Oil and Gas Lobby Pressures Carney Government on Climate Policy Rollbacks

Canada’s oil and gas industry is pressing Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government to ease key climate policies introduced under former Prime Minister Trudeau. Lobbying disclosures from May and June show companies such as Enbridge, Suncor, Shell, and Imperial Oil targeting measures on clean fuels, electricity standards, methane rules, carbon pricing, and the proposed emissions cap — all central to Canada’s 2022 climate strategy.

Industry representatives argue that strict climate rules threaten competitiveness, particularly as U.S. tariffs under President Trump increase pressure on Canadian producers. The Carney government has pledged to release an updated Emissions Reduction Plan by year-end, though it has not clarified which measures will be altered.

The lobbying push comes as climate impacts accelerate. Canada, warming at twice the global average, has faced record wildfires and extreme heat linked to human-driven change. Environmental advocates warn that weakening rules risks undermining Canada’s net-zero 2050 commitment.

28-08-2025