Canadian Environment Minister Catherine McKenna has joined her counterparts at the G7 environment ministers meeting in France in a commitment to a clean economy for all.
McKenna highlighted Canada's Task Force on Just Transition for coal workers and communities as well as Canada's approach to putting a price on carbon pollution and returning the revenues to families.
G7 environment ministers also adopted the Metz Charter on Biodiversity, which recognizes the global movement to protect nature.
Ministers also discussed concrete solutions and innovation to tackle plastic pollution. The Ocean Plastics Charter—an outcome of Canada's G7 presidency, supported by 21 countries—was cited as one example of leadership that contributes to growing momentum.
While in France, Minister McKenna also met with French parliamentarians to highlight the benefits of the Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement, which led to an eight per cent increase of commercial trade between both countries in the first year it was signed. The Canada-European Union Comprehensive Economic and Trade Agreement is the most advanced and inclusive trade agreement offering Canadian companies considerable opportunities to diversify their export markets and create more jobs to grow the middle class.
"Canada is committed to protecting nature, tackling plastic pollution, advancing ambitious climate action, and helping adapt to a changing climate. The meeting of G7 environment ministers advanced these shared priorities and reinforced that a transition to a cleaner future must be inclusive and promote equality. This commitment is in line with Canada's Task Force on Just Transition for coal workers and communities, an approach to putting a price on pollution and returning the revenues to families. There is also huge economic opportunity with the transition to a cleaner future, and we're helping companies grow sustainably while creating new jobs," said McKenna.
