Canada finance minister resigns amid charity scandal — but move could green-light a ‘green’ recovery plan

The apparently acrimonious departure of Canadian finance minister, Bill Morneau, suggests the government may be about to embark on a green coronavirus recovery plan.

This plan goes against the wishes of a number of influential and powerful industries – not to mention several provincial leaders.

Earlier this week, CBC reported on a deepening rift between the prime minister Justin Trudeau and his finance minister Morneau, over the scope and scale of proposed green initiatives.

Morneau’s relatively conservative stance contrasted with Trudeau’s environmental commitments.

Canada’s post-pandemic recovery is creating a moment of reckoning, as the prime minister must decide whether to pursue his ambitious green aspirations even if they come at a political cost.

With the appointment of deputy prime minister Chrystia Freeland to the finance minister position, it now falls on her to implement the green recovery plans.

Freeland has already made statements that prove her support for a green recovery as Reuters reports: “The restart of our economy needs to be green. It also needs to be equitable and inclusive”.