Question Period Note: Climate Change

Climate Change

• The science is clear—we must act now to protect our planet. But the economics are clear too—we must harness the power of a cleaner future to build a strong, resilient economy for generations to come.
• Canada is committed to reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 and achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act provides a durable framework, based on ensuring accountability and transparency, to deliver on this commitment.
• Last year, Canada released its 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, with $9.1 billion in new investments, providing an ambitious and achievable sector-by-sector roadmap for Canada to reach its emissions reduction targets. This builds on the significant progress Canada has made to fight climate change since 2015, including establishing a price on pollution, committing over $120 billion to address climate change, support clean growth and protect the environment, and, putting in place key regulations that reduce emissions and spur innovation.
• The Government of Canada will continue to work with partners to achieve Canada’s climate goals and seize new economic opportunities.

Canada has made significant progress to address climate change. Since 2016, the Government of Canada has committed over $120 billion in investments for climate action, and with the release of the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP), the Government of Canada announced a number of new actions and investments to further reduce greenhouse gas emissions.
Taking into consideration the best available science and Indigenous knowledge, the 2030 ERP includes a host of new measures and strategies across all sectors of the economy, including investments of $9.1 billion to fight climate change. The plan puts in place the essential building blocks to grow a strong, resilient economy and meet Canada’s 2030 target, while leaving the flexibility to adapt to the future. Provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, the Net-Zero Advisory Body, Canadians, and key stakeholders were all engaged when establishing the 2030 ERP. Throughout the plan, the important insights provided by these groups has been reflected.
Canada’s 2030 target of 40-45% below 2005 levels is ambitious, required and achievable—reflecting both the scale of the climate crisis and economic opportunity that climate action presents. Despite events like the global energy crisis, Canada’s commitment to reduce emissions remains not only within reach, but realistic. With the strategies and measures outlined in Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, Canada is well positioned to reach our emissions reductions goals. This is the time to double down on climate action—to build a strong economy, create jobs, and ensure a bright future for generations to come. A cleaner, healthier, more efficient, and affordable net-zero future for Canada is within our reach. Canada will continue to work with provinces and territories, municipalities, Indigenous peoples, the financial community, innovators, and businesses, as well as the international community, to ensure that it is on good footing to achieve all of the many benefits that come with its 2030 target, and firmly on the path to net zero by 2050.
The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, which received Royal Assent on June 29, 2021, enshrines in legislation the Government of Canada’s commitment to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by 2050, and provides a framework of accountability and transparency to deliver on it. The Act enshrines Canada’s Nationally Determined Contribution (40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030) in law, and requires the Minister of Environment and Climate Change to set subsequent targets for 2035, 2040, and 2045, at least 10 years in advance. The Act 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. It also provides for public participation and independent advice and review with respect to those efforts

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