Letter to federal party leaders calls for climate action

Multiple municipal leaders are looking to have climate change front-and-centre for the new federal government after the election this month.

More than 120 municipal leaders from across Canada have penned an open letter to federal party leaders, calling on investment in climate action and economic sovereignty.

Calgary’s Ward 8 Coun. Courtney Walcott is on the list of signatories, as well as the mayors of Jasper and Banff.

Those part of the Elbows Up for Climate campaign believe Canadians, regardless of political background are worried about the same things; having good jobs, a safe and affordable place to live, and knowing their leaders have a plan.

These concerns stem from the effects of the U.S. trade war and recurring climate emergencies.

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The letter reads in part, “We believe this is the moment for Canada to fight back, by investing in national projects that will connect and protect our country from the dual threats of tariffs and climate change.

“We can’t keep watching our homes, towns and forests burn to a crisp, and pretend the status quo is working or safe. We can’t adapt our way out of this problem.”

Elbows Up for Climate is calling on the federal government to implement the following ideas as soon as one is elected:

• Build a national clean electric grid, delivering affordable energy to urban, rural and Indigenous communities;
• Build a national high-speed rail network and extend it with locally made electric buses to reach every community;
• Build at least two million non-market energy efficient homes;
• Install heat pumps in homes and buildings across the country to cut energy bills and pollution; and
• Fund a national resilience, response and recovery strategy, so communities can prepare for climate disasters, respond to them and rebuild afterwards.

Leaders believe these projects would create hundreds of thousands of jobs, and tariff-proof Canada’s economy.

“Let’s put our elbows up for climate action and commit to truly national projects to protect and connect our country,” the group said.