Addressing polarization: what works? Case study: the Alberta Climate Leadership Plan

Abstract

The University of Ottawa’s Positive Energy program released a new report suggesting that there is more bipartisan and expert consensus on climate policy in Alberta than commonly believed. This report is the first of four upcoming case studies that focus on initiatives to reduce polarization over energy and climate issues in Canada. The report, written by Positive Energy faculty affiliate and Mount Royal University professor Duane Bratt, reveals that the talks that led to the development of Alberta’s Climate Leadership Plan were started by Premier Jim Prentice in 2014. Following the election of Rachel Notley and the NDP in 2015, these talks grew into the most ambitious climate plan ever put forth by a government in Canada.