The Environment in Canada Podcast

Hosted by Sierra Club Canada

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Episodes

116

Latest episode

Aug 2026

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EN-CA

About the show

A podcast about the environment in Canada (and sometimes elsewhere) by Sierra Club Canada. Topics include climate change, biodiversity, pollution, renewable energy democracy, and the Rights of Nature. Tune in and take action!

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September 1, 2026Episode 11545 min

The PM Wants Sell off Public Assets to The 1%: Join us in Toronto to Push Back

After an update on the Canada-U.S. trade war and the Venezuela oil deal (and how our Federal Government would likely have signed a very bad deal if it weren't for public pressure ) Eve Saint and Rachel Small discuss a counter-summit taking place in Toronto this September 12th-14th to protest the selling of public assets to the wealthiest 1%. Find out more about the event here : https://www.manyvsmoneysummit.ca/ Read our full newsletter with sources for the introduction here : https://secure.sierraclub.ca/en/civicrm/mailing/view?id=4003 Take action by sending messages and making calls: Say NO to Fracking in Nova Scotia : https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/say-no-to-fracking-in-nova-scotia/ Help flood Premier Susan Holt’s email and voicemail inbox: Reject the U.S. gas plant : https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/help-flood-premier-susan-holts-email-and-voicemail-inbox-reject-the-u-s-gas-plant/ Oppose the Federal "Extinction Paper ": https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/getting-major-projects-built/ The U.S. wants to force oil drilling onto Greenland: Canada must not help the U.S. : https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/greenland-oil-drilling-canada-u-s/ Send a Message: Stop the Financing of Gas Plants for U.S. Corporations Like Meta in Canada : https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/gas_plants_data_centres_financing/ Be sure to send us your questions at communications@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email updates from us here : https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/ And don't forget to take action : https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/ Please note: The views expressed in these podcast episodes do not necessarily reflect those of the Sierra Club Canada Foundation, or those of our chapters or programs. Support the show Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

August 25, 2026Episode 11456 min

Past the Political Polar Bear

A discussion on why there's a lot more to the polar bear than just a symbol when it comes to climate change, arctic species, ecosystems and government decisions, and species at risk. Andrea Miller (Board Member at Sierra Club Canada) interviews Dr. Stephen Petersen, the Director of Conservation and Research for Assiniboine Park Zoo. Take action for nature yourself: Call Your MP: Canada is Alive and Kicking – in Spight of the Extinction Paper https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/getting-major-projects-built/ Send a Message: Stop the Financing of Gas Plants : https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/gas_plants_data_centres_financing/ The U.S. wants to force oil drilling onto Greenland: Canada must not help the U.S .: https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/greenland-oil-drilling-canada-u-s/ Attend upcoming Sierra Club Canada events : https://www.sierraclub.ca/events/ Be sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email updates from us here : https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/ And don't forget to take action : https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/ Support the show Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

August 12, 2026Episode 11344 min

"I'm going to do it anyway because it's right" - Pauline Thornham on the virtue of stubbornness AND updates.

Interview with Pauline Thornham, a long time volunteer with Sierra Club Canada and environmental advocate in Brampton, Ontario. It covers everything from electric buses, to bike lanes, to waste as well as the work - and patience - that goes into making change. The interview is hosted by Sierra Club Canada Board Member Andrea Miller. Also a few updates... Take Action by Sending Messages: The U.S. wants to force oil drilling onto Greenland: Canada must not help the U.S. (email letter campaign) : https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/greenland-oil-drilling-canada-u-s/ Send a Message: Stop the Financing of Gas Plants : https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/gas_plants_data_centres_financing/ Wildfire Response and Preparing Links: Canadian Red Cross: Donate to the 2026 British Columbia Wildfires Appeal here : https://www.redcross.ca/ Email us with updates about local mutual aid responses at communications@sierraclub.ca From James Stout the Spokane Tribal Network and see James' Bluesky for more ways to help and updates . Our guide to how to help protect yourself from the impacts of wildfire smoke : https://www.sierraclub.ca/what-we-can-do-about-wildfire-smoke/ How Women are navigating climate emergencies in Canada (podcast) . An earlier podcast with Canadian climate survivors about their stories . Find all upcoming events, from Many vs. The Money in Toronto to Solar Training in Newfoundland and Labrador, here : https://www.sierraclub.ca/events/ Be sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email updates from us here : https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/ And don't forget to take action : https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/ Support the show Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

July 28, 2026Episode 11229 min

Rachel Gilmore & Ole Hendrickson: Build Canada, De-Regulation, Nuclear, Data Centres, & Water

