Photos (modified) credit: Brett Favaro, Kim Hansen, Conor Curtis.
The Parties on Climate Change: NL Election 2019
With Newfoundland and Labrador Election 2019 around the corner Climate Watch NL approached all political parties in the provincial election with six questions that relate to climate change policy.
Climate change is a vital issue in NL ranging from adaptation to climate change, to reducing green house gas emissions, to re-orienting our economy. Rural and coastal communities are particularly at risk from climate impacts. Changes in marine ecosystems also continue to be a key area for concern. At the same time opportunities exist to grow renewable energy and clean tech provincially and retrain workers to help them transition to these industries. Further opportunities exist to green transportation through measures like increased electric vehicle infrastructure to reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Below are the parties’ responses to these vital issues.
Please note: We gave parties a deadline of April 30, 2019, at 12pm to respond and reached out over a week in advance via email and then by social media. We also followed up with phone calls. Responses are listed in order either from least current members in the House of Assembly to most, or more to least.
1. The province has set an ambitious greenhouse gas target for 2030, how does your party propose that we ensure we meet that target?
NL Alliance
The NL Alliance recognizes the importance of cutting back on greenhouse gases into the atmosphere. One such way we intend on doing this is by diversifying our energy sector. The province of Newfoundland and Labrador has been far too reliant on oil and gas throughout its history. We will work with the individuals in this sector to begin the necessary transition away from such dependability on fossil fuels and towards more sustainable and renewable forms of energy production.
Both businesses and consumers have to change their behaviour when it comes to reducing greenhouse gases. The current plan of putting a blanket carbon tax on consumers will not shift society’s thinking and will only cause consumers to feel over taxed. However, if our government was more proactive with a “revenue neutral carbon tax” this would quickly incentivize consumers and businesses to curb their behaviours. Such a carbon tax does not mean more money out of pocket, it simply means society has to reduce their carbon emitting activities and get the tax returned 100% through efficiency rebates, clean energy infrastructure (ie. electric vehicle charging stations), income tax rebates, and so on. Consumers and businesses will start to see the benefits of such a shift and the rate at which energy efficient activities increases will grow.
NL New Democratic Party
We will be monitoring companies’ adherence to the legislated annual GHG reduction targets and encourage actual emissions reductions as opposed to paying penalties. Stronger measures may need to be taken in the future. Also, we would include all emissions from the offshore— including exploration which is currently excluded.
Ches Crosbie Progressive Conservatives (NL)
A Crosbie government will ensure Newfoundland and Labrador is a leader in greenhouse gas emission reduction.
Climate change is one of our world’s most pressing public policy issues. It presents us with a truly global challenge: reduce greenhouse gas emissions or be prepared to live in a world very different from our own. The effects of climate change present Newfoundland and Labrador with challenges. Over the next several decades our province’s average temperature is expected to increase dramatically, especially in northern Labrador. This increase could have severe impacts on our province. Some examples include: melting of permafrost in the North impacting the structural integrity of buildings and infrastructure, an increase in sea ice making marine transportation of people and goods more difficult, and an increase in unpredictable weather events such as Hurricane Igor in 2010 which cost the province many millions of dollars in damages. Other effects of climate change can impact upon our fishing, aquaculture and agriculture industries that we rely upon greatly in this province. Our province needs a two-pronged approach to climate change: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to mitigate the impacts of climate change.
No people in Canada love our natural environment more than Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. We take great pride in our clean air, and it has made us sick to see dirty smoke bellowing out of Holyrood to generate power. Our goal is to reduce harmful emissions. We have already made an enormous contribution as a province. Investing to switch from carbon-fueled electricity to hydroelectricity is our primary contribution to the reduction of harmful emissions. Hydro projects on the Churchill River must be fully and fairly credited to Newfoundland and Labrador. Those who reduce emissions should be rewarded.
However, the Trudeau-mandated carbon tax, eagerly embraced by the Ball Liberals, is the wrong approach. It turns the ‘temporary’ gas tax into a permanent drain on our economy without reducing carbon emissions, because it punishes people for not switching to low-carbon alternatives that are unavailable to them.
