Canada Responds to the U.S. Decision to Withdraw from the Paris Agreement on Climate Change
Prime Minister, Justin Trudeau, today issued the following statement in response to the United States' decision to withdraw from the Paris Agreement:
"We are deeply disappointed that the United States federal government has decided to withdraw from the Paris Agreement. Canada is unwavering in our commitment to fight climate change and support clean economic growth. Canadians know we need to take decisive and collective action to tackle the many harsh realities of our changing climate.
"While the U.S. decision is disheartening, we remain inspired by the growing momentum around the world to combat climate change and transition to clean growth economies. We are proud that Canada stands united with all the other parties that support the Agreement. We will continue to work with our domestic and international partners to drive progress on one of the greatest challenges we face as a world.
"This is not only about the huge economic opportunities of clean growth and the need to address the pressing threats of climate change. This is about an ambitious and unshakeable desire to leave a cleaner, healthier and more sustainable planet for our kids and for generations to come.
"We are all custodians of this world, and that is why Canada will continue to work with the U.S. at the state level, and with other U.S. stakeholders, to address climate change and promote clean growth. We will also continue to reach out to the U.S. federal government to discuss this matter of critical importance for all humankind, and to identify areas of shared interest for collaboration, including on emissions reductions."
Canada's Environment and Climate Change Minister, the Honourable Catherine McKenna, released the following statement today in response to the decision by the United States to withdraw from the Paris Agreement on climate change:
"While Canada is deeply disappointed that the United States has chosen to withdraw from the Paris Agreement, we remain steadfast in our commitment to work with our global partners to address climate change and promote clean growth. It is the right thing to do for future generations and will create good jobs as we grow a clean economy.
Canada will continue to take leadership on climate change.
In September, we will co-host a Ministerial meeting with China and the European Union in Canada to move forward on the Paris Agreement and clean growth.
The Paris Agreement, negotiated by 195 countries, sent an important signal to the market. In fact, it has opened up $23 trillion in clean innovation opportunities for climate-smart investments in emerging markets between now and 2030.
Not only are countries around the world acting on climate change, so are businesses. They understand that tackling climate change is the right thing to do. It is good for business. Provinces, states, cities and Indigenous and local communities are also acting to protect our planet.
With or without the United States, the momentum around the Paris Agreement and climate action is unstoppable.
We are proud that last year, we announced the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change that demonstrates the commitment of the federal government and the provinces to work with Indigenous peoples, business, environmentalists and all Canadians to grow the economy, reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help our communities adapt to the changing climate.
Canada will continue to take a leadership role to tackle climate change at home and abroad. We understand the clear economic opportunity. We also understand that we need to leave a more sustainable planet to our children and granchildren."
