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BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS RESPONSE
Yes.
The Bloc Québécois considers that indigenous peoples have inherent rights, including the right to self-determination. We were early supporters of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Our political party has been putting pressure on the Conservative and Liberal governments since 2007 to adopt and recognize the rights of indigenous peoples. After more than a decade of effort on our part, the Canadian Parliament finally ratified the Declaration. The time has now come to fully implement it. The First Nations, Métis and Inuit communities can count on the Bloc Québécois to be their unwavering ally each time they need to exercise their rights, and we will require Ottawa to step up the pace to sign the Declaration.
CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Partial.
Canada’s Conservatives support the aspirations and goals of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples (UNDRIP). We are committed to respecting treaty rights and to the process of reconciliation with the Indigenous peoples of Canada. UNDRIP has affirmed the right of Indigenous communities to pursue economic opportunities and benefit from the development of resources on their traditional territories. Conservatives believe that the path to reconciliation includes taking meaningful action to improve the lives of Indigenous peoples by ensuring that they are able to fully participate in Canada’s economy.
We also believe that we must develop a common understanding of what concepts like free, prior, and informed consent mean in Canadian law. There is currently a lack of consensus in the legal community, and without a common understanding we risk creating uncertainty and misunderstanding in the future. The lack of clarity and common understanding of these concepts threatens to turn back the clock on reconciliation and dismantle the hard work by Indigenous leaders across the country.
GREEN PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
The Green Party of Canada is committed to implementing UNDRIP for those First Nations who support it. We believe that every nation has a right to decide who will speak on its behalf, and the government of Canada must be led by Indigenous Peoples with respect to designing any UNDRIP legislation. Several First Nations have told us that their involvement was not sought in the development of Bill C-15, and that their views on the proposed legislation were not solicited.
A Green government would ensure that all First Nations are thoroughly involved in the development and design of UNDRIP implementation legislation. We would also ensure that any Nations who do not support UNDRIP would not have it imposed upon them. The Green Party of Canada is committed to Reconciliation, Nation-to-Nation engagement and self-determination for Indigenous Peoples, and seeks to live by those principles not just through words, but through action. Greens believe that Canada has a long way to go to ensure justice for Indigenous Peoples – being guided by their leadership is an important place to start.
LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
Undertaking this work will be broad and inclusive, and include national and regional Indigenous organizations, Indigenous rights holders, modern treaty and self-governing nations, women’s and youth organizations, 2SLGBTQQIA+ Indigenous persons, urban Indigenous people and other identified Indigenous groups. UNDRIP will be a critical tool in our collective efforts to advance the implementation of Indigenous rights, as well as address the legacies of colonialism, systemic racism and discrimination faced by Indigenous peoples in Canada.
NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY RESPONSE
Yes.
In partnership with Indigenous peoples, a New Democrat government will fully implement the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and the Truth and Reconciliation Commission (UNDRIP)’s 94 Calls to Action. To develop a meaningful roadmap in achieving the calls to action, a NDP government will pass legislation to establish a National Council for Reconciliation that provides oversight and accountability on the process as well as a National Action Plan for Reconciliation in collaboration with Indigenous peoples.
These efforts will build on the immense work done by former NDP MP, Romeo Saganash, who first introduced legislation (bill C-262) to ensure that Canada aligns its laws with UNDRIP in 2016. Bill C-262 unfortunately never became law because it was held up in the Senate and failed to receive prioritized support from the Liberals and Conservatives.
Will you commit to a green and just recovery that makes climate and nature action a priority for pandemic recovery spending?
BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS RESPONSE
Yes.
Québec depends on forestry. Canada depends on oil. Whereas the Liberal Party is promising to plant trees so that it can extract and export more oil and gas, the Bloc Québécois is working on supporting the development of sustainable forestry. We are focusing on knowledge and innovation to accelerate the transition to a green economy and economic and social development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
To transform our economy and develop our growth sectors, the necessary economic recovery following the recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is the perfect opportunity to make the right types of investments. To make sure the dollars the government will be investing in the economic recovery enable a green transition, the wealth and economic growth they create must lead to a reduction in environmental impacts and GHG emissions generated by economic activity. Generating wealth while reducing the impact on the environment is a prerequisite to truly talking about a green recovery. The government must determine the appropriate growth indicators as quickly as possible to decouple economic growth from environmental harm. That is why the Bloc Québécois unveiled its post-COVID Recovery Plan in early September 2020.
The result of an extensive Québec-wide consultation, the Bloc Québécois’ plan called for a federal transfer of funds to Québec to help combat COVID-19 in the province’s areas of jurisdiction. It also involved an ambitious green recovery program with a regional focus. The federal government must assume its fair share in funding the green recovery in Québec by using the Bloc’s Recovery Plan as a basis and by recognizing that Québec is in charge of the protection of public health and the environment as well as the economic recovery strategy.
To be able to carry out its parliamentary work and continue monitoring federal climate-related decisions, the Bloc Québécois needs to be able to count on the vigilance and expertise of ecologically minded Quebecers and on our environmental organizations. The previous government regularly put forward actions or policies that were made to look like measures to combat climate change, but were actually harmful to the climate. A clear example is a barely disguised assistance to the Canadian gas and oil industry, which is being touted today as an investment in technological innovation intended to help reduce emissions. However, the Bloc Québécois, like Québec environmentalists, is not fooled by this. We believe that reducing the carbon intensity of an industry’s emissions is not necessarily the same as reducing actual emissions, since it generally has the effect of increasing the overall level of production. The federal government’s current plans are to increase Canadian oil and gas production until 2045.
These plans are entirely incompatible with our goal to become carbon neutral by 2050, and must be denounced. The Bloc Québécois would like to change Canada’s energy path to make it compatible with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. We must stop increasing Canada’s oil sands production immediately, and gradually reduce total crude oil production between now and 2030. The government needs to admit that the Trans Mountain expansion project is not needed. The project should be cancelled, and the unused funds should be reinvested in renewable energy projects. Quebecers can count on the Bloc Québécois to monitor recovery-related expenses and expose the federal government’s daily attempts at greenwashing.
CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
Canada’s Conservatives have a detailed plan to secure jobs and the environment and tackle climate change. We will introduce a zero emission vehicle mandate, based on British Columbia’s, requiring 30 per cent of light duty vehicles sold to be zero emissions by 2030. Along with this mandate, we will invest $1 billion to build out electric vehicle manufacturing in Canada and lead the world in battery production, parts manufacturing, micro-mobility solutions and the manufacture of electric trucks. While electric vehicles are quickly growing in popularity, the truth is that the world will still be burning oil and gas for decades to come. We can do our part for the planet by helping ensure that energy is produced as cleanly as possible.
Canada’s energy sector has made massive progress in reducing its impact on the planet and we’ll work with the industry to help them go further. Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) is a key part of what will allow our energy sector to become even cleaner and a major building block of the energy transition. We will introduce a tax credit to rapidly accelerate the deployment of CCUS technology in the energy sector and in important industries that have few alternatives to burning fossil fuels, like fertilizer and chemical production. This tax credit will include an early mover bonus for facilities that have CCUS in place before 2030. Additionally, we will adopt a “first five policy” for deploying new emissions reduction technology. One of the significant barriers for new, green technology is that early adopters often pay higher costs as they learn how to apply the technology to real-world situations. To recognize this, we will provide tax relief to the first five facilities that use new technology that provides meaningful emissions reductions and has a high cost to build. A Conservative government will also invest in public transit projects that will put Canadians to work, cut commute times and clean up the environment. Our plan invests in green solutions immediately and builds an economy for a greener future.
GREEN PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
Moving towards net-zero emissions as quickly as possible is the greatest economic opportunity in generations. Canada has the chance of a lifetime to become a global leader in limiting climate change, securing our planet’s future, and creating one of the most competitive green economies in the world. The Green Party of Canada has been calling for a non-partisan, collaborative approach to the climate emergency for years. Our Green Future plan is ambitious and doable, and will secure Canada’s sustainable prosperity and ensure a green and just recovery from the pandemic.
LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
Since September 2020, the Liberal government has allocated $53.6 billion to a green economic recovery from COVID-19. This includes historic investments in public transit, active transit, conserving and protecting nature, clean power, supporting the development of Canada’s clean technology sector, retrofitting homes and investing in green and inclusive community buildings, securing jobs to build electric vehicles and buses in Canada, and more. Independent analysis has found Canada to be among the top nations in terms of investing for a green recovery. These investments are in addition to over $60 billion invested in fighting climate change and building a clean economy since 2015.
A re-elected Liberal government would move forward with plans for this historic green spending and invest even more in a green recovery, including, but not limited to: An additional $1.5 billion in the zero-emission vehicle rebate program to help over half a million Canadians purchase a zero emission vehicle; An additional $700 million to add 50,000 new zero emission charging stations; $100 million to retrofit existing buildings to install charging stations; Recognizing the importance of batteries to our current and future economy, we will work to build an end-to-end, sustainable battery supply chain and attract additional zero emissions vehicle manufacturing; $200 million to retrofit large trucks; $250 million to specifically help low-income Canadians get off home-heating oil, on top of existing grants of up to $5,000 for home retrofits and zero-interest loans of up to $40,000 to help Canadians undertake deep retrofits ; Launch a National Net-zero Emissions Building Strategy, which will chart a path to net-zero emissions from buildings by 2050 with ambitious milestones along the way; Launch a community-led net-zero homes initiative that supports projects that pursue multiple concurrent retrofits in a community or neighbourhood, to reduce overall costs.
This initiative will be modeled on the Dutch “Energiesprong” program:
The Liberal Party is committed to fighting climate change and making the investments needed to cut pollution and grow the clean economy. That’s what Liberal governments have delivered over the past six years, and what a re-elected Liberal government will continue to deliver. Please see our platform for a more inclusive list of our proposed actions.
NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY RESPONSE
Yes.
This summer, Canadians watched in horror as temperatures repeatedly smashed record levels, and out of control wildfires endangered lives and communities. Smoke from fires hundreds of kilometres away blanketed major cities throughout the country. And excessive heat has taken hundreds of lives. These terrifying scenes serve as a reminder that the climate crisis is here, and that its effects are catastrophically impacting lives and livelihoods.
We have seen with COVID-19 that emergencies need to be tackled urgently and with the political will to do what it takes. Canadians have been doing their part to fight an urgent public health emergency, but the need to tackle climate change has not gone away. We need a government that approaches the climate emergency with that same sense of urgency. Jagmeet Singh is committed to tackling the climate emergency and creating good jobs. We would create over 1 million good new jobs and help build a sustainable recovery by investing in clean energy and building a green infrastructure.
BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS RESPONSE
Yes.
Even amidst the challenges of the COVID-19 pandemic, the key issue of climate change and the green transition project have been at the centre of the Bloc Québécois’ political action since the October 2019 elections.
We deployed sustained political efforts to convince the federal parties to adopt major climate change legislation that would require the federal government to draw up a credible plan for the reduction of GHG emissions and comply with its international climate-related commitments. The Liberals rejected the Bloc Québécois’ proposal.
The Bloc Québécois voted in favour of Bill C-12, but basically for only one reason: because we want to become carbon-neutral by 2050 in line with the Paris Agreement. Setting this target is what Bill C-12 is all about.
We shouldn’t adopt climate legislation just for the sake of doing so. What we should do is establish a strict legal framework that enshrines the objectives in the legislation, shapes climate policy, and fosters real change in governance, institutions and policies by making it mandatory to adopt a concrete action plan that is assessed independently based on its actual ability to meet the objectives.
The Bloc Québécois wants the country to become carbon neutral 2050. However that would first involve achieving a peaking of global emissions, which requires rapid and drastic reductions in greenhouse gas emissions. So the Liberal government should aim for 2030 rather than for 2050.
Moreover, Canada’s plans to increase oil and gas production until 2045 are incompatible with the 2050 carbon neutrality objective.
When announcing targets or plans, the government has systematically failed to back its intent statements with real figures and data. Canada lacks transparency.
