AFN Welcomes Commitment to Paris Agreement

OTTAWA – Assembly of First Nations (AFN) National Chief Perry Bellegarde welcomed Canada’s commitment to implement the Paris Agreement on climate change and emphasized the need for action to mitigate the effects of climate change and carbon pricing as it affects First Nations.“We welcome Canada’s announcement and call on all governments to incorporate traditional environmental knowledge and include First Nations in all plans to address climate change,” said National Chief Bellegarde. “Canada must work with First Nations on climate mitigation measures, and this includes ensuring food security, energy security and access to clean energy. This is about finding balance, and moving towards clean, green energy solutions that will create employment and wealth for all.”Yesterday in the House of Commons, Prime Minister Trudeau announced that the federal government will impose a carbon price plan on provinces and territories that do not have one by 2018. The Prime Minister said the federal government is setting a price on carbon pollution at a minimum of $10 a tonne in 2018, which will rise $10 a year to $50 a tonne in 2022. Under the Paris Agreement, Canada commits to reducing its gas emissions by 30 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030.