The Liberal approach undermines our economic competitiveness without making a dent in global emissions. Canada contributes about 2% of the world’s greenhouse gases per year, and Newfoundland and Labrador accounted for 1.53% or approximately 1/65th of Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions in 2016.
The hallmark of any government I lead will be honesty and frankness. In that light, this must be said. The Trudeau carbon tax is a tax grab, not a sound emissions reduction strategy. As Newfoundlanders and Labradorians, and as Canadians, we can do better in reducing emissions and addressing climate change – and we will. Newfoundland and Labrador is prepared to lead, and clean energy policy is one of the most important ways that we can and will lead.
We will work to advance renewable energy projects using our province’s green energy resources. We will seek alternate green sources of energy for isolated northern communities reliant on diesel fuel.
We will work with governments in Atlantic Canada and the federal government in adopting regional strategies and supports to combat the effects of climate change.
We will also work with Newfoundland and Labrador Housing Corporation to make low-income housing across the province more energy-efficient. We will apply higher standards for energy efficiency in new public infrastructure projects.
We will consider commissioning a Newfoundland and Labrador Climate Change Impact Assessment on a specific term basis (every 5 or 10 years, for example). This Assessment would help to identify the potential impacts of climate change on our province in a changing world environment and help us prepare an effective plan to mitigate against those impacts.
These things we can and must do.
Liberal Party of NL
The Honourable Graham Letto, Minister of Municipal Affairs and Environment, launched the Provincial Government’s climate change action plan on March 1st of this year. The plan is entitled, “The Way Forward on Climate Change.” The plan contains actions that will reduce greenhouse gas emissions from across the economy, stimulate clean innovation and growth, and build resilience to the impacts of climate change.
The plan includes 33 actions to reduce provincial greenhouse gas emissions and 17 actions to build resilience to climate impacts. These efforts include taking direct action on a number of fronts.
- Increasing energy efficiency in homes and buildings;
- Implementing the Made-in-NL carbon pricing program;
- Increasing the penetration of electric vehicles;
- Decreasing reliance on diesel electricity generation in off-grid communities;
- Supporting the agriculture, aquaculture, and forestry sectors;
- Building climate resilient infrastructure;
- Addressing climate change-related health issues; and
- Pursuing education and community outreach.
2. Climate change is impacting fisheries, but there are still many unknowns about the impacts of climate change on this industry. What are you doing to better understand and address the impacts on our fisheries?
Liberal Party of NL
Under our Liberal Government we have recognized that the impact of climate change will be felt everywhere including in vital industries like the fishery. Understanding those impacts and developing ways of mitigating it while sustaining the industry is a top priority in our action plan.
Our government is working through the Department of Fisheries and Land Resources to offer support to the agriculture, aquaculture and fishing industries to increase food production in a manner that takes into consideration GHG emissions. For example research has been conducted on opportunities to utilize shellfish and salmon by-products for feed and composting, and support was provided to launch a crustacean by-product fertilizer prototype into the consumer market.
We are also currently working with the fishery and aquaculture industries to increase knowledge and build resilience to changing climatic conditions, including increased precipitation and temperature change. Our Liberal Government is currently working with our partners in the federal government and the FFAW on a climate impact study relating directly to fishery matters.
Ches Crosbie Progressive Conservatives (NL)
The effects of climate change present Newfoundland and Labrador with challenges, particularly impacting our marine environment and our fishing industry. A Crosbie government will acknowledge this and take it seriously.
To address a challenge properly, we must understand what is going on. We must hold the federal government to its obligation to gather better marine science research. Scientists can work together with fish harvesters and others, who have direct knowledge of what is happening in our oceans and our fisheries, and who can be directly involved in gathering data and testing new approaches.
When we have the scientific data and understand its implications, we must be prepared to act accordingly. That is the reason the decision was made in the nineties to impose the Northern cod moratorium: the scientific data, the conclusions and the recommendations for action were undeniable. We have new data now about the growth of the seal population – millions of them eating millions of pounds of fish per year. That growth is out of balance, and its impact on fish stocks is profound. For many in the world who choose to deny ecological science when it suits their prejudices, this out-of-control seal population growth is an inconvenient truth; but it is indeed a truth, and even the countries that oppose seal harvesting have found it imperative to act. In Canada, we have the advantage of being able to apply long-tested, humane, sustainable development practices to the challenge of seal population growth. Not only can we bring down their numbers to levels that maintain a healthier balance in the marine ecosystem, but we have the capacity and know-how to make use of the protein, leather and oil to create jobs rather than waste.
