NEW! PEI: CPA advises climate change policies must be affordable for Islanders

On August 11, the CPA filed additional comments with a PEI legislative committee that has made recommendations to the provincial government regarding next steps in the fight against climate change.

The comments were made in relation to the Special Committee Report published in July that presented the results of its initial consultation, in which the CPA had also participated.

The comments filed by CPA Atlantic Government Relations Director, Jean-François Duguay, noted that as the CPA reviewed the report, it became clear that, “an important priority of the committee and indeed for all Islanders, whether they directly participated in your comprehensive consultation or not, is the development of policies that will make Prince Edward Island an even healthier province in which to live, and to do so in a manner that is affordable for all.”

Of specific interest was the legislature’s instruction to the committee under Motion 37 for the province to,  “ adopt emission reduction measures that are cost effective in order to reduce, as much as possible, the potential burden on Islanders and Island businesses of reducing emissions.”

Duguay noted that there were many committee recommendations that were consistent with the values of low-emission propane. The expanded use of propane will immediately make the province cleaner by reducing GHGs, and can do so in a way that will be practical and, most importantly, economical for all Islanders whether they live in urban or rural settings.

The CPA noted immediate steps that the committee and the government should consider implementing as the province transitions to a lower carbon lifestyle. They include:

The CPA will be seeking opportunities to have further discussions with members of the Special Committee and government officials.