In anticipation of the need to bring forth important issues facing Canadians today – environmental protections, nature- and climate-related issues, and environmental justice – a questionnaire representing the collective priorities of 16 leading environmental organizations was sent to Canada’s five main political parties in March 2025. The following are the official responses from the political parties surveyed. Please note that the parties’ responses were published as submitted and have not been assessed or checked for accuracy.
“Yes,” “No,” and “Partial” summary responses were received from the Bloc Quebecois, Green Party, and New Democrat Party. Detailed responses were provided by the Bloc Quebecois, Green Party, Liberal Party, and New Democrat Party. No responses were received from the Conservative Party.
Summary of responses
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Bloc Québécois
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Conservative Party
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Green Party
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Liberal Party
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New Democratic Party
Full responses
1. Will you ensure that Canada meets its national and international carbon pollution reduction targets as detailed in the Paris Agreement and the Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act?
Bloc Québécois
[Response provided in French only.]
La loi sur la responsabilité climatique du Bloc Québécois visait explicitement à mettre fin à la série d’échecs climatiques du Canada et à rendre juridiquement contraignante l’atteinte des cibles de réduction de GES. Si le Canada ne réduit pas ses émissions de 40 à 45% sous les niveaux de 2005 d’ici 2030, il ne sera pas engagé sur la trajectoire de la carboneutralité pour 2050. Il faut cesser le détournement des sommes destinées à la lutte aux changements climatiques par les subventions libérales camouflées aux combustibles fossiles. Réduire l’intensité carbonique n’est pas garant d’une réelle réduction globale des émissions. La croissance des émissions du secteur du gaz et du pétrole, propulsée par la mise en service de l’oléoduc Trans Mountain dans lequel le gouvernement libéral a englouti 34,2 milliards de dollars, annule les efforts de réduction des autres secteurs de l’économie. L’échec libéral à mettre en oeuvre le plafonnement des émissions du secteur gazier et pétrolier, doublé à l’abandon de la tarification du carbone, rend pratiquement inopérant le Plan de réduction des émissions, dont les mesures étaient déjà insuffisantes à l’atteinte de la cible de 2030. Le Bloc Québécois propose des solutions concrètes afin de poursuivre et redynamiser la lutte aux changements climatiques.
Conservative Party of Canada
[No response.]
Green Party of Canada
Green MPs voted against the Liberal’s Climate Accountability Act because it was and is fraudulent. All Green amendments to ensure the Paris agreement targets were embedded in the act were voted down by the Conservatives, Liberals and NDP. The Act would allow Canada to ignore the Paris commitments. It replaced those goals with the bogus goal of net zero by 2050.
The Green Party of Canada would swiftly transition Canada to 100% renewable electricity by investing heavily in solar, wind, hydro, and geothermal technologies. We would implement legally binding targets aligned with the Paris Agreement, achieving zero emissions by 2050, setting clear interim goals every five years to ensure accountability. A cross-party inner cabinet would manage climate action to ensure sustained political cooperation. We would not support new fossil fuel infrastructure, and eliminate fossil fuel subsidies, redirecting these funds towards energy-efficiency retrofits for homes, public buildings, and businesses. We would ensure every Canadian has access to affordable, reliable low carbon public transport through a national network of bus and rail. We would enhance climate resilience by funding adaptation measures, like ecosystem restoration, wetland recovery, climate-resilient infrastructure, and improved disaster preparedness and response that includes establishing a National Civil Defence Corps.
Liberal Party of Canada
If re-elected, a Mark Carney led government will work to achieve Canada’s emissions reductions targets and commitments under the Paris Agreement. Climate change is accelerating and is one of the great challenges facing humanity, and when Canadians face these challenges, they rise to the occasion. Canada’s emissions are going down, and we are committed to making more progress under Mark Carney’s leadership. Meanwhile, Pierre Poilievre won’t make big polluters pay and has committed to removing almost every emission reduction policy put into place since 2015.
