Quebecers mostly in favor of holding a leaders' debate focusing exclusively on the environment and the climate crisis

PRESS RELEASE
FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

Montreal – Quebec, June 6, 2022 – In view of the provincial elections, Go green, a coalition of environmental and citizen groups, is calling on the media to hold a leaders' debate focusing exclusively on on the environment, the climate crisis and the solutions proposed by political parties. Moreover, in a recent survey carried out by the Léger firm, 56 %* of Quebecers believe that it is relevant to hold such a debate.

“The climate crisis and the collapse of biodiversity affect several aspects of our daily lives, whether it is our physical and mental health, our security, the cost of our grocery basket or our public finances. In addition, the climate crisis carries the risk of accentuating inequalities, since it has disproportionate effects on certain populations. We believe that, in the current form of the debates, the time allocated and the thematic block approach are insufficient**,” affirm the initiative groups Go green.

The concerns of Quebecers

This double crisis is hitting all of Quebec society. Its impacts are transversal and multidimensional. Considering the amplitude of extreme climatic phenomena – floods, forest fires, heatwaves, droughts, tornadoes, etc. – 73% of Quebecers say they are worried about the impact of climate change on their health (respiratory problems, new diseases, etc.) and on public health. The same proportion are concerned about the costs of climate change on public funds and their personal finances.

Moreover, 60% of people surveyed believe that the Quebec government is not doing enough to adapt the Quebec territory to the consequences of climate change, such as flooding, erosion and early deterioration of infrastructure. In terms of mitigation, 64% consider that governments are not doing enough to limit the consequences of climate change on vulnerable populations and marginalized communities in Quebec.

“The message from Quebecers regarding the environment, adaptation, mitigation and environmental protection is clear: concern about the consequences of climate change is palpable and expectations towards the government to do better are high. In this context, an exclusive leaders' debate on the environment and climate is necessary and essential,” say the initiative groups Go green.

Platform and debates

Based on the principles that we must increase ambition, act quickly, coherently and in an inclusive manner, we must prepare Quebec to face the present challenges. This is how we will make our living environments healthier, more equitable and more resilient in the future.

That is why Go green presents a series of proposals for the attention of political parties with a view to the next electoral campaign. THE 48 proposals are grouped under seven categories: climate and energy, transport and development, agriculture and food, biodiversity and natural environments, eco-fiscality and natural economy, integrated water management as well as equitable environmental and climate governance.

“With the latest findings of the IPCC urging humanity to drastically change course, it is time for leaders and candidates to propose comprehensive solutions to the climate crisis during an election period in order to give the "Right now to voters on their ambitions for action for the next decade", conclude the representatives of Go green.

Furthermore, the team of Go green offers support, personalized support and turnkey tools to help citizen committees and local organizations organize a meeting with their candidates, whether in the form of a non-partisan debate or individual interviews , focusing on environmental issues and solutions to the climate crisis. Debates Week Go green will take place from September 18 to 25, 2022.

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Book of proposals

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Notes to editors:

*56%: slide 8 of the survey report clearly indicates that 56% finds it totally relevant, 34% totally irrelevant and 10% has no opinion. Note that it is only 34% who find such a debate irrelevant, since 10% has no opinion. In other words, it is not 44% who are opposed to this debate.

**Note that in 2018, during the “Face-à-Face Québec 2018” organized by TVA, no segment was dedicated to climate and the environment. This was briefly discussed in the “Economy and public finances” segment, at the very end of the debate. During the same exercise presented on Radio-Canada, “The Great Leaders’ Debate 2018”, only 16 minutes were devoted to it over the two hours.

This survey Web was created with 1004 Quebecers who could speak French or English. Data was collected from May 27 to 29, 2022. Results were weighted based on gender, age, native language, region, education level and presence of children in the household to ensure a representative sample of the Quebec population. The maximum and presumed margin of error on a sample taken from a panel is ± 3.1%, 19 times out of 20.

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