Former ministers slam Dabrusin’s Paris pledge as false at COP31

McKenna declares government’s Paris claim “factually untrue”

Former environment minister Catherine McKenna, who is attending COP31, declared the government's claim of commitment to its targets "factually untrue" in a post on X.

McKenna stated that Canada has "zero chance of meeting its 2030 Paris commitment and has no path to meet net zero by 2050". She noted that this assessment applies before accounting for any new liquefied natural gas or oilsands projects.

Guilbeault calls Dabrusin’s claim “disingenuous” from COP31

Former environment minister Steven Guilbeault told The Canadian Press on Friday that Dabrusin's claim to delegates about meeting Paris targets "defies reason" and is "disingenuous". Guilbeault spoke from the COP31 conference.

Emissions data shows Canada far behind its targets

Reports released over the past 18 months suggest Canada is unlikely to meet its Paris climate targets. Government figures from 2024 show a 10.3 percent reduction in emissions from 2005 levels, the worst performance in the G7.

Environment Commissioner Jerry DeMarco reported last month that federal climate policy rollbacks over the past 18 months mean Canada is projected to achieve only a 28 percent emissions reduction by 2030.

He also identified the weakening of the industrial carbon price as a reason for the lower projection.

Government points to budget spending and “pragmatic” approach

Prime Minister Mark Carney stated in June that Canada’s emissions are expected to rise in the coming years. Carney described the Trudeau government's climate policies as divisive and too expensive. He suggested that the 2030 commitments have been abandoned, even without a formal government admission.

Press secretary Amy Falkner, representing Dabrusin’s office, said the government remains committed to the Paris Agreement and net-zero by 2050. Falkner described the government’s plan as a "pragmatic and durable approach".

Falkner pointed to $50 billion in the federal budget from last month, which includes $38 billion in tax credits, as part of the climate strategy. The government focuses on building clean energy projects, mass electrification, and investments in the low-carbon economy.

Historical pledges and the widening gap to 2030‑2050 goals

Prime Minister Stephen Harper previously pledged to reduce emissions to 30 percent below 2005 levels. Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government later increased this target to 40 to 45 percent below 2005 levels and set a 2050 net-zero goal.

Canada achieved a 10.3 percent reduction from 2005 levels over 21 years, totaling 78 million tonnes, according to 2024 government figures. This performance ranks as the worst among G7 nations.