Mandate letter: Appearance before the Standing Committee – December 14, 2023

Support colleagues across government to ensure delivery of all policy and fiscal measures outlined in our Strengthened Climate Plan, implement the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, and, by the end of March 2022, bring forward an updated Emissions Reduction Plan to achieve a 40 to 45 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030 from 2005 levels. This will include continuing to engage with Canadians to better communicate the impact of climate changes.

The 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan was released on March 29, 2022 — as required by the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act. It provides a sector-by-sector roadmap to support the achievement of Canada’s 2030 emissions reduction target, and put the building blocks in place to contribute to Canada achieving net-zero emissions by 2050. A Progress Report on the Emissions Reduction Plan was tabled in Parliament on December 7, 2023, as required by the Act.

ECCC is implementing new approaches to climate change communications, including working with partners to engage and empower youth and Canadians on climate action and tackle misinformation.

ECCC is also training its scientists to adapt their message to K-12 audiences and connecting them to elementary and high school classrooms to communicate the impacts of climate change.

Work with all Canadians and the Net-Zero Advisory Body to identify ways to further accelerate climate action to achieve net-zero emissions as soon as possible and no later than 2050 and to pursue efforts to limit the increase in average global temperatures to 1.5°C above pre-industrial levels.

The Net-Zero Advisory Body has been established and will provide independent advice on the most likely pathways for Canada to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.

The first Net-Zero Advisory Body annual report was received on December 30, 2022. Advice and perspectives from independent experts are extremely valuable as Canada works to achieve its climate objectives.

In this year’s Annual Report, the three lines of inquiry are:

• Net-Zero Governance
• Net-Zero Industrial Policy
• Net-Zero Energy Systems

A Ministerial response to the annual report, as required under the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, was issued on April 19, 2023.

With the support of the Minister of Natural Resources, cap oil and gas sector emissions at current levels and ensure that the sector makes an ambitious and achievable contribution to meeting the country’s 2030 climate goals. This effort will take into account the advice of the Net-Zero Advisory Body and others, including provinces and territories, Indigenous Peoples, industry and civil society, and require the oil and gas sector to reduce emissions at a pace and on a scale needed to align with the achievement of net-zero emissions by 2050, with five-year targets to stay on track.

In November 2021, at COP26 in Glasgow, Prime Minister Trudeau announced Canada’s commitment to cap and cut emissions from the oil and gas sector and to achieve net-zero emitting electricity in Canada by 2035.

On December 7, 2023, the federal government introduced Canada’s draft framework to cap pollution from the oil and gas sector to reduce emissions and remain competitive in a shifting global market. It proposes to cap 2030 emissions at 35 to 38% below 2019 levels, while providing compliance flexibilities to emit up to a level about 20 to 23% below 2019 levels. The draft framework is open for written comments until February 5, 2024.

Make progress on methane emission reductions by developing a plan to reduce emissions across the broader Canadian economy consistent with the Global Methane Pledge and require through regulations the reduction of oil and gas methane emissions in Canada by at least 75% below 2012 levels by 2030.

In October 2021, Canada was the first country to commit to a 75% reduction in methane emissions from its oil and gas sector from 2012 levels by 2030.

In November 2021, Canada joined over 100 countries in supporting the Global Methane Pledge to work collectively towards reducing human-caused methane emissions by 30% below 2020 levels by 2030.

Canada’s overall Methane Strategy was released in September 2022 and provides a pathway to further reduce methane emissions from across the economy. It builds on Canada’s progress and commitments since 2015, including the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan.

Draft regulations for methane emissions in the oil and gas sector were announced on December 4, 2023. They will reduce cumulative emissions by 217 megatonnes from 2027 to 2040.

In collaboration with the Minister of Foreign Affairs, continue Canadian leadership in international efforts to combat climate change.

Canada participated in COP28 to support successful and ambitious outcomes that are in line with the Paris Agreement’s long-term goals.

Through the first Global Stocktake, Canada, in coordination with partners, will work to identify concrete steps all countries can take to better align global climate action with the long-term goals of the Paris Agreement.

At COP28, Canada demonstrated its leadership through contributions to climate finance:

• Canada announced a $16 million contribution to the start-up cost of a global fund to address loss and damage. Canada is one of the first contributors to the fund. This seed investment will support the launch of activities and begin to provide vulnerable countries and communities with the resources they need to respond to the worst impacts of climate change.
• Canada announced a contribution of $34.2 million to the Global Environment Facility’s Special Climate Change Fund, which will support work to address the adaptation needs of Small Island Developing States by supporting technology transfer and strengthening private sector engagement in adaptation projects.
• Canada announced a commitment of $5 million over three years to the Least Developed Countries Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience (LIFE-AR). This project aims to help least developed countries be on climate-resilient pathways by 2030.
• Minister Guilbeault moderated the High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance, a session focused on advancing a mutual understanding of the goal on climate finance, assessing the status of the goal and the direction for desired outcomes at COP28, including outlining the work plan for 2024.

Canada demonstrated leadership with international initiatives:

• Canada announced the launch of a new phase of the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge with the establishment of the Global Carbon Pricing Challenge Secretariat. This collaborative effort aimed to raise the visibility of carbon pricing as a critical strategy in the global fight against climate change.
• Canada signed a multilateral declaration to support the tripling of global nuclear energy capacity by 2050.