Ocean management is an area of federal responsibility. However, in the mid-80s, Newfoundland and Labrador achieved a breakthrough partnership in ocean management through the Atlantic Accord. It applies to offshore oil and gas development, but such an approach could also apply to fisheries management. A Crosbie government will call for joint management of our fishing industry alongside our federal counterparts through a board similar to the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador Offshore Petroleum Board. Practical regulation and administration in areas such as vessel size, gear type, and search and rescue are vital to a successful industry, and can only be realized with regional authority. We need a seat at the table.
Building a sustainable economy includes looking at the traditional economic sectors such as the fisheries in a different way. Ensuring sustainability means using our resources to create jobs and revenue resources that will endure into the future. The green economy will ensure our renewable resources are truly renewable. We will manage our renewable resources with the long-term future in mind. As a province, we must ensure the renewable industries we inherit are passed to future generations in a better, stronger and more resilient condition.
We need to avoid the trap of assuming that everything that sounds environmentally progressive necessarily is. Take, for example, the designation of marine protection areas. The federal government has increased marine exclusion areas from 2 to 8.27% of our oceans and intends to further increase this exclusion area to 10%. While marine protection areas afford environmental protection, there has not been sufficient study or consultation with the fishing, or oil and gas, industries. Let’s not fall into the trap of ignoring the need for good, robust science. Scientists can lead us forward, if we are prepared to take seriously what they do. We demand that our important industries be provided the careful analysis required before further decisions are taken.
NL New Democratic Party
The impacts of climate change on oceans—rising temperatures, elevated acidity and reduced oxygen—are going to greatly affect the fisheries, as food chains are interrupted or changed. We must invest in more science to better understand the impact of climate change on oceans. We must be prepared to quickly and sustainably adapt to new fishing practices as changes in the marine environment occur.
NL Alliance
We are currently researching the impact of climate change on the fishing industry. As a government we need to consult with scientists and experts in the field as well as people with first-hand knowledge of the impact, the fisherpeople. We are very concerned with the amount of disruption Climate Change has on marine and freshwater species. With warming ocean temperatures and rising sea levels, the fishing industry is in jeopardy. According to the UN Climate Change Chief, Patricia Espinosa, “world leaders must recognize there is no option except to speed up and scale up action to tackle global warming.” If not kept in check, many species will be in grave danger and our fishing industry, as we know it, will cease to exist. NL Alliance commits to educating ourselves and the citizens of Newfoundland and Labrador and developing a plan, in accordance with the recommendations from these experts, to tackle the impacts on the fishing industry.
3. Workers will need new jobs in a green economy, that will mean learning new skills and encouraging green innovation. How will your party enable workers to make the transition to working in clean-tech and renewable industries?
NL Alliance
We believe that this transition away from fossil fuels will not take away jobs from citizens of our province, rather, these jobs will simply merge into jobs within the renewable energy field. It is understood that this transition is not an overnight process; it is one that will take time. We see this time in between as a prime moment to provide these workers with the proper education to ensure their success in a reformed provincial energy sector. To better understand how to approach such a task, we will consult with various experts in the field.
Funding for retraining must be in place and easily accessible for trade workers and industry professionals looking to make a switch to renewable industries . In saying this, there are many electricians, labourers, engineers, operations personnel , procurement personnel, and HR personnel, for example, who are already capable of transitioning to careers in sustainable energy and clean-tech jobs. The key is to invest in more of these jobs and make sure those in the field, know they are available.
NL New Democratic Party
Our permanent green fund (see below) will include initiatives to train tradespeople to do energy audits and building retrofits. We will listen to the ideas of engineers and other professionals, including those in the fossil fuel sector, on how to successfully get off carbon-based energy
Ches Crosbie Progressive Conservatives (NL)
The United Nations labour agency says jobs in the green economy will ‘more than offset’ losses in traditional industry by 2030. A Crosbie government will take a sustainable development approach, and promote the development of enterprises throughout Newfoundland and Labrador that capitalize on green employment, and business start-up opportunities.
