(Montreal) Quebec solidaire promises to invest $36 billion in a first mandate to go green, including $29 billion in public transit. Creation of Quebec Rail and Quebec bus to provide transportation throughout Quebec, but 15% surcharge on polluting vehicles and ban on gasoline vehicles in 2040, with its climate plan, the party wants to shake up the habits of Quebecers to accelerate the fight to climate change. Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois is now asking voters to support him for the “last chance mandate”.
Posted at 12:07 p.m.
“The science is clear. It’s in the next 10 years that it will make or break. This is the decade of the last chance. The next term is the last chance term. We have to start now, 2026 will be too late, ”launched the parliamentary leader of the party during the presentation of his climate plan to the media on Sunday.
To strengthen the credibility of its plan, which aims to reduce GHG emissions by 55% in 2030 compared to 1990, Québec solidaire had its plan certified by eight independent experts, in particular François Delorme, from the University of Sherbrooke, a former collaborator of the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) and Damon Matthews, from Concordia University, an IPCC associate expert. It is “the most credible scientific body in the world on climate change,” said Mr. Nadeau-Dubois.
“Our house is burning. The question we are going to ask ourselves on October 3 is who we trust to put out the fire. My question for voters is “do you trust François Legault to take care of the environment?” I don’t trust […] “, denounced Mr. Nadeau-Dubois.
The party also had its “Vision 2030” modeled by the firm Esmia Consultants, in collaboration with Dunsky Energy+Climate, who have already delivered similar modeling to the Government of Quebec. Part of the emissions are not accounted for by this modeling, and its calculated in two other categories, “nature-based solutions” and “dynamic effects on demand”. The individual measures are not encrypted, a hazard of the Esmia model, replies the party. Here is a seven-point overview of the climate plan.
Transportation
PHOTO DENIS GERMAIN, THE PRESS
To strengthen the credibility of its plan, which aims to reduce GHG emissions by 55% in 2030 compared to 1990, Québec solidaire had its plan certified by eight independent experts.
Québec solidaire will bring forward the ban on the sale of gas-powered cars to 2030 and will prohibit the registration of gas-powered vehicles from 2040. It will set up a bonus-malus program which will have the effect of introducing a 15% tax for polluting vehicles from 2023 to 2030, which generally includes pickup trucks, minivans, and SUVs, with an exemption for families of 5 or more. It will finance subsidies for electric cars. In return, QS will put in place a recovery program for “minounes”, and give in exchange a credit for the purchase of an electric vehicle or a 12-month public transport pass.
Another big piece, the transport plan of Quebec solidaire, which will be presented in detail later in the campaign. But QS would create Quebec Rail and Quebec bus whose mission would be to connect all the cities of Quebec, electrification of taxis (100% in 2030), creation of a car-sharing and bike-sharing fleet. The party would also require employers with 50 or more employees to have a staff movement management plan and a reduction target. He also wants to put a stop to charter flights and private jets. “Guy Laliberté, he will calm down a bit,” said Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois.
Industrial sector
The carbon market will be adjusted to the new target of -55%. Companies that do not comply will be hit with a tax of $100 per tonne, which will rise to $205 per tonne in 2030. “When electric or clean solutions exist, companies will have to replace their polluting processes and uses with those here, ”says the party.
Governance
Adoption of a carbon budget, which will be tabled at the same time as the Quebec budget. If the reduction targets are not reached, the Quebec government will have a legal obligation to publish a catch-up strategy like the Balanced Budget Act. The evaluation of public policies according to their ecological impact. The ecological transition file will be under the direct responsibility of the Prime Minister in the ecological transition file.
Buildings
Prohibition from 2024 of the installation or replacement or repair (to extend the lifespan) of any heating equipment running on fossil fuels, and prohibition of the use of fuel oil in buildings in 2030, and of natural gas in 2035. Overhaul of the building code in 2024 to encourage the use of wood, which captures carbon.
Agriculture
Shift to organic farming, reduction in the use of pesticides and chemical fertilizers, local purchasing policy for food and use of agricultural land to capture carbon. Québec solidaire also proposes to set up systems for the recovery and recovery of methane, a gas that is much more polluting than carbon dioxide.
Waste
Reduction of the distances traveled for burying waste, and reduction of the volume of waste generated with a law against food waste. Prohibition of the burial of organic matter.
Natural solutions
Protection of natural environments up to 30% in 2030, protection of agricultural land and creation of a fund of 1% of Quebec investments in infrastructure to finance green infrastructure.