Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
@brianbanks.bsky.social
Scribbler (mainly nature, conservation, critters, science, climate); Geographer (Fellow, Royal Canadian Geographical Society); Soy nature boy. https://brian.eco/
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
People who care about climate change are “dreaming nostalgically about the past.” - Minister Hodgson
Gotcha. That explains a lot.
Gotcha. That explains a lot.
November 28, 2025 at 2:03 AM
People who care about climate change are “dreaming nostalgically about the past.” - Minister Hodgson
Gotcha. That explains a lot.
Gotcha. That explains a lot.
On the other hand, per The Logic:
Today “Carney received two standing ovations from the 1,200-strong crowd at the chamber of commerce event, which was sponsored by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. Attendees had waited in a line that stretched a full city block to hear him speak.”
Today “Carney received two standing ovations from the 1,200-strong crowd at the chamber of commerce event, which was sponsored by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. Attendees had waited in a line that stretched a full city block to hear him speak.”
1. Many Canadians, including me, are questioning Carney’s commitment to #ClimateAction.
2. Max knows what he’s talking about.
3. Yes Carney should be communicating better. He may also be much more focussed on results than looking good. That’s how non-politician experts think.
4. Let’s keep watching.
2. Max knows what he’s talking about.
3. Yes Carney should be communicating better. He may also be much more focussed on results than looking good. That’s how non-politician experts think.
4. Let’s keep watching.
Mark Carney managed to trade a pipeline that will never get built for meaningful progress on industrial carbon pricing and electricity interties — both of which will get more wind and solar built.
Remember when people thought he wasn't good at politics? www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/o...
Remember when people thought he wasn't good at politics? www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/27/o...
November 28, 2025 at 5:15 AM
On the other hand, per The Logic:
Today “Carney received two standing ovations from the 1,200-strong crowd at the chamber of commerce event, which was sponsored by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. Attendees had waited in a line that stretched a full city block to hear him speak.”
Today “Carney received two standing ovations from the 1,200-strong crowd at the chamber of commerce event, which was sponsored by the Canadian Association of Petroleum Producers. Attendees had waited in a line that stretched a full city block to hear him speak.”
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
Utterly lawless
November 23, 2025 at 2:55 AM
Utterly lawless
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
This afternoon, I informed the Prime Minister of my decision to resign as Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Minister responsible for Official Languages, Minister of Nature and Parks Canada, as well as his Lieutenant in Quebec.
You can find my full statement below.
You can find my full statement below.
November 27, 2025 at 10:32 PM
This afternoon, I informed the Prime Minister of my decision to resign as Minister of Canadian Identity and Culture, Minister responsible for Official Languages, Minister of Nature and Parks Canada, as well as his Lieutenant in Quebec.
You can find my full statement below.
You can find my full statement below.
Very disappointing.
We've fallen into an anti-immigration, anti-climate, short-sighted economic doofus era, brought to you by the guy who we thought was a smart policy wonk.
Mark Carney drops Trudeau-era climate measures in energy deal with Alberta
November 27, 2025 at 5:44 PM
Very disappointing.
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
Carney-Smith deal will bring carbon capture to Cold Lake. They don't want it www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/26/n...
Carney-Smith deal will bring carbon capture to Cold Lake. They don't want it
Alberta First Nations are being shut out of a sprawling carbon capture and storage project on their traditional territories that is a key part of Thursday's Alberta-Ottawa pipeline deal, chiefs say.
www.nationalobserver.com
November 27, 2025 at 5:30 PM
Carney-Smith deal will bring carbon capture to Cold Lake. They don't want it www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/26/n...
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
1. This federal-Alberta pipeline MOU is even worse than I expected. Even before we get to the pipeline:
- exempts AB from net zero electricity reg (AB produces 44% of all electricity-related GHGs in Canada).
- delays methane reg by 5 years (75% redn by 2035 rather than 2030.
(cont'd)
- exempts AB from net zero electricity reg (AB produces 44% of all electricity-related GHGs in Canada).
- delays methane reg by 5 years (75% redn by 2035 rather than 2030.
(cont'd)
November 27, 2025 at 5:23 PM
1. This federal-Alberta pipeline MOU is even worse than I expected. Even before we get to the pipeline:
- exempts AB from net zero electricity reg (AB produces 44% of all electricity-related GHGs in Canada).
- delays methane reg by 5 years (75% redn by 2035 rather than 2030.
(cont'd)
- exempts AB from net zero electricity reg (AB produces 44% of all electricity-related GHGs in Canada).
- delays methane reg by 5 years (75% redn by 2035 rather than 2030.
(cont'd)
Oh, fuck off.
