https://thenarwhal.ca Deep Dives, Cold Facts, & Pointed Commentary en-US Copyright 2026 The Narwhal hourly 1 https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-bill-98-retrofit-costs/ Thu, 30 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=159881 Municipalities have spent millions to ensure buildings can cope with extreme weather. A ban on green rules for Ontario developers could slow things down and drive costs up Fatima Syed Analysis Who Pays? development Ontario solutions Photo: Carlos Osorio / The Narwhal A building construction site in Hamilton, Ontario. https://thenarwhal.ca/wasaga-beach-plover-court-case/ Wed, 22 Apr 2026 17:41:47 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=158970 The stretch of the popular southern Ontario beach used by the endangered bird is no longer provincially protected. Environmental groups are taking the federal government to court over delays in stepping in Fatima Syed and Will Pearson News Bill 5 biodiversity Great Lakes Ontario Photo: Carlos Osorio / The Narwhal A double rainbow stretches across the sky at Wasaga Beach in Ontario. https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-source-protection-conservation-authorities/ Wed, 15 Apr 2026 14:41:14 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=158393 The groups were set up following the contamination crisis in Walkerton, Ont., and are still waiting for ‘clarity’ on how their work will continue after conservation authorities consolidate Fatima Syed and Matt McIntosh Investigation Conservation authorities fresh water Great Lakes Ontario Photo: Laura Proctor / The Narwhal A stream flows through a forested area in early spring, before the buds or any green vegetation has emerged. https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-1p1p-mining-conference/ Thu, 02 Apr 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=157790 While the mining industry sees a clearer path under the Doug Ford government’s pitch for fast-tracking projects, many First Nations leaders are left with questions Fatima Syed In-Depth mining Ontario ring of fire Illustration: Jake Tobin / The Narwhal An illustration depicts mining industry workers and executives lining up for a meeting at Ontario's Ministry of Energy and Mines. https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-federal-ring-of-fire-assessment/ Tue, 24 Mar 2026 12:00:00 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=157260 An interim report on the impacts of mining and other development in the Ring of Fire, produced by First Nations and the Impact Assessment Agency of Canada, reveals Ontario was not at the table Fatima Syed and Carl Meyer News Indigenous Rights mining Ontario ring of fire Photo: Supplied by Wyloo Metals; Illustration: Shawn Parkinson / The Narwhal A graphic displaying two quotations, one reading "“Opportunity for collaboration with the province of Ontario in the regional assessment" and the other reading "“Several priorities for the regional assessment would benefit from provincial expertise." Both of the quotations are displayed against a green background. https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-conservation-authorities-final-plan/ Tue, 10 Mar 2026 21:50:25 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=156464 The Doug Ford government’s proposal to amalgamate the watershed protection agencies received 14,000 public comments, with the final plan removing some controversial mergers Fatima Syed News Conservation authorities Great Lakes Ontario Photo: David Jackson / The Narwhal A duck swims across a small pond. https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-darlington-nuclear-smr-explainer/ Thu, 19 Feb 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=154705 With the first SMR in North America being built at the Darlington nuclear site, the province is testing new ground to meet future power demand Fatima Syed Explainer Great Lakes nuclear energy Ontario solutions Video: Supplied by Ontario Power Generation A large aerial of a construction site https://thenarwhal.ca/wasaga-beach-transfer-registry-comments/ Tue, 27 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=153673 Ontario received more than 14,000 comments on the plan to drop provincial protections on a portion of the park, transferring management of endangered plover habitat to the municipality Fatima Syed News Endangered Species Great Lakes Ontario Parks protected areas Photo: Carlos Osorio / The Narwhal An aerial view of Wasaga Beach. On the left, Lake Huron and the sandy shoreline. On the right, a parking lot. https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-energy-minister-enbridge-agreements/ Tue, 13 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=152980 Guelph and Waterloo Region have refused to renew agreements giving the fossil fuel giant free access to its roadways, while Toronto and Ottawa have asked the province to change its rules Fatima Syed News Enbridge oil and gas Ontario Photo: Carlos Osorio / The Narwhal Natural gas pipeline markers and vent pipes stick out of a snowy ground. https://thenarwhal.ca/ontario-public-service-office-commute/ Fri, 02 Jan 2026 13:00:00 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=152052 Doug Ford is bringing bureaucrats back to the office in January, but can transit and traffic across the Greater Toronto Area contend with tens of thousands more commuters? Fatima Syed Analysis air pollution Highway 413 Ontario Toronto transit Photo: Fred Lum / The Globe and Mail A six lane expressway is packed with vehicles with a skyline in the background https://thenarwhal.ca/enbridge-gas-waterloo-ontario-energy-board/ Wed, 24 Dec 2025 17:45:24 +0000 https://thenarwhal.ca/?p=152154 The fossil fuel giant says its agreement to build pipelines without paying for the right of way ‘works for communities,’ as it faces two municipalities refusing to renew Fatima Syed News Enbridge Fossil Fuel Subsidies oil and gas Ontario Photo: Photawa / iStock A bay of Enbridge Gas meters connected to a series of yellow pipes in front of a brown wall.