Local leaders call on federal parties to commit to national green projects

Elected officials from cities across the country are calling on federal parties to commit to five countrywide green projects they say can tariff-proof the Canadian economy and create jobs.

About 100 municipal officials representing 10 million Canadians signed an open letter published today to federal leaders on the campaign trail ahead of the April 28 general election.

The coast-to-coast projects include a clean electricity grid; a high-speed rail network; two million new affordable, energy-efficient homes; and retrofits to existing homes to make them more environmentally friendly.

The fifth project involves creating a fund for a national “resilience, response and recovery strategy” for communities to prepare for future climate disasters.

Municipal leaders note that wildfires have ripped through every part of the country, wiping towns and neighbourhoods off the map, and they say it’s clear the status quo isn’t working.

Officials suggest the ambitious projects should be funded with money redirected from fossil fuel subsidies, and from fees collected from companies who pollute the environment.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published April 11, 2025.

The Canadian Press