Sunak slows down Britain's race to Net Zero

Declaring that "If we continue down this path, we risk losing the consent of the British people," Prime Minister Rishi Sunak has announced changes to slow down Britain's drive to Net Zero emissions.

Britain has finally joined the net sensibles | The Telegraph | Matthew Lynn: 

September 20, 2023 - "You might still be able to buy a petrol car for a few more years. You won’t have to rip out your old boiler right away.... [E]xtra taxes on your next summer holiday might be postponed, while that fiddly recycling scheme that required countless different bins could be scrapped. No doubt his critics will try to portray the Prime Minister’s modest watering down of green commitments as turning the UK into a climate-change denying pariah. In reality, the UK is just switching from 'net zero' extremism to 'net zero' sense, joining many other developed countries in recognising that carbon emissions can’t be eliminated right away and all we will do is bankrupt ourselves by trying.... 

"To listen to some of the reaction to the PM’s leaked announcement on climate change you might think he was sending the British army into the rainforest with chainsaws or re-opening the Kent and Durham coalmines.... Sunak is simply proposing some modest tweaks. The completely unrealistic target of banning the sale of petrol cars by 2030 will be pushed back by five years, bringing us into line with most of Europe. The phasing out of gas boilers will be postponed. And there will be no new taxes on flying, at least for now. The posturing that demanded the UK was the world leader on combating climate change, even though we account for only one percent of global emissions, and our stagnant economy can barely afford it, will be scrapped. Instead, we will more modestly adopt global standards.

"That is long overdue. The 'net sensibles', as they might be termed, are in the ascendancy across Europe. France’s President Macon had called for a 'regulatory pause' on climate change, arguing that it should not damage competitiveness. Italy’s PM Georgia Meloni argued in March that 'we cannot help the environment by destroying our industries' while Belgium’s PM Alexander de Croo in May argued climate change legislation should not overwhelm companies, arguing that Europe should 'not try to do everything at the same time'. 

"In a move that you might think would please the kind of hardcore Remainers who also are typically the most extreme advocates of green policies, the UK is simply aligning itself with the EU. It is hard to see anything very controversial about that. The alternative was to simply press on with an insane bid for world leadership, while making life tougher and tougher for families and businesses....

"[T]here is still a long way to go. For example, we could start fracking so that we could secure our domestic energy supplies while we transition to green alternatives, following the lead of Canada’s Justin Trudeau, hardly a right-wing populist. We could allow new oil fields to be developed at the same time as developing wind and solar power, following the lead of President Joe Biden, hardly a climate-change denier. Or we could explore the use of synthetic e-fuels as an alternative to electric cars, as the Social Democrat-Green coalition in Germany is insisting that it should.... 

"[U]nder Theresa May and Boris Johnson, cheered on by the likes of Labour’s Ed Miliband and Sir Keir Starmer, the UK had one of the most extreme climate change plans in the world. It was already starting to drag down the country’s economy, with expensive, unreliable energy, costly regulations, and endless green levies. It should be a relief to everyone that we have already joined the ranks of the 'net sensibles' recognising that climate change is a serious issue but that we can’t make much of a difference by ourselves, and there is no point in bankrupting ourselves in the process. But there is still a long way to go before we finally undo the damage of the last few years - and put in place some grown up climate policies instead."

Read more: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/2023/09/20/britain-has-finally-seen-sense-on-net-zero/

Prime Minister Rishi Sunak Net Zero Speech - IN FULL | 10 Downing Street | September 21, 2023:

The World Economic Forum's Great Reset agenda

With the World Economic Forum (WEF) becoming a political issue in Canada, politically-aware Canadians need to take a hard look at the WEF and its agenda for global change, the "Great Reset". No "conspiracy theories," just the facts.

Introducing the ‘Great Reset,’ world leaders’ radical plan to transform the economy | The Hill | Justin Haskins:

June 20, 2020 - "For decades, progressives have attempted to use climate change to justify liberal policy changes. But their latest attempt – a new proposal called the 'Great Reset' – is the most ambitious and radical plan the world has seen in more than a generation. At a virtual meeting earlier in June hosted by the World Economic Forum, some of the planet’s most powerful business leaders, government officials and activists announced a proposal to 'reset' the global economy. Instead of traditional capitalism, the high-profile group said the world should adopt more socialistic policies, such as wealth taxes, additional regulations and massive Green New Deal-like government programs. 

"'Every country, from the United States to China, must participate, and every industry, from oil and gas to tech, must be transformed,' wrote Klaus Schwab, the founder and executive chairman of the World Economic Forum, in an article published on WEF’s website. 'In short, we need a "Great Reset" of capitalism.' Schwab also said that 'all aspects of our societies and economies' must be 'revamped,' 'from education to social contracts and working conditions.' 

"Joining Schwab at the WEF event was Prince [now King] Charles, one of the primary proponents of the Great Reset; Gina Gopinath, the chief economist at the International Monetary Fund; António Guterres, the secretary-general of the United Nations; and CEOs and presidents of major international corporations, such as Microsoft and BP. Activists from groups such as Greenpeace International and a variety of academics also attended the event or have expressed their support.... 

"Although many details about the Great Reset won’t be rolled out until ... 2021, the general principles of the plan are clear: The world needs massive new government programs and far-reaching policies comparable to those offered by American socialists such as Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), and Rep. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez (D-N.Y.) in their Green New Deal plan....

"One of the main themes of the June meeting was that the coronavirus pandemic has created an important 'opportunity' for many of the World Economic Forum’s members to enact their radical transformation of capitalism.... 'We have a golden opportunity to seize something good from this crisis — its unprecedented shockwaves may well make people more receptive to big visions of change,' said Prince Charles at the meeting, adding later, 'It is an opportunity we have never had before and may never have again.'

"You might be wondering how these leaders plan to convince the world to completely alter its economy over the long run, since the COVID-19 pandemic most assuredly won’t remain a crisis forever. The answer is that they’ve already identified another 'crisis' that will require expansive government intervention: Climate change. 'The threat of climate change has been more gradual [than COVID-19]—but its devastating reality for many people and their livelihoods around the world, and its ever greater potential to disrupt, surpasses even that of Covid-19,' Prince Charles said.

"Of course, these government officials, activists and influencers can’t impose a systemic change of this size on their own. Which is why they have already started to activate vast networks of left-wing activists from around the world.... According to the World Economic Forum, its 2021 Davos summit will include thousands of members of the Global Shapers Community, youth activists located in 400 cities across the planet. The Global Shapers program was involved in the widespread 'climate strikes' of 2019, and more than 1,300 have already been trained by the Climate Reality Project, the highly influential, well-funded climate activist organization run by former Vice President Al Gore, who serves on the World Economic Forum’s Board of Trustees.

"For those of us who support free markets, the Great Reset is nothing short of terrifying. Our current crony capitalist system has many flaws, to be sure, but granting more power to the government agents who created that crony system and eroding property rights is not the best way forward. America is the world’s most powerful, prosperous nation precisely because of the very market principles the Great Reset supporters loathe.... The present pandemic is a 'golden opportunity' for radical change. And if Al Gore, Prince Charles and the rest of the World Economic Forum can convince enough people that attempting to stop climate change is also worth dramatically pushing humanity toward greater government control, then radical – and catastrophic – change is exactly what we’re going to get."

Read more: https://thehill.com/opinion/energy-environment/504499-introducing-the-great-reset-world-leaders-radical-plan-to/

No 'secret agenda' about The Great Reset | Sky News Australia | February 28, 2021: 

Reaching net-zero by 2035 unrealistic, says Moe

Moe blasts proposed electricity regs as ‘unaffordable, unrealistic and unconstitutional’ | Western Standard | Shaun Polczer, Business Reporter: 

August 10, 2023 - "Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe is ... [calling] the Trudeau government’s proposed net-zero electricity regulations: 'unaffordable, unrealistic and unconstitutional'... 

