VANCOUVER | UNCEDED xʷməθkʷəy̓əm (MUSQUEAM), Sḵwx̱wú7mesh (SQUAMISH) AND səlilwətaɬ (TSLEIL-WAUTUTH) TERRITORIES (August 8, 2023)

Today, the federal government released “Powering Canada Forward,” a policy paper outlining its commitment to 100 per cent emissions-free electricity by 2035.

The David Suzuki Foundation’s research from 2022, “Shifting Power,” showed it is possible to have an electricity grid powered by renewable energy sources by 2035. Its campaign Renewable Power for All is backed by over 22,000 people in Canada.

Stephen Thomas, Clean Energy Manager, David Suzuki Foundation, said:

“It’s encouraging to see this kind of language and commitment from the federal government ahead of the federal clean electricity regulations, which are expected soon.

“We believe transitioning to 100 per cent zero-emissions electricity by 2035 presents the greatest economic opportunity of our time. This new electricity system will create hundreds of thousands of new jobs, attract billions in investments, be better for our health, make energy more affordable for households and form the backbone of Canada’s work on climate solutions. It’s worth doing, and it’s worth doing right.

“We agree that the federal government must play a key role in convening provinces and stakeholders, sharing best practices and investing in solutions. Ultimately, it’s the federal government’s role to set policy to regulate emissions from the electricity sector.

“Our expectations for the clean electricity regulations are clear: We believe the best path for Canada is one that ensures no new fossil fuel projects are connected to the grid, and where all fossil fuel projects are phased out by 2035. But we’re concerned that the fossil fuel industry has been working to introduce loopholes, extensions and exemptions to keep polluting electricity sources on the grid.

“Wind and solar are now the cheapest forms of electricity in history, while fossil fuel prices are increasingly volatile. Achieving the federal government’s stated goal of affordable, reliable, emissions-free electricity is best achieved with renewables — not more fossil fuels.”

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Background:

  • Canada’s commitment to achieve 100 per cent zero-emissions electricity by the year 2035 is popular in Canada, with 71 per cent saying they either support or strongly support the target, according to a June 2023 poll.

For more information or media interviews, please contact: 

Melanie Karalis, mkaralis@davidsuzuki.org, 548-588-1279

The David Suzuki Foundation (DavidSuzuki.org | @DavidSuzukiFdn) is a leading Canadian environmental non-profit organization, founded in 1990. We operate in English and French, with offices in Vancouver, Toronto and Montreal. We collaborate with all people in Canada, including First Nations leadership and communities, governments, businesses and individuals to find solutions to create a sustainable Canada through scientific research, traditional ecological knowledge, communications and public engagement, and innovative policy and legal solutions. Our mission is to protect nature’s diversity and the well-being of all life, now and for the future.