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Canada needs a green economic recovery – and the Liberals need to act
Everything seems to be on hold this year, from vacations to weddings to careers. COVID-19 has impacted everyone’s plans in one way or another – including the Liberal government.
Though the Liberals were poised to present a $100-billion climate plan later this month, the initiative has since been shelved out of fear it would be viewed as the Liberals taking advantage of the pandemic to further their agenda.
But while it seems Canada is putting plans for a green recovery on the back burner, the devastating effects of climate change are already here. Last month, Americans learned what a derecho was as one of the fast-moving, straight-line windstorms swept across the Midwest. As of Friday, the U.S. National Hurricane Center ran out of names for this year’s Atlantic hurricane season.
And the wildfires currently raging in the American West have sent smoke as far adrift as Ontario and caused migratory birds to die in mid-air.
A lot of things may be on hold during the pandemic, but it’s clear the fight against climate change can’t stop. That's why we're asking you to subscribe to Canada's National Observer, because every dollar boosts our capacity to report on this urgent issue.
As Canada recovers from the initial effects of the pandemic, the opportunity to build a cleaner, greener economy will require smart planning and bold action on the part of governments. That means rethinking previous plans, such as fossil fuel spending and the viability of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, and exploring new ones that stitch together an array of climate action and economic revitalization efforts, ensuring Canada’s economic recovery is both green and inclusive.
A few of those plans are already under way. On Thursday, the federal government launched a $200-million fund aimed at investing in community-based projects to reduce emissions. But there is much still to be done to create a sustainable economic recovery plan for Canada – and time is running out.
Subscribe today for more climate reporting starting at $25/6 months, or just $4.17/month. Get unlimited access to Canada's National Observer today.
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