Statement - Minister of Environment and Climate Change marks Canada's Ratification of the Paris Agreement

GATINEAU, QC, Oct. 5, 2016 /CNW/ - Environment and Climate Change Minister, Catherine McKenna, released the following statement on the occasion of Canada ratifying the Paris Agreement at the United Nations in New York:

"From the earliest days of our government's mandate, as Minister of Environment and Climate Change, I have been invested in the Paris Agreement. In December 2015, I led Canada's delegation to COP21, where Canada played an instrumental role in reaching that historic agreement to keep the global temperature increase below 2 degrees Celsius. And where Canada fought to make sure Indigenous rights were recognized in the Agreement by all 195 countries that signed on. And I was there when Canada signed the Paris Agreement on April 22, Earth Day.

"Today, Parliament voted to support the ratification of the Paris Agreement, true to our commitment to do so this year. And once again, Canada is a leader on climate change. Our action will bring the world over the threshold of 55 countries accounting for 55 percent of global greenhouse gas emissions needed to bring the Paris Agreement into force.

"Here at home, we continue to work for Canadians, including Indigenous peoples, businesses, and the provinces and territories. We remain committed to developing a Canadian plan for clean growth and climate change to support families and businesses in making our country cleaner and more competitive.

"We are the first generation to truly feel the effects of climate change, and the last that is able to do something about it before it is too late. Canada's children will remember today as the day the world did something about it.

"I'm proud to be a part of the Canadian and global effort to address climate change, and secure a cleaner future for our planet."

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)