As the fall parliamentary session approaches, Prime Minister Carney is encountering increasing pressures from within his caucus regarding climate policies. These Liberal MPs just recently launched a climate caucus. This group seeks to address pervading environmental challenges and reassert climate action as a central party tenet.
The newly created climate caucus has provided a new venue for backbench Liberal MPs to promote and advocate for further moves towards sustainability. On the campaign trail, they’re calling on the government to maintain its existing emissions reduction targets. The institute has called out these targets in its recommendations, and we agree. Carney and his ministers have been reluctant to recommit to these targets in recent weeks. This new uncertainty has sent a wave of fear through environmental advocates.
Beyond just trying to hit emission reduction targets, Carney’s administration is taking measures to combat climate change by considering repealing its EV sales mandate. This review follows Carney’s announcement last week that a one-year delay in imposing the mandate was warranted. This delay has drawn sharp rebuke and raised doubt about the federal government’s dedication to advancing sustainable transportation solutions.
Furthermore, the government is preparing to finalize methane regulations for the oil and gas sector, another crucial step in addressing climate change. These regulations will be central to the country’s goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions. Second, they target one of the most polluting industries. The timeline for their implementation remains very much up in the air. This uncertainty is only adding fuel to the growing frustrations of climate activists and some Liberal Party members.
Constantly, Carney is under the gun from his own caucus, as well as from the broader public. Environmental justice organizations, meanwhile, have kept the pressure on for bold climate action. The party created an environmental climate caucus to put more of a focus on environmental issues. This action is timely, as neighborhood constituents across the country are calling for smart policies to end our contribution to climate change.
As discussions continue within the Liberal Party and beyond, Carney’s leadership will be tested on how effectively he can balance internal pressures with the expectations of the electorate. The result of these discussions has the potential to make a big difference to how Canada does climate policy in the years ahead.
