Statement by Keith Brooks, Programs Director, on the federal Clean Electricity Regulations

Canada abandoning its pledge to a net-zero grid by 2035

Toronto | Traditional territories of the Mississaugas of the Credit, the Anishinaabeg, the Haudenosaunee, and the Wendat – We are disappointed that the federal government significantly watered down the Clean Electricity Regulations (CER), finalized today. The weakening of these regulations equate to an abandonment of the Prime Minister’s promise to Canadians of a net-zero electricity grid by 2035.

A clean electricity grid is the backbone of the energy transition. As we electrify energy end use with heat pumps, electric cars, and electric arc furnaces, for example, it’s crucial that the electricity grid itself is also decarbonized.

Canada is in an enviable position when it comes to our electricity supply. Our grid is already 82 per cent decarbonized. We have abundant wind, water, and solar resources. An emissions-free electricity grid is achievable over the course of the next decade, but the Clean Electricity Regulations fail to require provinces to reach for that goal.

It is shameful that provinces like Ontario and Alberta pushed so aggressively to weaken these rules. Alberta spent millions of dollars on a misleading advertising campaign, fear mongering about the risks of a decarbonized grid, while Ontario has been gunning for the regulations since day one, determined to build more gas plants. By siding with fossil fuel interests and prioritizing short-term private gains over long-term public benefits, these provincial governments are saddling Canadians with a dirtier electricity system and higher costs at a time when the rest of the world is accelerating its transition to renewables.

A stronger CER would have meant a huge increase in investments in renewable projects that bring local jobs and revenue, on top of supplying Canadians with clean, affordable and reliable power. Instead, these regulations act as a feeble backstop that will simply prevent some, but not all, new gas plants from being added to the electricity system.

Background Information:

• The Prime Minister committed at COP26 and again in Canada’s climate plan to deliver a net-zero electricity grid by 2035, a cornerstone of the country’s net-zero economy-wide goal by 2050.
• Modelling has shown that Canada can reach 100 percent zero-emissions electricity by 2035, even while building new generation to account for increased electricity demand.
• Natural gas is not a cleaner “bridge fuel” that can act as an intermediary between coal and renewable energy. In addition to emissions from combustion, methane leaks throughout the supply chain significantly increase its climate impact. Current analysis finds that when accounting for these “fugitive emissions” and methane gas’ powerful impact on the climate in the short term, gas is no better, and perhaps even worse than coal when burned to generate electricity.
• While global renewable energy installations surged by 50 per cent last year, and G7 leaders committed to net-zero electricity systems by 2035, Canada risks falling behind due to inadequate policies.

ABOUT ENVIRONMENTAL DEFENCE (environmentaldefence.ca): Environmental Defence is a leading Canadian environmental advocacy organization that works with government, industry and individuals to defend clean water, a safe climate and healthy communities.

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For more information or to request an interview, please contact:

Carolyn Townend, Environmental Defence
media@environmentaldefence.ca