Issue
Climate & Environment
Canada's net-zero-by-2050 commitment under the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act (Bill C-12 of the 43rd Parliament, royal assent June 2021), the carbon-pricing framework under the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, and the federal Output-Based Pricing System for large industrial emitters. The Carney government's 2025 Bill C-4 repealed the consumer fuel charge while leaving the industrial system in place. Other active files: the federal Clean Electricity Regulations (provincial pushback from Alberta and Saskatchewan), the modernized Canadian Environmental Protection Act (Bill S-5, royal assent June 2023, recognized a right to a healthy environment), the Canada-Newfoundland and Labrador and Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Energy Regulators (Bill C-49, royal assent October 2024, extending the Atlantic Accords to offshore wind), and the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework Canada hosted at COP15 in December 2022.
Where parties stand
Compare side-by-sideThe Alberta NDP under Naheed Nenshi (and previously Rachel Notley) defended the introduction of the provincial carbon levy in 2017 (repealed by the Kenney UCP in 2019) and supports the federal output-based-pricing system for large emitters (the OBPS, which Alberta uses through TIER, the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction Regulation). Calls for a just-transition framework that protects oil-and-gas-sector workers through retraining, EI bridging, and pension protection. Supports federal Clean Electricity Regulations 2035 compliance and opposes the Smith UCP's refusal to comply.
Source- Bloc QuébécoisBLOC
The Bloc Québécois supports continued Quebec administration of its cap-and-trade system in place since 2013 with linkage to California's market (the Western Climate Initiative), full Quebec exemption from the federal carbon-pricing backstop on the consumer fuel charge (Quebec is exempted because the WCI satisfies the federal benchmark), expansion of the SOPFEU and the Ministère de l'Environnement budget through unconditional federal transfers, and federal accommodation of Quebec's distinct industrial emissions framework. Opposes federal climate measures that would compromise Quebec's hydroelectric-driven low-carbon energy mix and the Northvolt and GM Bécancour EV-battery cluster's regulatory environment.
Source The BC Conservatives under John Rustad commit to scrapping British Columbia's consumer carbon tax (in force since 2008, the first in North America), ending the Zero-Emission Vehicle sales mandate (which requires 26 percent of new vehicle sales to be ZEV by 2026 and 100 percent by 2035), supporting expanded LNG export terminals on the north coast, and replacing the CleanBC plan with a technology-and-permitting approach.
Source- Conservative Party of CanadaCONSERVATIVE
The federal Conservative Party under Pierre Poilievre frames Canadian climate policy as prioritizing affordability and reliability over carbon pricing. Voted against the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (S.C. 2018, c. 12, s. 186) and supported its consumer-fuel-charge elimination (which Carney did in 2025). Supports technology-and-innovation approaches including the Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage Investment Tax Credit, opposes the federal Clean Electricity Regulations 2035 net-zero target as unrealistic for Alberta and Saskatchewan, and rejects the Liberal-NDP framing of climate as the existential issue. Supports continued expansion of LNG exports as displacement of higher-emitting coal in Asia.
Source The federal Green Party calls for an immediate 60-percent emissions reduction below 2005 levels by 2030 (the current federal target is 40-45 percent), complete phase-out of fossil-fuel exports by 2035, immediate end to all federal fossil-fuel subsidies (estimated $14 billion annually per IISD 2024 tracking), cancellation of the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion (TMX, completed in 2024 at a federal cost of $34 billion versus the original $7.4 billion 2018 estimate), reinstatement of the Federal Marine Protected Area network targeted at 30 percent ocean protection by 2030, and a Just Transition Act with binding worker-protection guarantees stronger than Bill C-50's framework.
