Choosing cleaner electricity helps protect the health of Canadians, cut carbon pollution, and create opportunities for the middle class. The transition to clean energy is accelerating around the world, and Canada is part of a growing group of countries that are committed to phasing out traditional coal-fired electricity. Last fall, Canada and the U.K. founded the Powering Past Coal Alliance, which has already attracted over 30 governments and business members, whose combined wealth totals over $170 billion.

“Phasing out coal is good news for our climate, for our health, and for our kids. I’m thrilled to take the next steps in powering past coal in Canada, with regulations to end the use of traditional coal power, in 2030. We know the environment and the economy go hand in hand, so we’re committed to making that transition a fair one for coal workers and communities. The task force we’re launching today is a big step toward meeting that commitment.”

– Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change

• By accelerating the phase-out of traditional coal-fired electricity to 2030, Canada will reduce carbon pollution by 16 million tonnes that year.

• Despite generating only about 11 percent of Canada’s electricity supply, coal-fired electricity is responsible for 72 percent of Canada’s greenhouse gas emissions from the electricity sector.

• The proposed amendments will result in 260 avoided premature deaths, 40 000 fewer asthma episodes, and 190 000 fewer days of breathing difficulty and reduced activity—resulting in health benefits of $1.2 billion, from 2019 to 2055.

• Coal-fired electricity facilities are among the world's largest sources of air pollution, including sulphur dioxides, nitrogen oxides, and mercury pollutants, which have significant health and environmental impacts.

• In Canada, clean energy accounted for more than 56 000 jobs and contributed $25.4 billion (1.3 percent) to Canada’s gross domestic product in 2016.

• Worldwide, the renewable-energy sector employs almost 10 million people. Jobs in solar and wind energy have doubled since 2012.

• Employment and Social Development Canada is already working closely with the Province of Alberta to assist people impacted by changes in the coal-fired electricity and the mining sectors.

• Budget 2017 announced the Government of Canada’s Innovation and Skills Plan, an ambitious effort to make Canada a world-leading centre for innovation, help create more well-paying jobs, and help strengthen and grow the middle class.

• Through Budget 2017, Canada is investing $21.9 billion in green infrastructure, including $5 billion for green-infrastructure projects through the Canada Infrastructure Bank, which may include projects that promote renewable power.

• Natural Resources Canada’s Emerging Renewable Power Program is providing up to $200 million to expand the portfolio of commercially viable renewable-energy sources available to provinces and territories and reduce greenhouse gas emissions from their electricity sectors.

• Canada’s electricity-generation mix is already one of the cleanest in the world, with 80 percent of our electricity coming from renewable or non-emitting sources in 2016.

Related Products

• Just transition task force
• Proposed amendments to coal-fired electricity regulations and proposed natural-gas-fired electricity regulations
• Technical backgrounder: Proposed federal regulations for electricity sector

Associated Links

• Coal phase-out: the Powering Past Coal Alliance
• Just Transition Task Force Terms of Reference

Marie-Pascale Des Rosiers
Press Secretary
Office of the Minister of Environment and Climate Change
613-462-5473
marie-pascale.desrosiers@canada.ca

Media Relations
Environment and Climate Change Canada
819-938-3338 or 1-844-836-7799 (toll-free)
ec.media.ec@canada.ca

Environment and Climate Change Canada’s Twitter page

Environment and Natural Resources in Canada’s Facebook page