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Environmental Policy

Summary

As the global population continues to grow and nations modernize, humanity’s impact on the environment worsens. The reliance on cheap products, rapid growth, and a consumer-driven mindset, enabled by fossil fuels, significantly increases emissions and pollution. Every year, the amount of solar energy trapped in the atmosphere accumulates, leading to a rise in the global average temperature and disrupting the Earth’s natural processes. Pollution and microplastics are so pervasive that babies in the womb can already have detectable levels of plastic in their bodies. Canadians are developing cancer at younger ages, and rates of health and mental issues have surged, painting a grim picture of our future if we fail to act now.

The Moderate Party of Canada will fight climate change with a commitment on the scale of a war effort, with substantial funding directed toward environmentally sustainable technologies. These innovations provide a beacon of hope in our battle against climate change, offering a path toward a cleaner, healthier future. Decisive action, strict regulations, and a sense of urgency are crucial in this endeavour.

How the Moderate Party of Canada Will Take Action:

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The Situation

Advancing science has led to significant improvements in human quality of life. In Canadian society, it is nearly impossible to function without modern technology. However, this reliance comes at a cost: air and water pollution, destruction of natural habitats, and harm to living organisms.

Overpopulation and excessive consumption have led to ongoing environmental damage that negatively impacts the well-being of Canadians. Microplastics and harmful chemicals exist in fetuses [1] and brains [2], and Canadians are developing cancer sooner. [3] Our reliance on fossil fuels has resulted in excessive amounts of carbon-based greenhouse gases exhausted into the atmosphere. This has resulted in an atmosphere that retains more solar energy than usual. Every year, the amount of energy the atmosphere absorbs increases, translating to a higher global average temperature. This negatively impacts the environment and wildlife, as ecosystems cannot adapt rapidly enough to the changing climate. Despite the gravity of the situation, governments and corporations have taken a passive approach, pledging to achieve net zero emissions by 2050 – which is too little, too late.

The Necessity of Carbon Negative

The technological challenges and environmental damage we face are primarily driven by human behaviour.

The Solution

Climate change is an existential threat that should be addressed with the same seriousness and sense of urgency as a wartime effort. Canada must aggressively pivot to sustainable and environmentally friendly technologies by implementing economic and regulatory mechanisms to facilitate this transition with minimal disruption. Additionally, the issues of microplastics and persistent pollutants must be addressed alongside ecological efforts to ensure the survival of wildlife and the environment.

Our proposed approach is comprehensive and aims to:

  1. Phase out fossil fuels as a means of power generation;
  2. Reverse climate change by removing carbon dioxide and other greenhouse gases from the atmosphere and water;
  3. Introduce reliable and consistent electricity generation across all regions and climates with a low environmental impact;
  4. Provide reliable, consistent, convenient, and affordable transportation with minimal ecological impact;
  5. Transition industries to adopt a minimal waste and very low environmental footprint model;
  6. Shift Canadian culture to prioritize sustainability and long-term thinking;
  7. Transform the Canadian economy toward long-lasting, reliable, and quality products designed for easy recycling, minimizing consumption;
  8. Promote realistic versions of the doughnut and circular economies;
  9. Ban and eliminate toxic chemicals and materials that can bioaccumulate and biomagnify; and
  10. Protect, restore, and preserve wildlife and natural habitats.

The Moderate Party of Canada firmly believes that the only acceptable approach is a war effort level of commitment, with substantial funding, decisive action, and the highest sense of urgency.

To effectively combat climate change and restore the environment, a two-pronged strategy focusing on sustainable technology and cultural change is necessary.

Detailed Policy

The Purple Transition

Take Direct Action by Introducing Environmentally Sustainable Technology

The Moderate Party of Canada advocates for private industry to adopt sustainable technologies. We believe that by adjusting policies and funding, the government can play a crucial role in promoting and accelerating the use of these technologies.

The Moderate Party of Canada recognizes the potential for fraudulent claims or insincere attempts to present a false image of sustainability, commonly called greenwashing. To maintain the integrity of our environmental initiatives, we are committed to protecting against such practices and penalizing those engaged in greenwashing.

Leverage Nuclear Power: A Canadian Technology

Nuclear power is the most environmentally sustainable, scalable, consistent, reliable, and efficient form of power generation. If nuclear power had been fully embraced in the mid-1900s, reliance on fossil fuels would have significantly diminished, leading to a severe reduction in greenhouse gas emissions and a less car-centric society. Many conflicts over oil, exploitative resource extraction, and mining—resulting in harm to millions of people and animals and the destruction of habitats—would likely have been avoided.

