Canada

Status under International Climate Change Law

• UNFCCC: signature and ratification (4 Dec 1992)
• KP: withdrawal in accordance with Art. 27(2) of the KP
  Quantified emission limitation or reduction commitment: -6
• Vienna Convention: signature and ratification (4 Jun 1986)
• Montreal Protocol: signature and ratification (30 Jun 1988)
• LRTAP: signature and ratification (15 Dec 1981) as well as signature and ratification of 1984, 1985, 1988, 1994, 1998 (both) Protocols (signature of 1991 and 1999 Protocols)
• Energy Charter: observer
• Energy Efficiency Protocol: observer
• Espoo Convention: signature only (13 May 1998)
• 2030 commitment: 30% reduction below 2005 levels by 2030.

Federal Laws on Climate Change

Climate

• Biofuel Bill C-33 (26 June 2008) to amend the Canadian Environmental Protection Act 1999 and to establish a framework within which the government can regulate biofuels content.
• Greenhouse Gas Technology Investment Fund Act (enacted 2005, not in force) to establish the Greenhouse Gas Technology Investment fund for the reduction of GHG emissions and removal of GHGs from the atmosphere.
• Canada Foundation for Sustainable Development Technology Act (14 June 2001) to establish a not-for-profit foundation that finances and supports the development and demonstration of clean technologies.

Energy

• Energy Efficiency Act (1992, amended 2008) to establish minimum energy efficiency standards.
• Nuclear Safety and Control Act (1997) to establish the Canadian Nuclear Safety Commission and to make consequential amendments to other Acts

Environmental Impact Assessment

• Canadian Environmental Assessment Act (29 June 2012) to respect the environmental assessment of certain activities and prevent significant adverse environmental effects.

Others

• Canada National Parks Act (2000) to respect the national parks of Canada.
• Sustainable Environment Fund Act (1996) to establish the Sustainable Environment Fund to provide for programs to protect and enhance the environment.
• Arctic Waters Pollution Prevention Act (1985, amended 2010) to prevent pollution of areas of the arctic waters adjacent to the mainland and islands of the Canadian arctic
• Canada Wildlife Acts (1985) to respect the wildlife in Canada.
• Migratory Bird Convention Act (1994) to implement a Convention for the protection of migratory birds in Canada and the United States
• Species at Risk Act (12 December 2002) to respect the protection of wildlife species at risk in Canada
• Antarctic Environmental Protection Act (2003) to respect the protection of the Antarctic Environment.
• Canadian Environmental Protection Act (1999) to respect pollution prevention and the protection of the environment and human health in order to contribute to sustainable development
• Canada Water Act (1985) to provide for the management of the water resources of Canada, including research and the planning and implementation of programs relating to the conservation, development and utilization of water resources
• Transportation of Dangerous Goods Act (1985, amended 2012) to promote public safety in the transportation of dangerous goods by all modes of transport in Canada.
• Fisheries Act (1988, amended 2009) to respect fisheries.

Provincial Laws on Climate Change

Climate Change

• Climate Change and Emissions Management Act (Alberta) (2009) to establish the Climate Change and Emissions Management Fund.
• Climate Change and Emissions Reductions Act (Manitoba) (2012) to address climate change, to encourage and assist Manitobans in reducing emissions, to set targets for reducing emissions and to promote sustainable economic development and energy security.

Air protection

• Clean Air Act (New Brunswick) (1997) o support and promote the protection, restoration, enhancement and wise use of the environment
• Clean Air Act (Saskatchewan) (1986, amended 1989, 1992, 1995, 2000, 2002, 2003) to respect the Emission of Air Contaminants.

Other

• Northwest Territories Waters Act (1992) to respect water resources in the Northwest Territories
• The Ozone Depleting Substances Act (Manitoba) (1990) to prevent, reduce and eliminate the release of ozone depleting substances into the atmosphere in Manitoba.
• Soil Conservation Act (Alberta) (2000) to respect soil conservation in Alberta.
• Contaminated Sites Remediation Act (Manitoba) (1996) to provide for the remediation of contaminated sites, in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.
• Environmental Bill of Rights (Ontario) (1993, amended 1999) to protect, conserve, and restore the natural environment for the benefit of present and future generations.
• Environment Act (Nova Scotia) (1994, amended 1998, 1999, 2001, 2004, 2006, 2011) to reform the environmental laws of the province and to encourage and promote the protection, enhancement and prudent use of the environment
• Environment Act (Yukon) (2002) to protect the territory’s land, water, and air.
• Environment Act (Manitoba) (1987) to develop and maintain an environmental protection and management system in Manitoba
• Clean Environment Act (New Brunswick) (1973, amended 1989) to respect the environment in New Brunswick.
• Contaminated Sites Remediation Act (Manitoba) (1996) to provide for the remediation of contaminated sites, in accordance with the principles of sustainable development.
• Environmental Protection Act (Newfoundland and Labrador) (2002, amended 2004, 2006) to respect the protection of the environment in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Environmental Protection Act (Prince Edward Islands) (1988) to respect the protection of the environment in Prince Edward Islands.
• Environmental Protection Act (Ontario) (1990, amended 2010) to respect the protection of the environment in Ontario.
• Environmental Protection Act (Northwest Territories) (1988) to respect the protection of the environment in the Northwest Territories.
• Environmental Protection Act (Nunavut) (1988, amended 1995, 1998, 1999, 2005, 2010, 2011) to respect the protection of the environment in Nunavut.
• Environment Quality Act (Québec) (1972) to respect the protection of the environment in Québec.
• Water Resources Act (Newfoundland and Labrador) (2002, amended 2004, 2008) to respect the control and management of water resources in Newfoundland and Labrador.
• Ontario Water Resources Act (Ontario) (1990, amended 2010) to o provide for the conservation, protection and management of Ontario’s waters and for their efficient and sustainable use, in order to promote Ontario’s long-term environmental, social and economic well-being.
• Water Resources Protection Act (Nova Scotia) (2000) to protect the water resources of Nova Scotia.
• Water Resources Conservation Act (Manitoba) (2000) to respect the conservation of water resources in Manitoba.
• Waste Reduction and Recovery Act (Northwest Territories) (2003, amended 2010) to respect the reduction and recovery of waste in the Northwest Territories.
• Waste Reduction and Prevention Act (Manitoba) (1990) to reduce and prevent the production and disposal of waste in the province consistent with the principles of sustainable development.

Factual Matters

• International Energy Agency Statistics – Canada
• Canadian Environmental Acts, Regulations and Guidelines 
• Ways in which Canadian Law relates to Climate Change: Canada, Chapter 19 in Climate Change Liability Transnational Law and Practice
• Canadian Environmental Law Association 
• Environmental law in The Canadian Encyclopedia
• Canadian Institute for Environmental Law and Policy

Secondary Sources

Meinhard Doelle et al., Canada, in CLIMATE CHANGE LIABILITY, 525-55 (Richard Lord et al. eds., Cambridge University Press 2011))

Updated as of: December 20, 2013