Throne Speech Reiterates Canada's Commitment to Climate Action

In his first throne speech, the newly elected Canadian prime minister Justin Trudeau reiterated his campaign promises, including his government's commitment to combating climate change. Last month when Trudeau shared his mandate letters he indicated that he would provide more details in this throne speech. The speech outlined the PMO's priorities for the coming session of parliament, it referred to an approach that was, "smart, and caring—on a scale as never before." While the speech confirms that Trudeau is serious about fulfilling his campaign promises, it did not offer much detail.

Canadian PM and Provinces Unified for COP21

On Monday November 23 Canadian premiers met with the Prime Minister to discuss a national strategy on climate change ahead of COP21. Provincial leaders will be attending the December climate talks alongside the Prime Minister. Although emissions reduction is a provincial prerogative, Ottawa will provide powerful incentives to the provinces for their emissions reduction achievements.

Trudeau has repeatedly stated that his government is prepared to ensure that Canada does it part to contain climate change.Trudeau has been making good on his commitments to advance climate action. At the meetings of the G20 and APEC last week Trudeau encouraged members to engage the struggle against global warming. Now the meeting with Canadian premieres prepares the way for Canada to play a constructive role at the forthcoming UN sponsored climate negotiations.

What Canadian Provinces are Doing to Combat Climate Change

Climate action is largely a provincial matter in Canada. This is the view of both the former Conservative government and the newly elected Liberals. This means that provincial and territorial climate plans are crucially important to Canada's collective effort.

Alberta

The newly elected premiere of Alberta is Rachel Notley. Alberta generates 249.3 Mt CO2 per year representing 35.7 percent of Canada's greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Notley has announced sweeping reforms to the province's energy sector that are intended to balance the economic concerns with climate concerns. The plan includes an economy-wide price on carbon, the phase out of coal, methane reductions l and a commitment to renewables and energy efficiency. The goal is to derive nearly one-third of the province's power from renewables by 2030. The plan also includes a 100-megatonne cap on carbon emissions from the tar sands (it currently emits 70 megatonnes annually).

Alberta's New Climate Plan is a Quantum Leap Forward

The new NDP government in Alberta led by Premier Rachel Notley has announced sweeping reforms to the province's energy sector that are intended to balance the economic concerns with climate concerns. The plan includes an economy-wide price on carbon, the phase out of coal and a commitment to renewables and energy efficiency.

Saskatchewan to Get Half of its Energy from Renewables

Last week Brad Wall the premiere of Saskatchewan announced that his province will get half of its energy from renewables by 2030. This includes a combination of wind, solar and geothermal energy. To achieve this goal the province will have to double its renewable energy production. Saskatchewan currently gets 25 percent of its power from renewable sources, mostly wind and hydro.

This is welcome news from a province that has been repeatedly identified as a climate laggard. In a 2014 report titled "Tracking the Energy Revolution" from the climate think tank, Clean Energy Canada, Saskatchewan was singled out as one of the worst provinces in Canada in terms of its renewable energy efforts.

New Liberal PM's Mandate Letter to the Minister of the Environment and Climate Change

Canada's new Liberal Prime Minister Justin Trudeau released 30 ministerial mandate letters on Friday November, 13th. In these public letters Trudeau gave instructions to his various ministers including the minister of the environment, Catherine McKenna.

Canada's New Minister of Environment and Climate Change is Already at Work

Catherine McKenna is not only Canada's new environment minister she is also the minister of climate change. This is the first time in Canadian history that the environment minister title also includes climate change. McKenna is an international lawyer with a background in trade law who is eminently qualified for the job.

Keystone XL is Rejected Energy East to Follow

TransCanada's tar sands pipelines are being thwarted at every turn. US President Barack Obama has officially rejected the Keystone XL and the new Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to cancel the Energy East.

The Liberals Must Deliver on their Environmental and Climate Promises after 10 Years of Conservative Rule

It won't be easy but the newly elected Liberal party has promised that its government will deliver radical change on climate and the environment. Soon after the Liberals won a majority in parliament, Justin Trudeau, the new Canadian Prime Minister went to work put together his cabinet. He has the most diverse cabinet in Canadian history and they may also be the most competent. This includes experienced politicians like Stephane Dion.

Climate Welcome and Gifts for Canada's New Prime Minister

From November 5th – 8th, Canadians will be welcoming Justin Trudeau the new Prime Minister of Canada. This welcome calls for climate action including freezing the tar sands and accelerating a transition to a clean energy economy. The ‘Welcoming Committee’ will convene outside the Prime Minister’s residence at 24 Sussex Drive in Ottawa to remind him that the people expect leadership on climate change. Canadians will deliver a series of "gifts" to the new Prime Minister

On Thursday November 5th, the PM will be provided with scientific reports explaining why we must keep tar sands under the ground (Canada will need to leave 85 percent of the tar sands in the ground if the country is to meet its global climate obligations). There will also be a "basket of broken treaties" and documentation of the hundreds of violations of Indigenous rights associated with the tar sands.

