Ottawa Insider

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

Canada's National Observer is a proud participant of the Local Journalism Initiative, which supports the creation of original civic journalism that covers the diverse needs of underserved communities across Canada.

814 Articles

Your pension fund may be taking a gamble with your retirement income

Many of Canada’s major pension funds are taking some steps to protect Canadians’ retirement savings from the worsening climate crisis by aligning their investments with the world's climate goals and setting their own targets, but there is still a long way to go.

Natasha Bulowski

January 17th 2023

Corporations are winning the inflation bump, while Canadian consumers hurt

As Canadians struggle to afford essential goods and services, the spoils of inflation are ending up largely in corporate profits, particularly in the oil, gas and mining industries, a new analysis reveals.

Natasha Bulowski

January 17th 2023

Feds OK James Bay lithium mine — with conditions

Ottawa has greenlit a proposed lithium mine near James Bay, Que., as Canada turns its attention to producing minerals needed for clean technology, like electric vehicle batteries and solar panels.

Natasha Bulowski

January 16th 2023

aerial view of a construction site on the Clore river. large pumps divert the water and heavy mahcinery and workers are working in the area

Sediment and complaints fly over Coastal GasLink construction at B.C. river

The Department of Fisheries and Oceans is investigating a complaint that Coastal GasLink failed to prevent sediment stirred up by pipeline construction activities from flowing downstream at a construction site on the Lho Kwa (Clore River) in B.C.

Natasha Bulowski

January 13th 2023

‘Horror at the whole situation’ after UAE oil magnate tapped to lead next UN climate conference

Canadian politicians and civil society groups are decrying the United Arab Emirates’ decision to have an oil company CEO lead this year’s international climate talks.

Natasha Bulowski

January 13th 2023

Danielle Smith slams Ottawa’s not-yet-released ‘just transition’ plan

The new year has kicked off with Alberta’s premier and environment minister up in arms over the federal government’s yet-to-be-released Just Transition Act.

Natasha Bulowski

January 12th 2023

A woman in Pakitan cooks dinner outside her tent during the 2022 floods

Canada pledges another $25 million to help Pakistan cope with aftermath of devastating floods

Canada will give another $25 million to help Pakistan recover from devastating floods and become more resilient to climate change, International Development Minister Harjit Sajjan announced this week.

Natasha Bulowski

January 11th 2023

A white windmill on a grassy hill with jagged mountains in the backdrop.

Canadians think clean energy is more affordable and secure than fossil fuels: poll

A majority of Canadians believe an energy system based on renewable sources is more affordable and reliable than one based on fossil fuels, according to a recent poll commissioned by Clean Energy Canada.

Natasha Bulowski

January 10th 2023

Illegal eel meat charges dropped after seafood company pays $30,000, holds employee training

After some employee training and a deposit of $30,000 into an environmental fund, charges have been dropped against an Ontario-based seafood company accused of illegally importing European eel meat.

Natasha Bulowski

January 6th 2023

Oilsands giants take step forward in plans for massive carbon storage hub

A group representing Canada’s largest oilsands producers got the green light to evaluate a proposed carbon storage site in northeastern Alberta that would seek to curb planet-warming greenhouse gas emissions from the industry's operations.

Natasha Bulowski

January 5th 2023

Attention, average workers — Canada’s top CEOs make 243 times more than you

The average pay of Canada’s top 100 CEOs hit an all-time high in 2021, making the wage gap between CEOs and workers bigger than it’s ever been, according to a new report.

Natasha Bulowski

January 4th 2023

Civil society groups urge feds to ban reprocessing used nuclear fuel

Canada’s forthcoming radioactive waste policy should include a ban on plutonium reprocessing, a national alliance of civil society organizations says.

Natasha Bulowski

December 29th 2022

Canada’s biggest certifier of sustainable forests faces greenwashing accusations

Canadian environmental groups have levelled another greenwashing complaint — this time at the largest certification scheme for sustainable forestry in North America.

Climate of denial

Natasha Bulowski

December 23rd 2022

‘We need everyone to be part of the solution,’ but corporate lobbyists seen as blight on UN biodiversity talks

As the United Nations biodiversity conference in Montreal nears its end, Canadian federal politicians are weighing in on the corporate, big-money influence that can shape negotiations.

Negotiating survival

December 19th 2022

From fossil fuels to banks, lobbyists for big companies seek sway over world’s plan to protect nature

Powerful lobby groups representing fossil fuel companies, big agriculture, banks and other industries threatening the environment are out in full force at the United Nations biodiversity conference in Montreal.

The Influencers

December 17th 2022