With a record high of 2.6 million people unemployed in May 2020 and the largest contraction of the economy since 1961, COVID-19 has had dire repercussions for Canadians. On September 23rd 2020, the Governor General of Canada, Julie Payette, delivered the Speech from the Throne and described the pandemic as a “single common insidious enemy” faced by all of humanity. The speech laid out the foundations of the Government’s approach to meeting the challenges posed by the virus. These include saving lives and supporting people and businesses in need, while also creating jobs and building long-term competitive clean growth in an attempt to create a “stronger, more resilient Canada.” Of these, the initiative that has been the focus of attention for climate change activists is the Government’s plan to alleviate the economic burden of the pandemic by moving forward with climate policy. Though the proposition to pursue both issues simultaneously has received praise, critics argue that it does not sufficiently address the urgent need for advancements in climate policy.  

The Throne Speech put forward new courses of action in tackling climate change on top of prior commitments from the 2016 Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, and the 2019 election platform. The goals to achieve net-zero emissions by 2050, transition to clean energy, and plant two billion trees were restated. However, new plans were announced in regards to how the Government intends to achieve some of these objectives. These include supporting investments in clean energy and technology, building zero-emission vehicles and batteries, and helping Canadians save energy at home. In order to pursue this, the Governor-General stated that one million jobs would be created, some of which would be involved in “retrofitting homes and buildings” to cut energy costs.

Several of the aforementioned policies have the potential to help reach climate change goals while ameliorating the adverse economic effects of the pandemic. The creation of green jobs is a standout promise that is especially relevant in light of the virus. Employment is 3.7 per cent lower than pre-COVID levels in February, and new jobs would help pandemic-impacted individuals and communities, particularly the most vulnerable. Domestic resource and manufacturing industries would benefit from increased investments for zero-emission vehicles, while improvements in energy efficiency will reduce energy consumption overall. The initiatives described in the Throne Speech to further support and develop these sectors can also prompt the creation of more long-lasting jobs. These courses of action would promote lower-emission consumer and producer behaviour, subsequently resulting in a more climate-resilient economy in a way that also facilitates COVID-19 recovery efforts. 

Though these new plans seem promising in promoting development in both the labor market and clean energy sector, critics argue that climate policy seemed to be an “afterthought” in the speech, lacking clear mechanisms for tangible change. Several key issues were not addressed. Vehicles currently on the road account for 25 per cent of Canadian emissions, while another 26 per cent derives from the production and consumption of fossil fuels. These factors were not mentioned in the Throne Speech, and merely increasing the use of clean energy will not counteract their effects. Structural challenges exist as well. Making a low-carbon transition requires steel and cement production, both of which remain emissions-intensive, as does the agriculture sector. 

Furthermore, the types of jobs to be created by the aforementioned policies were not specified. Due to the pandemic, there was a 21 percent decrease in the hours worked by Canadians employed in accommodation and food services, and an even more drastic 30 per cent decrease for those who worked in arts, entertainment, and recreation. Thus, one has to consider whether the new jobs would be compatible with the skillsets of these types of individuals, who, alongside low-wage workers, women, young people, and racialized Canadians, bore the brunt of the pandemic-induced job losses. 

After the policy proposals were announced, Jagmeet Singh, the leader of the New Democratic Party, said that “a throne speech is just words on paper and this prime minister has shown us that his actions don’t match his empty words,” bringing to attention the doubts that people have about whether the Government will follow-through with their proposed initiatives. Several energy-related measures and the promise to plant two billion trees were stated in the 2016 Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change and the 2019 election platform, yet have not been acted upon. Canada has missed five carbon emissions targets since 2000, which has further prompted critics to wonder whether reaching the 2030 and 2050 emissions goals are realistic. 

The Speech from the Throne laid out clear initiatives about relieving the economic effects of COVID-19 by creating jobs and investing in the clean energy sector, yet it is argued that it fails to tackle key aspects of climate change. The Government’s current priority is to support the Canadian public in the midst of the pandemic, and rightfully so. However, it has to be questioned whether we can afford to only focus on a green recovery for the pandemic without structured green policies in the face of humanity’s other enemy — climate change.