Additionally, climate change would not exist.

Canada played a pivotal role in the development of nuclear power and possesses proprietary technology that is use by other countries. Canada is well-equipped to advance nuclear energy with its infrastructure, organizations, knowledge, skilled workforce, and historical expertise. Furthermore, Canada has some of the largest nuclear fuel deposits in the world. Embracing nuclear power will significantly help combat climate change and provide Canada with a substantial economic opportunity.

Reduce Cost with Standardization, Mass Production, and Economies of Scale

The Moderate Party of Canada sees great potential in nuclear power and is committed to actively pursuing the research, development, and implementation of this advanced Canadian technology. The Moderate Party of Canada will standardize a singular, scalable nuclear power design with 2-3 variants, which will eliminate the need to continually redesign power plants. This standardization will streamline the approval, procurement, and construction processes. By achieving this “mass production” of nuclear power, costs and construction times will be significantly reduced. Additionally, converting existing fossil fuel power plants into nuclear facilities will be essential in reducing emissions.

Invest in the Waste and Recycling Industry

As the global population rises and nations modernize, the waste generated increases significantly. For the past few decades, Canada has been exporting waste to countries with poor environmental policies as a cost-saving measure, damaging oceans and ecosystems. The Moderate Party of Canada believes Canada has a significant economic opportunity to become a global leader in waste processing and plans to invest in the recycling industry.

Standardize Electrical Devices, Components, and Connections: One Plug to Rule Them All

To reduce cost and waste, the Moderate Party of Canada will collaborate with academia, private industry, and other nations to standardize electrical devices, components, and connections.

Implement a Green Canopy Heat Island Program

Manufacturing concrete and cement is one of Canada’s leading causes of greenhouse gas emissions. These materials radiate heat absorbed from the sun, warming the surrounding area, a phenomenon known as the “heat island effect”, which contributes to climate change. The Moderate Party of Canada will introduce a program to increase plant coverage over exposed concrete, pavement, and cement. This initiative will help reduce local warming and lessen our environmental impact.

Invest in National Electrified Public Transportation

Personal vehicles produce significant waste, cause noise pollution, normalize aggressive behaviour, create a higher risk of injury or death, and enable environmentally damaging practices such as resource mining. The car-centric layout of urban areas harms people’s well-being and the local ecology. [4] Moreover, personal vehicles are one of the least efficient modes of travel.

An electrified public transportation system utilizing nuclear power and other energy sources can lower Canadian transportation costs, reduce microplastics, improve mental health, foster a greater sense of community, and decrease costly infrastructure maintenance and repair. Most importantly, it significantly lowers emissions and reduces exploitative labour practices

As a promoter of sustainable transportation, the Moderate Party of Canada will establish a consistent, reliable, convenient, fast, and affordable electrified public transportation system.

Remove Carbon Dioxide from the Atmosphere

Carbon-based gases, such as carbon dioxide, trap solar energy in the atmosphere, which increases the global average temperature. The adverse effects of increased greenhouse gases take between 5 and 20 years to appear due to the scale and complexity of the Earth’s natural systems. [5]

Carbon neutrality, or net zero, refers to a product or service that doesn’t generate or offset carbon emissions. Most governments, including Canada, aim to achieve net zero by 2050. While this is an important milestone, it does not address the existing greenhouse gases in the atmosphere that continue to harm the planet. Net zero by 2050 is too little, too late. [6]

Given the urgency of the situation, the Moderate Party of Canada will prioritize funding the research and development of “carbon-negative” technologies, which remove carbon from the atmosphere and water. We will partner with private industry to help accomplish this task. We are aware of greenwashing and misleading claims in the environmental sector. We will introduce and enforce stringent legislation against environmental fraud to ensure transparency.

The Moderate Party of Canada’s goal is to be carbon-negative by 2029.

Research and Develop Lab Grown Food Technology

Lab-grown food has the potential to address food insecurity, agricultural runoff, soil depletion, and animal suffering. The Moderate Party of Canada is committed to funding research and development of lab-grown food technology and offering financial incentives to private companies contributing to these efforts. Breakthroughs in lab-grown food technology will lead to further advancements in medical science.

