Electoral debate 2021

/ Actuality

The Montreal Climate Coalition, in collaboration with the Collectif Démocratisons Montréal and Prenons la Ville, invite you to an electoral debate on the role of public participation in the ecological transition of our city.

Click here to participate in the virtual debate on Tuesday, October 26th at 7pm

There is a vast pool of talent and energy in our neighbourhoods, businesses and schools that regularly demonstrates its support for a rapid transition to carbon neutrality. Without the participation of these same people in the design and implementation of a credible plan, we risk losing the momentum that was so present before the pandemic.

What is each party proposing to facilitate the participation of the hundreds of thousands of people who marched for the climate? Come hear representatives from Ensemble Montréal, Mouvement Montréal and Projet Montréal debate the best strategies for harnessing popular energy to help the city make a green shift that is fair, equitable and inclusive.
The debate will also cover each party’s position on the implementation of recommendations stemming from the public consultation on the reduction of Montreal’s dependence on fossil fuels. Following the consultation, the #MTL400 Declaration was drafted by the Montreal Climate Coalition to accelerate adoption of the consultation’s most promising climate governance solutions. It now counts some 160 organizational signatories, in addition to prominent scientists and researchers.

A few stats to get you warmed up for the debate: 

  • Montreal’s GHG reduction target: 55% below 1990 levels by 2030 (source)
  • Annual greenhouse gas reduction between 1990 and 2017: ± 1% (source)
  • Annual reduction needed to reach our target (2018-2030): ± 2% ((55% – 29%) / 13 years)

We must therefore double the pace of reductions in a context where much of the low-hanging fruit has already been picked. Moreover, we cannot count on coincidences such as the closure of the Shell refinery in 2010, which on its own represents 20% of the emissions reduced since 1990.

The delay in producing a GHG inventory (and the delay in assessing the effectiveness of our actions):

It is important to note that the 55% target does not take into account emissions from our consumption of goods produced outside of Montreal, nor from air travel, making the hole we need to stop digging ourselves into even deeper. Furthermore, the 2050 carbon neutrality target is far from considered equitable for a city like Montreal, as we are a relatively wealthy city from a global perspective. (source)

Register here to participate in the debate on October 26

Other Vire au Vert debates specific to the boroughs and suburbs of the CMM

Need data to inform your interactions with the candidates?

Check out the National Climate League’s 2020 Standings, which highlights best practices from across Canada in municipal climate solutions. Climate Reality Canada and the Community Climate Hub network are currently seeking data for the 2021 edition of the standings. Visit the Benchmarking section of ClimateHub.ca or write to data@climatehub.ca to get involved!