The Knowledge Economy is emerging within our province. Ocean technology is a great example of how this economy is providing jobs to our workforce. Actions need to be taken to ensure that our educational programs are designed to meet the needs of the future. Actions also need to be taken to ensure that the private sector is ready to take advantage of emerging technologies. We will aim to grow the applied research capacity within the province and explore opportunities for local industry to benefit from ongoing research. We will work with investors to determine the role the government can play in bringing innovation to the commercialization stage. We will create a new venture capital fund. The province will invest $10 million, in addition to private sector contributions obtained through the Venture Capital Tax Credit. This fund will be technology focused and will help companies expand their base within the province.
We will examine the intended post-secondary choices of graduating high school students to determine if the numbers of students opting for technically oriented careers are commensurate with projected needs for technology oriented jobs.
We will bring together thought leaders from business, labour, academia, the not-for-profit sector and government to discuss today’s workplace challenges along with strategies to chart a successful path forward. Key questions for discussion will include: (a) How do we build a highly skilled flexible work force that meets present demand, is able to adapt to changes in the work place, and is able to transfer between sectors? And (b) What initiatives should we take to reduce barriers that can exclude people? Much of this work will focus on improving labour market access and attachment and providing appropriate social protections.
We will bring together partners from industry, government and post-secondary education into multiple Partnerships for Jobs. These partnerships will identify potential for growth in sectors of the economy where the province has industry leaders, strength in skill development, technology, research, supply chains, and strong links to markets.
The partnerships will advise government on appropriate policies and how to use the tools of government to help build new capacity in these sectors. The ultimate goal of each partnership will be to find ways to increase the size and scope of these industries and increased participation by local companies in supplying goods and services.
The government of Newfoundland and Labrador manages a range of policies – taxes, education and training, research, natural resources development, regulations, and infrastructure – that reinforce each other in ways that can obstruct or encourage economic growth and job creation. We will marshal all the economic development policy tools available to it into a focused and coordinated effort to create more and better quality jobs in support of these partnerships for jobs.
This will include ensuring that young Newfoundlanders and Labradorians have access to quality education and training programs that are adapted to the labour market requirements.
Partnerships for jobs will be created in the fishery, aquaculture, tourism, the digital economy, the ICT sector, the knowledge-based economy, forestry and other industries that have potential for growth.
We will work with stakeholders and industry to make sectors such as agriculture, the fishery and aquaculture aware of the effects of climate change and make their industries more resilient and resistant to current and future impacts.
We will make use of the NL Green Fund to reduce emissions. We will enable the Fund to invest in research and development of green technologies, initiatives and private sector projects that would help reduce emissions. We will enable the Fund to provide grants and other incentives for low-emitting projects from a variety of industries and sectors. We will use the Fund as a lever to help us build a stronger and greener economy for the future.
Liberal Party of NL
Our Liberal government is strengthening the province’s workforce to ensure it is positioned to take advantage of current and future opportunities in the labour market.
Our most recent budget provides funding for programs and services to maintain the province’s skilled workforce and prepare for careers in new and emerging industries including green technology.
- Approximately $13 million committed for employment and training programs;
- $6.1 million will support youth in employment and career related activities;
- Approximately $700,000 is allocated to build capacity and provide more flexible training in the province’s apprenticeship system by increasing offerings in an online format;
- And, $161 million is available for investment through the Labour Market Transfer Agreement, which will help people prepare for, find, and maintain employment.
- Base funding for programs supported by the Labour Market Development Agreement is increasing by more than $3 million.
As identified by the recently released McKinsey Report, it is important to take steps to improve workforce readiness to meet future labour market needs. Collectively, we know that workforce readiness can’t be isolated to a moment in time but we need to be working closely with industry to prepare people for new jobs.
In addition to the ongoing post-secondary review, we are allocating $2 million over four years to develop The Way Forward on Workforce Development.
4. The province has created a number of tools aimed at helping communities adapt to climate change, but in the past uptake of the tools has been hindered by a lack of capacity on the part of communities to use them. How will you ensure communities can use resources to adapt to climate change?
