
God gave humans dominion over the earth, thereby making us stewards of creation as we work with Him in His continuing act of creation. We must constantly consider how our actions glorify or harm this wonderous gift God has entrusted to us. This is a multi-faceted question, which must not be over-simplified.
We must constantly consider how our actions glorify or harm this wonderous gift God has entrusted to us. This is a multi-faceted question, which must not be over-simplified.
With a vocation to glorify all life which includes respect for the inviolability and integrity of life, humans find themselves in the presence of all God’s other creatures. We can and are obliged to put them at our own service and to enjoy them, but our dominion over the world requires the exercise of responsibility. It is not a freedom of arbitrary and selfish exploitation. All of creation has value and is “good” in the sight of God. This is a marvelous challenge to human intellect. – 112, 113, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church.
Living our vocation to be protectors of God’s handiwork is essential to a life of virtue.
It is not an optional or secondary aspect of our Christian experience.
-23, 217, Laudato Si’
The Book of Genesis provides us with certain foundations of Christian anthropology, including the meaning of human activity in the world, which is linked to the discovery and respect of the laws of nature that God has inscribed in the created universe, so that humanity may live in it and care for it in accordance with God’s will. – 37, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church.
Climate Change
There is urgency to this issue. Every Pope since at least Paul VI has written of our need to shift to a more responsible use of the earth and its abundant resources. The Church accepts that that need is now urgent.
“A very solid scientific consensus indicates that we are presently witnessing a disturbing warming of the climatic system… Humanity is called to recognize the need for changes of lifestyle, production and consumption, in order to combat… at least the human causes which produce or aggravate it. It is true that there are other factors, yet a number of scientific studies indicate that most global warming in recent decades is due to the great concentration of greenhouse gases released mainly as a result of human activity. – Pope Francis, Laudato si’, –23
Energy & Resources
The good steward neither allows the resources entrusted to him to lie fallow or to fail to produce their proper fruit, nor does he waste or destroy them (Matthew 25:14-30). Rather, he uses them responsibly, for the Lord’s purposes, to realize their increase so that he may enjoy his livelihood and provide for the good of his family, his descendants, and his neighbors.
Humanity’s relationship with creation and the creatures of the earth “requires the exercise of responsibility, it is not a freedom of arbitrary and selfish exploitation.” – 115, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
One of the higher priority issues in economics is the utilization of resources, that is, of all those goods and services to which economic subjects — producers and consumers in the private and public spheres — attribute value because of their inherent usefulness in the areas of production and consumption… Resources in nature are quantitatively scarce, which means that each individual economic subject, as well as each individual society, must necessarily come up with a plan for their utilization in the most rational way possible, following the logic dictated by the “principle of economizing.” – 346, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
Because of the powerful means of transformation offered by technological civilization, it seems that the balance between man and the environment has reached a critical point… A reductionistic conception quickly spread, starting from the presupposition — which was seen to be erroneous — that an infinite quantity of energy and resources are available, that it is possible to renew them quickly, and that the negative effects of the exploitation of the natural order can be easily absorbed… – 461, 462, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
Conservation & Sustainable Development
Care for the environment represents a challenge for all of humanity. It is a matter of a common and universal duty, that of respecting a common good, destined for all, by preventing anyone from using “with impunity the different categories of beings, whether living or inanimate — animals, plants, the natural elements — simply as one wishes, according to one’s own economic needs.”
Responsibility for the environment, the common heritage of mankind, extends not only to present needs but also to those of the future… This is a responsibility that present generations have towards those of the future… A correct understanding of the environment… at the same time…must not absolutize nature and place it above the dignity of the human person himself. In this latter case, one can go so far as to divinize nature or the earth, as can readily be seen in certain ecological movements that seek to gain an internationally guaranteed institutional status for their beliefs. – 346, 461-463, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
Species Diversity & Wildlife
Man and woman find themselves also in the presence of all the other creatures. They can and are obliged to put them at their own service and to enjoy them, but their dominion over the world requires the exercise of responsibility, it is not a freedom of arbitrary and selfish exploitation. All of creation has value and is “good” in the sight of God, who is its author. Man must discover and respect its value. This is a marvellous challenge to his intellect, which should lift him up as on wings towards the contemplation of the truth of all God’s creatures, that is, the contemplation of what God sees as good in them. Man must recognize all of God’s creatures for what they are and establish with each of them a relationship of responsibility. – 113, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church
“Each of the various creatures, willed in its own being, reflects in its own way a ray of God’s infinite wisdom and goodness. Man must respect the particular goodness of every creature, to avoid any disordered use of things which would be in contempt of the Creator and would bring disastrous consequences for human beings and their environment.” – 339, Catechism of the Catholic Church
It is a responsibility that must mature on the basis of the global dimension of the present ecological crisis… This perspective takes on a particular importance when one considers, in the context of the close relationships that bind the various parts of the ecosystem, the environmental value of biodiversity, which must be handled with a sense of responsibility and adequately protected… – 466, Compendium of the Social Doctrine of the Church

Climate change
The Bloc’s most recently-published Programme states that:
– it believes that Quebec’s future depends on an ecological and energy transition, starting with the economy. It wants this transition to be fair for workers and communities, and that it is in itself a social project that can encourage and stimulate the Quebec people towards sovereignty, given the broad consensus of all generations in this regard.
– it believes that the future involves decarbonizing the economy.
– it believe that it should be costly to pollute and profitable to be green. This principle should apply to individuals, companies, states and provinces.
– financial assistance should be provided to help SMEs and low-income earners make the transition.
– Quebec is rich in clean, renewable energy sources. It believes that Quebec should be the sole manager of its natural resources, starting with all Quebec water, a resource essential to life, whose usable abundance is being reduced by pollution and climate change.
– it believes that that Quebec must seize the opportunity presented by the ecological transition to reach its full potential as a North American spearhead for green technologies.
– it believes in climate justice, and that the ecological perspective must be at the heart of all government decision-making. It believes that any policy must attribute to emissions greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions a price commensurate with the damage they inflict on the planet.
Energy & Resources; Sustainable Development
The Bloc’s most recently-published Programme states that:
– Quebec must not be forced to finance through the federal government projects that are contrary to its interests, such as the billions poured into the ill-advised hydroelectric project, Muskrat Falls, the Trans Mountain pipeline, or support for energy and nuclear power plants.
– it wants to see Quebec become a key player in massive electrification of transportation, thanks to its innovation in the field and thanks to its natural resources.
– it believes that controlled densification is a concrete way of restoring access to nature, that that protected areas are necessary to provide access to nature while conserving it.
– it maintains that efforts to develop innovative industrial clusters linked to the ecological transition must be invested where the raw materials are: in Quebec. It therefore believes Quebec must continue efforts to accelerate and facilitate the electrification of transport for individuals, businesses and government fleets alike.
– it recognize the concerns of workers in economic sectors, such as fossil fuel extraction, and believes they should be supported in this period of change.
– it is prepared to support the transition elsewhere in Canada.
– it believes that every penny invested in keeping the hydrocarbon industry artificially alive should be redeployed in this ecological transition, which will bring a bright future for Quebec and the world.
– it believes that government contracts, subsidies and loan guarantees should be based on rigorous ecological transition criteria.
– it should no longer be possible to invest public money without emissions impact analyses. In the same spirit, carbon emissions should be established as a criterion for awarding public contracts.
– it is in favor of green finance for clean, forward-looking investments. There is no such thing as green oil, and efforts to get there are either futile or hypocritical.
– it does not consider that supporting clean energies and industries in return for supporting dirty energies and industries constitutes a “trade-off” or just compromise, in the midst of the climate crisis.
– it believes that democracy and social acceptability are inseparable principles.
Green Innovation
The Bloc’s most recently-published Programme states that:
– it supports Quebec’s expertise in green innovation, which today enables Quebec to seriously consider advances in areas such as transport and energy efficiency. Examples include heavy-duty electric vehicles, eco-responsible aviation, carbon-neutral aluminum and green hydrogen wherever relevant.
– it proposes the creation an aluminum observatory to ensure that clean energy of Quebec promotes the creation wealth and well-paid jobs, along with fundamental and applied research, innovation and transfer of knowledge and technology in the private sector, as well as at college and university levels.
