Elections! A resignation that will lead to an election! The omnipresent threat of US President Trump’s tariffs will continue being a factor in our elections! We sense a trend. But first, in case you missed it, the world reconvened in Rome to discuss a deal to save biodiversity.
COP16 (Again)
Remember COP16 in Cali, Colombia this past fall? No? That’s fine. It was pretty forgettable after all. Talks collapsed late at the UN talks, and the world left without a plan to finance the safeguarding of biodiversity. But, without much fanfare, the UN brought the world back together this week for COP16 2.0 in Rome. The result?
UN talks end in Rome with nations backing $200 billion a year plan to protect nature
Great news! Maybe! Sort of!
Cop16 nature summit agrees deal at 11th hour but critics say it is not enough
Given everything else happening in the world this week, most people missed this critically important story that will impact all life on earth. And people might continue to overlook the deal reached in Rome if, say, it falls apart as a result of ever-changing (read: devolving) global politics, spearheaded in recent weeks by US President Trump and his aim to spark a global trade war.
So, the final chapter of this story has yet to be written, but don’t forget the stakes:
With just 5 years to go, the world is failing on a vital deal to halt biodiversity loss
Provincial Elections
We hope you enjoyed our coverage of the Ontario election last night! Of course, if you watched, you know that Doug Ford, as the polls predicted, won re-election with a sizeable majority government. His early election gamble paid off and, as we discussed last night, he gets to retain power, giving the Ford government the opportunity to continue to advance their vision for Ontario.
To recap an important night in politics, start here:
Doug Ford sails to another majority
Nature Labs Ontario Election Summary
What does Ford’s victory mean for Canada as a whole? Well, Captain Canada (as Ford likes to brand himself) certainly has a mandate to fight for Ontario workers in the trade war with the US. Will that mandate clash with those of the premiers hailing from Alberta and Saskatchewan? That’s a good question. And the answer? It will go a long way towards determining our ability to stay united in the face of the American threats. Stay tuned!
Ontario’s election is just the latest in a seemingly endless string of provincial elections – and the fun won’t stop anytime soon. Surprising pretty much everyone, the premier of Newfoundland and Labrador announced he’s stepping down. Why? Well, apparently, he wasn’t interested in being part of “four years of erratic, crazy, bonkers behaviour by the president of the United States.” Fair enough, but the increasingly popular (federally, at least) premier leaves a big hole at a critical time for both the province and the country.
Andrew Furey steps down as premier of N.L. after 4½ years in office
Just as with the resignation of PEI’s Premier Dennis King, we’ll be following this story closely, helping you understand the leadership race that will determine the next premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, as well as the subsequent provincial election – either this spring or next fall.
Map Changes?
This is a big story.
Our overlords at Google appear to have quietly changed the names of our provincial parks – like your classroom, Mount Robson – to state parks. You know, like the kinds of parks found in America. But we’re in Canada and we have provincial parks. So, what gives?
Google Maps users say Canada’s provincial parks are being labelled as ‘state parks’
If this is another example of a major US tech company working to curry favour with US President Donald Trump and his desire to realize his Manifest Destiny dreams? Well, we’ve got a whole new problem. Like, should we start boycotting Google Maps? What’s our alternative, Map Quest? (Google Bing (Bing?!) it, friends.)
Oh! And it’s not just Google who wants to play around with tried-and-true maps.
White House official threatens to redraw Canadian border
Well, that’s scary.
Less scary? Alberta changing a law that will allow them to more easily move the border with BC. (Don’t worry, BC, they aren’t stealing Fernie, maybe just a chair lift route or two.)
Alberta-British Columbia boundary changes would be easier under proposed bill
Tariffs!
We can’t go a week without using every Canadian’s least favourite word. Will this be our last tariff-free weekend? No! Maybe! Who the heck knows!
Trump says 25% tariff on most Canadian goods will take effect March 4
In example 3571 of why this trade war with the US is about way more than drugs, defence spending, and trade deficits, Steve Bannon – Trump’s former chief strategist – offers new insight into Trump’s thinking:
Canada’s Arctic will be a ‘tremendous vulnerability,’ Bannon says
And maybe this is a good time for us all to brush up on an obscure treaty Trump might be trying to weaponize in his fight with Canada:
Trump waved a 1908 treaty as ammo in his disputes with Canada. Here’s what you need to know about it
So, this weekend, buy Canadian and, as The Walrus reminds us, don’t forget that boycotts only work if they’re sustained:
How Far Can “Buy Canadian” Really Go?
Europe
Trump appears to be bullying the already bullied Ukraine into signing away their economic future. Germany had an election. The far right did make major gains. Europe’s democracies are crumbling, in part, due to a pushback against re-wilding. That’s right, Europe succeeded in bringing back large carnivores from the brink of extinction in order to sustain biodiversity…only to discover that few people actually want to co-exist with big carnivores.
Time to catch-up and figure out what it all might mean for global conflicts and the future of life on earth!
Ukraine’s mineral riches could bankroll its postwar future. But what does Trump’s deal really mean?
Trump says Zelensky to sign ‘very big agreement’ in US on Friday
What Germany’s Election Means for America — and the World
Europe’s big carnivores are on the rise – but can we live with bears next door?
Hope
Lest you think it’s all doom and gloom, the Globe and Mail has profiled twenty Canadian changemakers who might save Canada’s economy (and one of the world’s last stable, true democracies?):
Changemakers: Meet 20 emerging leaders reinventing how Canada does business
Food for thought as you work to advance your better idea and your future career!
With March Break a week away for most of you, we’ll take the weight of the world off your shoulders and skip next week’s news roundup. As always, if a major story breaks (cough*tariffs*cough), we’ll weigh in, but otherwise we’ll give you a break from the heavy news cycle until after you’ve re-charged on March Break. Have fun, stay safe, and – don’t forget – buy Canadian!