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Canada has committed to 2030 emission reductions targets under the Paris Agreement. However, the federal government has set and missed a number of climate change commitments over the past 25 years, as emissions have continued to rise. In part the problem lies in a thin view of the goal. The federal government has at least in rhetoric moved beyond the old environment versus economy view to a claim that we can have both environmental protection and a strong economy. Yet this view is still too thin to support the 2030 targets, let alone the massive changes needed by mid-Century. This paper examines how the vision of the goal relates to some key questions about creating and implementing climate law and policy. After setting out some elements of a thicker vision, the paper first discusses the question of how the target should be set, including whether specific targets in legislation are preferable to broader, vaguer discretionary powers. It then turns to the issue of how to make credible climate decisions, a key concern in recent debates about reform of the environmental assessment regime and the National Energy Board. It discusses the role of law, expertise and political accountability in establishing credibility. Finally, the paper sets out some thoughts about what can be said about public participation in setting climate policies, beyond the fact that we need to increase it. The paper concludes by discussing the connection between institutional balance and balance in the vision underlying decarbonization.
Le Canada s'est engagé à atteindre des cibles de réduction d'émission de gaz d'ici 2030 en vertu de l'Accord de Paris. Toutefois, le gouvernement fédéral, au cours des 25 dernières années, a pris un certain nombre d'engagements en matière de changements climatiques qu'il n'a pas toujours respectés et les émissions de gaz ont continuéd'augmenter. Une partie du problème s'explique par le fait que l'objectif fixé est à courte vue. Le gouvernement fédéral, du moins en théorie, s'est éloignéde l'ancienne approche qui opposait l'environnement à l'économie et a adoptéun discours selon lequel il est possible de protéger l'environnement tout en ayant une économie solide. Or, cette approche est insuffisante pour permettre d'atteindre les cibles en question d'ici 2030, encore moins pour mettre en oeuvre les importants changements d'ici le milieu...