Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the premiers have launched a re-branding campaign aimed at transforming Canada’s image on the world stage from environmental pariah to climate change champion.
The first ministers ended their first formal meeting in nearly seven years professing a united front as they prepare for next week’s opening of a United Nations climate summit in Paris.
Trudeau says Canada must show it’s serious about climate change.
As expected, the meeting didn’t produce a new national target for reducing emissions.
The gathering was aimed more at demonstrating a new tone in the run-up to the Paris summit. The first ministers applauded Alberta premier Rachel Notley for unveiling a climate strategy on Sunday that includes a hard cap on greenhouse gas emissions from the oilsands, which have become a symbol of Canada’s alleged environmental neglect.
Notley’s plan also includes the imposition of a carbon tax and the phasing out of coal-fired power plants.
Quebec already has a cap and trade program that puts a price on carbon emissions in an effort to reduce greenhouse gases, which Ontario plans to implement as well.
Ontario will announce its long-term climate change strategy later today.
Environment Minister Glen Murray says the province plans to achieve an 80-percent reduction in emissions over 1990 levels by 2050, with a 15-percent reduction by 2020.