Forests
The Bloc’s most recently-published Programme states that:
– it supports maximizing the potential of the Quebec forest, a green industry that both creates jobs and contributes to meeting Quebec’s greenhouse gas reduction targets. We are proposing that Quebecers consider processing a larger share of our resources, including those derived from forests, in order to diversify quality jobs with industry partners and entrepreneurs, reduce the pressure on a renewable resource and ecosystems, and lessen the impact of restrictions often interpreted to our detriment by trading partners.
– Quebec’s forest is immense, but often mistreated and unloved. Its wish is for Quebec to become a forest nation, for Quebecers to love their forests, consider them at their true value and take proper care of them.
Species and Conservation
The Bloc’s most recently-published Programme states that:
– recognizes that climate change and the decline in biodiversity are caused by human activity, and that humanity needs to contain and reverse this trend and its effects to counter the climate crisis.
– the effects of climate change are already being felt in Quebec and around the world.
– it believes that environmental issues and human health are interrelated.
– it campaigns for the state and its institutions to put the concerns of their citizens and public health ahead of those of third-party organizations. It campaigns for better air, water and environmental quality for Quebecers.
– the impact of climate change on the needs and fundamental rights of people around the world, are already being seen. It notes the massive stakes for entire populations that will need to be helped and to a certain degree, welcomed.
– it recognizes that conflict and climate disruption have a disproportionate impact on the world’s poorest people and developing countries, and that Quebec has the same duty as all states to ensure climate justice.
– it realizes that everyone has an individual share of responsibility in the fight against climate change, through collective actions and choices, especially when it comes to elections.
– it promotes the protection of natural environments and biodiversity, and that strong state measures must be taken to achieve the most convincing results in terms of environmental protection, first and foremost tariff incentives and cap-and-trade designed to support initiatives to decarbonize economic activity.
– it believes that judging the climatic impact of a project or measure by assessing pollution upstream, but not downstream, is a case of wilful blindness.
– it deplores the fact that Canada is one of the world’s worst oil states rather than a world leader in the fight against climate change.
– it affirms that a responsible Quebec must assume a “leadership” role on the ecological front, for we must make room for ecology as a philosophy of life and a fundamental value of an independent Quebec.

Stewardship of Creation
The party states that:
– it recognizes its responsibility to steward and care for the natural environment
– it will protect Canada’s air, soil and water from destructive contamination of man-made chemicals
Climate change
The party states that
– CO2 is not pollution; it is a beneficial natural gas needed by all plants
– CO2 as the cause of climate change is an unproven theory
– carbon taxes are just a tax grab
– the federal government cannot legally force the provinces to collect taxes
– carbon tax will do nothing for the environment
The party advocates:
– rescinding any federal carbon tax
– opposing attempt to block sunlight—“global dimming”—as has been proposed by some “geo-engineering” advocates in an effort to “cool the planet”
– the party states in this context that it also cares about the MORAL environment
Energy & Resources
The party states that:
– natural resources are given by God for the benefit of mankind. Human beings are stewards (caretakers) of these resources have the responsibility to manage and preserve them for the benefit of future generations
– the extraction of minerals, precious metals and energy resources is a legitimate and vital industry
– resources—whether renewable or non-renewable—must be harvested or extracted in a responsible manner, with a view to the future and to ensuring maximum lasting value for all Canadians
– care must be taken to protect the environment and to make efficient use of non-renewable resources
The party advocates re-evaluating the use of coal as an energy source, in light of new technology. With updated technologies, coal can again become a useful part of our mining and energy industries
Conservation & Sustainable Development
The party states that chemical pesticides and herbicides have an important role in agriculture and landscaping but more research should be don into effective affordable, and less invasive alternatives in pest control.
The party advocates careful assessment of studies indicating that application of certain man-made chemicals may be harmful to human, animal and soil health, rather than dismissal because the conclusions are inconvenient.
Mining
The party states that:
– the extraction of minerals, precious metals and energy resources is a legitimate and vital industry, beneficial to Canada’s economy and essential for the provision of materials for manufacturing
– of course, care must be taken to protect the environment and to make efficient use of non-renewable resources
– the use of coal as an energy source should be re-evaluated in the light of new technology. Coal can again become a useful part of our mining and energy network of industries with the use of updated technology
Species, Diversity & Wildlife
The party has released no official statement concerning its policies on species, diversity, or wildlife

Stewardship of Creation
The party states that:
– protecting the environment has always been one of its core values
– it was built by farmers, hunters, and anglers – people who respect and live off the land
– it advocates immediate investment in public transit project, that will put people to work, cut commute times, and clean up the environment
Climate change
The party states that:
– Canada must not ignore the reality of climate change. It is already affecting our ecosystems, hurting our communities, and damaging national infrastructure
– mobilization to meet this challenge inevitably lead to change, presenting challenges but also opportunities if we are smart
– it is committed to meeting Paris climate commitments and reducing emissions by 2030, without the taxing working Canadians and driving jobs and investment out of the country
Personal Carbon Savings Accounts
Recognizing that the most efficient way to reduce emissions is to use pricing mechanisms and that the country’s largest trading partner does not yet have a national carbon pricing system, as well as the shortcomings of the present state of global trade, which allows some of the world’s worst polluters to become free riders to the detriment of Canadian workers, the party advocates working with the provinces to implement an innovative, national, Personal Low Carbon Savings Account, which will:
– put a price on carbon for consumers with no money going to the government
– be completely transparent and engage consumers in the process of building a lower carbon future
– involve Canadians paying into Personal Low Carbon Savings Accounts each time they buy hydrocarbon-based fuel, deposited funds being available for application towards sustainable alternatives such as transit passes, bicycles, or green home improvements such as efficient heating, windows, or electric vehicles
– scrapping consumer carbon taxes. Wherever carbon taxes have been tried, governments have been unable to resist the billions of dollars they bring in
– savings levels will start at $20/tonne and increase to $50/tonne but no further
Zero Emission Vehicles
The party states that:
– public transit is important, but in some ways impractical for a large, northern country such as Canada
– reliance on public transit can also be difficult for parents and families
– therefore electric and hydrogen vehicles are essential to meeting national climate goals
To promote transition to zero emission vehicles, the party advocates:
– introduction of a zero emission vehicle mandate based on British Columbia’s, requiring 30% of light duty vehicles sold to be zero emissions by 2030
– working with the US administration and with the provinces to develop and implement electric vehicle emission and charging standards in North America
– investing in transmission infrastructure to cover all areas where it is needed and to ensure that the electricity grid can support the growth in electric vehicles
– investing a billion dollars to develop electric vehicle manufacturing in Canada, including investing in battery production, parts manufacturing, micro-mobility solutions and electric trucks
– investing a billion dollars in deploying hydrogen technology including hydrogen vehicles
– supporting improved electric vehicle battery repurposing and recycling in order to lower the environmental impact of these batteries and lower the cost of vehicles on the resale market
Industrial Emissions
In view of a regulatory framework already in place, largely a product of work by the provinces, and in order to avoid act effectively without unnecessary proliferation of regulation, the party advocates:
– proposing to the US administration minimum North American standards for key industrial sectors, backed up by border carbon adjustments to prevent leakage of emissions and loss of jobs to countries with lower environmental and emissions standards like China
– tying Canada’s industrial carbon price to that of our biggest trading partners – the European Union and the United States, starting with those regions that have carbon markets and expanding as the U.S. creates a national market, to ensure that Canada travels toward Paris targets together while reducing the risk that serious climate action will just shift jobs out of Canada to competitor countries
– assessing progress after two years and being prepared to set industrial carbon prices on a path to $170/tonne by 2030, but only if the combination of adopting a price based on that of our major trading partners and working with the U.S. on North American standards has not assured us that we are on a path to our Paris commitment
Carbon Capture
The party states that Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) is a key part of efforts to make Canada’s energy sector to become even cleaner and a major building block of the energy transition. To promote CCUS efforts, the party advocates:
– introduction of a tax credit to rapidly accelerate the deployment of CCUS technology in the energy sector and in important industries that have few alternatives to burning fossil fuels, like fertilizer and chemical production. This tax credit will include an early mover bonus for facilities that have CCUS in place before 2030.
– partnering with Canadian innovators to secure Canadian leadership in the field of Direct Air Capture, a promising technology that captures carbon dioxide from the air, through a $5 billion investment. Canada is a technology leader in this area, with possibilities for export to international partners
Natural Climate Solutions
The party advocates investing an additional $3 billion between now and 2030 in natural climate solutions focused on management of forest, crop and grazing lands and restoration of grasslands, wetlands, and forests, in order to help sequester carbon while providing protection for communities and additional benefits for wildlife.
