Quebec Premier François Legault announced Thursday at COP26 The province joins an international alliance to end Canada’s independent oil and gas production.
Launched by Costa Rica and Denmark, the Beyond Oil and Gas Alliance aims to accelerate the dismantling of fossil fuels to provide oil and gas instead of requiring it. The Alliance does this by banning all new exploration and setting targets to stop production from existing facilities.
The change was rumored weeks after Quebec decided to abandon plans for a multibillion-dollar LNG plant and an explicit ban on fossil fuel exploration last month. Fossil fuels, such as oil, gas and coal, are the main causes of the climate crisis.
“The reason why Quebec is in this situation is not because of me, it is because of those who were there before me, 50 or 60 years ago, who invested in hydroelectricity”, said Legault. Panel discussion.
“The next big project we have in Quebec is green hydrogen, which is hydrogen generated by hydroelectric power so that we can help companies like RioTinto, ArcelorMittal (and) all the big companies. industries to reduce their emissions, ”he said. .
In August, Utica Resources Inc. brought an action against Quebec, alleging that the province had acted illegally by closing the door to drilling. The Quebec Center for Environmental Law has published a legal opinion claims the province has the power to shut down oil and gas production. The trial is ongoing.
Climate Action Network Canada’s national policy director Caroline Brouillette said moving away from fossil fuels is a new standard in climate leadership and the next step should be to enshrine it in law.
“While this decision may be easier to make in Quebec than in other jurisdictions, the opportunity cost is not zero,” he said. “Quebec has fossil resources. We know that the St. Lawrence Lowlands have billions of cubic feet of gas, as well as millions of barrels of oil in southeastern Quebec. ”
Although Brouillette claimed that Quebec is a smaller player in the oil and gas sector than other provinces like Alberta, which makes it easier to join such an alliance, the foundations were laid after years of activity to oppose the development of fossil fuels.
“The reason is very small… because of the activism that local groups, citizens and frontline advocates have maintained for years,” he said.
Quebec Premier François Legault announced Thursday at COP26 that the province will join an international alliance to end Canada’s independent oil and gas production. # COP26 #cdnpoli # COP26xCNO
“These activists made this decision easier for the Quebec government.
Canadian Secretary of Natural Resources Jonathan Wilkinson said Canadian National Observer There have always been differences between provinces in attitudes towards resource development, but he said people are concerned about greenhouse gas emissions coast to coast from oil and gas. .
“This is true in Alberta and Saskatchewan, as well as Quebec, British Columbia and the Atlantic provinces, (and) the problem is that people are worried about the future in some of these. regions, ”he said.
Wilkinson said the science of climate change is “very clear,” but does not define a particular path the jurisdiction will take towards a net zero world.
“I think the responsible approach of all politicians is to say that we follow science, but consider in my province, my region, my country, how we can do it in a thoughtful way that also makes our economy strong “, did he declare. noted. .
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh said it is important to look at the world outside of fossil fuels because they affect the planet.
“The big goal is that we cannot imagine this world outside of fossil fuels without a really clear plan for the workers,” he said.
“Realizing this world requires working with those directly affected and ensuring that they have a good job, a good future and a good livelihood.”
– With files from Nora Legrand
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