Liberal Party of NL
Long-term sustainability is heavily influenced by the way infrastructure is constructed, managed and communities are developed. Planning infrastructure investments, implementing municipal zoning regulations, and determining site location for buildings to withstand changing climatic conditions is key to improving resilience to climate impacts.
A lot has been done to provide communities with the tools they need to address the impacts of climate change. The bullets below are taken directly from the Action Plan on Climate Change Strategy.
- A Climate Data portal was created to provide a single point of entry for provincial climate change data, tools and resources.
- Flood risk maps that incorporate climate change projections have been developed for eight locations.
- A hurricane season flood alert system has been implemented for 45 locations.
- Intensity-duration-frequency (IDF) curves have been updated for 13 locations not currently maintained by the Federal Government and climate change projections have been developed for all 19 IDF curve locations.
- A coastal erosion monitoring and mapping program has been established, and monitors and tracks coastal erosion rates at over 120 locations.
- The 7 Step Tool to Assess Community Climate Vulnerability was developed and shared with municipalities and relevant stakeholders.
- Government has widely disseminated climate projections for Newfoundland and Labrador, which take into account most recent global and regional climate trends
- Government has implemented and enhanced the coastal erosion and monitoring program.
- We will continue to integrate climate change into flood risk maps, implement the hurricane season flood alert system and strengthen climate monitoring.
- Government is committed to continuing support for disaster mitigation through updates to municipal emergency management plans, and identifying and implementing prevention and mitigation opportunities in partnership with communities
- Ensure climate change is a core consideration in the development and implementation of asset management.
- Apply a climate lens to the Environmental Assessment review process, to ensure that climate change considerations are taken into account.
- Integrate climate change considerations and factor climate change projections into government infrastructure development decisions.
- Work with the Federal Government and Indigenous governments and organizations to support the development and implementation of a Northern Adaptation Strategy that includes Labrador.
Ches Crosbie Progressive Conservatives (NL)
A Crosbie government will consult with municipalities throughout the province about the potential impacts of climate change on our towns and cities. We will support infrastructure improvements to buildings and roads that are most susceptible to the effects of climate change.
We will invigorate municipal governance through a stronger and more productive partnership with Municipalities NL. We will work with Municipalities NL to develop a new progressive tax regime for our communities. We build on the groundbreaking Municipal Fiscal Framework introduced in 2015 to ensure that communities throughout the province can thrive as the province’s economy grows in the years ahead.
We will develop a broader accountability framework to ensure that new funding for municipalities supports investments in priority service areas. We will develop a provincial municipal asset management framework.
We will advance regional governance and service sharing. We will follow through on the community sustainability partnership that we have negotiated with municipalities to enhance supports to communities and strengthen the social and economic fabric of our regions.
We will collaborate with communities, researchers and the federal government to monitor and address coastal erosion and other issues. Partnerships work to make change feasible and sustainable.
NL New Democratic Party
The biggest barrier to communities accessing tools to combat climate change is a lack of money. Municipalities are notoriously underfunded and need revenue to take action in this area. It is hard to fund climate change adaptation when you can barely afford to keep the streetlights on at night. Municipalities are well suited to be the front line in addressing climate change and need a dedicated fund for climate change adaptation.
NL Alliance
The NL Alliance places a high value on educating our population on the effects of climate change. Some may think that such a small population will not have a big impact on combating climate change, but it is this mentality we hope to change. NL Alliance will work with all levels of government from municipal to federal to support communities in accessing and using the tools available. As such, we will work with these communities and implement educational initiatives to ensure that the utilization of said tools is done so effectively. We have to get people of Newfoundland and Labrador on board to use these tools to ensure a healthy planet for future generations.
5. How will you encourage change in our behaviour? What policies are you proposing for our every day lives that will clearly reduce carbon polluting behaviour and reward carbon reducing behaviour?
NL Alliance
This goes back to the revenue neutral carbon tax. It will be the most effective way to force a shift away from carbon polluting behaviour without over taxing consumers and businesses. It is very simple; tax bad things, lower the price of good things, and reward through things like rebates for making the shift.
