Federal Environment Minister spoke about climate change to students and staff at UWindsor. Mar 5, 2019. (Photo by Paul Pedro)Federal Environment Minister spoke about climate change to students and staff at UWindsor. Mar 5, 2019. (Photo by Paul Pedro)
Windsor

Federal minister touts climate initiatives and defends PM during Windsor visit

While the federal environment minister arrived in Windsor to speak about climate change, she wasn't able to escape the shadow of controversy following the resignation of members of her party's cabinet.

At the University of Windsor on Tuesday afternoon, about 70 students and staff asked Catherine Mckenna about transitioning out of coal, the future of the auto industry, electric vehicles, and single-use plastics, among other issues.

McKenna said the Liberal government is working on a zero emissions strategy and incentives for electric vehicles like the Pacifica Hybrid minivan built in Windsor.

"There's a huge revolution going on in terms of how we build vehicles and I want Canada to be at the forefront," said McKenna.

McKenna said there is work underway to build lighter vehicles by using powder and 3D printing.

She also doesn't believe in banning single-use plastics but rather incentives for producers to retrieve them. The minister said we have a massive plastics problem and we must stop using the environment as a trash can.

McKenna defended the Climate Action Incentive payment after criticism that the $307 in 2019 for a family of four doesn't go far enough.

"It can't be free to pollute or there will be more pollution. That is bad for climate change and bad for people's health but we're giving all the revenues back," she added.

McKenna also defended Justin Trudeau when asked by BlackburnNews.com if she thought about resigning from cabinet like cabinet members Jane Philpott and Jody Wilson-Raybould.  The pair both resigned amid the ongoing scandal surrounding the Trudeau government's handling of SNC-Lavalin, a Montreal-based company that is currently facing charges of corruption and fraud

"I have full confidence in the prime minister," the minister said before she rushed off for a meeting with Windsor Mayor Drew Dilkens.

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