In addition, the party advocates:
– recognizing and encouraging emissions-reducing practices like low/no till and 4R Nutrient Stewardship
– establishing transparent and reliable standards for carbon credits associated with land management practices with the eventual goal of establishing a national carbon offset market. This market would link together existing compliance programs associated with federal and provincial regulations
– exploring incentives to preserve and enhance natural infrastructure on private lands that contribute to climate mitigation and adaptation, with a particular focus on working landscapes with downstream impacts on populated areas
– working with provinces, territories and the agriculture and forestry sectors to identify and support ways in which the sectors can contribute to enhancing carbon sequestration
– investing in forest health and wildfire prevention and early detection
– working with Indigenous communities including by expanding the creation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) managed and stewarded by Indigenous Guardians
Carbon Border Tariffs
The party advocates insisting that major polluters like China clean up their act, by studying imposition of a carbon border tariff which would reflect the amount of carbon emissions attributed to goods imported into Canada, exempting producers in countries with emissions reductions mechanisms that are compatible with our own
“First Five” Policy for Deploying New Emissions Reduction Technology
To help early adopters of new emissions reduction technologies, who are often subject to higher costs as they learn how to apply the technology to real-world situations, the party advocates adoption of tax relief to the first five facilities that use new technology that provides meaningful emissions reductions and has a high cost to build.
National Clean Energy Strategy
The party advocates adoption of a National Clean Energy Strategy including the following components:
– strengthening Canada’s electrical power grid, building a cleaner, more resilient grid that is adaptable to regional conditions and priorities, including strategies for developing and expanding smart grids, improving interties, increasing the use of mass storage, and developing and deploying new clean energy technology such as nuclear, hydrogen and renewables
– utilizing a serious approach to Environmental, Social, and Governance (ESG) in engagement and partnerships within the energy sector, with respect to emissions intensity reduction, stewardship, and Indigenous partnerships
– explore ways to make Canada a world leader in the production of blue and green hydrogen, and use of hydrogen technology to contribute to a low carbon future
– making use of Canada world-leading low-emission LNG in the world to replace coal as a source of reliable base power, and to provide responsive back-up power for inconsistent renewables in the absence of adequate grid storage
To reduce emissions the party also advocates:
– creating an accelerated Impact Assessment process for projects that will reduce GHG emissions
– investing a billion dollars in Small Modular Reactors, to get this zero emissions source of electricity and heat to the point that it starts to be deployed across the country, including in the oilsands
– studying the potential for introducing new taxes on frequent flyers, non-electric luxury vehicles and luxury second homes to deter activities that hurt the environment
Clean Buildings
In order to building emission reductions by 2030 and achieve significant, broad-scale reductions in building emissions by 2050, the party advocates:
– providing a regulatory and financial framework for Energy Savings Performance Contracting (ESPC) that involves the private sector in financing and implementing retrofits and then being paid back through savings, modeled on the SOFIAC program in Quebec
– working with provinces and territories to promote ESPC for government and publicly- funded institutional buildings, including a “2030 Bonus” that will provide an additional benefit for those buildings that complete their retrofits prior to 2030
– developing a Net Zero Foundations program to begin building foundations required to meet our net zero goals, including continuing to develop the building codes and standards necessary to support net zero goals for both new builds and retrofits; developing curriculum for trade schools and institutes that support building design and construction; improving certification standards; and developing initiatives to pilot new technologies and solutions that will lower the cost and speed up the pace of retrofits, particularly residential retrofits
– working with provinces, territories, and applicable utilities to implement a Residential Building Retrofit Initiative comprising an “efficiency concierge” service for homeowners that acts as a one-stop-shop to access programs and information; and applying lessons learned from technology pilots and from government, institutional and commercial retrofits, to a residential context
Energy & Resources
The party states that:
– it recognizes the massive contributions that the energy sector and its workers make to Canada, and supports the energy sector as a critical part of Canada’s economy. To that end, it advocates:
– in response to the loss of billions of dollars in investments over the last six years, due to competition from countries with much lower environmental, labour, and human rights standards than Canada’s, eliminate unfairness inherent in Bill C-69 by fixing its Impact Assessment process, based on bipartisan recommendations made by the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment, and Natural Resources. These include upholding best-in-class environmental standards and setting clear expectations and timelines for environmental reviews and removing political interference from the review process; fast-tracking review of emissions-reducing projects
– working with First Nations and other Indigenous groups to ensure they are partners in prosperity and the development of natural resources by creating a Canadian Indigenous Enterprise Corporation, based on the Alberta Indigenous Opportunities Corporation, with an initial $5 billion of capital for investment in projects
– implementing a hydrogen energy strategy that rapidly increases the use of hydrogen – especially green hydrogen – in Canada and builds our export capacity
– ensuring adequate pipeline capacity by getting Trans Mountain built , maintaining the capacity provided by Line 3 and Line 5, and making pipelines that bring Canadian oil to export markets a priority
– implementing a federal LNG Export Strategy
– passing a Critical Infrastructure Protection Act to prevent protestors from blocking key infrastructure by amending s. 431.2 of the Criminal Code to create an offence of interference with an infrastructure facility or a public transportation system punishable by either summary conviction or indictment, depending upon the severity of the offence. Peaceful protest is a fundamental right in Canada, but respect for the rule of law means that illegal blockades that shut down critical infrastructure, threaten access to vital supplies, or endanger lives cannot be tolerated
– introducing a tax credit to rapidly accelerate the deployment of Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage technology in the energy sector and in important industries that have few alternatives to burning fossil fuels, like fertilizer and chemical production
– supporting Newfoundland and Labrador’s Offshore Oil Industry by investing $1.5 billion in an offshore rebound fund to spur the continued growth of the offshore oil industry
Natural Gas
The party advocates:
– introducing a Renewable Natural Gas Mandate based on British Columbia’s policy, requiring 15% of downstream consumption to be renewable by 2030, capturing methane from organic sources such as farms and landfills to reduce carbon emissions and create a renewable source of energy
– implementing a minimum requirement for 15% renewable content in natural gas by 2030
Low Carbon Fuel
To reduce emissions from gasoline and other liquid fuels, the party advocates:
– basing its Low Carbon Fuel Standard on British Columbia’s policy to achieve a 20% reduction in carbon intensity for transport fuels
– increasing the ability of the agricultural and forestry sectors to create land-based offset credits by improving the carbon sequestration of agricultural lands and managed forests, and incenting environmental protection in those sectors, generating emissions reductions at lower cost and protecting Canadian jobs
– allowing clean, carbon-neutral biomass energy, including wood waste or agricultural waste, to be eligible for carbon credits where appropriate
– recognizing existing legislation for Land Use and Biodiversity (LUB) and harmonizing with provincial rules
– piloting use of Canadian renewable fuels by the Canadian Armed Forces (CAF), a major user of fuel, with the goal of using CAF purchases to stimulate an increase in renewable fuel production in Canada
Mining
The party advocates:
– fixing the Impact Assessment process created by Bill C-69, basing our changes on the bipartisan recommendations made by the Senate Committee on Energy, the Environment, and Natural Resources
– implementing a Critical Minerals Strategy to take advantage of Canada’s abundant resources of the minerals needed to power our clean energy future, including adopting policies to facilitate the responsible exploitation and mining of lithium
– supporting new Initiatives to recover critical minerals from historical mine wastes while remediating the long-term environmental liabilities
– working to secure greater access to markets for our mining exports, including uranium exports to responsible countries for use in civilian programs to curb emissions
– adoption of a pan-Canadian low carbon aluminum purchasing policy
Conservation & Sustainable Development
The party states that it has a history of strong promotion of conservation, and a strong track record of creating parks and protecting critical habitats
– during its last term in office, the party committed to conserving 17% of terrestrial lands through protected areas and other effective area-based conservation measures. As of January 2020, Canada had reached 12%
– it is committed to increasing this level to 25%. However, the size of conserved land is only one consideration, location also matters. In order to protect Canada’s most endangered ecosystems, which predominantly lie in the southern working landscape, many challenges will be faced: much of the land is already in productive use, making it harder and more expensive to set aside, but protecting this land is essential: it can significantly benefit local communities and is important for things like flood and drought protection and carbon sequestration
To conserve lands in all parts of Canada, including the southern working landscape, the party advocates:
– reaching the existing target of protecting 17% of Canada’s land and water and working towards 25% with a focus on: using remote sensing to identify conservation gaps in the southern working landscape and gather data that can be used to determine the potential for lands to provide ecosystem services
– working with Indigenous communities to expand the creation of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs) managed and stewarded by Indigenous Guardians
– restoration of funding for the National Wetland Conservation Fund and the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnership Program
– supporting the completion of the Canadian Wetland Inventory, exploring ways to protect wetlands on private lands
– creating a powerful incentive for agriculture and forestry sectors to protect the environment and sequester carbon by allowing for greater creation of land-based offset credits
Forestry
The party states that:
– the forestry industry is well-placed to be an important contributor to the fight against climate change. Land management, sequestration of carbon into long-lived wood products, and bioenergy are all pathways for this important industry to make a difference
– in order to realize these benefits, the forestry as a business must be healthy
To that end, the party advocates:
– resolution of the Softwood Lumber Dispute with the United States
– establishing a Task Force on the Woodland Caribou, working with provinces and local communities to propose solutions sensitive to local expertise and management
– increased funding to control pest species in national parks and federal lands
– in order to improve response to wildfires, investing in remote sensing and other technology
– working with Provinces, Territories, and industry stakeholders to develop plans to fight climate change and develop new wood technology and bioproducts
Water
To clean up water sources and protect water quality, the party advocates:
– ending the practice of dumping raw sewage into our lakes, rivers, and oceans, in cooperation with provinces and territories and municipalities
– tightening the rules on cruise ships in Canadian waters to align with Alaska’s rules and prevent sewage & gray water dumping
– reinstatement of the Lake Simcoe Clean-Up Fund, which funded over 200 community-based projects that restored fish and wildlife populations, planted thousands of new trees, and reduced harmful sewage and waste dumping before being cancelled in 2017
Plastic Waste
To reduce the use of single-use plastics, minimize how much plastic ends up discarded, and keep plastic out of our oceans, the party advocates focusing on reducing the use of single-use plastics, ensuring that plastic products are produced in a more environmentally responsible way, promoting a circular economy, and ensuring that plastic waste is responsibly recycled and never ends up in the ocean, including:
– banning the export of plastic waste, rather than using other countries as dumping grounds, with exemptions for exporters who show that it will be recycled
– working with international partners to combat oceans plastic, and recognizing much of the plastic that ends up in the ocean does so because developing countries cannot afford to manage plastic waste properly
– working with provinces and territories to improve value recovery from plastics through application of suitable technology, including production of chemicals and renewable fuels
Species, Diversity & Wildlife
Animal Welfare
The party states that:
– more than half of Canadian homes now have a pet, and 90% of them see the pet as a family member. Yet, demand for pets from Canadians has led to the growth of puppy mills and other unethical actors, taking advantage of the nation’s love for pets
– many pets are abused, with their abusers often going on to harm spouses and children
To protect animals and the humans who care for them, the party advocates:
– banning puppy breeders and dealers from misleading the public by claiming to offer rescue animals or pets bred humanely when that isn’t the case
– banning the importation of animals bred inhumanely
– strengthening CFIA’s ability to enforce current regulations and seize animals when imported under poor welfare conditions
– banning cosmetic testing on animals, by amending the Food and Drug Act and its regulations to implement a ban modelled on the European Union ban
– to address links between violence against animals and violence against people, providing $10 million per year to train judges and prosecutors on the links between violence against animals and violence against people, increase cross-reporting between animal welfare and child welfare agencies, and adding animal cruelty as an aggravating factor in domestic violence prosecutions
– working with the sector to ensure that there are better options for women to leave abusive homes without having to abandon their pets
– working with the Council of Ministers of Education to promote humane education as part of education on the environment and sustainability
– supporting and encouraging the closure of poorly regulated wildlife markets globally that carry an elevated risk of becoming sources for future pandemics; and ending the importation of and trade in wild or exotic animals and their products that carry an elevated risk of spreading zoonotic diseases.
Fisheries
The party states that:
– Canada’s fishing communities feel beset by crisis, with critical stocks being endangered and new conflicts arising.
– resource users, whether Indigenous and non-Indigenous, commercial, and recreational, want to leave well-managed, sustainable fisheries to future generations, yet they are now more divided than ever and fearful for their future
– what is needed is unity in a common purpose: restoring and maintaining healthy stocks that support commercial, recreational, and cultural fisheries
To that end, the party advocates restoring calm and confidence to Canada’s fisheries sector by respecting the importance of all resource users and putting conservation first, including:
– prioritizing stock assessments, stock recovery planning and enforcement of science-based catch limits, which have been shown to be the most important predictors of well-managed fisheries, and ensuring that stock recovery plans incorporate climate change risks
– strengthen the role of advisory bodies in fisheries management to enhance cooperation between resource users to ensure that commercial, recreational, and cultural fishers can all have confidence in management decisions
– working collaboratively with Indigenous rights-holders and commercial harvesters to develop management plans which fulfill the rights recognized in the Marshall decisions, protect the sustainability of our fisheries, and ensure that coastal communities can continue to thrive
– improving Marine Protected Area (MPA) designation processes by: ensuring that MPAs are focused on contributing to the sustainability of critical stocks; restoring meaningful public consultation to the MPA process; and exploring the feasibility of new models, such as dynamic MPAs, that will improve climate change resiliency
– working with stakeholders, First Nations, and regional jurisdictions to implement ecosystem-based fisheries management, including control of abundant predator populations which impact commercial and SARA-listed species, and updating and strengthening DFO’s national aquatic invasive species program to ensure that regulations are being implemented
– addressing illegal, unreported and unregulated fishing, seafood fraud and ghost gear
– restoring community-based conservation initiatives like the Recreational Fisheries Conservation Partnerships Program, provide more support for hatcheries, and support public conservation education initiatives
– creation of a Canadian Seafood Development Agency to develop a long-term strategy and sustainable growth plan in partnership with the provinces
– working with governments and communities in Nunatsiavut, Nunavut, Nunavik, and the Inuvialuit Settlement Region to develop community-based marine fisheries, which will help create employment and fight local and regional food insecurity
Pacific Salmon
The party states that:
– Pacific salmon are part of the fabric of life for communities throughout British Columbia and are an essential part of BC’s marine and freshwater ecosystems
– some stocks are robust, while many are under threat
In addition to the fisheries commitments outlined above, the party advocates developing a Pacific Salmon Strategy focused on making measurable progress toward restoring at-risk stocks, including
– enforcing a strict timeline for the completion of stock assessments
– prioritizing funding for community-led habitat restoration, hatcheries, and other projects that support at-risk stocks
– ensuring the Salmonid Enhancement Program is sufficiently resourced to support at-risk stocks
– implementing mass-marking programs at BC fish hatcheries and allowing mark-selective harvest of salmon in BC’s sport fishery, protecting sensitive fish populations while maintaining the health of BC’s public fishery
– creating a pinniped management plan that will address threats to at-risk stocks in a balanced way and identify likely future threats due to climate change

Ecological Wisdom
The party’s constitution lists, among the party’s principles, the principle of Ecological Wisdom. Specifically, the party states that:
– it acknowledges that human beings are part of the natural world and respects the specific values of all forms of life, including non-human species.
– it acknowledges the wisdom of the indigenous peoples of the world, as custodians of the land and its resources.
– it acknowledges that human society depends on the ecological resources of the planet, and must ensure the integrity of ecosystems and preserve biodiversity and the resilience of life supporting systems.
The party advocates:
– that humans learn to live within the ecological and resource limits of the planet.
– that humans protect animal and plant life, and life itself that is sustained by the natural elements: earth, water, air and sun.
– that where knowledge is limited, humans take the path of caution, in order to secure the continued abundance of the resources of the planet for present and future generations.
Climate Change
In an online policy publication presented as current as of March 2025, the party states that:
– the climate crisis is already here. Fires and floods are destroying Canadian communities. Extreme weather is making life more expensive for everyone. Big polluters are getting richer.
– meanwhile, our governments are still pushing fossil fuel projects. The party has a real plan to cut pollution, build clean energy, and protect Canadians from climate disasters.
– Canada can lead the world in clean energy. It has sun, wind, and water power in abundance. But the federal government keeps supporting oil and gas companies instead. The party undertakes to stop all new fossil fuel projects, and to build a modern power grid across Canada, including a switch to 100% clean energy. This will create thousands of good jobs and lower energy bills for families.
