It is no surprise that Mark Carney is trying to charm Saudi Arabia into pouring its wealth into Canada. But the Saudi government expects recipient states to bite their tongues when it commits human rights atrocities. I spoke with @CHCHnews.bsky.social on the cost of doing business with dictators.

All these years later, Harry Forbes’ theme song has lost none of its power. Hearing it washes away the decades, and I see a childhood version of myself watching @weareTVO.bsky.social’s Magic Shadows with my grandfather. Elwy Yost’s love of cinema was joyous, infectious, and untouched by cynicism.

I have accepted an invitation from Canada's Environment Minister @JulieDabrusin.bsky.social, to join the CEDAG advisory council, on the Canada-EU trade agreement. If we can make this treaty succeed, it will increase prosperity for all Canadians and lift environmental standards across our country.

Climate wars are upon us. Already, desperate people are fleeing areas rendered uninhabitable by extreme heat or drought, and colliding with neighbouring populations. Can we push back an age of climate conflicts? 📆 Wed, 08 July 2026 ⏰ 17h00 EDT (21h00 UTC) 🎟️ per.maharaj.org/scan

We're asking Torontonians what they'd do if they were mayor. Akaash Maharaj, senior fellow at the Munk School, would change zoning and land use rules to give all Torontonians fair access to parks and green spaces. 🌳🌲🌸 What would you do? Tell us here: [email protected] More: trib.al/KAFF2pK

Meet Oronhyatekha—the Mohawk chief, physician, and entrepreneur once described by the Evening Telegram as "perhaps the greatest Canadian of his time." https://www.tvo.org/article/perhaps-the-greatest-canadian-of-his-time-how-doctor-o-captivated-the-country

Six key questions the feds have side-stepped in bid to fast-track major projects "The fedgov's recent historic #nature investment does not buy it a free pass on #environmental reviews," says Emily McMillan, Akaash Maharaj @naturecanada.bsky.social Read our client oped: #cdnpoli #environment

I have been speaking with my colleagues at the @coe.int, about the prospects of Canada signing the “Convention on the Protection of the Environment through Criminal Law”. It criminalises ecocide: wanton acts that inflict long-term destruction across large areas of nature. 🌱 per.maharaj.org/ecocide

Canada has never been defined by a single language, ethnicity, or faith. We are bound together by shared values and mutual responsibilities. The escalating incidents of antisemitism in Canada are attacks not only against every Canadian Jew, but also against all Canadians and against Canada itself.

The interim peace agreement between Iran and the US is astonishingly brittle. It declares an end to combat in Lebanon, where Hezbollah and Israel are locked in a pitiless war. Yet, neither Hezbollah nor Israel has signed the agreement. I spoke with Chris Glover on @CBCradioCanada.bsky.social.

Anita Anand (@anitaoakvilleeast.bsky.social) joined us at the Munk School, to discuss her objectives as Canada’s Minister of Foreign Affairs. She focussed on expanding our web of trade partners, especially as Canada, Mexico, and the US continue renegotiation of the #CUSMA free trade agreement.

I thank Space Canada for inviting me to their evening with the crew of the Artemis II. The Canadian Museum of History was an apt venue: the crew had travelled further from Earth than any other human beings. They project a sense of personal humility and public pride. 🚀 per.maharaj.org/artemisii

I created a @bsky.app Starter Pack: Fellows of the Royal Canadian Geographical Society. I serve as a @rcgssgrc.bsky.social Governor, and am in constant awe of my colleagues’ achievements in exploration, research, education, and reconciliation. They are well worth following. 🦋 go.bsky.app/SoLdURJ

I enjoyed speaking with Nathalie Seddon of @biology.ox.ac.uk, on her role leading the People’s Assembly for Nature in the UK. I am considering whether a Canadian assembly could generate the momentum to sweep Canada’s political leaders into acting on the wisdom of Canada’s people. 🌱 bit.ly/4vcXZTJ

There may come a day when I will be able to drive past the Big Apple in Colborne, without stopping for an apple pie or to visit the animals. That day is not today. Tomorrow seems unlikely as well. As do all the succeeding days. 🍎 thebigapple.ca

The US tariff wars make it imperative that Canada diversify our trade partnerships. Negotiating new agreements is important, but they will take years to come fully into force. The Canada-EU Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement is in place now. We must realise its full potential, urgently.

My @rcgssgrc.bsky.social colleagues and I cheered on James Cameron, one of our Fellows, as he was inducted into France’s Legion of Honour. I enjoyed our conversation on his work as a filmmaker, to rouse people everywhere to the defence of nature, and to sustain our hope that our cause will prevail.

