Gregor Robertson talks climate change strategy with Justin Trudeau in Paris
Canada has opportunity to become world leader on issue, says Robertson
Vancouver's mayor sat down with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in Paris Sunday to discuss the importance of collaboration between the federal government and Canada's municipalities in fighting climate change.
On the ground in Paris for Climate Summit <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COP21?src=hash">#COP21</a>. Proud to here with a united Team Canada working for bold action! <a href="https://t.co/Pg5CktFqly">pic.twitter.com/Pg5CktFqly</a>
—@MayorGregor
Gregor Robertson met with Trudeau and Environment Minister Catherine McKenna in advance of the United Nations Climate Change Conference, which kicks off Monday.
Meeting with Canada's Environment & Climate Change Minister <a href="https://twitter.com/cathmckenna">@CathMcKenna</a> in <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/Paris?src=hash">#Paris</a> as <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COP21?src=hash">#COP21</a> gets underway <a href="https://t.co/5lxztZoqMr">pic.twitter.com/5lxztZoqMr</a>
—@VanMayorsOffice
While Canada isn't expected to announce any firm emissions-reduction goals during the global gathering, Robertson says he'd like to see the same ambitious emissions targets in his city adopted across the country.
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Vancouver aims to become fully reliant on renewable energy by 2050, coupled with an 80 per cent reduction in greenhouse-gas emissions.
Speaking from Paris, Robertson says Canada has the opportunity to become a world leader on climate change and the green economy, which he describes as the biggest economic opportunity in the country's history.
I'm proud to be at <a href="https://twitter.com/hashtag/COP21?src=hash">#COP21</a> with so many accomplished Canadians, working together to protect our environment. <a href="https://t.co/Bz7jeBPOhP">pic.twitter.com/Bz7jeBPOhP</a>
—@JustinTrudeau
B.C. Premier Christy Clark also met with Trudeau on Sunday despite being delayed in getting to Paris.
Meanwhile, thousands of people turned up to march in global climate demonstrations in cities across Canada, including Vancouver and Victoria.
with files from the Canadian Press