In 2021, there was nearly a consensus on climate change. In 2025, Carney and Poilievre are far apart
Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has taken a strong stance against what he calls “radical net-zero environmental extremism” pursued by the Liberal government. At his election campaign rally, Poilievre criticized the Liberals for driving investment away from Canada with their aggressive environmental agenda. He accused Liberal Leader Mark Carney of being part of the “radical net-zero movement,” which Poilievre suggested would result in “net-zero growth, net-zero jobs, net-zero paycheque.”
The term “net zero” in the context of combating climate change refers to the emissions target that countries worldwide must collectively achieve to limit global warming. The Paris accords of 2015 set a goal of limiting warming to 1.5 C above pre-industrial levels, requiring global greenhouse gas emissions to reach net zero by mid-century. Canada, along with 107 other countries, has pledged to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
In response to the Liberal government’s climate policies, the Conservative Party, under Poilievre’s leadership, has taken a different approach. Poilievre has expressed opposition to the consumer carbon tax, clean fuel regulations, emissions caps for the oil and gas sector, and other environmental measures implemented by the Liberals. The Conservative platform now includes plans to repeal the federal framework for pricing industrial emissions and abandon the carbon tax.
While the Liberals have committed to reaching net zero emissions by 2050, the Conservatives have not disclosed a specific domestic target for reducing emissions. Poilievre has suggested that Canada’s exports of liquefied natural gas could help lower global emissions, but the challenge of reducing domestic emissions remains unanswered. The Conservative Party’s position on climate policy has shifted significantly from where it stood in 2021, raising questions about their approach to combatting climate change.
On the other hand, Mark Carney, a Liberal leadership candidate, has proposed abandoning the consumer carbon tax in favor of incentives to promote green choices. This shift in the Liberal approach to climate policy may reflect a response to public concerns about the cost of living and economic pressures. The divergence between the Conservative and Liberal positions on climate change highlights the lack of bipartisan consensus in Canada, posing challenges for the durability and sustainability of climate policies regardless of the government in power.
As the election campaign progresses, it remains to be seen how the Conservative Party, under Poilievre’s leadership, will address climate change and reduce emissions. The public’s concern about climate change and the need for effective policies to combat it will be key factors in determining the outcome of the election. The choice between the Conservative and Liberal approaches to climate policy presents voters with distinct options in this election, shaping the future direction of Canada’s environmental agenda.