"[Moe] released a statement via social media channels [right] blasting the Liberal government — and Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault specifically — for ignoring feedback from provincial governments and utility providers before moving ahead with the new rules.

“'Trudeau’s net-zero targets are simply not achievable in Saskatchewan and we will not ask our residents to pay the extraordinary price for the federal government’s divisive policies,' it read. 'Nor will we risk the integrity of our provincial power grid to defy the laws of thermodynamics.' Further, Moe said the new rules will drive electricity rates 'through the roof' and leave Saskatchewan with an unreliable power supply.

"The comments echo Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who said yesterday its important to have a reliable power system when the temperatures fall to -30.

"In a press conference Thursday morning, Guilbeault said the rules stress 'affordability' and reliability of the grid, even as he admitted power bills will increase about 2% — before subsidies — for most Canadians. Guilbeault estimated that it would cost $400 billion to upgrade the grid.... In July the Conference Board of Canada and others put that figure at more like $1.75 trillion.

"In March Guilbeault infamously said Moe would be breaking the Criminal Code ... if Saskatchewan ran coal-fired power plants after 2030, unless equipped with carbon capture. The Saskatchewan premier’s response? 'Come get me.'"

Read more: https://www.westernstandard.news/alberta/moe-blasts-proposed-electricity-regs-as-unaffordable-unrealistic-and-unconstitutional/article_d223429a-37a6-11ee-bde1-3f3e33bd5920.html

Sask. premier calls federal aim of net-zero by 2035 'impossible and unaffordable' | CBCSaskatchewan | May 16, 2023:

Provinces threatened with $Billion funding cuts

Justin Trudeau's natural resources minister is threatening to pull billions in federal funding from provinces non-compliant with the federal government's emissions-reduction plan.

Wilkinson threatens to pull billions in funding for provinces that refuse to comply with clean electricity laws | True North | Cosmin Dzsurdzsa -

August 8, 2023 - "Minister of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson is threatening to pull billions in federal funding from provinces that refuse to comply with the Liberal government’s pledge to have a "non-emitting" electricity grid across the country by 2035. Wilkinson’s remarks are the latest in a series of threats from federal officials concerning the incoming Clean Electricity Standard – which provinces like Alberta and Saskatchewan have labelled as unrealistic and an infringement on provincial sovereignty. 

"According to Wilkinson, his government is considering barring non-compliant provinces from a 15% investment tax credit and a $3 billion fund for renewable energy. 'We certainly are considering that,' Wilkinson told the Canadian Press. 'But there is obviously consultation that’s going on with respect to the investment tax credits. We want to hear from people. We also want to think about if we’re going to put those kinds of constraints or strings on those things, how we best do that.'

"Canadians can expect an early draft of the regulations to be released by Wilkinson’s office early this month. 

"Critics of the policy say that the federal government is overreaching when it comes to power regulation, which is traditionally left up to the provinces and that completely cutting out coal or gas power is not possible for provinces that lack other options. 'I’m not going to answer hypotheticals with respect to this. But it’s our interpretation that these decisions on how you produce power, most certainly are in the realm of provincial jurisdiction,' said Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe in May. 

"A recent report by the federal Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) found that as a result of the incoming regulations, Canadian families could pay up to $1,008 extra due to the regulations. 'I can understand that people are not happy when we underline that government action will have repercussions, and in this case, costs, but I stand by the analysis we provided,' said PBO Yves Giroux. 

"Wilkinson’s recent comments are not the first time that prominent cabinet members have threatened provinces with repercussions for not towing the Liberal government’s line on climate change. In May, Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault said that premiers who refused to comply could potentially face violations under the Criminal Code. 

“'We’ve regulated the ban on coal through (Canadian Environmental Protection Act), which is a criminal tool that the federal government has,' said Guilbeault. 'So not complying with this regulation would be a violation of Canada’s Criminal Code.'"

Read more: https://tnc.news/2023/08/08/wilkinson-threatens-provinces-electricity/

What's in Canada's new climate plan and what's not | CityNews | March 29, 2022: 

Toronto council votes to ban gas lawnmowers, etc.

Toronto Ontario city council voted this week to ban gas-powered lawnmowers, leaf blowers, and week whackers from the city. 

Cheers to beer in parks, but gas weed-whacker ban needs to be cut | Toronto Sun | Brian Lilley:

July 19, 2021 - "City council passed two different motions on Wednesday: One looking to allow an activity that is already happening, the other to ban something the city has no ability to enforce.

"Council gave the go-ahead to allow a pilot project to allow consumption of alcohol in 22 of the city’s roughly 1,500 parks between Aug. 2 and Oct. 9. The motion requires city staff to prepare a report on the pilot project and report back in early 2024. The province gave municipalities the ability to allow alcohol consumption in city parks years ago. Many municipalities did so simply by removing their existing bylaws, but not Toronto....

"My first time in High Park after moving here in my 20s was to watch a play in the park, which I did while drinking a bottle of wine like most of those around me. That was in the 1990s and it’s still happening in parks, at the beach and elsewhere without much in the way of an issue, but we had to debate it still and demand a report.... 

Photo courtesy Wikimedia Commons.

"Moments later, council went from being permissive to restrictive, deciding that even if two-stroke engines powering weed whackers, leaf blowers, lawn mowers and other small engine equipment are legal, they shouldn’t be used in Toronto. The motion called for city staff to 'identify the resources required to develop and implement a ban on two-stroke equipment.'

"The ban would cover city workers using the equipment and residents. For residents struggling to transition, the motion called for staff to look into the ability to set up a lending library for electric versions of lawn equipment that residents could borrow...

"What’s fascinating about this proposed ban is that the city has little ability to enforce such a ban. Buying the equipment would still be legal unless and until the federal government passes legislation to ban it. Even if local stores stopped carrying the equipment, there would be nothing to stop residents from driving outside of city limits to buy their lawnmower or weed whacker or ordering them online.

"It’s certain that some residents would rat out neighbours using gas-powered lawn gear, but what could the city do? The city can’t enforce existing bylaws and has allowed encampments to take over parks across the city, but some councillors want to make stopping you from using a weed whacker a priority."

Read more: https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/toronto-council-says-yes-to-beer-in-parks-no-to-weed-whackers

EU climate policy risks alienating rural Europe

The European Union's drive for Net Zero emissions imperils food security, and risks alienating and impoverishing much of rural Europe.

EU will regret making farmers scapegoats for climate change | Politico.eu | Eoin Drea:

June 19, 2023 - "On a jaunt to the Global Food Security Summit in 2022, even European Council President Charles Michel noted that the need for stable food supplies was 'the major global challenge today … and now is the time for all of us to translate our political commitments into concrete action.' Alas, at the EU level, 'concrete action' has turned into a euphemism for undermining the very agricultural sector that feeds its citizens. And thanks to the bloc’s determination to position Europe as the global hero of climate action, Brussels is well on its way to alienating and impoverishing a large part of rural Europe.

"Setting increasingly ambitious environmental targets from the comfort of haute cuisine Brussels is one thing. But navigating the fraught local realities — which achieving such goals actually entails — is a totally different bag of frites. Just look at the Netherlands. After decades of Common Agricultural Policy (CAP) funding that prioritized greater output, Dutch farmers are now being told they are the ultimate villains of the emissions reduction debate. So, despite being lauded in the press as the 'tiny country that feeds the world' ... tens of thousands of Dutch livestock farms are now facing closure or mandatory state appropriation.

"This is all unfolding against the backdrop of a 'greening' CAP, which has already seen European farmers reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 25 percent between 1990 and 2010.... [F]armers’ misgivings aren’t about denying climate change — which impacts them greatly — or misunderstanding the actions required to mitigate its worst effects. They’re about the lack of realism in Brussels when it comes to setting time frames to achieve the EU’s environmental targets — because it is those time frames that will collapse rural economies.

