Around twenty organizations are asking federal political parties to commit to respecting Quebec’s environmental achievements, as part of the development of their political platform.
On the eve of possible federal elections, the Vire au vert coalition is asking federal parties to make known their position on Quebec’s environmental achievements.
Pricing pollution through the carbon market, adoption of a standard on zero-emission vehicles, adherence to the objectives of the Paris Agreement, compliance with pesticide reduction targets in agriculture, the ban on hydrocarbon production in Quebec are some of the examples of achievements that appear in the “Quebec Environmental Consensus”, which was sent to the different political parties a few days ago.
This consensus “allows us to draw the line” to determine the political promises that “will be credible”, in “other words, what we are putting forward today is common environmental sense”. said Marc-André Viau, director of government relations for Équiterre, during a press conference in Montreal.
“These are achievements on which we are building the future, achievements based on common sense,” argued Maggie Harvey, of Trajectoire Québec, which promotes citizens’ rights in matters of public transport.
“Common sense”, but not just for conservatives
The spokesperson for the Quebec Association of Physicians for the Environment, Patricia Clermont, added that the coalition wanted to see policy proposals oriented toward environmental protection, because protecting the environment helps protect human health.
“It’s a matter of common sense,” she said.
Although the three spokespeople used Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre’s slogan during the press conference, they in no way indicated that their approach was aimed at the party that maintains that carbon pricing will cause “starvation.” and “a nuclear winter”.
Asked whether he feared that a Conservative victory in the next election would constitute a setback for environmental protection, Marc-André Viau offered a cautious response.
“The current government bought a pipeline that cost us $35 billion, so setbacks, or lack of progress, we see on a daily basis,” so “no matter which government is in power, we are working to ensure that it improves the environmental situation, instead of contributing to its degradation.”
Alluding to Pierre Poilievre’s party, the director of government relations for Équiterre added “that apart from a sweater with a slogan on it, we don’t have much to eat,” hence the The importance, according to him, of political parties detailing their proposals.
A letter asking them to take a position was sent to the parties and the coalition “expects a rapid response” from them.
Among the other achievements that appear in the “Quebec Environmental Consensus”, there is the Quebec law against planned obsolescence, the ban by several municipalities on disposable plastic products, adherence to the Kunming-Montreal Accord on biodiversity (which comes from COP15), and the law on the conservation of wetlands and water environments, in particular.
The Go Green coalition brings together the Quebec Association of Physicians for the Environment, Living in the City, the David Suzuki Foundation, Équiterre, Eau rescue, the Coalition for Quebec to Look Better, Youth Environment, Sustainable Transport Access, the Center of urban ecology, the Rivières Foundation, the FCQGED, the Student Climate Action Front, Greenpeace, Mothers at the Front, Nature Quebec, Pedestrians Quebec, Climatic Reality Canada, RNCREQ, Trajectoire, Vigilance OGM, as well as Vélo Québec.