Canada also announced significant domestic plans at COP28: the release of Canada’s draft Methane Regulations to strengthen oil and gas methane regulations and help reduce emissions of this potent greenhouse gas, and a draft framework to cap pollution from the oil and gas sector to reduce emissions.

In addition to COP, Canada continues to proactively engage on a number of high-profile climate fora, including the Ministerial on Climate Action, the United Nations General Assembly, the G7/20, as well as through trade agreements and bilateral and regional cooperation like the Caribbean Community Summit and the Canada-European Union Summit.

Canada has been co-leading the Ministerial on Climate Action and the Powering Past Coal Alliance since 2017 and doubled its international climate financing in 2021 to $5.3 billion over the next five years to support developing countries.

Work with the Minister of International Trade, Export Promotion, Small Business and Economic Development to continue Canada’s leadership on the global effort to phase out coal-powered electricity and the mining of thermal coal and ban thermal coal exports from and through Canada as swiftly as possible, and no later than 2030.

In 2018, the Government published regulations requiring the phase-out of conventional coal-fired electricity generation in Canada by 2030. Since then, Canada has taken a strong international position opposing international support for coal power, including public/private finance, and notably through its leadership of the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA).

In 2022, Canada announced that it would invest up to $1 billion for the Climate Investment Funds Accelerated Coal Transition Investment Program to help developing countries transition from coal-fired electricity to clean power as quickly as possible.

At COP27, Minister Guilbeault announced the release of “Powering Past Coal,” the first global review of the state of coal phase-out published by the PPCA, as well as new strategic partnerships. On top of the progress of the PPCA, Minister Guilbeault announced two new initiatives helping developing countries transition to clean energy funded under Canada’s $5.3 billion climate finance commitment.

In June 2021, the Government announced that it considers that any new thermal coal mining projects, or expansions of existing thermal coal mines in Canada, are likely to cause unacceptable environmental effects, and that this position will inform federal decision making on thermal coal mining projects.

Work with the Minister of International Development to mobilize and provide climate finance in order to support developing country adaptation, mitigation and resilience, including support for small island states at particular risk of climate-related emergencies.

At the 2021 G7 Leaders’ Summit, Canada announced a doubling of its international climate finance commitment to $5.3 billion over the next five years. This commitment supports developing countries, particularly least developed countries and small island developing states transition to sustainable, low-carbon, climate-resilient, nature-positive and inclusive development.

At COP26, Canada provided further details on how this funding will support developing countries as they adapt to climate change and transition to a cleaner economy, notably by increasing the provision of grants to 40% as well as funding towards adaptation to a target of 40%. At least 20% of Canada’s $5.3-billion climate finance commitment will support nature-based climate solutions and biodiversity co-benefits in developing countries over the next five years, representing more than CA$1 billion.

Canada and Germany co-led the Climate Finance Delivery Plan Progress Report, released ahead of COP27, to provide further transparency on developed countries’ commitment towards delivering on the collective USD $100 billion goal. Canada remains committed to work with others to reach the goal as soon as possible.

At COP27, Canada announced a number of practical initiatives totaling $84.25 million that respond directly to the needs and priorities of developing countries. The projects will provide support to developing countries in three critical areas: loss and damage, access to climate finance, and climate governance.

At COP28, Canada demonstrated its leadership through contributions to climate finance:

• Canada announced a $16 million contribution to the start-up cost of a global fund to address loss and damage. Canada is one of the first contributors to the fund. This seed investment will support the launch of activities and begin to provide vulnerable countries and communities with the resources they need to respond to the worst impacts of climate change.
• Canada announced a contribution of $34.2 million to the Global Environment Facility’s Special Climate Change Fund, which will support work to address the adaptation needs of Small Island Developing States by supporting technology transfer and strengthening private sector engagement in adaptation projects.
• Canada announced a commitment of $5 million over three years to the Least Developed Countries Initiative for Effective Adaptation and Resilience (LIFE-AR). This project aims to help least developed countries be on climate-resilient pathways by 2030.
• Minister Guilbeault moderated the High-Level Ministerial Dialogue on the New Collective Quantified Goal on Climate Finance, a session focused on advancing a mutual understanding of the goal on climate finance, assessing the status of the goal and the direction for desired outcomes at COP28, including outlining the work plan for 2024.

Support the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry in the implementation of the Net Zero Accelerator initiative, with an emphasis on ensuring that investments drive industrial transition and significant reductions in greenhouse gas emissions on a scale consistent with achieving Canada’s climate goals and meaningfully transform Canadian industry to lead and compete in a net-zero emissions future.

The Net Zero Accelerator will provide up to $8 billion in support of projects that will enable Canada to reduce its domestic greenhouse gas emissions and drive industrial transition and transformation to excel in a net zero future. The initiative will support projects that promote the decarbonisation of large emitters, accelerate industrial transformation, and advance clean technology development and Canada’s battery ecosystem.

Since its launch in 2021, the initiative has executed a number of contribution agreements in a wide array of sectors including fuel cell technologies, battery development, nuclear, steel, and electric vehicles.

The Net Zero Accelerator also launched a Call-to-Action for large-emitters in March 2022 to identify and select large, ambitious, and innovative proposals that substantially reduce near-term GHG emissions while positioning Canada’s industry to be competitive in a global low-carbon economy. Through this Call-to-Action, the Net Zero Accelerator has identified several promising large-scale decarbonization projects, most of which are currently in the due-diligence stage of the project. These projects would support Canada in meeting its emissions reduction goal for 2030.

