Climate Change & the Environment
Our Government’s Work on
Climate Change and the Environment
Since being elected in 2015, I have been firmly committed to climate action. These are highlights of the policies, programs, and investments we’ve made and developed since 2015.
Our Liberal government knows that Canadians care about combating climate change and conserving our environment for future generations. That is why we’ve taken bold action to reduce emissions, invest in clean technology, promote green infrastructure and protect our oceans.
Download our report, or read more here about how our plan is working for Canadians.
Reducing
Emissions
Setting ambitious GHG emission reductions targets and developing a clear plan to achieve them is a key part of our plan to take on climate change.
Our ambitious 2030 targets are to reduce our carbon output to a point of 30% below 2005 levels. In 2015, annual emissions were climbing quickly and Canada produced 815 megatonnes of emissions that year – by 2030, we will drop to 523 megatonnes. We reduced our projected emissions for 2030 by an additional 21 million tonnes.
How are we doing this?
- Reductions as a result of regulations introduced in November 2016 (HFC’s, heavy duty vehicles, targeted decrease in methane emissions by 40-45% by 2025);
- Reductions through changes of electricity use (targets to have 90% of Canada’s electricity coming from non-emitting sources by 2030) – we’ve accelerated the phase out of coal power, and with its removal by 2030, the equivalent will
have been that of removing 1.3 million cars from the road; - Reductions from additional measures such as public transit and green infrastructure, technology and innovation, and stored carbon.
Putting forward a
National Price on Carbon
We’ve put a nationwide price on pollution. It’s worked incredibly well here in BC for the last ten years.
A transparent national price on carbon allows individual consumers and businesses to price the rising cost of pollution into their everyday decision making. This provides a powerful economic incentive for individuals to invest in driving Canada towards a low carbon future. A family may purchase an electric vehicle sooner than they would have otherwise, and a business might invest in more energy efficient equipment for their factory. This will be such a positive step forward in our fight against climate change.
Moving Towards a Renewable Energy Future
A huge part of protecting our environment is taking the necessary steps to invest in renewable energy.
Not only that, but it gives us the opportunity to establish ourselves as global leaders in one of the fastest growing industries in the world. Since the moment we were elected in 2015, we made it a top priority to research, seek out, and form relationships with the clean technology and renewable energy leaders across Canada. We have since made it our mission to actively invest in their growth so that we can make immediate gains in moving towards a low carbon future. Plain and simple, here in Canada, we are making rapid advancements in renewable energy.
Some of the specific investments include:
- $2.2 billion, on a cash basis, to support clean technology research, development, demonstration and adoption – as well as to accelerate the growth of clean technology companies.
- $1.4 billion in new financing through the Innovation and Skills Plan to support capital growth and project financing in the clean technology sector.
- $700 million through the Business Development Bank of Canada (BDC) over the next five years to support the growth of Canada’s clean technology sector.
- $200 million over four years for the Natural Resources, Agriculture, Fisheries and Oceans departments to invest in various stage clean technologies being developed by industry, academia and federal labs.
- $400 million over five years to recapitalize the Sustainable Development Tech Fund to support clean tech projects across Canada.
- $100 million per year from the Regional Development Agencies to support clean technology, representing a doubling of the existing annual aggregate support.
- $82.5 million to support research, development, and demonstration of clean energy technologies with the greatest potential to reduce GHG emissions.
- $50 million to invest in technologies that will reduce GHG emissions from the oil and gas sector.
- $16 million to create 1,200 green jobs for Canadian Youth in the STEM fields (science, technology, engineering, and math)
We need your help so we can continue protecting the environment and fighting climate change.
If you agree with the steps we’re taking to put a price on pollution, reduce harmful emissions, and move towards a low-carbon economy, you can show your support by volunteering on our campaign, putting a sign on your lawn during the election, or making a donation
There are always fun and engaging ways to get involved. Join the hundreds of other friends and neighbours in our community who have come together to take part in positive politics.
Your donations ensure we have the resources we need to be successful in the next election. Your support allows us to invest in new campaign tools, host townhalls, empower volunteers, and better engage our community. Thank you for your generosity!
Show your support for Team Terry and Positive Politics in Burnaby North – Seymour. Take a lawn sign, a sign for your apartment window, or a sign for your business in the next election.