Natasha Bulowski
@natashabulowski.bsky.social
Reporter covering climate/energy/federal politics for Canada's National Observer
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
With everything going on these days, it’s easy to miss when local governments get up to some sketchy stuff.
Take Vancouver, where Mayor Ken Sims is planning to eliminate the city’s sustainability and climate department!!!
Yes, really.
My partners at @nationalobserver.com have the scoop:
Take Vancouver, where Mayor Ken Sims is planning to eliminate the city’s sustainability and climate department!!!
Yes, really.
My partners at @nationalobserver.com have the scoop:
November 11, 2025 at 11:42 PM
With everything going on these days, it’s easy to miss when local governments get up to some sketchy stuff.
Take Vancouver, where Mayor Ken Sims is planning to eliminate the city’s sustainability and climate department!!!
Yes, really.
My partners at @nationalobserver.com have the scoop:
Take Vancouver, where Mayor Ken Sims is planning to eliminate the city’s sustainability and climate department!!!
Yes, really.
My partners at @nationalobserver.com have the scoop:
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
Worth noting that because Sim brought forward his proposal for a property tax freeze requiring millions in cuts with just weeks left in the budget process, this is not up for public debate and is not outlined in the documents available to councillors when they vote on this
SCOOP: Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is planning to eliminate the city's sustainability and climate department under the guise of a push to prevent increases to property taxes in his proposed 2026 budget.
Great source work by Marc Fawcett-Atkinson to uncover this
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/11/n...
Great source work by Marc Fawcett-Atkinson to uncover this
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/11/n...
Vancouver mayor plans to eliminate city's climate and sustainability department
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is planning to eliminate the city's sustainability and climate department under the guise of a push to prevent increases to property taxes. Canada's National Observer learned a...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 11, 2025 at 3:26 AM
Worth noting that because Sim brought forward his proposal for a property tax freeze requiring millions in cuts with just weeks left in the budget process, this is not up for public debate and is not outlined in the documents available to councillors when they vote on this
SCOOP: Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is planning to eliminate the city's sustainability and climate department under the guise of a push to prevent increases to property taxes in his proposed 2026 budget.
Great source work by Marc Fawcett-Atkinson to uncover this
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/11/n...
Great source work by Marc Fawcett-Atkinson to uncover this
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/11/n...
Vancouver mayor plans to eliminate city's climate and sustainability department
Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is planning to eliminate the city's sustainability and climate department under the guise of a push to prevent increases to property taxes. Canada's National Observer learned a...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 11, 2025 at 2:53 AM
SCOOP: Vancouver Mayor Ken Sim is planning to eliminate the city's sustainability and climate department under the guise of a push to prevent increases to property taxes in his proposed 2026 budget.
Great source work by Marc Fawcett-Atkinson to uncover this
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/11/n...
Great source work by Marc Fawcett-Atkinson to uncover this
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/11/n...
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
This is MAJOR!
BREAKING: We won!
Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.
pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
Today the 3rd Circuit Court ordered the @post-gazette.com to restore our contract it illegally tore up 5 years ago. That’s our health care, PTO, right to a 40-hr. work week, short-term disability and so much more we’ve struck for 3+ years.
pghguild.com/2025/11/10/p...
November 10, 2025 at 5:52 PM
This is MAJOR!
Alberta and Saskatchewan cited their ongoing conversations with the feds when asked to comment on aspects of the federal budget that suggest the provinces will have to fall in line with the federal industrial carbon price. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/06/n...
Alberta and Saskatchewan play nice with federal budget, for now
Alberta Premier Danielle Smith and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe did not lambaste the federal government's recent budget despite its language suggesting the provinces must fall in line with federal i...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 7, 2025 at 3:08 PM
Alberta and Saskatchewan cited their ongoing conversations with the feds when asked to comment on aspects of the federal budget that suggest the provinces will have to fall in line with the federal industrial carbon price. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/11/06/n...
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
Since April's election, oil and gas lobbyists notched at least 177 meetings with federal officials — a third of which were in September alone. If the budget is any indication, they successfully persuaded Mark Carney's government.
Feds faced intense lobbying pressure before budget
Since April's election, oil and gas lobbyists notched at least 177 meetings with federal officials — a third of which were in September alone. If Tuesday's budget is any indication, they successfully ...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 6, 2025 at 2:30 PM
Since April's election, oil and gas lobbyists notched at least 177 meetings with federal officials — a third of which were in September alone. If the budget is any indication, they successfully persuaded Mark Carney's government.
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first budget did not deliver new investments on climate or clean tech. In fact, some experts say it takes a step backwards.