Mark Carney’s climate policy will be unifying, credible, and predictable—to reduce emissions, drive investment, and build an economy for the future. It will be science-based and guided by transparency. By working together and pursuing more effective policies, we can build a sustainable economy for all Canadians across generations and the strongest economy in the G7.
Mark Carney and the Liberal team look forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks about our plan to reduce emissions and build a stronger Canada.
New Democratic Party
Limiting warming to 1.5 degrees is the only credible way to prevent the worst impacts of climate change. That means meeting our Paris targets, and the targets in the Canada Net- Zero Emissions Act.
We are committed to meeting our targets as well as meeting the objectives of the Sustainable Jobs Act which sets on a path protect and create good, unionized jobs in a net-zero future.
2. Will you ensure that Canada meets its international biodiversity targets to halt and reverse biodiversity loss as detailed in the Kunming-Montreal Global Biodiversity Framework?
Bloc Québécois
[Response provided in French only.]
La priorité de la politique environnementale doit être de freiner le déclin de la biodiversité, préserver les écosystèmes et protéger les espèces vulnérables. Le Québec et la Colombie-Britannique sont les deux juridictions les plus avancées en regard de l’objectif de conservation de 30% du territoire. Le territoire du Québec appartient aux Québécoises et Québécois et ce sont les lois et les politiques québécoises qui protègent l’environnement au Québec : le Bloc Québécois est le seul parti fédéral à appuyer le consensus québécois en environnement. Le gouvernement fédéral doit assumer sa responsabilité de protection de la biodiversité marine, ce qui devrait commencer par mettre fin aux forages pétroliers exploratoires à l’intérieur et à proximité des aires protégées. Aussi, la hausse des limites maximales de résidus de pesticides dans les aliments et l’approbation de l’IGDPS de Chalk River sur les rives de la rivière des Outaouais ne sont pas des politiques libérales aidantes. Afin de mettre en oeuvre le Cadre mondial de la biodiversité, le gouvernement fédéral doit agir de manière complémentaire au Plan nature 2030 du Québec. Cela passe par l’Accord sur la nature entre le Canada et le Québec, dont le Bloc Québécois entend tripler la contribution financière.
Conservative Party of Canada
[No response.]
Green Party of Canada
Protecting biodiversity and conserving ecosystems is essential to maintaining Earth’s life-support systems, ensuring clean air and water, a stable climate, and thriving wildlife populations crucial for human health and well-being. The Green Party would protect at least 30% of Canada’s land, freshwater, and oceans by 2030, prioritizing areas with significant biodiversity and carbon storage potential. Our approach emphasizes Indigenous-led conservation and restoration initiatives, recognizing traditional knowledge and stewardship rights. We would actively support the establishment and expansion of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), recognizing their critical role in conserving biodiversity and supporting Indigenous governance. We would expand funding and capacity for national parks, marine protected areas, and wildlife reserves, ensuring rigorous enforcement of conservation laws. We would immediately halt logging of endangered old-growth forests. Comprehensive restoration strategies would revitalize degraded ecosystems, such as wetlands, coastlines, and wildlife habitats, using nature-based solutions to halt and reverse biodiversity loss and strengthen climate resilience. Stronger environmental regulations to curb pollution and habitat destruction, updated legislation to protect at-risk species, and increased support for ecological research, biodiversity monitoring, and public education would ensure Canada meets its international biodiversity commitments.
Liberal Party of Canada
Canada’s natural heritage is under threat from climate change and unsustainable development practices. As committed to on April 7, 2025, a new Liberal government led by Mark Carney will meet the goals in the Global Biodiversity Framework, including conserving 30% of Canada’s lands and waters by 2030. To meet these targets, we will:
- Conserve nature and biodiversity, including by creating at least 10 new national parks and marine conservation areas, and 15 new urban parks;
- Connect Canadians with nature by making access to National Parks and Historic Sites free for this summer;
- Protect our freshwater, including by investing $100 million in a strategic water security technology fund to advance Canadian R&D, AI, monitoring, and data tools;
- Protect nature where it protects us, including by implementing nature-based climate solutions which deliver measurable carbon sequestration and biodiversity benefits, while supporting community resilience;
- Clean up, maintain, and protect wildlife in and around our coastal waters, including by investing an additional $15 million to modernize the location, retrieval, and responsible disposal of the ghost gear threatening marine mammals and birds; and,
- Champion nature conservation internationally, including by stopping illegal wildlife trade across our borders with modern digital solutions.
