'Radical solutions are required'
Bevington and Bromley talk climate change after NDP's Leap Manifesto endorsement
John McFadden
Northern News Services
Friday, April 22, 2016
SOMBA K'E/YELLOWKNIFE
Two former NWT politicians say the territorial government needs to rethink its priorities to focus more on battling climate change and less on building new highways.
Former New Democrat MP Dennis Bevington made his position known following the federal NDP convention earlier this month in Edmonton. Party delegates endorsed what is known as the Leap Manifesto and approved a resolution that would see the controversial manifesto studied and resolutions formed for the party's next meeting in two years.
The manifesto deals with addressing climate change and the need for immediate action. It essentially calls for stopping oil and gas pipelines and suggests that leaving resources in the ground might be necessary for Canada to achieve all its carbon emission reduction goals.
"We're agreeing to do something internationally with our emissions and the only way we can is to look at getting off fossil fuels," Bevington said. "I've never been a big fan of the (GNWT's) efforts on this. They've always been conflicted ... Alberta is moving ahead with a big solar program. There are great opportunities for the North right now. We're not likely to have any oil and gas development up here. We should by trying to create opportunities for renewable energy in all our communities."
Bevington, president of Stand Alone Energy Systems, said the company is buying and selling solar panels every day. According to the company's website it provides renewable energy products to individuals, businesses, community groups, utilities and governments. He pointed out new highways lead to a larger carbon footprint.
Former MLA Bob Bromley agrees with Bevington that the territorial government needs a re-think on where it wants to spend infrastructure dollars. He maintains that more action on climate change has to happen immediately.
"Radical solutions are now required because we've left it so long. There is still an opportunity if we move fast to protect people and save lives," said Bromley. "You can't have a roaring economy and save the world at the same time. But you can have a strong local economy throughout the NWT based on renewable energies. I don't see the GNWT moving in that direction yet."
Bromley said he has written to the premier and MP Michael McLeod suggesting they focus less on roads and more on renewable energy.
"To be blowing big capital dollars on projects that have no evidence that they are going to be used for economic development right now is bordering on insane," Bromley said.
Yellowknifer reached out to Premier Bob McLeod to respond to Bromley and Bevington's assertions on his government's shortcomings when it comes to climate change.
"I think you are hanging out too much with the NDP. I can see why they are both former (politicians)," McLeod quipped. "We're leading the pack in the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions. I told the prime minister and all the premiers that we have already achieved our greenhouse gas emission targets - we've reduced our greenhouse gas emission levels."
McLeod added that the government expects to roll out a new greenhouse gas emission strategy soon.
The existing one is still in place even though it technically expired last year. The 18th Legislative Assembly made climate change one of its top priorities last December, not long after the fall election.
When it comes to Bevington and Bromley's suggestion that the Tlicho Road and the Mackenzie Valley Highway projects are ill-conceived and should be lower down the priority list, McLeod said they are being unrealistic and perhaps irresponsible.
"We are proposing we do both (green energy and highways)," McLeod said. "I think they are trying to paint a dark picture that we are not doing enough. There is no reason why we can't build highways and also invest in green infrastructure.
