Bill C-215 (Historical)

Climate Change Accountability Act

An Act respecting Canada’s fulfillment of its greenhouse gas emissions reduction obligations

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

Sponsor

Kristina Michaud Bloc

Introduced as a private member’s bill. (These don’t often become law.)

Status

Defeated, as of Feb. 3, 2021
(This bill did not become law.)

Summary

This is from the published bill.

This enactment enacts the Climate Change Accountability Act, which provides for the development of an action plan to ensure that Canada fulfills its obligations under the Paris Agreement, including by means of targets for reducing Canadian greenhouse gas emissions and accountability mechanisms for emissions reduction.

Similar bills

C-215 (43rd Parliament, 1st session) Climate Change Accountability Act

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-215s:

C-215 (2025) An Act to amend the Marine Liability Act (national strategy respecting pollution caused by shipping container spills)

C-215 (2021) An Act to amend the Employment Insurance Act (illness, injury or quarantine)

C-215 (2016) Support for Volunteer Firefighters Act

Votes

Feb. 3, 2021 Failed 2nd reading of Bill C-215, An Act respecting Canada’s fulfillment of its greenhouse gas emissions reduction obligations

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-215 aims to ensure Canada meets its Paris Agreement obligations by setting greenhouse gas emission reduction targets, requiring action plans, and establishing oversight mechanisms.

Bloc

Ensure climate accountability: The bill aims to make the government accountable for its climate action by enshrining Canada's Paris Agreement obligations and reduction targets into law.
Set binding targets: The legislation sets official, increasing, and interim greenhouse gas reduction targets, with the ultimate goal of achieving net-zero emissions by 2050.
Independent action plan review: An essential feature is the independent assessment of the government's climate action plans by the Commissioner of the Environment, ensuring measures are realistic and sufficient.
Address past failures: Citing Canada's repeated failure to meet past climate targets, the Bloc argues that a binding law is necessary to ensure the country finally fulfills its commitments.

Conservative

Supports bill's objective: The party supports the bill's stated objective to ensure Canada meets its Paris Agreement obligations, which are based on Conservative targets.
Criticizes government inaction: Conservatives argue the Liberal government has failed to take significant action and is not on track to meet the Paris targets, despite claims.
Supports planning approach: The party supports the bill's requirement for the government to create a detailed plan and subject it to parliamentary scrutiny and review by the environment commissioner.
Opposes 2050 target: Conservatives oppose including the 2050 net-zero target, arguing it was not part of the Paris Agreement and lacks consultation and scientific basis.

NDP

Supports climate accountability: The NDP supports climate accountability legislation and views Bill C-215 as a good start, but believes it requires significant strengthening.
Require stronger targets: The targets based on the Paris Agreement and net-zero by 2050 are insufficient; targets must be more ambitious to stay below 1.5°C and reflect the need for significant emission cuts by 2030.
Strengthen accountability measures: The bill needs stronger, independent accountability mechanisms, such as an arm's-length expert committee or an independent accountability officer, rather than relying on ministerial discretion.
Include indigenous rights: Legislation must explicitly uphold the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples and incorporate Indigenous science and knowledge, which is missing from the current bill.

Liberal

Prefers government's own bill: The Liberal government supports the intent of Bill C-215 but will not support it, preferring its own Bill C-12, the Canadian net-zero emissions accountability act.
Bill C-12 is more comprehensive: Liberals argue Bill C-12 is more robust, requiring consultations, emissions reduction plans for multiple milestone years, a financial risks report, and an expert advisory body, unlike Bill C-215.

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