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441-01127 (Environment)

Paper petition

Original language of petition: English

PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED

We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, draw the attention of the House of Commons to the following:

WHEREAS:

Canada has signed the Paris Agreement; and

Signatories to the Paris Agreement are required to "to pursue efforts to limit the temperature increase to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels".

We, the undersigned, Citizens of Canada, call upon the Government of Canada to take bold climate action to ensure that Canada plays its part to avoid runaway climate change and that this action include:

1. Setting ambitious targets to lower Canada's emissions in order for Canada to assist in the international goal of avoiding a 1.5°C global average temperature increase above pre-industrial levels;

2. Implementing a national price on carbon;

3. Arresting the growth in oil sands expansion;

4. Working with the provinces to phase out coal-fired electricity and ending thermal coal exports; and

5. Investing in the transition to a prosperous, decarbonized economy.

Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Steven Guilbeault

The science is clear that accelerated efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions rapidly by 2030, and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, are necessary to avoid the worst impacts of climate change. The economics are clear too – to build a strong, resilient economy for generations to come, we must harness the power of a cleaner future.

The Government of Canada recognizes this reality, and since 2015 has taken significant, ambitious steps to reduce emissions, protect the environment, spur clean technologies and innovation, and help Canadians and communities adapt to the impacts of climate change.

In 2016, the Government of Canada developed the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, in collaboration with provinces and territories, and with input from Indigenous peoples. Building on this national effort, the Government of Canada released its strengthened climate plan, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, in December 2020 to deepen emissions reductions across the economy, create new, well-paying jobs, make life more affordable for households, and build a better future.

In 2021, the Government of Canada committed to achieving an enhanced 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 40-45% below 2005 levels under the Paris Agreement and adopted legislation to enshrine this Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC), as well as the commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, in law. The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act (the Act) provides a durable framework of accountability and transparency to deliver on these commitments. The Act requires the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to set subsequent targets for 2035, 2040, and 2045, at least 10 years in advance. The Actalso holds the federal government accountable as it charts Canada’s path to achieve net-zero emissions by establishing a transparent process to plan, assess, and adjust the federal government’s efforts to achieve our national targets based on the best scientific information available.

As an early deliverable under the Act,Canada published the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan in 2022. The plan lays out the next steps to reaching Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction target, including a suite of new mitigation measures and strategies, and builds on the foundation set by Canada’s existing climate actions. The plan also reflects input from thousands of Canadians, businesses, and communities, as well as submissions from Indigenous partners, provinces, territories and the Net-Zero Advisory Body.

Measures introduced by the Government of Canada since 2015 include:

  • Bringing into force the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act ensuring that every Canadian jurisdiction has a price on carbon. The price on carbon pollution started at $20 per tonne of emissions in 2019 – and has been rising at a predictable rate of $10 per year to reach $50 in 2022. Starting in 2023, the price will start rising by $15 per year until it reaches $170 per tonne in 2030;
  • Committing to accelerate our G20 commitment to eliminate inefficient fossil fuel subsidies from 2025 to 2023, and develop a plan to phase out public financing of the fossil fuel sector including by federal Crown corporations;
  • Accelerating the phase-out of coal-fired electricity generation, and positioning the oil and gas sector to cut pollution by working with stakeholders to implement a cap on oil and gas sector emissions;
  • Working with industry, stakeholders, provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples and others to develop the cap on emissions from the oil and gas sector. Following consultations, the cap will be designed to lower emissions at a pace and scale needed to achieve net-zero by 2050, reduce oil and gas methane by at least 75% below 2012 levels by 2030, support clean technologies to further decarbonize the sector, and work to create sustainable jobs;
  • Building Canada’s renewable electricity future by continuing to advance the Clean Electricity Standard to enable Canada to achieve at net-zero electricity grid by 2035, and making significant investments to support renewable electricity and grid modernization projects;
  • Helping to reduce energy costs for homes and buildings, and boosting climate resiliency;
  • Driving progress on clean cars and trucks through investments in zero-emission vehicles charging and refueling infrastructure, and the Incentives for Zero-Emission Vehicles (iZEV) program;
  • Establishing of the Canadian Centre for Climate Services which provides climate information and support to help Canadians consider climate change in their decisions, including health-related adaptation decisions via the collaborative climate information portal, ClimateData.ca; and,
  • Developing a climate lens to integrate climate considerations throughout Government of Canada decision-making.

The Government of Canada has demonstrated its leadership on climate change and clean growth, at home and abroad. We understand that accelerated efforts are crucial to reduce emissions rapidly by 2030, and to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 to avoid the worst impacts of climate change.

Response by the Minister of Natural Resources

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): THE HONOURABLE JONATHAN WILKINSON, P.C., M.P.

The Government of Canada recognizes that we cannot lose focus on the growing threat that climate change presents to the planet and to the health and livelihoods of all Canadians. In 2021, the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act enshrined in legislation the Government’s commitment to achieve net zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050. The Act also establishes the 2030 greenhouse gas emissions target as Canada’s Nationally Determined Contribution (NDC) under the Paris Agreement, which is currently an emissions reduction target of 40 to 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030.

