Latest news with #CoreyHogan
National Post
31-07-2025
- Politics
- National Post
Calgary Liberal MP sharing his advice on how to shrink a government department
Liberal MP Corey Hogan has experience in reducing government costs at the provincial level. Photo by Jean Levac / Postmedia Corey Hogan has some suggestions for his government on how to cut department spending. THIS CONTENT IS RESERVED FOR SUBSCRIBERS Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. SUBSCRIBE FOR MORE ARTICLES Enjoy the latest local, national and international news. Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events. Unlimited online access to National Post. National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on. Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword. Support local journalism. REGISTER / SIGN IN TO UNLOCK MORE ARTICLES Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account. Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments. Enjoy additional articles per month. Get email updates from your favourite authors. THIS ARTICLE IS FREE TO READ REGISTER TO UNLOCK. Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience. Access articles from across Canada with one account Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments Enjoy additional articles per month Get email updates from your favourite authors The new MP for the riding of Calgary Confederation was a deputy minister in the Alberta government from 2016-2020, working as the head of government communications. In those years, he participated in a spending review that was initiated under the government of then-premier Rachel Notley and continued under Jason Kenney. During that three-year review, Alberta's government reduced the budget of its communications department by 18 per cent. That experience has led him to suggest being as transparent as possible about whether public servants will be laid off early on in Prime Minister Mark Carney's coming spending review. Your guide to the world of Canadian politics. (Subscriber exclusive on Saturdays) By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc. Please try again 'Clear is kind, right?' Hogan told the Ottawa Citizen. Hogan wrote his own 10-step guide on 'How to shrink a government department,' which he published less than two weeks after Finance Minister François-Philippe Champagne sent letters to ministers asking them to find savings of 15 per cent from their departments over three years. Ministers have until the end of the summer to propose where they'll cut. Hogan said he is optimistic about the review and that it's not a given there will be mass layoffs during the exercise. However, he also urged for there to be a surgical plan, rather than flat across the board 15 per cent cuts. 'That's going to be really dependent on the specifics of the department,' he said about avoiding layoffs. Corey Hogan, a Liberal MP, has experience in reducing staff and costs at the provincial government level. He thinks the federal government could make 'micro-adjustments' with a plan that could be adjusted over time. Photo by Jean Levac / Postmedia Hogan acknowledged that 'with enough time' spending cuts 'can largely be managed through the coming and goings of attrition.' During his time leading belt-tightening initiatives in the Alberta government, Hogan said spending reductions in his department were largely managed through attrition. Hogan said the first lesson in his guide was key: have a plan. 'We knew exactly where we needed to maintain staffing, where we needed to gradually clean it up… where we needed to redeploy people,' he said. Still, Hogan said he does not want to over-generalize the parallels between the Alberta government and federal departments, and he said the three-year spending review will have a long runway with 'three budgets, 12 quarters, (and) an awful lot of opportunity.' Hogan said he thinks the government could make 'micro-adjustments' with a plan that could be adjusted over time, adding that a 'strategy is not a straitjacket.' In the Alberta government, Hogan said the communications departments had been constantly staffed as if they were working at the annual peak for the department, which usually comes around wildfire season.
Global News
21-07-2025
- Business
- Global News
Unproductive Alberta farmland to be converted back to forest
The federal government is providing over $100 million to help return unproductive Alberta farmland to its original forested state. Corey Hogan, parliamentary secretary to Canada's natural resources minister, says the cash is part of the $3.2 billion 2 Billion Trees program and the reforestation will help capture carbon and reduce greenhouse gases. The goal is to support provinces, territories and third-party organizations in planting two billion trees across Canada by 2031. Hogan says cleared farmland will be turned back into thriving forests, providing employment to Indigenous women and youth, and providing economic benefits. 1:49 Canada falling short of pledge to plant 2 billion trees by 2030: audit Mike Toffan from Project Forest says through four different projects, 12 million trees will be planted in Alberta, including on the Siksika Nation and in the Peace Country. Story continues below advertisement He says some of the land goes back well over a century, when a quarter section was offered to settlers to encourage settlement in the Prairies. Get daily National news Get the day's top news, political, economic, and current affairs headlines, delivered to your inbox once a day. Sign up for daily National newsletter Sign Up By providing your email address, you have read and agree to Global News' Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy 'In some of those cases, the original farmers were farming the land, weren't able to make an economic go and the next generation didn't take that on,' Toffan said Monday. 'So going back to 1912 and in some cases prior to that, land was cleared in areas, not able to produce economic crops and those are perfect cases to bring forests back.'
