TORONTO | TRADITIONAL TERRITORY OF THE MISSISSAUGAS OF THE CREDIT, ANISHNABEG, CHIPPEWA, HAUDENSOAUNEE AND WENDAT PEOPLES (August 10, 2023)
Today, the government of Canada released its draft Clean Electricity Regulations. These were promised during the 2021 federal election campaign, as part of Canada’s contributions to the COP26 climate conference in Glasgow, Scotland, in 2021, and are the follow-up to a proposed framework released in July 2022. The regulations form a key policy framework for Canada to limit emissions from the electricity sector to achieve a 100 per cent net-zero-emitting electricity system 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 more than 22,000 people in Canada.
Stephen Thomas, Clean Energy Manager, David Suzuki Foundation, said:
“Today, Canada is one step closer to achieving 100 per cent zero-emissions electricity by 2035. Meeting this goal will create hundreds of thousands of good jobs, make energy more affordable and offer significant health benefits to people living in Canada.
“The wildfires, floods and droughts we’re seeing across Canada this year are unprecedented in their costs to our people, land and economy. They are an urgent reminder that we need to move away from the root cause of this climate crisis: fossil fuels.
“This is yet another policy where we are seeing the fossil fuel industry’s efforts to dilute climate action. These regulations as written will allow more fossil fuels to be built and continue to supply electricity on the grid. Loopholes and exemptions cannot be made for fossils fuels if we hope to achieve the 2035 target. This area of the policy will need much improvement before the regulations are finalized.
“We know there is broad support for a zero-emissions future in Canada. More than 40,000 people signed petitions calling for the end to fossil fuels, and for renewable power for all.
“It’s not just an environmental argument to move away from fossil fuels. Wind and solar are the cheapest forms of electricity in history, while fossil fuel prices are increasingly volatile and costly. We will all see the benefits on our energy bills of a grid powered by renewables.”
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Background:
The goal of 100 per cent zero-emissions electricity is overwhelmingly popular in Canada, with a June 2023 poll showing 71 per cent support the policy.
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.