“Canada needs leadership from the federal government to effectively address the climate crisis… The provinces and territories are ready. The Prime Minister is missing in action.”
(OTTAWA) – Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and Member of Parliament for Saanich – Gulf Islands, issued the following statement on the bi-annual Council of the Federation Meeting between Canada’s Premiers today:
"I commend our Premiers for making climate action a top item on today's agenda. Canada needs leadership from the federal government to effectively address the climate crisis. In Lima, Peru, at last month's climate talks, Harper's policies made Canada irrelevant and unhelpful. The presence of the environment ministers from B.C., Ontario, and Quebec, who spoke about provincial and territorial climate action, showed the world that most Canadians want us to fulfill our international obligations to reduce emissions.
“We need a national energy strategy and a climate plan. This must involve a national carbon-pricing system complimented by provincial and territorial plans, policies to promote the rapid uptake of clean tech and green energy, and a massive overhaul of infrastructure and buildings to improve energy efficiency. Stephen Harper is blocking these changes by snubbing the Premiers and ignoring the climate crisis.
“The provinces and territories are ready. The Prime Minister is missing in action.”
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
[email protected]
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Background Information
The Council of the Federation comprises all 13 provincial and territorial Premiers. It enables Premiers to work collaboratively, form closer ties, foster constructive relationships between governments, and show leadership on important issues that matter to Canadians.