"As it currently stands, farmers are literally being squeezed to death between the bloc’s emissions and biodiversity goals. And this is gutting rural Europe — and its 10 million family farms — from the inside out. Remarkably, though, Agriculture Commissioner Janusz Wojciechowski in the Berlaymont doesn’t seem to really care, despite widening a rural-urban divide that will ultimately benefit populists on both sides of the political spectrum.

"From a farming perspective, rural Europe is being disproportionately targeted by policymakers as easy prey. So, while car manufacturers (in Germany), the nuclear industry (in France) and big pharmaceutical companies (in Ireland and other member countries) have their state sponsors to water down — or delay — proposed European legislation, farmers are being hung out to dry on the altar of the EU’s climate ambitions. And agriculture isn’t even the largest emitter of greenhouse gases in the EU. In fact, total agricultural emissions are equivalent to less than two-thirds of those derived from manufacturing or energy generation.

"In this context, the EU’s climate approach — and its role in mainstreaming fringe economics — is already fanning rural social unrest. For example, the right-wing FarmerCitizenMovement (BoerBurgerBeweging, BBB) is now the largest party in the Dutch Senate and all provincial assemblies, despite only being established in 2019. And therein lies a warning for the bloc’s complacency when it comes to rural Europe: The Dutch experience shows that disputes regarding centralized environmental planning can also tap into wider feelings of rural disconnection. How else could the Netherlands — with just 50,000 farmers — deliver nearly 1.5 million votes for the BBB in early 2023?...

"These movements are really about representing those living outside big cities who feel excluded from policymaking in national capitals. And they are giving a voice to small-town residents who feel threatened by governments’ increasingly rigid approach to social and environmental objectives. So, as the growing opposition toward the proposed Nature Restoration Law continues to grab headlines, it’s only a cypher for a rural Europe that feels more and more alienated from urban policymaking elites.... Brussels is well on the way to losing rural Europe — and it only has itself to blame."

Eoin Drea is senior research officer at the Wilfried Martens Centre for European Studies. 

Read more: https://www.politico.eu/article/eu-climate-change-farmers-protest-scapegoat-green-deal-food-security-agriculture-biodiversity-nature-restoration-law/

Netherlands: Dutch farmers protest against nitrogen plan | France 24 English } April 18, 2023:

Canada's Liberals table 'Justin Transition' Bill C-50

Liberals table 'Just Transition' legislation in House | Western Standard | Shaun Polczer: 

June 15, 2023 - "The Liberals followed through on [a] long awaited threat to gut Alberta’s energy sector by introducing its so-called ‘sustainable jobs’ legislation in Ottawa Thursday morning. The formal title of the bill is 'An Act respecting accountability, transparency and engagement to support the creation of sustainable jobs for workers and economic growth in a net-zero economy' but everyone east of the Ontario-Manitoba border knows it simply as the ’Just Transition Act.’

"Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson appeared alongside Labour Minister Seamus O’Reagan, union representatives and members of the NDP to announce plans to create a ‘sustainable jobs council’ and a ‘sustainable jobs secretariat’ under a five-year plan. In remarks televised from the West Block, Wilkinson said 'the country’s economic future will need aligning,' and thanked the NDP for their support. Although he pledged to 'work with the provinces,' ironically there were no premiers in attendance.

"Plans to introduce the legislation were announced in this spring’s federal budget. At an appearance in Edmonton in April, Wilkinson hinted the legislation would be delayed after strong opposition from Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, who called it 'short-sighted' and 'harmful' to the province....

"Bill C-50 has already received first reading this morning. Already Ontario’s labour unions, including the Canadian Labour Congress (CLC) were voicing unqualified support. 'With the mounting impacts of climate change, such as devastating wildfires and extreme storms, Canadians are witnessing firsthand the urgent need for action,' CLC said in a statement."

Read more: https://www.westernstandard.news/alberta/liberals-table-just-transition-legislation-in-house/article_5c1b0270-0b8e-11ee-a431-57f40a98b996.html

Liberals unveil Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act. So what's the plan? | CBC News | June 15, 2023: 

Here comes the Just Transition | Western Standard | Nigel Hannaford: 

June 15, 2023 - "When Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson introduced Bill C-50 this morning, he called it the ‘Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act.’ But don’t be fooled by the bait-and-switch messaging. The legislation Minister Wilkinson announced today that's already passed First Reading in the House of Commons, is part of the Liberal plan to replace Alberta’s hydrocarbon economy with some kind of green fantasy economy. A year ago, they called it the ‘Just Transition’ — oddly enough a phrase coined some time before by Alberta’s own NDP.... 

"According to Natural Resources Canada, the minister had with this legislation — Bill C-50 — advanced just ‘one of the 10 key action areas’ outlined in the government’s Interim Sustainable Jobs Plan, announced earlier this year. This bill provides for an advisory body, a series of five-year plans and ‘a sustainable jobs secretariat to enable policy and program coherence across federal entities etc.…’ Nine more ‘key action areas’ to go....

"The legislation is national in scope, but Alberta and Saskatchewan, being oil and gas-producing provinces, by definition bear the brunt. Not too many Liberal seats to lose out west, so that wasn't hard....

"Premier Danielle Smith [has] offered her government’s broad support to the federal government’s emission-reduction goals, but says ‘no’ to the latest Trudeau fatuity of capping emissions or achieving a net-zero electrical grid by 2035. In her ‘warning to Ottawa,’ she said, 'As premier I cannot allow these contemplated federal policies to be inflicted upon Albertans. I simply can't and I won't.' It was well said. Now may it be well done. Where's that Sovereignty Act?"

Read more: https://www.westernstandard.news/opinion/hannaford-here-comes-the-just-transition/article_15db10e4-0b9c-11ee-9403-17ae71e4da89.html

Irish farmers concerned over plans to cull livestock

Irish farmers are concerned by a proposed government plan to cull almost 200,000 cattle over three years to fight climate change.

Irish farmers revolt over plan for cattle cull to meet green target | The Telegraph - Jessica Abrahams:

June 3, 2023 - "Irish farmers are rebelling against a proposal to cull tens of thousands of cattle a year to help Ireland meet its climate change targets. 

"The Irish government wants to reduce emissions from farming by a quarter by 2030. Media reports last week suggested that one option being considered was to reduce the national dairy herd by 10 per cent – meaning a cull of 65,000 cows a year for three years, at a cost of €200 million (£170 million) annually. 

"One Irish politician described the plan as 'absolute madness' and there are warnings that some farmers will refuse, and others will leave the sector, if an order is introduced. 

"The Irish government says that no final policy decision has been taken and that any cull would be voluntary as part of a 'retirement exit scheme' for farmers. But some farmers fear it will not be possible to meet the targets with only a voluntary cull. 

"Tim Cullinan, president of the Irish Farmers’ Association, warned that beef and dairy production would simply shift to other countries ... undermining the attempted emissions savings. 'Reports like this only serve to further fuel the view that the government is working behind the scenes to undermine our dairy and livestock sectors,' he said. 'While there may well be some farmers who wish to exit the sector, we should all be focusing on providing a pathway for the next generation to get into farming'.

"Pat McCormack, president of the Irish Creamery Milk Suppliers Association, said it was “frustrating” that the industry was being targeted. 'We’re the one industry with a significant roadmap, and, to be quite honest with you, our herd isn’t any larger than it was 25 to 30 years ago,' he said.... If there is to be a cull, he said, 'it needs to be a voluntary scheme. That’s absolutely critical'.

Read more: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/world-news/2023/06/03/ireland-farmers-revolt-cattle-cull-plan-climate-change-targ/

Ireland's farmers' fears over climate plans | Euronews | December 5, 2019:

WHO could gain power to impose lockdowns

Proposed amendments to World Health Organization (WHO) regulations would give the WHO the power to impose lockdowns, border closures, and other mandates. 

