Minister Heurtel welcomes Alberta's new climate change plan

Montreal, November 22, 2015 – The Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change, Mr. David Heurtel, welcomes the filling by the Government of Alberta of its "Climate Leadership Plan", a new plan to fight climate change. With this announcement just days before the Paris Conference on climate, Alberta sends the signal that it intends to participate effectively in the global effort against climate change.

"For Quebec, it is important that provinces and territories work together with the federal government for the 21st UN Conference on Climate Change. We are pleased that Alberta reiterated today that it is part of the federated states that rely on a carbon price mechanism to reduce emissions of greenhouse gases and to promote the development of a greener economy. This new plan proposes several measures to act positively in this direction", said Minister Heurtel.

The new Alberta’s Climate Change Plan provides various measures to reduce greenhouse gas emission, including the elimination of the electricity produced from coal by 2030, an emission ceiling for oil sands operations and the reduction of methane emissions from oil and gas activities. Moreover, Alberta announced that it will introduce an economy-wide carbon tax and the income generated from this tax will be reinvested, like Quebec, in control measures against climate change and in support measures for citizens and businesses in the transition to a low carbon economy.

"Climate change raises environmental, economic and social challenges of the utmost importance. The fight against climate change is essential because it ensures our collective and individual well-being, both now and in the future. With its new action plan, Alberta gives the signal that it wants to be part of the solution. I want to offer our support and collaboration. Together, fighting against climate change to ensure quality of life and a healthy planet to our children. Let's do it for them!" concluded Minister Heurtel.

Quebec is a committed leader in the global effort against climate change. With its carbon market, the largest in North America, which Ontario will soon be joining, and its 2013-2020 Climate Change Action Plan, it has concrete tools for reducing greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. Recently, the Quebec government held public consultations on its proposed target for reducing GHG emissions of 37.5% below 1990 levels by 2030. It will communicate its 2030 target prior to the Paris Climate Conference, which will be held from November 30^th to December 11^th, 2015.

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Marie-Catherine Leduc

Acting Press Officer

Cabinet of the Minister of Sustainable Development, Environment and the Fight against Climate Change

Tel.: 418-521-3911

Media Relations

Ministère du Développement durable,

de l’Environnement et de la Lutte contre

les changements climatiques