Work with the President of the Treasury Board on the application of a climate lens to ensure climate adaptation and mitigation considerations are integrated throughout federal government decision-making.

The Government is piloting the use of an Integrated Climate Lens across seven federal departments. A Centre of Expertise at ECCC has been set up to support the roll out of this framework across government departments. The new Centre has also prepared climate literacy courses designed to help public servants across the federal government understand their roles in addressing climate change.

Work with industry, labour and other stakeholders to develop a regulated sales mandate that at least 50% of all new light duty vehicle sales be zero emissions vehicles in 2030 as an interim step toward achieving Canada’s mandatory target of 100% by 2035, and a regulated sales requirement that 100% of medium- and heavy-duty vehicles sales be zero emission by 2040, where feasible.

Work is underway to decarbonise transportation.As committed to in the Emissions Reduction Plan, ECCC will:

• Put in place a sales target to ensure at least 20% of new light-duty vehicle sales will be zero-emission vehicles (ZEVs) by 2026, at least 60% by 2030 and 100% by 2035; and
• Require 100% medium- and heavy-duty vehicle (MHDV) sales to be ZEVs by 2040 for a subset of vehicle types based on feasibility, with interim 2030 regulated sales requirements that would vary for different vehicle categories based on feasibility, and explore interim targets for the mid-2020s.

On December 31, 2022, ECCC published draft regulations that set ZEV sales targets for manufacturers and importers of new passenger cars, SUVs, and pickup trucks.

In December 2022, the Government also announced investments to make buying and charging an EV easier for Canadians:

• Invested $400 million in 50,000 more EV charging stations across the country for almost 85,000 federally-funded chargers across Canada by 2027 in addition to charging stations supported by provincial governments and the private sector;
• Provided $1.7 billion to renew the program that provides Canadians up to $5,000 toward the cost of buying or leasing a ZEV. Over 180,000 individuals and businesses have taken advantage of this program to date; and
• Made historic investments in EV manufacturing in Canada.

On MHDV, in addition to the ZEV sales requirements, the Emissions Reduction Plan also commits ECCC to continue to develop regulations for MHDV and engines that are aligned with the most stringent greenhouse gas performance standards in North America.

Budget 2022 describes the following additional investments:

• $547.5 million over four years to Transport Canada to launch a new purchase incentive program for medium- and- heavy-duty ZEVs;
• $33.8 million over five years, starting in 2022-23 to Transport Canada to work with provinces and territories to develop and harmonize regulations and to conduct safety testing for long-haul zero-emission trucks;
• $199.6 million over five years, starting in 2022-23 to Natural Resources Canada to expand the Green Freight Program. This will support assessments and retrofits of more vehicles and a greater diversity of fleet and vehicle types; and
• $500 million for the Canada Infrastructure Bank for large-scale urban and commercial ZEV charging and refueling infrastructure.

The Government of Canada has also committed to support transit agencies and school boards in transitioning their bus fleets to zero-emission technology through planning the purchase of at least 5,000 zero emission buses, and the necessary supporting infrastructure.

Additionally, the 2022 Fall Economic Statement proposes a refundable tax credit equal to 30% of the capital cost of investments in certain clean technologies including industrial ZEVs and related charging or refueling equipment.

With the support of the Minister of Natural Resources, introduce a Clean Electricity Standard to achieve a net-zero clean electricity grid by 2035 and achieve a 100% net-zero emitting electricity future.

The Government of Canada is committed to achieving net-zero electricity by 2035 as an enabler for the broader decarbonisation of the economy.

ECCC is developing the Clean Electricity Regulations. These regulations are being developed around three core principles: emissions reductions, electricity reliability and affordability.

ECCC published the draft Clean Electricity Regulations on August 19, 2023, for public comment.

Support efforts to advance the Atlantic Loop initiative to connect surplus clean power to regions transitioning away from coal and to help transform how we power our economy and communities.

The Emissions Reduction Plan confirms the Government’s commitment to work with provinces and territories to help build key intertie projects with support from the Canada Infrastructure Bank, including the Atlantic Loop. This work has been supported through the $25 million Strategic Interties Predevelopment Program.

In March 2022, the federal and provincial governments released the Clean Power Roadmap for Atlantic Canada Final Report, which provides a collective Atlantic Canadian vision for an interconnected clean power grid that would serve as the foundation for a competitive, electrified economy across the Atlantic region.

Negotiations with provinces are underway.

Continue to put a rising price on pollution and protect Canadian jobs and competitiveness through smart carbon pricing design.

Since 2019, every jurisdiction in Canada has had a comparable price on carbon pollution.

In August 2021, the federal government published strengthened benchmark criteria that all systems will need to meet from 2023-2030.

A key element of the federal benchmark is the price on carbon pollution. Starting in 2023, the price will start rising by $15 per year until it reaches $170 per tonne in 2030. The price schedule is laid out to 2030 to create certainty, which is important for attracting private sector investment.

The Government of Canada announced on November 22, 2022, Canada’s strengthened price on pollution that will apply April 1, 2023, and beyond. The federal government also announced the Climate Action Incentive amounts for 2023 in provinces with the federal approach, which is how the Government of Canada returns the proceeds of pollution pricing directly to households.

