Saskatchewan Premier: Canada’s New Emissions Cap is a ‘Burden’

Premier of Saskatchewan Scott Moe expressed his dissatisfaction with the federal government’s plan to cap emissions from the oil and gas industry.

The federal government declared on Thursday that by 2030, the oil and gas sector will have to reduce its emissions by more than one-third.

Emissions must be cut by 35–38% below 2019 levels, according to the new framework. This falls short of the expected 40 percent target outlined in a 2022 emissions reduction proposal.

“All sectors of our economy need to reduce their emissions, and that includes oil and gas companies,” said Environment Minister Stephen Guilbeault on Thursday. “The Government of Canada’s plan to cap and reduce emissions from Canada’s largest emitting sector is ambitious but practical. It considers the global demand for oil and gas—and the importance of the sector in Canada’s economy—and sets a limit that is strict, but achievable.”

While attending the COP28 conference in Dubai, Moe released a statement regarding the announcement, labeling it a “burden” on Canadian families.

“This week at COP28, Canadian oil and gas producers have been showing the world that they produce some of the most sustainable energy products on the planet,” he added. “Instead of taking the opportunity to promote Canada’s sustainable oil and gas industry on the world stage as Saskatchewan is doing, the federal government’s response has been to impose two new policies just this week, on methane and an oil and gas cap, that target this sector and burden it with more red tape and regulations.”

Moe highlighted Saskatchewan’s significant efforts to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. He cited achievements such as a 64 percent decrease in methane emissions since 2015, the implementation of the world’s first operational carbon capture and storage system at the Boundary Dam Power Station in 2014, and major investments totaling billions of dollars in renewable energy sources such as solar, wind, biomass, and natural gas generation.

“Saskatchewan remains opposed to the new methane regulations and the oil and gas emissions cap, and we will protect our constitutional right to build our economy in accordance with the priorities of Saskatchewan families and businesses,” Moe added.

“These new federal policies will have serious economic impacts on Canadians and limit our sustainable Canadian energy products from providing heat and electricity to the world.”