The Environment in Canada Podcast

We answer your questions about Sierra Club Canada and take a look behind the scenes of the work that goes into fundraising with Development Manager Taylor Farrugia for Giving Tuesday - as well as share advice for young people interested in getting into the fields of fundraising or communications. Don't forget to spread the word to others! 

Learn more about Sierra Club Canada at https://www.sierraclub.ca/ 

Give your gift to Sierra Club Canada and help support our work and this podcast at: https://www.sierraclub.ca/ways-to-support/donate/ 

Find our staff listing here and learn more about our team: https://www.sierraclub.ca/about/our-staff/

And find out board member listing here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/about/board-of-directors/

Be sure to send us your questions at [email protected] and sign up for email updates from us here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/ 

And don't forget to take action by signing petitions and more here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/

Support the show

Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

We respond to the Pipeline MOU between the Federal Government and Alberta Government -  which scrapped the emissions cap in a betrayal of Canadian climate survivors so that U.S. shareholders could profit. Then we chat about advice on controlling - not appeasing - the centre of a debate without sacrificing radical action or succumbing to scapegoating.

Actions:

• Call Your MP, Oppose the MOU and Call for Renewable Ambition: https://www.ourcommons.ca/Members/en
• How to Take Action for Renewables in Your Community, Without Waiting for Governments to Act: https://www.sierraclub.ca/community-drive-transition-renewables/
• Oppose the Weakening of Anti-Greenwashing Laws that Protect Our Democracy: https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/greenwashing_regulations_canada_carney/
• Tell Carney to Support Renewables Not Oil & Gas: https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/carney-support-renewable-energy/
• Tools from our sister organization Sierra Club BC.

Resources:

• 72% of Albertans want climate action and oil and gas are not viable : https://www.sierraclub.ca/lng-national-interest-canada/
• West Coast Pipeline? Oil & Gas Want Us Tied to the U.S.: https://www.sierraclub.ca/west-coast-pipeline-sovereignty/
• Illustrations for podcast (PDF). https://www.sierraclub.ca/wp-content/uploads/2025/11/Control-Dont-Appease-the-Middle-Ground.pdf
• Full Spectrum Resistance: https://www.sierraclub.ca/full-spectrum-resistance-podcast/
• Using Framing (Anat)
• CityNews: Albertans react to pipeline deal
• Schmitt: The Mind Behind Modern Fascism
• “Fossil Fuel Industry Tactics Are Fueling Democratic Backsliding” CAP
• For a Full List of Even More Resources: https://www.sierraclub.ca/middle-ground-appeal-radical/

Questions? [email protected] Get email updates: https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/

Take action

Donate: https://www.sierraclub.ca/ways-to-support/donate/

Support the show

Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

Conor talks with Ole Hendrickson, the Chair of Sierra Club Canada’s Conservation Committee and a columnist among many other roles, about the ongoing fight to to defend the Kichi Sibi / Ottawa River and our watershed from a nuclear waste megadump. 

The Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area, Kebaowek First Nation, Sierra Club Canada and the Canadian Coalition for Nuclear Responsibility took Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL) to court and WON on this matter... but CNL has appealed.

And so on November 12th as CNL’s appeal was heard, they held a rally outside.

After the interview with Ole we’ll be playing some audio from the rally of a speech by Justin Roy, a Councillor at Kebaowek First Nation. This audio was kindly provided to us by Peter Stockdale who took the recording.

Find out more about this issue in our previous episode by Jessica Murray, Nuclear waste and what to do with it?! here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/nuclear-waste-ottawa-river/

You can find Kebaowek First Nation's website here: https://kebaowek.ca/

And Concerned Citizens of Renfrew County and Area have their website here: https://concernedcitizens.net/

Be sure to send us your questions at [email protected] 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/

Or give what you can to support the show: https://www.sierraclub.ca/ways-to-support/donate/

Support the show

Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

Oil & Gas interests want to increase Canada's reliance on the United States - sabotaging Canadian sovereignty. So why is the Alberta Government talking about a west coast oil pipeline MOU with the Federal Government - especially since the economics of such a pipeline are terrible? Because the MOU on an imaginary pipeline is actually cover to weaken Canada's climate regulations and slow the growth of renewable energy - renewable energy that is Canada's best bet for continuing our sovereignty...

Take Action:

• Send a message to Prime Minister Carney to stand up for community-based renewable energy, oppose Oil, and Gas/LNG development, and pledge to advocate for renewables in your community: https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/carney-support-renewable-energy/
• How to Talk With Others About Climate Change & Progress Past the Political Theatre: https://www.sierraclub.ca/climate-change-family-talk/

Sources / Resources for this Sovereignty Saturdays episode:

• Previous Sovereignty Saturdays episodes: How We'll Win (with more on the IEA scenarios), How to Defend Democracy & Canada, No Kings Special, Using Social Media, Winning the Communications War, Real Deep State.
• With Pipeline Deal Coming Soon, New Analysis Shows Big Risks for Investors, Crushing Losses for Provinces - The Energy Mix: https://www.theenergymix.com/breaking-with-pipeline-deal-coming-soon-new-analysis-shows-big-risks-for-investors-crushing-losses-for-provinces/
• Alberta’s pipeline math still doesn’t add up - Max Fawcett, The National Observer.
• The Oil Tanker Ban That Dims Alberta’s Pipeline Hopes - The Tyee.
• Sources for the episode & ties between LNG in Canada and Trump's Administration: https://www.sierraclub.ca/lng-national-interest-canada/
• “These Fossil Fuel Industry Tactics Are Fueling Democratic Backsliding,” Centre for American Progress.

