(OTTAWA) - The Green Party of Canada notes today’s alarming report from the federal Environmental Commissioner that shows Infrastructure Canada is failing to consider the environmental and financial risks of severe weather when funding new projects.
“Increasing severe weather events like extreme rainfall, storms and flooding should be factored into all new major infrastructure spending. Instead, Commissioner Gelfand’s report shows the federal government is downloading the future cost of climate change onto municipalities, who are left to pick up the pieces when extreme weather hits,” said Elizabeth May, Leader of the Green Party of Canada (MP, Saanich-Gulf Islands).
“New public infrastructure projects should be designed to minimize environmental effects and withstand the impacts of future weather events. It’s also disturbing that the Gas Tax Fund has paid out $13 billion to municipalities since 2005, but there are no measurements to show this spending actually resulted in cleaner air and water or in lower greenhouse gas emissions,” Ms. May said.
“I urge Infrastructure Minister Amarjeet Sohi to act swiftly to ensure billions of taxpayer dollars aren’t being spent on projects that can’t withstand severe weather events linked to climate change,” Ms. May concluded.
The Environmental Commissioner’s audit also showed Health Canada does not regularly test cosmetic products to verify the accuracy of product labels or check to see if they contain heavy metals or contaminants.
“Canadians rely on Health Canada to keep harmful chemicals out of our cosmetics, but Commissioner Gelfand has revealed loopholes that let toxic substances slip through under the label of ‘fragrance’ or ‘parfum,’” said Daniel Green, Green Party Health Critic. “These hazardous, harmful chemicals need to be stopped at the source and banned. I call on Health Minister Jane Philpott to act on this alarming audit to ensure Canadian consumers are protected.”
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For additional information or to arrange an interview, contact:
Dan Palmer
Press Secretary | Attaché de presse
dan.palmer@greenparty.ca
m: (613) 614-4916