Cision Canada
21-07-2025
- Politics
- Cision Canada
Regrowing Alberta's Forests
CALGARY, AB, July 21, 2025 /CNW/ - The Government of Canada, together with Indigenous communities, private and non-profit sector leaders, and provincial partners, is taking action to regenerate Alberta's forests — protecting clean air and preserving the province's vast natural landscapes for generations to come. Today, Corey Hogan, Parliamentary Secretary to the Honourable Tim Hodgson, Canada's Minister of Energy and Natural Resources, announced, in collaboration with Project Forest, The Carbon Farmer and FIND Biomass Inc, a joint investment of over $125 million for four projects that will plant 12 million trees and restore critical habitat for species at risk throughout Alberta, such as caribou. Investments will help to create and restore biodiverse forests and wildlife habitat and sequester carbon while creating seasonal and full-time jobs for surrounding communities in Alberta. We are not just planting trees — we are building a stronger, healthier and more-resilient Canada. Quotes "Forests are more than ecosystems — they are economic drivers, climate solutions and cultural touchstones. That's why the Government of Canada is taking action in partnership with the Government of Alberta, Indigenous communities, the private sector and non-profit organizations to restore forest landscapes and grow a greener economy. Building a resilient Albertan economy means working across sectors and jurisdictions to turn shared goals into lasting impacts." MP Corey Hogan Parliamentary Secretary to the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources "Our government is committed to supporting biodiversity by investing in the protection of wildlife habitats and species at risk, like the caribou. The survival of this iconic Canadian species depends on healthy forests, which is why we are working with partners across Alberta to protect and restore its habitat. This initiative will help preserve nature while strengthening local economies." The Honourable Julie Dabrusin Minister of Environment and Climate Change "The 2 Billion Trees program is a transformative initiative that will shape Canada's future forever — ushering in a greener, healthier world where more Canadians can connect with nature. The generous funding Project Forest has received is not just support; it is a catalyst that will supercharge our mission to rewild Canada, one forest at a time. This is a game-changing moment for our organization, and words alone cannot fully capture the depth of our gratitude. This funding empowers us to make an even greater impact, faster, and we are profoundly thankful for this incredible opportunity." Mike Toffan Founder and Executive Director, Project Forest "The food that farmers produce on their land is critical for us all. However, some fields or portions thereof that have been cleared of trees historically are actually better suited for forest ecosystems, due to factors like soil quality, parcel size, the need for erosion prevention, the value of water retention and the benefits of habitat connectivity. The 2BT program will allow us to proudly plant trees with farmers who want to manage their land with a mosaic of best ecological practices." Brad Rabiey President, The Carbon Farmer "As an Indigenous business, we are committed to creating Indigenous employment and training opportunities while contributing to environmental sustainability. This project allows FIND Biomass to collaborate with a landowner who shares our dedication to social and environmental values. By planting hybrid poplar, a fast-growing species, we will sequester ten times more carbon than a natural forest." Melissa Minks FIND Biomass Inc Follow Natural Resources Canada on LinkedIn.
Winnipeg Free Press
21-07-2025
- Business
- Winnipeg Free Press
Federal money provided to return unproductive farmland back to forest in Alberta
PRIDDIS – The federal government is providing over $100 million to help return unproductive Alberta farmland to its original forested state. Corey Hogan, parliamentary secretary to Canada's natural resources minister, says the cash is part of the $3.2 billion '2 Billion Trees program' and the reforestation will help capture carbon and reduce greenhouse gases. The goal is to support provinces, territories and third-party organizations in planting two billion trees across Canada by 2031. Hogan says cleared farmland will be turned back into thriving forests, providing employment to Indigenous women and youth, and providing economic benefits. Mike Toffan from Project Forest says through four different projects, 12 million trees will be planted in Alberta, including on the Siksika Nation and in the Peace Country. He says some of the land goes back well over a century, when a quarter section was offered to settlers to encourage settlement in the Prairies. 'In some of those cases, the original farmers were farming the land, weren't able to make an economic go and the next generation didn't take that on,' Toffan said Monday. 'So going back to 1912 and in some cases prior to that, land was cleared in areas, not able to produce economic crops and those are perfect cases to bring forests back.' This report by The Canadian Press was first published July 21, 2025.