WHO pandemic treaty could impose lockdown on UK, ministers fear | The Telegraph - Tony Diver:

May 25, 2023 - "Lockdown measures could be imposed on the UK by the World Health Organisation (WHO) during a future pandemic under sweeping new powers, ministers fear. Member states would be obliged to follow the agency’s instructions when responding to pandemics, including by introducing vaccine passports, border closures and quarantine measures, under a draft update to its regulations. A new 'pandemic treaty' under discussion would also force Britain to spend five per cent of its health budget on preparing for another virus outbreak.

"Ministers are understood to be alarmed by plans to increase the WHO’s powers enabling its governing body to require countries to hand over the recipe of vaccines, regardless of intellectual property rights, and to counter misinformation. Conservative MPs have written to ministers to warn of an 'ambition evident … for the WHO to transition from an advisory organisation to a controlling international authority'. In their letter ... they urge the Foreign Office to block powers that 'appear to intrude materially into the UK’s ability to make its own rules and control its own budgets'.

"Responding to the concerns on Thursday, Andrew Mitchell, a Foreign Office minister, told The Telegraph that he would block any law that prevents the UK from setting its own health policy. 'The UK is supportive of the pandemic treaty currently being negotiated by national governments,' ... he said. 'We’re clear that we would never agree to anything that crosses our points of principle on sovereignty or prevents the UK from taking decisive action against future pandemics.'

"The rule changes have been proposed as part of plans to update the WHO’s International Health Regulations (IHRs) in light of the coronavirus pandemic and establish a new Pandemic Preparedness Treaty. The treaty was first proposed by world leaders including Boris Johnson in 2021 during the pandemic and was originally designed to improve alert systems, data-sharing and the production of vaccines....

"But among 300 proposed amendments to the IHRs are changes to make the WHO’s advice 'binding' and introduce a new requirement for countries to ... 'recognise WHO as the guidance and coordinating authority of international public health response…and undertake to follow WHO’s recommendations in their international public health response'. If passed, the change would mean the WHO could enforce border closures, quarantine measures and vaccine passports on all member countries, including the UK. A draft of the treaty itself would commit member states to spending five per cent of their health budgets, plus a proportion of GDP, to pandemic preparedness.

"Six conservative MPs led by Esther McVey, the former Cabinet minister, have written to Mr Mitchell to call for a Commons vote on the draft treaty and regulations before they are signed. Ms McVey said:... 'The plans represent a significant shift for the organisation, from a member-led advisory body to a health authority with powers of compulsion. This is particularly worrying when you consider the WHO’s poor track record on providing consistent, clear and scientifically sound advice for managing international disease outbreaks'.... 

"Campaigners also expressed concern about increasing the WHO’s role in identifying misinformation.... Molly Kingsley, co-founder of the UsForThem campaign group, said: “We should all be concerned about the WHO being ordained as an arbiter of pandemic truth, especially given its poor record during the pandemic, such as its claim that Covid was definitively zoonotic in origin and its April 2020 denial of the role of natural immunity in protecting against infection.”

Read more: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/politics/2023/05/25/who-pandemic-treaty-lockdown-uk-ministers-fear/

WHO new treaty | Dr. John Campbell | April 27, 2023: 

E-Verify could be a Trojan horse

 E-Verify Is Deeply Dangerous | Brownstone Institute - El Gato Malo:

May 11, 2023 - "The e-verify program is one of those subtle Trojan Horses that government is so good at. It starts with a widely perceived problem that has widespread support: that the country is full of illegal workers. Whether or not this is actually a problem is a matter that can be debated, but ... [t]he relevant bit is that it’s popularly seen as such in many quarters.

"The solution looks simple: create e-verify. All employers are required to check citizenship/work eligibility when hiring. It seems simple, straightforward, and people will support it because it does not harm them, it keeps others from competing with them. we’re simply solving the problem of 'stop flooding into work, there are no jobs for you any more.' (Well, except in agriculture which is being carved out)....

"But there is a much more subtle twist here: it’s a classic trojan framing. You lose the minute you wheel this thing in. You have already surrendered, you just don’t know it yet. 'There is this seemingly simple thing you want' is dangled, but what it’s really doing is turning a right into a privilege and gathering the power to administer that privilege into the hands of an unelected, unaccountable government agency run by people you have never heard of and probably never will.

"I will remind you of Coyote’s Law: 'Before granting any power to government, first imagine that power wielded by the politician you hate most, because one day, it will be.' Try applying that here. You’re going to give a federal agency an individualized on/off switch for employment for everyone. Sure, you might like this one thing that they do with it, but what else might they use it for soon? Rep. Thomas Massie speculates.... [see video] 

"I certainly cannot disagree. My only quibble is that I fear that this is the optimistic case and that this tool will inevitably expand in use to become a full-blown instrument of social credit systems and systems of social control.... 

• You cannot hire her. She is an undesirable for her political views.
• You cannot hire him. You are behind on your diversity requirements.
• You cannot hire a new worker, inflation is too high.
• You cannot hire at all. We don’t like you.

"Every scary thing that can be said about government-run digital currency also applies to government control over who may be hired.  And if you think once they have made this a privilege managed by central control that they will not immediately start the mission creep or commence dreaming up a new crisis to justify massive expansion into some new area be it vaccines or DEI or who knows what, well, you should call your history teacher and ask for your money back.... 

"You’ve seen the slavering desire to shift, alter and force this sort of 'We get to decide who gets to go where and get what' all through government in everything from college admissions to hiring to lending. Do you really want to hand a tool this potent to people like that and trust that they will 'only use it to do nice things?'...

It’s always easy to get suckered into these things with a sympathetic use case. 'We’re just banning pro-Nazi speech!' sounds fine. Few want to hear it. Fewer will stand up for Nazis. But once you grant the power for such a ban, you have given up your right to free speech. The rest is just a negotiation about the terms of your censorship.... 

"Want to play again with your livelihood? This is not a wooden equid that should be allowed within the gates. Not now. Not ever. No on e-verify."

Read more: https://brownstone.org/articles/e-verify-is-deeply-dangerous/

E-Verify Will Be Used to Surveil Americans | Free the People | Guest: Rep. Thomas Massie | May 19, 2023: 

The hidden dangers of the WEF's 'Great Reset'

The World Economic Forum's "Great Reset" may not be the crazy conspiracy that some claim. However, that does not make it any less dangerous.

Why it isn’t mad to oppose the World Economic Forum | The Spectator - Samuel Gregg, Coffee House:

December 11, 2022 - "The World Economic Forum (WEF) and its long-serving founder and Executive Chairman, Professor Klaus Schwab, are the subjects of many insane conspiracy theories.... It isn’t mad, however, to regard the WEF as a dangerous force in global politics. The WEF is a dangerous force in global politics. To adapt Joseph Heller, just because you are paranoid, doesn’t mean the WEF isn’t after you.... 

"For many WEF critics, the vileness of the organisation can be encapsulated in one word: ‘neoliberalism.’ It’s a term that conjures up images of plutocrats and untrammelled markets ravaging the planet and exploiting blue-collar folk in the name of profit. Funnily enough, Chairman Schwab agrees with that assessment of the world’s ills.... In October 2020, Schwab stated that: '[S]hibboleths of our global economic system will need to be re-evaluated with an open mind. Chief among these is the neoliberal ideology. Free-market fundamentalism has eroded worker rights and economic security, triggered a deregulatory race to the bottom and ruinous tax competition'....

"Precisely how and where ‘free-market fundamentalism’ has run amuck remains a mystery. After all, we live in a world in which most governments in developed nations routinely control 40 per cent or more of their nation’s GDP. Nor does the regulatory and welfare state’s relentless growth in, say, the European Union, Britain and America suggest that free market radicals have been in charge.... Ignoring these inconvenient facts, Schwab believes that the world needs a ‘Great Reset.’ Covid, according to the WEF’s website explaining the global reboot awaiting the world, revealed all the ‘inconsistencies, inadequacies and contradictions of multiple systems – from health and financial to energy and education.’ The entire planet needs a new ‘social contract’ to reshape ‘the future state of global relations, the direction of national economies, the priorities of societies, the nature of business models, and the management of a global commons’....