New Democratic Party
New Democrats will put in place an ambitious nature plan to halt and reverse biodiversity loss in Canada. We would pass a biodiversity accountability law informed by an expert advisory panel with measurable targets for protecting at least 30% of high-biodiversity lands, freshwater and oceans by 2030. We will take immediate measures backed by funding to reverse the loss of endangered species and commit to the restoration of at least 30% of areas of degraded ecosystems.
3. Will you eliminate all taxpayer subsidies, public financing, and other fiscal supports that are harmful to the climate and nature, including those to the oil and gas sector, petrochemical producers, industrial-scale resource extraction, and environmentally damaging land-use practices, and ensure that these companies do not pass the costs of reducing emissions or environmental clean-up onto the public?
Bloc Québécois
[Response provided in French only.]
Les pétrolières n’ont pas besoin de cadeaux. Après la pandémie, le secteur de l’extraction du pétrole et du gaz a engrangé des profits records: 38 milliards de dollars sur trois ans. Malgré cela, en 2023, le gouvernement du Canada a fourni au moins 18,55 milliards de dollars en soutien financier aux combustibles fossiles. En 2024, 28,47 milliards. Le Bloc Québécois a voté contre ces budgets libéraux, qui ont fourni plus d’aides aux pétrolières que ceux de Stephen Harper. Le Canada promet depuis 2009 d’abolir ces subventions. Il est trompeur de prétendre les avoir abolis : la définition libérale des subventions est faîte sur mesure pour permettre les aides aux pétrolières en les camouflant sous le couvert de la lutte aux changements climatiques. Le Bloc Québécois n’adhère pas au mirage du «pétrole vert», qui a mené à l’échec climatique actuel du Canada et à la dilapidation des fonds publics. En abandonnant la tarification du carbone, le gouvernement libéral a décidé de privatiser les profits et de socialiser les risques. Le Bloc Québécois veut conserver un prix sur le carbone et rediriger les subventions vers les énergies renouvelables et les technologies propres afin de stimuler une réelle économie verte.
Conservative Party of Canada
[No response.]
Green Party of Canada
The Green Party would immediately eliminate all taxpayer-funded subsidies, public financing, and financial supports harmful to climate and nature, specifically those benefiting oil and gas companies, petrochemical producers, large-scale resource extraction industries, and environmentally damaging land-use practices. We would carefully review all current fiscal policies to clearly identify and phase out harmful subsidies. Companies would be legally obligated to fully cover the costs of cleaning up environmental damage and reducing pollution from their operations. We would strengthen regulations to ensure businesses act responsibly, and enforce strict penalties for non-compliance. Funds previously allocated to harmful practices would instead support initiatives such as renewable energy projects, sustainable farming practices, improvements in public transportation, ecological restoration programs, and community-led conservation projects. Additionally, we would introduce clear rules requiring companies to factor environmental impacts into their operational costs, promoting accountability and responsible environmental stewardship. These comprehensive measures would help move Canada toward an economy that prioritizes environmental health, community well-being, and sustainable growth.
Liberal Party of Canada
The federal government announced it had phased out inefficient fossil fuels by 2023 and a Mark Carney led government stands by this commitment. We are also committed to ensuring big polluters pay, by improving and strengthening industrial carbon pricing systems. A Mark Carney led government will make Canada a clean energy superpower and diversify Canada’s export market opportunities. Unlike Pierre Poilievre, we will support export market opportunities without compromising the environment and while supporting the rights and prosperity of Indigenous peoples. These projects will position Canada for a cleaner and stronger economy that is competitive in a low-carbon world.