– it will also create a Youth Climate Corps, hiring young Canadians to help communities become climate-ready.
– big companies have made climate change worse. Now they must help fix it.
The party advocates:
– ending allocation of public money to oil and gas companies and investing it in clean energy instead.
– holding big polluters responsible for the climate damage they cause.
– creation of strict, science-based limits on Canada’s total pollution.
– making companies prove they have real plans to deal with climate risks.
– cutting pollution and make life more affordable, creating create good jobs, protecting communities, and building build a future that is better for everyone.
Conservation & Sustainable Development
The party’s constitution lists, among the party’s principles, the principle of Sustainability. Specifically, the party states that:
– it recognizes the limited scope for the material expansion of human society within the biosphere, and the need to maintain biodiversity through sustainable use of renewable resources and responsible use of non-renewable resources.
– it believes that to achieve sustainability, and in order to provide for the needs of present and future generations within the finite resources of the earth, continuing growth in global consumption, population and material inequity must be halted and reversed.
– it recognizes that sustainability will not be possible as long as poverty persists.
The party advocates:
– ensuring that the rich limit their consumption to allow the poor their fair share of the earth’s resources.
– redefining the concept of wealth, to focus on quality of life rather than capacity for over-consumption.
– creating a world economy which aims to satisfy the needs of all, not the greed of a few; and enables those presently living to meet their own needs, without jeopardising the ability of future generations to meet theirs.
– eliminating the causes of population growth by ensuring economic security, and providing access to basic education and health, for all; giving both men and women greater control over their fertility.
– redefining the roles and responsibilities of trans-national corporations in order to support the principles of sustainable development.
– implementing mechanisms to tax, as well as regulating, speculative financial flows.
– ensuring that market prices of goods and services fully incorporate the environmental costs of their production and consumption.
– achieving greater resource and energy efficiency and development and use of environmentally sustainable technologies.
– encouraging local self-reliance to the greatest practical extent to create worthwhile, satisfying communities.
– recognising the key role of youth culture and encouraging an ethic of sustainability within that culture.

Climate change
The party states that:
– as a major energy producer, the global shift to net-zero presents both a challenge and a great opportunity for Canada
– analysis conducted by the Bank of Canada and the Office of the Superintendent of Financial Institutions suggests that decisive action is required to ensure Canada remains competitive during the global shift to net-zero
– inaction could, in some scenarios, leave Canada’s GDP approximately 10 per cent lower than it otherwise would be by 2050. Canada’s future economic prosperity depends on the speed and scale of our response
– without the right policy framework, Canada could see underinvestment in critical areas and a slow pace of innovation in new clean technology
The party advocates:
– substantial measures as the next steps in the government’s plan to “crowd-in” new private investment by leveraging public investment and government policy. The goal of this approach is not to substitute government for the private sector, nor supplant market-based decision making. It is to leverage the tools of government to mobilize the private sector, without picking individual corporate winners in an effort to engineer a preferred vision of the economy in 2050.
– tax incentives and investment supports proposed in Budget 2023 were designed to set a framework for boosting overall investment, while leaving the private sector to determine how to invest based on market signals
– in order to ensure that investment happens where it will have the greatest long-term impact for Canadians’ standard of living and the reduction of our emissions, the government has focused on areas where Canada has a comparative advantage, and making investments that will have the greatest impact on Canada’s productive capacity and ability to create good middle class jobs
As examples of actions taken during its current term in office to build a clean economy and good middle class jobs, the party cites:
– implementing a market-driven approach to emissions reduction, including a carbon pollution pricing system that only puts money back in the pockets of Canadians, but is also efficient and highly effective because it provides a clear economic signal to businesses and allows them the flexibility to find the most cost-effective way to lower their emissions. It also increases demand for the development and adoption of clean technologies
– investing $15 billion in the Canada Growth Fund to incentivize private sector investment into projects and companies that will grow Canada’s clean economy at speed and scale
– investing $8 billion for the Net Zero Accelerator to make large-scale investments in clean technologies
– investing $4.2 billion for the Low Carbon Economy Fund to support the installation of emission-reducing technologies for provinces and territories, businesses, Indigenous communities, and other organizations
– investing $3.8 billion for Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy, which will help make Canada a global supplier of choice for the critical minerals that are the bedrock of clean and digital technologies
– investing $3.9 billion to make zero-emission vehicles more affordable for Canadians and Canadian businesses, and to build new charging stations across Canada
– investing $1.5 billion for the Clean Fuels Fund to encourage investment in the production of clean fuels, including clean hydrogen and biofuels
– investing $4.7 billion for the National Trade Corridors Fund for investments in our ports, roads, railways, and airports
– investing $33.5 billion for the Canada Infrastructure Program to support new investments in public transit; green infrastructure; community, culture and recreation infrastructure; and rural and northern communities
– investing $35 billion for the Canada Infrastructure Bank to attract private capital to major infrastructure projects and help build more infrastructure across the country
– investing $2.6 billion for the new Canada Innovation Corporation, to support Canadian businesses in investing in research and development.
The party proposes to build on this foundation by:
– building a national electrical grid that connects Canadians from coast-to-coast-to-coast, and delivers cleaner, more affordable electricity to Canadians and Canadian businesses
– putting Canadian workers and Canadian businesses at the heart of essential global supply chains, and becoming a reliable supplier of the goods and resources that a net-zero world will need
– centering these efforts on (i) an anchor regime of clear and predictable investment tax credits, which will be broadly accessible to eligible organizations and will ensure that workers see the benefits of a clean economy; (ii) low-cost strategic financing; and, (iii) targeted investments and programming, where necessary, to respond to the unique needs of sectors or projects of national economic significance
– underpinning these efforts through pollution pricing systems and large-emitter credit markets
Carbon Capture, Use, and Storage
The party states that:
– carbon capture, utilization and storage (CCUS) is a suite of technologies that capture carbon dioxide (CO2) emissions to either store the CO2 or to use in other industrial processes, such as permanent mineralization in concrete
– during its current term in office it has announced design details of an Investment Tax Credit for Carbon Capture, Utilization, and Storage
The party proposes implementation of an Investment Tax Credit that includes:
– dual use heat and/or power equipment and water use equipment, with tax support prorated in proportion to the use of energy or material in the carbon capture, utilization, and storage process
– requiring projects storing CO2 in concrete to have their concrete storage process validated by a third-party based on an ISO standard prior to claiming the investment tax credit
– a recovery calculation for the investment tax credit in respect of refurbishment property
– these changes are expected to cost about $520 million over five years, beginning in 2023-24
– requiring compliance with labour requirements
Energy & Resources
By Mandate Letter addressed to the Minister of Natural Resources at the beginning of its current term in office, the party instructed the Minster that:
– the Ministry was to prioritize moving forward with legislation and comprehensive action to achieve a Just Transition [not defined], ensuring support for communities to create more economic opportunities for workers and families into the future and in all regions of the country
– the Ministry was to work with partners to develop and implement strategies to decarbonize regional electricity systems, grow the market for clean fuels and transform Canada’s building stock for the climate era
– the Ministry was also to move early to launch a Critical Minerals Strategy, ensuring that Canada’s natural resources would be developed sustainably, competitively and inclusively
Electricity
The party states that:
– growing a clean economy—nationally and abroad – will depend almost entirely on clean electricity
– Canada already has one of the cleanest electricity grids in the world, with roughly 83 per cent of its electricity coming from non-emitting sources such as hydroelectricity, wind, solar, and nuclear
– to preserve this advantage and position Canada to compete in the next generation of electricity-intensive sectors, such as clean hydrogen and green steel and aluminum, significant investments must be made today, to satisfy both industry and individuals.