Dion to Lead Canada's New Environment, Climate Change and Energy Cabinet Committee

The inclusion of Stephane Dion to head a new cabinet committee indicates that climate action is more than just an empty campaign promise for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and the Liberal Party. Canada's new environment, climate change and energy committee signals a radical shift in Canadian politics. The inclusion of energy in the committee's title speaks to the interrelationship between energy, climate,  the environment and energy. It definitively puts an end to Conservative rule defined by the fossil fuel powered leadership of Stephen Harper. It is also a repudiation of a decade of failed climate leadership.

Canada's New Government and Hopes for Climate Action

On October 19th 2015 Canadians rejected the Conservative's corrupt fossil fuel pipedream and voted for change. The Liberal party of Canada led by Justin Trudeau now has a solid majority in the Canadian parliament and a solid mandate to alter the nation's direction. A new day has dawned in Canada but to realize the promise of a cleaner future we need to see concrete climate actions.

Canadians have successfully ousted the climate averse Conservatives but now the real work begins. During the debates leading up to the election Trudeau criticized outgoing Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his Conservative party for having done nothing to address climate change during their 10 years in office. Now, the Liberals must prove that this critique was more than just campaign rhetoric. They must use their mandate to steward a new course and move beyond the 19th century energy obsession of their predecessors.

The New Liberal Government's Climate and Energy Promises

To live up to their campaign promises to do our share to keep temperatures below the 2 degree Celsius upper threshold limit, the Liberals will have to get serious about climate action, particularly as far as Canada's energy infrastructure is concerned. To quickly reduce emissions we will need to see the Liberals put a price on carbon, manage the tar sands, kill pipeline projects and contribute to adaptation finance.

The Liberals have promised to establish a new climate change framework by February 2016 that includes phasing out of fossil fuel subsidies as well as investment in climate resilience, clean technology and low-carbon infrastructure. The party has also promised to put $2 billion into emissions-reducing projects through a new Low Carbon Economy Trust.

Video - Stop the Energy East Pipeline

TransCanada is moving forward with the Energy East pipeline, one of the largest pipeline projects ever conceived. In addition to causing massive amounts of greenhouse gases, the plan imperils Canadian waterways. Find out more by clicking the links below.

Environmental Leaders Comment on the Energy East Pipeline

Environmental organizations in Canada and the United States, First Nations and community organizers are resolute in their opposition to TransCanada's Energy East pipeline. Here are some of the comments made by their leaders.

Cities In Ontario and Quebec Opposing Energy East

 Municipalities situated near the proposed corridor are opposing the Energy East Pipeline. Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper and his minions at the National Energy Board (NEB) have been doing everything they can to fast track tar sands development. This includes preventing communities from contributing to the review.

The only exception is the Northern Ontario town of Mattawa which signed what amounts to a gag order in 2012. TransCanada Corp, the builders of the Energy East pipeline, gave the town of Mattawa a $30,000 rescue vehicle on the condition that they take a vow of silence.

One of the clauses in the agreement reads as follows:

Environmental Action Opposing the Energy East Pipeline

People from across the continent were already actively engaged in protest even before the application for the Energy East pipeline was submitted by TransCanada on October 30th. According to the National Energy Board's (NEB) rules there will be a 15 month period for review.

Canadian Prime Minister Stephen Harper has excluded climate science and communities from contributing to the pipeline review process in an effort to fast track tar sands development. However, this has only emboldened opposition to the pipeline. When the NEB announced that it will not consider the climate impacts or community voices in its assessment more than 50,000 people sent letters of protest.

The Energy East Pipedream

If it is built the Energy East pipeline would be the largest fossil fuel pipeline in North America. This monster pipeline would snake 4,000 km from terminals at Hardisty, Alta. and Moosomin, Sask. to refineries in Montreal, the Quebec City region and Saint John, N.B. In addition to posing local risks to drinking water, ecosystems and toursim Energy East would spur further tar sands development and lead to a major increase in greenhouse gas emissions.

Halloween Campaign Opposing the Energy East Pipeline

The Energy East pipeline is a climate nightmare. A Halloween campaign from 350.org is protesting the pipeline project. As they explain, "climate change is scary -- and so is the largest tar sands pipeline ever proposed. What's even scarier is that this monster of a tar sands pipeline, TransCanada's Energy East project, wont receive a climate review."

If it is allowed to go forward, it will have a climate impact equivalent to over 7 million cars. That is why 350.org is shining a light on the Energy East climate nightmare this Halloween.

This Halloween, 350.org is encouraging people to carve "#NoEnergyEast Jack-O-Lanterns." They suggest that people deliver these pumpkins to their local elected offical's office or home.

Quebecers Protest Energy East Pipeline and Terminal

On October 11, People came together to protest against TransCanada's proposed Energy East pipeline and the international oil port that they want to build in Cacouna, near Rivière-du-Loup, Quebec. This was the largest protest ever staged in Cacouna. There were more than 2000 people present for the protest which is more than the entire population of the small village.