How Green Infrastructure Can Jump-Start Economic Recovery
At the height of the coronavirus pandemic, Canada’s employment rate had dropped over 15% compared to the previous year. Canadians from all walks of life are hurting, and data suggests that COVID-19 has put a strain on not only the response to climate change, but the prospect of a more equitable economic future. So what is to be done? Today we sit down with leading thinkers James Meadowcroft and Brendan Haley to understand the complex economic transformations taking place in our society, and pathways which can lead to a resilient future for all Canadians. Avenues for retrenchment and backsliding are also considered. We dive into recent green stimulus announcements from the Canada Infrastructure Bank and analyze efforts to make retrofits and construction of energy efficient buildings central to Canada’s economic recovery.
Dr. James Meadowcroft is Professor in the School of Public Policy and Department of Political Science at Carleton University. For 14 years he held the Canada Research Chair in Governance for Sustainable Development. Dr. Meadowcroft is also a research director at the Transition Accelerator, where he works with researchers, industry experts, government decision makers and civil society leaders to direct disruption to solve business and social challenges while building emissions reductions into the solutions.This past summer he contributed to the Task Force for a Resilient Recovery, an independent group of Canadian finance, policy and sustainability leaders determined to make sure Canada seizes the opportunity presented by COVID-19 to build back better. Junior producer Connor Fraser reached Dr. Meadowcroft on October 28th to chat about the findings of the final report, “Bridge to the Future”, and whether the government is taking effective action to address its salient recommendations. They also discuss long term energy transitions in Canada and consider the barriers preventing us from achieving a prosperous and equitable future.
Dr. Brendan Haley is the Policy Director at Efficiency Canada, an organization which seeks to create a sustainable environment and better life for all Canadians by making our country a global leader in energy efficiency policy, technology, and jobs. Brendan holds a doctorate in public policy from Carleton University where his research used political economy and systems of innovation frameworks to understand the role of traditional natural resource sectors in Canada’s low-carbon transition. This past month, he co-authored a report entitled “Strengthening Canada’s Building Code Process to Achieve Net-Zero Emissions.” Brendan joined junior producer Connor Fraser on October 26th to discuss his recent analysis of Canada’s building code process and also to dissect the announcement of the Canada Infrastructure Bank to dedicate $2 billion towards green retrofits.
Production:
Salwa Hakem - Junior Producer
Connor Fraser - Junior Producer
Duncan Cooper - Senior Producer
Erin Christensen - Executive Producer
Music:
Party Police - Alvvays
