The federal government has an opportunity to change course in about three weeks, when the Liberals table their first budget in over two years, say green groups.
Group including Climate Action Network Canada executive director Catherine Abreu and Assembly of First Nations Yukon Regional Chief Kluane Adamek will be able to draw upon the resources of Environment and Climate Change Canada and other government departments to conduct emissions modelling or other analysis, and can be briefed by public servants on federal programs.
The environment and climate change minister's remarks come after former UN secretary-general Ban Ki-moon urged Canada to “demonstrate greater leadership in the collective effort to tackle climate change.”
Ottawa should end fossil fuel subsidies, strengthen carbon pricing, raise taxes on the wealthy and direct the windfall into retraining oil and gas workers for low-carbon-economy jobs, says a coalition of civil society leaders.
Several environment leaders say Prime Minister Justin Trudeau needs to put action on climate change into the mandate letter of every minister he names to his inner circle.
Alberta's United Conservative government plans to eliminate its stand-alone offices for climate change policy and environmental monitoring, a move some say will damage the province's standing and its ability to make science-based plans.
Some Canadian environment groups are urging Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to put the brakes on attempts to seal a free trade agreement with Brazil until stronger policies to protect the Amazon rainforest are in place.
Canada will not be spared the impact of food shortages and price shocks if global warming is not kept below 2 degrees Celsius, a new report on land use and climate change suggests.
Canada will be ready to set tougher emissions-cutting plans when the Paris climate-change agreement kicks in by the end of 2020, Environment Minister Catherine McKenna says.