Mark Carney and the Liberal team look forward to sharing more details in the coming weeks about our plan to reduce emissions and build a stronger Canada.
New Democratic Party
Mark Carney has no problem with public money going to polluters, and Pierre Poilievre wants to let polluters pollute as much as they want with zero costs.
New Democrats have already outlined subsidies we would remove from Oil and Gas exploration and we would reinvest that money to retrofit over 3 million Canadian homes, including the homes of 2.2 million low-income Canadian renters and owners.
4. Will you support Indigenous-led conservation through policies and practices including: working in partnership with Indigenous Peoples across Canada to make collaborative decisions about the use of land, freshwater, and oceans, and supporting an increase of funding support to the Land Guardians programs, which are helping to drive the economic prosperity of Indigenous Peoples, while upholding their cultural and ecological values?
Bloc Québécois
[Response provided in French only.]
Depuis 1992, le Canada est signataire de la Convention sur la diversité biologique, qui prévoit que la Partie contractante « respecte, préserve et maintien[e] les connaissances, innovations et pratiques des communautés autochtones et locales qui incarnent des modes de vie traditionnels présentant un intérêt pour la conservation et l’utilisation durable de la diversité biologique et en favorise l’application sur une plus grande échelle, avec l’accord et la participation des dépositaires de ces connaissances, innovations et pratiques et encourage le partage équitable des avantages découlant de l’utilisation de ces connaissances, innovations et pratiques ». La Loi constitutionnelle de 1867 attribue au Parlement la compétence législative sur les « Indiens et les terres réservées pour les Indiens ». Le Bloc Québécois estime que la Constitution canadienne est impérialiste, archaïque et rétrograde et que la réconciliation entamée ne sera jamais sincère sans une réforme constitutionnelle majeure. Le Bloc Québécois soutient le programme des Gardiens autochtones sur les terres fédérales, mais juge qu’il serait préférable de favoriser une réelle autonomie gouvernementale par les communautés autochtones en privilégiant une approche négociée de nation à nation. Le langage «inclusif» de la bureaucratie fédérale ne remplace pas la nécessité de reconnaître le droit des peuples à l’autodétermination.
Conservative Party of Canada
[No response.]
Green Party of Canada
Indigenous leadership is fundamental to effective conservation in Canada. The Green Party would prioritize genuine Indigenous decision-making authority over traditional lands and waters, respecting cultural, ecological, and economic priorities. We would actively support the creation and growth of Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas (IPCAs), acknowledging their vital role in biodiversity protection and cultural heritage preservation. Our commitment includes substantial funding increases for Indigenous Land Guardians programs, providing stable, long-term support for conservation activities, ecological monitoring, and local fisheries management. We would transition fisheries management in key regions fully to Indigenous-led governance, legally recognizing Indigenous laws and management plans. Nation-to-Nation partnerships would integrate Indigenous knowledge into national conservation strategies and policy decisions. Legislative recognition of Indigenous stewardship rights and ensuring meaningful Indigenous participation in environmental assessments would strengthen ecological management. Dedicated resources would support Indigenous communities in building infrastructure and skills for conservation, monitoring, eco-tourism, and traditional resource management activities. This approach would reinforce ecological health, affirm Indigenous rights, support reconciliation, and create lasting economic opportunities through responsible, community-led management of lands and resources.
Liberal Party of Canada
Mark Carney is deeply committed to conserving and protecting our biodiversity, wildlife, and natural habitat. This is an important legacy for our kids and for our grandkids, and its vital we work in partnership with Indigenous Peoples across Canada to achieve these goals.
Indigenous-led conservation is one of the most important pathways for achieving Canada’s biodiversity, conservation and climate goals, while also supporting Indigenous reconciliation. A new Liberal government led by Mark Carney will bolster Indigenous stewardship, including by establishing a new Arctic Indigenous Guardians program, and funding Indigenous-led conservation and protection projects. We will also enshrine First Nations’ right to water into law.
