Federal climate report paints grim picture, reinforces urgent need to cut emissions through electrification

CALGARY — CHRIS SEVERSON-BAKER, Executive Director of the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to Canada’s Changing Climate Report 2026:

“This report again confirms that the human activity of burning fossil fuels is driving destructive levels of warming in Canada and around the world, and that all governments — including Canada’s — must do all they can to reduce fossil fuel use through the wholesale adoption of clean energy and electrification.

“The national electricity (or electrification) strategy has become Canada’s best tool for reducing emissions, while building a stronger Canadian economy. Fall’s Budget 2026 must include scaled-up investments in electrification across the economy.”

“Canada has warmed over the past 75 years due to emissions of greenhouse gases. Droughts and flash floods will become more frequent and severe with additional warming. More frequent and intense extreme fire weather is projected for most regions of Canada. Whether warming in Canada intensifies or stabilizes in the second half of the century will be determined by the level of global greenhouse gas emissions. This is just a sampling of the conclusions the report draws, confirming that our path forward must be rooted in a cleaner, safer energy system.

“This summer has been a taste of what’s to come. Canadians will face more dangerously hot days, uncontrollable fires, droughts, and floods — which will impose relentlessly higher costs on Canadian businesses and households through climate adaptation bills, insurance premiums, damaged and lost property, productivity losses and health impacts.

“While the Carney government clearly understands the massive challenge we face, the Prime Minister has weakened climate policy across the board. He cannot legitimately claim he has a plan that would see Canada do its fair share to prevent destructive levels of global climate change.

“Given recent major climate policy rollbacks, the national electricity (or more accurately electrification) strategy has become Canada’s best tool for reducing emissions, while building a stronger, more secure and more resilient Canadian economy. Yet at this stage, it is a concept — not a plan. For it to become a meaningful solution, fall’s Budget 2026 must include scaled-up investments in electrification across the economy.”