RUSTICO, PE - Premier Dennis King, along with PC Candidate Brad Trivers, released a plan for Prince Edward Island to continue to be environmental leaders across the country and around the world.
Prince Edward Island is a leader in the country when it comes to reducing greenhouse gas emissions and implementing effective climate adaptation strategies. Our PC Government released the framework to become the first Net Zero province in Canada, a full 10 years ahead of the federal target, titled Net Zero 2040: Accelerating Our Transition to a Clean, Sustainable Economy.\
In addition, our PC government released the action plan for climate adaptation efforts, titled Building Resilience: Climate Adaptation Plan that focuses on adaptation efforts to ensure our province, our infrastructure, and all Islanders adequately prepare for the effects of climate change.
These strategies have been made with the input of hundreds of Islanders, climate change experts locally, nationally, and internationally, as well as representatives from organizations like the UPEI School for Climate Change and Adaptation. These strategies will continue to be the blueprint for being a greener, more environmentally friendly province and ensuring we are prepared for the impacts of climate change in the future.
In addition, a re-elected PC government will:
-
Work with the School of Climate Change and Adaptation to create a 25-year coastal management plan;
-
Increase setback requirements in sensitive areas, including shorelines;
-
Develop PEI’s first Land Use Plan to strategically develop and protect our land;
-
Launch a Community Energy Initiative by working with local non-profit and community organizations to have local ownership of renewable energy initiatives such as windmills and solar projects where profits go directly back to local communities;
-
Implement all recommendations from the Emergency Forestry Task Force;
-
Increase nursery tree production by 30% to 1,300,000 trees per year;
-
Transition the entire school bus fleet to electric buses by 2030;
-
Introduce Solar for Schools to increase renewable energy and education around green technologies;
-
Double the investment in active transportation paths;
-
Become Canada’s most EV-friendly province in Canada by expanding the charging network across the province, especially in rural communities; and
-
Increase funding to expand our watershed alliance network to ensure in-shore fisheries are protected, waterways are kept clean, and trees are planted.
-
Continue to fund Fiona clean-up efforts across the province.
To build resilience in communities across the province, especially for major weather events, a re-elected PC government will:
-
Launch a $5 Million Dollar Fund for retrofitting warming centres with appropriate equipment and supplies to support communities during weather events;
-
Install bi-directional EV chargers at critical infrastructure locations and warming centres so that electric school buses can be used as generators during power outages;
-
Build electrical grid resilience, in partnership with the federal government, through on-Island generation and storage, and moving towards burying power lines to protect the power supply during weather events;
-
Create a pilot for an on-Island generation project; and
-
Enhance partnerships with communities, volunteer fire departments, and first responders to ensure effective and appropriate responses.
“Islanders have worked hard to achieve the enviable position we have as leaders in responding to the realities of climate change,” said Premier Dennis King. “The measures we’re announcing today will add to the foundation we are laying for a more resilient future.”
“Adding more electric school buses, increasing on Island renewable energy generation, stepping up reforestation efforts, and more support for our watershed groups are practical steps that make a difference,” said Brad Trivers, PC Candidate for District 18: Rustico - Emerald. “I’m especially pleased to see measures around strengthened coastal management, shoreline protection, and emergency response as part of our plan to respond to climate change.”