As of 2023, the full federal backstop (fuel charge and Output-Based Pricing System) will be maintained in Manitoba, Yukon, Nunavut. The federal fuel charge will continue to apply in Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta and newly apply in Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island, and New Brunswick as of July 1, 2023. The federal Output Based Pricing System will continue to apply in Prince Edward Island. Other jurisdictions are implementing their own full pricing systems (British Columbia, Quebec, Northwest Territories) or provincial Output-Based Pricing System for industry (Ontario, Saskatchewan, Alberta, Newfoundland and Labrador, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick).

Final amendments to the federal Output-Based Pricing System, to ensure it aligns with the updated benchmark, were published on November 22, 2023.

Work with the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance, and with the support of the Minister of Natural Resources, to accelerate our G20 commitment to eliminate 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.

Along with G20 partners, Canada committed to phase out inefficient fossil fuel subsidies.

In December 2022, Canada delivered on its COP26 commitment to end new, direct public financing for international unabated fossil fuel investments and projects.

In July 2023, Canada released the Inefficient Fossil Fuel Subsidies Government of Canada Self‑Review Assessment Framework and the Inefficient Fossil Fuel Subsidies Government of Canada Guidelines, which apply to all federal departments and agencies. The Assessment Framework—the first transparently published methodology worldwide—will be used to determine which tax and non-tax measures constitute an inefficient fossil fuel subsidy. Subsidies will be considered inefficient unless they meet one or more of the following six criteria:

1. Enable significant net greenhouse gas emissions reductions in Canada or internationally in alignment with Article 6 of the Paris Agreement;
2. Support clean energy, clean technology, or renewable energy;
3. Provide essential energy service to a remote community;
4. Provide short-term support for emergency response;
5. Support Indigenous economic participation in fossil fuel activities;
6. Support abated production processes such as carbon capture, utilization, and storage, or projects that have a credible plan to achieve net-zero emissions by 2030.

Canada is also committed to phasing out public financing of the fossil fuel sector. The Government’s work will identify current public financing by 2024, and announce by Fall 2024 the implementation plan to phase out public financing of the fossil fuel sector.

Support the Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance in working with provinces and territories to move toward mandatory climate-related financial disclosures based on the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures framework, and in requiring federally regulated institutions including financial institutions, pension funds and government agencies, to issue climate-related financial disclosures and net-zero plans.

The Sustainable Finance Action Council (SFAC) was launched in May 2021. The Council’s initial focus is on enhancing climate-related financial disclosures in Canada’s private and public sector, aligned with the recommendations of the Task Force on Climate-related Financial Disclosures. In May 2022, SFAC’s terms of reference were updated to include seeking advice on the remaining obstacles to bringing mandated climate-related financial disclosure into the mainstream in Canada. On February 2, 2023, SFAC submitted recommendations on advancing climate-related disclosures in Canada.

Budget 2021 announced that as of 2022, Crown corporations with assets over

$1 billion are required to make climate-related financial disclosures, with smaller Crown corporations following by 2024.

On March 7, 2023, the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions published guidelines for the management and disclosure of climate-related risks for federally regulated financial institutions. Implementation will be phased, starting in 2024.

The 2023 Fall Economic Statement announced that the Department of Finance; Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada; and Environment and Climate Change Canada will develop options for making climate disclosures mandatory for private companies.

The Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act requires the publication of an annual report on federal action to manage the financial risks and opportunities related to climate change.

Further to these efforts, ECCC’s Net Zero Challenge encourages businesses to develop and implement credible and effective plans to transition their operations to net-zero by 2050. 143 participants have taken on the Challenge ranging from small businesses to large corporations.

Finalize Canada’s first National Adaptation Strategy in 2022, setting clear goals and indicators to measure progress and strengthen the business case for adaptation.

The Government of Canada released the National Adaptation Strategy and the updated Government of Canada Adaptation Action Plan on June 27, 2023.

The National Adaptation Strategy outlines a shared path and sets out a common direction for a more climate resilient Canada across five key systems:

• Disaster resilience
• Health and wellbeing
• Nature and biodiversity
• Infrastructure
• Economy and workers

Work with the Minister of Public Safety and, the President of the Queen’s Privy Council for Canada and Minister of Emergency Preparedness, with support of the Minister of Natural Resources, Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry and the Sustainable Finance Action Council, to develop a climate data strategy to ensure that the private sector and communities have access to data to inform planning and infrastructure investments.

The Canadian Center for Climate Services at ECCC has completed an initial diagnostic and gap analysis of the current state of play of climate data at the federal level.

In collaboration with the Minister of Crown-Indigenous Relations and the Minister of Indigenous Services, continue to work in partnership with First Nations, Inuit and the Métis Nation to address climate change and its impacts, and chart collaborative strategies.

ECCC is working with federal colleagues and Indigenous partners to identify ways for federal climate policies and programs to better support Indigenous peoples and their climate priorities. These efforts are being advanced through distinctions‑based senior bilateral tables on clean growth and climate change with the Assembly of First Nations, Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami and the Métis National Council, as well as representative regional organizations.

Since the release of the Strengthened Climate Plan in 2020, Canada has committed more than $1.9 billion in targeted investments to support Indigenous communities to transition to clean energy, advance nature-based solutions, build new or retrofit green community buildings, promote resilience of health systems, and undertake major disaster mitigation projects.

