Vital opportunities were bypassed with the 2014 $54 million infrastructure stimulus package. Needed upgrades on bridges, and two bike lanes were great but tragically we’ve maintained our fossil fuel transportation system — one of the major reasons for our climate emergency. This failure delays meeting CO2 reduction targets and is against a just and sustainable recovery.
Most want cleaner, healthier and more efficient and affordable transportation. We expect ministers to plan for building back better (BBB) and now. Absent were expenditures for green energy storage, transmission lines and EV charging stations. There was no substantial moves on active transportation systems nor Islandwide public transportation. When will this happen?
Our climate change secretariat and yet-to-be-appointed departmental climate champions need to participate and lead in BBB project compliance and stewardship. Governments have pledged and are expected to meet science-based climate preserving CO2 reductions through a real BBB recovery. We need more understanding, education and real deep action as climate disasters caused by our dependence on gas cars and fossil fuels are accelerating. House session transcripts see Transportation Minister Steven Myers and officials say “no, no plans” on Island transit while omitting what else could have been done via this fund. No deep consultations on the St Peters Road plans and now this mess. Two rebuilding era swings and misses. We are at a crossroads. Priorities in a climate emergency seem to be paid lip service. Before a potential move to a majority from a win in the upcoming byelection, I’d wait and see how the next pitch is handled before awarding the series.
Douglas Carmody,
Summerside
