A change in government could undo climate progress

A recent editorial by the Globe and Mail warns that “Poilievre Could Dial Back Canada’s Climate Gains.”

We have just completed an inventory of Canada’s legislation, strategies and plans over the Liberal administration terms, and it is an impressive inventory. It shows there is a time lag between the development of policy innovation and its implementation, as Canada has now made at least some progress under the Liberals. Emissions in the oil and gas industry peaked eight years ago and have since fallen 7%, even as output rose.

And if we are right about the implementation gap, the suite of legislations, policies and strategies over the last decade should result in even greater decreases over the next years. We will be publishing that inventory at the end of the month.

The Globe writes that Poilievre’s policy promises include an “axe the tax” on consumer pricing, an increase in fossil fuel production and weaker environmental review on new industrial projects.

Another part of our governance research is interviewing experts from diverse sectors across the county, and to date 31 have been interviewed. What is so disconcerting is that Poilievre is confirming the data that incoming regime changes cancel previous administration’s programs, despite evidence that they have been successful. What a counterproductive political system.