QUESTION PERIOD — Environment and Climate Change
2030 Emissions Reduction Plan
March 12, 2026
Senator Moreau, the Canadian Climate Institute recently released an independent assessment on the federal government’s 2025 Progress Report on the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. They found that the report presents a credible picture of the progress. However, the results do not align with Canada’s climate targets, neither meeting our 2030 goals nor reaching net-zero emissions by 2050.
Senator Moreau, how will Canada address the growing gap between the country’s expected emissions reduction and its targets?
Thank you, Senator Coyle, for the question.
The government remains committed to reaching the Paris target of net-zero emissions by 2050.
The 2025 Progress Report on the 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan makes clear that earlier approaches were not sufficient, which is why the government is prioritizing results and concrete action, as outlined in Budget 2025.
The budget introduced several major measures to close the emission gap, including new methane regulations, the strengthening of industrial carbon pricing and nearly $90 billion in clean investment tax credits to accelerate the transition to a net-zero economy.
The government will continue working with provinces, territories, Indigenous partners and industry to drive innovation, reduce emissions and ensure that Canada remains competitive in the global net-zero economy.
Thank you. Senator Moreau, the report highlights that the electricity sector has led Canada’s emissions reduction. Federal measures, including industrial carbon pricing, the coal phase-out, Clean Electricity Regulations and investment tax credits, all have important roles to play in the effort.
Will the upcoming Clean Electricity Strategy include these measures, and will Canada continue to build out our national electricity infrastructure with urgency?
As a former minister of energy in Quebec, I’m well aware of the importance of the electricity grid in reducing our emissions.
The electricity sector is, indeed, central to Canada’s emission reduction and to achieving net zero by 2050.
In Budget 2025, the government committed to delivering the following: clean electricity investment tax credit enhancement to the tax credits that have already been implemented, including a 15% credit for investment in low-emitting generation —
Thank you, Senator Moreau.