"A key concept for Schwab’s vision of a reset world is ‘stakeholder capitalism.’ In his 2021 book Stakeholder Capitalism: A Global Economy that Works for Progress, People and Planet, Schwab defines it as ‘a form of capitalism in which companies do not only optimise short-term profits for shareholders, but seek long-term value creation, by taking into account the needs of all their stakeholders, and society at large’.... So who are the stakeholders who will collaborate to usher in the four Ps? For Schwab, they are ‘governments,’ ‘companies,’ and ‘civil society’ (NGOs, unions, etc.). At this point we arrive at the essence of Schwab’s grand redesign. For all his invocation of the predictable woke pieties, Schwab’s core commitment is to political and economic arrangements which used to be known as corporatism. Schwab is quite explicit about this.... 

"Corporatism is a broad concept. It can run the gamut from the hyper-authoritarian version embraced by Mussolini’s Italy to worker-boss structures of the type described by Schwab in postwar western Europe. All forms of corporatism, however, share some common themes. One is the necessity of limiting market competition in order to preserve social cohesion. Another is mandating cooperation between representative groups of different social and economic sectors – a process overseen and, if necessary, enforced by government officials for the sake of the common good. What, you might ask, could be wrong with this? The answer is: plenty. 

"For a start, corporatism – including its Schwabian expression – isn’t big on freedom. It’s all about forming and then maintaining a consensus on economic and social policies. For this reason, corporatism doesn’t cope well with dissent. Indeed, it discourages any questioning of the consensus, whether the issue is tax-rates or climate change.... Not only does this generate groupthink. It encourages the marginalisation of those who dispute the consensus. Another problem is the collusion and cronyism fostered by corporatism. Corporatist structures facilitate client-patron relations between businesses and governments. That in turn produces insiders and outsiders. Insiders are those companies who sign up to the consensus, play the corporatist game, and consequently do very well out of their cosy relationships with governments. Outsiders are those who lack the resources to grease the wheel.... 

"Lastly, corporatist-style stakeholder capitalism is decidedly ambivalent about democracy. The emphasis is upon insiders negotiating with each other, and then presenting the populace with a series of faits accomplis about anything ranging from fossil fuels to ESG. There’s not much room for contributions from the wider populace to the decision-making process in Schwab’s stakeholder capitalist model, let alone popular assent to decisions taken.... On an economic level, corporatism discourages innovation, produces inflexible labour markets dominated by unions whose priority is maintaining the status quo, and riddle the marketplace with privileges for well-connected businesses. In political terms, even mild forms of corporatism significantly disenfranchise voters and put an ever-growing number of important decisions in the hands of unaccountable bureaucracies. In many ways, the EU’s [European Union's] governance structures – and the democratic deficit which they personify – exemplify such arrangements.

"Which brings us back to the WEF. It wields no formal political power... Nonetheless, since its founding in 1971, the WEF has become an organisation which embodies supreme confidence in the imperative of a particular type of person running the world from the top-down. In his famous 2004 essay entitled Dead Souls, the political scientist Samuel P. Huntington called this prototype ‘Davos Man’.... Davos Man was Huntington’s short-hand description of ‘academics, international civil servants and executives in global companies, as well as successful high-technology entrepreneurs’ who thought alike and tended to view national loyalties and boundaries ‘as residues from the past.’ Davos Man also looked with undisguised disdain, Huntington suggested, upon those who weren’t getting with the programme – whatever the content of the programme happened to be.

"Therein lies the deepest problem with the WEF. It’s one thing for people to come together in international settings to discuss problems, share insights, and network....It’s another thing for an outfit such as the WEF to decide that the time has come to rearrange the world from the top-down and remake the planet in a corporatist image. The ideal for which Schwab is aiming, judging from his speeches and writings, is something akin to a globalised EU, with its supranational and ingrained bureaucratic ways being transposed to an international level, and the levers of power vested in the hands of reliable Davos men and women....[T]he agenda ... is sufficiently alarming that anyone who believes in preserving things like liberty, sovereignty, and the decentralisation of power should be concerned."

Read more: https://www.spectator.co.uk/article/the-davos-man-cometh/

Forget the Great Reset. Embrace the Great Escape | Reason TV - Zach Weismuller | February 23, 2022: 

Liberals reveal cost of VW subsidy: $13 Billion

After weeks of stonewalling, the federal Liberals have revealed the amount of the subsidy they promised Volkswagen to build an EV battery 'gigafactory' in St. Thomas, Ontario: $13 billion, the largest single corporate welfare payout since the building of the Canadian Pacific Railroad.    

Billions in secret subsidies for Volkswagen | Western Standard - Christopher Oldcorn: 

Mar 31, 2023 - "Volkswagen received secret subsidies approved by the Department of Industry for a battery plant in Ontario.... According to Blacklock’s Reporter, terms of federal concessions were not disclosed....

"'All Canadians are 'celebrating the fact Volkswagen chose St. Thomas,' Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters on March 22. 'What it says to me, to the whole world, is Canada can win and as Canadians, we can win big at a time where obviously there is a lot of competition for these investments,' Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne told reporters on March 21. 'When are we going to found out how much we had to give?' a reporter asked. 'We are going to do that in due course,' replied Champagne."
Read more: https://www.westernstandard.news/business/billions-in-secret-subsidies-for-volkswagen/article_675236bc-cfdf-11ed-aa5a-73486cd50480.html

BEETLE MANIA: Liberals won’t disclose secret Volkswagen subsidies, worth up to $15 billion | Western Standard - Christopher Oldcorn:

April 19, 2023 - "The Commons Industry committee requested Industry Minister François-Philippe Champagne provide information regarding new federal subsidies for Volkswagen, which are believed to be worth up to $15 billion.... 'Two things: number of jobs, amount of money,' said Conservative MP Brad Vis (Mission-Matsqui, BC). 'I am not asking for anything inappropriate. If the government stands by their investment, they’ll give us the numbers'...  The committee on March 30 approved a motion sponsored by Vis that the cabinet surrender terms of the contract to build a subsidized battery plant in St. Thomas, ON. by 2027.... 

"According to Blacklock’s Reporter, Champagne was to disclose the terms on Monday. He did not. 'The parliamentary secretary promised me he would have it here today,” said Vis. 'He didn’t follow up with an email or anything or say, "Hey, we need a little bit more time. We’re redacting certain information." Not a peep'... The Industry committee voted unanimously that Champagne surrender the contract to MPs and taxpayers by April 24."
Read more: https://www.westernstandard.news/business/beetle-mania-liberals-won-t-disclose-secret-volkswagen-subsidies-worth-up-to-15-billion/article_c48a1222-dea4-11ed-a2e3-fb9dadcd4896.html

VW's $13B is biggest corporate welfare payout in modern Canadian history | National Post - Tristan Hopper:

April 21, 2023 - "After weeks of both the Ontario and federal governments sidestepping questions about how much they paid Volkswagen to open a battery factory in St. Thomas, Ont., the final figure was just obtained by Bloomberg News: The German carmaker will be getting $13 billion in grants and subsidies over the next 10 years. It is, quite simply, the largest single payout of corporate welfare since the construction of the Canadian Pacific Railroad.

"The next leading contender would be Bombardier, which received about $4 billion in government subsidies between 1966 and 2017. But the Montreal-based aerospace firm racked up the total through dozens of tax credits, interest-free loans and subsidies spread out over five decades. Volkswagen will not only receive a payout equivalent to as much as triple Bombardier’s lifetime total, but it will receive it in one go....

"In March, the governments of both Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Ontario Premier Doug Ford offered high praise to Volkswagen’s 'vote of confidence' in choosing to build a 'gigafactory' for EV batteries in St. Thomas, Ont.... Both levels of government refused to confirm at the time whether any public money had incentivized the deal, even though Volkswagen has openly declared its intention to locate the factory wherever it could find the best subsidy offer.... At the time, VW calculated that a battery gigafactory in the United States could easily yield up to US$10 billion in subsidies....