As announced in the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan and Budget 2022, ECCC is working with Crown and Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada and Indigenous partners to co-develop an Indigenous Climate Leadership Agenda, which builds capacity and progressively vests authorities and resources for climate action in the hands of First Nations, Inuit, and Métis and representative organizations.

The Government of Canada has held meetings with First Nations, Inuit, and Métis representatives to advance the Indigenous Climate Leadership Agenda.

Crown and Indigenous Relations and Northern Affairs Canada has put in place over $19.3M in contribution agreements with Indigenous national and regional organizations to provide initial capacity support for the co-development of an Indigenous Climate Leadership Agenda and distinctions-based strategies by the end of 2024-25.

Invest in the Meteorological Service of Canada to upgrade infrastructure, including information technology, to ensure it continues to effectively perform its vital functions of monitoring changes in the weather, climate, water, ice and air quality, and predicting weather and environmental conditions.

The Government is currently evaluating options. Scientific and IT requirements to ensure continued access to mission-critical high performance computing have been identified by ECCC’s Meteorological Service of Canada, jointly with Shared Services Canada.

An initial investment of $211.6 million over 6 years, starting in 2022-23, was announced in the Fall Economic Statement 2022 to safeguard ECCC’s continued access to High Performance Computing capacity for hydro-meteorological services. Budget 2023 announced $270 million in new funding over 5 years, starting in 2023-24, to renew weather support services, forecast modelling capabilities, and monitoring systems.

With the support of the Minister of Agriculture and Agri-Food, establish a Canada Water Agency and implement a strengthened Freshwater Action Plan, including a historic investment to provide funding to protect and restore large lakes and river systems, starting with the Great Lakes-St. Lawrence River System, Lake Simcoe, the Lake Winnipeg Basin, the Fraser River Basin and the Mackenzie River Basin. Invest in the Experimental Lakes Area in northern Ontario to support international freshwater science and research.

The Canada Water Agency was established in May 2023. On November 30, 2023, the government tabled the Canada Water Agency Act to establish the stand-alone Canada Water Agency.

In Budget 2023 and during the U.S. President’s visit in March 2023, funding for a strengthened Freshwater Action Plan was announced.

Budget 2022 announced funding for the Experimental Lakes Area.

Following the establishment of a Canada Water Agency, advance the modernization of the Canada Water Act to reflect Canada’s freshwater reality, including climate change and Indigenous rights.

Planning is underway to advance the modernization of the Canada Water Act following establishment of the Canada Water Agency.

Enact a strengthened Canadian Environmental Protection Act to protect everyone, including people most vulnerable to harm from toxic substances and those living in communities where exposure is high.

Bill S-5, Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act, which strengthened the Canadian Environmental Protection Act,received Royal Assent on June 13, 2023. The bill introduces a right to a healthy environment for the first time in a federal statute in Canada and includes enhanced requirements to consider vulnerable populations in decision making under the Act.

Identify, and prioritize the clean-up of contaminated sites in areas where Indigenous peoples, racialized and low- income Canadians live.

The existing Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan, a long-standing horizontal initiative, is used to clean up contaminated sites on Reserve Lands and in the North and has also contributed to the clean-up of hundreds of federal sites in racialized and low-income communities.

Policy analysis is underway to further address this commitment as part of upcoming Federal Contaminated Sites Action Plan program renewal.

Recognize the “right to a healthy environment” in federal law and introduce legislation to require the development of an environmental justice strategy and the examination of the link between race, socio-economic status and exposure to environmental risk.

Bill S-5, Strengthening Environmental Protection for a Healthier Canada Act, received Royal Assent on June 13, 2023. The bill introduces a right to a healthy environment for the first time in a federal statute in Canada.

With respect to the latter part of this commitment, the Government supports Private Member’s Bill C-226, An Act respecting the development of a national strategy to assess, prevent and address environmental racism and to advance environmental justice. The bill passed through the House of Commons in March 2023. As of October 26, 2023, the bill is in the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment, and Natural Resources for consideration.

Work with the Minister of Health to implement a comprehensive action plan to protect Canadians, including firefighters, from exposure to toxic flame retardants found in household products.

A plan to protect firefighters from harmful chemicals released during household fires was released in August 2021.

The Government has already assessed more than 150 flame retardants, taken action to restrict or phase out twelve harmful flame-retardant substances, and proposed to take action on an additional six flame retardants.

ECCC and Health Canada have completed national consultations on improved and mandatory labelling for certain consumer products, including cosmetics, cleaning products, and flame-retardants in upholstered furniture as well as views on how the Government can take action to improve information about chemicals in product supply chains. These consultations took place through a series of workshops and interactive events until fall 2022. Additionally, ECCC and Health Canada collected public feedback on proposed government actions in a Notice of Intent published October 29, 2022. Work is now underway to complete a strategy informed by the inputs received during these consultations. The strategy is targeting publication in 2023-24.

Continue to implement the national ban on harmful single-use plastics.

On June 22, 2022, the Government of Canada published the final Single-use Plastics Prohibition Regulations. Over the next decade, it is estimated that these Regulations will eliminate over 1.3 million tonnes of hard-to-recycle plastic waste and more than 22,000 tonnes of plastic pollution, which is equivalent to over a million garbage bags full of litter.

