News Release

HALIFAX (GNB) – Environment and Local Government Minister Serge Rousselle met with his Atlantic counterparts and federal Environment and Climate Change Minister Catherine McKenna today to discuss clean growth opportunities and climate change.

The ministers agreed to work together to accelerate the transition to a clean electricity future in Atlantic Canada and to enhance the region’s capacity to plan for and manage risks associated with the impacts of a changing climate.

“New Brunswick has an important role to play in addressing climate change, which begins with collaboration to stimulate innovation, advance clean growth opportunities and create greener job opportunities,” said Rousselle.

He discussed several issues in a bilateral meeting with McKenna and stressed the need for a balanced approach to sustainable economic development.

“We have said many times that stimulating the economy and protecting the environment go hand in hand,” said Rousselle. “Our government is working hard to develop a stronger New Brunswick response to climate change, which will respect our regional economy and contribute to Canada’s national emission targets.”

He said that New Brunswick has a diverse and unique economy and the province must have the flexibility to develop its own policies to meet emission reduction targets, supported by federal investments in infrastructure, emission reduction opportunities and clean technologies.

“We are committed to working together as a region and remain focused on advancing our common goals for a greener economy that is more resilient to climate impacts,” said Rousselle. “We are working to identify regional opportunities to reduce emissions by key sectors, including transportation, built environment, industry and agriculture, as well as spur clean technology development in the region.”

He said that the province is also collaborating on adapting to the impacts of climate change.

Today’s meeting was built on the dialogue and outcomes of the March Vancouver Declaration on Clean Growth and Climate Change. That was where Canada’s premiers agreed to position the country as a leader in the global clean growth economy and committed to transition to a low-carbon economy through a broad range of initiatives. This included carbon pricing and tools adapted to each province’s and territory’s specific circumstances and took into consideration existing and planned provincial systems.