The Emissions Cap will Be a Necessary Backstop: Budget 2025 Response

Removal of Emissions Cap Would Have Been a Betrayal of Climate Survivors. Concerns also remain on nuclear investments and greenwashing rules.

Media Statement: For Immediate Release November 4th, 2025

Sierra Club Canada continues to advocate for the immediate implementation of an emissions cap on oil and gas corporations, but says at least having it as a backstop (as reported by CBC) is absolutely necessary. The organization also points to polling showing the emissions cap is not controversial, as it has been framed to be by oil and gas interests, and that there is widespread support for climate action (1). Indeed, 72% of Albertans wish to maintain or increase federal climate action and action to transition the country to clean energy (Abacus Data).

“The removal of an emissions cap would be a betrayal of those impacted by climate change, such as the wildfire and flood survivors who travelled to Ottawa last year to call for it (2). Whatever the government’s plans for industrial carbon pricing the emissions cap remains a vital backstop, ” says Gretchen Fitzgerald, Executive Director at Sierra Club Canada.

“It’s a mistake to rely on carbon capture and storage for emissions reductions. Straightforward regulations provide clarity and fairness given that individual Canadians are already lowering their emissions while wealthy oil and gas corporations continue to be our biggest polluters.”

Sierra Club Canada also raises alarm over wasteful and dangerous investments in nuclear energy given that renewables like wind and solar – combined with battery storage and grid upgrades are a more efficient investment. The organization is also alarmed at the weakening of greenwashing rules.

“What we are seeing in the United States in terms of a breakdown of democratic processes, rights and freedoms, is in large part due to the spread of disinformation and specifically of climate denial. This climate denial and delayist messaging has often been purposefully spread by oil and gas corporations (3) to undermine democratic processes,” says Conor Curtis, Head of Communications at Sierra Club Canada.

“Canada needs strong regulations to ensure that oil and gas corporations – who have large sums of money to spend on influence – are held to the highest possible standard of truthfulness. Today’s weakening of greenwashing rules is more than just a problem for the climate, it is a problem for the security of our democracy.”

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Sources:

(1) Polling by Abacus Data (published in December 2024), following the Alberta Government’s unsuccessful campaign against the emissions cap, showed of the majority of Canadians aware of the policy, 67% think the emissions cap will have either a significant or some impact on climate goals. Further, 65% percent either support it or say their support will be determined in how it is implemented, while only 32% actually oppose it. Media can find the data here: https://abacusdata.ca/what-do-canadians-think-about-the-emissions-cap-on-the-oil-gas-sector/

That’s true even in Alberta where only 45% of people actually oppose the cap and 51% either support it or think it’s a question of implementation. In Atlantic Canada only 22% of people oppose it, with 78% either in support or saying it’s a matter of implementation. Sierra Club Canada says the data shows Canadians want a well implemented policy and it’s time to put aside divisions and perfect the emissions cap. 

Additionally, in 2025:

• As of June 2025 fewer than 1 in 5 Canadians want their tax dollars going to largely foreign-owned companies to build more LNG projects (Léger): https://cape.ca/press_release/fewer-than-2-in-10-canadians-want-their-tax-dollars-going-to-largely-foreign-owned-companies-to-build-more-lng-projects
• In March polling showed ​​65% of Canadians want renewables instead of oil & gas development (Léger): https://davidsuzuki.org/press/majority-canadians-support-climate-action-renewable-energy-ahead-federal-election
• And Abacus Data polling in June confirms:72% of Albertans wish to maintain or increase federal climate action and action to transition the country to clean energy.

  67% of Canadians now prefer renewables and clean energy generally to oil and gas development (it’s 77% in BC): https://cleanenergycanada.org/poll-two-thirds-of-canadians-favour-developing-clean-energy-over-fossil-fuels-while-85-wish-to-maintain-or-increase-federal-climate-action/

(2) ‘Each of our voices matter’: disaster survivors call for greater climate action in Ottawa advocacy push, The Hill Times: https://www.hilltimes.com/story/2024/11/04/each-of-our-voices-matter-disaster-survivors-call-for-greater-climate-action-in-ottawa-advocacy-push/440002/

(3) These Fossil Fuel Industry Tactics Are Fueling Democratic Backsliding, Centre for American Progress: https://www.americanprogress.org/article/these-fossil-fuel-industry-tactics-are-fueling-democratic-backsliding/

For more information or interviews contact: Media@sierraclub.ca