Rachel Gilmore and Ole Hendrickson join us for a special episode of The Environment In Canada Podcast on de-regulation, nuclear energy, gas, data centres, and other threats to water as well as the growing oligarchical influence of the billionaire group 'Build Canada' (one of it’s founders doesn’t even believe poor people should have the right to vote ). Our government's focus on nuclear - for example - is also a great way to benefit the consortium of U.S. companies (tied to the U.S. military) that currently run Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (or CNL). Take action against gas plants for data centres (including U.S.-corporate data centres) in Canada here : https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/gas_plants_data_centres_financing/ Watch the video version of the episode here : https://www.sierraclub.ca/rachel-gilmore-ole-hendrickson/ This episode originally aired as a live broadcast on CKUT Radio (90.3 FM) in Montreal organized by Unrigged.ca and The Harbinger Media Network and the Suoni Per Il Popolo Music Festival . Find Ole Hendrickson on Rabble.ca and Rachel Gilmore on Bluesky and Youtube: Regulation saves money and lives by Ole Hendrickson: https://rabble.ca/columnists/regulation-saves-money-and-lives/ Rachel Gilmore on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@AtRachelGilmore Rachel Gilmore on Bluesky: https://bsky.app/profile/rachelgilmore.bsky.social For more information on today's topic issues check out these fact sheets and resources (with sources): The Threat of Oligarchy to Canada: https://secure.sierraclub.ca/civicrm/mailing/view?id=3971&reset=1 The Oligarchical Influence of Build Canada on the Federal Government: https://thetyee.ca/Analysis/2026/06/24/Carney-Under-Sway-Broligarchs/ Nuclear Energy Strategy for Canada a Dead End. Wind, Solar, & Batteries Far Better Investment: https://www.sierraclub.ca/nuclear-energy-strategy-for-canada/ Canada Can Go Renewable: https://www.sierraclub.ca/canada-can-go-100-renewable/ Renewable Energy Does NOT Need Baseload Power & More Facts on Wind, Solar, Batteries, Grids: https://www.sierraclub.ca/renewable-energy-does-not-need-baseload-power-more-facts-on-wind-solar-batteries-grids/ LNG (and Gas and Oil Expansion in General) is Not in Canada’s National Interest: https://www.sierraclub.ca/lng-national-interest-canada/ Splashing Forward, The Rights of Water: https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/splashing-forward-rights-water/ The Rights of Nature – It’s Weird Not to Acknowledge Them: https://www.sierraclub.ca/nature-rights-law-canada/ Be sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email updates from us here : https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/ And don't forget to take action : https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/ Support the show Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

July 3, 2026Episode 11152 min

The Pipeline Lie

The recent electric announcements - with NO new dollar figures attached - are a trick meant to keep you complacent about a pipeline you will pay for . The pipeline plan no longer appears tied to the Pathways Project . The Federal Government is going to waste tens of billions of dollars in taxpayer dollars on a new oil pipeline that will be almost entirely billed to the public, instead of it being private as was promised. Albertans did not want a pipeline to be publicly financed nor for climate policies to be cut - in fact Albertans oppose subsidies and climate policy cuts according to multiple different polls . This decision is not about 'national unity' and will only encourage bad actors to get louder by showing them it gets them what they want - as we outline . As Canadians struggle with extreme heat, wildfires, flooding, and storms this decision to waste public money on a pipeline is also morally wrong. Then we share an earlier interview we recorded a while ago with Markham Hislop of Energi Media which adds a lot of the context to the recent announcement. Find sources and ways to take action for today's episode in our newsletter here : https://secure.sierraclub.ca/civicrm/mailing/view?id=3985&reset=1 Check out Energi Media on YouTube here : https://www.youtube.com/@EnergiMedia See the Pembina Institute's response to the announcement here : https://www.pembina.org/media-release/unable-find-private-company-back-pipeline-governments-resort-90-taxpayer-ownership Be sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email Newsletter updates from us here : https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/ And don't forget to take action : https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/ Support the show Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

May 20, 2026Episode 11020 min

Federal Government Betrays Climate Impacted Communities & Green Jobs: NO Excuse for Gutting Industrial Carbon Pricing & Clean Electricity Regulations