‘Climate negative’: Canada’s energy transition progress stalls in first Carney budget
From its underwhelming climate competitiveness strategy through near-static clean economy tax credits, the Liberal government’s 2025 spending plan is declared a fiscal and regulatory failure by indust...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 10:16 PM
Prime Minister Mark Carney’s first budget did not deliver new investments on climate or clean tech. In fact, some experts say it takes a step backwards.
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
Communities on Vancouver Island have been asking for changes to how privately managed forests work for years. The BC government confirmed to CNO that those changes are not coming.
Long-awaited changes to BC’s private forests not coming, government confirms
Despite years of fighting by local governments to force legislative changes, the priority for the province's Forests ministry is protecting jobs in the sector, which has been impacted by the trade war...
www.nationalobserver.com
November 4, 2025 at 5:36 PM
Communities on Vancouver Island have been asking for changes to how privately managed forests work for years. The BC government confirmed to CNO that those changes are not coming.
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
In response to Alberta’s use of the notwithstanding clause, labour groups are vowing retaliation.
Danielle Smith's attack on bargaining rights has unions raising the spectre of a general strike:
pressprogress.ca/alberta-labo...
Danielle Smith's attack on bargaining rights has unions raising the spectre of a general strike:
pressprogress.ca/alberta-labo...
In Response to Alberta’s Use of the Notwithstanding Clause, Labour Groups are Vowing Retaliation
Danielle Smith's attack on bargaining rights has labour groups raising the spectre of a general strike
pressprogress.ca
November 1, 2025 at 12:27 AM
In response to Alberta’s use of the notwithstanding clause, labour groups are vowing retaliation.
Danielle Smith's attack on bargaining rights has unions raising the spectre of a general strike:
pressprogress.ca/alberta-labo...
Danielle Smith's attack on bargaining rights has unions raising the spectre of a general strike:
pressprogress.ca/alberta-labo...
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
Even after Ontario's disastrous experience with Trump, BC Premier David Eby will run his own anti-tariff ads in the US. His office said the prime minister has not been consulted on the ads, @natashabulowski.bsky.social reports.
Eby sidesteps Carney with anti-tariff ads after Ontario blowup
BC Premier David Eby plans to press ahead with an anti-tariff ad campaign despite US President Donald Trump's swift reprisal following Ontario's anti-tariff ad ran during the baseball World Series. To...
www.nationalobserver.com
October 31, 2025 at 7:02 PM
Even after Ontario's disastrous experience with Trump, BC Premier David Eby will run his own anti-tariff ads in the US. His office said the prime minister has not been consulted on the ads, @natashabulowski.bsky.social reports.
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
At a time when fossil fuel projects are part of Ottawa’s nation-building agenda, new research shows climate impacts driven by burning fossil fuels could cause more damage to GDP than previously thought. via @natashabulowski.bsky.social
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/29/n...
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/29/n...
Climate change will hurt Canada's GDP more than previously thought
New economic research indicates Canada (and all countries) will see a larger hit to GDP thanks to climate change.
www.nationalobserver.com
October 29, 2025 at 6:27 PM
At a time when fossil fuel projects are part of Ottawa’s nation-building agenda, new research shows climate impacts driven by burning fossil fuels could cause more damage to GDP than previously thought. via @natashabulowski.bsky.social
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/29/n...
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/29/n...
NEW from me:
The funding agreement for the national public alerting system for extreme weather, air quality, wildfires and other threats, expires on Aug. 31, 2026, and “urgent action" is required to sustain Canada's alerting capabilities, reveals an ATIP www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/28/n...
The funding agreement for the national public alerting system for extreme weather, air quality, wildfires and other threats, expires on Aug. 31, 2026, and “urgent action" is required to sustain Canada's alerting capabilities, reveals an ATIP www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/28/n...
National public alert system faces uncertain future
The funding agreement for the National Public Alerting System (NPAS), which sends out alerts for extreme weather, air quality, wildfires, Amber Alerts and other threats, expires on Aug. 31, 2026, and ...
www.nationalobserver.com
October 28, 2025 at 5:08 PM
NEW from me:
The funding agreement for the national public alerting system for extreme weather, air quality, wildfires and other threats, expires on Aug. 31, 2026, and “urgent action" is required to sustain Canada's alerting capabilities, reveals an ATIP www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/28/n...
The funding agreement for the national public alerting system for extreme weather, air quality, wildfires and other threats, expires on Aug. 31, 2026, and “urgent action" is required to sustain Canada's alerting capabilities, reveals an ATIP www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/28/n...
