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431-00151 (Environment)
PETITION TO THE CANADIAN HOUSE OF COMMONS AND ALL PROVINCIAL GOVERNMENTS
WHEREAS
The Federal and Provincial governments are directly supporting the Canadian fossil fuel industry by between $7.7 billion and $15 billion which includes the purchase of a $4.5 billion pipeline.
The objective of the federal Clean Fuel Standard legislation is to achieve 30 million tonnes of annual reductions in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 which is only a small portion of the nearly 200 million tonnes Canada has to erase to meet its commitment under the Paris climate change accord.
Canada's total greenhouse gas emissions in 2017 were 716 megatonnes of carbon dioxide equivalent. Canada ranks ninth in the world as a nation for per capita greenhouse gas emissions.
Science has shown that Canada is warming at twice the global average.
Canada has recently declared a climate emergency.
Canadian Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau campaigned on a promise to eliminate all fossil fuel subsidies in Canada.
These subsidies encourage the fossil fuel industry in Canada to extract and sell more oil and natural gas for consumption.
THEREFORE
Be it resolved that the Federal and Provincial governments eliminate all fossil fuel subsidies in Canada.
Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSON
In 2009, Canada and other G20 members committed to “rationalize and phase out over the medium term inefficient fossil fuel subsidies while providing targeted support for the poorest”. At the 2016 North American Leaders’ Summit, Canada, the United States, and Mexico reaffirmed this commitment by agreeing to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies by 2025. This commitment applies to federal measures only.
Canada remains committed to fulfilling the G20 commitment. The Minister of Finance and the Minister of Environment and Climate Change are working together to identify and phase out or rationalize inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. Canada has already taken significant actions to phase out or rationalize eight tax measures providing preferential tax treatment to the fossil fuel sector.
To make sure we hear from Canadians, the Minister of Environment and Climate Change held a public consultation on the Government’s draft framework to review non-tax measures, which concluded in June 2019. The consultation invited comments from all Canadians. At the same time, targeted consultations with key stakeholders were undertaken. The results of the public and targeted consultations will inform Canada’s future work on this issue.
In June 2018, Canada and Argentina committed to undergo peer reviews of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies under the G20 process. Peer reviews of inefficient fossil fuel subsidies can increase transparency, encourage international dialogue, and help develop best practices while moving toward a low-carbon economy. Canada’s peer review is currently underway; the reports resulting from this process will be made public once the peer review is completed.
Canada supports clean energy deployment at home and abroad. For example, internationally, we are delivering $2.65 billion by 2020 to support developing countries in transitioning towards low-carbon and climate resilient economies, including by increasing access to renewable energy. Domestically, Canada is investing $21.9 billion in green infrastructure, including $5 billion for green infrastructure projects through the Canada Infrastructure Bank, which may include projects that promote renewable power.
These initiatives highlight the commitment of the Government to align the economy and the environment in order to support a low-carbon economy and green growth.
- Presented to the House of Commons
-
Laurel Collins
(Victoria)
March 11, 2020 (Petition No. 431-00151) - Government response tabled
- May 25, 2020
Only validated signatures are counted towards the total number of signatures.