Research and Develop Environmental Technology: Understanding Our Options

The Moderate Party of Canada believes there is a significant opportunity and necessity to substantially fund research and development of technologies for the environment. The Moderate Party of Canada will increase funding for environment-related research.

Research and Develop Geo-Engineering Technology

The Moderate Party of Canada will investigate geoengineering, which is the manipulation of atmospheric and natural systems, as a last-resort measure to combat climate change.

Create a Global Environmental Task Force: Climate Change – Defeating Climate Change Together

The Moderate Party of Canada will establish a Global Environmental Task Force to enable countries to pool resources and fund technologies tailored to each nation’s needs. We will actively seek financial support and input from our allies to implement effective climate change-fighting technologies. Moreover, fostering collaboration with subject matter experts across nations will enhance our chances of success.

Take Indirect Action by Influencing Human Behaviour

Doing Our Part to Help the Planet

The Moderate Party of Canada recognizes human behaviour as the primary driver of climate change. Since neither the government nor private industries have provided reasonable technological alternatives for Canadians, transitioning to an environmentally sustainable society is impossible. The Moderate Party of Canada is dedicated to finding practical solutions to climate change. We believe investing in and implementing appropriate technological alternatives is the best approach. This will enable Canadians to adopt more sustainable practices, combat climate change, restore the environment, and give hope for a better future.

Reduce Immigration to Reduce Our Environmental Footprint

Canada’s diverse climate—from too hot to freezing—its geographical features, sparse population, and heavy reliance on vehicles position it among the top three countries for the highest per capita emissions and carbon footprint. 

Canada’s per capita carbon emissions are approximately 14 to 18 tons, while the global average is around 6 tons. In contrast, South Asian countries typically have about 2 tons per capita emissions.

The Canadian government plans to raise immigration to 1.5 million annually by 2025. As approximately 1 million immigrants arrive each year, their cumulative carbon footprint adds to Canada’s total emissions. 

This increased immigration could lead to an additional 27 million tons of carbon emissions annually, affecting Canada and contributing to the global average, exacerbating climate change. The urgency of addressing this issue cannot be overstated. The influx of immigrants to Canada contributes directly to an increase in the country’s total greenhouse gas emissions. Over about five years, the surge in immigration could potentially increase Canada’s emissions by an astonishing 100 million tons. Such an outcome would be highly counterproductive in the global efforts to combat climate change. [7]

Influence Market Forces to Drive Sustainable Behaviour

A tax can encourage Canadians to avoid purchasing specific goods or services, but this approach harms Canadians unless affordable alternatives are available. The Moderate Party of Canada proposes a mixed approach: we will reduce taxes on environmentally sustainable goods and services while introducing a consumption tax on environmentally unsustainable goods and services. Taxes will not be imposed on goods and services that do not have an affordable and ecologically sustainable alternative.

The Moderate Party of Canada will also partner with private industry to develop and introduce affordable and environmentally sustainable alternatives, ensuring a smooth transition to a more sustainable economy. This dual approach aims to facilitate the transition for private industry and society toward a more environmentally sustainable economy while minimizing the financial burden on Canadians.

Introduce Carbon Border Adjustment: Addressing Unsustainable Products

The Moderate Party of Canada plans to implement a Carbon Border Adjustment to ensure businesses do not evade their environmental responsibilities by shifting greenhouse gas emissions to different stages of a product’s life cycle. This trade policy imposes fees based on the greenhouse gas emissions produced during manufacturing. The Canadian Carbon Border Adjustment will be modelled after the European version. [8]

Introduce Insurance, Fines, and Criminal Charges to Uphold Environmental Accountability

Human consumption and corporate behaviour have adverse effects on the environment. The consequences of damaging the environment—whether through negligence or intentional harm—must serve as both a deterrent and a form of punishment. To achieve this, the Moderate Party of Canada will ban greenwashing, accompanied by substantial fines and the possibility of criminal charges for environmental harm. Additionally, certain businesses will be required to carry ecological insurance, and filing for bankruptcy will not exempt them from liability for environmental damages.

Mandate Work From Home to Reduce Transportation Emissions

During COVID-19, the national work-from-home mandate significantly reduced vehicle traffic, resulting in much lower emissions and pollution. [9] The Moderate Party of Canada will mandate that organizations cannot require employees to work on-site unless it is essential for the job’s regular duties. Corporations will need to justify any on-site work. The Moderate Party aims to substantially reduce emissions by decreasing vehicle traffic and minimizing transportation infrastructure maintenance and repair frequency.