Climate and energy policy could emerge as a wedge issue during the federal NDP leadership contest, said poli sci prof David McGrane. These fissures have existed within the NDP for years, and the leadership contest could settle the matter. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/24/n...
Climate and energy could become wedge issue in NDP leadership contest
At a forum hosted by the Canadian Labour Congress, the official leadership candidates spoke about putting workers first, how to rebuild the party and took shots at corporate Canada. But the moderated ...
www.nationalobserver.com
October 27, 2025 at 6:33 PM
Climate and energy policy could emerge as a wedge issue during the federal NDP leadership contest, said poli sci prof David McGrane. These fissures have existed within the NDP for years, and the leadership contest could settle the matter. www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/24/n...
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
Climate and energy could become wedge issue in NDP leadership contest by @natashabulowski.bsky.social @nationalobserver.com www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/24/n...
Climate and energy could become wedge issue in NDP leadership contest
At a forum hosted by the Canadian Labour Congress, the official leadership candidates spoke about putting workers first, how to rebuild the party and took shots at corporate Canada. But the moderated ...
www.nationalobserver.com
October 27, 2025 at 1:56 PM
Climate and energy could become wedge issue in NDP leadership contest by @natashabulowski.bsky.social @nationalobserver.com www.nationalobserver.com/2025/10/24/n...
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
Firefighters, wildfire survivors and climate advocates are calling on the government to provide more long-term funding for firefighters, rural communities and Indigenous land guardians — and block new fossil fuel projects.
Rural volunteers struggle to fight wildfires with broken tools and little training
Firefighters, wildfire survivors and climate advocates are calling on the government to provide more long-term funding for firefighters, rural communities and Indigenous land guardians — and block new...
www.nationalobserver.com
October 23, 2025 at 3:31 PM
Firefighters, wildfire survivors and climate advocates are calling on the government to provide more long-term funding for firefighters, rural communities and Indigenous land guardians — and block new fossil fuel projects.
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
Alberta's "hyperloop" proposal is in limbo, with no visible progress and a discouraging Transport Canada study. But an Alberta government master plan could put some momentum behind the unproven, risky technology, @natashabulowski.bsky.social reports.
Alberta rail master plan could provide opening to 'hyperloop' proposal
Despite the downfall of many prominent hyperloop startups and a lack of full-scale operations worldwide, one Alberta company is still trying to advance its proposal in Alberta. It just has to wait for...
www.nationalobserver.com
October 21, 2025 at 3:49 PM
Alberta's "hyperloop" proposal is in limbo, with no visible progress and a discouraging Transport Canada study. But an Alberta government master plan could put some momentum behind the unproven, risky technology, @natashabulowski.bsky.social reports.
Ever heard of Measurement Canada? This regulatory agency ensures the accuracy of commercial and retail measurements, including gasoline, electricity and even groceries. But it's highly specialized operations could be threatened by climate change www.nationalobserver.com/2025/09/26/n...
Climate change threatens accuracy of gas pumps and electricity meters, federal agency finds
Worsening climate impacts could impede the work of this lesser-known federal agency whose work underpins the accuracy of measurements, from gas pumps to retail scales, that affect our day-to-day lives...
www.nationalobserver.com
October 7, 2025 at 1:11 AM
Ever heard of Measurement Canada? This regulatory agency ensures the accuracy of commercial and retail measurements, including gasoline, electricity and even groceries. But it's highly specialized operations could be threatened by climate change www.nationalobserver.com/2025/09/26/n...
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
It's the first landfill proposal in the province selected for fast-tracking under Premier Doug Ford's newly enacted Bill 5 — which makes the project immune to many of the checks and balances it would otherwise face. Great story here from @matinsarfraz.bsky.social
'Town killer': Ontario residents fight Ford’s fast-track landfill project
When Ashley Khouathip left Toronto five years ago, she was looking for clean air for her five children, affordable housing and a slower pace of life. She wanted a place where kids could bike and fish ...
www.nationalobserver.com
September 26, 2025 at 4:46 PM
It's the first landfill proposal in the province selected for fast-tracking under Premier Doug Ford's newly enacted Bill 5 — which makes the project immune to many of the checks and balances it would otherwise face. Great story here from @matinsarfraz.bsky.social
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
Important deep dive on who sits on the major projects Indigenous Advisory Council from @natashabulowski.bsky.social. Crucial point, Indigenous advisors cannot be a substitution for genuine consultation as Carney pursues his major projects agenda.
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/09/25/n...
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/09/25/n...
