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Climate Change

During question period, members questioned the government on climate change and the latest federal budget. The Bloc Québécois said the budget ignores climate change, continues subsidizing oil and gas, weakens clean electricity rules and industrial carbon pricing, relies more on gas and nuclear power, and that the Auditor General found Canada had not kept its promise to stop exporting thermal coal; the member said Canada should not present itself at the COP climate conference. Liberal members replied that the government is making record investments in clean energy and nature, including the Churchill Falls hydroelectric project, and cited new spending on oceans, whales, nature protection and northern ocean conservation areas, saying the economy can grow while the environment is protected.Written by AI from the debate. Updated .

Official text

4 statements

Patrick Bonin

Bloc Québécois

Linked statement

“This budget acts like climate change does not exist. It still gives money to oil and gas, weakens clean electricity rules, and weakens carbon pricing for industry. It also relies more on gas and nuclear power. This budget should not be accepted.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, the Canadian government has delivered yet another budget that acts as though climate change did not exist. There is nothing in it to reverse the government’s climate betrayal. The Liberals are not making amends for their historic rollbacks. On the contrary, they continue to subsidize oil and gas. They are weakening the clean electricity regulations. They want to generate more energy from gas and nuclear power. On top of that, they are weakening their industrial carbon pricing. The only thing green in this budget is the picture on the cover. How can they table such a budget in 2026?

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Rachel Bendayan

Liberal
“Our government is making record investments in clean energy and nature, including the Churchill Falls project. We are committed to growing the economy and protecting the environment.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 46 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, our nature strategy is the envy of the world. We are making historic investments in clean energy. I am thinking of our electricity strategy and the Churchill Falls project, which will be a game changer for Quebeckers and will capitalize on Hydro-Québec’s expertise. Our government is firmly and resolutely committed to growing the economy and protecting our environment.

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Patrick Bonin

Bloc Québécois
“Canada broke its promise to stop exporting thermal coal by 2020. Since then, exports have actually gone up. The government's actions go against its words on climate change, and it does not deserve to be at the climate conference.”
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, on Monday, Canada will arrive at the COP climate conference in Turkey with yet another budget that says the exact opposite of its lofty rhetoric. In the meantime, on Thursday, the Auditor General said that Canada had quietly reneged on its promise to stop exporting thermal coal, the worst fossil fuel in the world. Canada had promised to stop exporting it by 2020. Since then, not only have exports continued, but they have also increased. Does the government realize that it deserves to be tarred, feathered and driven out of COP?

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Wade Grant

Liberal
“This budget is for the next generation. We can grow the economy while protecting nature. We are spending 1.2 billion dollars to protect oceans and whales, 3.6 billion dollars to protect nature, and nearly 20 million dollars for three new ocean conservation areas in the north.”

  • Government answer in Question Period

    Relevance 46 of 100

    None of this answer addressed the specific question that was asked.

    See full analysis
Official Hansard

Mr. Speaker, I am so honoured today that my son is on the Hill. He is 18 years old. This budget is about his generation, his future and what he is going to inherit. We can build the economy while protecting the environment and protecting nature. His favourite place in the whole world is Haida Gwaii, on the coast of British Columbia. That is why we are investing $1.2 billion to protect our oceans and protect whales and in marine conservation, with $3.6 billion for the conservation of nature. We are also investing nearly $20 million to establish three new national marine conservation areas in the north.

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