Energy Subsidies in Canada
The GSI program of work for Canada undertakes research and policy engagement on subsidies for fuel consumers and producers at the provincial and national level. It’s key focus is on identifying the scale of subsidie, and strategies for their reform and ultimate removal, in line with Canada’s commitments to the G7 and G20.
Objectives
- Reduce expenditure on fossil fuel subsidies that promote unsustainable environmental and social impacts
- Reform subsidies to level the playing field for clean energy
- Improve the fair social distribution of subsidy expenditure
- Build a greater understanding of the scale of subsidies in Canada, and how these subsidies can be better allocated within the economy to benefit economic, environmental and social outcomes
Collaborations
In carrying forward this work the Global Subsidies Initiative has collaborated with a number of organizations including Equiterre, Oil Change International, Environmental Defence and Climate Action Network Canada.
April 15, 2018
The Québec Government has just announced the most ambitious GHG emissions reduction target in Canada – a reduction of 37.5% below 1990 levels by 2030. The province would like to reduce the amount of petroleum-based products used by 40% between now and 2030 and increase the total amount of renewable energy being produced by 25% above the current figure during that same period.
Reports: Costing Energy and Fossil Fuel Subsidies in Nunavut: A mapping exercise
Subsidies to offset the astronomical price of fossil-fuel-based energy cost the government of Nunavut more than $60 million annually.
Trudeau’s India Visit: Cooperating on climate action will boost other agendas
February 21, 2018
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Vibhuti Garg
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Ivetta Gerasimchuk
The agenda for Canadian Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s visit to India this week includes trade, education, infrastructure, and skill development. Climate change action could boost collaboration in all of these areas and should not be left off the table
Reports: The End of Coal: Ontario’s coal phase-out
Ontario has successfully implemented its policy to put an end to coal use in 2014. This energy transition has become “the single largest GHG reduction measure in North America”: since 2007, when coal accounted for about 25 per cent of its electricity generation, Ontario has reduced its greenhouse gas emissions by approximately 34 Mt or 17 per cent.
News: IISD and others call on Ministers to fulfil their commitments to reform and phase out fossil fuel subsidies
December 12, 2017
IISD along with 37 other groups wrote to the Government of Canada to press upon "'the importance of fulfilling its commitments to the G7 and G20 to reform and phase out fossil fuel subsidies in Canada over the medium term."
Behind the pageantry, Obama and Trudeau try to build a shared legacy
March 10, 2017
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iPolitics
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James Munson
The White House South Lawn became a stage for a festive celebration of renewed relations between Canada and the U.S. Thursday morning, as the leaders of both countries sought to leverage the brief overlap between their time in office into a deep, structural shift in the relationship.
During a welcome ceremony, President Barack Obama and Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared Canada-U.S.
Meeting Canada's Subsidy Phase-Out Goal: What it means in Saskatchewan
August 29, 2016
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Philip Gass
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Yanick Touchette
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Ivetta Gerasimchuk
Saskatchewan has taken steps to address its greenhouse gas emissions, most notably through the implementation of carbon capture and storage technology. This is definitely a step in the right direction in addressing climate change.
Meeting Canada's Subsidy Phase-Out Goal: What it means in Ontario
June 8, 2016
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Philip Gass
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Yanick Touchette
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Ivetta Gerasimchuk
In May 2016 the Government of Canada, along with other G-7 countries, committed to a much needed timeline to phase out fossil fuel subsidies.