Foreword

The Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change presented here is our collective plan to grow our economy while reducing emissions and building resilience to adapt to a changing climate. It will help us transition to a strong, diverse and competitive economy; foster job creation, with new technologies and exports; and provide a healthy environment for our children and grandchildren.

The Pan-Canadian Framework is both a commitment to the world that Canada will do its part on climate change and a plan to meet the needs of Canadians. We have built on the momentum of the Paris Agreement by developing a concrete plan which, when implemented, will allow us to achieve Canada's international commitments.

When First Ministers met last March in Vancouver, they agreed to take ambitious action in support of meeting or exceeding Canada’s 2030 target of a 30 percent reduction below 2005 levels of greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions. First Ministers issued the Vancouver Declaration on Clean Growth and Climate Change and agreed that a collaborative approach between provincial, territorial, and federal governments is important to reduce GHG emissions and to enable sustainable economic growth.

The Pan-Canadian Framework builds on the leadership shown and actions taken individually and collectively by the provinces and territories, including through the Declaration of the Premiers adopted at the Quebec Summit on Climate Change in 2015. To note, the province of Saskatchewan has decided not to adopt the Pan-Canadian Framework at this time. The federal government has committed to ensuring that the provinces and territories have the flexibility to design their own policies and programs to meet emission-reductions targets, supported by federal investments in infrastructure, specific emission-reduction opportunities and clean technologies. This flexibility enables governments to move forward and to collaborate on shared priorities while respecting each jurisdiction’s needs and plans, including the need to ensure the continued competitiveness and viability of businesses.

In the Paris Agreement, Parties agreed that they should, when taking action to address climate change, recognize and respect the rights of Indigenous Peoples. As we implement this Framework, we will move forward respecting the rights of Indigenous Peoples, with robust, meaningful engagement drawing on their Traditional Knowledge. We will take into account the unique circumstances and opportunities of Indigenous Peoples and northern, remote, and vulnerable communities. We acknowledge and thank Indigenous Peoples across Canada for their climate leadership long before the Paris Agreement and for being active drivers of positive change.

Pricing carbon pollution is central to this Framework. Carbon pricing will encourage innovation because businesses and households will seek out new ways to increase efficiencies and to pollute less. We will complement carbon pricing with actions to build the foundation of our low-carbon and resilient economy.

As Canada transitions to a low-carbon future, energy will play an integral role in meeting our collective commitment, given that energy production and use account for over 80 percent of Canada’s GHG emissions. This means using clean energy to power our homes, workplaces, vehicles, and industries, and using energy more efficiently. It means convenient transportation systems that run on cleaner fuels, that move more people by public transit and zero-emission vehicles, and that have streamlined trade corridors. It means healthier and more comfortable homes that can generate as much power as they use. It means more resilient infrastructure and ecosystems that can better withstand climatic changes. It means land use and conservation measures that sequester carbon and foster adaptation to climate change. It means new jobs for Canadians across the country and opportunities for growth. It means leveraging technology and innovation to seize export and trade opportunities for Canada, which will allow us to become a leader in the global clean growth economy and will also help bring down the cost of low-emission technologies. It means healthier communities with cleaner air and healthy and diverse ecosystems across the country.

We will maintain a sustained focus on implementation of the Pan-Canadian Framework, consistent with the commitment under the Paris Agreement, to increase the level of ambition over time.

The Pan-Canadian Framework is a historic step in the transition to a clean growth and resilient economy. It is informed by what we have heard from Canadians. We will continue to grow our economy and create good jobs as we take ambitious action on climate change. We will work to ensure that the Pan-Canadian Framework opens new opportunities for Canadian businesses to not only maintain but also enhance their competitiveness. We will continue to engage Canadians to strengthen and deepen our action on clean growth and climate change. And we are committed to transparently assessing and reporting to Canadians on our progress.

Together, we have developed a Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. This is Canada’s plan to address climate change and grow the clean economy.

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