The adoption of climate legislation should address this shortcoming by making sure that the targets and the measures for attaining them match the stated objective. Unfortunately, this cannot be achieved through Bill C-12 in its current form. As a result of an amendment by the Bloc Québécois, Bill C-12 will have to be revised in five years.
As part of its proposals to improve Bill C-12, the Bloc Québécois suggested that Canada set a new GHG emission reduction target for 2030 that would be compatible with science and consistent with the commitments of the other advanced economies that are leading the world in the fight against climate change.
The Bloc Québécois was proposing that Canada be as ambitious as Québec in terms of greenhouse gas reductions and adopt the same target as Québec for 2030, i.e., reduce emissions by 37.5% against 1990 base levels by 2030. If we use 2005 as a baseline year, that’s a reduction of about 51.48%. This would naturally be a minimum mandatory target according to the legislation.
In any case, the federal government is still refusing to use the same baseline year as others (like Québec and the 27 European Union member states) to calculate the GHG emission reductions that must be achieved.
By using 2005 rather than 1990 as the baseline year, the federal government is giving Canadian oil and gas companies a 15-year pollution exemption.
If he wishes to speak the truth and be transparent, Justin Trudeau must meet two conditions when he announces climate-related objectives. When announcing a target or objective, he must provide analyses and solid proof that show how the target or objective can be met. He must stop using 2005 as the baseline year and use 1990 instead.
CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Partial.
With Canada’s Recovery Plan, Canada’s Conservatives will meet our Paris climate commitment and reduce emissions by 2030, but without the government taxing working Canadians and driving jobs and investment out of the country. We will empower Canadians to make greener choices by working with the provinces to implement an innovative, national, Personal Low Carbon Savings Account. This will put a price on carbon for consumers without one penny going to the government. It will be completely transparent and engage consumers in the process of building a lower carbon future. Canadians will pay into their Personal Low Carbon Savings Account each time they buy hydrocarbon-based fuel. They will be able to apply the money in their account towards things that help them live a greener life. That could mean buying a transit pass or a bicycle or saving up and putting the money towards a new efficient furnace, energy efficient windows or even an electric vehicle.
Our plan will ensure that all Canadians can do their part to fight climate change, in the way that works best for them, and at a carbon price that is affordable: starting at $20/tonne and increasing to $50/tonne but no further. Even at this lower carbon price, we will ensure that this does not place an excessive burden on low-income Canadians and will protect farmers by ensuring that they have affordable options. Businesses that aren’t subject to the Output Based Pricing System but buy fuel will have a Small Business Low Carbon Savings Account that will operate similarly. We will tie Canada’s industrial carbon price to that of our biggest trading partners - the European Union and the United States, starting with those regions that have carbon markets and expanding as the U.S. creates a national market. This will ensure that we travel the path to our Paris targets with our international partners, reducing the risk that our climate action will shift jobs out of Canada to competitor countries.
We will assess progress after two years and be prepared to set industrial carbon prices on a path to $170/tonne by 2030, in lockstep with our major trading partners. Navius Research, leaders in quantifying the impacts of energy and climate policy, found that our plan would be expected to achieve substantially the same emissions reductions by 2030 as the Liberal plan to meet our Paris commitment, while resulting in a boost to jobs and the economy.
GREEN PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
The Green Party of Canada’s “Green Future” section of the platform includes achieving net zero emissions as quickly as possible. Policies include: -Ensure a reduction in greenhouse gas emissions of 60 per cent from 2005 levels by 2030, with clear enforceable targets and timelines starting in 2023 -Achieve net zero emissions as quickly as possible, while aiming to be net negative in 2050.
LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Partial.
Under the previous Conservative government, Canada’s emissions were on a path to be 12% higher in 2030 than they were in 2005, despite Stephen Harper’s promise to lower emissions by 30% by 2030. We knew this wasn’t acceptable and got to work on a serious plan. Today, prior to our election commitments, Canada’s emissions are projected by government officials to be 36% lower in 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The Liberals are committed to achieving Canada’s climate targets. That includes a 40-45% reduction in emissions by 2030, compared to 2005 levels, and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. Parties promising higher emissions targets have not, based on independent analysis, put forward credible plans to achieve those targets.
The Conservatives would weaken Canada's existing climate target, and rollback climate action advanced by the Liberals. The Liberal government has: A real plan to fight climate change that, for the first time in Canada’s history, meant a government was on track to exceed a climate target; Put a globally-ambitious price on pollution, that rises to $170 per tonne by 2030, while putting more money in the pockets of Canadians; and Enshrined Canada’s net-zero goal into law, including through setting five-year emissions reduction targets to hold the government accountable and regular public progress reports beginning in 2023. A re-elected Liberal government will: Continue to deliver all elements of Canada’s climate plan; and Work with all Canadians and the Net Zero Advisory Body to identify ways to further accelerate climate action that will put us on trajectory to achieve net-zero emissions as soon as possible and no later than 2050.
NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY RESPONSE
Partial.
New Democrats are committed to helping stabilize the global temperature rise to 1.5 degrees Celsius. To that end we will set a target of reducing Canada’s emissions by at least 50% from 2005 levels by 2030, reaching further wherever possible to account for Canada’s fair share To achieve this, we will eliminate fossil fuel subsidies and roll back loopholes that have been given to big polluters. And we will create a Climate Accountability Office, which would provide independent oversight of federal climate progress, engage the public, and make recommendations on how to achieve our goals.
BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS RESPONSE
Yes.
Environmental policy is not just a public affairs topic among many others: it must be at the forefront of governments’ overall vision and be a priority at the highest levels of government. Gone are the days when the economy and the environment were at odds. The challenge is to build sustainability into economic growth. Wealth mainly stems from natural resources. Therefore, the deterioration of ecosystems comes at a high economic cost. For green growth to exist, each percentage point of GDP increase must come with a reduction in the pressure we exert on the environment.
The overall challenge is, therefore, that of a green transition, which involves transforming our economy into a sustainable model informed by planetary boundaries. The reduction in GHG emissions, the protection of public health and the protection of biodiversity are issues that are inextricably linked and should guide us in our strategic vision throughout the transition.
