441-00044 (Environment)

Over the past six years, the Government of Canada has demonstrated its leadership on climate change and clean growth, at home and abroad. Canada invested more than $100 billion to address climate change since 2015.

Canada established two significant climate plans: the 2016 Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and the 2020 strengthened climate plan entitled A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy with over 60 new federal measures. The strengthened climate plan is informed by more than four years of engagement with Indigenous peoples through distinction-based, senior bilateral tables on clean growth and climate change. Thanks to these measures, along with strengthened alignment with the United States, Canada is on a path to achieving significant emissions reduction by 2030.

In July, Canada adopted an enhanced 2030 emissions reduction target of 40-45% below 2005 levels. Under the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, Canada is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, with a transparent and legally-binding process to guide implementation.

To further illustrate our commitment, at COP26 Canada announced new measures:

• • a commitment to cap Canada’s oil and gas emissions at the pace and scale needed to achieve net-zero by 2050;
  • working with provinces, territories, industry, and other stakeholders so that Canada’s electricity grid achieves net-zero emissions by 2035;
  • working toward ending exports of thermal coal by no later than 2030; and,
  • signing onto the Global Methane Pledge, as well as pledging to reduce oil and gas methane emissions by at least 75% below 2012 levels by 2030.

Canada has also committed to phase out or rationalize inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. It has already taken actions to phase out or rationalize eight tax preferences supporting the fossil fuel sector. Addressing inefficient fossil fuel subsidies supports Canada’s efforts to take action on climate change and transition to a low-carbon economy.

The Government of Canada is committed to putting Canadian workers and communities first during the global transition to a low-carbon economy. Our Government will ensure that Canadian workers have the skills they need to take advantage of emerging opportunities during this drive toward a net-zero 2050 future.

The path forward requires working with partners to develop and implement strategies to meet Canada’s commitments. In July 2021, Natural Resources Canada launched public consultations to develop Just Transition legislation. This outreach is intended to make sure the voices and concerns of communities and workers are at the core of regional and sectoral strategies.

The federal government is reaching out to a broad range of stakeholders. Including, workers and labour organizations, industry, academia, non-governmental organizations, youth, and experts in skills, training, and diversity and inclusion. Provinces, territories and Indigenous organizations are also being consulted. A “what we heard” report will follow and will guide the proposed legislation.

Workers in Canada’s traditional energy sectors will have a significant role to play in taking advantage of the economic opportunities presented by the global clean energy transition. Canada’s energy sector also made its own net-zero commitments, while investing in the development and deployment of emissions reduction technologies and increasing electrification. Some companies are embracing a hydrogen future, and that will open new markets for Canadian exporters.

Furthermore, the federal government has committed to phase out or rationalize inefficient fossil fuel subsidies. It has already taken actions to phase out or rationalize eight tax preferences supporting the fossil fuel sector. Addressing subsidies supports Canada’s efforts to take action on climate change.