QUESTION PERIOD — Environment and Climate Change
Canada's Emissions Targets
December 4, 2025
Senator Moreau, last month, Prime Minister Carney answered Green Party leader May by saying, “I can confirm to the House that we will respect our Paris commitments for climate change . . . .”
In a recent exchange with MP Patrick Bonin, Minister Dabrusin said the government remains committed to its 2030 emissions reduction targets. Those are 40-45% below 2005 levels.
MP Steven Guilbeault warns that with the rollbacks we’ve seen over the past few months, it’s impossible to see how we will achieve our 2030 targets.
The Parliamentary Budget Officer estimates that Canada will miss its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions reduction target by 49 to 102 megatonnes.
Senator Moreau, what assurance can you give us that Canada will meet its 2030 emissions reduction targets? When will we see the new plan to achieve that?
For the last part of your question, I have been informed that the government will soon release its climate competitiveness strategy.
Canada’s focus remains committed to reaching the Paris targets and net-zero emissions by 2050 through ambitious climate action while building the economy of the future. The federal government can only meet its climate targets by moving forward together. Achieving net-zero emissions and staying competitive require every province driving innovation and climate action.
The government knows that good climate policy is good economic policy. Canada is driving toward delivering long-term investment that will restructure our economy, prepare our industry for the global shift to net zero and support jobs right here in Canada.
The government is investing in green homes, clean electricity and technology that will keep Canada competitive and sustainable for decades to come, hopefully to meet the 2030 target.
Thank you, Senator Moreau. We look forward to seeing the new plan.
While I was at COP 30 recently, I was reassured by former minister Guilbeault that the government is committed to accelerating implementation of biodiversity commitments and mobilizing investment to protect nature for people, the planet and generations to come. There was an indication from him that a plan on nature will be coming by early December. Senator Moreau, when will this plan be made public, and what can we expect to see in it?
As you know, I’m not able to speculate as to when this plan will be released. Having said that, you did raise the question previously regarding the inclusion of nature in Budget 2025.
I neglected to mention that the Northwest Critical Conservation Corridor was mentioned in that budget, which has been referred to the Major Projects Office, or MPO, for consideration and includes a potential new conservation area the size of Greece. I thought that you would like to know that.
