You are busy divesting, exploring alternative energies, signing petitions to end megaprojects, and generally doing what you can as a citizen to promote a fossil-free future. Meanwhile, did you know that, according to the International Institute for Sustainable Development, the Canadian government is subsidizing fossil fuel industries to the tune of $3.3 billion?
As the IISD site points out, if subsidies were stopped, that money could be used to:
- Pay for education for 260,000 students (Canada’s average annual spending per student is $12,700).
- Provide Canadians a hospital bed for 16,000,000 days (average cost of a hospital bed per day is $202 for primary care).
- Offer job training for 330,000 workers (Canada Job Grants provide up to $10,000 to help workers gain the right skills).
- Put an additional $94 dollars in the pockets of every Canadian each year.
CUSJ has joined the Climate Action Network and 37 other organizations in calling for an end to fossil fuel subsidies. The letter encourages the Government of Canada to follow through on its commitment to fossil fuel subsidy reform, including the peer review under the G20 process. Let’s hope the Liberals keep this campaign promise, at least!