The federal government talks about wanting to save the planet by fighting climate change while at the same time funding the expansion of the fossil fuel industry using taxpayers’ money. Federal policies, whether those of Stephen Harper or Justin Trudeau, are inconsistent. On the climate front, the Trudeau government makes regular announcements to promote its “goals,” but it rarely puts forward concrete actions and measures that would help achieve those goals.
In Québec, the transition and the fight against climate change lead to prosperity. In fact, we do not produce any oil, but we have renewable resources such as water, wind and forests. We do not build any gasoline-powered cars, but subways, trains and buses. With its electrical industry, Québec has the potential to become North America’s poster-province for electric vehicles. We are extremely well positioned for the 21st century and the energy transition that is taking place.
As a nation, Québec would have everything to gain by speaking on its own behalf on the international stage by participating fully in international environmental agreements, whether they cover climate change or biodiversity protection. Unfortunately, Canada speaks for Québec, but Canada’s interests, as an oil-producing nation, differ from our own. An independent Québec would have an international and environmental policy that is compatible with its interests and those of countries that are leaders in the fight against climate change.
In terms of environmental policy, Québec laws are tougher than Canadian laws. However, the federal government is assuming the right to circumvent Québec laws for undertakings under its jurisdiction. The Bloc Québécois is demanding that the federal government respect Québec laws for federal work and undertakings across the province. In doing so, we are defending our environmental sovereignty.
In addition to ceasing to fund pollution, the federal government has two other tools it can use: taxation and regulations. The Bloc Québécois is proposing that the government actually use them. Two major principles must be applied to environmental policies. First, the polluter pays principle must be applied by putting the right price on pollution. Next, the precautionary principle must be applied to protect human health and the environment by not authorizing activities, products or projects where their potential hazards are uncertain.
CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
No.
Canada’s Conservatives recognize the enormous and essential contributions that the energy sector and its workers make to our country and have contributed to the fight against climate change. Canada has also become a world leader in developing green technologies, particularly in the energy sector, and a Conservative government will support efforts to get these climate-saving technologies to market. We support an energy sector that is working towards net-zero emissions and will accelerate that progress by investing in green technologies like carbon capture, utilization and storage, including direct air capture. By partnering with Canadian innovators to secure Canadian leadership in this important area, we will reduce emissions in Canada and advance technology that Canada could soon be exporting to the world. The Liberals believe that we can only reduce our emissions by “phasing out” entire industries and the jobs that provide a secure living for hundreds of thousands of Canadian families. Conservatives know that we can’t secure a greener future if Canadians don’t have jobs.
GREEN PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
The Green Party of Canada knows that now is the time to work our international partners to plan a Green Recovery that will build the clean energy economy of the future. A Green Recovery is the greatest economic opportunity of our lifetime. Our global partners understand this clearly; they are working towards this, and it is not too late for Canada to be a part of it. Our plan includes:
LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes. Fighting climate change and moving to a net-zero future must put workers and communities first. The Liberals are committed to achieving net-zero emissions no later than 2050. That means reducing and eventually phasing-out fossil fuels. We have an ambitious plan to reduce emissions, while supporting workers, their families and their communities. Independent analysis ranked the Liberal Plan the highest of the four national parties, well ahead of the others. The Liberal plan was the only plan found to be “effective” and “affordable”, while the NDP plan was ranked as “largely ineffective” and “unnecessarily costly.”
Climate and economic experts say the NDP plan would cause business activity to move to other countries, resulting in layoffs for Canadian workers and simply moving emissions abroad. The Conservatives would rollback climate action advanced by the Liberal government. Moreover, the Conservative Party’s record of climate inaction and obstruction speaks for itself. A Conservative victory would be a devastating blow for climate action. A re-elected Liberal government will: Support a just transition for workers by:
NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY RESPONSE
Yes.
New Democrats are committed to fighting the climate crisis. We would take aggressive action to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies for profitable oil and gas companies and close loopholes that Conservatives and Liberals have allowed that let big polluters off the hook. We understand that under successive Liberal and Conservative governments, workers have been left to navigate the changing economy on their own. That’s why New Democrats will also launch an aggressive job creation plan that would see a million good new jobs created. This will include new access to training and education for the low carbon future, and targeted support for impacted workers, families, and communities so that the changing economy works for them. Recognizing that marginalized communities are disproportionately impacted by climate-related disasters, a NDP government will also ensure that these same communities benefit from the job-creation and community-building benefits of our renewable energy investments.
BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS RESPONSE
Yes.
The Bloc Québécois is proposing to change Canada’s energy path to make it compatible with limiting global warming to 1.5°C. The Bloc Québécois is proposing to immediately stop increasing Canada’s oil sands production and gradually reduce total crude oil production between now and 2030. The Bloc Québécois is proposing that the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project be terminated and will oppose any exports of tar sands oil. The Bloc Québécois is reiterating its historical position against all forms of fossil fuel funding and demands that such funding be abolished immediately. We are proposing to redirect the Québec portion of the amounts invested in fossil fuels and use them to support Québec clean energy projects and research centres, while maintaining the funding level required for a transition away from fossil fuels in Western Canada.
The Bloc Québécois will oppose the creation of a pan-Canadian energy corridor that encroaches on Québec territory, regardless of whether such a corridor involves pipelines or electrical transmission lines that are bypassing or competing with those of Hydro-Québec.
The Bloc Québécois opposed the TransCanada Energy East pipeline. Under no condition should Québec agree that new gas and oil pipelines, the sole objective of which is to transport oil sands products to Atlantic provinces for export, cross through the province and endanger hundreds of rivers and the St. Lawrence, while we are in the process of an energy transition. Such projects do not create long-term employment nor do they provide economic benefits for Québec.
Québec is not a transport route for Canadian gas and oil.
The Bloc Québécois unveiled its Recovery Plan in early September 2020.
The result of an extensive Québec-wide consultation, the Bloc Québécois’ plan called for a federal transfer of funds to Québec to help combat COVID-19 in the province’s areas of jurisdiction. It also involved an ambitious green recovery program with a regional focus.
