The Government of Canada has until the end of this year to set a new greenhouse gas reduction target for 2035. And they want to hear from you.

Keep reading to find out why and how to engage!

We need climate targets to measure progress on reducing greenhouse gas pollution.

When it comes to avoiding the worst case climate scenarios, science tells us what we need to do. Globally countries must collectively reduce their greenhouse gas emissions to zero by 2050.

2050 is a long way off, so it can be hard to tell whether or not we’re on track to make that happen. That’s why climate targets are so important. They mark progress. They tell us if we’re headed in the right direction and whether we’re moving quickly enough to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. They help us to focus and coordinate efforts both within governments and across different parts of society.

Plus, climate targets help us hold governments and businesses accountable for their actions.

What are Canada’s climate targets? 

Back in 2021, the Government of Canada set a target for 2030: to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 – 45 per cent below 2005 levels.

Now, the federal government has until the end of the year to set a 2035 target.

Talking Targets: Canada’s Climate Future

The Government of Canada wants to hear from people across the country about whether they need to increase the level of climate ambition. They’re asking people to complete this questionnaire by March 28th. 

They aren’t going to ask you what you think the 2035 climate target should be. Instead they’re trying to get a sense for how aspirational people want the government to be and what people’s priorities are. Remember, this information will be used to determine how much appetite across Canada there is for an ambitious target – so wherever you can, make that clear in your answers!

We know that Canada needs to be doing more. We have all been impacted by climate disasters, including heat domes, wildfires and their smoke, floods and storms. We know those disasters will just keep getting worse – unless governments do more to reduce greenhouse gas pollution.

We also know that reducing our dependence on fossil fuels is the best way to address the affordability crisis, which is also hurting us all.

Countering Big Oil

Unfortunately, Big Oil has been pushing their followers to the questionnaire in an attempt to water down the government’s level of ambition. We know Big Oil has gotten their followers to submit lots of comments — we need to be louder!

That’s why we’re asking you to fill out the questionnaire – and share it with your friends, families and neighbours to fill out too.  Because together we are stronger than Big Oil.

**If you’re getting stuck filling out the questionnaire, check out this amazing guide developed by our friends at 350.org.”