When Canada’s new Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, took the stage Monday night to address Canadians after the Liberal party’s election win, he emphasized his commitment to change. It is a message that resonates with the country’s renewable energy sector, because it marks the start of a new era of federal engagement in the issues that are important to our continued growth and prosperity.
Action on climate change is at the top of the list. It’s true that there are many questions yet to be answered. The Liberals have not committed to specific emissions reduction targets, for example. Nor have they been explicit about their preferred mechanism for setting a national carbon price. But the signs are positive. Trudeau has said he will take part in the Paris climate negotiations at the end of the year, and plans to invite Canada’s Premiers to join him. Within 90 days of the COP21 conference, he will convene a meeting of provincial leaders to come up with a plan to fight climate change. The Liberal platform also called for the creation of a $2 billion Low Carbon Economy Trust to fund projects that reduce greenhouse gas emissions. …Read more on CanWEA’s website
Read the Liberal Party’s platform on proposed environmental and climate action agenda here.