Expert: Strength of a party's climate change plan could help influence federal election results

Climate change is a hot-button issue in this federal campaign, and data shows that a party’s environmental strategy could help influence its results in at least 9 ridings where races were neck-and-neck in the last election. Environics Analytics analyzed all 338 Canada’s federal electoral districts and found environmental issues are important to a wide swath of Canadians. The data and analytics firm found that voters in 46 ridings had above average concerns – compared to the national average – for the way their lifestyles have an impact on the world around them. (CTV News)

Here is expert from McGill University that can provide comment on this issue:

Christopher Ross, MA student, Department of Political Science

"Since 2015, Canada has made considerable progress regarding climate change. This election, all major federal parties have converged on some form of carbon pricing as a core tool to meet their emission reduction targets. The Liberals plan to reduce carbon emissions by 40% by 2030 compared to 2005 levels. The NDP would increase this target to 50%, while the Conservatives would return to the original Paris Agreement target of a 30% cut in emissions. The emerging government on Sept 21st will need to present their target at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Glasgow this November, an important milestone to keep average global temperature rise below 1.5 - 2 °C. Climate change has not seen the same coverage this campaign as compared to 2019, which might be a result of the Conservatives' more credible approach towards carbon pricing. We have yet to measure the full extent of how this policy shift by the Conservatives will impact voters’ choices."

Chris Ross is an MA student in the Department of Political Science and a member of the Centre for the Study of Democratic Citizenship. He is interested in voter behaviour, climate policy support and how misinformation impacts elections.

christopher.ross4 [at] mail.mcgill.ca (English)