Source- Liberal Party of CanadaLIBERAL
The federal Liberal Party under Mark Carney has set Canada's nationally determined contribution under the Paris Agreement at 40 to 45 percent below 2005 levels by 2030, passed the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act (S.C. 2021, c. 22) enshrining net-zero by 2050, implemented the federal carbon-pricing backstop (GHGPPA upheld 6-3 by 2021 SCC 11) until Carney eliminated the consumer fuel charge in 2025, finalized the Clean Electricity Regulations (December 2024) targeting net-zero electricity by 2035, and signed the Plastics Charter (G7 2018) plus implementation of the federal single-use plastics ban in 2022 (overturned by FCA on jurisdictional grounds in Responsible Plastic Use Coalition v. Canada (Environment), 2023 FC 1511).
Source The federal NDP under Jagmeet Singh supports the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act (S.C. 2021, c. 22) targeting net-zero by 2050, calls for a more ambitious 50-percent emissions-reduction target below 2005 levels by 2030 (versus the federal 40 to 45 percent target), supports the federal Clean Electricity Regulations 2035 net-zero electricity target, opposes the Trans Mountain Pipeline expansion (TMX, completed 2024 at federal cost of approximately $34 billion versus the original $7.4 billion 2018 estimate), supports a Just Transition Act stronger than Bill C-50, and a federal Climate Bond Framework for green-investment scaling.
Source- Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal PartyNL LIBERAL
The Newfoundland and Labrador Liberals under Premier John Hogan support the federal carbon-pricing-backstop exemption for home heating oil (extended in October 2023 for three years, an estimated $25-million annual benefit to NL households), endorsed the Atlantic Loop electricity-transmission interconnection if federal funding materializes, pushed for the methane-regulation revisions to align with federal targets, and committed in 2025 to expand the Newfoundland and Labrador Wind-Hydrogen project pipeline (the Stephenville and Argentia hydrogen-export proposals).
Source The PEI PCs under Premier Dennis King support the provincial Net Zero by 2040 target (10 years ahead of the federal target), continued wind-energy expansion (PEI generates roughly 99 percent of its electricity from on-island wind), participation in the Atlantic Loop interconnection if federal funding materializes, expanded marine-coastal-erosion adaptation funding, and the multi-year Carbon Action Plan that meets federal carbon-tax backstop requirements without consumer rebates.
SourceQuébec solidaire calls for an immediate end to the Canada Carbon Pricing Backstop's transition period for Quebec (Quebec has had its own cap-and-trade system since 2013), nationalisation of Énergie Saguenay LNG project remnants and Bay du Nord offshore-oil approvals, a 65-percent emissions-reduction target below 1990 levels by 2030 (more aggressive than the CAQ's 37.5 percent), expansion of the Réseau express métropolitain (REM) network into the Pointe-de-l'Île and Anjou, and full provincial divestment from fossil-fuel assets in the Caisse de dépôt et placement du Québec portfolio.
SourceThe Alberta UCP under Premier Danielle Smith opposes the federal Clean Electricity Regulations (Alberta has stated it will not comply with the 2035 net-zero electricity grid target), defends continued oil-sands development and pipeline expansion, has launched a constitutional challenge against the federal Impact Assessment Act (Reference re Impact Assessment Act, 2023 SCC 23 ruling found parts unconstitutional), and has used the Alberta Sovereignty within a United Canada Act (passed 2022) to declare federal climate measures non-binding on Alberta where deemed unconstitutional.
Source
Bills affecting this issue
- Bill 50Provincial67th General Assembly of Prince Edward IslandThird reading
Climate Leadership (Adaptation) Act
PEI's climate-adaptation framework. Tied to the province's climate-action plan.
- Bill 19Provincial61st Legislature of New BrunswickSecond reading
New Brunswick Climate Change Act amendment
Updates New Brunswick's Climate Change Act with new emissions milestones and large-emitter reporting.
- Bill 7Provincial43rd Legislature of British ColumbiaIn committee
Energy Statutes Amendment Act
BC's first substantive Hydro Act update since 2003.
- Bill 4Territorial35th Yukon Legislative AssemblyIn committee
Mineral Resources Act amendments
Updates Yukon's Mineral Resources Act with stronger environmental review and Indigenous-consultation requirements.