NEW: The New York Times got a State Dept. cable in which Rubio orders diplomats in Europe, Canada, Australia and New Zealand to press for immigration limits and cite crime. They’re also told to report on governments that are pro-immigration. Our story: www.nytimes.com/2025/11/26/u...
U.S. to Press Europe and Other Allies on ‘Mass Migration,’ Document Says
www.nytimes.com
November 27, 2025 at 12:45 AM
Oh, fuck off.
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
First Secretary of Defense you could defeat by painting a tunnel on the side of a boulder.
November 25, 2025 at 1:55 PM
First Secretary of Defense you could defeat by painting a tunnel on the side of a boulder.
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
It’s an interesting approach to provide clarity on a tanker ban while failing to meet with the Coastal First Nations despite repeated requests - the community that would be directly affected by any spill - while having dozens or more meetings with fossil fuel lobbyists, AB, Sask.
Hodgson says Ottawa is close to providing clarity on B.C. tanker ban nationalnewswatch.com/2025/11/25/h...
Hodgson says Ottawa is close to providing clarity on B.C. tanker ban
National Newswatch: Canada's most comprehensive site for political news and views.
nationalnewswatch.com
November 25, 2025 at 2:13 PM
It’s an interesting approach to provide clarity on a tanker ban while failing to meet with the Coastal First Nations despite repeated requests - the community that would be directly affected by any spill - while having dozens or more meetings with fossil fuel lobbyists, AB, Sask.
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
The Nepalese EV transition.
In simple terms, brown on this graph is India's share and blue is China's share.
The trigger? India effectively halted all imports of petroleum into Nepal in 2015, an "undeclared blockade", which was "masked as constitutional concern".
robbieandrew.github.io/carsales/
In simple terms, brown on this graph is India's share and blue is China's share.
The trigger? India effectively halted all imports of petroleum into Nepal in 2015, an "undeclared blockade", which was "masked as constitutional concern".
robbieandrew.github.io/carsales/
November 25, 2025 at 1:53 PM
The Nepalese EV transition.
In simple terms, brown on this graph is India's share and blue is China's share.
The trigger? India effectively halted all imports of petroleum into Nepal in 2015, an "undeclared blockade", which was "masked as constitutional concern".
robbieandrew.github.io/carsales/
In simple terms, brown on this graph is India's share and blue is China's share.
The trigger? India effectively halted all imports of petroleum into Nepal in 2015, an "undeclared blockade", which was "masked as constitutional concern".
robbieandrew.github.io/carsales/
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
If my job is now reading shit written by ChatGPT I'm just going to stop doing my job.
November 24, 2025 at 11:13 PM
If my job is now reading shit written by ChatGPT I'm just going to stop doing my job.
The #Raptors winning streak is in jeopardy tonight. Playing Cleveland, without Barrett, on a back-to-back. Home game, but…
www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/...
www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/...
Raptors host Cavaliers with sights set on eighth straight win
www.sportsnet.ca
November 24, 2025 at 11:05 PM
The #Raptors winning streak is in jeopardy tonight. Playing Cleveland, without Barrett, on a back-to-back. Home game, but…
www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/...
www.sportsnet.ca/nba/article/...
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
They did it again!
Oslos articulated buses love to gather in roundabouts!
Oslos articulated buses love to gather in roundabouts!
November 24, 2025 at 10:16 PM
They did it again!
Oslos articulated buses love to gather in roundabouts!
Oslos articulated buses love to gather in roundabouts!
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
1/Judge Cameron Currie dismisses the Comey prosecution because Lindsey Halligan was improperly appointed US Atty.
November 24, 2025 at 5:38 PM
1/Judge Cameron Currie dismisses the Comey prosecution because Lindsey Halligan was improperly appointed US Atty.
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
Oh.
NEW AP INVESTIGATION: With license plate readers and local law enforcement partnerships, Border Patrol is monitoring American drivers and detaining those exhibiting ‘suspicious’ travel patterns in the U.S. interior. w/
@garanceburke.bsky.social. apnews.com/article/immi...
@garanceburke.bsky.social. apnews.com/article/immi...
Border Patrol is monitoring US drivers and detaining those with 'suspicious' travel patterns
The U.S. Border Patrol is monitoring millions of American drivers nationwide in a secretive program to identify and detain people whose travel patterns it deems suspicious.
apnews.com
November 24, 2025 at 1:02 PM
Oh.
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
A headline I wasn’t expecting to read ha
More seriously, our politics is better when we make it about ideas and welcome thoughtful debate and disagreement.
More seriously, our politics is better when we make it about ideas and welcome thoughtful debate and disagreement.
