In response to MP Steven Guilbeault’s resignation, David Miller, former Mayor of Toronto and Co-chair of the Elbows Up for Climate campaign, made this statement:

“I am saddened by Steven Guilbeault’s resignation today, and by the underlying reason – the complete lack of attention to climate change by the current Government. While most Canadians support Mark Carney’s « Elbows Up » approach, they also support climate action.

Taking action to significantly backpedal on climate while Canadian cities and towns are literally on fire is shortsighted and wrong. Climate change is an international problem and requires all countries – including Canada – to do their part. What is more, doing the right thing for climate also means massive job creation in Canada – for example in energy retrofits of buildings; and it means making peoples lives better and more affordable – for example by investing in public transport. 

This resignation highlights how off track the federal government is on these issues. We need investment that makes Canada a clean energy superpower, that reduces our emissions in line with science, and helps our communities build resilience in the face of extreme heat, flooding and wildfires.”