While in Montreal, the Minister had a jam-packed schedule meeting with likeminded figures from Canada and the rest of the world to discuss how we can work together to combat climate change and visiting exciting cultural and scientific projects to explore ways of working together in the future.
Meetings with our Canadian counterparts
During her visit, the Minister for Climate Change met with key political figures including Quebec Minister of the International Relations and La Francophonie, Quebec Minister for Environment and Climate Change, Climate Change Envoy for the Government of Quebec and the British High Commissioner to Canada.
In these meetings, we discussed the importance of enhancing the relationship between Wales and Canada, reflected on progress and priorities as well as the success of Wales’ mission in Canada since opening its office in Montreal. We looked back on the success of the Wales in Canada year and the activities held throughout 2022 to forge lasting connections between our nations. It was fantastic to get such positive feedback, and we’re looking forward to continuing to build on those relationships in the future.
Discussing climate change on an international stage
The Minister’s visit to Montreal afforded opportunities to discuss the climate agenda, and to what is being done to tackle climate change in Wales and Canada and what we can learn from each other, with key figures from Canada and internationally.
We discussed the importance of maintaining our forests and how to measure the ecosystem services provided by forests and preventing deforestation with the Institute of Temperate Forest Sciences and learned more about what needs doing to adapt to the future conditions for forests at the Quebec Centre for Forest Research. We also attended a roundtable discussion with National Parks Canada, the Scottish Government and Loch Lomond & Trossachs National Park to talk about the approach to national parks in our respective countries and what we can learn from our respective approaches.
At Ouranos we learned about the need for better climate modelling to inform national adaptation strategies, as well as adapting industrial heritage to climate change, particularly extreme weather events. The Minister also met with the Wampis nation to discuss ways in which Wales can offer continuing support to First Nations people including an introduction to the Fairtrade system and educational exchanges for young people.
Visits to key cultural and scientific centres in Montreal
Between meetings, the Minister for Climate Change visited several pioneering cultural and scientific projects taking place in Montreal including the Jardin Botanique de Montréal, Hydro Quebec, société des arts technologiques and Biosphère. We learned about the exciting leaps being taken by Canada into renewable energy, explored opportunities to develop partnerships and research collaborations between Montreal & Wales’ Botanical Gardens.
We'd like to thank all the partners involved in organising this visit for welcoming the Minister for Climate Change and sharing your innovative and inspiring approaches to tackling climate change. It’s clear that we share a vision for a greener, more sustainable future and hope to continue finding ways for our two nations to work together to realise this vision for future generations.
If you're interested in hearing more or looking to grow the links between Wales and Canada then please email WalesinCanada@gov.wales.