Bold Investments

Tackling climate change depends on the Canadian government making bold investments in key areas of the economy.

Transportation and transit:

Transportation accounts for a quarter of Canada’s carbon emissions. With more than 80 percent of Canadians now living in urban areas, investing in fast reliable public transit, high-speed inter-city trains, zero-emissions vehicles and active and shared transportation options will be key. Some research suggests that investment in sustainable transportation, including mass transit, active transportation and the electrification of most vehicles would stimulate up to 1.2 million jobs over the next decade in Canada.

Sustainable homes and buildings:

Greater investment in green buildings and a faster pace on large-scale retrofits has the potential to create over a million good, community supporting jobs in Canada over the next decade, while reducing energy costs for residents and municipalities.

Sustainable construction materials and infrastructure investments:

Construction materials, including aluminum, cement, steel and wood, are in nearly everything we build. Canada has a unique advantage when it comes to the emissions profile of these construction materials. Thanks in large part to our clean electricity grid (which is now 82 percent emissions-free) goods produced here often have a smaller carbon footprint than those produced elsewhere. Changing how we look at public infrastructure can unlock GHG reduction opportunities and support Canadian manufacturers.

Modernizing and connecting the grid:

While the emissions from Canada’s electricity production dropped by 52% between 2005 and 2020, access to low-to-zero emissions power varies by region. Investments in modernizing and connecting Canada’s electricity grid could drive down emissions further, while improving access to stable, non-polluting power across regions and communities, including northern and remote communities. As Canada continues to decarbonize our electricity sector, ensuring robust supports for affected workers and communities will be key.