- Bill 8Provincial51st General Assembly of Newfoundland and LabradorThird reading
Atlantic Loop Energy Transition Act
Atlantic Loop Energy Transition Act in Newfoundland and Labrador.
- C-269Federal45-1Second reading
An Act to amend the Income Tax Act (heat recovery tax credit)
Income Tax Act heat-recovery tax credit.
- C-4Federal45-1Royal assent
An Act respecting certain affordability measures for Canadians and another measure
Removes the federal consumer carbon price; industrial output-based system stays in place.
- S-4Federal45-1In committee
An Act to amend the Energy Efficiency Act
Energy Efficiency Act amendments.
- Bill 140Provincial30th Legislature of SaskatchewanRoyal assent
Saskatchewan Carbon Tax Removal Act
Saskatchewan Carbon Tax Removal Act. Ends provincial-administration role in the federal consumer carbon-pricing system.
- C-244Federal45-1In committee
An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 and the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act
CEPA + Wrecked Vessels Act amendments.
- S-238Federal45-1Second reading
An Act to enact the Climate-Aligned Finance Act and to make related amendments to other Acts
Climate-Aligned Finance Act: federally regulated financial institutions must align with Paris Agreement targets.
- C-214Federal45-1First reading
An Act respecting the development of a national renewable energy strategy
Requires Ottawa to develop a national renewable energy strategy (wind, solar, geothermal, tidal).
- Bill 2Provincial61st Legislature of New BrunswickRoyal assent
Carbon Tax Repeal Act
Repeals the New Brunswick consumer carbon tax, following the federal Carney government's spring 2026 removal of the federal consumer carbon price.
- S-15Federal44-1Third reading
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act
Bans the captivity of great apes and elephants except in accredited facilities. Builds on the 2019 ban on whale and dolphin captivity.
- C-76Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act
Canada National Parks Act amendments.
- C-49Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act to amend the Canada—Newfoundland and Labrador Atlantic Accord Implementation Act and the Canada-Nova Scotia Offshore Petroleum Resources Accord Implementation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts
Extends the Atlantic offshore regulators' authority to include offshore wind and other renewable energy projects (not just oil and gas).
- C-50Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act respecting accountability, transparency and engagement to support the creation of sustainable jobs for workers and economic growth in a net-zero economy
Implements Canada's just-transition commitments around the energy shift.
- C-226Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act respecting the development of a national strategy to assess, prevent and address environmental racism and to advance environmental justice
National strategy on environmental racism. Reporting bill that does not by itself fund interventions.
- C-411Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Criminal Code (arson — wildfires and places of worship)
Criminal Code offences for arson contributing to wildfires and for arson against places of worship.
- C-73Federal44-1First reading
An Act respecting transparency and accountability in relation to certain commitments Canada has made under the Convention on Biological Diversity
Nature Accountability Act for the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.
- C-402Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Marine Liability Act (national strategy respecting pollution caused by shipping container spills)
Marine Liability Act + shipping container pollution strategy.
- C-393Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (electronic products recycling program)
Establishes a national electronic-products recycling program under CEPA with extended producer responsibility.
- C-61Federal44-1In committee
An Act respecting water, source water, drinking water, wastewater and related infrastructure on First Nation lands
Federal framework for safe drinking water on First Nations land.
- C-275Federal44-1Report stage
An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act (biosecurity on farms)
Farm-biosecurity / animal-welfare ag-gag bill. Critics argue it deters undercover animal-welfare investigations.
- C-248Federal44-1In committee
An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act (Ojibway National Urban Park of Canada)
Ojibway National Urban Park designation.
- S-14Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Canada National Parks Act, the Canada National Marine Conservation Areas Act, the Rouge National Urban Park Act and the National Parks of Canada Fishing Regulations
Government housekeeping bill amending the Canada National Parks Act, Marine Conservation Areas Act, and Rouge National Urban Park Act.
- C-383Federal44-1First reading
An Act to prohibit the export of thermal coal from Canada
Bans the export of thermal coal from Canada. Aligns with Ottawa's stated 2030 phase-out commitment.
