More affordable, clean electricity coming across Canada with new federal regulations
By David Suzuki
The David Suzuki Foundation welcomes the final clean electricity regulations announced today by Environment and Climate Change Canada Minister Steven Guilbeault.
Research from the David Suzuki Foundation and modelling from others show Canada can achieve net-zero electricity by 2035 that is reliable and more affordable. Around the world many countries are already moving toward targets for clean electricity by 2035 or sooner, including the United Kingdom, the European Union and all G7 countries.
The David Suzuki Foundation has led a campaign for more than two years that brought together over 30,000 supporters calling for the phase out of fossil fuels on the grid, and the move to 100 per cent affordable, reliable, clean electricity by 2035.
Stephen Thomas, Clean Energy Manager, David Suzuki Foundation, said:
“We’re celebrating this significant step towards clean electricity in Canada because it means more affordable energy bills, thousands of good jobs, better health outcomes, and necessary climate action. These regulations are just the start to Canada’s move away from expensive fossil fuels on the grid, and toward low-cost renewable electricity. We will continue to push for 100 per cent clean electricity everywhere in Canada.
“The federal clean electricity regulations are a keystone climate solution that will reduce hundreds of millions of tonnes of carbon pollution and make energy cheaper and more reliable for more families. As Canadians continue to face a cost-of-living crisis, renewable power sources continue to be the cheapest form of electricity and can shield household energy costs from the inflation-causing volatility of fossil fuel prices.
“The fossil fuel industry and some politicians in Canada have fought hard against these regulations by spending millions on misleading advertisements and flocks of lobbyists in Ottawa. While we’re pleased to see some of their efforts have failed, we’re disappointed about the weakening of these regulations that will now allow some additional fossil fuel plants to be built, and for some to continue polluting until 2045 or later. New fossil fuel plants are a waste of time and money, and we have neither to spare.
“The shift that’s happening around the world toward renewable electricity, and away from fossil fuels, is unstoppable. These regulations will help Canada to participate in this transition, create hundreds of thousands of good paying jobs, and set our country up for success in a world dealing with the impacts of climate change.
“Now, it’s up to the provinces and utilities to plan for and implement electricity plans that go even further than these federal regulations, to gain the most benefits for people living in Canada. We also must ensure that workers, communities and Indigenous nations on whose lands these projects are build will benefit directly from this generational opportunity.
“Today, we celebrate this significant step forward for affordability, for good jobs and for our health. Tomorrow, we will keep fighting for 100 per cent renewable power, and the benefits that will bring for communities in Canada.
“We can live in a world without fossil fuels. Much work remains, but these regulations get us one step closer to that world. The sooner we start building out this affordable, reliable, clean electricity system throughout Canada, the sooner we start seeing the benefits.”
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Background:
- The Government of Canada released its publication of the federal Clean Electricity Regulations.
- The David Suzuki Foundation’s research shows a 100 per cent zero-emissions electricity grid is possible for Canada by 2035: Shifting Power: Clean, renewable electricity – David Suzuki Foundation.
- The goal of 100 per cent net-zero emissions electricity is shared by all G7 countries, and supported by the International Energy Agency and the United Nations as necessary for achieving overall net-zero emissions by 2050.
- The Clean Electricity Regulations are overwhelmingly popular in Canada, with a June 2023 poll showing 71 per cent support the policy.
- Wind and solar are the cheapest forms of electricity in history, according to the International Energy Agency, and have been so since 2020.
- Affordability modelling released in November 2024 by the Transition Accelerator shows most households will see a decrease in overall energy spending by 2050, even before other financial supports for clean electricity and for low- and middle- income households are considered.
- Affordability modelling released in 2023 by the Canadian Climate Institute shows that households will save an average of 12 per cent on household energy bills as we switch from fossil fuels to clean electricity for household energy uses.
- No matter how Canada produces its electricity, financial supports will be needed for the most vulnerable already challenged by energy poverty and other affordability concerns. These supports exist, and the David Suzuki Foundation joins in the call for these supports to be implemented.
- Last year, consumers in the European Union saved an estimated 100 billion euros in electricity costs by moving to renewables like wind and solar.
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