Ottawa welcomes Biden as ally in climate fight
Posted Nov 8, 2020 02:35:38 PM.
Last Updated Nov 8, 2020 04:18:36 PM.
OTTAWA — Federal cabinet ministers are welcoming Joe Biden’s election as the next U.S. president as an opportunity to advance the fight against climate change.
Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson and Infrastructure Minister Catherine McKenna were among those to specifically mention climate change as they took to Twitter to welcome Biden’s victory over Donald Trump.
McKenna, who previously served as Canada’s environment minister, appeared to take a veiled shot at the Trump administration by describing the last four years as a “long, tough slog” when it came to fighting climate change.
This is really sinking in. It's been a long, tough slog these past four years internationally on climate action.
It will make a big difference to have the US back in the #ParisAgreement, joining Canada & like-minded countries pushing hard for ambitious climate action. ???? https://t.co/phs742cP8x
— Catherine McKenna (@cathmckenna) November 7, 2020
Biden has promised that one of his first actions after being sworn in as president on Jan. 20 will be to have the U.S. rejoin the Paris Climate Agreement after the Trump administration officially left the treaty last week.
Blair Feltmate, who headed the Canadian government’s expert panel on climate change adaptation, says Biden’s election should serve as a shot in the arm for the Trudeau government’s own plans to build a greener economy.
Yet Biden’s election is also expected to pose a further challenge to Canada’s oil and gas sector, as the president-elect has indicated he plans to cancel approval of the Keystone XL pipeline.
Congratulations to President-Elect @JoeBiden and Vice-President Elect @KamalaHarris. Canada stands ready and willing to work constructively with the US to create good jobs for citizens on both sides of the border while taking strong action to address the climate crisis. pic.twitter.com/wmhLPcFiLX
— Jonathan Wilkinson ???????? (@JonathanWNV) November 7, 2020