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Trudeau acknowledged that reconciling resource development and climate change is polarizing, and transitioning to a low-carbon economy will be difficult for some industries such as mining. But he insisted “protecting the environment” is the best way to attract investment in Canada and called on all governments to work cooperatively on climate change policies.

“Of course we can only create a better stronger economy for everyone if we are fighting climate change at the same time,” said Trudeau. “We know that, Canadians know that — we just haven’t reached that point of consensus … about the best way to do it.”

Still, he compared the situation to the debate around “free trade” in the late 1980s and 1990s, saying polarizing topics can divide the country but eventually a consensus emerges.

“There’s still pockets of this country … arguing about whether or not to protect the environment,” he said, “but as we saw from the free trade debate that can flip fairly quickly.”

He cited a January letter by Larry Fink, chief executive of BlackRock, which manages a $9.3 trillion investment fund, that describes a shift in finance. That fund is divesting coal assets, and calls on corporations to devise more sustainable policies.