MONTREAL | TRADITIONAL, UNCEDED TERRITORY OF THE KANIEN’KEHÁ:KA FIRST NATION — A coalition of Quebec environmental, labour and community organizations has filed a new greenwashing complaint with Competition Bureau Canada about Énergir’s misleading marketing.

The complaint targets recent communications in which Énergir claims its customers can choose the proportion of renewable natural gas they receive and that all new gas hookups since April 1, 2024 have been supplied with 100 per cent renewable energy. However, all Énergir customers receive the same energy mix: approximately two per cent RNG and 98 per cent fossil fuel gas.

This follows the decision by Quebec’s Office de la protection du consommateur, which ruled in favour of Sortons le gaz! The coalition made a complaint about Énergir for the same misleading marketing practices in November 2024.

The greenwashing complaint is possible due to the June 2024 reform of Canada’s Competition Act, which now clearly states that companies are responsible for backing up environmental claims with verifiable evidence.

“Énergir’s claims about renewable natural gas consumption are misleading. In reality, Énergir’s gas network does not allow for RNG to be delivered separately. All customers — including those paying a premium for RNG — receive the same mix: approximately two per cent RNG and 98 per cent fossil fuel gas. These practices create the false impression that customers are making a significantly greener energy choice than they actually are,” Sortons le gaz! coalition members said.

“In the context of a climate emergency, consumer choices must be based on accurate and rigorous information. Promoting a so-called 100 per cent renewable energy supply while delivering mostly fossil gas is, in our view, a troubling form of greenwashing,” the coalition added.

If the Competition Bureau finds Énergir’s practices to be in violation, the company could face penalties of up to $10 million.

The coalition is therefore formally calling on Competition Bureau Canada to investigate Énergir’s marketing practices, take all necessary steps to end any forms of greenwashing, ensure public correction of misleading claims and impose any applicable or necessary sanctions.

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Media contact:

Emmanuelle Rancourt, Coordinator, Sortons le gaz! coalition

418-999-5121 | info@sortonslegaz.com

About the Sortons le gaz! coalition:

The Sortons le gaz! coalition brings together environmental, labour and community organizations committed to promoting energy sobriety and efficiency in Quebec’s building sector, while accelerating the full transition of the province’s building stock to 100 per cent renewable energy. The coalition works to raise awareness about the true impacts of so-called “natural” gas on our health, environment and finances; to promote the benefits of replacing it; and to inform the public and decision-makers at all levels on how this transition can be achieved.

Members of the coalition:

Association québécoise des médecins pour l’environnement, Association pour la santé publique du Québec, Écohabitation, Équiterre, Fondation David Suzuki, Fondation Coule pas chez nous, Greenpeace, Imagine Lachine-Est, Nature Québec, Regroupement des organismes environnementaux en énergie, Regroupement vigilance énergie Québec, Sortons la Caisse du carbone, Syndicat canadien de la fonction publique, For Our Kids, Mobilisation environnement Ahuntsic-Cartierville and Travailleuses et Travailleurs pour la justice climatique.

To learn more about the coalition: sortonslegaz.com