Strengthen Canada's climate targets
Petitioners ask the Government of Canada to adopt ambitious national emissions targets, implement a national carbon price, curb oil‑sands expansion, phase out coal and thermal‑coal exports, and invest in a decarbonized economy. The government responds that it set a 2035 target, keeps industrial carbon pricing and coal rules, caps oil‑and‑gas emissions, and funds clean‑energy investments.
Why we would sign this petition
- It would commit Canada to stronger national emissions limits aligned with the Paris 1.5°C goal, providing measurable targets to guide policy and international effort.
- A national carbon price plus a coal phase‑out would incentivize lower emissions and accelerate investment in clean electricity and decarbonization technologies.
- Curtailing oil‑sands expansion and funding a just transition would reduce long‑term emissions while supporting job creation in low‑carbon industries.
Why we wouldn’t sign this petition
- Ambitious targets, carbon pricing and coal phase‑out could impose short‑term costs on households, industries and regions dependent on fossil fuels.
- Federal measures may clash with provincial jurisdiction and practical delivery, complicating implementation and slowing results.
- The petition lacks specific timelines, funding details and clear worker‑support measures, so policies could be ineffective or inequitable without further design.
The summary and both sets of reasons are AI-generated from the petition and given equal weight. Claims are the petitioners’ own; consult the official record for the full text.
Official petition
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: THAT, WHEREAS Canada has signed the Paris Agreement; WHEREAS signatories to the Paris Agreement are required "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.
Government response
Response by the Minister of Industry and Minister responsible for Canada Economic Development for Quebec Regions Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Mélanie Joly The Government of Canada is committed to tackling the global climate crisis while building a strong, resilient economy that benefits Canadians across the country. In December 2024, Canada established its 2035 greenhouse gas emissions (GHG) reduction target of 45–50% below 2005 levels. The Government of Canada is pursuing a number of opportunities to help ensure that Canada remains firmly on track to meet our 2030 and 2035 targets and be net zero by 2050. Canada’s industrial pollution pricing strategy uses strong financial incentives to ensure that large polluters reduce their carbon emissions. In March 2025, the federal government adjusted the federal carbon pollution pricing system by eliminating the consumer-facing carbon tax, effective April 1, 2025. The federal government will be considering broader amendments to the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act, and intends to engage provinces, territories, Indigenous Peoples and stakeholders on changes to the minimum national stringency standards for carbon pollution pricing, known as the federal ‘benchmark’ criteria. Changes would focus the benchmark on ensuring industrial pricing systems continue to maximize emission reductions and advance the transition to low carbon technologies, while protecting industry against competitiveness and carbon leakage impacts. The desired outcome of the benchmark criteria is that systems continue to be rigorous, effective, and reasonable. The review will consider opportunities to strengthen industrial carbon markets to allow them to provide the incentives required for major decarbonization projects across industry. The Government of Canada is committed to becoming the world’s leading energy superpower in both clean and conventional energy. This will require the creation of an industrial strategy that will make Canada more globally competitive, while fighting climate change. To support these policy aims, the government will launch a new Major Federal Project Office to expedite approval times from five to two years all while upholding Canada’s world leading environmental standards and its constitutional obligations to Indigenous Peoples. The government is taking action to reduce emissions in the oil and gas sector, which is a major contributor to Canada's economy and its largest source of GHG emissions. The Oil and gas sector greenhouse gas pollution cap will help ensure the sector invests in technically achievable decarbonization to be a low emissions source of oil and gas. The Clean Fuels Regulations will also play an important role in reducing emissions from the sector and drive reductions in the transportation sector by accelerating the use of clean technologies and fuels, and support sustainable jobs in a diversified economy. In the electricity sector, regulations are in place to phase out unabated coal-fired electricity generation by 2030. Furthermore, the government is committed to phasing out the export of thermal coal by 2030. Canada’s Clean Electricity Regulations were finalized in December 2024. They are an integral part of Canada’s strategy to meet the growing demand with affordable, reliable and clean electricity and to set the country on a path to net-zero. Since 2016, the Government of Canada has