The Federal Government just gutted climate policy cancelling vital green jobs in Canada and it was NOT 4D 'chess' and there is NO excuse. Also what does pesticide deregulation, so extreme even industry didn't want it, have to do with national unity? Nothing. We discuss this gutting of the Industrial Carbon Price and Clean Electricity Regulations - what it means about the 'de-regulation / pro-corporate-profit-at-your-expense-agenda' - and what you can do about it . Get sources for today's episode and read more in our recent newsletter here : https://secure.sierraclub.ca/civicrm/mailing/view?id=3949&reset=1 Learn more about the stories of wildfire and flood survivors who called for an emission cap : https://www.hilltimes.com/2024/11/04/each-of-our-voices-matter-disaster-survivors-call-for-greater-climate-action-in-ottawa-advocacy-push/440002/ Read the Centre for Future Work's recent report on how anti-regulatory policy choices could cost Canadians billions : https://centreforfuturework.ca/2026/05/17/a-sequel-we-dont-want-what-the-2026-oil-price-shock-will-cost-canadians/ Listen to our previous Sovereignty Saturday's podcast sub-series for even more context and ways to take action : https://www.sierraclub.ca/sovereignty-saturdays-canada-podcast/ And check out coverage of our response to these cuts in CBC News, VOCM, and Victoria News in the newsletter above . More resources: How batteries let renewables get around needing baseload power : https://www.sierraclub.ca/renewable-energy-intermittent-baseload-power-wind-solar-batteries-grids-reliable/ Over 120 scientists and academics say ‘no’ to Tantramar shale gas plant, Open letter to the Premier Holt, February 2026 : https://nbmediacoop.org/2026/02/08/over-120-scientists-and-academics-say-no-to-tantramar-shale-gas-plant/ “Battery storage can now meet peak demand at a much lower cost than thermal power plants. In addition, renewable energy projects come online much faster—between six and eighteen months for solar—and carry less risk of cost overruns.... PROENERGY the company promoting the project, is headquartered in Missouri, and the gas burned in the proposed plant will come from the Marcellus and Utica shales in the United States.” Renewable energy has strong support and a majority of Canadians want to transition off of oil and gas now more than ever - polling sources and information on even more polling : https://www.sierraclub.ca/lng-national-interest-canada/ Canada Can Go 100% Renewable : https://www.sierraclub.ca/canada-can-go-100-renewable/ Canada Wind Power Facts : https://www.sierraclub.ca/canada-wind-power-facts/ Canada Electric Vehicles Facts : https://www.sierraclub.ca/canada-electric-vehicles-facts/ A comprehensive list of climate denial myths and why they are myths : https://skepticalscience.com/argument.php Be sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email updates from us here : https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/ And don't forget to take action : https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/ Support the show Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

May 12, 2026Episode 10932 min

New Brunswick U.S.-Controlled Gas Plant is the Wrong Way Forward & Ecofactors

A U.S. company's proposed Tantramar diesel / gas plant could increase energy bills, lock communities into fossil fuels for decades, and put important ecosystems in New Brunswick at risk - when cheaper renewable and battery solutions exist : https://www.sierraclub.ca/renewable-energy-does-not-need-baseload-power-more-facts-on-wind-solar-batteries-grids/ We also hear about the EcoFactors podcast which you can listen to here : https://www.youtube.com/@atlanticwildlife Find out more about the Protect the Chignecto Isthmus Coalition : https://www.atlanticwildlife.ca/pcic Our recent Take Action item on the gas plant here : https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/toolkit-take-action-on-proposed-diesel-gas-plant-nb/ More resources: How batteries let renewables get around needing baseload power : https://www.sierraclub.ca/renewable-energy-intermittent-baseload-power-wind-solar-batteries-grids-reliable/ Over 120 scientists and academics say ‘no’ to Tantramar shale gas plant, Open letter to the Premier Holt, February 2026 : https://nbmediacoop.org/2026/02/08/over-120-scientists-and-academics-say-no-to-tantramar-shale-gas-plant/ “Battery storage can now meet peak demand at a much lower cost than thermal power plants. In addition, renewable energy projects come online much faster—between six and eighteen months for solar—and carry less risk of cost overruns.... PROENERGY the company promoting the project, is headquartered in Missouri, and the gas burned in the proposed plant will come from the Marcellus and Utica shales in the United States.” Renewable energy has strong support and a majority of Canadians want to transition off of oil and gas now more than ever - polling sources and information on even more polling : https://www.sierraclub.ca/lng-national-interest-canada/ Canada Can Go 100% Renewable : https://www.sierraclub.ca/canada-can-go-100-renewable/ Canada Wind Power Facts : https://www.sierraclub.ca/canada-wind-power-facts/ Canada Electric Vehicles Facts : https://www.sierraclub.ca/canada-electric-vehicles-facts/ A comprehensive list of climate denial myths and why they are myths : https://skepticalscience.com/argument.php Be sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email updates from us here : https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/ And don't forget to take action : https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/ Support the show Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

April 30, 2026Episode 10812 min

Sovereign Wealth Fund or Canada Strong Fund, Spring Economic Update, & Asset Recycling

