COP26: Environment Minister Guilbeault Confronted on Nuclear Energy

President of Canadians for Nuclear Energy, Dr. Chris Keefer, questions new Minister of Environment and Climate Change, Steven Guilbeault, on his previous life as an anti-nuclear activist. Dr. Keefer asks the minister whether his position has changed given that all four of the principal IPCC decarbonization pathways call for an increase in nuclear energy to limit global warming to 1.5 degrees.

His answer is considerably less clear than the science.

[michaelkeefer]

Guilbeault's statement that "the market will decide" on which technologies to pursue in the urgent matter of decarbonizing is totally disingenuous. Has the development of wind and solar technology in North America really been carried out by "the market" without intervention by governments in the form of massive incentives and investments of public funds? Of course not, and Guilbeault knows it very well.

And what about his own government's massive investments in hydrocarbons? Guilbeault knows about that as well.

If he really thinks these matters are to be decided by "the market, " why has he bothered to attend COP26?

[ArruVision]

If the market is really supposed to call the shots, the minister would be unnecessarily attending an unnecessary summit.

[waerlogauk]

Environment minister says "it's not my job to look after the environment".

[lindsaydempsey]

What Michael said and I believe "the market will decide" comment is code for "We will continue to spend trillions of dollars on what we want, but we won't be spending any money on nuclear because we don't like it. If money is to be spent on nuclear, it will be up to the 'market' to spend, not us, cos we don't like it.".

A very disappointing and deliberate response. I hate to say it Chris, but I think that he did answer your question; by omission.

Chris/Decouple, keep up the good work :)

[eckligt]

Market schmarket. What passes for a market is really a result of layers upon layers of subsidies and taxes. That can of course be appropriate, but it invalidates any attempt to blame a market for something not receiving private funding. Make the subsidies and taxes cohesive and science-based -- _then_ you'll see the best technology win out.

[craigmclaren]

This guy is all about unreliables over reliables.

[RichardShatto]

No, Mr. Guilbeault, you did not answer the question, you ended the interview. That was simply evasion of a very straightforward question. On the other hand, for those who know how to read between politician's lines, he has not changed his views on nuclear, he will continue to oppose it, or at very best, not support it.

[cwmaguire]

I'll have to remember that saying "I think I've answered your question." can be an answer. However, it's a lie if I don't really think I have, so I'll have to modify that. I think I'd say: "I'm satisfied with my answer to your question."

[robertstjean]

What is the sense of wearing a Mickey mouse mask Guilbeault.
Ah that's right it's for the theater ambiance what a joke.

[kalaupun]

The minister is wearing some kind of ineffective kid's mask

[lieshtmeiser]

I think the thing with France is that they went nuclear to begin with for reasons nothing to do with climate "emergency", but now they find themselves being climate radicals, so they want to just fall in line with what the climate radicals and greenies want on that issue. That means solar pv and wind, and they now hate nuclear.
Honestly, the french have never been a good ally. Talking from a more anglo point of view, we shouldnt be relying on the french too much, heartache and disappointment is on that road.

[Wilem]

He was clear in his answer that his personal feelings are irrelevant. Not sure how the rest of you folks missed that.