Statement from Catherine Abreu, Executive Director of Climate Action Network Canada, in response to the Canadian government’s announcement that any new or expanded thermal coal projects will be deemed to go against the public interest because of the severity of ecological impacts and the climate imperative to get rid of coal.
Environmental organizations Climate Action Network-Réseau Action Climat (CAN-Rac), Ecojustice, Équiterre, David Suzuki Foundation (DSF) and West Coast Environmental Law Association (WCELA) urge the House of Commons and Senate to move swiftly to pass the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act (Bill C-12) before the summer recess.
New research released today by seven environmental organizations shows that Canada can take much more ambitious climate action between now and 2030 while maintaining a thriving economy and reducing energy costs for Canadians. The research, undertaken by renowned energy modellers from EnviroEconomics and Navius, shows that Canada can achieve 60 per cent GHG emission reductions by 2030, with a smart mix of policies and regulations.
Yesterday’s announcement of the 2021 Federal Budget by Deputy Prime Minister and Finance Minister Chrystia Freeland outlines $100+ billion dollars in new and welcome spending for measures intended to ferry Canada through the remainder of the COVID 19 pandemic, and inject the economy with funding to stimulate and support the national effort to build back better.
Today three internationally renowned experts identified how Canada can improve its climate leadership. The event highlighted the disconnect between Canada’s bold words on the world stage calling for climate action while emissions continue to rise at home.
Today’s ruling from the Supreme Court of Canada on the Government of Canada’s Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (GGPPA) confirms the constitutionality of the federal carbon pricing backstop. This ruling confirms that climate change is a matter of national concern and sets a precedent for the federal government to set nation-wide minimum standards when it comes to climate action.
Canada is finally joining countries representing 50% of global GDP that know strong economic policy hinges on strong environmental policy. With this plan, people and communities across Canada can see themselves joining the huge clean economy that is taking over global markets.
This afternoon, Canada’s Minister of Finance, Chrystia Freeland, delivered Supporting Canadians and Fighting COVID-19, a long-anticipated fiscal update to a nation that has been humbled by and is hurting from this exceptionally difficult COVID-19 pandemic year. There are many encouraging signals in today’s announcement – and a few areas we will watch with close scrutiny.
Today the federal government introduced Canada’s first government-led climate accountability legislation. This is a piece of legislation that Climate Action Network Canada and our members and allies have been working toward for many years and a moment to celebrate in the history of Canada‘s action on climate change and the effort to make sure that climate change is no longer treated as a partisan political football in Canada.
Building a zero-carbon economy is the only reliable way to ensure Canadian prosperity and good jobs in the coming decades. CAN-Rac is pleased to see a strong financial commitment to clean transition being announced by the federal government today.