Our Reports
A Plan Green Buildings, Jobs and Prosperity for Ontario: Reducing Carbon Emissions from Fossil Gas
Written by Kent Elson, this plan provides a pathway to reduce carbon emissions from fossil gas (aka “natural gas”) in a way that will create ... Read More
What makes a strong climate plan?
The climate emergency is at our doorstep. From unprecedented heat waves in British Columbia, to flooding in Yukon and wildfires raging across the country, it ... Read More
Canada’s State of Climate Action
Canada could be a climate leader but we aren't 9 out of 10 Canadians think we’re climate leaders. But Canada still hasn’t turned its good ... Read More
FAQ: Fossil Fuel Subsidies in Canada
It's been more than 10 years since Canada pledged to end fossil fuel subsidies - and yet public financial supports for the oil and gas ... Read More
Is Canada’s Impact Assessment Act working?
The Impact Assessment Act (IAA) came into force in August 2019, replacing the widely criticized Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, 2012 . Is the IAA meeting ... Read More
Enbridge’s Line 5 – The pipeline’s ongoing environmental risks to the Great Lakes and the climate
Line 5 is a 68-year-old pipeline operated by Enbridge Energy. It carries up to 540,000 barrels-per-day or 23 million gallons of oil and natural gas ... Read More
CAR WARS: EVs versus SUVs and the Battle for a Cleaner Future
Car companies like to make big promises of an electric vehicle (EV) future. Meanwhile, they are working hard to sell millions of highly polluting – ... Read More
Briefing: Net Zero Producers Forum
On April 23, 2021, the United States, Canada, Qatar, Norway, and Saudi Arabia, which jointly account for 40 percent of global oil and gas production, ... Read More
Paving Paradise: The Impact of Highway 413 on Greenhouse Gas Emissions, Air Pollution and Suburban Sprawl
We wanted to get a sense of the impact Highway 413 could have on climate change and air pollution, so we hired a transportation modelling ... Read More
Towards Canada’s Fair Share: New research on achieving a stronger climate target
The modeling being presented here shows Canada can do the hard work required to achieve our fair share of carbon emissions reductions - 60% reductions ... Read More
Paying Polluters: Federal Financial Support For Oil and Gas in 2020
Canada’s federal government provided or announced at least $18 billion in federal support and subsidies for fossil fuel companies in 2020. But that total is ... Read More
Drawing from Despots
This report shows how the tactics employed by the Alberta Government to harass, silence and intimidate critics of the oil industry are similar to those ... Read More
Steady Path: How a transition to a fossil-free Canada is in reach for workers and their communities
This brief investigates the actual state of employment in Canada’s fossil fuel industry. It explains why the clean economy transition is manageable for workers in ... Read More
Our Guides
Reject Teck’s Frontier Mine
The federal government is facing an important test of its resolve on climate action: whether to approve or reject what would be Canada’s largest open-pit ... Read More
Toxic Ten chemicals to avoid in skincare products
From washing your face to applying serum for a youthful complexion, our daily skincare routine may involve using as many as 16 personal care products ... Read More
Our Submissions
Letter on the federal government’s commitment to ban thermal coal exports
This letter signed by 49 environmental and health organizations, representing nearly three million people across Canada to the Prime Minister. We urge the government to ... Read More
Submission to the Government of Ontario re: Alternative Low Carbon Fuels
Environmental Defence supports the phasing out of coal use in Ontario. However, we believe the Alternative Fuels regulation creates the potential for simply replacing one ... Read More
Submission to Finance Canada re: CCUS Consultation
Environmental Defence is deeply concerned with the proposal to introduce a new investment tax credit for carbon capture and storage (CCS). Carbon capture is not ... Read More
Backgrounder: Environmental Priorities for Election 2021
As the country heads towards an election, it has never been clearer to Canadians that the climate crisis is at our doorstep. In fact, climate ... Read More
Submission on assessing PFAS as a group
This letter provides comments on the notice of intent to address the broad class of per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS). We look forward to seeing ... Read More
Carbon capture is not a climate solution
On behalf of our millions of members and supporters across the United States, Canada, and globally, we are writing to express deep concerns about our ... Read More
Climate Conditions on Government Spending Programs
