menu_open Columnists

National Observer
We use cookies to provide some features and experiences in QOSHE

More information  .  Close

We’re not ready for an aging population — and it's going to cost us

Canada's government budgets keep getting squeezed by our aging population. When are we going to do something about it?

latest 4

National Observer

Max Fawcett

Public transit is nation-building. Our federal budget should reflect that

If the federal government truly believes in building communities that work for everyone, it needs to stop treating transit as secondary and start...

latest 4

National Observer

Sam Hersh

The energy poverty trap

Will more oil and gas production in Canada help alleviate energy poverty in the developing world? Of course not — but that hasn't prevented...

yesterday 10

National Observer

Max Fawcett

If democracy matters, why isn’t it funded in the federal budget?

Most Canadians don’t believe they have any meaningful say in shaping the policies that affect their lives, a reality that raises a host of...

yesterday 10

National Observer

Nick Vlahos

Who asked you, JD Vance?

Vice-President Vance, your unsolicited advice on Canadian immigration policy isn't wanted. Best thing Canada can do is shut out the noise from...

yesterday 4

National Observer

Adrienne Tanner

Montreal teen builds climate movement one student at a time

Montreal teen builds climate movement one student at a time

These in-their-own-words pieces are told to Patricia Lane and co-edited with input from the interviewee for the purpose of brevity. Fatih Amin is...

previous day 10

National Observer

Patricia Lane

A tough climate summit for Canada

Towards the end of every day on the periphery of the UN climate talks, civil society groups gather in a satirical ceremony to present an award to...

previous day 20

National Observer

Chris Hatch

What the IEA's latest report says about the energy transition — and what it doesn't

What the IEA's latest report says about the energy transition — and what it doesn't

Donald Trump’s supporters probably aren't tired of all the winning they were promised just yet. That’s mostly because they’ve been fed an...

21.11.2025 4

National Observer

Max Fawcett

As COP30 wraps up, the Carney government does not appear to be prioritizing climate action

As COP30 wraps up, the Carney government does not appear to be prioritizing climate action

The COP30  Global Climate Summit   in Belém, Brazil is scheduled to wrap up on Friday. It marks the 10th anniversary of the landmark Paris Accord...

21.11.2025 2

National Observer

Bruce S. Campbell

Canada’s proposed oil and gas expansion is a risky bet – for the planet and our economy

Canada’s proposed oil and gas expansion is a risky bet – for the planet and our economy

There have been a lot of developments in energy policy in the past two weeks, with the release of the International Energy Agency’s 2025 World...

21.11.2025 1

National Observer

Kathryn Harrison

The use of the Notwithstanding Clause is out of control. It’s up to voters to stop it

Another day, another attack on freedoms by Alberta's supposedly libertarian premier. In  announcing her government’s plan to apply the...

20.11.2025 3

National Observer

Max Fawcett

Carney’s calamitous course causes consternation at climate summit

Carney’s calamitous course causes consternation at climate summit

“Canada’s back,” we cried with glee — a progressive leader, finally returned to COP21 in Paris back in 2015. And indeed we were, with dramatically...

20.11.2025 2

National Observer

Joe Vipond

Canada should support the Global South’s call for a Just Transition Mechanism

Canada should support the Global South’s call for a Just Transition Mechanism

At  COP30 in Brazil last week, governments representing about 80 per cent of the world’s population delivered a  unified call for a Just Transition...

20.11.2025 6

National Observer

Kyla Tienhaara