Two weeks after the ice storm, Legault is open to investing more in climate adaptation

Quebec will invest more to make the province's infrastructure better adapted to effects of climate change, such as ice storms or floods. The amounts will be announced “in the coming weeks, the next few months,” says Premier François Legault.

The investment would be in addition to the budget already earmarked for climate adaptation that appears in the Green Economy 2030 Plan. The Plan was increased by 18% in the last provincial government budget and part of this increase will be climate adaptation, confirmed the Prime Minister. The enhancement represents $1.4 billion and the Minister of the Environment, Benoit Charette, is working to distribute this amount “between measures to reduce GHGs and adaptation measures,” mentioned Mr. Legault. A study commissioned by the Union of Quebec Municipalities (UMQ), however, maintains that 20 billion dollars should be invested in the province’s climate adaptation.

“Finally!”, chirped&nbsp ;the leader of the second opposition, Gabriel Nadeau-Dubois, who is nevertheless satisfied that the government recognizes the importance of climate adaptation. However, the co-spokesperson for Québec solidaire (QS) summons Prime Minister Legault to “estimate the sums” that will be allocated to this issue.

During its last election campaign, QS had also proposed an Emergency Climate Fund aimed at strengthening Quebec's infrastructure and responding quickly to emergency situations. British Columbia set up a fund with similar functions in 2017. Last February, the province added $180 million to it, for a total investment of $369 million.