– as electricity becomes the main source of energy, daily and seasonal demand peaks will become more pronounced. Canada will need to invest heavily in renewable generation, to meet this demand. At the same time, some renewable energy generation, such as solar and wind, can vary with the weather and season
– national electricity demand is expected to double by 2050, and to meet that increased demand with a sustainable, secure, and affordable grid, generation capacity must increase by 2.2 to 3.4 times compared to current levels
To support and accelerate clean electricity investment in Canada, the party proposes to introduce a 15 per cent refundable tax credit for eligible investments in:
– non-emitting electricity generation systems: wind, concentrated solar, solar photovoltaic, hydro (including large-scale), wave, tidal, nuclear (including large-scale and small modular reactors);
– abated natural gas-fired electricity generation (which would be subject to an emissions intensity threshold compatible with a net-zero grid by 2035);
– stationary electricity storage systems that do not use fossil fuels in operation, such as batteries, pumped hydroelectric storage, and compressed air storage; and,
– equipment for the transmission of electricity between provinces and territories
Mining & Critical Minerals
The party states that:
– as a global leader in mining, Canada is in a prime position to provide a stable resource base for critical minerals that are central to major global industries such as clean technology, auto manufacturing, health care, aerospace, and the digital economy
– for nickel and copper alone, the known reserves in Canada are more than 10 million tonnes, with many other potential sources at the exploration stage
– US legislation pertaining to critical minerals and electric vehicles in create opportunities for Canada, including in particular, requirements for robust supply chains of critical minerals that Canada has in abundance, to support acceleration of clean technology & manufacturing in the US
– to fully unleash Canada’s potential in critical minerals, a framework to accelerate private investment is required
– during its current term in office, previous budgets committed $3.8 billion for Canada’s Critical Minerals Strategy to provide foundational support to Canada’s mining sector to take advantage of these opportunities. The Strategy was published in December 2022
– in March 2023, it launched the Critical Minerals Infrastructure Fund to allocate $1.5 billion towards energy and transportation projects needed to unlock priority mineral deposits. The new fund will complement other clean energy and transportation supports, such as the Canada Infrastructure Bank and the National Trade Corridors Fund
It proposes:
– a new Investment Tax Credit for Clean Technology Manufacturing to boost private investment in Canadian critical minerals projects and create new opportunities and middle class jobs in communities across the country
Clean Electricity Generation
To support and accelerate clean electricity investment in Canada, the party proposes to introduce a 15 per cent refundable tax credit for eligible investments in:
– non-emitting electricity generation systems: wind, concentrated solar, solar photovoltaic, hydro (including large-scale), wave, tidal, nuclear (including large-scale and small modular reactors)
– abated natural gas-fired electricity generation (which would be subject to an emissions intensity threshold compatible with a net-zero grid by 2035)
– stationary electricity storage systems that do not use fossil fuels in operation, such as batteries, pumped hydroelectric storage, and compressed air storage
– equipment for the transmission of electricity between provinces and territories
– in each of the above cases, labour requirements, including ensuring that wages paid are at the prevailing level, and that apprenticeship training opportunities are being created, will need to be met to receive the full 15-per-cent tax credit. If labour requirements are not met, the credit rate will be reduced
Clean Fuels
The party states that:
– while electricity is expected to be the dominant source of energy in the years to come, clean fuels— namely hydrogen, biofuels, and biomass—will be critical sources of energy where electricity would be inefficient or impractical. They will also provide middle-class jobs
– clean hydrogen is rapidly becoming a leading candidate to fuel long-haul road, marine, and aviation transport, as well as for heavy industries, such as iron and steel production; and Canada can help supply the need
– globally, the pace of development in the production and use of hydrogen is accelerating. However, it will require considerable investment before hydrogen can scale to the point of becoming a critical source of energy.
– biofuels, such as renewable diesel and sustainable aviation fuel, generate fewer emissions on a lifecycle basis compared to fossil fuels, and will also be critical to the growth of Canada’s clean economy. With abundant feedstocks, Canada is well positioned to grow its biofuels industry
– biomass, which is renewable organic material that comes from plants, includes wood and wood processing waste, such as wood chips, lumber mill sawdust and waste, and liquor from pulp and paper mills, is used for heating and for industrial applications, notably in the pulp and paper industry. It also presents an opportunity for rural and remote Indigenous communities in Canada to reduce their reliance on diesel fuel
The party proposes:
– a Clean Hydrogen Investment Tax Credit featuring levels of support varying between 15 and 40 per cent of eligible project costs, with the projects that produce the cleanest hydrogen receiving the highest levels of support. A further 15 per cent tax credit to equipment needed to convert hydrogen into ammonia, in order to transport the hydrogen. Labour requirements will need to be met to receive the maximum tax credit rates. If labour requirements are not met, credit rates will be reduced by ten percentage points
Conservation & Sustainable Development
The party cites, among key conservation actions taken during its current term in office protect the environment, conserve nature and biodiversity, and respond to the threat of climate change:
– establishing a federal pollution pricing system that puts money back in the pockets of Canadians
– implementing programs to conserve 25 per cent of Canada’s lands and waters by 2025, and to conserve 30 per cent by 2030
– design of an Emissions Reduction Plan directed to a 40 per cent reduction in emissions by 2030
– providing more than $3.6 billion to protect nature and species at risk, and more than $1 billion to protect marine and coastal areas, including planting of two billion trees
– committing 3.5 billion to an Oceans Protection Plan for coasts and waterways
– helping Canadians purchase or lease close to 200,000 zero-emission vehicles since 2019 through purchase incentives of up to $5,000
– providing more than $1.6 billion to support Canada’s National Adaptation Strategy to help with disaster management
– to lower energy bills and make homes more energy efficient, providing grants of up to $5,000 for home retrofits and up to $40,000 for deep retrofits
– committing more than $600 million to preserve wild Pacific salmon
– supporting recovery of the Southern Resident Killer Whale, the North Atlantic Right Whale, and the St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga
– banning manufacturing of harmful single-use plastics, and working with provinces and territories towards a goal of zero plastic waste by 2030
Fresh Water
The party states that in view of the threat to freshwater caused by climate change and pollution, it is moving to establish a new Canada Water Agency and make major investments in a strengthened Freshwater Action Plan. To that end it proposes:
– provision of $650 million over ten years to support monitoring, assessment, and restoration work in the Great Lakes, Lake Winnipeg, Lake of the Woods, St. Lawrence River, Fraser River, Saint John River, Mackenzie River, and Lake Simcoe, in addition to $22.6 million over three years to support better coordination of efforts to protect freshwater across Canada
– providing $85.1 million over five years to support the creation of a Canada Water Agency, headquartered in Winnipeg, and introduction of corresponding legislation
Species, Diversity & Wildlife
The party states that:
– during the Fifteenth Conference of the Parties (COP15) to the United Nations Convention on Biological Diversity, which led to a new Post-2020 Global Biodiversity Framework, it announced new funding for biodiversity and conservation measures at home and abroad that will support the implementation of the Global Biodiversity Framework, including $800 million to support Indigenous-led conservation within Canada through the innovative Project Finance for Permanence model
– it proposes to provide $151.9 million over three years to Fisheries and Oceans Canada in order to protect whales, including the North Atlantic Right Whale, the St. Lawrence Estuary Beluga, and British Columbia’s Southern Resident Killer Whale, and their habitats
– it continues to work with provincial and territorial governments, Indigenous communities and other stakeholders, to protect species at risk, including a proposal to provide $184 million over three years, starting in 2023-24, to Environment and Climate Change Canada, Parks Canada, Fisheries and Oceans Canada, and Natural Resources Canada to continue monitoring, protecting, and promoting the recovery of species at risk to help restore their populations

Climate Change
The party states that:
– the climate crisis is here, and its effects are catastrophically impacting lives and livelihoods. Temperature records are being smashed, uncontrolled wildfires are endangering lives and communities, and smoke from fires is blanketing major cities throughout the country. Excessive heat has taken hundreds of lives
– The climate emergency is a threat to the environment, but also a clear and present danger to the health and wellbeing of Canadians across the country
– the effects of climate change are being borne disproportionately by the most vulnerable people and communities
– the Intergovernmental Panel on Climate Change (IPCC) has outlined the urgent need to limit global temperature increases to 1.5 degrees Celsius, and the House of Commons has declared climate change an emergency
– combatting this existential threat will take more than talk
– previous governments have missed every single climate target that has been set, and have presided over the worst GHG reduction effort in the G7
– European countries like Germany and France are releasing bold plans to kickstart sustainable economies, while Canadian governments in Canada have spent public dollars to purchase a bitumen pipeline and continue to subsidize profitable oil and gas companies
– with its leadership, Canada now has a Net Zero law in place. But that is only the first step
The party advocates:
– taking climate leadership, building on Canada’s new net-zero law, by setting an ambitious target of reducing our emissions by at least 50% from 2005 levels by 2030
– eliminating fossil fuel subsidies, implementing carbon budgets and changing the mandate of the Bank of Canada to focus on contributing to net zero
