National Groups Call for Ambitious Implementation of Canada’s Climate Framework
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OTTAWA (September 14, 2017) - Today a group of national organizations issued an open letter to the Canadian government championing the swift and uncompromising implementation of the Pan-Canadian Framework on Climate Change and Clean Growth.
In the letter, signatories offer their assistance to the Canadian government on implementing specific elements of the Framework. Signatories emphasize the comprehensive and interconnected nature of the Framework, which requires that each of its pieces be carried forward with the utmost integrity so that Canada stays true to its climate commitments and moves forward with just economic transition.
Together, these organizations represent the diverse interests of millions of Canadians across the country, including workers, businesses, farmers, health professionals, people of faith, and civil society. Signatories include The United Church of Canada, the National Farmers Union, the Canadian Public Health Association, the Canadian Labour Congress, Canadian Business for Social Responsibility, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, and Climate Action Network Canada.
Quotes from signatories
“Canada is increasingly exerting strong international influence, as hosts of IPCC-46, co-organizers with China and the EU of a Ministerial on Paris Agreement implementation, and 2018 G7 President. With the world looking to Canada for climate leadership, we have to walk our talk at home and abroad by increasing international climate finance and maintaining the ambition of the Pan-Canadian Framework so that we close the gap to our current climate commitments and go beyond them to get closer to our fair share of the global effort. There is no room for backing down. That means maintaining high standards for equivalency agreements with provinces on issues like methane.“
- Catherine Abreu, Executive Director, Climate Action Network Canada | 902 412 8953 | catherineabreu@climateactionnetwork.ca
"Climate change is the single greatest challenge of our time and Canada's labour movement is ready to take it head on. Canada must be ambitious in tackling climate change. If we are to realize the good jobs potential of climate action, we must make sure the benefits are shared. We must commit to a just transition for workers and their communities as integral to our work to meet our climate commitments."
- Hassan Yussuff, President, Canadian Labour Congress | 613 850 1474 | tpeel@clc-ctc.ca
“As this summer has shown us, climate change poses a significant threat to the health, safety, and well-being of Canadians. The good news is that many of the actions needed to address climate change, such as the closure of coal plants and investments in public transit and active modes of transportation, will produce immediate health benefits for Canadians, while also mitigating climate change.”
- Kim Perrotta, Executive Director, Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment | 905 320 8710 | kim@cape.ca
"Many Canadian businesses including CBSR member companies are already innovating and establishing themselves as leaders in a low carbon economy. CBSR is releasing new practical tools to help many more companies align with the Pan-Canadian Framework. Maintaining a consistent national approach to managing greenhouse gas emissions sends a strong signal to the market and more certainty is good for business."
- Leor Rotchild, Executive Director, Canadian Business for Social Responsibility | 403 389 5367 | leor@cbsr.ca
“It is estimated that climate change already causes 400,000 deaths annually, while another 4.5 million deaths annually are linked to air pollution, hazardous occupations and cancer associated with our carbon-intensive energy system. The future of life on Earth cannot be taken for granted as our species has the capacity to influence that future – for good or ill. Armed with a new understanding of key principles, concepts and values, we can create a healthier, more just, more sustainable future.”
- Ian Culbert, Executive Director, Canadian Public Health Association | 613 894 2957 | iculbert@cpha.ca
“Farmers are among those most directly affected by climate instability. While many current practices contribute to GHG problems, we can become a bigger part of the solution. Canada needs to help farmers adapt to the reality of climate change impacts with measures that increase resiliency of farms while reducing farm and food system-wide emissions, providing fair livelihoods to farmers and a future for the next generation of farmers, and securing Canada’s ability to sustainably provide food for our residents and international customers.”
- Jan Slomp, National Farmers Union | 403 704 4364 | marian.jan@gmail.com
“Climate change remains the greatest moral challenge of our generation. As people of faith, working to mitigate climate change is one way we follow God's commandment to 'choose life' (Deut 30:15-20). The United Church therefore welcomes this opportunity to work together with other Canadians in calling for the robust implementation of the Pan-Canadian Climate Framework on Climate Change and Clean Growth.”
- Mardi Tindal, United Church of Canada | 647 989 4153 | cneufeldt@united-church.ca
The Pan-Canadian Framework on Climate Change and Clean Growth was released in December 2016. It is the first document of its kind that brings the federal government, most provincial and territorial governments, and all major sectors of our economy together on a shared path of climate action.
Media contact
Catherine Abreu
Executive Director, CAN-Rac Canada
(902) 412-8953
catherineabreu@climateactionnetwork.ca