With extreme weather events on the rise, Québec solidaire is calling for a carbon fund for communities affected by climate-related disasters such as storms, floods or wildfires.
Posted at 10:03 am
“The scientific consensus is that extreme weather events like the devastating ice storm we experienced last week will become more common in the future,” said Alejandra Zaga Mendez, Québec Solidaire’s environmental director.
To be better prepared for possible disasters, the left-wing formation is calling on François Legault’s government to set aside money specifically for climate disasters.
The Climate Emergency Fund would implement “emergency and disaster preparedness and preparedness measures,” providing immediate support to affected communities and helping to rebuild damaged infrastructure.
“It’s not normal that in 2023 Quebec hasn’t created an emergency relief fund specifically for climate disasters,” Ms. Mendez said.
Québec Solidaire also made the call last November after COP27 in Egypt, where Environment Minister Benoit Charette announced financial aid to the most vulnerable countries.
The political party wants to follow the lead of British Columbia, which set up a similar fund in 2017. “While the government has stabilization reserves and contingency reserves, it doesn’t have money on hand specifically for climate emergencies,” the political formation argued.