Toronto – In response to news that the federal government is considering bypassing federal environmental laws to fast-track projects it considers to be in the national interest, Greenpeace Canada’s Nature & Biodiversity campaigner Salomé Sané said:
“Fast-tracking projects that disregard Indigenous rights and environmental regulations isn’t going to make us better prepared for the rapidly changing global economy and climate. Building resilient communities for a low-carbon future means centering nature protection, and recognizing the sovereignty and stewardship of Indigenous Peoples: that’s what really makes sense.”
Greenpeace Canada’s Senior Energy Strategist Keith Stewart said:
“Moving quickly shouldn’t mean moving in the wrong direction. Solar farms should be easier to approve and build than oil sands mines because they have much lower environmental and climate impacts, while positioning us to be leaders in the low-carbon economy of the future.
To truly honour the government’s commitment to uphold world-leading environmental standards and respect Indigenous rights, it should be focusing on projects that address climate change and the affordability crisis, rather than fast-tracking the expansion of harmful fossil fuels. We need green grids and affordable homes, not new pipelines.”
Ends
For more information, contact:
Keith Stewart, Senior Energy Strategist, Greenpeace Canada
[email protected], +1 416 659 0294