New Democratic Party
Indigenous knowledge and stewardship will be prioritized through an expanded Indigenous Guardians program and Indigenous Protected and Conserved Areas with long-term sustainable funding mechanisms co-developed with Indigenous peoples.
5. Will you establish a permanent, high-level Office of Environmental Justice to implement Canada’s first national strategy on environmental racism and environmental justice to ensure that racialized and disadvantaged communities no longer bear a disproportionate burden from environmental degradation and preventable environmental health hazards?
Bloc Québécois
[Response provided in French only.]
Le gouvernement fédéral a une responsabilité vis-à-vis de certaines populations au Canada qui subissent des inégalités dans leur rapport à l’environnement. Le Bloc Québécois est en faveur d’une action gouvernementale pour contrer ces iniquités. Nous avons présenté une série d’amendements à la nouvelle Loi qui visaient à en faire une véritable loi sur la justice environnementale, en y intégrant l’ensemble des populations vulnérables et prévoyant l’établissement d’ententes intergouvernementales avec les provinces pour la mise en oeuvre de la stratégie. En absence de telles dispositions, nous estimons que la loi et la stratégie actuelles sont faibles et n’auront que peu d’effet. Néanmoins, nous sommes favorables à l’application de la stratégie aux activités propres à l’administration publique fédérale et aux différents domaines qui relèvent de la responsabilité du gouvernement fédéral. Les droits relatifs à l’environnement, comme les politiques qui en découlent, doivent être universels : toutes et tous doivent en bénéficier, sans égards à leurs différences.
Cette approche doit nous doter d’outils légaux pour contrer les iniquités et les discriminations.
Conservative Party of Canada
[No response.]
Green Party of Canada
Now that Elizabeth May’s Private Members Bill C-226 is the law of Canada, the Green Party would establish a permanent, high-level Office of Environmental Justice within Environment Canada to fully implement Canada’s first national strategy on environmental racism and justice, as legislated by Bill C-226. which mandates that the federal government proactively assess, prevent, and address disparities faced by marginalized communities exposed to environmental hazards, or where Indigenous nations are denied access to resources due to environmental racism… The Office would empower communities by providing resources, scientific studies, and direct funding for local projects aimed at restoring polluted ecosystems. We would prioritize community engagement, ensuring marginalized voices are heard and respected in environmental decisions. Communities historically affected by environmental racism, such as Grassy Narrows First Nation dealing with mercury poisoning, Aamjiwnaang First Nation facing ongoing chemical pollution, and the toxic waste issues in Kanesatake, would receive targeted support and resources to redress these injustices. We would enforce robust regulations and accountability measures to prevent further injustices and contamination. Our approach would actively dismantle systemic inequalities, ensuring that all communities have the tools, funding, and support necessary to achieve true environmental justice, equity, and improved health outcomes.
Liberal Party of Canada
Everybody deserves to live in a healthy environment. Unfortunately, there are still people, too often indigenous, racialized and marginalized, who are faced with bad air quality, unsafe drinking water, contaminated lands, and more.
The Liberal Party of Canada supported the passage of a law requiring a national strategy to address environmental racism and advance environmental justice within two years. A new Liberal Government led by Mark Carney will engage with all Canadians in the development of the strategy, including youth, people of lived experience, grassroot organizations, academics, and civil society who have been the foundation of the environmental justice movement in Canada. A new Liberal Government will also find ways to continue the important progress made in recent years by the Liberal Government: ranging from its work on the National Adaptation Strategy to imposing strict benzene pollution controls in the pursuit of environmental justice for Aamjiwnaang First Nation and Sarnia, Ontario.
New Democratic Party
First Nations, Inuit, and Métis peoples need to be partners in the development of job creation, employment training, and infrastructure investments, ensuring that efforts to address climate change are implemented in ways that fit the needs and priorities of communities and uphold the principles of Free, Prior and Informed Consent. This means creating employment opportunities in their own communities, and ensuring that clean energy projects will benefit communities long after the project is completed.
