Applications to intervene by Climate Action Network Canada, Pembina Institute for Appropriate Development, David Suzuki Foundation, and Clean Energy Canada; and applications by Pembina Institute and Suzuki Foundation to supplement the Record;

The Government of Alberta initiated a constitutional reference challenging the validity of Canada's Clean Electricity Regulations (SOR/2024-263), which aim to reduce GHG emissions from the electricity sector as part of Canada's climate-change and net-zero strategy. Alberta argues that the regulations intrude on provincial authority over electricity generation and natural resources, while Canada maintains that the regulations are a valid exercise of federal legislative power, including the criminal law power.

In a January 8, 2026 case-management decision, the court addressed intervention applications by Climate Action Network Canada, the Pembina Institute, the David Suzuki Foundation, and Clean Energy Canada, applications to supplement the evidentiary record, and scheduling of the reference hearing. The Court granted intervenor status to the Pembina Institute, the David Suzuki Foundation, and Clean Energy Canada, denied intervenor status to Climate Action Network Canada, and allowed the David Suzuki Foundation to file a limited expert report. The final scheduled target date for the hearing of this Reference will be amended from June 2026 to Fall 2026.


Reference Re Clean Electricity Regulations

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Reference Re Clean Electricity Regulations - application

Filed

Canada

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An aim to achieve a quantifiable outcome within a given time-frame, set by an institution such as a national government.

Policy instruments are techniques or tools used by governing authorities to promote certain policies in order to achieve predetermined goals. Put simply, instruments are how a government tries to achieve its goals, with this taxonomy being focused on national policy instruments.

Risk is the potential for adverse consequences resulting from the dynamic interplay between (climate-related) hazards, exposure, and vulnerability of affected human or ecological systems.

Groups  of people who are adversely affected by climate change or the response to it

A set of principles, processes, and practices that build economic and political power to shift from an extractive economy to a regenerative economy.

Justice is the ethical and political framework that addresses fairness, including issues of responsibility, rights, and structural inequity.

Renewable energy means all forms of energy produced from renewable sources in a sustainable manner.

Fossil fuel is a generic term for non-renewable energy sources such as coal, fossil gas, and oil (including crude oil, and petroleum products), that can be used for electricity and heat generation. Fossil fuels are hydrocarbons formed from pressurised and heated organic material buried over millions of years.

Molecules in the atmosphere that play a key role in the greenhouse effect by trapping heat radiating from Earth’s surface.

Area of the economy in which actors engage in identical or related activities.

In human systems, the process of adjustment to actual or expected climate change and its effects, in order to moderate harm, increase resilience or exploit beneficial opportunities. In natural systems, the process of adjustment to actual climate change and its effects; human intervention may facilitate adjustment to expected climate change and its effects.

The management and allocation of funds, assets and investments to meet various objectives

Either money or something of monetary value is transferred between two or more organisations, people or countries.

The release of heat-trapping gases, primarily from human activities such as burning fossil fuels, agriculture and industry.

Actions to reduce emissions in energy generation and supply.

Technologies that capture and hold energy in reserve for later use.

Fossil gas, commonly known as natural gas, is a fossil fuel consisting chiefly of methane with smaller amounts of other hydrocarbons and trace gases, found in underground deposits.

People with different national or cultural traditions from the dominant population

Social and cultural groups that share collective ancestral ties to the lands and natural resources where they live, occupy or from which they have been displaced

The activities of industries involved in the production, distribution, and sale of energy, including electricity, gas, and renewables.

This sector involves activities that impart knowledge and skills to individuals, including formal schooling, vocational training and educational support.

Activities that involve the cultivation of crops and raising of livestock for food, fibre, and other products essential for human life and industry.

Activities involving the catching, processing, and selling of fish for food, recreation, and industry.

Reference Re Clean Electricity Regulations - application

Impacted group

Renewable energy

Fossil fuel

Greenhouse gas

Economic sector

Finance