New Liberal Minority Government - priorities

The new Liberal minority government will announce its cabinet on October 26th, with parliament reopening on November 22. We’ll cover the details of the speech from the throne in the next issue. In the meantime we can only look to campaign promises and the direction of policy before the election to predict government priorities.

Climate change

• Reduce emissions by 40-45 per cent by 2030, compared to 2005 levels.
• Direct energy firms to reduce methane emissions by 75 per cent or more below 2012 levels by 2030.
• Achieve a "100 percent net-zero emitting electricity system by 2035”.
• Reduce by 50 per cent the corporate and small business income tax rates for firms that manufacture zero-emission technologies.
• Invest $5 billion over seven years in the Net Zero Accelerator to help companies reduce emissions.
• Aid clean energy technology projects.

Plastics and circular economy:

• Recycle plastic bottles through deposit-return systems with a target of 90 per cent by 2029.
• Require all plastic packaging contain 50 per cent recycled material by 2030.
• Make producers of waste responsible for collecting and recycling.

 Parks and natural resources:

• Establish a Natural Infrastructure Fund for natural spaces and crossings to support biodiversity, such as in Toronto’s ravines, with $200 million over three years.
• Invest $1 billion over 10 years to fully meet the country’s obligations under the Great Lakes Water QualityAgreement.
• Update the Canada Water Act to address Indigenous water rights, climate change and other issues.

Infrastructure investment

• Issue federal green bonds, with a target of $5 billion, to fund projects such as conservation and green infrastructure.
• Create open-access climate toolkits to help infrastructure owners and investors develop projects that ensure Canada is on the path to a net-zero emissions and resilient future. 

Canadian Water and Wastewater Association