Draft OBPS regulations and draft cost-benefit analysis framework
The federal government published the draft OBPS regulations and proposed cost-benefit analysis framework for the purpose of receiving comments from the public and interested stakeholders before finalizing the regulations. The draft regulations provide the proposed output-based standards (OBS), rules for compliance and compensation, criteria respecting covered facilities and amended quantification, reporting and verification requirements. Comments could be submitted until February 15, 2019.  

Phase 2 of the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program expansion

On September 4, 2018, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) opened up a consulation with stakeholders regarding changes to the Greenhouse Gas Reporting Program (GHGRP). The objective is to receive stakeholder feedback on proposed changes to reporting requirements to finalize phase 2 of the GHGRP expansion for 2018. For more information or to read the consultation documents, click here. 

Provincial Select Committee

Established by the government on April 8, 2016, the Select Committee on Climate Change of the Legislative Assembly held public hearings. All New Brunswick citizens were invited to speak and submit written comments to the committee. The committee also heard from expert witnesses. Many of the presentations of the expert witnesses and the public and comments are available below in the submissions folder.

The committee's report, released in October 2016, and the Government of New Brunswick's plan, Transitioning to a Low-Carbon Economy, New Brunswick's Climate Change Action Plan, released on December 7, 2016, are available down below in the Government Documents.

Federal-provincial Working Groups

The federal government set up federal-provincial working groups and sought input through an online portal on 4 topics:
1. Greenhouse Gas Mitigation,
2. Adaptation and Climate Resilience,
3. Clean Tech, Innovation and Jobs,
4. Carbon Pricing Mechanism.   

The working groups were composed of civil servants. An employee of the NB government represented the province on each one of them.

The reports for the 4 topics are available below in the Government Documents folder. They were published in September 2016.

Federal MPs

Many MPs held public town hall meetings. Matt DeCourcey held one in Fredericton on May 24 attended by 110 people. Wayne Long held one in Saint John on May 25 attended by 12 people. Ginette Petitpas Taylor held one in Moncton on July 14 attended by 32 people and T.J. Harvey held one in Fredericton on July 20 attended by 35 people. Karen Ludwig held a meeting in Grand Bay on July 26; Alaina Lockart held one in Petitcodiac on September 14 attended by 8 people.  Dominic LeBlanc held a meeting on September 30 during which 15 people made formal presentations.  Pat Finnigan, Miramichi – Grand Lake, René Arsenault, Madawaska – Restigouche and Serge Cormier, Acadie – Bathurst, did not have public meetings on climate change.  

More Information

The NBEN hosted Cool Chat webinars to keep people up-to-speed. As well, groups made submissions and prepared background documents. Recordings of the webinars, associated documents, submissions from groups and expert witness presentations can all be found below in the submission folder.