Test A 4-day, 32-hour Week to Reduce Transportation Emissions

The Moderate Party of Canada will test a 4-day, 32-hour work week. This initiative aims to reduce traffic congestion and lower Canadian emissions. Recent studies and experiments [10] have demonstrated that productivity remains stable even with reduced work hours in specific industries and jobs. By establishing an 8-hour workday with 3 days off as a standard, society can more easily adapt to this change. Additionally, Canadians’ mental health is expected to improve as they gain more personal time. The Moderate Party believes that allowing Canadians more time for self-care will increase productivity and enthusiasm for work while contributing to reduced emissions.

Separate Population Growth from Economic Prosperity

Advanced societies tend to have lower population levels due to higher quality of life, equal opportunities for all, education, and access to contraception. As the economy and population size are linked and measured by the Gross Domestic Product (GDP), it is economically detrimental for Canada to have a smaller population size. This provides an incentive for governments and organizations to promote population growth. However, it is crucial to recognize that continuous growth can negatively affect the environment through increasing emissions. The Moderate Party of Canada aims to separate population growth from Canada’s economic success.

Prepare for Climate Change with Long-Term Mitigation Strategies

The Moderate Party of Canada recognizes the need for action in response to the looming climate crisis. The Moderate Party of Canada commits to ensuring that the federal government proactively prepares for the worst-case scenarios, developing strategies to mitigate these risks and prepare Canada for a significant transition.

Help Affected Canadian Workers Find New Employment

The Moderate Party of Canada understands actions to combat climate change may negatively impact specific industries. Therefore, the Party will provide funding to train and assist in transitioning to new sectors.

Restrict and Ban Harmful Chemicals Based on Classification

Keeping You Safe From Poisons and Lies

The Moderate Party of Canada will thoroughly assess all chemicals and materials Canadians and the environment encounter to determine their safety.

The Moderate Party of Canada will take the following actions:

  1. Review the health and environmental impacts of phthalates, parabens, palm oil, and sulphates, and impose restrictions or bans as necessary;
  2. Evaluate all chemicals that come into contact with humans, animals, and the environment and restrict or ban them accordingly;
  3. Restrict and ban chemicals based on their CAS Registry Number (CAS RN) and functional groups;
  4. Assess potential actions to address the presence of microplastics and harmful chemicals, such as PFAS, in the human body and the environment; and
  5. Mandate that all health products, including supplements, be regulated and that rigorous, independent, peer-reviewed studies support their claims.

Restore the Environment

Our Duty

The Moderate Party of Canada is committed to addressing various aspects of Canadians’ environmental impact. While this document does not provide an exhaustive list, we will highlight the key actions we plan to implement:

  1. Reduce Cow Methane Emissions: We will regulate feed requirements to mitigate methane emissions from cattle;
  2. Enhance Animal Rights: We aim to improve standards for animal welfare in meat and food processing;
  3. Revise Fishing and Hunting Quotas: Quotas will be established based solely on animal populations and environmental factors rather than treaties or other unrelated considerations;
  4. Introduce an Environmental Tax for Cruise Ships: We will implement a specific tax based on the environmental impact of cruise ships;
  5. Establish an Environmental Tax for Private Planes: A tax will be introduced for private planes based on their environmental impact;
  6. Ban Goods Promoting Trawling: We will identify and ban goods that encourage harmful global trawling practices;
  7. Implement a Plastic Tax: A tax will be created based on the amount of plastic present in products, including packaging;
  8. One-Time Vehicle Carbon Tax: A carbon tax will be applied at the point of sale for new vehicles based on their lifetime emissions while exempting used vehicles;
  9. Promote Digitization of Records: We will encourage the digitization of records to reduce paper usage;
  10. Enforce Food Waste Tax for Grocery Chains: We plan to implement a tax on food waste for grocery stores;
  11. Set Standards for Runoff from Farms and Chemical Plants: We will address and enforce standards to minimize runoff pollution;
  12. Improve Fish Farming Practices: We will focus on enhancing the standards and practices of fish farms;
  13. Restrict Planned Obsolescence: We will take steps to limit planned obsolescence in products, including software;
  14. Strengthen Consumer Rights to Repair: We aim to enhance the rights of consumers to repair their products; and
  15. Increase Utilization of Waste and Process Water: We will promote the use of waste and process water for heating purposes.

These initiatives reflect our commitment to fostering a sustainable environment for all Canadians.