project is going up in a cloud of smoke, renewing questions of the wisdom of putting taxpayer dollars on the line for it.
Mark Carney would struggle to distance himself from the Trudeau era
Mark Carney, the former governor of the Bank of Canada and Bank of England, is still deciding whether he wants the Liberal crown. But if Liberals have any hope of saving the party from collapse, experts say a stark contrast must be drawn between the new leader and outgoing Prime Minister Justin Trudeau.
Trudeau resigns with major climate promise still unfulfilled
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will resign once a new Liberal leader is crowned, bringing his tumultuous third term to a close with the oil and gas pollution cap still outstanding. Time is running out.
Is the Liberals climate plan built on quicksand? A year end interview with Steven Guilbeault
In a year end interview with Canada's National Observer, Environment and Climate Change Minister Steven Guilbeault acknowledges the tough political headwinds his government is facing as he tries to get the last of the Liberal's climate plan over the line. But if the Conservatives come to power next year, a big question remains: what, if anything, will survive?
Canada accused of using Paris Agreement to shield itself from accountability at world’s top court
As the world’s top court decides what the legal obligations are for countries to respond to climate change, Canada weaponized the Paris Agreement in an attempt to shirk responsibility, critics say.
2024: A decisive year for climate action
Regardless of which party forms our next government, we will need strong journalism holding decision makers' feet to the fire. Pierre Poilievre’s Conservatives are threatening to unwind most climate policies, seeing climate change as a cultural wedge issue to rile up their base. Meanwhile, Justin Trudeau’s beleaguered Liberals have introduced a number of climate policies, but they’re often too weak. We are not yet on track to meet our targets.
Trudeau stakes out high ground on climate with cabinet shuffle
Friday’s cabinet shuffle is widely seen as an attempt by Trudeau to plug the holes before the Liberal ship capsizes, but nonetheless there are positive signals for the climate concerned.