Liberals fail to act on climate change commitments

OTTAWA – In five reports released today, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development found the Liberal government has failed to take necessary action to reduce greenhouse gas emissions or deal with the impacts of climate change.

“As we have always said, this government is all talk and no action when it comes to action on climate change. Today, the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development confirms that,” said Linda Duncan, the NDP Environment Critic. “The Liberals adopted Stephen Harper’s weak targets and now it’s clear that they will fail to meet the 2020 targets, yet alone the 2030 targets.”

In the reports, the Commissioner found that we are 219 megatons away from meeting our Paris Agreement obligations. Since 1992, greenhouse gas emissions have actually increased by 15%; and Environment Canada has failed to develop mechanisms to measure, monitor and publicly report on emissions. Fourteen of nineteen audited departments and agencies, including Environment Canada and Climate Change, failed to assess climate change risks or deliver a plan of action.

“The commissioner's report confirms what we have been saying for weeks and months, that GHG reduction targets are not aligned with the targets set, and worse, they will not be achieved. Decidedly Liberals and Conservatives are one and the same,” added Robert Aubin, the NDP Deputy Environment Critic. “There is still nothing concrete from this government to eliminate inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. Their ad hoc approach to climate change is simply not working.”