PRESS RELEASE, FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE, 25th April 2022

Montréal, April 25, 2022 - In an effort to propel the ecological transition and to respond to the latest alarming report of the IPCC, which calls on governments to take strong action to reduce emissions by half within this decade, the City of Montréal has passed a motion in support of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. This ambitious move reinforces the administration's efforts to tackle climate change ahead of the Montréal Climate Summit on May 3rd. The Fossil Fuel Treaty provides a position to stop further exploration and exploitation of fossil fuels, while advocating for a just transition that takes into account the realities of affected workers.

While fossil fuels are responsible for 86% of the carbon emissions fueling the climate crisis in the past decade, this Treaty calls on governments to halt the exploration and expansion of new fossil fuels, oil, gas and coal, in order to phase out existing production in an equitable manner in line with the IPCC recommendation to limit global warming to 1.5°C. By endorsing the Fossil Fuel Treaty, Montréal has joined a network of cities and organisations committed to the ecological transition, including Toronto, Vancouver, Sydney, Los Angeles, Paris, Amsterdam and Barcelona. The Québec government recently voted to ban all new oil and gas exploration and to close existing drilling sites within three years.

"By signing this treaty, Montréal is once again demonstrating its environmental leadership, which all levels of government must join. As decision-makers, we must be courageous and mobilize our partners to respond to the climate emergency. The ecological transition requires strong and immediate action from all of society, which is why the Montréal Climate Partnership will convene the Montréal Climate Summit, which will be an opportunity to announce concrete actions taken by the city, businesses, and partners. Our administration has set ambitious targets for a successful ecological transition, including a 55% reduction in our GHGs by 2030.  The signing of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty is a complementary step to our climate plan, the creation of the Grand Parc de l’Ouest, the ban on single-use plastics and pesticides, and the protection of riverbanks, all of which show that we are committed to taking action and mobilizing all partners to make the ecological transition a success," said Montréal Mayor Valérie Plante.

"As we prepare to host the Montréal Climate Summit, which will be our Montréal COP, we wanted to send a strong signal to mobilize all levels in the fight against climate change. We absolutely must act to significantly reduce our dependence on fossil fuels and this is an effort to which everyone must contribute. The signing of this treaty is perfectly consistent with the ambitious actions that our administration is taking to respond to the climate emergency and to facilitate a fair and rapid global transition away from coal, oil and gas," added Marie-Andrée Mauger, Head of Environment on the Executive Committee.

"Montréal's decision to support the Fossil Fuel Treaty is crucial and demonstrates that the city understands the importance of aligning policy with climate science and taking leadership positions. At the national level, we see that the government is still not changing course and continues to approve fossil fuel projects, despite the latest IPCC report, which the UN Secretary General has called a 'file of shame' and which reiterates the urgency of ending oil, gas and coal production," said Tzeporah Berman, Chair of the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty Initiative and International Program Director at Stand.earth. 

"The pandemic came suddenly and we had to build so much along the way. As for the climate crisis, it has been coming for many years. We are already experiencing significant impacts on the health of Montrealers - heat waves, floods, Lyme disease - and we are increasingly certain that there will be greater impacts on the health of future generations. We have an opportunity, and therefore an obligation, to step up action to rapidly reduce greenhouse gas emissions and adapt to climate change, in order to protect health today and prevent health impacts tomorrow. We salute this courageous commitment by the City of Montréal, which complements other actions that have an impact on GHG emissions, on our ability to adapt to climate change and on the health of the population: developing public and active transportation, protecting natural spaces and greening living environments, transforming our food systems and planning the territory in a thoughtful manner. Ambitious actions are essential to reduce the social and economic costs and social inequalities in health, all of which are impacted by the reality of climate change," added Mylène Drouin, Regional Director of Public Health for the Montréal Region. 

"The Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (Quebec Federation of Labour, FTQ) welcomes Montréal's decision, along with the cities of Los Angeles, Barcelona and Sydney, to endorse the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty. The FTQ highlights that it endorsed this same treaty at COP26 in Glasgow, thus becoming the first trade union federation to join this treaty which advocates for the abandonment of fossil fuels while respecting the concept of a just transition for workers.  The FTQ is confident that the municipal administration will listen to the voice of workers to ensure that this necessary transition is made in a fair and equitable manner for all," said FTQ Secretary General Denis Bolduc.

"By affirming its support for the adoption of a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, Montréal joins thousands of scientists and citizens, as well as other progressive cities around the world, who are pushing for a massive societal transformation in response to the climate crisis. Phasing out coal, oil and gas is imperative to keep our planet alive and our cities thriving - it's the only way to protect the quality of life for current and future generations. Raising its voice for a bold new global response to fossil fuels, our city today recognises that human existence is at a crossroads and that Montrealers will not stand still," said Sabaa Khan, Director General (Quebec and Atlantic Canada) of the David Suzuki Foundation.

“The fight against the climate crisis starts in the city. The decisions of municipalities are those that most directly affect the quality of life of our families. As parents, we want to protect our children from harm, but we cannot tackle something as serious as the climate crisis alone. That is why all levels of government must take action to protect our children’s future. A major step is to ensure that fossil fuels can no longer proliferate. With Montreal as a signatory to the Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty, Montreal parents know that they have a partner who will be there to ensure a future for our kids.” added Jennifer Smith, organizer with For Our Kids Montréal.

Over the past year the global campaign for a Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty has been supported by 101 Nobel Laureates, 2,600 academics, 231 parliamentarians, hundreds of prominent youth leaders, a growing group of faith leaders and more than 1,300 civil society organizations, including Climate Action Network Canada, David Suzuki Foundation, Citizens Climate Lobby Canada, Climate Strike Canada, Environmental Defence Canada, Fridays for Future Canada, International Physicians for the Prevention of Nuclear War Canada and the Fédération des travailleurs et travailleuses du Québec (FTQ).

Leah Temper, Campaign Director for Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, said: “Signing the Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty is the right move for the City of Montreal to protect the health of people in Montreal from climate change impacts and air pollution. Meaningful next steps include restricting the promotion of health damaging fossil fuel products on city property and disallowing new gas connections for homes in Montreal. We look forward to working with the city to put its commitment into action.”

Olivier Gourment, organizer with For Our Kids Montreal, said: “What do I want for my children? A future without fossil fuels. It is possible. Other cities are doing it. It’s much better for the health of our communities and humanity. Let’s choose a healthy Montreal.”

Natalie Caine, organizer with For Our Kids National, said: “We hope Montreal's endorsement will ensure that other governments in Quebec, Canada and around the world will pass the Fossil Fuel Non Proliferation Treaty. We must fill the gaps of the Paris Agreement by addressing fossil fuel proliferation. We can make a better world for all our kids.”

Dr. Geneviève Ferdais, MD, CLSC Verdun, General Practitioner, said: “The signing of the treaty by the City of Montreal symbolises solidarity with other cities. However, its importance will only be realised with future concrete actions to rid Montreal of its dependence on fossil fuels.”

Media Contacts

Catherine Cadotte
Senior Press Secretary, Office of the Mayor and Executive Committee
514 465-2591

Jemma De Leon
Communications Strategist, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (USA)
jemma@fossilfueltreaty.org +1 909 536 9714

Viviana Varin
Senior Communications Associate, Fossil Fuel Non-Proliferation Treaty (France)
viviana@fossilfueltreaty.org +33 6 63 48 52 67