"Bloomberg revealed the $13 billion figure on Thursday, along with a quote by industry minister François-Philippe Champagne saying the sum was necessary to seize 'generational opportunities.' When factoring in the exchange rate, the $13 billion offered by Canada effectively matches the U.S. promise of US$10 billion, which came about through the recently passed Inflation Reduction Act, a package of more than $369 billion in green technology subsidies."
Read more: https://nationalpost.com/opinion/volkswagen-13-billion-biggest-corporate-welfare-payout-in-modern-canadian-history

"Canada offers $13B in subsidies for Volkswagen battery plant," CBC News, April 21, 2023:

German government pulls plug on nuclear power

 Germany turns its back on nuclear for good despite Europe's energy crisis | Euronews - AFP:

April 11, 2023 - "The German government is phasing out nuclear power despite the energy crisis. The country is pulling the plug on its last three reactors on Saturday (15 April), betting it will succeed in its green transition without nuclear power.... While many Western countries depend on nuclear power, Europe's largest economy is turning the page - even if the subject remains controversial until the end.

"Germany is implementing the decision to phase out nuclear power taken in 2002 and accelerated by Angela Merkel in 2011, after the Fukushima disaster. Fukushima showed that 'even in a high-tech country like Japan, the risks associated with nuclear energy cannot be controlled 100 per cent', the former chancellor justified at the time. The announcement convinced public opinion in a country where the powerful anti-nuclear movement was initially fuelled by fears of a Cold War conflict, and then by accidents such as Chernobyl.

"The invasion of Ukraine on 24 February 2022 brought everything into question. Deprived of Russian gas, ... Germany found itself exposed to the worst possible scenarios, from the risk of its factories being shut down to the risk of being without heating in the middle of winter.

"With just a few months to go before the initial deadline for closing the last three reactors on 31 December, the tide of public opinion began to turn. 'With high energy prices and the burning issue of climate change, there were of course calls to extend the plants,' says Jochen Winkler, mayor of Neckarwestheim, where the plant of the same name is in its final days. Olaf Scholz's government, which the Green Party - the most hostile to nuclear power - is part of, finally decided to extend the operation of the reactors to secure the supply until 15 April....

"Sixteen reactors have been closed since 2003. The last three plants supplied 6 per cent of the country's energy last year, compared with 30.8 per cent [from all 19 plants] in 1997. Meanwhile, the share of renewables in the generation mix has risen to 46 per cent by 2022, up from less than 25 per cent a decade earlier.

"The current rate of progress in renewables does not satisfy either the government or environmentalists, and Germany will not meet its climate targets without a serious push.... The equation is even more complex given the goal of shutting down the country's coal-fired power plants by 2038, many of them by 2030. Coal still accounts for a third of Germany's electricity production, with an 8 per cent increase last year to compensate for the absence of Russian gas.

"Germany needs to install 'four to five wind turbines every day' over the next few years to cover its needs, warned Olaf Scholz. This is a tall order compared to the 551 units installed in 2022. A series of regulatory relaxations adopted in recent months should speed up the pace. 'The planning and approval process for a wind power project takes an average of four to five years,' according to the industry association (BWE), which believes that gaining one or two years would be 'a considerable step forward'."

Read more: https://www.euronews.com/green/2023/04/11/germany-turns-its-back-on-nuclear-for-good-despite-europes-energy-crisis

Germany to shut nuclear sites despite energy crunch | DW News, December 29, 2021:

Billionaire CEO sees need to seize more property

The billionaire CEO of JPMorganChase foresees a need for governments to expropriate more private property to more effectively fight climate change.

Private property may need to be seized by federal government, corporations to advance climate initiatives, says JPMorgan CEO | The Blaze - Candace Hathaway:

April 7, 2023 - "JPMorgan Chase CEO Jamie Dimon recently suggested in his annual letter to shareholders that the federal government and large corporations may have to seize private property from U.S. citizens to advance climate initiatives, which he claimed are not being implemented fast enough to avoid potential climate-related crises. 

Jamie Dimon, by Steve Jurvetson, 2013. CC BY 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

"According to Dimon's Tuesday letter, in order to acquire 'adequate investments fast enough for grid, solar, wind and pipeline initiatives,' governments and businesses may need to implement 'eminent domain.' 

"Eminent domain is the ability of the government to take private property and convert it for public use following just compensation to the property's owner.

"Dimon argue[d] that private properties may need to be seized to permit green energy projects and grow the nation's grid infrastructure. He expressed concern about having limited time to tackle the climate crisis and noted that not enough resources are being invested in green initiatives.  

"Therefore, Dimon argued, it may be the right time to consider invoking eminent domain to avoid climate-related disasters....

"Dimon called on 'governments, businesses and non-governmental organizations' to align on their climate initiative efforts by making a 'massive global investment in clean energy technologies'.... 'The window for action to avert the costliest impacts of global climate change is closing,' he stated. 'The need to provide energy affordably and reliably for today, as well as make the necessary investments to decarbonize for tomorrow, underscores the inextricable links between economic growth, energy security and climate change. We need to do more, and we need to do so immediately'....

"'Polarization, paralysis and basic lack of analysis cannot keep us from addressing one of the most complex challenges of our time. Diverse stakeholders need to come together, seeking the best answers through engagement around our common interest,' he concluded."

Read more: https://www.theblaze.com/news/private-property-may-need-to-be-seized-by-federal-government-corporations-to-advance-climate-initiatives-says-jpmorgan-ceo

Dutch farmers' party wins most seats in Senate

A Dutch party formed just four years ago, in opposition to government plans to close farms and cut livestock levels to fight climate change, has won the largest number of seats in the Netherlands Senate. 

Farmers' protest party win shock Dutch vote victory | BBCNews - Anna Holligan & Paul Kirby:

March 16, 2023 - "A farmers' party has stunned Dutch politics, and is set to be the biggest party in the upper house of parliament after provincial elections. The Farmer-citizen movement (BBB) was only set up in 2019 in the wake of widespread farmers' protests. But with most votes counted they are due to win 15 of the Senate's seats with almost 20% of the vote.... The BBB aims to fight government plans to slash nitrogen emissions harmful to biodiversity by dramatically reducing livestock numbers and buying out thousands of farms. But its appeal has spread rapidly beyond its rural heartland, on a populist platform that represents traditional, conservative Dutch social and moral values....

"A left-wing Green-Labour alliance is also on course to win 15 Senate seats, while Prime Minister Mark Rutte's four-party coalition is poised to fall back to 24 - down eight seats."
Read more: https://www.bbc.com/news/world-europe-64967513

Dutch farmers’ party secures landslide victory | Unherd - Senay Boztas:

March 16, 2023 - "With the highest turnout in 30 years, Dutch voters gave an extraordinary signal to their four-party Government on Wednesday: the Farmer Citizen Movement (BoerBurgerBeweging, or BBB) is set to come first in regional elections, which decide the make-up of the Dutch Senate. In a long voting day, with locations from repurposed drive-through testing centres to ancient churches, an estimated 61% of Dutch people turned out. The result was astonishing, even though the party has been creeping up the polls, feeding on anti-establishment feeling after unpopular Covid lockdowns.

"Some analysts saw the election as a fight between two ‘moods’ in the Netherlands: a mood of (Right-wing) discontent, echoed also across other countries, versus the traditional consensus-driven Dutch mood. With 18 parties in parliament, politicians have typically found a way to muddle along, but this election was different thanks to the thorny issue of nitrogen compound pollution, which is tying the country in knots before a bill has even passed through parliament.

"EU rules, Dutch laws, and court verdicts mean the country must reduce emissions of ammonia, nitrogen oxides and nitrous oxide from farming, transport and building machines. The question is who takes the hit — and whether 30% of productive farms should be shut, forcibly if necessary. The Netherlands, which feeds the world with its intensive farming and livestock-heavy agriculture, is at the sharp end of the international climate debate.