As an early deliverable under this legislation, Canada released the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan: Canada’s Next Steps to Clean Air and a Strong Economy (ERP) in March 2022. The plan is a sector-by-sector roadmap that lays out the measures Canada will take to reduce its emissions by at least 40% below 2005 levels by 2030, and puts in place the building blocks to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. It also reflects input from thousands of Canadians, businesses, and communities, as well as submissions from Indigenous partners, provinces and territories, and the Net-Zero Advisory Body.

The Government of Canada is helping to lead the energy transition by investing $120B since 2016 in climate action and clean growth. This includes substantial investments in clean energy, modern electricity grids and greater energy efficiency – all of which will drive economic prosperity and good jobs.

To enhance long-term certainty, the Government has ensured it is no longer free to pollute anywhere in Canada by establishing a Pan-Canadian approach to pricing carbon pollution since 2019. With this approach we are fighting climate change by reducing emissions while putting more money in the pockets of Canadian families.

At COP26 in November 2021, the Government announced that Canada will cap and cut emissions from the oil and gas sector in line with Canada’s climate targets and is consulting broadly on the path forward. Many producers in Canada’s oil and gas sector, including the top oil sands producers, have made their own net-zero commitments. Companies are actively investing in developing and deploying emissions reducing technologies, services, and products. These efforts will help lead to a cleaner energy future and a stronger economy, poised to seize low-carbon opportunities.

The Government of Canada has also committed to achieve a net-zero electricity system by 2035. Reducing greenhouse gas emissions from electricity generation is essential to decarbonize the economy, and will enable reductions in other sectors, such as transportation and buildings. The Government of Canada invested $1.56 billion to the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program to support more renewable electricity and grid modernization projects, and $250 million to support pre-development activities for clean electricity projects of national significance such as inter-provincial electricity transmission projects and small modular reactors. The Government is also investing over $500 million to support projects that reduce reliance on diesel fuel, support renewables, increase energy efficiency, and build capacity in rural, remote, and Indigenous communities.

In December 2018, Canada implemented regulations to accelerate the phase-out of conventional unabated coal-fired electricity generation by 2030. Building on this, the upcoming Clean Electricity Regulations will provide a clear regulatory signal to enable Canada to achieve a net-zero electricity system by 2035. Canada is also demonstrating international leadership on phasing out thermal coal. To advance the goals of the Paris Agreement, Canada is co-leading the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA), alongside the United Kingdom. With over 165 members, the PPCA is the world’s leading coalition of stakeholders seeking to accelerate clean growth and climate protection through the rapid phase-out of unabated coal power-generation. In addition, Canada announced at COP26 in November 2021 that it is working to end thermal coal exports from and through Canada by 2030. Canada would be the first country in the world to ban thermal coal exports on the basis of environmental impacts and greenhouse gas emissions.

Achieving Canada’s climate objectives demands that all sectors of the economy continue to decarbonize in a manner that makes cleaner alternatives more affordable and creates new sustainable job opportunities for workers. This is why the Government of Canada is committed to supporting Canadian workers and communities as they meet the challenges and seize the opportunities presented by a low-carbon economy. After two years of public consultations with a range of stakeholders, including workers and labour organizations, provinces, territories, and Indigenous partners, industry, academia, non-governmental organizations, youth, and experts in skills and training as well as diversity and inclusion, the Government of Canada released its interim Sustainable Jobs Plan for 2023-2025 on February 17, 2023. It outlines 10 key action areas where federal measures could help advance significant economic opportunities that create good jobs for Canadians across the country while driving prosperity and competitiveness on our way to net-zero emissions by 2050. This interim plan for 2023-2025 sets an initial frame for the Sustainable Jobs Action Plans that will be released every five years starting in 2025. The Government of Canada’s first Sustainable Jobs Action Plan will be developed over the next two years in close collaboration with partners and stakeholders to guide efforts over the coming years and decades.

The 2022 federal budget announced actions that will deliver approximately 500,000 training and job opportunities for Canadians in clean energy sectors. These investments include the $960 million Sectoral Workforce Solutions Program that will help both workers and employers by supporting solutions to address current and emerging workforce needs.

Building on those job-creation efforts, the Government’s Fall Economic Statement, in November 2022, included funding to create a Sustainable Jobs Secretariat, establish a new sustainable jobs stream under the Union Training and Innovation Program, and launch a new Sustainable Jobs Training Centre, which will help workers in key sectors and occupations improve their existing skills or gain new ones for a net-zero world. The Fall Economic Statement also proposed new initiatives to strengthen Canada’s economic competitiveness and attract new investments in clean growth. These include the Investment Tax Credit for Clean Technologies, which would provide a refundable tax credit equal to 30 per cent of the capital cost of investments in clean energy technologies for claimants that meet certain labour conditions (20 per cent rate for those who do not), and the formal unveiling of the Canada Growth Fund, which seeks to attract billions of dollars in private capital to reduce Canada’s emissions, grow the economy and create good jobs.

