The David Suzuki Foundation hopes that the budget will be “very ambitious” in that it concerns climate and energy, public transport, adaptation to climate change and the health of our ecosystems. (Photo: The Canadian Press)
Active transport and public transport, climate change initiative initiatives, food courts and more general courts “the well-being of Quebecers” are at the heart of the demands of environmental groups in forecasting the budget that will be provincial Tuesday.
The David Suzuki Foundation hopes that the budget will be “very ambitious” in that it concerns climate and energy, public transport, adaptation to climate change and the health of our ecosystems.
“The latest report by the Intergovernmental Group on Climate Change (GIECC) reports that our company is adapting very badly to the current risks of climate change, food insecurity and augmented insecurity,” the Director-General for Quebec and the Atlantic, Sabaa Khan, adding that the intentions of the government “should be in line with scientific knowledge”.
Sabaa Khan hopes that public transport, whose revenues have diminished considerably during the pandemic, “receiving large sums”, because “it is necessary to provide an alternative to the car alone that is really the problem in Quebec”.
Transport is responsible for around 40% of GES Quebec emissions.
Financing Natural Infrastructures
The David Suzuki Foundation calls on the government to dedicate at least 1% of Quebec’s infrastructure budget to the development of natural infrastructures, which are “very important in climate adaptation and which increase climate change climate”.
Sabaa Khan gives the example of trees, gardens and green toads in urban environments, which allow to combat the heat waves, but also to sequester and store carbon and thus reduce pollution.
It also points out that the role of natural infrastructures such as forests and humid environments in flood prevention is largely documented.
Inflation does not have to be a pretext
For Marc-André Viau, Director of Equatorial Government Relations, Inflation should not be a pretext for diminishing Efforts in the fight against climate change.
“We are aware that people need air financially and there is a way to give them everything in the face of the climate crisis.”
Par Beispiel, Équiterre advance which helps the citizens to utilize the active transport, the government allowed to fight against pollution, all while reducing the invoice for households for transport.
“We can invest in active transport for cyclists and pedestrians, the government has provided $ 6 million in its plan for a green economy, but we can easily improve this funding,” said Marc-André Viau.
As in every budget presentation, public transport is part of the priority demands of environmentalist groups, “but it is also necessary to increase public transport in the region, and not only in urban environments”, clarifies the director of governmental relations d ‘.
Electric vehicles
It should be noted that the incentive programs for the purchase of electric vehicles are financed by the owners of energy and polluting vehicles.
“We can also modulate the incentives for those who have an advantage over the income of the people”, indicates Marc-André Viau.
While the government has let it be known that it did not intend to subsidize the purchase of bicycles for electric assistance, Equiterre would like Quebec to “revalue its position” on the subject.
“It is believed that” the electric bicycle is a way of releasing the car “and therefore reducing the gas to the effect of conservatism, affirme the director of governmental relations of Equiterre.
Public transport and road network
The TRANSIT alliance, which is made up of a succession of organizations, including Equity and the David Suzuki Foundation, is asking the government to “balance 50/50 investments between public transport and the road network”.
The alliance is valued currently in Quebec, the investment ratio is still largely to the advantage of the road network, while it is practically the reverse in Ontario.
TRANSIT demands that Quebec adopt a moratorium on high-speed rail development for the benefit of road and public transport refurbishment.
“While governments need to invest in some public transport records, it is important that project promoters ensure rigor and transparency in order to ensure that the choices that are made meet the maximum needs of the Utilization of public transport ‘, can be read in a statement published by the alliance.
The environment meets the demands of the G15 +
The G15 + collective sums up for its part the government “to place the well-being” of the Quebecers in the heart of the provincial budget.
The G15 + is a permanent coalition of organizations, which have not always had the same priorities, as the David Suzuki Foundation, the Quebec Employers’ Council, the Quebec City Council, the Chamber of Commerce Federation of Quebec or still the Coalition of Community Bodies for the Development of the Main Work.
These Organizations demand in Quebec to strengthen the use of social and environmental criteria and to make mandatory rendering in the award of public contracts.
The G15 + would see the government put in place “precise and growing targets for responsible provision”, in a court circuit logic. The proximity courts circulate between others to reduce the distance between the consumer and the producer. They therefore often need to reduce gas emissions to the effect of being sold during transport.
Thus, the collective hopes that the government will accompany the Municipalities and Commercial Development Companies (SDCs) in the promotion of local businesses and in the initiatives to reduce gas emissions to the effect of closing roads in the transport of goods.
According to G15 +, Quebec should support economic initiatives that “favor more secure and environmentally friendly vehicles”. G15 + points out that the young Montreal delivery delivery company is an example of success in the matter. These use Bicycles for Electric Assistance, Electric Cars and Electric Trucks.
By the same token, local food systems such as public markets and neighborhoods and projects that allow farmers to sell directly to consumers must be valued by the government, according to the collective.
Residential agricultural practices
G15 + recommends to the government to financially support agricultural practices related to climate change. This type of agriculture generally implies a type of practice that avoids the waste of water resources, which allows for the diversification of species and varieties cultivated as opposed to monoculture, which favors the good health of the sun and which respects biodiversity.
Increase purchases of québéic foods by schools, hospitals and ministries and bodies are also part of the recommendations of the G15 + group and most of the environmental groups.
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