Be sure to send us your questions at [email protected] 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/

Or give what you can to support the show: https://www.sierraclub.ca/ways-to-support/donate/

Support the show

Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

We talk with Danielle Romaine of our Sierra Youth Chapter about some of the amazing projects Sierra Youth is starting, how to get youth into hopeful spaces, food security and sovereignty, and what you can do to help. 

You can find out more about Sierra Youth on our website here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/chapters/sierra-youth/about-sierra-youth/

And on their Instagram here: https://www.instagram.com/sierrayouthcanada/

Be sure to send us your questions at [email protected] 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/

Or give what you can to support the show: https://www.sierraclub.ca/ways-to-support/donate/

Support the show

Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

We describe why, even though things may seem dire, the climate movement will ultimately win and what you can do to help, PLUS how Trump pressured the IEA into publishing a ridiculous oil demand scenario, AND how our sister organization south of the border, Sierra Club U.S., has filed a new lawsuit against the Trump Administration after its Department of Government Efficiency refused to release records about its ties to polluters and special interests: They’re calling for transparency about who’s influencing DOGE’s massive budget cuts — and how those decisions are harming people, public health, and the environment.

Links for today's Sovereignty Saturdays episode:

• Take action and send a message in support of anti-greenwashing legislation to Prime Minister Mark Carney: https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/greenwashing_regulations_canada_carney/ 
• Sources for the episode & ties between LNG in Canada and Trump's Administration: https://www.sierraclub.ca/lng-national-interest-canada/
• Wind Energy and Tariffs – Sierra Club Canada and Sierra Club U.S. Meet in Montréal: Canadian wind turbines, made with Canadian steel and aluminium... (our media statment from our last cross-border meeting in February 2025): https://www.sierraclub.ca/wind-energy-and-tariffs/
• Read and share our sister organization's full Facebook post on the lawsuit here.
• Previous Sovereignty Saturdays:  How to Defend Democracy & Canada, No Kings Special, Using Social Media, Winning the Communications War, Real Deep State.

Events:

• Climate Adaptation Training Program Session (Anywhere / Online): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScu2AW-6tpeHGXpfS-tGnhhwxXjDhzxezBxgMUO6RxhVs-4MA/viewform
• Big Oil vs. Big Water: Webinar (Anywhere / Online): https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/-AJYKA8dStwN7kyLRWAaYQ
• Shoulder to Shoulder (Halifax):.
• Wild Child PEI Program (Prince Edward Island): https://peiwildchild.wordpress.com/register-for-winter-2026/

Send questions to [email protected] and sign up for email updates: https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/

Take action: https://www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/

Donate: https://www.sierraclub.ca/ways-to-support/donate/

Support the show

Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

Mark Carney is due to announce another round of 'nation building' projects and likely to be among them is the Ksi Lisims liquefied natural gas (or LNG) project in British Columbia: the entity that will construct, own and operate the assets of the Ksi Lisims LNG project is a wholly-owned subsidiary of Texas-based Western LNG, funded by U.S. private equity firms with ties to the U.S. Administration. 

We discuss at length why LNG development is not nation building and actually harms our economy, health, and climate.

You can take action by calling for stronger anti-greenwashing regulations to apply to oil and gas corporations like LNG corporations here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/greenwashing_regulations_canada_carney/

And pledge to support community-led renewable energy and tell Carney to do the same: https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/carney-support-renewable-energy/

You can find resources / sources for today's episode here: https://www.sierraclub.ca/lng-national-interest-canada/

And some reading for greater context below: 

• "More than 40 Trump administration picks tied directly to oil, gas and coal, analysis shows" - The Guardian.
• "Trump Officials Discussed $500M Alberta Independence Loan, Separatist Claims" - Desmog. 
• "These Fossil Fuel Industry Tactics Are Fueling Democratic Backsliding" - Centre for American Progress.

Carney's announcement will take place in Prince Rupert on Thursday according to CBC News.

Be sure to send us your questions for the podcast at [email protected] 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/

We have a new action you can take to call for Canada's anti-greenwashing legislation to be restored, updates on events and protests (including some climate change adaptation training sessions) you can attend in November 2025, and a Rerun of an interview we published last year in November 2024 with survivors of wildfires and floods in Canada who are calling for an emissions cap on wealthy oil and gas corporations.