The Regulations will enter into force through a phased approach recognizing the complexity associated with retooling manufacturing lines for these products:

• Starting on December 20, 2022, there will be a prohibition on the import and manufacture of single-use plastic checkout bags, cutlery, food service ware made from problematic plastics, stir sticks, and straws. the prohibition on the sale of these items will come into force in December 2023;
• In June 2023, the manufacture and import of ring carriers (plastic rings often used to connect multi-packs of beverages) in Canada will be prohibited and the sale of these items will be prohibited in June 2024;
• As of June 2024, the sale of flexible straws packaged with beverage containers will be prohibited; and
• By the end of 2025, the Government will also prohibit the manufacture and import for the purposes of export of single-use plastics making Canada the first among peer jurisdictions to do so internationally.

The ban exempts single-use plastic flexible straws for people in Canada who require them for medical or accessibility reasons.

Require that all plastic packaging in Canada contain at least 50% recycled content by 2030.

To inform the development of regulations, the Government of Canada has held consultations in February-March 2022 on the development of regulations that will set minimum percentage recycled content requirements for certain items made of plastic, and published a framework paper for federal regulations on recycled content and labelling rules for plastics in April 2023 for comment.

Accelerate the implementation of the zero plastic waste action plan, in partnership with provinces and territories.

The Government of Canada has provided considerable leadership on the delivery of Phase 1 and 2 Canada-wide Zero Plastic Waste Action Plan deliverables developed and agreed to by all provincial, territorial and the federal governments: it co-led the Guidance on Consistent Extended Producer Responsibility Policies, the Roadmap for Single use and Disposable Plastics, and the Report on the Use of Labels and Terms.

The Government of Canada is leading (alone or as a co-lead) on 23 of the 32 Canada-wide Zero Plastic Waste Action Plan Phase 1 and 2 Action Plan items. Of these, 5 are completed.

Continue to work with provinces and territories to ensure that producers, not taxpayers, are responsible for the cost of managing their plastic waste.

In August 2022, the Canadian Council of Ministers for the Environment posted Guidance to Facilitate Consistent Extended Producer Responsibility Policies and Programs for Plastics. The focus has now shifted to facilitating its implementation through provincial/territorial instruments.

Alberta, British Columbia, Ontario, Quebec, New Brunswick, Nova Scotia and Yukon have published new or expanded full producer responsibility regulations for plastic packaging, to be phased-in over several years. Saskatchewan and Manitoba are working on draft regulations. Nunavut is considering amendments to existing legislation that would allow it to enact regulations. Newfoundland and Labrador are undertaking consultations. Prince Edward Island has published full producer responsibility regulations for agricultural plastics.

Work with provinces and territories to implement and enforce an ambitious recycling target of 90% – aligned with Quebec and the European Union – for plastic beverage containers.

Meetings have been held with key stakeholders and provinces. Analysis and assessment underway, including implications of existing or forthcoming provincial level programs and targets.

Introduce labelling rules that prohibit the use of the chasing-arrows symbol unless 80% of Canada’s recycling facilities accept, and have reliable end markets for these products.

From July 25, 2022, to October 7, 2022, the Government asked Canadians, stakeholders, industry, and provincial, territorial and local governments to share their views on new labelling rules that would better inform consumers and strengthen recycling and composting of plastics in Canada.

In February 2023, the Government of Canada released a report on what it heard from public consultations on developing rules for recyclability and compostability labelling.

The federal government held a public comment period on a framework paper for federal regulations on recycled content and labelling rules for plastics in April 2023.

Support provincial and territorial producer responsibility efforts by establishing a federal public registry and requiring producers to report annually on plastics in the Canadian economy.

From July 25, 2022, to October 7, 2022, the Government asked Canadians, stakeholders, industry, and provincial, territorial and local governments to share their views on developing a registry for producers to report on the plastics they put into the economy.

In February 2023, the Government of Canada released a report on what it heard from public consultations focused on establishing a federal plastics registry for the plastic products industry. A technical paper for public comment was published on April 18, 2023.

Work with the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry on the creation of a new infrastructure and innovation fund that will scale-up and commercialize made-in-Canada technologies and solutions for the reuse and recycling of plastics.

ECCC and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada are exploring key design elements of a possible fund.

Build on the Ocean Plastics Charter by working with leading countries on the development of a new global agreement on plastics.

On March 2, 2022, the UN Environment Assembly agreed to launch an ambitious process to develop an international legally binding agreement on plastic pollution based on a comprehensive approach that addresses the full lifecycle of plastics with the aim to complete negotiations by the end of 2024.

Negotiations have begun and Canada is an active participant. The next meeting will take place in Ottawa in April 2024. By hosting the next meeting, Canada looks forward to playing an integral role in fostering international consensus.

In addition, Canada hosted the Second Ministerial Meeting of the High Ambition Coalition to End Plastic Pollution at COP15 to discuss the way forward for the Coalition and options for elements towards the international treaty.

Work with the Minister of Innovation, Science and Industry to implement a “right to repair” to extend the life of home appliances, particularly electronics, and require businesses to inform Canadians of the environmental impacts of consumer products.

ECCC and Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada are exploring policy elements for a right to repair including possible labelling options. As announced in the Fall Economic Statement 2023, the federal government will also amend the Competition Act in order to prevent manufacturers from refusing to provide the means of repair of devices and products in an anti-competitive manner.

