Senator Paul J. Massicotte

When Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change came to the Senate Chamber for Question Period on November 7, 2017 I asked her what message she plans to share at the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP23, given the rather discouraging findings regarding Canada’s commitments to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and its actions needed to respect the Paris agreement. I also asked if Canada will participate in the 2018 discussions among signatories provided for in the Paris agreement and increase its commitment. Her answer follows.

Hon. Paul J. Massicotte: Madam Minister, I will make the same comment as some of my colleagues. The fight against climate change has not yet been lost, but we are off to a bad start and time is of the essence.

According to an alarming report published by the UN last week, even if all the Paris signatories meet their targets, the earth’s temperature will rise by at least three degrees Celsius by 2100.

What is more, two years after the agreement was signed, the UN has said, and I quote:

There is a “catastrophic” gap between national pledges to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and the actions needed to respect the Paris agreement.

While countries like Brazil, China, India and Russia seem to be on track to achieve their 2030 goals with currently implemented policies, Canada — as well as most G7 countries — will not be able to meet its targets under its current policies. It’s become obvious that further and urgent action is required from Canada.

Madam Minister, the United Nations Climate Change Conference, COP23, began yesterday in Germany. I imagine that you are planning to go. What message will you share, given the rather discouraging findings regarding Canada’s commitments? Will Canada participate in the 2018 discussions among signatories provided for in the Paris agreement and increase its commitment?

Hon. Catherine McKenna, P.C., M.P., Minister of Environment and Climate Change: Thank you, Senator Massicotte. First, it must be said that the Paris agreement is a historic agreement. Before it was signed, there had never been an agreement in which every country in the world decided to work together. That is important, but it is not all. We also know that, even if every country meets their targets, we will not be able to keep the global average temperature increase to below two degrees Celsius. That is why the Paris agreement has a mechanism that allows every country to do more. That is what we are going to do.

I will definitely be in Germany. It is really important for Canada to play a leadership role at a time when the United States has indicated that they are backing out, that they will not support the Paris agreement. For our part, we will work with the American states, cities, and companies that know that we must all do our part to reduce our emissions.

I am also pleased that, together with the United Kingdom, with other countries, provinces, nations, and companies, we will be setting up an agreement to eliminate coal. We know this must be done. We will form an alliance that we will announce in Germany. We know that coal is not only very bad for health, but also a major source of greenhouse gas emissions. This alliance will make a big difference and I will do everything I can to establish Canadian leadership. I will be happy to be there with my counterparts from other parties and with aboriginal leaders from the provinces and territories. The U.S. administration may be backing out, but we are taking a stand and moving forward.