Québec City, November 16, 2020 – Quebec’s climate change action plan has been updated, but Équiterre is deeply concerned about the lack of binding tools to achieve the necessary results for Quebec to do its fair share to fight this existential threat.
"Today, the government presented us with a new tool, more ambitious than the previous one, to fight climate change and to improve the resilience of our province. However, this tool alone does not respond to the magnitude of the challenges posed by the climate emergency," says Marc-André Viau, Director of Government Relations at Équiterre.
"To face this unprecedented crisis, the greatest threat to our economy, our health and our agricultural production, there must be a concerted effort by the entire government, with a comprehensive and ambitious strategy. If other ministries are not consistent with the orientations of the green economy plan, it will be of little use. We will not achieve our goals by expanding highways or focusing on natural gas for regional economic development," adds Marc-André Viau.
Where are the ecofiscal measures to encourage change?
Équiterre has demonstrated that the majority of Quebecers are in favour of a feebate system to accelerate the transition to electric vehicles. A feebate is a powerful ecofiscal measure and an effective way to transform consumer habits, and it is disappointing that the government has left it aside. We believe that a feebate system must be inserted into a revised plan, as recommended by members of the electrification working group for this green economy plan.
We must listen to our youth
"Our youth have made it clear that they will not accept half measures when it comes to their future. They do not want to live in a world of successive disasters and mourning. Our climate plan must be much more holistic than an economic investment plan. We must propose a societal transformation in which everyone is involved and feels compelled to act," says Colleen Thorpe, Équiterre’s Executive Director.
“The environmental transition is a constantly evolving strategy. Civil society will continue to contribute to the discussions to improve the plan and we encourage the government to be courageous, consistent and ambitious," concludes Colleen Thorpe.
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For more information:
Anthony Côté Leduc, Media Relations
514-605-2000
acoteleduc@equiterre.org
