SEI Webinar: CARBON PROVINCE, HYDRO PROVINCE: THE CHALLENGE OF CANADIAN ENERGY & CLIMATE FEDERALISM
he FES Sustainable Energy Initiative
Presents:
CARBON PROVINCE, HYDRO PROVINCE:
THE CHALLENGE OF CANADIAN ENERGY AND CLIMATE FEDERALISM
A new book by Douglas Macdonald, Senior Lecturer Emeritus, U of T School of the Environment
University of Toronto Press, March, 2020
https://utorontopress.com/ca/carbon-province-hydro-province-4
Wednesday May 12, 3:00 – 5:00 pm via Zoom Webinar
Canada is unable to meet its climate-change targets in large part because emission reductions in provinces such as Ontario and Quebec are being overwhelmed by emission increases in others such as Alberta and Saskatchewan. How can we get the whole country moving on the same track of declining emissions?
The book provides comparative analysis of all attempts to date to put in place co-ordinated federal-provincial energy and climate programs, from Pierre Trudeau’s National Energy Program to Justin Trudeau’s Pan-Canadian Framework. Based on findings from that analysis, the book provides specific, politically viable recommendations for how we can generate more effective national climate policy without an irremediable fracturing of Confederation along the line of the West-East divide.
COVID-19 notwithstanding, such analysis is badly needed today. The October 21 2019 federal election showed a majority of voters are demanding more aggressive action to reduce emissions. But the premiers of Alberta and Saskatchewan, pointing to their very real economic distress and to the equally real problem of western alienation, are demanding policy actions which will increase their emissions. Must we choose between national unity and climate action? Carbon Province, Hydro Province outlines a path through these clashing imperatives.
Join us for a webinar presentation with author Douglas Macdonald followed by questions and discussion, including the issue of how the current pandemic is reshaping Canadian climate-change politics. The event will be hosted by SEI co-chair, Mark Winfield
All are welcome but registration is required via Eventbrite. Zoom login information will been sent to registrants before the event.
Douglas Macdonald has written extensively on Canadian climate-change policy. The Canadian Political Science Association awarded his 2007 book Business and Environmental Politics in Canada the Donald Smiley prize for the “best book published in English or French in the field relating to the study of government and politics in 2007.”