IPCC report shows that the Liberal government is failing Canadians on climate action

NDP Critic for Climate Change and the Environment, Laurel Collins, made the following statement:

“Today’s report has confirmed what many of us already knew — Justin Trudeau's Liberal government is not doing enough to address the climate crisis. This crisis is undeniably caused by human action and it’s going to take bold action and political courage to solve the problem.

While the Liberals drag their feet, Canadians have to endure the deadly and catastrophic impacts of the climate emergency. In the past months alone, Canadians have struggled with record heat waves, droughts, flooding and other extreme weather conditions. Lives have been lost, homes have been destroyed, and livelihoods endangered by the climate emergency.

UN Secretary General Antonio Guterres said it best – this is truly a code red for humanity.

While the Minister for Climate Change says the Liberals are taking ‘aggressive climate action,’ the reality is that Justin Trudeau and the Liberals are only making the problem worse.

Canada is the only G7 country whose greenhouse gas emissions have increased since signing the Paris Agreement. Justin Trudeau spent over $20 billion of public money to buy and build a pipeline. Just last year, the Liberals gave the oil and gas sector $18 billion in subsidies. While they talk a lot about climate leadership, these are not the actions of a government who is interested in fighting the climate crisis like they actually want to win.

All governments must act urgently to reduce emissions and to limit the damage that has already been done. We must immediately stop handing out public money to big oil and gas companies, and we must commit to a just transition that supports workers and the communities most impacted. Canada could create hundreds of thousands of good jobs in the low carbon economy and become a leader in energy efficiency, clean technology and renewable energy.

Canadians have the right to live in a healthy, clean environment, and we have a responsibility to future generations. We cannot accept more empty talk. We need climate action now. As today’s report has made clear— there is no time to waste.”