Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is calling on industries, citizens, and Indigenous groups to help shape the future of Canada's climate policy.
Speaking at a major mining conference in Toronto, Trudeau says the government will soon launch a formal initiative to see input from a range of groups on how Canada will get to the goal of net-zero carbon emissions by 2050.
"In the coming year, we want to hear from you on how Canada should innovate and transform our economy to keep good jobs here and create new ones," said Trudeau.
He says a clear way forward is crucial for both the planet and for business to provide certainty and adapt to the changing reality.
Taking carbon pollution out of the environment, and the economy, will be crucial for Canada's prosperity, he said.
"This is a big project, and not one any of us can do on our own. We all need to roll up our sleeves and pitch in. Government, businesses, civil society, Indigenous communities, and all Canadians. The only way we create a better future is if we do it together."
Trudeau said he hopes that one day soon Canada can reach the same consensus about climate change action as the country has on free trade, which was once also deeply divisive.
The shift is needed as the economy and the money that backs it moves increasingly towards strong action. Trudeau pointed to a January letter by Larry Fink, CEO of BlackRock Inc., which is one of the world's largest asset managers, that called climate change a structural, long-term crisis that will force a significant reallocation of capital.
Trudeau's speech comes a week after Teck Resources shelved its $20-billion Frontier oilsands project, citing the need for more clarity on climate and environmental policies before the company could move forward on such a project.
There also continues to be disputes on the future of a natural gas pipeline through Wet'suwet'en traditional territory in British Columbia and debates on several other resource projects.
Trudeau says Canada as a whole needs to find common ground on how to move forward in the interest of both the environment and the economy.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published March. 2, 2020.
Keep reading
What complete bs. They know
What complete bs. They know what should be done and are just delaying as long as possible doing it. The venue for this announcement speaks volumes.
So instead of meeting their
So instead of meeting their 2020 and 2030 Paris Accord commitments, we should all be happy that there is a 2050 'commitment'. If you stick your head deep enough into the sand you don't care what is going on in the real world. Does anyone believe this will happen??
With respect, I disagree with
With respect, I disagree with Peter Morgan who says "They know what needs to be done..." and with Dean Gingrich who says "we should all be happy that there is a 2050 'commitment.'" My in-depth readings of the physicists and academics with advanced degrees in natural resources and ecological economics, tell me otherwise -- politicians, environmentalists, journalists and activists who are too busy promoting simplistic “good news” fairy tales about renewables, clean energy, carbon capture, technological solutions, and the like, to invest the time and cognitive energy to come to grips with the complexity of humanity's existential predicament. And let's not overlook those promoting the Gospel According to the latest fiction from advocates of the Green New Deal.
In my informed opinion, Dr. Nate Hagens, of the University of Minnesota, is one of the most enlightening “Big Picture” systems thinkers on the scene today. And, regrettably, he is probably one of the most ignored, least understood expert who is seriously addressing the challenges we face.
For those interested in really understanding what the hell is going on out there, take a dip into Hagens' latest paper in which he takes on a formidable task -- to present “a cohesive narrative on how human-evolved behavior, money, energy, economy and the environment fit together”, leading to a new ‘systems economics’. To access the paper, click on this ShortLink : https://wp.me/pO0No-57s .
My point has more to do with
My point has more to do with the sincerity of this initiative. Having gone through their manipulative and false consultations on electoral reform, I doubt the Liberals will care much about what the public has to say, and as we saw there as well, expert opinion was entirely ignored. I found it highly instructive that the Liberals did not want to take credit for Teck Resources pulling out of their project in Alberta, either because they wanted to approve it, or because they didn't want to be seen as the ones who made a decision about this project. In other words, they want to continue with the lie that we can develop our oil and gas industry and make needed cuts to emissions. Thanks for your recommendations.
And to your point
And to your point specifically, when I say they know what to do, I mean more broadly that there has been lots of work done on ways of decreasing dependence on fossil fuels and it's unlikely that anything new will emerge from this consultation that can't be attained by looking at what's already been discussed and presented.
Comments