Why Canada’s plan makes climate change worse — and how to change it

An open letter to Canada’s Prime Minister and Minister of Environment and Climate Change

B. Lorraine Smith
4 min readMay 17, 2024
Chalk drawing inspired by the Canadian flag and the changes up ahead. (By B. Lorraine Smith)

This letter was emailed to The Right Honourable Justin Trudeau, P.C., M.P. Prime Minister of Canada (justin.trudeau@parl.gc.ca), and The Honourable Steven Guilbeault, P.C., M.P., Minister of Environment and Climate Change (Steven.Guilbeault@parl.gc.ca/ministre-minister@ec.gc.ca) earlier today.

Dear Prime Minister and Minister,

I reviewed your 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan and would like to offer my comments.

They stem from my concern that this plan, rather than achieving its intended goal of a healthy environment and strong economy, will actually create environmental and social harm instead.

The urgency with which I write is fuelled by the tragic flooding in Brazil, a country where I have lived and where I continue to cherish many personal and professional connections. I see what is happening and, like so many Canadians, I want to help.

I have spent decades working with senior decision makers in Canadian companies, as well as multinationals based in Brazil, and elsewhere around the world. What I have seen is that biodiversity loss, air quality deterioration…

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B. Lorraine Smith

Former sustainability consultant replacing ESG with reality-based insights about corporate purpose and impact. https://www.blorrainesmith.com/