Canada can and must do better. The future of our children and grandchildren depends on action taken today.
As the year draws to a close, it’s a time for reflection — and a time when children often remind us of the magic of the holiday season and the hope for a brighter future. Their dreams may include playing in the snow — a pastime increasingly threatened by continuing fossil fuel pollution — or flying reindeer, relatives of our iconic caribou who are in desperate need of protection.
For parents and grandparents — and more than 100 are signatories to this commentary — the wish list extends beyond gifts under the tree. There is an urgent desire to see bold action on climate, biodiversity and social and climate justice. Every decision made today will ripple into the lives of future generations, shaping the kind of world they will inherit.
This year, the focus is on two critical regulations that have the potential to shape the future for generations to come: the oil and gas greenhouse-gas pollution cap, and methane regulations.
Further, any mechanisms that allow companies to pay for pollution credits rather than reducing emissions directly should be eliminated. Carbon offsetting is not the solution; a sharp and immediate reduction in actual emissions is required. Delaying action only shifts the burden onto future generations, leaving our kids to face the consequences.
Time is running out. These regulations are not just necessary — they are urgent. The oil and gas sector must be held accountable for its disproportionate contribution to the climate crisis. It would be deeply unfair for other sectors and individual Canadians to shoulder the weight and cost of emissions reductions while the largest polluters avoid doing their fair share.
The Canadian government has a unique opportunity to demonstrate true leadership by standing up to industry lobbyists and implementing strong, enforceable regulations. This is not about asking for miracles or impossible feats. It is about the courage to act decisively in the face of overwhelming evidence and mounting pressure.
The future of our children and grandchildren depends on action taken today. The decisions made now will define the legacy of 2024. What will the government have accomplished to secure a livable, sustainable future for today’s children and the generations to follow?
Parents across the country are watching — and hoping — for a brighter, greener tomorrow for our kids.