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Strengthen national resilience by
supporting low-carbon economy
There is also a broader national imperative at play. As global trade
dynamics shift and climate impacts intensify, Canada must strengthen
its internal resilience. That means ensuring that every community—not
just major urban centers—have the tools, capacity, and infrastructure to
thrive in a low-carbon economy.
Investing in collaborative partnership opportunities in rural, remote, and
Indigenous communities isn’t just the right thing to do—it’s also strategic. It enhances domestic energy security. It reduces regional inequities
and promotes social cohesion. It improves mental health and wellbeing. It
also fosters innovation—solutions developed in challenging contexts often
have broader applicability. And ultimately, it builds a more adaptable, inclusive, and resilient economy that’s better insulated from global shocks.
At a time when political polarization and mistrust in institutions are
growing, community-led net-zero solutions that bring together multiple
actors can rebuild civic trust and foster national unity—reminding us that
a shared future depends on collective action.
The path forward
The net-zero transition isn’t a siloed endeavor—it’s a systemic shift that
must be grounded in partnership and responsive to the broader social,
economic, and environmental realities communities face. Rural, remote,
and Indigenous communities are not on the periphery of this change;
they are at the heart of it.
To succeed, we must treat net-zero action as a platform for addressing
multiple, interconnected challenges. This moment calls for using
decarbonization e昀昀orts as an opportunity to prioritize co-bene昀椀ts,
strengthen partnerships, and invest in community-driven solutions.
Canada’s future will be shaped not only by how quickly we reduce
emissions—but by how collaboratively and holistically communities
drive that change and are supported in their e昀昀orts.
Gemma Pinchin is Senior Lead, Research & Projects,
and Melissa Schweyer is Manager, Strategic Growth
& Communications, at QUEST Canada.
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