PARIS — Tonight, climate action in five provinces will be recognized in Paris by three major environmental groups: Équiterre, Environmental Defence and the Pembina Institute.
Over the past 10 years, provinces have made enormous progress on climate change policy. Thanks to this leadership, five provinces representing 90 per cent of Canada’s population will have a meaningful price on carbon within 12 months – Ontario, Manitoba and Quebec through a cap-and-trade system, and Alberta and B.C. through a carbon tax.
We applaud the work of these provinces, and remind all leaders that they must increase their efforts to reduce emissions to meet the level of ambition called for here in Paris. Further, we encourage the federal government to introduce Canada-wide measures to catalyze more ambitious provincial action. Thanks to provincial efforts, it has never been easier for the federal government to introduce a strong climate plan.
Quotes
“Ontario was the first jurisdiction in North America to close all of its coal electricity plants, representing the single largest carbon reduction in North America. Recently, the province announced a target of cutting emissions by 37 per cent by 2030 and by 80 per cent by 2050 relative to 1990. We are excited to work with the province to develop action plans that will make these targets real and help transform Ontario’s economy to one that is clean and productive.”
— Tim Gray, Executive Director, Environmental Defence
“Quebec was the first province to create a carbon market which targets both industrial emissions and fossil fuels. In preparation for Paris, Québec has taken even more ambitious commitments with a greenhouse gas reduction target for 2030 of 37.5 per cent below 1990 levels, in addition to its commitment to reduce emissions between 80 and 95 per cent by 2050.”
— Sidney Ribaux, Co-founder and Executive Director, Équiterre
“Canadian climate advocates have a lot to celebrate this year. Western Canada is making headlines: Alberta has gone from a climate policy laggard to leader, and B.C.’s Climate Leadership Team has charted the course for continued emissions reductions. We look forward to working with the provinces to ensure this momentum around climate action continues.”
— Ed Whittingham, Executive Director, Pembina Institute
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Contact
Kelly O’Connor
Communications Lead, Pembina Institute
416-220-8804 (Media contact in Toronto)
Erin Flanagan
Director, Federal Policy, Pembina Institute
+1-587-581-1701(Media contact in Paris)
Naomi Carniol
Senior Communications Manager, Environmental Defence
416-570-2878 (Media contact in Paris)
Guylaine Fortin
Directrice des communications, Équiterre
514-212-6537 / 01 11 30 0323 (Media contact in Paris)
