Why the Environment is an Election Priority

As students prepare to head back to school, candidates are also getting ready to take their final exam: earning the opportunity to represent their fellow citizens in Quebec’s National Assembly.

In recent months, we have often heard that the environment is no longer a priority. Economic anxiety fuelled by the U.S. trade war understandably weighs heavily on the minds of both citizens and political leaders. But after yet another summer of wildfires, floods and landslides—here and elsewhere—the next government cannot afford to ignore the environmental challenges facing Quebec.

If we are serious about addressing the cost-of-living crisis and building a Quebec where people can thrive, we must also tackle the climate crisis.

Planning and protecting our territory

By valuing our land, using our resources sustainably, and doing a better job of repairing and maintaining existing infrastructure, Quebec can strengthen its resilience and security while protecting both its economy and its environment.

Addressing the housing crisis—another unavoidable challenge—will require building more homes in areas that are already urbanized and putting an end to encroachment on natural areas. To prevent this development from worsening congestion, however, we must improve active and public transportation options while maintaining and expanding existing networks.

As urban flooding caused by extreme rainfall becomes increasingly common, simply building larger sewers will not be enough. Our parks and streets must also become sponges capable of absorbing water. This will require rethinking how we design public spaces and, more broadly, how we plan our territory.

Quebec is also distinguished by its natural heritage and biodiversity. However, these assets must be better protected—particularly in the densely populated regions of southern Quebec—while ensuring greater public access for everyone. These spaces help reduce urban heat islands and provide cool refuges during heat waves.

Finally, in the face of threats from the United States, let us eat more of what we grow here and protect our farmland from excessive residential and industrial development. Google data centres built on farmland in Beauharnois will not feed Quebec families. We must protect agricultural land and soil, reduce pesticide and fertilizer use, and serve more healthy, locally produced food in early childhood centres, hospitals and long-term care facilities to improve our health and strengthen our food sovereignty.

Using our resources wisely

Quebec is rich in water, forests, minerals and hydroelectricity. Yet these resources are threatened by climate change, overexploitation and a development strategy that is sometimes poorly defined. Several municipalities are already experiencing water shortages and conflicts over its use. A public water-withdrawal registry would make it possible to monitor usage more effectively, anticipate needs and better manage periods of drought.

The extraction of critical and strategic minerals should also be accompanied by recovery, recycling and reuse requirements. Finally, the failure of the forest regime reform has solved nothing: our forests and the biodiversity they support are declining, weakened by climate change and industrial practices. Their future must once again become a central election issue—not only in terms of jobs and the economy.

Democracy requires care

Political parties must commit to strengthening transparency and accountability in the approval of major industrial and infrastructure projects. They should also guarantee respect for public consultation mechanisms, including assessments by the Bureau d’audiences publiques sur l’environnement (BAPE), and develop new forms of public participation.

The next government must strengthen—not weaken—Quebec’s environmental policies and regulations. We will not build a resilient Quebec by lowering project standards and attracting irresponsible companies.

The environment and the climate are not issues that can be postponed; they are already affecting our daily lives. More and more people understand that these issues directly affect their homes, insurance, transportation, health, safety, food costs, public finances and the quality of our institutions.

As the election approaches, political parties therefore have an exam to pass: they must demonstrate that they are capable of preparing Quebec for realities that are already shaping our daily lives.

Signatories members of Vire au vert:

• ^{André Bélanger, Executive Director, Fondation Rivières}
• ^{Alain Branchaud, Executive Director, SNAP Québec}
• ^{Sandrine Cabana-Degani, Executive Director, Piétons Québec}
• ^{Patricia Clermont, Lead, Association québécoise des médecins pour l’environnement (AQME)}
• ^{Marie-Soleil Gagné, Executive Director, Accès transports viables}
• ^{Alexandra Gilbert, Executive Director, Réseau plein air Québec}
• ^{Maggie Harvey, Executive Director, Trajectoire Québec}
• ^{Sabaa Khan, Quebec and Atlantic Canada Director General, David Suzuki Foundation}
• ^{Stéphanie Pelletier, Executive Director, Mères au front}
• ^{Rébecca Pétrin, Executive Director, Eau Secours}
• ^{Thibault Rehn, Executive Director, Vigilance OGM}
• ^{Jean-François Rheault, President and CEO, Vélo Québec}
• ^{Daniel Rotman, Executive Director, Équiterre}
• ^{Martin Vaillancourt, Executive Director, Regroupement national des conseils régionaux de l’environnement du Québec (RNCREQ)}
• ^{Nadine Viau, Operations and Strategy Coordinator, Front commun pour la transition énergétique (FCTÉ)}