Québec depends on forestry. Canada depends on oil. Whereas the Liberal Party is promising to plant trees so that it can extract and export more oil and gas, the Bloc Québécois is working on supporting the development of sustainable forestry. We are focusing on knowledge and innovation to accelerate the transition to a green economy and economic and social development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
To transform our economy and develop our growth sectors, the necessary economic recovery following the recession caused by the COVID-19 pandemic is the perfect opportunity to make the right types of investments. To make sure the dollars the government will be investing in the economic recovery to enable a green transition, the wealth and economic growth they create must lead to a reduction in environmental impacts and GHG emissions generated by economic activity. Generating wealth while reducing the impact on the environment is a prerequisite to truly talking about a green recovery.
Throughout the electoral campaign, the Bloc Québécois will be presenting concrete proposals on how to achieve gains for Québec, protect and promote the province’s fundamental values and culture, and initiate a green recovery that creates wealth for each of the province’s regions through local innovation.
CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
No.
Canada’s Conservatives have a plan to secure Canada’s economic recovery from the pandemic that will create jobs in every sector and every region of the country. Now is the time to help Canadian workers return to their jobs, not time to eliminate opportunities by removing support for job creators. While we will support economic development in the energy, mining, forestry, agriculture, fisheries, and manufacturing sectors, we will work with each of these industries to reduce emissions in the process.
GREEN PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
A re-elected Liberal government will:
Where a just transition for workers and the environmental justice of communities is paramount, we will continue public financing for workers, including those in the fossil fuel sectors. For example, when COVID hit, we financed the clean-up of orphaned oil and gas wells to keep people working in parts of the country that were especially hard hit early in the pandemic. These wells pose pollution risks to the health and wellbeing of rural and Indigenous communities.
As a condition of funding, Canada is requiring that provinces update their oil well regulations to significantly reduce oil well liabilities to ensure abandoned and orphan wells no longer occur and to hold oil and gas companies accountable. When it comes to spending, independent analysis has found Canada to be among the top nations in terms of investing in a green recovery, outpacing the United States. Unlike the United States, Canada has a national price on pollution to cut emissions effectively, where polluters pay and most Canadians receive more money back than they pay, especially lower income Canadians. In addition, a re-elected Liberal government is, in some areas, proposing both spending and regulations for maximum benefit. For example, when it comes to zero emissions vehicles, we are investing in consumer rebates, supporting public transit and school bus fleets in converting to ZEVs, as well as investing in charging stations and supporting manufacturers to create jobs in this space. As well, where the United States has a voluntary goal of 50% of new light duty vehicles sales to be ZEV in 2030, a re-elected Liberal government is proposing a regulated sales mandate of at least 50% in 2030, with 100% by 2035.
A significant part of investing in climate and environmental justice is ensuring the people most vulnerable to the effects of a changing climate have the resources they need to both mitigate and adapt. Canada currently spends more than three times per capita each year on international climate finance for vulnerable people than the United States. A re-elected Liberal government will continue to provide $5.36 billion over the next five years to communities around the world most impacted by climate change, doubling Canada’s previous support. This will increase funds to adaptation and biodiversity in particular, and will also increase grants to make financial support more accessible. At home, the Liberal government has made, and will continue to make, significant investments to fight climate change and grow the clean economy. Since 2015, we have invested more than $100 billion in the fight against climate change.
The Liberal government’s $180 billion infrastructure plan invests in projects that are cleaning our waters, strengthening our energy grids, reducing pollution, and building resiliency to the impacts of climate change for the most vulnerable Canadians who need it most. A re-elected Liberal government will continue to make the investments necessary to transition to the clean economy in a way that prioritizes workers, including through the $2 billion Futures Fund for Alberta, Saskatchewan, and Newfoundland and Labrador that will be designed in collaboration with local communities and partners to create jobs and diversify the economy.
NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY RESPONSE
Yes.
Jagmeet Singh and the NDP will fulfill Canada’s G-20 commitment to eliminate fossil fuel subsidies and redirect these funds to low carbon initiatives, and make sure that future governments can’t reverse this by putting in place legislation to ban any future oil, gas and pipeline subsidies.
BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS RESPONSE
Partial.
The reduction in GHG emissions, the protection of public health and the protection of biodiversity are issues that are inextricably linked and should guide us in our strategic vision throughout the transition.
The federal government talks about wanting to save the planet by fighting climate change while at the same time funding the expansion of the fossil fuel industry through taxpayers’ money.
The land does not belong to Canada but to Québec and the provinces. Biodiversity in Québec is protected under Québec environmental legislation. The federal government must respect Québec’s environmental sovereignty.
In terms of conservation, the federal government may take action on the properties it owns, on Crown land, in the Territories and in relation to the oceans.
However, we must question the value of the protected areas created by Justin Trudeau’s government.
Justin Trudeau authorized 40 offshore exploratory drilling sites east of Newfoundland in marine refuges that the federal government had itself created. He held a public consultation in the middle of the pandemic in order to bypass the environmental assessment process. He then granted $320 million to offshore oil companies.
The courts have recognized that the protection of endangered species is under federal jurisdiction. However, the federal government’s sole power is to authorize or prohibit activities in a given area. But the protection of biodiversity requires more than mere prohibition. Examples include migration corridors, measures for the regeneration of plant species that animals feed on, and predator management. The real issue is the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, but the federal government does not have the necessary tools to deal with such a challenge. It would therefore be futile to pin our hopes on the federal government, regardless of the promises made by Canadian political parties in this respect.
With respect to nature-based solutions, the Bloc Québécois does not oppose the planting of trees as such, but decries the fact that this Liberal promise from 2019 is the government’s main strategy for combatting climate change. In addition, the Growing Canada’s Forests program lacks predictability and strategic planning. Besides, how can we expect to attain the greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2030 with trees that will basically be planted in 2029 and 2030—and will therefore not have reached maturity?