A briefing note with recommendations for the design of new government funding programs developed to facilitate industrial decarbonization, specifically the Net Zero Accelerator fund, the ... Read More
Comments on Phase I Vista Test Underground Mine (VTUM) and Vista Mine Phase II Expansion Projects
We are writing to express serious concerns about the Phase I Vista Test Underground Mine and Vista Mine Phase II Expansion Projects by Coalspur Mines ... Read More
Letter re: C-28 vote before World Environment Day
In this joint letter, we join civil society organizations concerned with environment and health, calling on the federal government to place Bill C-28 on the ... Read More
Comments on the proposed Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System Regulations (Canada)
These comments to Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC), developed with Nature Canada and NRDC, on the proposed Greenhouse Gas Offset Credit System Regulations (Canada) ... Read More
OSFI Consultation: Climate-related risks in the financial sector
Together with Shift: Action for Pension Wealth and Planet Health and EcoJustice, this submission shares our expertise and interest in reducing the risks of climate ... Read More
Letter on Export Development Canada’s Legal Obligations Regarding Climate Change
The attached legal opinion sets out the international law obligations governing Export Credit Agencies (ECAs) in connection to their continued financing of fossil fuel-related projects ... Read More
Submission on Bill C-230: An Act respecting the development of a national strategy to redress environmental racism
Environmental Defence requests the passing of Bill C-230: An Act respecting the development of a national strategy to redress environmental racism without delay. It is ... Read More
Submission to the federal Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development
This submission to the federal Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development, in the context of the committee's study on the proposed ban on single-used ... Read More
Women’s health and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act
This briefing note on women's health and the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) is by Environmental Defence, Ecojustice, the David Suzuki Foundation, the Canadian Association ... Read More
Briefing Note: Modernizing the Canadian Environmental Protection Act
This briefing note outlines the recommendations to the Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA), by Environmental Defence, Ecojustice, the David Suzuki Foundation, the Canadian Association of ... Read More
Submission to the Standing Committee on General Government Regarding Bill 257:Supporting Broadband and Infrastructure Expansion Act
Environmental Defence requests the removal of Schedule 3 of Bill 257: Supporting Broadband and Infrastructure Expansion Act. Schedule 3 of Bill 257 aims to empower ... Read More
Feedback on the federal Output-Based Pricing System and Forest Products
NDRC, Nature Canada, and Environmental Defence are pleased to provide Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) with the present comments in response to its request1 ... Read More
Re: Review of Federal Offset-Based Carbon Pricing System
Environment and Climate Change Canada is in the process of assessing the effectiveness of the current Output-Based Pricing System (OBPS). In this submission, Environmental Defence ... Read More
Ontario NGO submission on Hazardous and Special Products regulations
Effective extended producer responsibility (EPR) policy for hazardous and special products is critical to mandating proper collection and management, and could provide impetus for producers ... Read More
Letter from civil society demanding no subsidies for enhanced oil production
On behalf of 47 organizations representing 2 million people in Canada, we are writing to express our collective opposition to the introduction of new tax ... Read More
NGO letter on Plastic Pollution and Listing under CEPA
We ask the government to list “plastic manufactured items” 1 on Schedule 1 of Canadian Environmental Protection Act (CEPA) by the end of February 2021 ... Read More
Environmental Defence Submission on Schedule 17 of Bill 197 (Amendments to the Planning Act)
The power to issue Minister’s Zoning Orders should be significantly restricted. Environmental Defence has had the opportunity to review the comments of the Canadian Environmental ... Read More
Comments on the discussion paper for an Ontario low-carbon hydrogen stategy
We appreciate the Province’s interest in exploring hydrogen as a way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and improve air quality, while creating opportunities for economic ... Read More
Open Letter from 53 Organizations on Updating Export Development Canada’s Climate Target
In a time of climate crisis, Crown corporation Export Development Canada is providing oil and gas companies with an average of over CAD 13 billion ... Read More
