Political Parties' Main Plan for Climate Change

Today, climate change has affected the lives of all Canadian students. Efforts of youth getting involved in climate change have been especially magnified this year because of the uprising of Greta Thunberg and the organized climate strikes around the globe. Many students know how personal choices such as recycling, reducing food waste, buying less plastic, etc., will do practically nothing in the fight against climate change. In the hopes that the government will take action, a political party’s environmental plan will be a major influence voter’s decision.

Though I am writing this when I am not of age to vote, I am aware of my generations impact on the next election. But with large movements and activism on the climate this year, party’s campaigns have become more vocal than ever about this issue.

For personal future reference and those curious on the party’s plans towards climate change, here are some main points on what each party intends to do about the climate once elected. I will be pointing out pros and cons to their plans, after stating the basis of what they want to achieve. I will not be including the Peoples Party and Bloc Quebecois, as they don’t see climate change as a problem.

The NDP’s power to change plan

The NDP’s plan revolves around changing Canada’s communities to be more environmentally conscious. They want to change all public transit to run electrically and retrofitting buildings to reduce energy demands. To continue these ongoing environmental efforts, they want to emphasize the training and educating of clean energy jobs. One of the biggest moves they want to make is to eliminate all Canadian fossil fuel subsidies.

Pros: Though ambitious, this plan is possible! The NDP say they’ll keep carbon pricing and motivate a clean future.

Cons: How will they put all their plans into action this quick. They also need to consider the effects of this plan and how it affects provincial responsibilities, as province economies could suffer severely.

The Greens Party’s Mission

The Greens Party’s plans are nearly impossible as they strive towards cutting 60 percent of carbon emissions by 2030, canceling the Trans Mountain pipeline, making electric vehicles affordable and implementing the National Forest Strategy. This is all aimed to be achieved by 2030.

Their plan for how this will be acted out is by getting rid of all fossil fuels power and replacing it with electrical energy. From these advancements, the government would supply all provinces with a connection of renewable energy. This connection would lead up to all the other listed actions that they want to do within 10 years.

Pros: The Green Party is aiming for are the most ambitious plan and set strong overall goals. Also, it is the party that will make Canada much “greener”.

Cons: These goals are perhaps too ambitious, compared to the Canada we live in today.

The Liberal’s Plan

The Liberal Party have only one goal in the battle of climate change, and that is to reduce carbon. They have achieved this by successfully pricing carbon when elected last year and have now preached to achieve net-zero-carbon emission by 2050. These promises have been questioned by many, as they are funding the controversial Trans Mountain pipeline —something that will significantly increase the amount of carbon. They have also stated that if elected, The Liberal party will plant 2 billion trees.

Pros: They have four years of experience on this plan and it’s very achievable. The plan is very well thought out.

Cons: They aren’t doing enough to make a change. Many of their goals won’t be achieved and have much effect until later in time.

The Conservatives’ Plan

The Conservatives Party have realistic plan of implementing green technologies and implementing innovations for the protection of pollution. They also want to ban all plastic recycling exports and plastic packaging. They also want to promote Canada’s clean and green energy sector to the global market. Compared to other parties, the Conservatives have a different plan for carbon taxes in which only those who cross a certain threshold of carbon usage must pay a tax on the greenhouse gas.

Pros: Their plan is achievable and has some perks towards it.

Cons: This plan barely does enough in the fight against climate change.

Written by Sophia Tharp