Bill C-12, the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act

Bill C-12, the Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, Must be Passed

tion from the federal government to address the climate crisis. Because successive governments have consistently missed emissions targets, we need a climate accountability law to keep us on track if we are going to reach net-zero emissions.

Bill C-12, the Liberals’ Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, was insufficient when it was first introduced. The bill lacked near-term accountability measures, the role of the advisory body was weak, and the role of Indigenous knowledge was poorly defined, among other shortcomings. Other countries have done better, especially the U.K., whose Climate Change Act represents the gold standard for climate accountability. The U.K. has achieved every carbon budget it has set since 2008 and has reduced emissions by 48% since 1990. Canada meanwhile has the shameful distinction of being the only G7 country whose emissions have risen since the signing of the Paris Accord.

My NDP colleagues and I consulted leading environmental organizations, legal experts, and climate advocates for ways we could improve this bill. As C-12 made its way through the House, we met with the environment minister’s office and discussed the changes needed to improve the bill and make it more effective. The Liberals pushed back, but we reached a compromise. We fought to secure an interim emissions objective for 2026 and two more progress reports before 2030. Before we made this improvement, the Liberals wanted Canadians to wait a decade for any accountability. We also succeeded in defining the range of expertise of the advisory body, so Canadians can trust the government is receiving solid advice. As well, we ensured that important, detailed information will be added in both the emissions plans and progress reports.

Bill C-12 is a better bill today because of our efforts, but it isn’t the climate plan we would have written. We would have adopted a carbon budget approach as the U.K. did, and stronger language on the legal enforceability of the bill should have been added. The bill should have also included a truly independent advisory body to provide science-based advice directly to Parliament.

Canadians feel the urgency of this moment and want political leaders to do everything necessary. In 2006, the late NDP leader Jack Layton led the way by bringing forward Canada’s first climate accountability legislation. It made its way through the House, but, sadly, did not make it out of the Senate. Fifteen years later and at the start of a critical decade for climate action, we should not allow C-12 to meet this same fate.

With the increasing number of warning signs around the world, Canadians expect bold ac-

THE GLENORA STORE & CAFE IS A LOCAL CORNERSTORE WITH A TWIST! Stocked with basic groceries and produce.

The cafe offers fresh baked goods, hot lunch specials, drinks, and snacks. We also sell hand-woven products, beeswax candles, and prepared herbs from Glenora Farm Outdoor heated seating 5090 Indian Road (corner of Glenora Rd & Indian Rd)

250-746-5313 I www.glenorafarm.org

Alistair MacGregor is the Member of Parliament for Cowichan-Malahat-Langford. He serves as the federal NDP’s Critic for Agriculture and Agrifood, Rural Economic Development, and deputy Justice.