Newly-minted enviro minister Catherine McKenna en route to Paris climate talks
by The Canadian Press
Ministerial-level meetings will set the stage for the climate summit that begins in the French capital on Nov. 30
PARIS—Canada’s environment minister says the new Liberal government agrees the science is indisputable—that global warming is real and that urgent action is needed to tackle the problem.
Catherine McKenna is in Paris meeting with fellow ministers from around the world.
They’re looking for common ground on key issues to set the stage for the climate summit that begins in the French capital on Nov. 30.
Some 80 leaders will be gathering in Paris to try to reach a binding agreement on reducing greenhouse gases.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is expected to be joined there by most of the premiers and at least some of the opposition party leaders.
McKenna said in a Twitter post on Sunday “Canada agrees the science is indisputable, and we recognize the need for urgent/greater action that is grounded in robust science,” adding “Our main goal is to make sure that all human beings can fulfil a healthy, safe sustainable life.”
In another tweet McKenna said “At home, we will provide national leadership and work with our provinces and territories to take real action on climate change.”
The ministerial meetings will continue through Tuesday.
The Liberals didn’t set an emissions reduction target in their election platform, saying that would have to follow an economic and scientific analysis.
That, however, has led to criticism from some environmental groups who say the government doesn’t appear to have a substantive plan heading into the Paris meetings.
