What is the relationship between the national economy, and environmental protection? Some believe we need a strong economy to fight climate change, and therefore we need to grow our economy by building a pipeline to increase oil production boosting revenues and royalties.
With a Federal election on the horizon, the Trudeau Government is trying to have it both ways: cleaning up the environment in a fossil fuel driven economy. The government did announce a “Climate Emergency” and, on the same day, announced the go-ahead to build the Trans Mountain Pipeline extension.
It doesn’t seem to matter that by building the pipeline, Canada surely gives up on meeting its commitments under the Paris Climate Accord.
Trudeau is right in that we do need big investments in green technology which will cost billions, but is building a pipeline the best way to raise the money for it? In fact, renewable energy projects would boost the economy more because require new infrastructure, and far more workers than the fossil fuel industry currently provides: https://www.theguardian.com/
Here is the Liberal Government’s Pan Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change: https://www.canada.ca/en/
MORE ON THIS TOPIC
“Trudeau pushes green economic plan”: https://www.cbc.ca/news/
“But despite high demand for such expertise in the renewables sector, the transfer of skilled labour from fossil fuel sectors remains a trickle”: https://www.theguardian.com/
Team Trudeau is finding the balance: https://www.theglobeandmail.
The environment is Canada’s biggest wedge issue: https://www.economist.com/
QUESTIONS
If we are in a climate emergency, why is the government subsidizing the fossil fuel industry with $3.3 billion every year?
Why is Canada so far behind other developed nations in renewable infrastructure and renewable energy production?
[Your question here]
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