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.

815 Articles

‘We can’t truly have reconciliation until we have that truth’

As Canada marked its first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation on Thursday, two of Canada’s newly elected Indigenous MPs reflected on what the federal government — and all Canadians — can do to further reconciliation.

Natasha Bulowski

October 4th 2021

Can Canada scale up international climate financing?

Scaling up international climate financing is critical to the success of COP26 and Canada is playing a key role.

COP26: Uniting the World to Tackle Climate Change

John Woodside

October 1st 2021

In Ottawa, first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation honours survivors, those who never came home

On Sept. 30, Parliament Hill was painted orange as more than 1,000 people gathered for the first National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Natasha Bulowski

October 1st 2021

Lorelei Williams says Canadians must believe the dark truth of genocide

Canada’s National Observer spoke with Lorelei Williams, an advocate for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls (MMIWG) and their families, ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Natasha Bulowski

September 30th 2021

No more oil for Canada's second-largest pension fund

Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec is selling off its oil assets as part of a four-pronged strategy to protect its members’ pensions as the world hurtles into an era of climate breakdown.

John Woodside

September 29th 2021

Annamie Paul leaves a struggle ‘for the soul’ of the Green Party

Annamie Paul says there’s a fight over the future of the Green Party and she’s not up for any more punches.

John Woodside

September 28th 2021

Green Party Leader Annamie Paul resigns

Annamie Paul is resigning as Green Party of Canada leader, after months of party infighting, losing an MP to the Liberals, and failing to win her seat in the House of Commons.

John Woodside

September 27th 2021

Canadian banks are loaning Enbridge over $1B with questionable sustainability requirements

Canada’s largest banks have signed a new deal to pump $1.5 billion into Enbridge that will help the oil and gas company expand its pipeline network, with the vast majority of that money referred to as “sustainability linked” in the term sheets.

Financing disaster

John Woodside

September 27th 2021

Gladys Radek urges Canadians to end ‘vicious cycle of racism’

Canada’s National Observer spoke with Gladys Radek, a longtime activist for missing and murdered Indigenous women and girls, ahead of the National Day for Truth and Reconciliation.

Natasha Bulowski

September 27th 2021

Activists, MP say Trudeau failed to act on MMIWG. Will he act now?

The Native Women’s Association of Canada is urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to take Indigenous women’s issues seriously this time around.

Natasha Bulowski

September 24th 2021

World leaders urged to turn off the tap on fossil fuel subsidies

Hot on the heels of major climate announcements at the United Nations this week, more than 200 civil society organizations from dozens of countries are calling for an end to public financing of fossil fuels.

COP26: Uniting the World to Tackle Climate Change

John Woodside

September 23rd 2021

Jagmeet Singh calls Liberals’ climate record ‘abject failure’ in home stretch

As the federal election campaign nears its end, NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh is fighting off criticism from progressive environmentalists by trying to shift the focus back to Justin Trudeau’s climate record.

Election 2021

John Woodside

September 17th 2021

Mayors demand housing action ahead of federal election

Mayors across Canada are calling on the federal parties to take urgent action on housing and homelessness as voting day fast approaches.

Election 2021

Natasha Bulowski

September 17th 2021

Canada’s climate plans ‘highly insufficient’ in global ranking

“Highly insufficient” means that as it stands, Canada is on track for 4 C warming –– far higher than the Paris Agreement goal of as close to 1.5 C as possible.

Election 2021

John Woodside

September 17th 2021

Election 2021: Who will fight for tax fairness?

How will the four main federal parties ensure tax fairness? Compare and contrast their platforms.

Election 2021

Natasha Bulowski

September 17th 2021