VANCOUVER — UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) TERRITORIES (December 16, 2025)

Thomas Green, senior climate manager at the David Suzuki Foundation, said:

“The Foundation welcomes the federal government’s strengthened oil and gas sector methane regulations — the first meaningful action on climate after months of setbacks. This is a critical step toward delivering the rapid emissions cuts science demands. Given that the oil and gas sector is responsible for almost a third of Canada’s climate pollution problem and has been failing to act, these rules were long overdue.

“While it is disappointing that the final rules fall short of the 75 per cent reduction proposed in draft form, 72 per cent is a major improvement from the 2018 regulations, which required methane emissions to be reduced 40 to 45 per cent.

“The progress shown in today’s announcement must not be undermined through weak equivalency agreements. Any deal with Alberta or Saskatchewan must be backed with transparent modelling, measurement and verified compliance that deliver equal or better results by 2030 — otherwise the federal rules must apply. The Alberta-Ottawa pipeline deal announced in November inexplicably delays achieving a 75 per cent methane reduction target from 2030 to 2035, locking in emissions equivalent to those of 12 million cars a year.

“Similarly, cutting landfill methane is a cost-effective climate measure, but it must address the source of the problem: accelerating waste reduction, organics diversion and circular economy approaches. While provinces including B.C. and Quebec already have landfill methane regulations, federal rules will ensure all provinces have to act on landfill methane pollution.

“Properly regulating methane is one of the fastest, most cost-effective ways to cut pollution that contributes to asthma attacks, heart disease and premature deaths. Methane action is a win for workers, communities and the climate, delivering rapid climate benefits, helping to meet Canada’s climate commitments, creating economic opportunities through good local jobs and supporting skilled workers throughout the country.”

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For more information or interviews, please contact:

Rosie Rattray, rrattray@davidsuzuki.org, 416.570.3728