ECCC and Health Canada have completed national consultations on improved and mandatory labelling for certain consumer products, including cosmetics, cleaning products, and flame-retardants in upholstered furniture as well as views on how the Government can take action to improve information about chemicals in product supply chains. These consultations took place through a series of workshops and interactive events until fall 2022. Work is now underway to complete a strategy based on, among other initiatives, studies and engagements, the inputs received during these consultations. The strategy is targeting publication in 2024.

Continue to work with the Minister of Fisheries, Oceans and the Canadian Coast Guard and partners to ensure Canada meets its goals to conserve 25% of our lands and waters by 2025 and 30% of each by 2030, working to halt and reverse nature loss by 2030 in Canada, achieve a full recovery for nature by 2050 and champion this goal internationally. You will ensure that this work remains grounded in science, Indigenous knowledge and local perspectives.

Canada welcomed the world to Montreal in December 2022 for COP15 where Parties agreed on a historic global framework to safeguard nature and halt and reverse biodiversity loss, putting nature on a path to recovery by 2050.

Among Canada’s main goals were protecting 30% of lands and waters by 2030, respecting the rights and roles of Indigenous peoples, and addressing the key drivers of biodiversity loss such as pollution and overexploitation of nature. These elements were agreed upon in the final Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework.

In addition to driving ambition in international negotiations, Canada made major new commitments and investments over the course of COP15. This includes:

• Up to $800 million to support up to four Indigenous-led conservation initiatives;
• The Government signed the Canada–Yukon Nature Agreement, the first agreement of its kind with any province or territory;
• $350 million in new and additional funding to support developing countries in protecting nature;
• $255 million toward projects to help developing countries build a strong future, including by fighting climate change, protecting nature and supporting resilient local economies; and
• The Governments of Canada and Manitoba, together with the Seal River Watershed Alliance, will work together on a feasibility assessment for an Indigenous protected area in the Seal River Watershed.

Work is underway on the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, including the development of a comprehensive national biodiversity strategy and action plan to 2030. The draft strategy (known as the Milestone Document) was published on December 9, 2023, and is open for a 60-day public comment period running until February 9, 2024. On December 9, 2023, Canada also announced its intention to introduce a federal nature accountability act in 2024. With this act, Canada would establish an accountability framework in line with its biodiversity commitments under the Global Biodiversity Framework.

To meet Canada’s conservation goals, the federal government is working with provincial and territorial partners, reaching milestone such as:

• Signed the Project Finance for Permanence Framework agreement on Northwest Territories on October 13, 2023;
• Signed a Nature Agreement with the Province of Nova Scotia in October 10, 2023. The Government of Canada will invest $28.5 million over three years to protect another 82,500 hectares of land in Nova Scotia; and
• Signed with British Columbia and the First Nations Leadership Council a historic tripartite nature conservation framework agreement on November 3, 2023. The Government of Canada is investing up to $500 million over the life of the framework agreement.

Work with First Nations, Inuit and Métis partners to support new Indigenous Guardians programs and establish new Indigenous Guardians Networks, and support Indigenous communities to build capacity to establish more Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas.

The Government of Canada has made historic investments over the past 5 years in Indigenous-led conservation initiatives that support Indigenous rights and responsibilities in protecting and conserving ecosystems, developing and maintaining sustainable economies, and continuing the profound connections between natural landscapes and Indigenous cultures including:

• More than $118 million in Budget 2018 to support Indigenous-led conservation initiatives, including Indigenous Guardians and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas;
• Almost $454 million in Budget 2021 to support a host of Indigenous-led conservation initiatives such as Indigenous-Led Area-Based Conservation, Indigenous Guardians, conservation on Inuit Owned Lands, and Indigenous Partnerships for Species at Risk;
• As part of the Enhanced Nature Legacy, the Government of Canada announced $340 million to support Indigenous-led conservation. This includes up to $173 million over five years to support new and existing Indigenous Guardians initiatives and the development of Indigenous Guardians Networks for First Nations, Inuit and Métis through existing distinctions-based governance structures.

Since 2018, ECCC has invested about $70 million in over 170 Guardians initiatives, which have contributed to the development of capacity and employment in Indigenous communities across the country.

Under the Indigenous Guardians programs, the First Nations Guardians Network was announced at COP15 in December 2022. It will expand and support individual First Nations Guardians initiatives from coast to coast to coast. The network will connect First Nations Guardians initiatives across the country so that Guardians can do more together than on their own. This Network will enable a Nation-based model of self-determination and a Nation-to-Nation-based model of reconciliation and partnership for responsible land and marine stewardship.

Establish 10 new national parks and 10 new national marine conservation areas (NMCAs) in the next five years, working with Indigenous communities on co-management agreements for these national parks and NMCAs.

A roadmap to achieve the target has been established and work is underway to confirm prospective sites. Currently, Parks Canada has two national park projects actively in negotiation and has identified additional candidate sites. In addition, there are seven active national marine conservation area establishment projects with at least three additional sites expected to move into feasibility study phase. Recent achievements include:

• An Agreement in Principle has been confirmed to establish a new national park reserve in Pitumakek/Hog-Island Sandhills with the Epekwitk Assembly of Councils;
• The Seal River Watershed Alliance and Manitoba Government have committed to undertaking a feasibility assessment for a potential national park reserve in the Seal River Watershed (Manitoba) with Parks Canada;
• Negotiations continue toward an establishment agreement for a national park reserve in South Okanagan-Similkameen (British Columbia); and
• Parks Canada and the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador are negotiating a memorandum of understanding to launch a feasibility assessment for a national marine conservation area to protect the South Coast Fjords near Burgeo (Newfoundland and Labrador).

