The Mayor of Montreal, Valérie Plante, will propose a declaration so that the City signs the Treaty on the Non-Proliferation of Fossil Fuels. A “symbolic” measure, the main purpose of which is to encourage the government to do more.
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“It’s obvious that here, in Montreal, we don’t exploit. That being said, I think it’s a symbolic but important gesture,” admitted Mayor Plante.
She nevertheless believes that the possible signing of the treaty will send a “clear” message on the importance of the environment and the fight against climate change. This, while 86% of greenhouse gases come from fossil fuels.
So far, 43 cities have signed the Treaty, including Toronto, Los Angeles, Barcelona and Paris. In March 2021, some 2,000 scientists united their voices to propose this initiative, with the aim of having a global plan and putting pressure on governments.
The declaration of the City of Montreal will first have to be voted on Monday afternoon during the meeting of the municipal council. However, this is a formality, while Ms. Plante’s party holds the majority.
“It is important to send a message and that we come together to tell all governments how we want the ecological transition to be carried out as quickly and as seriously as possible,” reiterated Ms.me Plant.
She hopes that Montreal’s gesture will encourage other municipalities to follow the example and push the government to do more.
In addition, the City will organize a climate summit on May 3 to reflect on concrete actions for the environment. An event that the Plante administration wishes to see return on an annual basis.
On the side of the official opposition, we judge that the gesture is “good”, but insufficient.
“The mayor makes a lot of requests to other levels of government, but when it comes to what is happening here, such as the recycling crisis or soil decontamination, there is no progress,” recalled Stéphanie Valenzuela, municipal councilor for Ensemble Montréal.