(OTTAWA) - The Green Party of Canada agrees with the G7 leaders’ original plan for a decarbonized economy by 2050.
“Stephen Harper wants us to believe that it is not possible to both reduce carbon emissions and create jobs, which is categorically false. We have seen from Norway, Sweden, Denmark, and Germany that it is possible,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada and MP (Saanich - Gulf Islands). “Canada can start its transition to a healthy low-carbon economy by retrofitting buildings and homes to prevent heat loss and improve energy efficiency. We can create thousands of long-term and sustainable jobs while defending our environment and we can start now,”
Bruce Hyer, Deputy Leader of the Green Party of Canada and MP (Thunder Bay – Superior North), continued: “The international community wants to move towards a completely decarbonized economy by 2050, and the Green Party supports this goal. Climate change is disrupting national economies and ecologies, but there is a growing recognition that affordable, scalable solutions are available now. Smart economies are green economies, which is why it is deplorable that Stephen Harper undermined the G7’s goal by delaying action until 2100, so he can continue to commit Canada to a fossil fuel economy.”
G7 Leaders released a statement at the Summit in Germany, calling for deep cuts in global emissions by 2050, and a completely decarbonized economy by 2100. Canada and Japan blocked attempts by other G7 leaders to commit to a decarbonized economy by 2050.
Claire Martin, Green Party Climate Change Critic and candidate (North Vancouver), concluded: “I welcome Mr. Harper's commitment to agree with the G7 statement on climate - however, as a scientist, I must question the lack of hard numbers assigned by Canada as to how we as a country, will transition off fossil fuels, defend our economy, and follow the agreement. There are still no binding greenhouse gas reduction targets from Canada. In May, Canada committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. I challenge Stephen Harper to tell Canadians his plan, so that we can put timely and measurable plans in place to make these targets realistic and meaningful.”
-30-
For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Julian Morelli
Director of Communications
Green Party of Canada
cell: (613) 614 4916
office: (613) 562 4916 (224)
julian.morelli@greenparty.ca