Environment and Climate Change Minister Jonathan Wilkinson tabled new legislation today that would force the current and future government to set binding climate targets to get Canada to net-zero emissions by 2050.Prime Minister Justin Trudeau unveiled his government's net-zero accountability plan at the Ornamental Gardens in Ottawa on Thursday, Nov. 19, 2020.
"Climate change remains one of the greatest challenges of our times," Prime Minister Justin Trudeau told reporters Thursday.The federal government has announced its plan to reduce Canada’s net carbon emissions to zero by 2050 in an attempt to meet climate change targets, but there are concerns the plan lacks accountability.
The 1.5 C target was a goal of the Paris climate accord, signed by almost all countries, including Canada.Wilkinson's bill doesn't set out exactly how the federal government should go about reducing emissions — it does not mandate further increases to the carbon tax, for example. It simply stipulates that Ottawa must set a goal and work to achieve it through measures that are deemed effective.
Under the federal government's net zero plan, new pipelines, mines, power plants and railways in Canada will have to include strategies to hit net-zero emissions by 2050 in order to be approved. While the government describes this legislation as "legally binding," there would be no tangible penalty applied if the country fails to drive down emissions as promised.The government would simply have to state publicly in Parliament that it failed to meet its goals. There would be no meaningful legal consequences if Ottawa falls short.
"Ultimately, the accountability for government's actions or inaction is from Canadians themselves. We live in a democracy. Stephen Harper's inability to fight climate change responsibility was a big part of him losing power in 2015. Conservatives continue to fight against measures that combat climate change," Trudeau said.
"After five years in power, and a record of unfulfilled emissions reductions commitments, the government has given us more smoke and mirrors. There is only talk of accountability about a plan that will be developed at some future date. That's not what we expected, that is not what we need," Paul told reporters.