Meet Carney's Indigenous Advisory Council
The prime minister's newly appointed council is stacked with business and economic development leaders — as well as one vocal critic of Bill C-5.
www.nationalobserver.com
September 25, 2025 at 3:20 PM
Important deep dive on who sits on the major projects Indigenous Advisory Council from @natashabulowski.bsky.social. Crucial point, Indigenous advisors cannot be a substitution for genuine consultation as Carney pursues his major projects agenda.
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/09/25/n...
www.nationalobserver.com/2025/09/25/n...
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
The courtyard in the middle of the Louvre was once a parking lot. Like so much of downtown Paris though, it's been wrested from cars and returned to human beings. I went there to see what that feels like. My new column:
Paris paved the parking lot, and put up the pyramids
Paris has become a cycling paradise, joining other European cities in prioritizing active transportation. But it would be a mistake to assume this is just the natural course of history — or that North...
www.nationalobserver.com
September 22, 2025 at 2:02 PM
The courtyard in the middle of the Louvre was once a parking lot. Like so much of downtown Paris though, it's been wrested from cars and returned to human beings. I went there to see what that feels like. My new column:
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
#StarExclusive: Tesla used an automated system to make a run on the bank of Canada’s dwindling EV subsidies, outmanoeuvring Canadian dealerships that filed claims manually and were left short millions of dollars, the Star has learned.
Tesla used bots to run the bank on millions in Canadian EV rebates — but didn’t fake sales: Government investigation
Tesla filed more than 8,600 rebate claims in under 72 hours to make a run on the bank of Canada’s dwindling EV subsidies.
www.thestar.com
September 19, 2025 at 2:44 PM
#StarExclusive: Tesla used an automated system to make a run on the bank of Canada’s dwindling EV subsidies, outmanoeuvring Canadian dealerships that filed claims manually and were left short millions of dollars, the Star has learned.
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
Ironically, the documents specifically (and correctly) name climate change as a major factor in worsening wildfires. The wildfire charter signed by the leaders at the summit, however, did not.
September 19, 2025 at 1:18 PM
Ironically, the documents specifically (and correctly) name climate change as a major factor in worsening wildfires. The wildfire charter signed by the leaders at the summit, however, did not.
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
We obtained Canada's security planning documents for the G7. High among their concerns was wildfire and how to respond should a fire bear down on Kananaskis while world leaders gathered there, @natashabulowski.bsky.social reports.
As Canada prepared for G7, it planned for climate disasters
Wildfires fueled by climate change had the potential to disrupt the G7 Summit held in Kananaskis, according to federal planning documents.
www.nationalobserver.com
September 19, 2025 at 1:08 PM
We obtained Canada's security planning documents for the G7. High among their concerns was wildfire and how to respond should a fire bear down on Kananaskis while world leaders gathered there, @natashabulowski.bsky.social reports.
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
Canada’s #fossilfuel industry has singlehandedly scotched any chance of the country hitting its legally-binding 2030 #emissionsreduction targets, due to record #oilandgas production. Read @nationalobserver.com for my piece with @natashabulowski.bsky.social: www.nationalobserver.com/2025/09/18/n...
Pumped-up Alberta oil and gas sector sinks Canada's climate targets
The country’s 2030 commitments are now certain to be missed due to record GHG releases from oilsands operations, climate policy backslides and plans for future LNG production, the Canadian Climate Ins...
www.nationalobserver.com
September 18, 2025 at 11:42 AM
Canada’s #fossilfuel industry has singlehandedly scotched any chance of the country hitting its legally-binding 2030 #emissionsreduction targets, due to record #oilandgas production. Read @nationalobserver.com for my piece with @natashabulowski.bsky.social: www.nationalobserver.com/2025/09/18/n...
Reposted by Natasha Bulowski
New research published in Nature draws a direct link between high-emitting fossil fuel and cement companies and the frequency and severity of heat waves, including the 2021 heat dome that caused 619 deaths in BC. Via @natashabulowski.bsky.social www.nationalobserver.com/2025/09/10/n...
Research links Canada’s fossil fuel industry to deadly heat waves
Emissions from fossil fuel and cement companies have contributed significantly to the frequency and severity of devastating heat waves over the last two decades, a new study finds. The paper could hel...
www.nationalobserver.com
September 10, 2025 at 7:56 PM
New research published in Nature draws a direct link between high-emitting fossil fuel and cement companies and the frequency and severity of heat waves, including the 2021 heat dome that caused 619 deaths in BC. Via @natashabulowski.bsky.social www.nationalobserver.com/2025/09/10/n...