We will pass an Environmental Bill of Rights and establish an Office of Environmental Justice to address the disproportionate impacts of pollution and loss of biodiversity on Indigenous, Black and racialized communities, as well as youth and future generations.
6. Will you deliver a plan for upgrading Canada’s electricity grid and achieving affordable, secure, net-zero electricity throughout Canada by 2035?
Bloc Québécois
[Response provided in French only.]
Le réseau électrique national est déjà fiable, abordable et renouvelable à 99%, grâce à la nationalisation de l’électricité et au développement historique de nos grands barrages hydroélectriques depuis la révolution tranquille.
Quant aux réseaux électriques des provinces canadiennes, il est plus que souhaitable qu’ils entrent dans le 21e siècle et ne soient plus alimentés à partir de charbon et coke, de gaz naturel et de pétrole. Puisque l’Alberta, la Saskatchewan et la Nouvelle-Écosse produisent massivement leur électricité à partir de combustibles fossiles, ce qui est incompatible avec un avenir carboneutre et avec les cibles de réduction des gaz à effet de serre, le Bloc Québécois a défendu l’application d’un Règlement sur l’électricité propre qui soit rigoureux, c’est-à-dire sans prolongation, avec une norme de performance compatible avec le niveau de réduction d’émission attendu et s’appliquant à toutes les nouvelles unités de production. Malheureusement, l’actuel règlement et les délais de mise en oeuvre mettent en péril l’atteinte de la carboneutralité du secteur électrique d’ici 2035. Concernant les interconnexions, nous verrions d’un bon oeil que le gouvernement fédéral appui les initiatives du Québec et d’Hydro-Québec visant à fournir le reste du Canada en électricité propre, contribuant de ce fait à réduire la dépendance aux acheteurs américains.
Conservative Party of Canada
[No response.]
Green Party of Canada
The Green Party would implement a comprehensive plan to modernize and interconnect Canada’s regional electricity grids, aiming for affordable, reliable, and fully renewable electricity across Canada by 2035. Recognizing that Canada currently has isolated regional grids, our strategy involves significant investments to build a national east-west, north south electricity transmission corridor. This would allow renewable electricity generated in one region to be efficiently shared with others, overcoming existing provincial and territorial boundaries that limit energy exchange. The plan includes deploying advanced smart-grid technologies to improve energy management and reliability, alongside extensive energy storage solutions to ensure stable electricity supply from variable renewable sources like wind and solar. We would prioritize community-led renewable projects and Indigenous partnerships, ensuring broad economic and environmental benefits. Remote communities dependent on diesel generators would transition to locally owned renewable microgrids. These steps would not only dramatically reduce greenhouse gas emissions but also strengthen Canada’s energy security, drive job creation, and position Canada as a global leader in renewable energy innovation.
Liberal Party of Canada
The growth of clean electricity in Canada strengthens an existing competitive advantage for the country. The Liberal government committed to the goal of G7 countries to have a net zero electricity grid by 2035. In March 2025, Mark Carney announced a national trade corridor that connects the country from coast to coast to coast – to transport and export energy, agricultural products, electricity, critical minerals, and other commodities. It is a priority for a Mark Carney led government and is essential to support Canadian sovereignty and economic well-being. We will also utilize the investment tax credits in order to provide the supports needed to grow clean electricity across the country.
To build Canada strong, Mark Carney announced a plan to cover apprenticeship training costs for skilled trade workers, and to create more training opportunities, so more Canadian workers can join these professions and secure higher-paying careers building the infrastructure required to meet Canada’s energy security and emission reduction goals.
New Democratic Party
Building a net zero grid and electrifying Canada will take thousands of electricians, powerline technicians, labourers, and highly skilled workers. We will create a workforce plan to train and retain workers in the electricity sector, so Canada has the thousands of skilled, safe, licensed workers it will need for this ambitious project. It is also essential to trump-proofing our economy, lowering costs for households and businesses, and meeting out climate targets.