Honourable senators, there is no doubt — hundreds of scientific studies link global warming to increasing frequency, severity and intensity of droughts, floods, heatwaves and wildfires. Here in Canada, global warming is destroying essential infrastructure, threatening food security, harming biodiversity. It is affecting the physical and mental health of citizens, especially the young and vulnerable, while exacerbating poverty.

It’s comforting to hear that politicians’ hearts and prayers are with Canadians impacted by extreme weather events, but they need more than our words. We owe them real action.

The 2023 wildfire season displaced more than 200 communities, exposed millions to hazardous smoke and overwhelmed firefighting resources. Global warming is predicted to triple the chances of extreme fire weather. A recent Yale University study explains how a warming ocean is drawing hurricanes northwards, as exemplified by Fiona, Lee, Beryl, and Ernesto.

This summer, four disasters resulted in 228,000 insurance claims, a 406% increase over the 20-year average. Flash floods in Ontario and Quebec caused over $940 million and $2.5 billion in insured damage, respectively. The August hailstorm in Calgary has become the second-costliest insured event in Canadian history. Meanwhile, the Jasper wildfire destroyed 800 homes, with insured losses close to $1 billion. It could take over a century for parts of Jasper National Park to regenerate.

Every delay adds billions to recovery efforts — funds that could be invested in sustainable, resilient infrastructure. To the question “Who foots the cost of global warming in Canada?” the answer is clear: We, all Canadians.

As of mid-2023, over 2,300 jurisdictions in 39 countries have declared climate emergencies, including in the other place.

In 2021, I tabled a climate emergency motion in this chamber, but it remains stalled. This delay is a message of indifference — not solidarity — to Canadians at risk of extreme weather tragedies. Indeed, in an open letter to Canada’s federal, provincial, and territorial leaders, Canada’s environmental community along with Indigenous leaders, faith, justice and peace organizations, scientists, doctors and teachers demanded urgent measures to fight the climate emergency.

We must answer that call. The time to act is now.

Thank you, meegwetch.