Share this Story : National Post Copy Link Email X Reddit Pinterest LinkedIn Tumblr

Matthew Lau: Government-funded wildfire ‘facts’ contradict reality

The reality about climate change is not nearly as alarming as what the government-funded Canadian Climate Institute reports

You can save this article by registering for free here. Or sign-in if you have an account.

With wildfire smoke wafting into many communities including Toronto, many wonder why this is happening and what can be done to prevent it. The Canadian Climate Institute, an organization funded to the tune of $34.9 million by the federal government over the past four years, recently published a series of “fact sheets” about how climate change is making heat waves, flooding, droughts and wildfires worse. According to the institute, climate change threatens the safety, wellbeing and prosperity of Canadians, and governments must take drastic action to curtail its effects including by “accelerating the transition away from fossil fuels to limit climate heating.”

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.

Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.

Unlimited online access to National Post.

National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.

Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.

Support local journalism.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account.

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.

Enjoy additional articles per month.

Get email updates from your favourite authors.

Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.

Access articles from across Canada with one account

Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments

Enjoy additional articles per month

Get email updates from your favourite authors

Sign In or Create an Account

However, while wildfire smoke, floods and other disasters are real, these fact sheets (again, paid for by the federal government) are much more alarmist than informative. For example, the institute highlights the horrific blaze in Jasper in 2024 and suggests that reduced fossil fuel usage could mitigate the harms of such fires. But........

© National Post