July 24 (Reuters) - Canada on Monday released a framework for eliminating inefficient fossil fuel subsidies, making it the first G20 country to deliver on a 2009 commitment to rationalise and phase out government support for the sector.
Eliminating fossil fuel subsidies is part of a deal signed between Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's minority Liberal and the New Democratic Party (NDP), formalising NDP support.
Climate campaigners Environmental Defence also criticised the framework for not applying to public financing of fossil fuel projects through government-owned crown corporations, such the loan guarantees for the C$30.9 billion Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project.
Ottawa plans to release a framework to phase out public financing of fossil fuel projects within the next year.
"The Government of Canada must quickly take the final step and end all fossil financing – without any loopholes for fossil gas, fossil hydrogen or CCS," Environmental Defence program manager Julia Levin said in a statement.
Persons:
Steven Guilbeault, Justin Trudeau's, Laurel Collins, Collins, Laura Cameron, Julia Levin, Nia Williams, Jonathan Oatis, Grant McCool
Organizations:
Monday, Liberal, New Democratic Party, NDP, International Institute of Sustainable Development, Trade, Pathways Alliance, CCS, Environmental Defence, Thomson
Locations:
Canada, Ottawa, Alberta, British Columbia