- C-382Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Excise Tax Act and the Income Tax Act (extra-energy-efficient products)
Federal tax incentives for energy-efficient products (heat pumps, induction stoves, super-efficient appliances).
- C-375Federal44-1Second reading
An Act to amend the Impact Assessment Act (federal-provincial agreements)
Impact Assessment Act federal-provincial agreements after the 2023 SCC reference.
- C-380Federal44-1Second reading
An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (plastic manufactured items)
Conservative bill to roll back the 2021 plastic-manufactured-items CEPA listing.
- C-372Federal44-1Second reading
An Act respecting fossil fuel advertising
Bans most fossil-fuel advertising in Canada, modelled on the Tobacco and Vaping Products Act.
- C-360Federal44-1First reading
An Act to establish a national strategy to reduce the amount of wasted food in Canada
Wasted Food Reduction and Recovery Act. National strategy to reduce food waste with household-waste target.
- S-222Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act to amend the Department of Public Works and Government Services Act (use of wood)
Department of PWGS Act - use of wood in federal construction.
- S-270Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Health of Animals Act and the Agriculture and Agri-Food Administrative Monetary Penalties Regulations (live horses)
Horse Protection Act: bans the export of live horses by air for slaughter abroad.
- C-344Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Wrecked, Abandoned or Hazardous Vessels Act (national strategy respecting abandoned vessels)
National strategy on abandoned vessels in Canadian waters.
- S-5Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, to make related amendments to the Food and Drugs Act and to repeal the Perfluorooctane Sulfonate Virtual Elimination Act
CEPA 1999 modernization with Food and Drugs Act amendments.
- S-243Federal44-1In committee
An Act to enact the Climate-Aligned Finance Act and to make related amendments to other Acts
Climate-Aligned Finance Act: federally regulated financial institutions must align with Paris Agreement targets.
- S-241Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild Animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act (great apes, elephants and certain other animals)
Jane Goodall Act: bans captivity of great apes, elephants, and a defined list of species except in accredited facilities.
- S-234Federal44-1In committee
An Act to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999 (final disposal of plastic waste)
Bans the export of plastic waste from Canada under CEPA, 1999.
- C-337Federal44-1First reading
An Act to establish a national strategy on the reduction of textile waste
National textile waste reduction strategy.
- C-315Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board Act (investments)
CPP Investment Board ESG screens.
- C-312Federal44-1First reading
An Act respecting the development of a national renewable energy strategy
National renewable energy strategy PMB.
- C-235Federal44-1Royal assent
An Act respecting the building of a green economy in the Prairies
Federal framework on the green economy in the prairie provinces (Alberta, Saskatchewan, Manitoba).
- C-305Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Canada Shipping Act, 2001 (anchorage prohibition)
Canada Shipping Act prohibits anchorage in certain coastal waters.
- C-304Federal44-1First reading
An Act to establish National Food Waste Awareness Day
Establishes National Food Waste Awareness Day.
- C-271Federal44-1First reading
An Act to give legal capacity to the St. Lawrence River and to provide for measures respecting its protection
Gives the St. Lawrence River legal personhood.
- C-247Federal44-1First reading
An Act to prohibit fur farming
Bans fur farming (commercial mink, fox and similar breeding) across Canada.
- C-219Federal44-1Second reading
An Act to enact the Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights and to make related amendments to other Acts
Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights: federal right to a healthy environment with enforcement mechanisms.
- C-217Federal44-1First reading
An Act respecting the development of a national strategy in relation to fresh water
National Freshwater Strategy framework.
- C-214Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Canadian Navigable Waters Act (lakes and rivers in British Columbia)
Restores Canadian Navigable Waters Act protection to BC lakes and rivers.
- C-205Federal44-1First reading
An Act to amend the Impact Assessment Act
Impact Assessment Act amendments.
- C-12-43Federal43-2Royal assent
Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act (43-2)
Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act. Binds the federal government to net-zero GHG emissions by 2050 with mandatory five-year carbon budgets.