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Burning Tar Sands = ‘Unsolvable’ Climate Crisis: Hansen
2013-05-31  |  Janet Eaton

We have a ‘tremendously chaotic’ climate on the way, climate expert warns

Fresh off his resignation from NASA, leading climate scientist James Hansen is making the rounds this week, warning media and lawmakers that not only are we heading for a “tremendously chaotic” climate, but if we dig up and burn Canadian tar sands, the climate crisis will be rendered “unsolvable.”

Image: NPAA/Scripps Institution of Oceanography.

Hansen told a a panel of U.K. lawmakers, the Environmental Audit Committee, on Friday that “the potential amount of...

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New Brunswick's Premier Alward's support for EU trade deal not unconditional
2013-05-30  |  Janet Eaton

CBC News Posted May 29th 2013

'We believe this is good for New Brunswick, but the work is not finished,' Alward says

Premier David Alward says he will support a Canada-Europe free trade deal as long as it doesn't affect protected industries in New Brunswick.

Canada and the European Union have been trying to hammer out a free trade agreement for several years.

Alward said lower tariffs on Canadian seafood could mean more exports to Europe and that could increase demand, leading to higher prices for fishermen.

But Alward said his support for the CETA (Comprehensive Economic Trade Agreement) negotiations are not unconditional.

"Thus far, with what we've seen, we believe this is good for New Brunswick, but the work is not finished,” he said.

"Until the negotiations are finished and the recommendations are completed, I'm not prepared to support...

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Fisheries talks raise alarm
2013-05-30  |  Janet Eaton

By James McLeod. Published May 29th in The Telegram

Opposition politicians in Newfoundland and in Ottawa are expressing concern about potential fisheries industry giveaways at the negotiating table on Canada-Europe free trade talks, but the province’s fisheries union said Tuesday that fewer trade barriers would be a good thing.

On Monday, Premier Kathy Dunderdale said Prime Minister Stephen Harper tried to strongarm her by deregulating the province’s processing sector in exchange for a loan guarantee on Muskrat Falls.

Dunderdale said she wouldn’t agree to any sort of “quid pro quo” but she said when it comes to the Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement (CETA) with Europe, everything is on the table during negotiations in Brussels.

 

Fish, Food and Allied Workers union president Earle McCurdy said if the province has to bend on minimum processing requirements in the province, that may be alright as long as Europe...

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CETA Duffy scandal has weakened Canada’s negotiating position for EU trade deal
2013-05-29  |  Janet Eaton

By John Ivison 13/05/28

Stephen Harper is in desperate need of some good news.

The Prime Minister was roasted like a rotisserie chicken over the Senate scandal during Question Period Tuesday.

Thomas Mulcair did a good job of looking exasperated at Mr. Harper’s vague responses: “We are asking very simple, straightforward questions and the Prime Minister is not answering them. That is the problem. Canadians want answers.”

But the leader of the Opposition doesn’t really want answers — he wants to turn the spit slowly until the Prime Minister’s reputation is well and truly cooked.

As Mr. Mulcair and Liberal leader Justin Trudeau peppered him with questions it is fair to say that Mr. Harper could not have been mistaken for a cloudless day.

No wonder he is intent on shifting the public’s attention back to his stewardship of the economy.

The Conservative leader’s great hope is the signing of a free...

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Dunderdale: Harper wanted Muskrat Falls quid pro quo (re CETA¸)
2013-05-29  |  Janet Eaton

By Sue Bailey | May 27, 2013 5:04 pm |

ST. JOHN’S, N.L. — Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Kathy Dunderdale says there was a behind-the-scenes battle over federal support for the Muskrat Falls hydro project when the prime minister tried to tie it to fishery concessions.

Dunderdale told the St. John’s Board of Trade on Monday that talks for the $1-billion loan guarantee almost fell apart the night before Prime Minister Stephen Harper flew to Labrador to sign off on it.

The flap was over his effort to link that promised backing to European trade talks, she said during a luncheon speech.

“You want to know what the racket was about Nov. 29? It was about the fishery. And the prime minister wanted a quid pro quo,” she said.

`”You know what I told him to do with the loan guarantee.”

Dunderdale said she was furious at Harper...

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