Climate Lobbying Overview: The Canadian Chamber of Commerce (Canadian Chamber) demonstrates mixed engagement on climate change policy, including in Canada and the U.S. The Canadian Chamber states support for federal and international climate regulations, but often qualifies this support by emphasizing concerns around flexibility and national or regional competitiveness. The organization also advocates for the fossil fuel infrastructure, including the Line 5 pipeline.

Top-line Messaging on Climate Policy: The Canadian Chamber demonstrates mixed top-line messaging on climate policy, stating support for emissions reductions goals while emphasizing market-based solutions to climate change. In March 2022, Canadian Chamber’s CEO Perrin Beatty co-wrote a blog in which he stated support for Canada’s 2050 net-zero goal while placing an emphasis on a “flexible approach” to emissions reductions. In May 2021, the Canadian Chamber was one of the signatories of the B7 Summit 2021 Joint Statement, which advocated for governments to support market-based climate solutions. In the same document, the organization appeared to articulate support for the Paris Agreement and Article 6 negotiations. In November 2021, the Chamber published a November 2021 blog post in support of the COP26 conference in Glasgow.

Engagement with Climate-Related Policy: The Canadian Chamber appears to engage on climate-related policies with mixed positions. In a January 2022 consultation to Canada’s Department of Finance, it broadly supported implementing a border carbon adjustment mechanism. The Chamber has also stated support for Canada’s federal carbon tax, most recently in a March 2022 blog post by CEO Beatty. In May 2021, in the B7 Summit 2021 Joint Statement, the Canadian Chamber appeared to support international emission reduction targets for the aviation and shipping sectors. However, the organization has also advocated for weaker climate regulations. For example, on its advocacy webpage, the Canadian Chamber celebrated the 2020 amendment of the Clean Fuel Standard to exempt certain fuels from the regulation. Previously, in a March 2019 report, the Canadian Chamber had suggested eliminating federal and provincial renewable fuel standards in Canada as a condition for implementing a national carbon price and the Clean Fuel Standard.

Positioning on Energy Transition: The Canadian Chamber appears to support the long-term role of fossil fuels in the energy mix and has consistently taken legal action to support the Line 5 pipeline in Michigan. In January 2022 comments on the U.S. Department of Energy’s Energy Sector Industrial Base Supply Chain Review, the Canadian Chamber advocated for the continued use of Line 5. Subsequently, in March 2022 the Canadian Chamber joined other Chambers of Commerce, including the U.S. Chamber, in submitting an amicus brief to the District Court for the Western District of Michigan Southern Division in support of the Line 5 pipeline. The group had also filed an amicus brief in support of Line 5 in May 2021. Although the Canadian Chamber has advocated for an expanded role for hydrogen, including in February and March 2022 consultations to Canada’s Department of Finance, it has not clarified its position on decarbonizing hydrogen production. In the Canadian Chamber’s November 2021 Net-Zero Strategy document, it appeared to advocate for a policy framework from the Canadian government that would support the long-term role of oil and fossil gas.

The Canadian Chamber appears to support the electrification of transportation. In an April 2022 press release, CEO Beatty supported the inclusion of incentives for zero-emission vehicles in Canada’s 2022 federal budget.