FREDERICTON (GNB) – The provincial government welcomes the announcement made today by federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna with respect to the accelerated phase out of high-emission sources of electricity generation.
“The Trudeau government has a clear mandate to address climate change and we are proud partners with them,” said Environment and Local Government Minister Serge Rousselle. “We applaud them for including flexibility to provinces in today's announcement and welcome their willingness to make investments to assist provinces in meeting our shared goals.”
Unlike most provinces that burn coal for electricity, a majority of New Brunswick’s power comes from clean sources. About 70 per cent of New Brunswick electricity is generated from non-emitting sources compared to 20 per cent or less in Nova Scotia, Saskatchewan and Alberta.
“Each province is unique,” said Rousselle. “Today’s announcement shows that the Trudeau government understands the diversity of provinces and is prepared to work with each of us on a one-on-one basis.”
New Brunswick intends to release a climate change action plan in the coming weeks, around the time of the first ministers’ meeting on this subject. The plan will be informed by the report of the select committee on climate change.
21-11-16