MONTREAL — Canada's environment minister won't say if the country can meet its climate change commitments and at the same time green-light new pipeline projects.
Catherine McKenna told reporters today after a luncheon speech to the Montreal Council on Foreign Relations that Canada needs to de-carbonize its economy but stressed it won't happen overnight.
The Canadian government has come under increased pressure to explain how it can increase development of Alberta's oilsands and also meet its ambitious greenhouse gas emission targets.
Quebec and Canada are reviewing TransCanada's Energy East pipeline proposal that would see 1.1 million barrels of oil a day move from Alberta and Saskatchewan to New Brunswick.
McKenna says Canada still needs jobs from the fossil fuel sector despite her government's goal of transitioning to a low-emission economy.
She says the recent federal budget demonstrates Canada is serious about fighting climate change.
