Metro Vancouver Recap:
Fully committed
The Liberals have committed to continuing to improve air quality and fight climate change by investing in green technology and pursuing effective emissions regulation of the air, marine and rail sectors.
Their response highlights a number of actions, such as:
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Setting legally-binding, five-year milestones to reach net-zero emissions;
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Appointing an advisory group of scientists, economists, and experts;
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Exceeding Canada’s 2030 emissions goal by introducing new carbon reducing measures; and
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Introducing a Just Transition Act so energy workers and communities can shape their own futures.
They also highlighted several actions done to date to reduce rail-related emissions and indicated their intention to support efforts to convert ships from heavy oil and diesel.
When it comes to fighting climate change, one thing is clear: doing less costs people more. The best way through the climate emergency we are all facing is forward – toward a net-zero emissions future. To help achieve this goal by 2050, we will:
- set legally-binding, five-year milestones, based on the advice of the experts and consultations with Canadians, to reach net-zero emissions;
- appoint a group of scientists, economists, and experts to recommend the best path to get to net-zero;
- exceed Canada’s 2030 emissions goal by introducing new carbon reducing measures; and
- ensure energy workers and communities can shape their own futures by introducing a Just Transition Act, giving workers access to the training, support, and new opportunities needed to succeed in the clean economy.
The transportation sector is Canada’s second largest source of greenhouse gas emissions, accounting for 173 megatonnes or 24% of the national total. Transport Canada leads a suite of regulatory measures to reduce greenhouse gas emissions from the rail, aviation and marine sectors, and also supports emission reductions from the on-road sector.
For instance, our government has moved forward on a range of activities related to rail emissions, including:
- Funding 10 university projects through the Clean Rail Academic Grant Program in 2016/17, including work on developing a wireless charging system for an electric rail system;
- implementing new Locomotive Emissions Regulations in June 2017 to reduce the emissions of air pollutants from new locomotives;
- addressing GHG emissions from the rail sector through the joint Canada–U.S. locomotive emissions initiative under the Regulatory Cooperation Council, a voluntary agreement with the Canadian rail industry, and research activities to enhance understanding of new technologies to reduce GHG emissions; and
- supporting research and analysis on new technologies and practices that improve efficiency through the Regulatory Cooperation Council and Transport Canada’s Clean Rail Academic Grant Program, thereby leading to reductions in GHG emissions or emission intensity.
Canada’s Shore Power Technology for Ports program has also invested over $19.5 million in Canadian port authorities, terminal operators and ferry operators to support the deployment of marine shore power technology. The program reduces emissions by reducing ship idling at ports. We have also moved forward with a significant pilot project that will deliver quieter, lower-emissions tankers for transporting oil from the Trans Mountain pipeline.
To help make Canada’s ports some of the world’s cleanest in the world, a re-elected Liberal government will support efforts that convert ships from heavy oil and diesel, such as the ferries serving Canada’s coastal communities. We will work with partners over the next year to design and introduce appropriate programs.
A re-elected Liberal government will continue to improve air quality and fight climate change by investing in green technology and pursuing effective emissions regulation of the aviation, marine and rail sectors.