CBC
11-06-2025
- Politics
- CBC
Mark Carney has a national unity problem. A Liberal voice in Calgary might help
Viewed from a certain angle, it could be read as good news that only 30 per cent of Albertans believe their province would be better off on its own, a share that has grown only slightly over the last five years. In a hypothetical referendum, just 28 per cent said they would vote to secede. But among those who believe Alberta would be better off outside of Canada, feelings have seemingly hardened. And a referendum is no longer purely hypothetical. "What I always tell [people outside Alberta] is like, hey, Alberta has been a place of western alienation for a long time, and that's been worthy of resolving for a long time. What you're seeing right now is it getting louder and being more legitimized than it's ever been," says Corey Hogan, the newly elected Liberal MP for Calgary Confederation. "I've worked in the public opinion space a long time. And ultimately, public opinion does follow the conversation. That's just a simple reality. And so we're at this moment right now where the conversation has shifted. Public opinion will shift if we don't get on top of this. And we need to take this very seriously." Hogan, a former political consultant who then worked as a deputy minister in both Rachel Notley's Alberta NDP and Jason Kenney's UCP governments, compares the conversation in Alberta about separation now to public opinion a decade ago on a carbon tax in that province. Initially, most Albertans didn't feel strongly one way or the other. But the debate was ultimately driven by the loudest and most polarized voices. When Hogan says the conversation about Alberta has shifted, he says he is "referring to the fact that being a separatist is now a thing people say at cocktail parties in Alberta." WATCH | Can the new natural resources minister reset the conversation?: Reshaping Alberta's energy relationship with the federal government 29 days ago Duration 2:20 At least in Hogan's adult life — he's 44 years old — he had not previously encountered such party chatter. "So you are starting to see a social acceptability to the idea of being an Alberta separatist that honestly, I find a little baffling, but I also find very concerning," he said. Holding the country together has always been one of the primary tasks of a Canadian prime minister. But given the cocktail chatter, it is fair to say that responsibility may weigh heavier on Mark Carney than it has on any prime minister since Jean Chrétien. Can Carney rebuild the relationship? It is too easy to blame Carney's predecessor for separatist sentiments in Alberta. The roots of western alienation are deep — Mary Janigan's 2013 book Let the Eastern Bastards Freeze in the Dark takes its title from an iconic bumper sticker of the 1970s, but actually focuses on a federal-provincial conference in 1918 — and can't solely be pinned on the federal government. Hogan, for instance, points to the general dominance of voices from Central Canada in the public discussion of politics in this country. It's also not hard to build an argument that the criticism heaped on Justin Trudeau as an alleged opponent of the province's oil and gas industry is undeserved — the purchase and completion of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion (TMX) was not cheap, either practically or politically, and oil production reached a record high in 2024. (If Trudeau was anti-oil, he was at least not very good at it.) But in Calgary, Horgan argues, the federal purchase of TMX is not understood as an example of the federal government acting for the benefit of Alberta, but as an example of regulatory failure and capital flight. And while some voices in Alberta might unfairly latch on to federal climate initiatives as grounds for complaint, Hogan says, a policy like the government's clean electricity regulations could be viewed as putting a heavier burden on western provinces. Carney is eventually going to be tested by the same sorts of policy questions that bedevilled the Trudeau government. If it was easy to square the circle on climate and resource policy to the satisfaction of everyone, someone would have done it already. For now, Hogan suggests there needs to be an emphasis on relationship-building. "Alberta and Central Canada — basically, we end up in this loop with each other where we're almost saying to each other, why won't you show some gratitude? And we're not having actual real conversations with individuals," Hogan says. "Alberta [will say] why won't you acknowledge how much money comes from this province.… And then people out here might say, well, we built you a pipeline, why aren't you happy? And the reality is, neither side is going to be happy if they're just [talking about] things that they had to begrudgingly do for each other. That's not how a nation is built." WATCH | Smith encouraged by first ministers' meeting: Hearing PM talk about northwestern pipeline 'very encouraging': Alberta premier | Power & Politics 9 days ago Duration 8:37 Alberta Premier Danielle Smith tells Power & Politics she found Prime Minister Mark Carney's comments on a possible northwestern pipeline 'very encouraging' and a 'sea change' from where first ministers' discussions on energy projects were six months ago. Hogan says he was "pretty heartened" by Natural Resources Minister Tim Hodgson's recent trip to Calgary, not so much for the well-received speech the minister delivered, but for the meetings Hodgson had with executives and industry groups in Alberta. (Hogan has since been named a parliamentary secretary to Hodgson.) "He built those connections and he heard them out. And I think that's got to be done a hundred more times, right? It's not about inviting Albertans into the room. It's about taking the room to Albertans in some cases and saying, 'OK, what are we trying to do here? How are we going to make this nation work for everybody?'" That does not mean, Hogan adds, that the federal government should acquiesce to every concern. But building up trust and goodwill might at least make it easier to live with disagreements. Being a voice for Confederation Trudeau and members of his government would likely protest that they too made good-faith efforts to build trust between themselves and leaders in Alberta. Trudeau himself seemed determined, at least initially, to shake off the ghost of his father's reputation in Alberta (though Hogan argues that after Trudeau's first three years as prime minister, a certain "bunker mentality" set in). Regardless of how or why Trudeau's time in office didn't produce better feelings in Alberta, Carney's arrival is at least an opportunity to reset the relationship and start fresh — and Alberta Premier Danielle Smith's positive tone after last week's first ministers' meeting suggests there is at least an opening for progress. In terms of the broader conversation, Hogan could be a potentially valuable voice — for both the Liberals and the broader federalist cause. Though something of an accidental candidate — he only decided to run after the Liberal Party's original candidate in Calgary Confederation was forced to withdraw in late March — he is a former vice-president at the University of Calgary and a prominent political commentator (in addition to his experience in government). His campaign printed up signs that said "Confederation is worth fighting for" and he has used his own newsletter to directly challenge some of the arguments been advanced by would-be separatists. "We can't cede the conversation space. We need to be in the conversation," Hogan says of Albertans who like him oppose separation. "If we love this country, we need to fight for this country. And Albertans love this country, so it's time to stand up." Success, he says, would mean that some of the loudest voices on the other side are "less loud," but also "a broader appreciation that we do have a challenge as a nation and that the idea of sovereignist threats does not end at the Quebec border … that this is a country that needs to make sure it's investing in a sense of nation-ness."