– creating jobs in all regions through green infrastructure investments directed toward a zero-carbon economy
– retrofitting all buildings in Canada by 2050
– creating a National Crisis Strategy to help communities reduce and respond to climate risks, complimented by a new Climate Corps of young workers to respond to climate impacts and build an equitable clean-energy economy
– improving transit and transportation infrastructure in ways to create jobs, strengthen communities, and reduce carbon emissions, including doubling the Canada Community-Building Fund and developing a public inter-city bus program
– committing to carbon-free power generation, with a target of net carbon-free electricity by 2030 and 100% non-emitting electricity by 2040
– enshrining in law an Environmental Bill of Rights and protecting 30% of our land, freshwater and oceans by 2030
– putting the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples – which is now law – into action in the collective fight against the climate crisis, and creating an Office of Environmental Justice to address the disproportionate impacts of pollution and loss of biodiversity on low-income, racialized and other marginalized communities
Energy & Resources
The party states that:
– it is committed to carbon-free power generation, with a target of net carbon-free electricity by 2030 and 100% non-emitting electricity by 2040
– at the current pace, it will take 142 years to retrofit all low-rise residential buildings in Canada. It proposes undertaking a mission-based approach to upgrade all buildings in Canada where people live or work, including large-scale retrofits in all sectors, by 2050, starting with upgrades to all buildings built before 2020 in the next 20 years
The party further advocates:
– improving the National Building Code to ensure that by 2025 every new building built in Canada is net-zero
Carbon-Free Energy
The party states that the International Energy Agency has called on governments throughout the world to dramatically speed up efforts to build renewable energy
The party advocates:
– setting a target to power Canada with net-zero electricity by 2030, and 100% non-emitting electricity by 2040
– to boost investment in renewable energy, establishing a new Canadian Climate Bank, including a mandate to support interested provinces in inter-connecting power grids and introduce smart grid technology, bolster national energy security, and distribute clean power across the country, and to support made-in-Canada manufacturing of renewable energy components and technologies, and help scale up Canada’s clean energy industry
– working to meet carbon-free electricity goals in ways that respect local communities and create good jobs, including support for investments in innovative community-owned and operated clean energy projects, and working in partnership with Indigenous and northern communities to move off diesel, improving energy security and cutting emissions and air pollution
Conservation & Sustainable Development
The party states that:
– it is committed to expanding protections for our natural environment, beginning with enshrining the right to a healthy environment in a Canadian Environmental Bill of Rights, to ensure all communities can enjoy a guarantee to clean water, land and air
– it will strengthen the Canadian Environmental Protection Act – building and improving on the recent Bill C-28 – to better protect Canadians from toxic substances in everyday products like cosmetics
– it will strengthen the federal environmental impact assessment process for new coal mines and mine expansion projects
– recent projections show that the impacts of climate change could cost the nation’s healthcare system billions of dollars over the coming decades
The party advocates:
– to reduce waste in landfills and communities, an immediate ban on single-use plastics, while protecting workers in this sector by supporting the transition of these production facilities to new products, and holding companies responsible for the entire lifecycle of their plastic products and packaging
– helping municipalities improve their waste management and recycling systems, and supporting improved standards for what products can be labelled as recyclable
– enacting new legislation to ban the export of plastic waste and helping reduce electronic waste by removing unnecessary restrictions preventing owners from repairing devices
– supporting Indigenous-led nature conservation and land-use and climate planning, including by growing the Indigenous Guardians Program and working hand-in-hand to advance the protection and restoration of wild Pacific salmon populations on the west coast
– focusing investments in forest management to help reduce forest fire risk, and encouraging innovation in forestry, including valued wood production and re-forestation
– taking enforcement action to support environmental remediation and job creation requiring big oil companies and other polluters to clean up messes like inactive wells
– because Indigenous peoples are best placed to protect cultural and biological diversity through control over their territory, working with indigenous governments, respecting Indigenous knowledge, and upholding Indigenous rights to protect lands, waterways and biodiversity, including making First Nations, Inuit and Metis peoples full and equal partners in efforts to build a low-carbon future, including encouraging energy sustainability in remote communities and equity opportunities for renewable energy projects
– ensuring Indigenous people – as the original peoples and stewards of their territories. – a seat at high-level decision-making tables to help direct Canada’s efforts to confront the climate crisis
– because the effects of climate change and of pollution are disproportionately borne in marginalized communities, ensuring that climate investments are directed towards reducing inequality, honoring Indigenous rights and supporting communities, and creating an Office of Environmental Justice to address disproportionate impacts of pollution and loss of biodiversity on low-income, racialized and other marginalized communities.
Forestry
To support the forestry and wood products industries, the party advocates investing in forestry innovation and support for value-added Canadian wood products, and the good jobs that go with them
Oceans and Fisheries:
To support fisheries and coastal communities, the party:
– supports a vision of strong coastal communities, sustainable fisheries and thriving marine and freshwater ecosystems, to make Canada a global leader in ocean and freshwater sustainability
– to protect wild salmon on the Pacific coast, focusing on conservation, protection, and restoration of critical habitat, including full implementation of the recommendations of the Cohen Commission and working with the province of British Columbia and First Nations to support the transition to land-based closed-containment systems
– on the Atlantic coast, ensuring that resource allocations in the fishery are guided by the principles of adjacency, historic dependence and sustainability, while also respecting Indigenous rights
– investment in habitat restoration and the rebuilding of fish stocks, as well as response to oil spills and derelict vessels to better protect our coasts
– reducing emissions from shipping and fishing, expanding marine protected areas, reducing key threats to ocean ecosystems and implementing a national freshwater strategy
Sustainable Transportation and Infrastructure
The party states that municipalities are already making investments in public transit in their communities, but need a federal partner to champion public transit throughout the country.
The party advocates:
– modernizing and expanding public transit within and between communities across Canada, and ensure that federal transit funding flows with an emphasis on scaling up low carbon transit projects like zero-emissions buses and electric trains with the goal of electrifying transit and other municipal fleets by 2030
– helping provinces and municipalities that identify it as a priority to build towards fare-free transit to ease commutes, help people make ends meet and lower emissions
– developing a public inter-city bus system, along with high-frequency rail along the Quebec-Windsor corridor, expanded rail service options in other regions, and working to restore the Ontario Northlander to support the crucial transportation link for communities and businesses alike in Northern Ontario
– promoting use of zero-emissions vehicles (ZEVs). As Canada moves towards 100% of all new car sales being zero-emissions by 2035, it proposes to extend federal incentives for ZEVs and provide a break for working families by waiving the federal sales tax on ZEV purchases, and to grow these incentives up to $15,000 per family for made-in-Canada vehicles
– expanding use of ZEVs in the public sector – including Crown Corporations – and by freight vehicles
– to make ZEV use easier for Canadians in all regions, building out Canada’s charging infrastructure and help people purchasing new or used ZEVs cover the cost of installing a plug-in charger
– creating a centre of excellence for research and development of ZEVs to move forward related technologies such as hydrogen, batteries, and energy storage solutions
– investigating opportunities related to green hydrogen fuel cell technology which could help reduce emissions for heavy trucks, freight, marine and aviation sectors
– strengthening the low-carbon fuel standard.
– promoting smart community planning and active transportation like walking and cycling, as healthier and more affordable options for everyone
– working other levels of government to encourage the use of electric bikes and their safe integration into our active transportation network
Agriculture
The party states that:
– the manner in which crops are grown, livestock is raised, and food is used also have an impact on the climate, and on nutrition
– it will work to connect communities to farmers through local food hubs, and develop a national food waste strategy to reduce the huge amounts of food that currently go to waste in Canada
– it will partner with farmers and communities to support biodiversity and to monitor and protect pollinator health
Species, Diversity & Wildlife
The party advocates:
– to protect ecosystems and biodiversity, protecting 30% of our land, freshwater and oceans by 2030
– expanding expand urban national parks and restoring urban biodiversity, and ensuring that the Species at Risk Act is enforced
– launching a 10-year nature plan to reverse species loss and curbing the import and domestic trade of wild animals

Climate Change
In a policy publication presented as current in March 2025, the party states that:
– the current government is spending billions of dollars at home and abroad to fight global warming – or “climate change” as it now called to account for every natural weather event and its opposite.
– in order to lower greenhouse gas emissions, the government has imposed taxes and countless regulations, subsidizes inefficient and costly “green technology,” and it is blocking the development of oil resources crucial to Canada’s prosperity.
– it is an undisputed fact that the world’s climate has always changed and will continue to change. Until twelve thousand years ago, much of Canada was under ice, and it is thanks to natural climate change that we can live here today.
