Executive Council
December 11, 2016
Working Together on Climate Change
Government of Newfoundland and Labrador joins Pan-Canadian Framework to Address Climate Change
The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, has joined Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and his provincial and territorial counterparts in moving forward with the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. Governments of Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada continue to collaborate to ensure that Newfoundland and Labrador’s climate change plan takes account of vulnerable groups, remote and isolated communities, as well as the concerns of consumers and the province’s business sector.
Consistent with the commitments made in the March 2016 Vancouver Declaration, the Pan-Canadian Framework builds on actions of the provincial and territorial governments to reduce emissions and adapt to the impacts of climate change, and identifies actions that will seize opportunities for clean economic growth throughout Canada.
“The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador is committed to doing its part to address climate change. A made-in-Newfoundland and Labrador plan will address this province’s particular social, economic, and fiscal realities. That is why I am pleased to have joined the Prime Minister and other Premiers in releasing the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change following the First Ministers’ Meeting on Friday. Newfoundland and Labrador joins a framework that demonstrates we can work cooperatively as a nation, while still recognizing the specific and unique local circumstances Newfoundland and Labrador faces.”
- The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador
The framework recognizes the need for fair and equitable approaches across Newfoundland and Labrador. In recognition of the diversity of our economy, fair and flexible approaches have been identified as a core element of the framework and governments will work together on its implementation. This includes:
- Safeguarding the competitiveness of onshore and offshore industry;
- Taking account of costs we are incurring to decarbonize the electricity sector, remote and isolated diesel off-grid electricity generating systems, and transportation; and
- Ensuring the province has flexibility and full discretion to direct the use of any revenue generated by carbon pricing.
The framework will also reflect sensitivity to the circumstances facing Indigenous peoples as well as coastal Newfoundland and Labrador communities that are reliant on diesel generation. It will also consider impacts on other vulnerable populations, consumers and trade-exposed industries, as well as the province’s reliance on marine transportation in the absence of lower carbon alternatives.
“Climate change is a serious global issue and all sectors will need to be part of the transition to a lower carbon economy and to achieve the goals set out by the Pan-Canadian Framework. We are pleased to work with the Federal Government to make sure that Newfoundland and Labrador can contribute to the objectives outlined in the framework.”
- Premier Ball
To view the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, please visit: www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/pan-canadian-framework.html
QUICK FACTS
- The Honourable Dwight Ball, Premier of Newfoundland and Labrador, has joined the Prime Minister and his provincial and territorial counterparts in moving forward with the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change.
- The framework outlines key actions that will be required to grow the economy while reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
- The Government of Newfoundland and Labrador and the Government of Canada continue to collaborate to ensure that Newfoundland and Labrador’s climate change plan takes account of Indigenous peoples, vulnerable groups, remote and isolated communities, as well as the concerns of consumers and the province’s business sector.
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Media contact:
Michelle Cannizzaro
Director of Communications
Office of the Premier
709-729-3960
michellecannizzaro@gov.nl.ca
2016 12 11 6:15 p.m.