NL New Democratic Party
While people need to be encouraged to change their personal behavior to battle climate change, big changes can only be brought about by public policy. The NDP would begin to invest in clean, reliable and affordable transportation. We would create a permanent green fund from the portion of the gas tax allotted to carbon tax, which will be spent on home and small business energy retrofits and other programs focused on reducing carbon emissions.
Ches Crosbie Progressive Conservatives (NL)
A Crosbie government will make addressing climate change a government and public policy priority. We will raise public awareness about climate change. We will ensure students are educated about climate change and its effects. We will promote awareness of the fact that many choices that are good for the environment – such as walking and biking – can also have positive health benefits for people.
As announced in June 2018, we will follow through on the recommendation of Municipalities NL and others to ban single-use plastic bags. This will not be a stand-alone policy but a sign of a new way of thinking about plastic use and pollution. We will explore other ways to reduce plastic pollution in our environment, on land and in our ocean. We will commission the Multi-Materials Stewardship Board to work with Municipalities NL and other stakeholders to explore opportunities to expand recycling in our province, which is lagging behind other jurisdictions. We will also promote an attitude of collective stewardship of our environment to nurture a culture of waste prevention.
We will also educate homeowners in how to adopt measures to protect their homes against the effects of climate change and make their homes more energy efficient so they can participate in reducing our carbon footprint.
Liberal Party of NL
“Enhancing education and outreach is key to inspiring action on climate change, and building a more sustainable Newfoundland and Labrador. There are many actions that can be taken at the local level, such as reducing waste, electricity use and fuel consumption, and everyone has a role to play.”
A lot of things to aid that vision have already been put in place.
Going forward government is looking to find ways to build awareness and a culture of environmental sustainability within the Provincial Government. One that facilitates understanding of how government employees can contribute to action on Climate change.
We also intend to continue to raise awareness and build capacity among municipalities to enhance integration of climate change into their operations and their community outreach.
Newfoundlanders and Labradoreans’ truly “get it” and opposition to climate change itself is very low. People are looking for ways to help so our province will capture the benefit of that province-wide buy-in as we move forward.
Organizations like Climate Watch will prove invaluable partners in helping to provide answers to the question you posed.
6. Electric vehicles and hybrids are being adopted quickly in Canada, are increasing in range and are able to function in our winters. Electric vehicles have also been suggested as one way to address concerns over electricity rate increases. How will your party encourage the uptake of electric vehicles in NL?
Liberal Party of NL
Government has established an electric vehicle working group to inform the province’s strategy on electric vehicle penetration in the provincial transportation market. The group includes representatives from the two public utilities, the Province, NEIA and Municipalities.
Budget 2019 includes a funding allocation of $2 Million to support the development of Electric vehicle infrastructure in the province.
The province is also supporting the federal government strategy to put more zero emission vehicles on our roads beginning with a $5,000 rebate for purchasing an electric vehicle costing less than $45,000. Over $300 Million has been committed to the program.
Ches Crosbie Progressive Conservatives (NL)
A Crosbie government will encourage and promote the use of electric vehicles. We will explore opportunities to increase access to charging stations for electric vehicles, so people have a choice. We will make these options more feasible as we promote the use of electric vehicles for public transport and expand the proportion of vehicles in the government fleet that are electric vehicles.
NL New Democratic Party
Given that transportation is 37% of emissions in this province, the NDP would begin to invest in clean, reliable and affordable transportation. We would work with industry and governments to invest in charging stations, electrification of public transport and rebates on electric vehicles.
NL Alliance
The Electric vehicle/Hybrid industry is expanding quickly; the technology is improving and costs to operate, reliability, as well as performance make it a viable option over gas or diesel vehicles. To expedite this shift, government needs to invest revenue from carbon tax into providing rebates for Electric Vehicle purchases and subsidizing charging infrastructure for the home, as well as travel across the province. A high speed charging network in the province would make owning an electric vehicle more appealing. NL Hydro and NF Power could be key players in aiding with charging infrastructure and need to be strongly encouraged to deploy this help. Any opportunity that government can work with NL Hydro and NF Power to alleviate electricity rate increases, should be explored.