Canada seeks to dismiss lawsuit over 2030 emissions targets

The Canadian federal government is petitioning a Federal Court judge to dismiss a lawsuit alleging that Ottawa has no intention of meeting its 2030 greenhouse gas emissions targets. Government lawyers argued in recent filings that the court lacks the authority to mandate specific steps for meeting emissions goals and should not opine on political or policy matters.

The government stated that while climate change is a significant issue, accountability rests with Parliament rather than the judiciary. They further argued that the Net-Zero Accountability Act establishes a framework for targets and reporting but does not create legal duties that would allow the court to grant the relief sought by the applicants.

The lawsuit was initiated in June by climate advocates, including Environmental Defence, the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment, and activists Marie Maltais, Sophia Mathur, and Shirley Barnea. The plaintiffs are seeking to have the government's 2030 plan declared unlawful or ordered into compliance with the Net-Zero Accountability Act, which aims for net-zero emissions by 2050.