Open in full screen mode The Association of Explorers and Producers of Canada remains firmly opposed to the imposition of a cap on emissions from Canada's oil and gas production. (Archive photo) Speech synthesis, based on artificial intelligence, makes it possible to generate spoken text from written text . The federal plan to establish a cap on greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions in the oil and gas sectors #x27;ici 2026 received a mixed reception, whether from environmental groups, businesses or even the provinces. This cap, which aims to reduce GHG emissions by 2030 while not limiting the production of fossil fuels, was rather poorly received by the #x27;Explorers and Producers Association of Canada (EPAC). The latter says it is firmly opposed to this plan in the form envisaged in the regulatory framework published Thursday. It is unnecessary and unacceptable to impose an emissions cap on Canada's oil and gas producers, who are already achieving significant emissions reductions, federal government data shows himself, says Jen Paterson, director of mobilization and communications for the Association. He adds that the cap would lead to also possible constitutional challenges. EPAC, which represents more than 100 energy producers and more than 45% of the country's oil and gas production, is He also believes that this measure makes the energy sector less attractive for investments that advance clean technology projects. It's not just oil and gas producers who are opposed to this cap: Saskatchewan and Alberta have reacted strongly to this proposal. The two provinces believe that this law contravenes their jurisdiction over natural resources.
For Saskatchewan and Alberta, the ability to extract oil and gas is ensured by the Canadian Constitution guaranteeing them provincial rights. (File photo)
In addition to demanding the replacement of Steven Guilbeault at the head of the Ministry of Environment and Climate Change, Alberta Premier Danielle Smith assured that the province will develop a constitutional shield to protect it against Liberal government, described as one of the most damaging in Canadian history.
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Emissions from the oil and gas sector: a cap in force by 2026
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Also claiming an encroachment on his provincial jurisdiction, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe says he will move forward by invoking section 92 A of the Constitution Act, 1867 to support his refusal to comply with this new federal policy.
Instead of taking advantage of [COP28] to promote Canada's sustainable oil and gas industry on the world stage like Saskatchewan is doing, the federal government imposed two new policies this week, he regrets.< /p>
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe in front of the provincial pavilion at COP28 in Dubai, United Arab Emirates, December 2023. (File photo)
Several environmental organizations have welcomed the initiative to propose a cap on GHG emissions, although they insist on the lack of ambition and vigor of this plan facing the danger of climate change.
This is particularly the case of the organization Équiterre which, although it welcomes this cap, recalls that a record number of lobbyists from the oil and gas sectors are in Dubai to COP28 and there is still much work to be done to truly respond to the climate emergency.
The determination of the Government of Canada should be underlined when we know the extent to which there is resistance from the fossil fuel industry, whose practices of disinformation and greenwashing are supported and even amplified by certain provincial governments, says Andréanne Brazeau, climate policy analyst at Équiterre.
Experts hammer home the message: extreme conditions will become more and more frequent. The agricultural world will have to adjust and learn to live with the consequences of climate change.
The David Suzuki Foundation, however, is more optimistic, characterizing this cap as an essential tool in the climate crisis. However, she calls on the federal government to step up and finalize the regulations immediately.
Companies [related to fossil fuels] have made record profits and , instead of investing in a clean future, they distributed bonuses and bought back shares, while increasing inflation and fuel prices, says Tom Green, senior climate policy analyst at the Suzuki Foundation .
Emissions capping is a necessary tool to hold this powerful industry accountable for the damage it causes to human health and ecosystems, he said in conclusion.
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