Carney government noncommittal about Canada meeting 2030 climate goals

Prime Minister Mark Carney speaks to the media, at the Liberal Cabinet Retreat, in Toronto. THE CANADIAN PRESS/Chris Young

OTTAWA — Prime Minister Mark Carney and his environment minister aren’t saying whether Canada is still committed to meeting its climate goals under the Paris agreement by 2030, as the government faces criticism over his emissions reduction plans.

In an email to The Canadian Press on Monday, the office of Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin said Canada is committed to reaching net-zero emissions by 2050 -- but would not commit to the 2030 target when asked directly.

“Taking into account the evolving global and economic context, the federal government will provide an update on its emissions reductions plan as we strive towards our 2030 and 2035 targets,” Dabrusin’s press secretary Keean Nembhard wrote.

“Building climate resilience and meeting our targets is not optional. It’s economically smart, fiscally responsible, and essential to protecting Canadians and the places they call home.”

Canada has a legal requirement to achieve net-zero by 2050, having included the target in legislation in 2021. Part of its path to get there is a plan to cut emissions to at least 40 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030 - a commitment set out in the Paris agreement.

The statement from Dabrusin’s office was the third time on Monday of a member of Carney’s government declined to commit to the Paris target.

Earlier Monday, Industry Minister Melanie Joly also sidestepped a question about whether the government is committed to its 2030 target, deferring instead to Dabrusin for comment.

“We want to make sure we find ways to be net-zero by 2050,” Joly said.

Carney, in St. John’s on Monday to announce tariff relief measures for Atlantic Canada businesses, was asked by reporters how his government is planning to adjust its climate targets after recent policy announcements dialed back some of the Trudeau government’s climate initiatives.

On his first day in office in March, Carney eliminated the consumer carbon price. On Friday, he delayed the electric vehicle sales mandate for at least a year. Carney has said he plans to strengthen the industrial carbon pricing system but has yet to explain how.

Carney did not directly answer the question about Canada’s climate targets and instead pivoted to the competitive advantages of a low-carbon economy.

“We see becoming low-carbon in any industry as being a key driver of competitiveness,” Carney said, adding he’d have more to share in the coming weeks.

“So that focus on what can we do in order to drive emissions down in a way that makes the country more competitive is crucial.”

He pointed to offshore oil and gas as a low-carbon alternative to conventional extraction and suggested his government’s push to double housing construction over the next decade will lead to more energy efficient homes.

“And all of that will get our emissions down and make us more competitive. So that’s the focus of the government,” Carney said, without addressing how those lower emissions would compare to Canada’s targets.

“The government is focused on results.”

While the government has yet to say whether it will miss its 2030 target - or whether it’s still trying to achieve it - observers raised doubts about the target even before Carney dialed back carbon pricing and electric vehicle policies.

A report last year from the federal environment commissioner said Canada was not on track to meet its 2030 target. Jerry DeMarco estimated Canada’s emissions had only dropped seven per cent below 2005 levels.

On Friday, after Carney delayed implementing the electric vehicle mandate by a year to give Canada’s automakers some liquidity, Green Party Leader Elizabeth May questioned his climate intentions.

“Carney’s first hundred days show us clearly that he is rolling back climate action at every turn. Scrapping the carbon price, dismantling legislation, cancelling the EV mandate, these are not the decisions of a leader serious about the climate emergency,” she said in a statement.

By Nick Murray.