N.B. premier ready to talk climate change at ministers’ meeting
This news story was taken from CTV Atlantic, with files from Nick Moore
November 22, 2015
New Brunswick Premier Brian Gallant says he’s ready to talk climate change with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau and other premiers.
“All the while insuring respecting each province specific realities,” said Gallant. “We all have different types of economies and different challenges.”
On CTV’s Question Period Sunday, Gallant teed up climate talks by reaffirming his support for an Energy East pipeline – a project that currently doesn’t have full support from the federal Liberals.
“We certainly have no problem with looking at improving any process when it comes to environmental protections but we also want to see this project happen, we believe there’s a process that has been unfolding, we should let that process continue its work, and it’s an independent process,” said Gallant.
New Brunswick Green Party Leader David Coon says the province has to focus on how it does work with Ottawa and other Maritime provinces to bring in a renewable energy economy.
Late Sunday, Alberta’s NDP government said it would implement a carbon tax that would apply across its economy.
“Engage with in Ottawa is how do we work with Ottawa, how do we work with the other maritime provinces, perhaps Quebec as well, on building a renewable energy economy in our region,” said Coon.
Gallant says Energy East would be an economic boost.
“Not only in the west, it would help New Brunswick, the whole country diversify,” said Gallant.
The premiers and prime minister meet in Ottawa Monday.