As election campaign kicks off, civil society highlights that tariff response and climate action must go hand-in-hand

Unceded Anishinaabe Algonquin Territories [OTTAWA], 24 March 2025:

As a federal election kicks off, civil society groups from coast to coast are calling on parties not to sacrifice Canada’s climate progress to Donald Trump’s destructive agenda. In the face of the trade war, protecting Canadians from the human and economic costs of climate change is more critical than ever.

“Defending Canada’s sovereignty means building an economy that frees us from our reliance on U.S. markets and on fossil fuels,” said Caroline Brouillette, Executive Director of Climate Action Network Canada. “It means upholding Canadian values, like protecting nature, taking care of one another, and doing our fair share to tackle climate change. And it means investing in the truly green projects that will create jobs and make our lives more affordable as we deal with the effects of tariff threats.

“Canadians want our government to do more on climate action. Throughout this election and beyond, we’ll continue to lift up their voices and hold our leaders accountable. Communities are already facing the impacts of climate change; we cannot afford to lose the progress we’ve worked so hard to build.”

Leger polling released last week showed that 67 per cent of Canadians agree that the next federal government should make climate action and protecting nature a high priority.

Quotes:

Charles-Edouard Têtu, Policy Analyst, Climate-Energy,  Équiterre:

“This election cycle will arguably be one where the economy will be front and centre. It may be about affordability, the rising cost of living or even a perceived energy crisis, but what all these questions have in common is climate change. Inaction will cost Canadians dearly. As we approach the 2030 benchmark, all parties must realize a business-as-usual approach to economic policy without environmental considerations, like the sudden irrational craze for fossil fuel projects, is a guaranteed loss of quality of life for all Canadians.”

Stephen Thomas, Clean Energy Manager, David Suzuki Foundation: 

“The majority of people in Canada support climate action and renewable energy over fossil fuel expansion. The next federal government has a huge opportunity to invest in local renewable energy projects that will create hundreds of thousands of good jobs and provide cheaper energy here in Canada. While some politicians are pushing pipelines that would increase our dependence on volatile, global fossil fuel markets, the next government should prioritize affordable, secure, renewable energy.”

Genevieve Gallant, Executive Director, Office of Religious Congregations for Integral Ecology (ORCIE):

“As Catholic religious congregations from across Canada, we are very concerned about losing the focus on climate action and a just transition during this election. We cannot be distracted by $6B dollar missile defense systems or claiming we are in an energy crisis to build new oil and gas pipelines and LNG terminals. This election, we want to see policies that truly contribute to relationships of solidarity with people and the planet. Let’s end boil water advisories in First Nations communities, let’s address biodiversity loss while reducing fossil fuel emissions, and stand up courageously for the net zero path and build an economy where profits are not put before people.”

Andrea Koehle Jones, Executive Director, The ChariTree Foundation:

“As a national environmental organization for children, The ChariTree Foundation urges all leaders to safeguard nature and make bold climate action for young Canadians a defining priority in this election. Now more than ever, young Canadians deserve more than promises—they need courageous leadership that protects their health, well-being, and future.”

Ann McAllister, Chair, Coalition for Responsible Energy Development in New Brunswick (CRED-NB):

“CRED-NB represents more than 150 groups and individuals working for an affordable, reliable and sustainable energy system for everyone in New Brunswick. Transitioning Canada to a highly-efficient renewables-based electricity system, with nationwide building retrofits, energy conservation programs and regional grid interties will give us control over a reliable and affordable electricity supply without the need for more fossil fuels and nuclear power on the grid. Let’s put our country on a cheaper, safer, cleaner, more reliable and more democratic electricity path for us now, and for our kids and grandkids.”

Dr. Paul Kershaw, Founder of Generation Squeeze and University of BC Policy Professor:

“Politicians who propose to entirely scrap pollution pricing betray our kids by forcing them to pay even more dearly for the messes we leave behind. Most Canadians agree (73%). Most Liberals agree (81%). And most Conservatives agree (62%). See the data here: https://www.gensqueeze.ca/pollution_pricing_poll.”

Kathleen Moleski, Bank Team and Federal Election Lead, Grand(m)others Act to Save the Planet (GASP):

“Canada is facing two very serious and equally important existential crises at this time.  A grass roots, non-partisan intergenerational group of grandmothers and grand ‘others’ who care deeply about the world we are leaving our children, grandchildren and children 7 generations from now, GASP is asking our next government to not only protect and strengthen Canada’s sovereignty, but to also protect, strengthen and attain or better our country’s climate commitments so that we leave behind a better world for future generations. One without the other is not enough.”

Patricia Clermont, AQME’s manager (Québec’s Regional Committee of Canadian Association of the Physicians for the Environment (CAPE)):

“The perception and apprehension of climate issues are constantly evolving as key issues for Quebecers and Canadians, and they are even becoming decisive issues in terms of the social acceptability of projects. Because they are linked to environmental issues and therefore also to human health, justice and equity, economics and the costs to our healthcare systems, the public is increasingly aware that there are no savings to be made on the backs of nature and our health. On the contrary, doing nothing will and is already costing us more, and is already weighing on our future and that of the generations currently growing up.”

Anna Johnston, Staff Lawyer, West Coast Environmental Law:

“Canadians are not only threatened by tariffs, they are also threatened by a rapidly worsening climate crisis that is costing communities millions in damages due to flooding, fires and droughts. This election, we need leaders who recognize that building a resilient economy and defending our sovereignty must go hand-in-hand with strong laws to safeguard our climate, protect nature and ensure the health and wellbeing of Canadians.”

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