Quebec premier pledges CAQ will take action
QUEBEC — Premier François Legault is fighting back against critics who say he’s not doing enough to counter climate change.
Responding to criticism from the opposition that he’s “climate inactive,” Legault said the accusation is ridiculous because he is well versed in the science, which he believes.
“Of course it doesn’t make sense to say things like that,” Legault told reporters in Montreal. “It’s clear that scientists are right.
“We’re all scared of what’s coming next with the climate and we have to fight against climate change. You see a government that will take action: invest more than ever in public transportation and have a plan to reduce emissions, like as promised by 2030.
“Unfortunately, those who were here before me didn’t meet their targets for 2020. I think what is important is action. I don’t see what I would have been able to change being in New York. It think it’s important to be here and take action and, of course, we believe in climate change.”
On Tuesday, interim Liberal leader Pierre Arcand criticized Legault, saying he has been “quite inactive” when it comes to climate policies and it shows with Legault’s decision to not attend Climate Week in New York, where activist Greta Thunberg spoke Monday.
Legault’s decision was a break from tradition on the part of Quebec premiers, but the government did send Environment Minister Benôit Charette.
“Mr. Legault needs to demonstrate he’s interested in environmental issues, which are very important,” Arcand told reporters. “Mr. Legault is maybe not a climate skeptic, but he is climate inactive
“It was a duty of premiers to go in the past. It’s clear Mr. Legault missed a good chance. Mr. Legault is maybe not a climate skeptic, but he is climate inactive.
“He doesn’t seem to be interested in this. He does not seem to care that much. He has been giving breaks to many polluters in the last few months.”
Arcand was referring to a report by Radio-Canada Tuesday that indicated the Coalition Avenir Québec government is prepared to go easy on several industries, including cement makers, when it comes to curbing their greenhouse gas emissions.
Starting in 2024, big greenhouse gas emitters are supposed to reduce carbon emission levels by four per cent a year. But three-quarters of the costs of their efforts will be compensated by the state, the network said quoting from a draft document. Québec solidaire co-spokesperson Manon Massé also seized on the story, telling reporters she is “profoundly angry” that the CAQ has crumbled and now is more interested in accommodating industry than fighting climate change.