invested over $160 billion to drive investments in clean tech and decarbonisation, which includes a $93 billion suite of clean technology investment tax credits to attract investments in electricity, hydrogen, carbon capture and storage, and clean technology to attract investments in critical minerals, nuclear energy equipment, energy storage, and zero emissions vehicles (ZEV). For example, the $8 billion Net Zero Accelerator initiative under the Strategic Innovation Fund (SIF) provides support for large-scale investments in key industrial sectors. SIF is also managing $1.5 billion in funding for the development of critical minerals projects. This includes supporting domestic capabilities required to manufacture technologies necessary for clean power generation, energy transmission and storage, ZEVs, and any product that reduces negative environmental impacts through efficiency improvements. Further, the $15 billion Canada Growth Fund supports projects that: reduce emissions; accelerate the deployment of key clean technologies and scale up companies; and strengthen key critical supply chains. This refers to the clean tech sub sectors that are covered under the clean tech ITC. i.e. critical minerals, nuclear, energy storage, and ZEVs. The Government of Canada recognizes that workers must be at the heart of the country’s efforts to transition to net zero. 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. The Government also released an interim Sustainable Jobs Plan for 2023-2025 to enable the creation of good, middle class jobs across Canada. Through continued collaboration with provincial and territorial governments, 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 to advance its commitments to decarbonize and grow a resilient and prosperous economy, in which no worker or region has been left behind. Response by the Minister of Environment and Climate Change Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Julie Dabrusin Climate change is affecting the safety, health, and quality of life of people throughout Canada. The country faces record-breaking climate events, including wildfires, extreme heat and floods, on top of slow-onset impacts such as thawing permafrost, rising sea levels, and loss of biodiversity. The earlier Canada takes action to address climate change impacts, the more effectively the country can reduce its risk and protect the health and safety of Canadians and the planet. As investors, consumers, and governments increasingly base their decisions on environmental sustainability, taking climate action now is also a critical economic opportunity. The Government of Canada recognizes this reality, and since 2015 has taken significant, ambitious steps to reduce emissions from all sectors of the economy, 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 adopted legislation that committed it to achieving an enhanced 2030 emissions reduction target of 40-45% below 2005 levels under the Paris Agreement, along with a commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act (the Act) provides a durable framework of accountability and transparency for Canada’s climate action and path to net-zero emissions by 2050. 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 Act also 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 the most recent deliverable under the Act, Canada established its 2035 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target of 45–50% below 2005 levels. This milestone reinforces Canada’s commitment to tackling the global climate crisis and will shape our next decade of climate action, aligning environmental progress with economic growth. In setting the target, the Government of Canada was informed by the best available science, Canada’s international climate commitments, Indigenous knowledge, and the advice of the Net-Zero Advisory Body. The Government also invited provinces and territories, Indigenous peoples, stakeholders, and interested Canadians to share their thoughts on climate action and the appropriate level of ambition for Canada’s 2035 target via an online survey and oral or written submissions. The Government ensured the priorities of Canadians, including household affordability, remained at the forefront in setting Canada’s realistic and achievable 2035 target. The Government will work closely with partners across sectors to develop the 2035 Emissions Reduction Plan by December 2029. This plan will outline concrete policies and initiatives to pursue our objective, much like the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan (ERP) did for the 2030 target. Canada published the 2030ERPin 2022, which laid out the next steps to reaching Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction target, including a suite of new mitigation measures and strategies, and built on the foundation set by Canada’s existing climate actions. A price on pollution for large emitters will continue to be a pillar of Canada’s plan to build a strong economy and greener future. It is a system that is fair and effective. Industrial carbon pricing is one of the most important greenhouse gas emission reduction policies in the government’s comprehensive ERP to bend the curve and meet on Canada’s emissions trajectory. Carbon pricing systems for industry