Write your MP about the new Climate Legislation

Normally, the Calgary Climate Hub focusses our attention at the municipal level, but you should know that the federal government has proposed Bill C-12, the Climate Accountability Act to take action on climate. The Eco-Elders for Climate Action, a node of the Hub, have sent this request to help strengthen the Act:

We need personal calls and letters going to our MPs.

Ensure they know you do not consider this a partisan issue and want their support in pressing their colleagues who are on the Environment Standing Committee to strengthen this legislation: ENVI - Home - House of Commons of Canada (ourcommons.ca)

Here is a suggested template for writing your letter: 

Dear (Your MP),

I am a constituent in your riding who is deeply concerned about the climate crisis and the fact that Canada is not on track to meet its Paris Agreement climate targets. While the government’s new Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act (Bill C-12) is a welcome step in the right direction, it does not go far enough. We all know that the action we take this decade is crucial - yet this law does not require setting a milestone for 2025; it does not make the 2030 target legally-binding; and it does not include sufficient accountability measures.

As your constituent, I am calling on you to push for amendments to this climate legislation that includes:

• A 2025 milestone for emissions reduction
• A stronger emissions reduction target of at least 50% by 2030, to align with IPCC recommendations, that is enshrined in law
• 5 year carbon budgets to keep on track
• A clear legal duty to reach set targets so that they endure governments of the future
• Clearly defined and robust roles for an independent advisory body that must include climate science experts to help set targets, review, assess, and report on progress.

We have run out of time to prevent the worst impacts of the climate crisis. It is imperative that the government amend Bill C-12 to make it much stronger if we are to secure a livable future for our children.

I look forward to receiving your response.

Sincerely,

(Your name)

(Your postal code)

You can find your MP here: Current Members of Parliament - Members of Parliament - House of Commons of Canada (ourcommons.ca)

You can find more information about the Climate Accountability Act here.

For advice on how to write an effective letter, see this blog post.