Canadians give government strong mandate to accelerate climate action

VANCOUVER — LINDA COADY, EXECUTIVE DIRECTOR at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the results of the federal election:

"The Pembina Institute congratulates Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party of Canada on their election victory. In this campaign, all the major parties proposed stronger climate platforms than in 2019, strengthening the new government’s mandate to take ambitious action on climate to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and support the transition to a more resilient, inclusive, and prosperous net-zero emissions future.

"As Canada prepares to join the global community at the 26th Conference of the Parties of the United Nations Framework Convention on Climate Change, we congratulate every elected member and call on them to work together to rapidly deploy the policies, technologies and investments that can achieve further reductions in Canada’s carbon emissions.

"The Liberal Party’s commitment to bring in measures to significantly lower emissions from sectors that release the most greenhouse gas emissions – oil and gas and transportation – is critical to achieving Canada’s climate goals. Climate commitments include the implementation of five-year emission reduction targets for the oil and gas sector, a 75 per cent reduction target in methane emissions below 2012 levels, and a mandated target that 100 per cent of light-duty vehicles be zero-emission by 2035. Other key commitments that will support job creation and emissions reductions across the country include establishment of a $2 billion fund for local and regional economic diversification and the development of strategies and infrastructure to reach a net-zero emitting grid by 2035 and net-zero emissions in the buildings sector by 2050.

"Full and timely implementation of these measures, monitoring progress, and maintaining full transparency in reporting on milestones are essential next steps."

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