Statement - Minister Catherine McKenna meets with Canada's big city mayors to discuss climate change

OTTAWA, Oct. 19, 2016 /CNW/ - Environment and Climate Change Minister, Catherine McKenna, and Mayor Don Iveson, City of Edmonton and Chair of the Federation of Canadian Municipalities' (FCM's) Big City Mayors' Caucus released this statement after a productive meeting in Ottawa.

"Canada's big cities play a major role in addressing climate change: They are the centres of growth and innovation. In collaboration with businesses, the provinces, and the federal government, they will build healthy communities and dynamic economies for future generations.

"During today's meeting, we reaffirmed our commitment to work together on climate change, including through leveraging local investment to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions, such as those supported through joint federal-municipal programs like FCM's Green Municipal Fund, an initiative that will produce practical results on a local level.

"It is estimated that municipalities can reduce emissions in Canada by 40 percent by 2020. Through things like energy-efficient buildings, improved public transport, district heating, and active transport infrastructure, cities can create thousands of good-paying, middle-class jobs, and they can be leaders in the clean growth economy.

"Already on the forefront of combating climate change daily, we're excited that Canada's mayors welcome the ratification of the Paris Agreement. International collaboration helps strengthen the work we do domestically, and we look forward to working together to fulfill the commitments we made in Paris through real action here at home."

SOURCE Environment and Climate Change Canada

Caitlin Workman, Press Secretary, Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change, 819-938-9436; Media Relations, Environment and Climate Change Canada, 819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll free)