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TORONTO — The premiers of Ontario and Alberta meet in Toronto today and their approaches to dealing with climate change could be among the topics up for discussion.
Alberta Premier Rachel Notley’s visit to Ontario’s legislature is part of a business trip which has already taken her to Montreal and New York City.
Notley’s office has said she will be highlighting Alberta’s economic strengths and environmental initiatives on the trip.
While the meeting between Notley and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne will be private, their provinces’ approach to climate change could be among the issues they discuss.
When in Montreal earlier this week, Notley said her province may address climate change “using different tools than Ontario and Quebec will use,” referring to a deal between the two provinces to work together to cut emissions with a cap-and-trade system.
While Notley didn’t provide specific targets or details about her own strategy, she said Alberta will move away from coal-fired plants and look into renewable energy, energy efficiency and some form of carbon pricing.
Notley’s position hints that her provincial NDP government might be straying from the federal NDP’s stance on the issue.
NDP Leader Tom Mulcair has proposed a national carbon trading system to combat man-made greenhouse gas emissions, which are considered by an overwhelming number of international scientists as the leading cause of climate change. He said provinces would be allowed to opt out of a national scheme if their efforts are as good as or better, but didn’t provide details.