Take Action and Send a Message to:

• Call for the restoration of anti-greenwashing legislation AND the Emissions Cap on oil and gas corporations: https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/greenwashing_regulations_canada_carney/
• And pledge to support community-led renewable energy and tell Carney to do the same: https://www.sierraclub.ca/action-item/carney-support-renewable-energy/

Attend Events Online and In Person this November 2025:

• Climate Adaptation Training Program Information Session (Anywhere / Online): https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScu2AW-6tpeHGXpfS-tGnhhwxXjDhzxezBxgMUO6RxhVs-4MA/viewform
• Fridays for the Future St. John's Climate Protest, November 14th in Newfoundland and Labrador: https://www.instagram.com/p/DQW4S-EjvhO/
• Big Oil vs. Big Water: A Webinar Via Our Ontario Chapter (Anywhere / Online): https://secure.lglforms.com/form_engine/s/-AJYKA8dStwN7kyLRWAaYQ
• Shoulder to Shoulder (Halifax): Join communities from across Mi'kma'ki.
• Stand Up for Wildlife - Stop Nuclear Waste (Ottawa). - see our previous episode for context: Nuclear waste and what to do with it?! 
• Our Sierra Club Canada Wild Child PEI Program Has Spots Available in Kids' Winter Programs (Prince Edward Island): https://peiwildchild.wordpress.com/register-for-winter-2026/
• Let's Plant Fall Series - Here We SOW (Anywhere / Online): https://us02web.zoom.us/meeting/register/VlGEPNflQguXObPwqEO2ng#/registration

Learn about winter sowing: Sierra Club Canada is planting 10 million wildflower seeds across Canada with Dutchman’s Gold, as part of our Let's Plant campaign.

Be sure to send us your questions at [email protected] 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/

Or give what you can to support the show: https://www.sierraclub.ca/ways-to-support/donate/

Support the show

Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

To stop oil and gas lobbyists and wealthy interests (the REAL deep state) from undermining democracy and the environment we need to learn to use their strategies and mindset to democracy's advantage (every crisis is an opportunity) - without succumbing to apathy or scapegoats. We look at Budget 2025 and the government's 'climate plan' in terms of corporate influence.

Sources for today's Sovereignty Saturdays sub-series episode:

Previous Sovereignty Saturdays episodes: 

• Do You Want Kings? Because That’s How You Get Kings: https://www.sierraclub.ca/no-kings-inequality-deregulation/ 
• Winning the Communications War with the U.S. Oligarchy Requires YOU: https://www.sierraclub.ca/united-states-oligarchy-oil/
• How to Defend Democracy, Sovereignty, & Canada: Resisting U.S. Annexation PART 3: https://www.sierraclub.ca/sovereignty-democracy-canada-annexation/

On the Flawed Economics of Oil and Gas Development in Canada and Polling of Canadian Support for Renewables: https://www.sierraclub.ca/lng-national-interest-canada/

How Your Community Can Drive the Transition to Renewables in Canada (Don't wait for the State): https://www.sierraclub.ca/community-drive-transition-renewables/

Wildfire & Flood Survivors Call for Emissions Cap: https://www.sierraclub.ca/emissions-cap-climate-impact/

How to Talk With Others About Climate Change & Progress Past the Political Theatre: https://www.sierraclub.ca/climate-change-family-talk/

“These Fossil Fuel Industry Tactics Are Fueling Democratic Backsliding,” Centre for American Progress.

More Competitiveness, Less Climate as Carney Releases First Budget - Energy Mix / Mitchell Beer.

Our media release on Budget 2025: https://www.sierraclub.ca/the-emissions-cap-will-be-a-necessary-backstop-budget-2025-response/

Canadians overwhelming (93%) support anti-greenwashing legislation.

How extremist movements use scapegoats to undermine democracy: Carl Schmitt: The Mind Behind Modern Fascism (Parts 1 and 2, by Robert Evans ).

Send your questions to [email protected] and sign up for email updates: https://www.sierraclub.ca/subscribe-for-updates/

And take action: www.sierraclub.ca/take-action/

Support the show

Find out more and take action at sierraclub.ca/take-action/

Co-host Diktshya Sharma asks Dr. Enoch Tse what does it mean for climate research in Canada to be reciprocal rather than extractive? How do worldviews about the human-nature relationship shape the kinds of questions researchers even think to ask? What would it actually look like for a research project to give back, instead of just taking?

Dr. Tse is a Professional Engineer, is co-chair of the Anti-Racism and Respectful Workplace Advisory Committee and division lead of the Anti-Racism Action Plan with the Ontario Ministry of Environment, Conservation and Parks, and an Adjunct professor (Social Psychology) and (Advocacy) at Adler University.

Diktshya is a Bhutanese climate worker based in Toronto. Drawing on her studies in Economics and Psychology at the University of Toronto, she applies behavioural insight to land-based climate initiatives that honour traditional knowledge and community well-being. She is currently an executive member with Sierra Youth, focusing on events and communications. 

Be sure to send us your questions at [email protected] 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/