– there is no scientific consensus on the theory that CO2 produced by human activity is causing dangerous global warming today or will in the future, and that the world is facing environmental catastrophes unless these emissions are drastically reduced. Many renowned scientists continue to challenge this theory.
– the policy debate about global warming has been hijacked by proponents of big government who are using crude propaganda techniques to impose their views, and publicly ridicule and harass anyone who expresses doubt.
– climate change alarmism is based on flawed models that have consistently failed at correctly predicting the future. None of the cataclysmic predictions that have been made about the climate since the 1970s have come true. No new ice age. No steady warming in direct relation with increases in CO2 levels. No disappearance of polar ice caps. No exceptional rise in ocean levels. No abnormal increase in catastrophic weather events. No widespread crop failure and famine.
– CO2 is beneficial for agriculture and there has recently been a measurable “greening” of the world in part thanks to higher levels. CO2 is not a pollutant. It is an essential ingredient for life on Earth and needed for plant growth.
– given the uncertainties over the scientific basis of global warming, and the certainties about the huge costs of measures designed to fight it, there is no compelling reason to jeopardize our prosperity with more government interventions.
The party advocates:
– withdrawal from the Paris Accord and abandonment of unrealistic greenhouse gas emission reduction targets.
– stopping the transfer of billions of dollars to developing countries to help them reduce their emissions.
– abolishing the carbon tax and leaving it to provincial governments to adopt programs to reduce emissions if they want to.
– abolishing subsidies for green technology and let private players develop profitable and efficient alternatives.
– investment in adaptation strategies if problems arise as a result of any natural climate change.
– prioritizing implementation of practical solutions to make Canada’s air, water and soil cleaner, including bringing clean drinking water to remote First Nations communities.
Energy & Resources
In a policy publication presented as current in March 2025, the party states that:
– under the influence of radical environmental activists and American left-wing foundations, the current government has done everything it can to stifle the growth of Canada’s oil industry by preventing it from transporting and selling its products. With Bill C-48, a ban was imposed on oil tanker traffic on the north coast of British Columbia, which brought the cancellation of the Northern Gateway and Eagle Spirit pipeline projects. After years of legal uncertainty, investors pulled out of the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion project and sold it to the federal government for $4.5 billion.
– unrealistic environmental requirements from the National Energy Board also killed the Energy East pipeline. Bill C-69 makes the process of building pipelines and other major energy projects so complex and difficult that it could prevent any new investment. Among other things, it requires projects to be analyzed based on “the intersection of sex and gender with other identity factors.”
– almost all natural gas transportation and export projects proposed in recent years have been abandoned.
– finally the previous American administration cancelled the Keystone XL pipeline project and the Michigan Governor has been trying to shut down the crucially important Line 5 that carries oil and natural gas liquids from Western Canada to Ontario and Quebec. Because of these constraints, capital investments in the oil and gas industry collapsed.
– overdependence on the American market for exports costs the Canadian economy billions of dollars in foregone revenues every year. Alberta’s economy suffered a major setback for several years, with tens of thousands of jobs disappearing in the oil patch and many more in local communities that depend on this industry.
– despite the emergence of alternative sources of energy, global demand for oil is expected to keep rising for several decades. Canada has the third-largest oil reserves in the world and is well placed to answer this demand. If this oil doesn’t come from Alberta and Saskatchewan, it will come from elsewhere, mostly countries with poor environmental or human rights standards such as Russia, Saudi Arabia and Venezuela. And if it is not transported by pipelines, it will be transported by rail, a much more dangerous method for both the environment and humans, as seen with the Lac-Mégantic tragedy.
In order to allow the oil and gas industry, which has long been a major source of employment, government revenues, and economic well-being for all of Canada, to grow, export its products, and bring prosperity to the country, the party advocates:
– countering anti-oil and anti-pipeline propaganda from radical environmentalists and foreign foundations.
– repealing bills C-48 and C-69.
– approving pipelines projects using a streamlined process.
– finding a private buyer for Trans Mountain, and reasserting federal jurisdiction over pipelines construction by invoking section 92(10) of the Constitution, if necessary, whereby Parliament can declare any project to be for the general advantage of Canada.
– working with industry and with American partners to revive cancelled projects and keep Line 5 in operation.
The party has published no stated position on:
– species diversity & wildlife.
– sustainable development.

Points to Ponder: Stewardship of Creation
Consider discussing the following questions with your local candidates, elected officials, and the parties, and with your family, friends, neighbors, coworkers, and fellow parishioners:
Many voices, including scientists, the Vatican, and the United Nations, agree that in order to avoid catastrophic global heating, with resulting unpredictable increases in the number and severity of extreme weather events, loss of agricultural land, particularly in the poorest countries, and collapse of ecosystems, the global average temperature increase must be limited to 1.5 degrees Centigrade; and that to achieve such a limit, emissions of carbon dioxide, methane, and nitrous oxide (collectively, “greenhouse gasses”, or GHG) must be cut in half by 2030 and brought to zero net increase by 2050. Canada is currently committed is to a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030, but according to the Auditor General may not meet that goal. And others wonder whether Canada’s commitment is big enough to be fair to other countries.
The charts below show different aspects of GHG emissions in Canada, using the most recent data available. They provide rich ground for reflection on the application of Catholic Social Teaching. The first chart, labeled “Figure 9“, shows emissions per person in each province, by province. The second, labeled “Table 2”, shows the levels of emissions for various industries as of 2005 (the “benchmark” year by which most international GHG comparisons are measured), 2019, and 2022. The third, “Chart 20”, shows the federal government’s understanding of past emissions levels, and predictions for getting to its agreed level by 2030.
- Provincial Emissions: Figure 9, the per-capita provincial comparisons, suggests wide variations in per-person emissions across the country. Although total emission of some of the most populous provinces are much larger than the others, on a per-person basis their emissions are lower. This is good, and possibly reflects intelligent efforts to reduce emissions. But can it fairly be said that citizens of provincies having higher per-person emissions are at fault, or to be blamed? In any case, it would appear that as a nation Canada has work to do if it wishes either to catch up with the current global average of 5.9 tonnes per person per year (the gold line in Figure 9) or to meet its commitment to reach the global target for 2030, of 2.1 tones per person per year (the green line).
- What, if anything, can or should fairly be done by Canadians as individuals to join a global drive to reduce emissions levels?
- What, if anything, can or should fairly be done by the various provinces, and/or the federal government? Can or should the relatively lower-emitting provinces such as PEI and Quebec, and the federal government, do to help other provinces, including for example Alberta and Saskatchewan, whose higher levels of emissions are largely driven by processes that result in products that are shipped and used within other provinces or other countries?
- Industrial Emissions: Table 2 suggests both encouraging and disappointing trends in various industries. For example, it suggests that Canada-wide emissions caused by the generation of electricity have been reduced by more than half since 2005, while significant progress has been made in other heavy industries. On the other hand, emissions in the oil and gas, agricultural, and buildings sectors have continued to rise. What can or should be done about that by individuals, the provinces they live in, and the federal government, bearing the principles of subsidiarity, solidarity, the common good, and the sanctity of life, tempered by justice, prudence, and devotion to truth, in mind?
- Canada’s Fair Share: Chart 20 seems to present a challenge for all Canadians.
- For example, it is disappointing to see that emissions levels for the first 20 years shown in the chart have remained relatively constant, with the bulk of the reductions being predicted for the last 10 years. It seems disappointingly common for curves on social phenomena to show the bulk of the progress in the future, while less improvement has been made in the years since commitments were made or is predicted for the nearer future. Must that always be so? Assuming that it is true in this case, can or should we do better?
- The chart also seems to suggest that even if we meet Canada’s 2030 goal as a nation, we all have much work to do beyond that: our nation has committed only to reduce emissions to a point at which we are producing about six times as many emissions as the rest of the world. Assuming that is true, can or should we do better if we are to behave prudently and justly?
- Fewer parties are committing in platform statements to holistic approaches to preservation of the environment, much less expressing interest in working with others to plan coordinated policies. Instead, they are opting for indirect promises of improvement on emissions, clean water, conservation, etc., as parts of efforts to improve the economy and/or to please specific constituencies. Is that prudent? Is it fair to those who depend on the environment for food, or for breathing? Is it fair to future generations? Is it consistent with principles of good stewardship, justice, solidarity, prudence, or the common good?