"According to initial results, the BBB, headed by sole MP Caroline van der Plas, will be the largest party in the Senate — polling at more than 30% in some regions. Meanwhile, support for the Government has been slashed. The result is a direct challenge to Dutch PM Mark Rutte, who has been embroiled in a number of scandals, such as gas mining in Groningen at the expense of citizen safety, punishing innocent (often dual-national) citizens for childcare benefit fraud and ongoing Dutch farmer protests about nitrogen emissions. Small wonder, then, that 46% of voters said they were specifically voting against the current national administration.

"The strength of green feeling here, both for and against, is a bellwether for the struggle to come in other countries and farming economies. But BBB should not be dismissed as ‘anti-green’; rather farmers are more of a lime green versus the dark green of the eco activists, both of whom claim they want to protect the land. 

"The reality of climate change mitigation or adaptation is playing out in the Netherlands right now, where these new provincial assemblies will need to come up with detailed plans to reduce nitrogen pollution by July. Meanwhile, there is a national housing crisis and this is one of the top personal issues for people in the Netherlands. Nitrogen rules are getting in the way. Still, the success of the BBB serves as a warning shot to Mark Rutte and his government.“This is a landslide we haven’t seen for years,” said CDA leader Wopke Hoekstra, a Government party whose traditional farmer support has evaporated. “It is an extraordinarily bitter pill.” 
Read more: https://unherd.com/thepost/dutch-farmers-party-secures-landslide-victory/

"Dutch farmes shock the world! Bad news for Trudeau," True North, March 19, 2023:

European farmers' protests spread to Belgium

Belgian farmers paralyzed Brussels on Friday with a Netherlands-style farmers' Freedom Convoy, to protest the government's planned emission cuts to fight climate change.

Aggro-culture: Farmers’ protest brings Brussels’ EU Quarter to a standstill | Politico.au - Susannah Svage:

March 3, 2023 - "Convoys of tractors brought traffic in Brussels to a standstill Friday, as thousands of Belgian farmers protested the Flemish regional government’s plans to limit nitrogen emissions from agriculture. Some 2,700 tractors rolled into Brussels from the Flanders region, according to police estimates, filling the streets with a cacophony of honks as farmers vented their anger over the planned cuts, which they say threaten to put many of them out of business.

"'“It’s an economic and social catastrophe,” said Nele Kempeneers, a spokesperson for Belgian farmers' association Boerenbond, one of the unions that organized the protest. “A lot of farms will have to limit the amount of animals that they keep, or simply close down.'

"Some protestors plastered signs to the front of their tractors, voicing their opposition. 'No farmers, no food,' read one. 'Don’t forget who takes care of your food,' read another. Others started a fire and set off firecrackers on Rue de la Loi, in the heart of the European quarter. But this was a different group capitalizing on the protest — not farmers, a member of Boerenbond told POLITICO. 

"Last year, the Flemish government put forward a package of measures to cut nitrate pollution. An initial agreement unraveled following a public consultation period over the summer. The parties making up the ruling coalition returned to the negotiating table this week but were unable to strike a deal.  

"The planned cuts unfairly place a heavier burden on agriculture than industry, claim farming unions, who have the support of the Flemish Christian Democrats. 'There’s no future for us, we cannot go on like this,' Ruben Bauwens, a 30-year-old dairy farmer, told POLITICO. 

"Similar protests took place last year in the Netherlands after the Dutch government approved an agreement that aimed to slash nitrogen emissions by up to 70 percent in some regions. Intensive livestock farming and the use of fertilizers in both the Netherlands and Belgium have contributed to levels of nitrogen ... in the soil and water that exceed thresholds on emissions set by the EU [European Union]."

Read more: https://www.politico.eu/article/belgium-farmer-protests-brussels-nitrogen-emissions/

Smith calls for Trudeau to scrap 'Justin Transition'

Alberta premier Danielle Smith has penned an open letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking him to meet with her to discuss his "Just Transition" program, which she warns faces "irrepressible opposition" in her province.

Smith asks Trudeau to agree on “Sustainable Jobs” alternative to “Just Transition” | True North - Rachel Emmanuel:

January 26, 2023 - "Alberta Premier Danielle Smith is proposing a sustainable jobs alternative to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s 'Just Transition' proposal, which she says would face 'irrepressible opposition' from Alberta. The federal government has yet to table 'Just Transition' legislation, but Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said it would be a priority this spring. 

"In an open letter, Smith said the leaders have reached a crossroads in Alberta’s relationship with the Federal Government. 'We can continue with the endless court challenges, legislation to protect jurisdictional rights and inflammatory media coverage over our disagreements,' she wrote. 'Or, as is my strong preference, Alberta and Ottawa can work in partnership on a plan that will signal to all Canadians and investors from around the world that our governments have cooperatively designed a series of incentives and initiatives.'

"Those initiatives, the premier wrote, would seek to achieve objectives of substantially decreasing Canada’s and Alberta’s net emissions and accelerating private and public investment in infrastructure that utilizes and develops Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage, Bitumen Beyond Combustion, Geothermal technology, petrochemicals, hydrogen, lithium, helium, zero-emissions vehicles and nuclear technologies. They would also seek to attract a larger skilled workforce to positions in the conventional energy sector and emerging industries and increase LNG exports and other responsibly developed conventional oil and natural gas resources to Europe, Asia, and the United States, she said. 

"'Prime Minister, all of the above objectives need to be clearly articulated and integrated into any Federal legislation or policies your government seeks to implement in the coming months, or that legislation will face irrepressible opposition from Alberta,” Smith wrote. 'I genuinely do not want to see that happen,' she added, inviting the prime minister to meet with her in February to discuss the matter.... 

"Last week, Blacklock’s Reporter uncovered a June 1 briefing note to Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson which said ... more than 2.7 million Canadians face 'significant' disruptions in sectors that will be affected by climate change programs. 'The transition to a low carbon economy will have an uneven impact across sectors, occupations and regions and create significant labour market disruptions,' it reads....

"Smith has said 'Just Transition' is a social justice term meant to phase out the coal industry. 'To use that terminology, they’re virtue signaling to an extreme base that is openly advocating to shut down oil or natural gas,' she said last week. In her letter, she also implored Trudeau to drop the name 'Just Transition'....

'Vow that all provisions of any forthcoming legislation will be designed to incentivize investment and job growth in both the conventional energy sector as well as in emerging industries,' she wrote. 'Demonstrate that no provision of the Act will be designed to phase out or reduce Alberta’s conventional oil and natural gas sector and workforce.'

"The federal government has yet to respond to Smith’s letter."

Read more: https://tnc.news/2023/01/26/smith-trudeau/

"Justin Transition" will have huge economic impact

Premier Smith 'sickened' by staggering disruption planned with Trudeau's Just Transition | Edmonton Journal - David Staples: 

January 16, 2023 - "The staggering scope of change that Justin Trudeau’s Liberals intend to impose on Canadians with their Just Transition program is made clear in a newly-released government document. The document — first reported by the online new[s] agency Blacklock’s Reporter and now obtained by Postmedia — are department speaking notes from June 1, 2022, for Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson.

"The document predicts 'significant disruption' for workers in key Canadian employment sectors in order to meet federal emissions reduction targets. 'The transition to a low-carbon economy will have an uneven impact across sectors, occupations and regions, and create significant labour market disruptions.'

"Included in the 'large-scale' transformation will be jobs in the following sectors — 1.4 million building trades workers, 642,000 transportation workers, 292,000 agriculture workers, 202,000 energy workers and 193,000 workers in manufacturing. In total, 13.5 per cent of Canadian workers in many of the highest-playing blue-collar sectors will face major disruptions.

"The document notes, 'Some regions, particularly in Alberta, Saskatchewan and Newfoundland and Labrador, where communities are more reliant on carbon intensive industries, will likely be disproportionally affected'.... Whether or not your blood is boiling about now will likely come down to which part of Canada you reside.

