With 2030 deadline approaching, CAQ boosts spending to reduce Quebec's emissions

As the province's window to reach its emissions goal continues to narrow, the Coalition Avenir Québec government plans to pump more money into the fight against climate change.

According to the latest update on Quebec's green economy plan presented Friday, the provincial government is setting aside more than $9 billion between 2023 and 2028 to reduce greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions and decarbonize the economy.

That total represents an increase of about $1.4 billion from the plan's previous version.

"When we talk about the fight against climate, it's the [big] challenge of the 21st century, and every citizen has a responsibility," Legault said during a news conference alongside Environment Minister Benoit Charette.

The CAQ government has previously vowed to reduce GHG emissions by 37.5 per cent below 1990 levels by the year 2030 — a commitment born out of the Paris Agreement. The CAQ also promised to guide the province towards carbon neutrality by 2050.

According to Legault, this updated budget will help cover 60 per cent of the measures necessary to reach the 2030 deadline, leaving the government seven years to come up with the rest. 

"Considering that [the green economy plan] is the only guide for the CAQ in its fight against climate change, it looks bad," said Alejandra Zaga-Mendez, Québec Solidaire's environment critic. 

Zeroing in on electric vehicles and industrial emissions

The electrification of vehicles, including a provincial ban on the sale of gas-powered vehicles by 2035, was already a key component of the CAQ's environmental strategy.

On Friday, Legault said his government wants to force car manufacturers to produce enough electric vehicles so that there are two million of them circulating on Quebec roads by 2030.

A total of $514 million will also be set aside to install charging stations across the province.

The government will also invest $82.5 million into an existing program meant to electrify the trucking industry called Écocamionnage. 

In addition to transportation, the Legault government said it wants to work with industrial polluters and reduce the carbon footprint of buildings.

It's estimated that four cement plants combine to produce about 15 per cent of the province's GHG emissions. As part of the plan unveiled Friday, those plants will need to come up with a plan to reduce their emissions when they renew their government-issued permits. But the province will not impose targets on those companies.

"The next year is dedicated to discussions we'll see with them what can be done and determine if it's enough or not," said Charette, adding: "I'm not talking about bringing out the stick at this time."

Reducing emissions from buildings

According to the government, industrial and commercial buildings account for 9.6 per cent of GHG emissions in Quebec. To address this, the province will invest over one billion dollars to reduce emissions in this sector. That includes $215 million for projects to isolate thermal discharges and use that energy to heat other buildings.

The Sortons le gaz! coalition, which advocates for greater energy efficiency within buildings, among other things, said the government could go further. The measures proposed by the coalition include prohibiting new natural gas connections as well as the replacement of existing natural gas equipment after it's run its course.

"If New York can decarbonize its buildings with our electricity, there is no reason for Quebec to maintain its dependency on gas," said the coalition in a statement. 

Money set aside for municipalities

Legault said he wants every municipality in Quebec to come up with a climate change adaptation plan by 2030. 

The government has already invested $281 million to support municipalities and will inject an additional $240 million, a measure that was welcomed by the Quebec union of municipalities, the umbrella group representing the province's municipal governments.

"Municipalities need to have access to dedicated sums but also to programs with greater flexibility that will allow them to quickly invest on the grounds," the organization said in a statement. 

However, Legault did say he wants to see municipalities step up and finance part of the investment. 

"It can't only be financed by income tax," he said. 

Legault also announced an investment of around $280 million for renewable energy projects in remote municipalities not serviced by Hydro-Québec. 

The CAQ's green economy plan is expected to be updated annually.