November 23, 2025 at 4:35 PM
A headline I wasn’t expecting to read ha
More seriously, our politics is better when we make it about ideas and welcome thoughtful debate and disagreement.
More seriously, our politics is better when we make it about ideas and welcome thoughtful debate and disagreement.
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
💬 "Wars cannot be ended by major powers over the heads of the countries involved," German Chancellor Merz says.
November 22, 2025 at 4:11 PM
💬 "Wars cannot be ended by major powers over the heads of the countries involved," German Chancellor Merz says.
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff — a real estate mogul with no diplomatic background before his appointment — has emerged as one of the central architects of a new Washington peace proposal that Ukrainian officials say revives the Kremlin's most sweeping demands.
How Steve Witkoff pushed Ukraine sympathizers out of White House, and led the US into Russia's arms
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff is running a shadow operation inside the White House in an effort to sideline pro-Ukraine officials, the Kyiv Independent has learned.
Witkoff — a real estate mogul w...
kyivindependent.com
November 22, 2025 at 2:55 PM
U.S. Special Envoy Steve Witkoff — a real estate mogul with no diplomatic background before his appointment — has emerged as one of the central architects of a new Washington peace proposal that Ukrainian officials say revives the Kremlin's most sweeping demands.
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
Brazil's Supreme Court ordered the arrest of Jair Bolsonaro, with a judge claiming the former president was intent on escaping as he was set to begin his prison sentence for leading a coup attempt. n.pr/48l5ldE
Brazil's Bolsonaro arrested for allegedly plotting escape ahead of prison term
Brazil's Supreme Court ordered the arrest of Jair Bolsonaro, with a judge claiming the former president was intent on escaping as he was set to begin his prison sentence for leading a coup attempt.
n.pr
November 22, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Brazil's Supreme Court ordered the arrest of Jair Bolsonaro, with a judge claiming the former president was intent on escaping as he was set to begin his prison sentence for leading a coup attempt. n.pr/48l5ldE
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
Dipshit is smashing out a car window with his gun, barrel first. Just rogue, cowboy stiff.
There were two US citizens in the car. They were apprehended and detained for “obstructing” ICE by honking their horn to let people know ICE was in the neighborhood.
There were two US citizens in the car. They were apprehended and detained for “obstructing” ICE by honking their horn to let people know ICE was in the neighborhood.
November 22, 2025 at 4:39 AM
Dipshit is smashing out a car window with his gun, barrel first. Just rogue, cowboy stiff.
There were two US citizens in the car. They were apprehended and detained for “obstructing” ICE by honking their horn to let people know ICE was in the neighborhood.
There were two US citizens in the car. They were apprehended and detained for “obstructing” ICE by honking their horn to let people know ICE was in the neighborhood.
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
Mayoring, in Boston
Why do I love living in Boston? Yo-Yo Ma playing the Bach cello suites before bringing Mayor Wu out to duet for an encore, that’s why.
November 22, 2025 at 2:07 PM
Mayoring, in Boston
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
Ukraine's western allies say “additional work” need on US-Russia peace plan and demand EU and Nato are given a say over its contents - as 14 leaders try to slow down rush to force Kyiv to agree
from Johannesburg with @annasophiegross.bsky.social & @christopherjm.ft.com
on.ft.com/48trGqm
from Johannesburg with @annasophiegross.bsky.social & @christopherjm.ft.com
on.ft.com/48trGqm
Kyiv’s allies insist more work is needed on US-Russian peace plan
[FREE TO READ] EU and Nato leaders warn they must be given a voice on the most pivotal moment in the war
on.ft.com
November 22, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Ukraine's western allies say “additional work” need on US-Russia peace plan and demand EU and Nato are given a say over its contents - as 14 leaders try to slow down rush to force Kyiv to agree
from Johannesburg with @annasophiegross.bsky.social & @christopherjm.ft.com
on.ft.com/48trGqm
from Johannesburg with @annasophiegross.bsky.social & @christopherjm.ft.com
on.ft.com/48trGqm
Reposted by Brian Banks Ⓥ 🇨🇦
This is not a peace deal and it’s not asking anything of the Russians. It’s just the US on behalf of the Russians pressuring Ukraine to surrender www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...
U.S. pushing Ukraine to sign peace deal by Thanksgiving or lose support
The U.S. is now sending “signals” that everything could be off the table if Kyiv does not quickly sign a proposal, which was drawn up by special envoy Witkoff.
www.washingtonpost.com
November 21, 2025 at 1:09 PM
This is not a peace deal and it’s not asking anything of the Russians. It’s just the US on behalf of the Russians pressuring Ukraine to surrender www.washingtonpost.com/world/2025/1...