Canada aims for 100% renewable power by 2030

Summary#

This bill requires the federal Minister of Natural Resources to develop and carry out a national plan so that, by December 31, 2030, 100% of electricity generated in Canada comes from renewable sources (energy replenished within a human lifespan) (s.2–3). The Minister must consult provinces and Indigenous governing bodies, set objectives, create start-up incentives for projects, and report to Parliament on progress (s.3–8).

• Sets a 100% renewable electricity target by December 31, 2030 (s.3).
• Orders start-up incentives within one year for solar, wind, tidal, and biomass projects and for property retrofits; no ongoing subsidies (s.5(1)–(2)).
• Requires at least twice as many renewable projects as non‑renewable projects started each year (s.4(a)).
• Calls for more renewable R&D investment and cooperation on new large-scale public electric utilities (s.4(b)–(c)).
• Mandates a strategy within two years, public posting, and effectiveness reports every three years (s.6–8).

What it means for you#

• Households

  • You could get federal start-up incentives to add renewable systems on your property (for example, rooftop solar, small wind, or biomass), to be designed within one year after the Act takes effect (s.5(1)–(2)).
  • Incentives will not cover ongoing bills or operating costs; they are for start-up only (s.5(2)).
  • Amounts, eligibility, and application rules will be set later. Data unavailable.

• Businesses

  • Start-up incentives would also apply to businesses that install or invest in solar, wind, tidal, or biomass electricity systems (s.5(1)–(2)).
  • Renewable project developers may see new federal programs aimed at lowering early-stage costs and increasing the number of projects started (s.5(1), s.4(a)).
  • The Act does not set direct operating mandates for businesses; details will come through the strategy (s.3–4).

• Workers

  • The strategy must aim to create renewable energy jobs (s.4(d)).
  • The bill does not describe job training or transition supports. Data unavailable.

• Provincial and territorial governments

  • You will be consulted on the strategy and on each effectiveness review (s.3, s.8).
  • The strategy must promote cooperation to create new large-scale public electric utilities (s.4(c)).
  • Timing: the Minister must table the national strategy within two years and report on effectiveness every three years (s.6–8).

• Indigenous governing bodies

  • You must be consulted in developing and reviewing the strategy (s.3, s.8).
  • The bill does not assign specific roles or funding beyond consultation. Data unavailable.

• Electric utilities and power generators

  • Federal policy will target 100% renewable generation by December 31, 2030 (s.3).
  • The plan must aim for at least two renewable projects initiated for every non‑renewable project each year (s.4(a)).
  • Renewable energy excludes sources not naturally replenished within a human lifespan; nuclear is not included (s.2).

Expenses#

Estimated net cost: Data unavailable.

• No fiscal note is provided. Data unavailable.
• The bill requires the Ministers of Natural Resources and Finance to design and implement incentives within one year, but it sets no funding amounts, caps, or revenue sources (s.5(1)–(2)).
• The bill requires preparing, tabling, and publishing reports; administrative costs are not estimated (s.6–8). Data unavailable.
• The bill makes no explicit appropriations and creates no taxes or fees. Any program spending would be set later through budgets or regulations. Data unavailable.

Proponents' View#

• A clear national goal of 100% renewable electricity by December 31, 2030 will guide investment and implementation across Canada (s.3).
• Accountability measures include a full strategy due within two years, tabling in Parliament, online publication, and effectiveness reviews every three years (s.6–8).
• Start-up incentives focus on catalyzing solar, wind, tidal, and biomass projects and property retrofits without committing to ongoing subsidies (s.5(1)–(2)).
• Requiring at least two renewable projects to start for every non‑renewable project each year sends a strong signal to shift project pipelines (s.4(a)).
• Federal–provincial cooperation on new large-scale public electric utilities can support large builds and integration of renewables (s.4(c)).
• The preamble notes that clean energy jobs are projected to grow nearly four times faster than average and contribute to GDP growth through 2030, aligning with the bill’s job-creation aim (Preamble; s.4(d)).

Opponents' View#

• Timeline risk: with up to two years to deliver the strategy and a December 31, 2030 target, the implementation window may be short (s.3, s.6).
• Jurisdiction and buy-in: the plan depends on consultation and cooperation with provinces and Indigenous bodies, not binding provincial mandates, which could slow or unevenly affect implementation (s.3, s.4(c)).
• Cost uncertainty: incentives are mandated but not costed; total federal spending and any fiscal offsets are unknown (s.5(1)–(2)).
• Measurement risk: counting the number of projects, not their size or emissions impact, could prompt many small renewable projects while allowing a few large non‑renewable projects, undermining progress toward the 100% goal (s.4(a)).
• Technology scope: the definition of renewable excludes nuclear; provinces that rely on nuclear would need major changes, and the bill provides no analysis of cost or reliability impacts (s.2, s.3). Data unavailable.
• Enforcement gap: the bill sets objectives and targets via a strategy but includes no penalties or compliance tools if targets are missed; outcomes depend on later policy design (s.3–4).