Green Party of Canada Calls for Transparency on Fossil Fuel Subsidies

Strategic Insights -

The Green Party of Canada has issued a call for full transparency on fossil fuel subsidies after the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) was unable to estimate the total amount of federal support for fossil fuel-related activities. The issue lies in the widespread and opaque funding channels, including agencies such as Export Development Canada, the Strategic Innovation Fund, and the Canada Infrastructure Bank. The Green Party notes that this lack of transparency is not new, with former Auditor General Michael Ferguson and former Commissioner of the Environment Julie Gelfand previously highlighting the issue of Finance Canada's deliberate obfuscation of fossil fuel subsidies.

Key Takeaways:

  • The Green Party of Canada has submitted a request to the Parliamentary Budget Officer (PBO) for a comprehensive costing of all federal financial support for fossil fuels and fossil fuel-related projects.
  • The PBO was unable to complete the requested cost estimate due to insufficient time and a lack of pertinent information.
  • The Green Party notes that the lack of transparency on fossil fuel subsidies is not new, with former Auditor General Michael Ferguson and former Commissioner of the Environment Julie Gelfand previously highlighting the issue.
  • The Green Party intends to take further steps to secure a full public accounting of fossil fuel subsidies, including a motion in Parliament mandating the PBO to prepare a comprehensive report on all fossil fuel subsidies in Canada.
  • The Green Party is committed to ending all fossil fuel subsidies and redirecting those funds toward a just transition for workers and communities, clean energy development, and climate resilience.

Statistics:

  • The PBO has successfully produced 17 costed estimates of the Green Party's platform proposals.
  • The Green Party notes that billions of dollars in public funds are quietly flowing into fossil fuels every year through opaque channels.
  • The Green Party intends to push for a motion in Parliament mandating the PBO to prepare a comprehensive report on all fossil fuel subsidies in Canada.

Sources:

  • Green Party of Canada, news release, March 30, 2023
  • Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux, letter to Green Party, March 30, 2023
  • Elizabeth May, Green Party co-leader and MP for Saanich-Gulf Islands
  • Jonathan Pedneault, Green Party co-leader and candidate in Outremont