FREDERICTON — New Brunswick citizens have been invited to comment online about how to build a smart climate plan for Canada and create jobs here at home, says the Conservation Council of New Brunswick.
Federal Minister and Environment and Climate Change Catherine McKenna used the eve of Earth Day 2016 to launch the public consultation on climate action. Tomorrow, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau will join 165 world leaders at the United Nations in New York to sign the Paris Climate Agreement. Public consultations will help federal and provincial-territorial governments working to finalize a Pan-Canadian climate plan by fall. Once the climate plan is agreed Canada is expected to ratify the Paris Agreement, an important step in making the agreement binding.
Minister McKenna launched the climate action web portal through Environment Canada. The website is an easy way for Canadians to tell their story of how they experience climate change today and how they want this problem solved. The portal is open to ideas about what individuals, families, organizations, communities, businesses and governments can and should do to reduce greenhouse gas pollution and adapt to climate change.
“Minister McKenna has given all of us a great challenge and a great opportunity. I know the people of New Brunswick, who care about developing sustainable jobs and reducing pollution, will flood the site with excellent ideas,” said Dr. Louise Comeau, CCNB’s Climate Change and Energy Solutions Program Director.
Contributions to the website will be reviewed by members of four federal-provincial/territorial working groups created in March 2016 to provide recommendations to the Prime Minister and Premiers on:
- how and where to reduce emissions
- ideas for new innovation, technology and job creation
- how to put a price on carbon
- preparing for the impacts of climate change
Canadians are encouraged to submit ideas online by June 1st, 2016 so they can be reviewed by working group members. The interactive website will also offer Canadians the tools they need to hold town hall meetings to engage their communities.
“If you are a solar or wind entrepreneur, if you are a young person just graduating from university and want to pursue exciting careers in the clean tech field, or are parents concerned about protecting the climate for your children, this is the time to speak out. I know the Prime Minister and our Premier will benefit from hearing from you,” said Comeau.
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