"If you’re from Quebec or British Columbia, provinces where hydro is king and where drastic action on climate change is seen as the ultimate moral good, such major disruption might well seem reasonable. Yes, a few eggs might well get broken to make the omelette of a greener world. Yes, some men and women who are earning high wages in a polluting industry might have to take lesser-paying jobs. But climate change is the most alarming existential issue of our times, right?... 

"But if you’re from Alberta, Saskatchewan or Newfoundland and Labrador, this plan might well strike you as madness, as a federal government that has lost all humility and common sense....

"Canada might contort itself and slash oil and gas production to lower emissions, but that will have no impact on worldwide emissions. Whatever the country does, the world’s several billion poor people will rightly continue to embrace burning fossil fuels so they can avoid starvation. If they don’t buy oil and gas from Canada, they’ll buy it from Russia, the Middle East or Venezuela. And, yes, we can all buy in to Trudeau’s plan for top-down federal government management of the economy, but we’ll be putting our faith in a government that has run up unprecedented debt, embraced energy scarcity policies that are already ratcheting up inflation, and grossly overspends even as it designs a phone app for incoming travellers that barely works.

"For my part, I note the vast differences of opinion between people in different regions of the country and I applaud the framers of the Canadian Constitution, including Peter Lougheed, for putting in place constitutional measures that can keep Canada united despite such differences, at least if the Constitution is respected... The framers, such as Lougheed, made sure that Alberta and other provinces have exclusive constitutional right to develop their natural resources. 

"This latest Trudeau scheme is so out-of-bounds, such a grotesque and misguided example of federal over-reach, that it’s evident either Trudeau has never read the Constitution, or he has no respect for it, nor for Alberta.

Read more: https://edmontonjournal.com/opinion/columnists/david-staples-premier-smith-sickened-by-staggering-disruption-planned-with-trudeaus-just-transition

Justin Transition: Trudeau government plans to phase out Canada's oil & gas industry

The so-called “just transition” will leave Canadians cold and in the dark | True North - Gregory Tobin:

January 7, 2023 - "So what is the 'just transition'? At its most basic level, it is a plan to phase out Canada’s best in the world oil and gas industry. Leaving us with only unreliable and intermittent wind turbines and solar panels for our energy sources. And any fuels we do use [would be] imported from countries like Saudi Arabia and the United States. It also means replacing all oil and gas jobs in Canada – some of the highest paying jobs in the country and frankly the world – with jobs like solar panel installer.

"It’s unrealistic, but the Trudeau government is full steam ahead on it. Natural Resources Minister Johnathan Wilkinson, made a new year’s announcement that 2023 will see new legislation on the matter brought forward. They’ve even brought on board NDP MP Charlie Angus to help draft the legislation – another unfortunate sign that the Liberals have gone quite far left in their agenda.

"And with every passing item on their agenda, our allies outperform us.... In 2015 the United States exported zero LNG. But in 2022, America became the world’s largest exporter of Liquified Natural Gas (LNG). It is simply ridiculous that Canada isn’t at the top of that list. We have the best product, made to the best standard, made by the best workers in the field, with extremely low emissions. The only thing stopping us from getting the product to market is government willpower.

"America is also becoming a leader in Carbon Tech – which is using technology to reduce emissions, or even remove CO2 emissions from the air and re-use it as an ingredient in all kinds of things like concrete, alcohol, carbon nanotubing and much more. Again, something Canada ... should be the world leader in.

"We’re already experiencing something called 'carbon leakage' – which occurs when Canada stops producing a given product, due to government efforts to reduce domestic emissions. But the demand for that product is still there, and so buyers end up going to places like China – who are happy to sell their coal and other products which are made with little to no environmental standards at all. And because of the government’s lagging behind, we’re also going to see 'job leakage' start to occur. Where workers who aren’t interested in being solar panel installers will go to the States or elsewhere to make big bucks in the Carbon Tech engineering world.

"But Trudeau does not seem to want to make Canada #1. And because of his attachment to an outdated eco-radical ideology, we have left it up to countries like Qatar and the United States to sell their LNG to the European nations begging for it. And they’ll make billions. Billions that could pay for hospitals, schools, roads, doctors, teachers, and good-paying jobs....

"Sadly, Trudeau fails to see the case for selling natural gas to a continent freezing to death. And also fails to see the case for capturing carbon while the world grapples with an emissions problem. It’s very frustrating. But so long as the prime minister can say he cut some domestic emissions somewhere, he is happy to do it, even if it leaves Canada behind. This 'just transition' off of oil and gas and nuclear is what has left Europe burning garbage to keep their kids warm. We cannot allow the same crisis to come to our shores. Canadians deserve better. 

"Let’s work towards an energy transformation – driven by innovation – that will allow us to continue using the energy and products we make here, to the best standards in the world, use Carbon Tech to make it all low emissions, and sell those products to a world that needs them. What we don’t need is more of the same old top-down bureaucratic ideas that don’t work, from a tired government, that leaves us and our allies cold and in the dark."

Read more: https://tnc.news/2023/01/07/tobin-just-transition/

World Economic Forum shows danger of elitism

Elitism, not populism, threatens our democracy | Toronto Sun - Lorrie Goldstein:

January 11, 2023 - "Elitism poses a far greater threat to democratic institutions than populism and the annual meeting of the World Economic Forum in Davos, Switzerland next week is a case in point.... It’s an annual meeting of 3,000 of the world’s global elites — billionaires, millionaires, tech giants, captains of industry, politicians, celebrities and bureaucrats, held in an uber-expensive, hard-to-reach ski resort in the Swiss Alps. 

"Created by German economist Klaus Schwab in 1971, originally as a business conference, it has grown under Schwab’s relentless promotion into an annual global gabfest that is simultaneously hilarious and alarming. Hilarious because it sees global elites emerging from their private jets and cocoons of privilege lecturing the rest of us on how to save the planet by consuming less to reduce our carbon footprint. Alarming, because we never see the deal-making that goes on behind closed doors at the WEF...

"The WEF has no power in and of itself. But it is a global incubator of terrible ideas, leading to bizarre government policies that inevitably develop when elitists who have no understanding of how ordinary people live, delude themselves into thinking that, having created many of the world’s problems, they know how to fix them.

"For example, their absurd idea that the pandemic was the ideal moment in history for a 'Great Reset' to power modern industrialized countries with wind and solar power. This as opposed to the current reality that nations around the world are now desperately scrambling to acquire more fossil fuel energy, because they forgot the importance of energy security in their obsession with so-called 'green' energy.

"Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has spoken at the WEF and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland is a member of its board of trustees. On the other hand, Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre condemns it as an annual meeting of elites who understand nothing about the lives of ordinary people and in their arrogance, think they know what is best for them, vowing a Conservative government will have nothing to do with it. 

"While Liberals and liberal media have mocked Poilievre for engaging in tin foil hat conspiracies, Freeland herself in her award-winning 2012 book written before she entered politics, Plutocrats: The Rise of the New Global Super-Rich and the Fall of Everyone Else expressed similar concerns about the WEF. 

"So did former Conservative PM Stephen Harper, who twice spoke at the WEF and praised Schwab in his 2018 political memoir, Right Here, Right Now — Politics and Leadership in the Age of Disruption, for creating an 'outstanding organization' and a 'remarkable event' at the start. But he also described the WEF today, as 

a bit disturbing … in recent years, Davos has taken on an atmosphere of elitism that would be hard to surpass. 
Many of its attendees seem to view themselves as some kind of supreme world council.... 
The one commonality in virtually all the new, populist or disruptive political movements of recent years is their suspicion of such globalism.… They believe such ‘globalists’ do not share their values and do not care about their interests. And, too often, they are right.

"Award-winning New York Times global economics journalist Peter Goodman expressed similar concerns in his 2022 book, Davos Man: How the Billionaires Devoured the World."

Read more: https://torontosun.com/opinion/columnists/goldstein-elitism-not-populism-threatens-our-democracy