Don’t Victimize Poorest Households in Fight Against Climate Change

Target: Justin Trudeau, Prime Minister of Canada

Goal: Don’t penalize lower-income families with carbon-neutrality plans.

New fuel restrictions and costs could soon worsen poverty for single mothers, seniors on fixed incomes, and low-income households in Canada. The Clean Fuel Standard has been announced by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau as part of the Liberal Party’s laudable plan to drastically cut annual emissions by more than 20 megatons by 2030. The intent of the standard is to cut carbon content in liquid fuels used to heat homes and for transportation. However, it makes no provision for those without the means to transition to greener fuels, leading to charges that working class families will be stuck with the bill as fuel producers and importers increase prices to meet legal obligations.

This change is essential for fighting climate change and repairing the damage done to the planet, but in its current form, it is likely to end up hurting those with lower incomes. Trudeau and the government of Canada must consider those least able to absorb additional costs in their environmental policy. Demand that the Clean Fuel Standard be amended to provide greater incentives and funding for those in need as Canada transitions to more environmentally-friendly energy sources.

PETITION LETTER:

Dear Prime Minister,

The Canadian government has made impressive progress in its efforts to reduce carbon emissions and reverse the catastrophic effects of climate change, but this progress cannot come at the cost of ordinary Canadians’ livelihoods and financial security. Pushing the cost of liquid fuels such as heating oil and gasoline onto consumers is an irresponsible move which will see poverty deepen for thousands of households, threatening to leave behind Canada’s most needful citizens.

As prime minister, it is your duty to protect the well-being, both personal and economic, of citizens of Canada. I demand that you lead the Liberal Party in re-drafting the Clean Fuel Standard to provide subsidies and incentives to those on lower or fixed incomes in order to ensure all Canadians transition to green energy without suffering.

Sincerely,

[Your Name Here]

Photo credit: Hussein Abdallah