This is all that is most normal in our contemporary societies: once a crisis is over, we move on to another call. There are new issues to address. We tackle the most recent controversies to appease.
For a brief moment, the most resounding crisis in Quebec was that of air quality. Montreal, which finds itself number one in the ranking of cities with the worst air quality in the world, is shaking.
It was the sad consequence of another crisis. That caused by the forest fires which continue to wreak havoc in several sectors of the province.
But this crisis too will one day be behind us. We won’t complain. The earliest would be best. If the rain dance was effective, many of us would learn its steps.
The other side of the coin, however, is that we risk going on to another appeal. However, it would be wise – and responsible – to learn from what happened.
This is what prompted Québec solidaire to send a letter to the other leaders of the political parties of the National Assembly to propose, as soon as Parliament resumes, a meeting with the aim of planning a “transpartisan approach” on adapting to changes climatic.
The letter is written in the wake of the fires this summer, but also the floods last spring.
“Scientists have long warned us of the intensification and multiplication of these natural phenomena and many others (erosion of banks, heat waves, droughts, etc.) in the context of climate change. However, by the very admission of the authorities in place, Quebec was not ready to deal with it in the last few months, ”wrote the co-spokesperson of Quebec solidaire, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois.
It’s true. And the vulnerability of our territory and our infrastructures hits us in the face a little more each year.
We know that Quebec is far from investing – and innovating – up to the challenge of adapting to climate change.
Tangible proof is that the municipalities of Quebec have estimated (with the help of a two-part study by the firm WSP) that they would need to inject $2 billion a year to raise the challenge. And this until 2055.
This represents a (necessary) increase of approximately 12% of current municipal spending.
It would be unfair to say that we are watching the situation evolve, from Quebec, with folded arms. It’s true, the Prime Minister initially dismissed the municipalities’ request out of hand last fall.
But the government has since announced additional funds for adaptation to climate change.
Beyond investments, there are also some very concrete advances.
An example cited by several experts: managing the risk of the impact of climate change on flooding. The catastrophic episodes of 2017 and 2019 made things happen. We have made a lot of progress, particularly with respect to the mapping of flood zones.
But if we compare the distance we still have to go in terms of adaptation in all the sectors concerned to a marathon, we are still a long way from the finish line.
It is a rich idea to make it a transpartisan issue in Quebec. Moreover, it is not entirely new. Last year, before leaving politics, the PQ Sylvain Gaudreault had proposed the formation of a caucus of deputies from all parties to work on the fight against climate change1.
In recent years, we have seen the positive effect of cross-partisan work, particularly on the issue of medical assistance in dying or on that of sexual violence.
It is understandable. The subject then becomes a priority. Partisan struggles and politics take a back seat. All parties work together to find solutions, which is rare.
This is why, while Quebec is still grappling with historic forest fires, it is to be hoped that the idea of a transpartisan approach will prevail in the National Assembly as early as September on the issue of adaptation to climatic changes.
The challenge is so great, the issues so complex, the actions to be taken so urgent that it would be truly absurd to deprive ourselves of them.