As new information comes out on the speed of global warming, many countries are stepping up climate targets to reach them earlier and cut emissions further. Canada has been criticized for lack-lustre progress on modest climate targets. Late last year the federal government tabled a new climate plan with legislation to make the government accountable for meeting targets.

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Unfortunately, many clauses in Bill C-12 weaken the intent of legislating firm targets.

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Here is sample wording to create a letter to Ottawa. Copy, paste, and send!  (Links below HOW TO Send)

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To Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and Minister of Environment and Climate Change Jonathan Wilkinson:

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Begin by using your own words.

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• Personal letters are much more powerful than form letters.

• Keep it concise (300 words). Draw on personal examples to describe why you’re passionate about climate change. Say why this issue is important to you, back it up with evidence, and summarize with an opinion of what should be done.

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Introduction (sample wording)

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Congratulations for tabling Bill C-12, The Canadian Emissions Net Zero Accountability Act and for releasing a new Climate Plan. Together these initiatives provide a sound basis for Canada to make progress to address the climate crisis.

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Canada stands at an historic crossroads. Your government is signalling a new direction to reduce carbon emissions, but you must turn more sharply and then hold the course. Properly strengthened, Bill C-12 is an important tool to ensure that Canada does our part to reduce  global emission.

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I urge you to make the following changes to the bill to make the plan even stronger:

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Choose several main points to make:

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1. Set the climate target for 2025 instead of 2030. Waiting five more years to set binding GHG reduction targets only makes the task of getting to net zero more difficult. Canada is already far behind many European countries.

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2. Make climate targets legally binding on the government. Unless the targets are legally binding, your or any subsequent government can treat them as discretionary. It is this kind of weak legislative commitment that has contributed to Canada's poor performance on climate change.

 

3. Make the advisory body independent and properly funded to undertake the investigation and analysis necessary to advise the government on targets and to assess progress toward the targets. It must report to Parliament, not to a minister or the privy council, and its reports should be made public.

 

4.  Bill C-12 should incentivize and facilitate provincial ambitions and recognize the necessity of shared action. It should include a specific requirement for the national government to engage with the provinces on how action to bring down GHG emissions will be shared among various levels of government and various regions of the country.

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5.  The Bill should require transparency about the status and direction of GHG emissions at all levels and jurisdictions. Without reliable and publicly available information on GHG emissions, it will be impossible to assess progress toward targets.

 

End on a positive note:

• Thank you for introducing this important legislation.

• Canadians are counting on your government. We know you are committed to making life better.

• We can make meaningful change and create a better future.

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Your name

Street address, Postal code

Email