Torontonians would be horrified to fall into a fever dream where I served as their Mayor. But I was happy to respond to the @thestar.com’s question of what I would do in that role. I would change land use rules, so everyone would have fair access to parks and green space, irrespective of wealth.

New federal proposals would allow Ministers to exempt industrial projects from environmental protection laws, without legislative oversight. My @NatureCanada.bsky.social colleagues & I thank @StevenGuilbeault.bsky.social for our conversation on defending parliamentary democracy & local communities.

Nature is not an impediment to economic development; environmental assessment is the “credit check” before we write the loan. It is due diligence, fiduciary responsibility, and the only way to build prosperity that endures. @TheGuardian.com reports on @NatureCanada.bsky.social’s call to MPs.

Everywhere, we see the war of all against all. The common power that can draw us together is not the might of governments, but our determination as people to offer others the same compassion that we hope to receive from them. 📆 Sat, 23 May 2026 ⏰ 15h00 EDT 📍 3500 Cambrian Rd, #Ottawa 🎟️ gandhiji.ca

When Canadians use the phrase “a political promise”, we are not expressing confidence that that promise will be kept. So I was excited about the proposed Nature Accountability Act, to bind Ministers to keep their conservation promises. But as I told Parliament, Bill C-73 needed deep amendments.

We are living through multiple, concurrent, urgent crises. At the Ottawa DemocracyXChange #DXC26, we discussed how Canadians can insist on public policies that are not only fast, but also effective, efficient, just, and legitimate. I was impressed by the shared spirit of defiant optimism.

The #Iran war staggers between tragedy and farce. Both states insist that the Strait of #Hormuz must be open to shipping, even as both states blockade the waterway. I spoke with John Moore on CFRB Radio, to try to make sense of senseless events. 🎙️ youtu.be/l9uGhK_6n20

This year’s @DXCsummit.bsky.social drew a sold-out crowd. I especially enjoyed @PeterMacLeod.bsky.social’s discussion of his book, Democracy’s Second Act: Why Politics Needs the Public. He made a compelling case that politics are far too important to be left entirely in the hands of politicians.

I am delighted to welcome my friend @BobbyRae48.bsky.social as the new Visitor of @MasseyCollege.bsky.social. The Visitor is our ceremonial head. My colleagues at Massey’s Governing Board and I were unanimous, that his eminence in public service would bring honour to the role and to @UToronto.ca.

Canada is beset by many urgent crises. Can our institutions respond with speed, without compromising accountability or oversight? 📆 30 April 2026 ⏰ 14h45 EDT 📍 330 Sussex Dr, Ottawa 🎟️ democracyxchange.org/ottawa I look forward to being a panellist at the @DXCsummit.bsky.social Ottawa gathering.

Anyone who claims that the Iranian-Canadian diaspora is of one mind on the Iran war is deceived, dishonest, or both. The community is large, diverse, and politically fractious. It harbours commensurately broad views. I spoke with Miranda Anthistle of @GlobalNews.ca on the balance of opinions.

The @ox.ac.uk alumni in Ottawa are delighted that the Rt Hon Joe Clark will be the guest of honour at our annual dinner, open to all. 📆 Tue 12 May 2026 ⏰ 18h00 ET 📍 Canadian Forces Officers’ Mess 🎟️ via.maharaj.org/oxjc He will discuss how Canada can make a positive difference in a turbulent world.

The Iran war is lurching between frenzied threats of a nuclear apocalypse and fragile offerings of a temporary truce. All the while, Yemen’s civil war bubbles at the edges, and the Houthis threaten to pour into the conflict. I spoke with CTV’s @ctvYourMorning.bsky.social on Yemen and the Iran war.

I enjoyed speaking with Anna Suzuki, Japan’s diplomat for nature and environment, at her embassy in Ottawa. My @NatureCanada.bsky.social colleagues and I look forward to working with the populace and government of Japan, to protect nature as the shared heritage of the world’s peoples.

Congratulations to all the Oxford rowers who took part in the 2026 Boat Race 👏🚣. A special shoutout to the Oxford women’s crew on an incredible victory, their first since 2016! 💙 We look forward to next year's race! #BoatRace #oxforduniversity

Canada is home to a fifth of the world’s fresh water, a quarter of the world’s boreal forests, & the world’s longest coastline. @NatureCanada.bsky.social has been pressing the federal government to commit to tangible steps to protect Canada’s share of nature, for the common good of the human race.