Amid this concerted action, the government also launched Regional Energy and Resource Tables to accelerate Canada’s economic growth opportunities by taking into account each region’s unique advantages and ability to meet the demands of new and emerging markets. These regional processes are being undertaken in partnership with provincial and territorial governments, and through engagement with Indigenous partners, experts, labour organizations and other stakeholders. The Regional Tables will form the basis for comprehensive and transformative place-based economic strategies for every region of Canada to realize a comparative advantage in a net-zero economy.

Canada has what it takes to thrive in a low-carbon world. While transforming Canada’s energy systems will take time, the Government remains committed to delivering bold action to decarbonize its energy and natural resources sectors and build a cleaner, more prosperous economy that works for everyone.

Response by the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): THE HON. FRANÇOIS-PHILIPPE CHAMPAGNE

Our government is committed to helping to ensure that Canada is positioned to both deliver on our ambitious emissions reductions obligations under the Paris Agreement and to seize the opportunities presented by a growing net-zero global economy. These commitments are reflected in a range of  federal measures, including over $100 billion in earmarked investments since 2016, aimed at driving down emissions and supporting long-term, inclusive economic growth that benefits all Canadians.

A net-zero emissions world will only be attainable if we are able to develop, commercialize and deploy clean technologies on a large-scale. To that end, an array of federal programs are available to support clean technologies across the innovation spectrum. 

To incent more business investment in research and development (R&D) that will generate new and improved, globally competitive products, processes, and services, including those needed to reach net-zero, the Government of Canada will be launching the new Canada Innovation Corporation (CIC) this year, with an initial budget of $2.6 billion over four years. As described in the recently published Blueprint for the Canada Innovation Corporation, the CIC will have private sector leadership and expertise, and will offer a continuum of integrated support, including flexible funding, to help Canadian businesses across all sectors and regions become more innovative and productive. 

The Government of Canada is also helping innovators manage and create value from their innovations through investments like the Innovation Asset Collective, an independent, membership-based not-for-profit that assist Canadian businesses in the data driven cleantech sector with their intellectual property needs.

Sustainable Development Technology Canada provides funding to support cutting-edge clean technology demonstration and commercialization projects that address climate change, and clean air, water and soil. Since its inception in 2001, SDTC has invested $1.53 billion in Canadian companies, contributing to the creation of 20,942 jobs, the commercialization of 194 new technologies, and reductions of 22.6 megatonnes of greenhouse gas emissions annually – the equivalent to removing nearly seven million cars from the road every year. In addition, the Strategic Innovation Fund’s (SIF) $8 billion Net Zero Accelerator supports larger-scale projects in key industrial sectors across the country with the aim to substantially reduce near-term GHG emissions on a scale consistent with achieving Canada's climate goals, and transform Canadian industries so that they are positioned to be competitive in a global low-carbon economy.

Additionally, significant growth financing will soon be available through the new $15 billion Canada Growth Fund announced in Budget 2022. The Growth Fund will offer a flexible suite of investment tools tailored to project- and company-specific needs and risks, with view to de-risk and attract private investment that will contribute to: (1) reducing emissions; (2) diversifying our economy and bolstering our exports through investments in the growth of low-carbon industries and technologies across both new and traditional sectors of Canada’s industrial base; and (3) supporting the restructuring of critical supply chains in areas important to Canada’s future prosperity.

The Government of Canada is also fostering partnerships that will strengthen clean technology innovation and adoption. Canada’s Global Innovation Clusters is an initiative of Innovation Canada, with industry leadership and co-investment, aimed at building collaborative innovation ecosystems in key sectors. The Clusters aim to attract investment and talent to Canada, help Canadian small and medium-sized enterprises scale up and integrate into global value chains, build resilient supply chains, and fight climate change. SIF also delivers funding that supports national innovation ecosystems that promote business R&D, technology demonstration, and commercialization.

Collectively, federal supports for clean technology and businesses complement one another, ensuring businesses have seamless access to support and financing for innovation, commercialization, scale-up and growth. For example, the CIC will work collaboratively with the Regional Development Agencies and the SIF, and build pipeline of high-potential Canadian firms that can then go on to access growth financing, such as through the Canada Growth Fund, the Business Development Bank of Canada.

Importantly, the Government of Canada also recognizes that workers must be at the heart of the country’s efforts to transition to net zero. Building on our government’s previous investments in jobs and skills training, the 2022 Fall Economic Statement introduced $250 million over five years for new measures to help Canadian workers thrive in a changing global economy, including a new Sustainable Jobs Training Centre. Natural Resources Canada also recently released an interim Sustainable Jobs Plan to enable the creation of good, middle class jobs across Canada.

Through continued engagement, partnerships, strategic policies, and thoughtful investments in clean technology businesses, large-scale decarbonization and workers across the country, the Government of Canada will continue advance its commitments to decarbonize and grow a resilient and prosperous economy, in which no worker or region has been left behind.

Presented to the House of Commons
Mike Morrice (Kitchener Centre)
February 8, 2023 (Petition No. 441-01127)
Government response tabled
March 23, 2023
Photo - Mike Morrice
Kitchener Centre
Green Party Caucus
Ontario

Only validated signatures are counted towards the total number of signatures.