Statement by Chrystia Freeland​

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Lowering our emissions is imperative to protecting our livelihoods and our economy. To protect future generations from the costs of inaction and ensure we become more resilient today, I am committed to Canada’s climate targets. And I know more needs to be done to achieve them.

 

I am so proud to have designed and launched Canada’s $94 billion suite of investment tax credits to scale-up clean power generation, clean tech manufacturing, and EV supply chains. Along with the investment tax credits, I’m proud to have launched the $15 billion Canada Growth Fund, which is helping to decarbonize our economy and create good jobs. Already, the Canada Growth Fund has put over $3 billion to work in 11 Canadian projects.

 

My climate plan is good for your wallet and good for our planet–because climate change is real and fighting it should not be divisive.

If I become Prime Minister, I will:

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1. End the carbon tax for Canadians. My government will replace the consumer-facing carbon tax with alternatives that still reduce emissions but take the cost off workers’ backs. I will work with provinces and territories, labour leaders, experts, industry, Indigenous Peoples, and Canadians to find a solution that works for our federation.

    

2. Reduce pollution from Canada’s biggest emitters. My government will ensure the biggest polluters pay, and that their means of reducing emissions, like carbon credit markets, function properly. I will improve building codes to accelerate net-zero construction, support investments in renewable power, such as wind and small modular nuclear reactors, at industrial sites, and more. Canada will reach net-zero by 2050 in a way that puts Canadian workers first.

    

3. Help you cut your energy bills. Switching to less carbon intensive technology for heating and transportation cuts Canadians’ bills and emissions–but it comes with upfront costs. I will offer rebates to help you improve your home’s energy efficiency, with better insulation, solar panels, or a heat pump, and buy an EV (except Teslas) or hybrid, with generous support available to help you Buy Canadian. U.S.-produced goods will not be eligible for these incentives.

    

4. Build affordable, reliable, low-carbon electricity grids. Canada needs to keep up with growing demand by supercharging our clean electricity production, breaking down electricity distribution barriers, and reducing red tape to get big projects built. My government will prioritize working with provinces and territories to build interprovincial transmission, for a more interconnected grid across Canada. I will also speed up approvals for major projects, including by giving special consideration to Canadian clean energy projects. Key to this plan will be passing the Clean Electricity investment tax credit, which will get these projects built and pass savings on to Canadians.

    

5. Protect Canadian nature and communities by resolutely defending Canadian sovereignty over our land and water. My government will significantly expand our national parks and protected areas to ensure 30 per cent of Canada’s land and water are safeguarded by 2030. I will make our homes and community infrastructure more climate resilient, including ensuring flood and wildfire insurance is there when you need it most. And to protect our communities from wildfires, my government will also urgently purchase more water bombers.

    

6. Help young Canadians build our sustainable future by making trade schools free. This will equip young Canadians with the skills they need to access good-paying jobs today and tomorrow. From good jobs decarbonizing heavy industry to building wind farms, my government will help young Canadians earn their fair share building a sustainable future.

    

7. Secure Canadian industrial competitiveness while fighting climate change. By working with like-minded partners, particularly the European Union, I will ensure that Canadian goods are treated fairly against our imports, such as through carbon border adjustment mechanisms. I will level the playing field for Canadian workers and critical Canadian industries, like steel and aluminum, while working to ensure Canadians do not bear the cost.

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My plan will build durable, lasting climate progress without making Canadians pay the cost. Together, we will build a more secure, more prosperous clean energy future.