NDP's Jagmeet Singh pledges $15B for green jobs, fight against 'crisis of epic proportion'
Federal NDP leader promises end to fossil fuel economy during Winnipeg campaign stop
NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh shook hands and posed for selfiesas he rapidly summarizedhis party's commitment to climate actionduring a quick stop at The Forks in Winnipeg Tuesday.
Before visiting the national historic site, Singh's first stop of the day was at the University of Winnipeg, where he announced major investments on environmental initiatives while flanked by supporters and NDP members of the Manitoba legislative assembly.
A federalNDP government would tackle climate change through the creation of 300,000green jobs, endsubsidies for the fossil fuel industryand createa publicly funded $15-billion "climate bank" to bolsteremission-reductions measures, Singh told the crowd at the U of W.
He took swipes at his competitors andechoedelements of teen activistGreta Thunberg's impassioned speech at the United Nations Climate Action Summiton Monday.
"This is a crisis of epic proportion," said Singh, accusing Liberal Leader Justin Trudeau of"empty promises" and characterizing Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer as someone who "barely believes that there is a climate crisis."
"Future generations of kids are depending on us.They are begging for actionand we are going to deliver that. We have the courage to doso."
The NDP wouldensure First Nations are "equal partners" in the fight against climate change, Singh said. Resolving boil-water advisories on First Nations, fixing inadequate housing and improving access to education arepart of that, he said.
If voters elect an NDP government, Singh said, the publicly funded climate bankwould help businesses green up operationsand facilitate the development of an emissions-freeenergy corridor from coast to coast.
He cited Winnipeg-based bus manufacturer New Flyer Industries as an example of a business that could benefit from $3 billion the NDP would earmarkfor electrifying all public transit by 2030.
Singh also emphasized the importance of working directly with municipalities, particularly in a province like Manitoba, where he saidthe Progressive Conservative provincial government isfocused on cuts to services such astransit.
"More than ever cities need a partner federally who's willing to invest in cities and invest in the things that people need," he said.
"We are going to work with the provinces to make sure that the funds are available, but it's going to be a massive investment."
The Liberals announced a plan of their own Tuesday to get Canada to net-zero emissions by 2050.
While making rounds at The Forks Market, Singh spoke with Tabitha Langen, who has owned and operated the Tall Grass Prairie bakery for almost 30 years. She said her business was founded in response to environmental concerns and only sources grains from organic local farms.
Singh's message about cutting out fossil fuels resonated with her.
"The way we treatthe environment and the way we treat people are often the same," she said.
Herfirst impression of Singh isthat he is "leadership material" and she hopes he "hangs in there."
"I would love to see the NDP and the Green Party work together a lot more. Then I think they would really have a good chance," she said.
"It's always hard for the left, and I get thatwe're protesters. So I don't know what the prospects are [this election]. My fear is splitting the vote."
U of Wstudent Viswanath Dash a newcomer to Canada originally from India managed to snag a selfie with Singh at The Forks.
He can'tvote in the coming election, though hemay be able to vote for Singh one day.
"He's doing good," said Dash."Maybe soon he's going to be next prime minister of Canada."
Canadians head to the polls on Oct. 21.
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