February 5, 2025 | 4:00- 5:00PM | Buchanan Tower 225
Time and again, a strong majority of Canadians have signaled their support for action on climate change. Canadians invariably also want their elected federal and provincial governments to cooperate. Yet, virtually every federal climate policy adopted in the last decade – environmental assessment, carbon pricing, clean fuel standard, clean electricity regulation, and the proposed oil and gas emissions cap – have prompted federal-provincial conflict on a scale not seen for decades. This lecture will consider the roots of federal-provincial conflict and the implications for Canadian unity and climate action.
Kathryn Harrison is Professor of Political Science and McLean Family Chair in Canadian Studies at the University of British Columbia. She received Bachelor’s and Master’s degrees in Chemical Engineering before completing her PhD in Political Science. Professor Harrison has worked in the oil industry and as a policy analyst for both Environment Canada and the United States Congress. She has served as Senior Associate Dean and Acting Dean in the UBC Faculty of Arts. Harrison has published widely on Canadian and US climate policy. She is chair of the Expert Advisory Panel on climate mitigation of the Canadian Climate Institute and a member of British Columbia’s Climate Solutions Council. Harrison is a frequent media commentator on climate policy.
Upcoming Public Lectures
February 26 @ 4:00PM – Canada and the Comparative Politics of Carbon Taxes
March 26 @ 4:00 PM – Fossil Fuels and the Project of Canada