NDP to bring forward plan to end thermal coal exports, driving toxic pollution

OTTAWA – On Wednesday, NDP Environment and Climate Change critic tabled a bill that would put an end to the exports of thermal coal, the fossil fuel responsible for more than 30 per cent of global emissions, as Canadians face the dire consequences of the climate crisis.

“Canadians across the country have been living with the impacts of climate change. Right now, parts of the country are unnaturally warm for the winter months, while others are being hit with cold snaps and extreme snowstorms,” said Collins. “People expect the government to do everything possible to fight the climate crisis. But that’s not the case. What we’re seeing instead is a Liberal government that claims to champion the climate – but then breaks every promise they make to tackle the climate crisis.”

In 2021, Justin Trudeau promised to end thermal coal exports by 2030, but new information obtained by the NDP from the government reveals that under Trudeau and the Liberals, thermal coal exports have more than tripled. To date, coal remains the largest contributor to climate change and is a major source of toxic pollution.

Collins’s bill would also require the government to consult with trade unions and workers who would be affected by changes to the industry before a ban were to happen.

“Not only have the Liberals broken their climate promises – but coal exports are getting worse. And make no mistake, Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives aren’t going to solve the problem—they can’t even agree amongst themselves if climate change is real, let alone having a plan to tackle it,” said Collins. “Canadians deserve better than an out-of-touch government that always disappoints and breaks promises, or leaders who refuse to take on one of the biggest threats facing people right now.

“New Democrats believe that Canada should be a global leader on climate, and that Canadians deserve political leaders that are fighting to make sure everyone has clean, healthy air and land. Which is why we’re calling for a ban on all thermal coal exports.”

QUOTES:

"This is exactly the kind of initiative we need to see at this point in the federal mandate. Ecojustice applauds MP Laurel Collins for kicking off the legislative process for a proposed law that, once in force, would ban the export of thermal coal from Canada. The government has been painstakingly slow to move on their promise to ban thermal coal exports by or before 2030. Coal has no place in a world serious about tackling the climate crisis. All pathways to 1.5 Celsius see its use rapidly declining in this decade. There is no time to waste." - Melanie Snow, Legislative Affairs Specialist at Ecojustice