A final note on Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission

Climate and Energy Livable Cities Pollution

This week, Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission released its final report. While we have a few loose ends to tie up in 2020, the report signals the end of our research mandate. Over the last five years, we’ve contributed to policy conversations across Canada about water, waste, traffic, risk, and climate change. I’d like to think that […]

a large series of off-ramps connecting a larger road network

What “demand is inelastic” actually means

Pollution

“A carbon tax does nothing for the environment.” “Road tolls won’t affect driving habits.” “Prices don’t matter when we’re using water for everyday life.” We hear these arguments frequently when discussing ecofiscal policies. Critics might even drop a little economics jargon. But that doesn’t mean these arguments are grounded in good economics. In this blog, […]

User fees for water and wastewater encourage wise behaviour

Water

Canadians are a water-loving people and are very proud of our freshwater resources. Canadians also benefit from world-class municipal water and wastewater services. These systems deliver clean drinking water to our taps and treat the wastewater that goes down our toilets and drains, and they are directly connected to the lakes, rivers and streams we […]

Climate Roulette: Reducing risk through adaptation

Climate and Energy

Even if the world stopped emitting GHGs today, we’d still face dangerous sea-level rise, hotter temperatures, and more extreme weather events caused by our past emissions. Preparing and planning for these risks—some of which were explained in last week’s blog—can reduce how much damage they ultimately inflict on our health, economy, environment, and communities. That […]

Going ahead with the city-wide organics collection program also offers significant benefits.

Wasted efficiency: Saskatoon is moving in the wrong direction on waste management

Livable Cities

Saskatoon is backpedalling on smart waste policy. Bold initiatives were approved in 2018 to reduce landfilled waste and save money, but Council seems to be hitting the brakes. Ignoring Saskatoon’s waste management problem isn’t going to make it go away, however. In fact, further delay will just cost the city—and its residents—more. Problem on the […]