LETTER

 

------  The Climate Accountability Act?

 

The Liberal government (federal) declared a climate emergency in June of 2019. Now, 18 months later, it has tabled the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act.  As part of an emergency response this Bill is beyond comprehension. Canada has never met (nor set) a climate target over the last three decades.

Although Bill C-12 requires the Minister of the Environment to set five-year emissions reductions targets, starting in 2030, to reach net-zero emissions by 2050 and to develop plans for meeting each goal, it does not even have to report on emission reductions (let alone do anything) -- until 2030! Where is the accountability?  And what are the penalties for a government that does not reach its target? Nothing.  All that is required is to explain why it failed.

0ur leaders say they get the climate crisis, but then fail to practice the politics that line up with what the science says we must do. Rather than showing the political courage to draft a bill with teeth and climate ambition, the Liberals have left it to the public and the environmental community to propose much needed changes to the legislation.

To get to Net-Zero 2050, Canada needs an accelerated pace of transition away from fossil fuels.  Bill C-12 fails to deliver.

Natty Urquizo

Gatineau / Hull