Quebec pressing Ottawa to reward climate change efforts

In less than two months, thousands of officials, media and special interest groups will descend on Montreal for a major United Nations meeting on climate change and how to control global warming.

The occasion is giving Thomas Mulcair, Quebec’s environment minister, a chance to complain that the federal government isn’t helping Quebec deal with rising energy costs.

Quebec produces the least greenhouse gases per capita in Canada, Mulcair said recently, and is a role model for the world — but the province’s moves to cut emissions aren’t rewarded.

“The federal government is saying: ‘that’s very nice, congratulations for your reduction program, and it’s true that you produce half the amount of greenhouse gasses as other Canadians, but we’re not going to take into account the efforts you paid for,’” Mulcair said.