are also designed to keep costs low to protect against competitiveness risks. The Government of Canada will always defend the national interest and the best interests of Canadians. That includes protecting the health and safety of Canadians from the impacts of climate change, while growing our economy. Taking action to fight climate change is positioning Canada to be a global leader in the clean economy of the 21st century. The Government of Canada remains committed to phasing out unabated coal-fired power generation. In 2018, Environment and Climate Change Canada finalized regulations that require the phase-out of unabated coal-fired electricity generation by 2030. Most provinces have already phased out coal power, and Alberta recently completed its phase-out of coal power in 2024, several years in advance of the federal requirements. Saskatchewan and Nova Scotia also recently renewed their bilateral equivalency agreements with the federal government on the coal phase out. Response by the Minister of Energy and Natural Resources Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable Tim Hodgson, P.C., M.P. Canada is at a pivotal moment in history. Faced with global volatility, disrupted trade relationships, and a changing environment, Canada must act decisively. We must strengthen Canada’s economy while doing our part to limit global temperature rise to 1.5°C by lowering greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. In this new global context, our goal is to make Canada a clean energy superpower as well as a supplier of secure, reliable, and low-carbon energy and natural resources. To achieve this, the Government of Canada is making significant investments to attract private capital, accelerate innovation, and build a competitive low-carbon economy. This is anchored by our government’s commitment to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050. Key investments to mobilize our economy include Canada’s Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits, which will support major investments in clean electricity, clean manufacturing, clean technologies, clean hydrogen, and carbon capture projects. Natural Resources Canada (NRCan) is also advancing the Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways Program to deploy clean electricity infrastructure and modernize and strengthen the electricity grid. Policies such as an industrial carbon price and a suite of new clean investment tax credits provide the policy certainty required to attract significant private capital. Moving forward, Canada’s new government will rapidly advance projects of national interest to build the strongest economy in the G7. This includes clean energy projects that create jobs and prosperity for Canadians while reducing Canada’s emissions to fight climate change. Under the Building Canada Act, projects will have to follow Canada’s strong environmental standards and ensure robust consultations with Indigenous Peoples. NRCan is also focused on expanding access to global markets. Meeting the world’s growing energy demand requires displacing higher-carbon energy sources. Canadian conventional energy, LNG, and electricity–produced under the highest environmental and labour standards–offer a clear value proposition to our partners, enhancing their energy security while increasing the resilience of Canada’s economy. Investments in carbon capture, methane reduction, and clean technologies are bringing more Canadian energy to market while advancing our climate goals. Our energy future also depends on scaling up emerging sectors. We are supporting hydrogen, nuclear, renewables, geothermal, biofuels, and integrating our electricity grids to provide reliable, affordable, and sustainable power across provinces and territories. This strategy requires true collaboration. We are working closely with provinces, territories, Indigenous communities, labour, and industry leaders to deliver results, ensuring national projects reflect regional strengths, respect Indigenous Peoples and the environment, and deliver long-term prosperity. Economic reconciliation will be key to unlocking the best projects, and, as a first step, we have doubled and expanded the Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program to increase Indigenous communities’ access to capital. A clean electricity grid is the backbone of Canada’s economy and our core competitive advantage. It allows us to attract investment, decarbonize heavy industry, and create good-paying jobs. Canada is building a clean, reliable, and affordable electricity system. This work is supported by $60 billion in federal investment, primarily through Clean Economy Investment Tax Credits and targeted programming. We have built a strong starting point, as approximately 85 percent of our electricity already comes from non-emitting sources such as hydroelectricity, wind, solar, and nuclear power. Our government is moving forward with the Canadian Sustainable Jobs Act. This legislation will create sustainable jobs, strengthen industries and communities in every region across Canada, and support a workforce with the skills, training, and tools to benefit from these new job opportunities. The Act supports the government in creating sustainable jobs for generations to come.