Building up Canada as a strong nation means being a strong climate leader, not backpedalling on progress in favour of polluting industries. Yet that’s what our federal government is at risk of doing in response to Trump’s attacks.

The Prime Minister has committed to making Canada an ‘energy superpower,’ but what does that really mean? The rushed Building Canada Act or Bill C-5 gives the federal government sweeping power to fast-track mega-projects of ‘national interest’ without environmental review or public input, sidelining environmental, civic, and Indigenous rights. These projects would include new oil pipelines, highways, and dirty energy projects – all accelerating the climate crisis, while falling prey to Trump’s pollution agenda!

Our strength doesn’t lie in fossil fuels but in being a different kind of leader - one that protects people and nature, and fights against climate change. To do this, the federal government must amend the act to ensure that the projects under Bill C-5: 

• Prioritize a clean energy economy, with massive investments in renewable energy projects, a national clean electricity grid, scaled-up public transportation, and building energy-efficient and affordable homes.
• Uphold existing climate commitments and spearhead new climate policy, which strengthens industrial carbon pricing, implements a cap on industrial carbon emissions, advances methane regulations on polluting industries, and enables the development of climate transition plans for companies.
• Are done in partnership with First Nations and Indigenous communities to close the infrastructure gap on necessities, while advancing reconciliation efforts and upholding the commitment to Free, Prior and Informed Consent of impacted Indigenous communities. 
• Respect Canadian environmental laws like the Species at Risk Act, the Fisheries Act, and other Federal statutes. 

We cannot build a strong nation by ignoring the climate emergency and the rights of Indigenous Peoples.  Otherwise, we risk more communities being affected by the threats of rising climate disasters, such as wildfires, heatwaves, and floods, which already impact tens of thousands of Canadians each year. It’s time to start investing in a safe, equitable, and climate-forward nation. 

Our future is on the line. Tell your Member of Parliament today to strengthen Bill C-5 by building a climate-safe Canada.

Your letter will be sent to Prime Minister Carney and your local MP.