Even combined, the Houthis and Iranians could never defeat US military forces in open battle. However, they could choke off nearly a third of the world’s oil, and bring US consumers to their knees. I joined @CTVYourMorning.bsky.social, to discuss escalation and diplomacy in the Iran war.

David Suzuki kindly took time out of his 90th birthday celebrations, to join us at the Green Budget Coalition AGM. The Coalition is hosted by @NatureCanada.bsky.social, and draws together Canada’s foremost ecological organisations, to improve our country’s fiscal framework. 🍁🌱 greenbudget.ca

“The first casualty of war is the truth.” Across the Middle East, hundreds of people are being arrested for posting about the war with #Iran. I spoke with @CTVYourMorning.bsky.social, about why the region's governments are going to such lengths to suppress images of bombs striking their countries.

Canada’s Census of Environment shows ocean ecosystems contribute $7.1 billion annually to our nation. It illustrates why protecting nature is critical to generating jobs and reducing the cost of living. A strong economy can only rise from strong environmental foundations. 🍁🌱 via.maharaj.org/cenv

A few weeks ago, Trump was threatening to conquer Canadian and Danish territory. Now, he is pleading for Canada and Denmark to rush to aid his war on Iran. He seems perplexed by our lack of enthusiasm. I discussed the Strait of Hormuz, on @CTVYourMorning.bsky.social. 📺 via.maharaj.org/strait

Most of Canada’s military exports are sold to American buyers. Too many act as intermediaries for anonymous third parties. Bill C-233 was meant to prevent Canadian weapons being trafficked through the US to despots. I spoke with @CdnAffairs.bsky.social about its defeat. 📰 via.maharaj.org/c-233

I spoke with @StevenGuilbeault.bsky.social at a @NatureCanada.bsky.social fireside chat, on how Canada can build the social consensus necessary to achieve difficult but vital national objectives. How can parliamentarians and citizen organisations lead public opinion, not just be led by it?

The first public statement from Iran’s new Supreme Leader, Mojtaba Khamenei, teems with the bravado one would expect. But lurking in the text is also a thinly-veiled menace towards the thousands of Iranians who so recently risked their lives to protest his father’s regime. 📰 cbc.ca/news/world/i...

Together, @naturecanada.bsky.social and @wcelaw.bsky.social intervened at Alberta’s Appeal Court. We argued that jurisdiction brawls between federal and provincial governments can not be allowed to create zones of lawlessness, where no one enforces environmental standards. 🖥️ via.maharaj.org/ig-wc

Will Trump’s bombing campaign in Iran revive his midterm campaign in the US Congress? His strongest supporters voted for his promise to stop American blood and treasure being poured into foreign wars. I spoke with @ctvyourmorning.bsky.social, about the humanitarian and political perils of Iran.

My colleagues at the Oxford Society in Ottawa and I are grateful to the @ox.ac.uk North American Office, for spotlighting us in its newsletter. Oxford’s alumni are scattered across the globe. But the ties that bind us together run deeper than the foundations of the modern world. 🎓 oxonian.ca

The Iranian régime can not possibly defeat the American military. Instead, it will try to prolong the war, and wear down American social and political will. The longer the war, the greater the cost in US blood and treasure I spoke with @ctvyourmorning.bsky.social. 📺 ctvnews.ca/world/mideas...

I first met Ambassador Hanne Ulrichsen twenty years ago in Jordan, in the aftermath of the Oslo Accords. The carnage in the Israeli-Palestinian conflict since then has only reinforced my conviction that, when peace eventually does come, it will follow the path developed by @norwaymfa.government.no.

The tragedy of the Trump-Netanyahu bombing of Iran is that at best, it will sow chaos across the Middle East, and at worst, it may strengthen the tyranny of the Ayatollahs. I spoke with BNN Bloomberg about why Trump went to war, and what happens after the bombs fall silent. 📺 youtu.be/o6pDJzwpOII

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith argues that the federal government has no constitutional right to oversee major industrial projects, even if they could cause catastrophic interprovincial damage. @NatureCanada.bsky.social and I disagree. We made our case to the Appeals Court. ⚖️ via.maharaj.org/iaf

Canadian weapons are meant to be subject to strict export controls, to prevent them being sold to terrorists and war criminals. Yet, Canadian armoured vehicles and rifles are appearing on the killing fields of Sudan and Yemen, and Canadian components are spilling out of Iranian and Russian drones.

Our negotiations at the UN Convention on Biological Diversity have ended. Many of the diplomatic skirmishes were clashes of low cunning rather than of high ideals. However, I was uniformly impressed by the diligence of my colleagues on Canada’s State Delegation.