Former environment ministers accuse Julie Dabrusin of lying on Canada’s Paris climate commitments

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Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin is facing criticism from two former environment ministers over statements that Canada remains committed to its Paris climate targets.

In an interview ahead of her trip, Dabrusin said Canada is "absolutely committed" to its Paris Accord climate commitments. Catherine McKenna, who is also attending COP31, responded that the claim that Canada is still committed to its targets is "factually untrue," adding that Canada "now has zero chance of meeting its 2030 Paris commitment" and "has no path to meet net zero by 2050."

Steven Guilbeault, speaking to conference delegates from COP31 on Friday, said Dabrusin’s position "defies reason." He referred to government modelling and reports from the Canadian Climate Institute, and said for Dabrusin to claim Canada is still committed to meeting the Paris targets is "disingenuous."

Dabrusin defended Canada’s approach at a news conference on Saturday in Turkey, saying other countries have praised Canada’s climate direction. She said, "What I have heard here at COP has been actually a lot of excitement about Canada's leadership," and added, "We are absolutely leaders," citing feedback from other countries and civil society.

She highlighted Canada’s efforts to reduce methane emissions and said Canada has increased funding to help developing countries cut their emissions.

The federal targets referenced in the dispute trace to earlier commitments: under Prime Minister Stephen Harper, Ottawa promised emissions 30 per cent below 2005 levels, while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau later increased the target to between 40 and 45 per cent and set a goal of net-zero emissions by 2050.

According to the latest government figures provided, as of 2024 Canada had achieved a 10.3 per cent reduction from 2005 levels, with total emissions down 78 million tonnes over 21 years, described as the worst performance among G7 countries. The Canadian Climate Institute’s modelling cited in the report also suggests Canada will not achieve net-zero by 2050.

The criticism also follows reporting on government projections. Environment commissioner Jerry DeMarco reported last month that the government’s latest projections indicate Canada will achieve only a 28 per cent emissions reduction by 2030, accounting for rollbacks in federal climate policy over the past 18 months.

DeMarco’s report cited the cancellation of the consumer carbon price, the two billion trees program, the oil and gas emissions cap, an electric vehicle mandate and the low-carbon fuel procurement program, as well as a decision to weaken the industrial carbon price.

In a statement after the criticism, Dabrusin’s office said: “Our government stands by the Paris Agreement and is committed to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050, using a pragmatic and durable approach.” Press secretary Amy Falkner added that the government has a "strong plan" focused on results, including building major clean energy projects, driving mass electrification, making investments in the low-carbon economy, and working "in co-operation with provinces and territories."

Falkner pointed to grid buildout and said the government’s last federal budget included $50 billion, including $38 billion in tax credit measures. She also said the government is working to fight climate change while building energy security, industrial capacity and strategic autonomy.

The debate is taking place as Dabrusin attends COP31 in Antalya, Turkey.