The Canada Strong "Sovereign Wealth Fund" is NOT a Norwegian-style wealth fund - and it might be a taxpayer money-funnel to risky oil and gas projects that puts public assets at risk. Climate action is the canary in the coal mine - not a secondary issue: if governments can't commit to climate action and take affordability measures that confront oil and gas corporate profits, we can't rely on them to do a lot of other things either. Find out more and find all the sources for today's episode in the most recent edition of our newsletter here : https://secure.sierraclub.ca/civicrm/mailing/view?id=3929&reset=1 Read our related fact sheet on why wind and solar with batteries make much more expensive gas plants and nuclear (including SMRs) obsolete : https://www.sierraclub.ca/renewable-energy-does-not-need-baseload-power-more-facts-on-wind-solar-batteries-grids/ And our previous newsletter on gas price caps, corporate profiteering, and how gas tax pauses are pointless and often just benefit corporations who vacuum up the difference : https://secure.sierraclub.ca/civicrm/mailing/view?id=3916&reset=1 As Hadrian Mertins-Kirkwood puts it : “what's interesting is that we don't have a solar and wind to battery strategy when every other part of the world has decided that it is so much cheaper and so much more efficient and so much quicker to mobilize solar and wind than any other kind of power.” Indeed, " Canada, the Global Electricity Review found, is an outlier to the market trend. Renewable energy plant construction has dropped over the past two years , leaving wind and solar power accounting for just nine per cent of the country’s electricity mix, less than half the average among the G7." Be sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email updates (& our eNewsletters above) from us here : https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/ And don't forget to take action : https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/ Support the show Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

April 22, 2026Episode 1074 hr 34 min

Gas Price Caps ARE Viable, Profiteering by Big Oil, Earth Day & a Bonus Compilation

Earth Day special episode with links to resources on biodiversity and nature, information on the cost of living and price caps on gas, and an update on a recent demonstration (pictured) that saw hundreds of people in Montreal protest against Federal cuts to climate action and services. Find out more: Our special Earth Day newsletter edition with Ole and Lynn's message, resources for Earth Day and more about our team : https://secure.sierraclub.ca/civicrm/mailing/view?id=3920&reset=1 Another special newsletter (with sources and more details) on why gas price caps are viable in Canada and profiteering by big oil and gas (as well as why cutting gas taxes is by contrast not a good idea) here : https://secure.sierraclub.ca/civicrm/mailing/view?id=3916&reset=1 Help support this work on Earth Day : https://www.sierraclub.ca/ways-to-support/donate/ Episodes in the compilation after the intro on Earth Day and price caps and approximate start time: The Trap of Individual Impact, Acting as a Community, & Migration - Voices in NL (8 minutes in). Anti-gaz de schiste du N.-B. avec Denise Melanson (44 minutes in). Urban Bee Populations and Climate Change (1 hour and 25 minutes in). When the Last Glacier Melted, the World Would Catch on Fire (2 hours and 12 minutes in). L'environnement, c'est intersectionnel avec Lourdenie Jean (3 hours and 4 minutes in). Decolonizing Climate Research with Dr. Enoch Tse (3 hours 38 minutes in). Be sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email updates from us here : https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/ And don't forget to take action : https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/ Support the show Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

April 8, 2026Episode 10636 min

Women navigating climate emergencies highlighted in new film, Emergence

Emergence: Women in the Storm "goes beyond the headlines to explore how women are navigating climate-based emergencies." Nova Ami, Velcrow Ripper, and Meghan Fandrich join the podcast to talk about the new film, communicating on climate change with others, poetry, and how women are taking action. Find out more about the film, streaming, and screenings at : https://www.emergence.film/ Find our more about Meghan's book, Burning Sage, and work at : https://www.meghanfandrich.com/ From Sierra Club Canada's side of things here is even more advice on talking to others, links to polling, and general fact sheets on climate change and energy issues: Advice on talking with others on climate and energy issues : https://www.sierraclub.ca/avoid-framing-traps-in-climate-action-conversations/ Polling sources and information on even more polling : https://www.sierraclub.ca/lng-national-interest-canada/ Canada Can Go 100% Renewable : https://www.sierraclub.ca/canada-can-go-100-renewable/ How batteries let renewables get around needing baseload power : https://www.sierraclub.ca/renewable-energy-intermittent-baseload-power-wind-solar-batteries-grids-reliable/ Canada Wind Power Facts : https://www.sierraclub.ca/canada-wind-power-facts/ Canada Electric Vehicles Facts : https://www.sierraclub.ca/canada-electric-vehicles-facts/ A comprehensive list of climate denial myths and why they are myths : https://skepticalscience.com/argument.php Be sure to send us your questions at info@sierraclub.ca and sign up for email updates from us here : https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/ And don't forget to take action : https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/ Support the show Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/