Overall, 10 contribution agreements have been signed with 8 Indigenous groups and partners to support work on establishment of national parks.

To ensure all Canadians have access to green space, establish at least one new national urban park in every province and territory, with a target of 15 new urban parks by 2030. You will also invest in existing national parks, with more Canadians than ever before visiting these sites.

On August 4, 2021, the Government of Canada launched the new program to support the creation of a network of national urban parks.

To date, exploratory work to assess the potential for national urban park sites is underway in:

• Victoria Region, British Columbia;
• Saskatoon Region, Saskatchewan;
• Winnipeg, Manitoba;
• Windsor, Ontario;
• Halifax, Nova Scotia; and
• Edmonton Region, Alberta.

Pre-feasibility studies are underway in four of these cities (Edmonton, Meewasin Valley, Windsor and Halifax). Parks Canada has also begun exploratory discussions with Montreal.

Support the Minister of Tourism and Associate Minister of Finance in developing a national trails tourism strategy.

Parks Canada is working in collaboration with Innovation, Science and Economic Development Canada to provide support and to facilitate connections to trails organizations and destination marketing partners across Canada to help advance Trails Tourism.

Budget 2022 provided investments of $57 million over five years beginning in 2022-2023 to grow Canada’s trail network. This included $55 million to the Parks Canada Agency to support the Trans Canada Trail, and $2 million over two years beginning 2022-2023 toward building new trails in the vicinity of Rouge National Urban Park to improve access to trails within the park and promote tourism and recreational activities. Additionally, tourism programs, such as Budget 2023’s investment of $108 million for local community projects, will help promote recreational tourism, particularly through investments in trails inventory and infrastructure.

As described in the Federal Tourism Growth Strategy released on July 4, 2023, Canada’s Trails Tourism Strategy will boost tourism by leveraging trails and related infrastructure and focusing on three key areas:

• High-quality inventory of trails – Ensure our trails are maintained and our parks have modern amenities and the capacity to handle larger visitor groups while minimizing impact to our natural spaces;
• Market readiness – Maintain and develop high-value experiences by encouraging the coordination and conservation of trails and surrounding amenities and training operators to be ready to welcome high volumes of visitors; and
• Destination marketing and promotion – Leverage the resources and expertise of Destination Canada and other marketing avenues to promote local trails, neighbouring communities, and related services.

Work with the Minister of Natural Resources to help protect old growth forests, notably in British Columbia, by reaching a nature agreement with B.C., establishing a $50 million B.C. Old Growth Nature Fund, and ensuring First Nations, local communities and workers are partners in shaping the path forward for nature protection.

Budget 2022 provided funding to establish an Old Growth Nature Fund in collaboration with the Province of British Columbia, non-governmental organizations, and Indigenous and local communities. This funding will be conditional on the Government of British Columbia making a matching investment.

The Government of Canada signed the Tripartite Framework Agreement on Nature Conservation with British Columbia and the First Nations Leadership Council on November 3, 2023. Support includes a federal investment of $50 million toward the identification and securement of up to 13,000 square kilometres of old-growth forest areas, and $104 million from the 2 Billion Trees program that will be specifically focused on the restoration of species at risk habitat, wildfire mitigation and recovery, and watershed health.

Continue to build and connect the Trans Canada Trail and create new opportunities for Canadians to access it by increasing annual funding and growing the trail network to help create 10,000 jobs over the next five years.

The Government of Canada has contributed over $90 million in financial support To the Trans Canada Trail since the initiative was launched in 1992. Budget 2022 announced investments of $55 million over five years, starting in 2022-23, to Parks Canada for the Trans Canada Trail to maintain and enhance Canada’s trail network.

This funding will support improved connections between trail networks and enhance the safety, accessibility, and sustainability of the Trans Canada Trail. This means more communities will be served by the Trans Canada Trail and more people, no matter their skill level or abilities, will have easier access to trail systems.

Work with partners to curb illegal wildlife trade and end elephant and rhinoceros tusk trade in Canada.

ECCC announced regulations on November 20, 2023, that prohibit the import and export of raw elephant ivory and raw rhinoceros horn with very limited exceptions, and prohibit the import of elephant ivory and rhinoceros horn hunting trophies. Also, permits will now be required for household items and personal effects of worked elephant ivory and worked rhinoceros horn.

Introduce legislation to protect animals in captivity.

On November 21, 2023, the federal government introduced Bill S-15, An Act to amend the Criminal Code and the Wild animal and Plant Protection and Regulation of International and Interprovincial Trade Act, which would prohibit the new ownership of elephants and great apes in Canada, unless a permit or licence has been issued for either the best interest of the animal’s welfare or conservation, or scientific research, subject to potential conditions.

Introduce comprehensive legislation to protect federally-owned historic places.

Bill C-23, the Historic Places of Canada Act, was introduced in the House of Commons on June 7, 2022, to ensure the transparent designation and sustainable protection of over 300 federally-owned historic places.

On December 2, 2022, the House of Commons began second reading on Bill C-23.