The truth needs to be told: the federal government is subverting the original intent of the nature-based solutions by seeing an opportunity to continue to pollute, by virtue of the fact that it is planting trees. Québec depends on forestry. Canada depends on oil. Whereas the Liberal Party is promising to plant trees so that it can extract and export more oil and gas, the Bloc Québécois is working on supporting the development of sustainable forestry. We are focusing on knowledge and innovation to accelerate the transition to a green economy and economic and social development that meets the needs of the present without compromising the ability of future generations to meet their own needs.
CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
Canada’s Conservatives have a detailed plan to prepare Canada for the impacts of a changing climate. First, we will invest an additional $3 billion between now and 2030 in natural climate solutions focused on management of forest, crop and grazing lands and restoration of grasslands, wetlands, and forests. These solutions will sequester carbon, and provide additional benefits for communities and wildlife.
Second, we will appoint a national disaster resilience advisor to the Privy Council Office to advise Cabinet and the Prime Minister’s Office, helping ensure that the government is prepared for future risks. We will implement a national action plan on floods, including establishing a residential high risk flood insurance program to ensure all Canadians are financially protected while avoiding future government bailouts. We will devise a national climate adaptation strategy that addresses existing provincial concerns on flood readiness while leveraging private sector solutions. It will address wildfire and drought exposure in collaboration with farmers, ranchers, and foresters. We will incorporate a mitigation and adaptation lens to the government’s infrastructure investments and develop a natural infrastructure plan that includes the development of a national standard to assess the value of natural infrastructure. Finally, we will invest in technology that can improve the early detection of wildfires and better predict their behaviour.
GREEN PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
A re-elected Liberal government will expand investments and continue to deliver existing investments in nature-based solutions to mitigate and adapt to climate change.
The Liberal government took significant action over the past six years including:
A re-elected Liberal government would build on these historic accomplishments by:
NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY RESPONSE
Yes.
New Democrats will expand investments in nature-based climate solutions as part of our comprehensive climate plan. We will invest in our Nature agenda that will include restoring and expanding protections for Canada’s watersheds, investing in forest management, and working with farmers to support biodiversity. We will also expand urban national parks and restore urban biodiversity. We will work with climate experts and stakeholders to develop comprehensive nature-based solutions that go hand in hand with other initiatives, like holding big polluters accountable.
BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS RESPONSE
Partial.
Under the Constitution, Québec belongs to Quebecers. Its occupancy, use, development and protection are basically subject to Québec laws and regulations and municipal by-laws. The same applies to all other Canadian provinces. In addition, First Nations have inherent rights on their land and Ottawa’s unilateral protection is inconsistent with the recognition of these rights. It is easier to deploy joint management from Québec.
In terms of conservation, the federal government may take action on the properties it owns, on Crown land, in the Territories and in relation to the oceans.
However, we must question the value of the protected areas created by Justin Trudeau’s government.
Justin Trudeau authorized 40 offshore exploratory drilling sites east of Newfoundland in marine refuges that the federal government had itself created. He held a public consultation in the middle of the pandemic in order to bypass the environmental assessment process. He then granted $320 million to offshore oil companies.
The courts have recognized that the protection of endangered species is under federal jurisdiction. However, the federal government’s sole power is to authorize or prohibit activities in a given area. But the protection of biodiversity requires more than mere prohibition. Examples include migration corridors, measures for the regeneration of plant species that animals feed on, and predator management. The real issue is the harmonious coexistence between humans and nature, but the federal government does not have the necessary tools to deal with such a challenge. It would therefore be futile to pin our hopes on the federal government, regardless of the promises made by Canadian political parties in this respect.
With respect to nature-based solutions, the Bloc Québécois does not oppose the planting of trees as such, but decries the fact that this Liberal promise from 2019 is the government’s main strategy for combatting climate change. In addition, the Growing Canada’s Forests program lacks predictability and strategic planning. Besides, how can we expect to attain the greenhouse gas emission reduction target for 2030 with trees that will basically be planted in 2029 and 2030—and will therefore not have reached maturity?
CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Partial.
Conservatives have a proud history of being strong proponents of conservation and have a strong track record of creating parks and protecting critical habitats. In 2010, the previous Conservative government committed to conserving 17 per cent of terrestrial lands through protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures. As of January 2020, Canada had reached 12 per cent.
We remain committed to reaching this target and will seek to increase our goal to 25 per cent. However, we will remain mindful that there is a significant risk in expressing our ambition strictly in terms of how much area is protected. If we focus solely on area, we will tend to favour the creation of large parks in remote areas and risk making it harder to protect our most endangered ecosystems, which predominantly lie in the southern working landscape. Protecting the southern working landscape presents many challenges but brings many benefits as well. Much of the land is already in productive use, making it harder and more expensive to set aside, but protecting this land is essential: it can significantly benefit local communities and is important for things like flood and drought protection and carbon sequestration.
To conserve lands in all parts of Canada, a Conservative government will:
GREEN PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
The Liberal government took significant action over the past six years to conserve nature and achieve our targets to protect and conserve 25% of our lands and oceans by 2025, and 30% of each by 2030, including:
A re-elected Liberal government will build on this progress and continue to protect more nature by:
Lands:
Oceans:
Freshwater:
NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY RESPONSE
Yes.
Jagmeet Singh and the NDP will pursue a Nature agenda with a targeted goal of protecting 30% of our land, freshwater, and oceans by 2030. We will launch a 10-year plan to reverse species loss, curb the import and domestic trade of wild animals, and enforce the Species at Risk Act.
BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS RESPONSE
Yes.
The creation of protected areas is under shared jurisdiction, which depends on the ownership of the land to be placed under the protection of the government or a private voluntary conservation organization in order to preserve biodiversity and the environment and ensure the protection of species. The protection of migratory birds is under federal jurisdiction. With respect to existing federally protected areas, we favour a better approach to involving indigenous peoples in land, plant and wildlife management. With respect to the creation of new protected areas on the ancestral territory of a First Nation, we believe that respect for the principle of self-determination is key since First Nations are nations, and as such, have rights that cannot be violated or circumvented. Those are the inherent rights that the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples upholds. Accordingly, new protected areas must be created in partnership with First Nations, and it will be up to the latter to submit their claims to the governments wishing to create such areas.
CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
As part of our plan to protect Canada’s lands, oceans, and freshwater, as outlined in the previous question, Canada’s Conservatives will work with Indigenous communities to expand the creation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) managed and stewarded by Indigenous Guardians.
GREEN PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
The Liberal government launched the Indigenous Guardians Pilot Program in 2017 and helped establish Canada’s first-ever Indigenous Protected and Conserved Area. We have invested in over 100 Indigenous-led conservation initiatives from coast-to-coast. Budget 2021 further invested $340 million in Indigenous Guardians and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas. A re-elected Liberal government will: Work with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis partners to support new and expanded Indigenous Guardians programs and establish new Indigenous Guardians Networks; Support Indigenous communities to build capacity to establish more Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas; Advocate for Indigenous rights, in particular regarding land and water stewardship, internationally.
NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY RESPONSE
Yes.
Jagmeet Singh and the NDP will build reconciliation into the heart of our plan to address the climate crisis. We will uphold Indigenous rights to protect lands, waterways, and biodiversity. We will pursue our climate initiatives by making First Nations, Inuit, and Metis peoples full and equal partners. This means we will respect Indigenous peoples as the stewards of their territories and the knowledge that they bring to nature conservation. A New Democrat government will support investments in Indigenous-led nature conservation, land use, and climate planning. We will invest $500 million for Indigenous-led conservation programs, including the Indigenous Guardians Program.
BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS RESPONSE
Yes.
In Québec, the “right to live in a healthful environment in which biodiversity is preserved” has been protected under the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms since 2006. The federal government may hope to introduce a similar right in the preamble to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), but its legal scope may prove to be very limited. This may prove to be mainly a symbolic victory.
The best way to fight for environmental justice at the federal level is to defend Québec’s environmental sovereignty. As things stand, certain federal infrastructure assets (e.g., wharves, harbours, airports, telecommunication infrastructure, and federal properties) are not subject to our environmental protection legislation or municipal by-laws. Québec laws governing environmental protection and land use planning must apply to all of Québec.
The Bloc Québécois is concerned about geographic disparities in standards of living and access to a clean, healthy environment, and is worried that vulnerable or marginalized populations are more directly affected by such disparities. The Bloc Québécois favours government action to fight the inequities experienced by minority communities in their relationship to the environment.
Human rights in relation to the environment need to be developed. Such rights, as well as the resulting policies, must be universal. Everyone is entitled to them, regardless of their differences. With such rights, we will have powerful legal tools to fight inequity and discrimination, in particular based on origin, language or cultural background, caused by unequal environmental factors such as exposure to pollution or lack of access to resources required to sustain life.
This being said, the best protection against inequalities is still Québec’s social safety net and the defence of our collective choices. Québec has chosen solidarity. In North America, Québec remains the place with the best distribution of wealth. Pan-Canadian standards or strategies are often at odds with our collective choices and are counterproductive. Federal intrusion into social matters is harmful and not suited to the Québec reality.
CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Partial.
We can all agree that we need to reduce the use of single-use plastics, minimize how much plastic ends up discarded, and keep plastic out of our oceans. The current government’s approach has been heavy on slogans but light on action. Simply declaring plastics “toxic” isn’t helping our environment but is driving jobs out of Canada. Rather than showy bans or declarations, Canada’s Conservatives will focus on reducing the use of single-use plastics, ensuring that plastic products are produced in a more environmentally responsible way, promoting a circular economy, and ensuring that plastic waste is responsibly recycled and never ends up in the ocean.
To achieve this, Canada’s Conservatives will:
GREEN PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
A) A re-elected Liberal government will:
B) A re-elected Liberal government will:
NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY RESPONSE
Yes.
New Democrats will strengthen the Canadian Environmental Protection Act – building and improving on the government’s Bill C-28 – to better protect Canadians from toxic substances in everyday products like cosmetics. And we would take further action on plastic pollution including immediately banning single-use plastics and passing legislation to ban the export of plastic waste. We would hold big polluters responsible.
BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS RESPONSE
Yes.
In Québec, the “right to live in a healthful environment in which biodiversity is preserved” has been protected under the Québec Charter of Human Rights and Freedoms since 2006. The federal government may hope to introduce a similar right in the preamble to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), but its legal scope may prove to be very limited. This may prove to be mainly a symbolic victory.
The best way to fight for environmental justice at the federal level is to defend Québec’s environmental sovereignty. As things stand, certain federal infrastructure assets (e.g., wharves, harbours, airports, telecommunication infrastructure, and federal properties) are not subject to our environmental protection legislation or municipal by-laws. Québec laws governing environmental protection and land use planning must apply to all of Québec.
The Bloc Québécois is concerned about geographic disparities in standards of living and access to a clean, healthy environment, and is worried that vulnerable or marginalized populations are more directly affected by such disparities. The Bloc Québécois favours government action to fight the inequities experienced by minority communities in their relationship to the environment.
Human rights in relation to the environment need to be developed. Such rights, as well as the resulting policies, must be universal. Everyone is entitled to them, regardless of their differences. With such rights, we will have powerful legal tools to fight inequity and discrimination, in particular based on origin, language or cultural background, caused by unequal environmental factors such as exposure to pollution or lack of access to resources required to sustain life.
This being said, the best protection against inequalities is still Québec’s social safety net and the defence of our collective choices. Québec has chosen solidarity. In North America, Québec remains the place with the best distribution of wealth. Pan-Canadian standards or strategies are often at odds with our collective choices and are counterproductive. Federal intrusion into social matters is harmful and not suited to the Québec reality.
CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Partial.
Canada’s Conservatives have a detailed plan to ensure that all Canadians can live and work in a clean environment. Our plan tackles climate change, improves water quality, and expands conservation efforts in all parts of the country. While we do not oppose symbolic gestures like affirming the right to a clean environment, we prefer action that will concretely advance our environmental goals that will secure a green future for everyone. Our plan will deliver the action needed now, that balances our economic recovery with our environmental responsibilities.
GREEN PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes,
The Green Party of Canada supports an Environmental Bill of Rights.
LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
We are committed to advancing environmental justice. The air we breathe, the water we drink, the food we eat, and the land on which we live is central to our health and well-being. Too often, when toxic substances pollute our environment, it is Indigenous, lower-income, or racialized communities that are most likely to suffer the consequences. That’s why a re-elected Liberal government will: Recognize the “right to a healthy environment” for the first time in federal law. Go beyond establishing an office on environmental justice by tabling legislation to require the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to examine the link between race, socio-economic status, and exposure to environmental risk, and develop a strategy to address environmental justice. Identify and prioritize the clean-up of contaminated sites in areas where Indigenous, racialized, and low- income Canadians live. Implement a comprehensive action plan to protect Canadians, including firefighters', from exposure to toxic flame retardants found in household products.
NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY RESPONSE
Yes.
We recognize that marginalized communities often disproportionately experience the impact of Canada’s climate emergency. We will create an Office of Environmental Justice to address the disproportionate impacts of pollution and loss of biodiversity on low-income, racialized and other marginalized communities. And we would enshrine the right to a healthy environment in a Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights, to ensure all communities can enjoy a guarantee to clean water, land and air.
BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS RESPONSE
Yes.
The solution to Canada’s energy problem is not found in nuclear power. The Bloc Québécois will oppose any nuclear power projects, including the development of small modular reactors, as well as any projects, such as the Chalk River disposal facility near the Ottawa River, that could pose a risk of radioactive contamination for Québec.
CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
No.
Nuclear energy is a key part of any credible plan to reduce carbon emissions.
GREEN PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Yes.
Institute a ban on further development of nuclear power in Canada.
LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Partial.
As it stands today, Canada has one of the lowest carbon electricity grids in the world, with about 82% of the grid being non-emitting. This is in part because of our extensive hydro and renewable energy assets, but also because of nuclear power.
While a Liberal government is prioritizing investments in renewables and transmission, it is important to recognize the role of nuclear in our current energy system and for other uses, such as isotopes, for health applications.
A re-elected Liberal government is committed to achieving net-zero electricity by 2035. We will bring forward a Clean Electricity Standard and advance multi-billion dollar investments for clean power and transmission, both through the government and through the Canada Infrastructure Bank. We are prioritizing investments in strategies and technologies that are commercially available today. Small Modular Reactors are not. That said, recognizing that achieving a net-zero future will require a diverse set of solutions, SMR demonstration projects are eligible for some funding. Decisions about whether to implement SMRs for grid-scale electricity are under provincial jurisdiction, all of which would be required to meet stringent safety and environmental conditions set by Canada’s world-class nuclear regulator, the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission (CNSC), as well as all other applicable federal and provincial regulatory requirements.
Meeting International Standards:
A re-elected Liberal government would continue to modernize policies for the long-term management of Canada’s nuclear waste, including ensuring that Canada meets or exceeds international standards for nuclear waste management. We will build on Canada’s strong policies and ensure that they are based on the best available science, continue to meet or beat international best practices, and reflect the values and principles of Canadians.
In November 2020, the Liberal government engaged Canadians to modernize Canada’s Radioactive Waste Policy. A re-elected Liberal government would move forward with this engagement in order to hear from interested Canadians, including Indigenous and Northern communities, nuclear stakeholders, and civil society. The engagement process would inform a review of Canada’s Policy Framework for Radioactive Waste to ensure that Canada continues to have the highest and most modern nuclear waste regulatory regime in the world. Waste import and exports As a matter of policy, Canada does not import or export nuclear waste.
NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY RESPONSE
Yes.
Last year, we raised our concerns with the Liberals’ plan for small nuclear reactors. We believe wind and solar energy storage provide a more viable path forward. A NDP government would also re-affirm Canada’s commitment to meet international standards for nuclear waste management. We have previously called for a nuclear waste management to be developed outside of the industry, which the Liberals have ignored.
BLOC QUÉBÉCOIS RESPONSE
No additional comments.
CONSERVATIVE PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
Canada’s Conservatives have a detailed plan to secure the environment and tackle climate change. Other measures aimed at reducing emissions and conservation include:
The full plan is available at: conservative.ca/plan
GREEN PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
The “Green Future” section of the Green Party of Canada's platform will be released shortly, as will our full platform for further consultation and reference.
LIBERAL PARTY OF CANADA RESPONSE
The extreme heatwaves and wildfires across Canada this summer have underscored the urgency of fighting and adapting to climate change. Canadians need leadership that is prepared to face up to the realities of climate change and to take strong action to prepare for future extreme weather events and keep Canadians safe and healthy.
A re-elected Liberal government will:
1. Prepare for increased severity and frequency of wildfires. We will dedicate $500 million to protect Canadians with stronger capacity to fight wildfires. This investment will:
2. Protect Our Homes and Communities from the Impacts of Climate Change. Strong action is needed to help Canadians prepare for flood, wildfire, drought, coastline erosion, and other extreme weather events worsened by climate change. We have taken real action to protect our environment and grow our economy, but we know that we need to be bigger and bolder in the fight against climate change. The safety and security of Canadians is at stake.
A re-elected Liberal government will:
Note on Gender and Diversity Impact: The indirect and long-term benefits of the measures outlined in this survey are expected to be gender balanced as climate change directly and indirectly affects the health and wellbeing of all individuals and communities. Nonetheless, coastal, remote, northern, and Indigenous communities, as well as minority groups, low-income communities, women, youth, and elderly people are particularly vulnerable to the impacts of climate change.
Climate change is a global reality, and our policies will have an indirect impact on individuals internationally. For example, according to the United Nations Development Program, 80% of people displaced by climate change are women. We are committed to facilitating a just and equitable transition to clean growth. 75% of workers in the mining, oil and gas sectors are men. Our green jobs and clean tech investment plan applies an intersectional lens so that women, Indigenous people, and youth can benefit from these opportunities. Census data shows that women, people of colour, and low-wage workers are the predominant transit riders, so accelerating major public transit projects would be directly beneficial to them. Those projects will be developed using an intersectional lens to ensure accessibility, safety, and fairness.
NEW DEMOCRATIC PARTY RESPONSE
No additional comments.
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