New Democrats call for a redesign of the 2 billion trees program to meet climate targets

Following Thursday’s report from the Environment Commissioner, NDP Environment Critic Laurel Collins made this statement:

“The climate emergency, and biodiversity crisis threatens everything that Canadians hold near and dear. It threatens our homes, our communities, our loved ones, and jobs. That’s why people expect their government to do everything possible to reduce greenhouse emissions and protect wildlife.

But, yet again, the Liberal environment and natural resources ministers are failing Canadians by breaking their promises and not taking this crisis seriously.

They’re nowhere near meeting their targets to plant two billion trees to help reduce emissions. They’ve dropped the ball on their commitments to protecting vital species – with only having completed one of the 399 required progress reports on endangered species. And, Canada is not on track to meet the 2030 emission targets.

Canadians can’t wait any longer for the Liberals to actually do what they say they’re going to do. New Democrats are urging Minister Guilbeault and his Liberal colleagues to immediately redesign the 2 Billion Trees program to meet climate targets and restore wildlife habitats, and to use all their powers to protect wildlife and meet emission targets. It’s past time that this government be working to protect people and our planet.”