Our reaction to Trudeau's new cabinet

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Published on Sunday, 29 November -0001 16:00

Written by editor

Friends,

Trudeau just announced his new Cabinet and there are big implications for Canada’s climate emergency response. Former climate activist Steven Guilbeault will lead the Environment Ministry and outgoing Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson is heading to Natural Resources.1 Both politicians have been vocal about the stakes of the climate crisis and the need to move off fossil fuels but we know that, with the Liberal government, words often fall short of action. It’s up to us to make sure they deliver.

In the coming weeks Trudeau will prepare mandate letters for each cabinet minister, setting their focus for the term ahead. Add your voice to our petition calling on Trudeau to make the Just Transition Act his government’s top priority.

Beyond the Environment and Natural Resources moves, today’s cabinet shuffle was a good reminder that the scale of the climate crisis demands action from all areas of government. Seamus O’Regan is moving from Natural Resources to Labour but if the Trudeau government is serious about tackling the climate crisis, delivering green jobs and a just transition for fossil fuel workers will be a huge component of O’Regan’s new job. Likewise,... we’ll be watching closely to see if Trudeau backs up his climate talk by directing his new Infrastructure Minister Dominic LeBlanc to massively increase green projects.

Before Parliament resumes, we have a critical window to push Trudeau to make a rapid, just transition off of fossil fuels his government’s top priority. Sign the petition now.

With the COP 26 summit next week, it’s clearer than ever that Canada is at a climate crossroads. We have the worst climate record of all the G7 nations2 and that’s largely because our leaders have refused to tackle the elephant in the room: we need to phase out fossil fuel production fast. The first step to real climate leadership is making sure we're supporting workers and communities with a Just Transition Act, one that guarantees jobs, puts people first, and meets the pace and scale of the climate crisis.

Will you take action today to make sure Trudeau gets the message?

Onwards,

Chris

1 - Canada's Trudeau names veteran activist as environment minister, sparking green hopes

2 - Canada's embarrassing climate record is worst of G7 nations

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