Bill C-12 (Historical)

Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act

An Act respecting transparency and accountability in Canada's efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050

This bill is from the 43rd Parliament, 2nd session, which ended in August 2021.

Sponsor

Jonathan Wilkinson Liberal

Status

This bill has received Royal Assent and is now law.

Summary

This is from the published bill. The Library of Parliament has also written a full legislative summary of the bill.

This enactment requires that national targets for the reduction of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada be set, with the objective of attaining net-zero emissions by 2050. The targets are to be set by the Minister of the Environment for 2030, 2035, 2040 and 2045.
In order to promote transparency and accountability in relation to meeting those targets, the enactment also
(a) requires that an emissions reduction plan, a progress report and an assessment report with respect to each target be tabled in each House of Parliament;
(b) provides for public participation;
(c) establishes an advisory body to provide the Minister of the Environment with advice with respect to achieving net-zero emissions by 2050 and matters that are referred to it by the Minister;
(d) requires the Minister of Finance to prepare an annual report respecting key measures that the federal public administration has taken to manage its financial risks and opportunities related to climate change;
(e) requires the Commissioner of the Environment and Sustainable Development to, at least once every five years, examine and report on the Government of Canada’s implementation of measures aimed at mitigating climate change; and
(f) provides for a comprehensive review of the Act five years after its coming into force.

Elsewhere

All sorts of information on this bill is available at LEGISinfo, an excellent resource from Parliament. You can also read the full text of the bill.

Bill numbers are reused for different bills each new session. Perhaps you were looking for one of these other C-12s:

C-12 (2022) Law An Act to amend the Old Age Security Act (Guaranteed Income Supplement)

C-12 (2020) Law An Act to amend the Financial Administration Act (special warrant)

C-12 (2016) An Act to amend the Canadian Forces Members and Veterans Re-establishment and Compensation Act and to make consequential amendments to other Acts

C-12 (2013) Law Drug-Free Prisons Act

Votes

June 22, 2021 Passed 3rd reading and adoption of Bill C-12, An Act respecting transparency and accountability in Canada's efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050

June 22, 2021 Passed Concurrence at report stage of Bill C-12, An Act respecting transparency and accountability in Canada's efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050

June 22, 2021 Passed Bill C-12, An Act respecting transparency and accountability in Canada's efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050 (report stage amendment - Motion No. 2; Group 1; Clause 22)

May 4, 2021 Passed 2nd reading of Bill C-12, An Act respecting transparency and accountability in Canada's efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050

May 4, 2021 Failed 2nd reading of Bill C-12, An Act respecting transparency and accountability in Canada's efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050 (reasoned amendment)

April 27, 2021 Passed Time allocation for Bill C-12, An Act respecting transparency and accountability in Canada's efforts to achieve net-zero greenhouse gas emissions by the year 2050

Debate Summary

This is a computer-generated summary of the speeches below. Usually it’s accurate, but every now and then it’ll contain inaccuracies or total fabrications.

Bill C-12 aims to establish a legal framework for Canada to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050 through setting targets, creating action plans, and ensuring transparency and accountability. It establishes advisory bodies and reporting requirements.

Liberal

Commits to net zero by 2050: The bill fulfills an election promise to create a legally binding process for all future governments to set climate targets and achieve net-zero emissions by 2050.
Sets targets and reporting: The act provides a legally binding process to set national climate targets every five years (2030-2050), requiring detailed plans, progress, and assessment reports.
Promotes clean economic growth: Transitioning to a net-zero economy presents significant economic opportunities for Canada, attracting investment and creating a more competitive, cleaner, and stronger economy.
Ensures transparency and oversight: The bill promotes transparency and accountability through public reporting, independent reviews by the Environment Commissioner, and advice from an expert advisory body.

Conservative

Bill lacks concrete action: Members argue the bill is void of detail on how to reach net zero, serving as a destination marker rather than a functional road map with concrete steps.
Focus on innovation and industry: Conservatives advocate for a pro-Canadian approach, emphasizing technological innovation, working with the energy sector, and market-based solutions over taxes and regulations.
Government fails on targets: Speakers highlight the government's consistent failure to meet previous climate targets and deliver on promises like planting two billion trees, questioning its credibility.
Advisory board composition: Concerns are raised about the composition of the advisory board, fearing it is biased against the oil and gas industry and lacks representation from key sectors.

NDP

Supports bill C-12: The NDP supports the principle of the bill, including legislating net-zero by 2050 and long-term targets, and acknowledging UNDRIP.
Needs 2025 target: The bill's greatest flaw is omitting a 2025 milestone target, neglecting the most crucial decade for climate action according to science.
Strengthen accountability measures: The bill needs stronger accountability mechanisms, including a more defined role for the advisory body and an independent environment commissioner.
Calls for immediate action: The government must provide an immediate climate action plan, make necessary investments, end fossil fuel subsidies, and implement a just transition for workers.

Bloc

Supports bill in principle: The Bloc supports Bill C-12 as a necessary first step but finds it dishearteningly tame and insufficient to address the climate emergency.
Needs binding targets: The bill lacks binding targets, especially for 2030 and interim years, allowing the government to change goals without consequence. Targets should be enshrined in law.
Requires real accountability: The bill fails to establish real accountability; the minister assesses their own performance, and advisory bodies lack independence and power to enforce progress.
Align with Paris agreement: The bill must ensure Canada aligns with the Paris Agreement's goal of limiting warming to 1.5°C and incorporate its five-year cycle starting in 2025.

Green

Bill is too weak and late: The Green Party believes Bill C-12 is too weak, with accountability starting too late in 2030, failing to address the urgency of the climate crisis according to the science.
Need a 2025 milestone: The party argues the first accountability milestone must be in 2025, not 2030, citing climate science and international examples to emphasize the need for near-term action.
2030 target is inadequate: The government's updated 2030 target of 40-45% reduction is considered inadequate; Canada should aim for at least 60% below 2005 levels by 2030.
Need independent expert advisors: The party recommends the bill include an independent expert body, similar to the UK model, to advise the government on climate action, not a government-appointed multi-stakeholder group.

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(The House divided on the motion, which was agreed to on the following division:)

Vote #106

Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability ActGovernment Orders

May 4th, 2021 / 3:40 p.m.

The Speaker Anthony Rota

I declare the motion carried.

Accordingly, the bill stands referred to the Standing Committee on Environment and Sustainable Development.

(Bill read the second time and referred to a committee)