Carney’s Climate Strategy to Centre on Industrial Carbon Price

Takeaways

• Canada’s upcoming climate competitiveness strategy will likely make industrial carbon pricing its central pillar.
• Prime Minister Mark Carney is prioritizing results-driven climate action and investor confidence over strict emissions targets.
• The policy aims to balance economic growth and climate responsibility, amid differing provincial approaches to carbon pricing.

Environmental groups say Canada’s new climate competitiveness strategy, set to be unveiled next week, will make industrial carbon pricing a key component of Prime Minister Mark Carney’s climate policy.

Two senior officials from national environmental advocacy organizations told The Canadian Press that discussions with federal ministers strongly emphasized industrial carbon pricing. They added that Carney’s personal involvement and his campaign commitment to strengthen the industrial levy suggest major policy shifts are coming.

The long-awaited strategy, expected in the federal budget on November 4, marks a potential turning point in Canada’s climate policy. Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin declined to reveal details but said consultations with environmental and industry leaders had underlined the need for a pricing system that drives down emissions while ensuring investor confidence.

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“At a high level, I can say that industrial carbon pricing is an important part of how do we fight climate change and at the same time how do we build a future economy,” Dabrusin said.

Carney has previously stated that his climate approach focuses on results rather than strict emissions targets, aligning environmental action with economic priorities. Canada, however, remains far from achieving its 2030 Paris Agreement goal of cutting emissions 40 per cent below 2005 levels.

During the Liberal leadership race, Carney pledged to eliminate the consumer carbon price, a promise he fulfilled after taking office in March, and instead strengthen the levy applied to large emitters such as oil producers, fossil fuel plants, and manufacturing industries.

According to a 2024 report by the Canadian Climate Institute, industrial carbon pricing has been more effective than consumer pricing, accounting for nearly 80 per cent of all emissions cuts from carbon pricing to date.

Still, concerns persist over public perception. The government reportedly fears skepticism toward industrial carbon pricing, given the backlash over the now-abolished consumer levy. Dabrusin, however, remains optimistic.

“Canadians see that climate change and the extreme weather events are impacting their communities in real time right now,” she said.

“So I think that my job is, how do I actually build a path forward that’s unifying for Canadians. And that’s what they want to see. So I’m actually hopeful.”

Most provinces already run their own industrial carbon pricing systems, subject to federal standards. If they fall short, Ottawa can impose its own framework. Alberta and Saskatchewan, both vocal critics of federal oversight, recently made changes to, or paused, their programs, prompting questions about whether Ottawa’s strategy will introduce new national benchmarks.

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has indicated openness to revising her province’s program while negotiating a new pipeline project with Ottawa. Dabrusin, meanwhile, stressed that federal talks with provinces continue as part of a “unifying” approach.

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As Canada prepares to launch its climate competitiveness strategy, the government faces the challenge of balancing investor confidence, industrial growth, and real emission cuts, all while winning public support for a stronger industrial carbon price.

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Source: SASKATOON STARPHOENIX