Fast-tracking projects has definitely been the priority. But weakening regulations, ranging from pesticide approvals to project environmental assessments, risks tarnishing Mark Carney’s well-earned reputation as an environmental advocate.
By Sheila Copps
First published in The Hill Times on June 15, 2026.
OTTAWA—The government’s environmental agenda has faced some scrutiny, and there is definitely pushback from within the Liberal Party.
Prime Minister Mark Carney must be aware of the criticism because at the annual funders’ Laurier Club party last week, he devoted a large part of his speech to the subject of Canadian protected areas.
He pledged to pursue a 30 per cent set-aside of Canada’s vast landscape as protected areas that can never be developed.
Born in Fort Smith in the Northwest Territories, the prime minister understands the value of wide open spaces.
For anyone who knows the area, Fort Smith is a town on the edge of one of the only existing wild buffalo runs in the world.
Wood Buffalo National Park straddles the Northwest Territories and Alberta, and is Canada’s largest park, an area larger than Switzerland.
It is home to the world’s biggest free-roaming wood bison herd, and is the only breeding ground for the endangered whooping crane.
It also includes the world’s largest dark sky preserve, a sky free of manmade illumination pollution, which supports animal and bird habitat and survival.
Carney’s move to set aside these lands is extremely important, but the attention paid to this promise last week made it clear that the prime minister is conscious of his current fragile standing in the environmental community.
With more than a dozen caucus members internally lobbying on the environmental front, and former environment minister Steven Guilbeault’s recent announcement that he will resign his House seat have highlighted a potential rift.
Carney has been lauded across the country by business communities because he is focusing the government on moving quickly to surmount regulatory hurdles blocking major projects.
But, behind the scenes, many long-standing Liberals are asking why Carny appears to be backing off on historical environmental commitments.
Former Quebec minister and federal MP Clifford Lincoln was in town last week as the guest of House Speaker Francis Scarpaleggia.
Lincoln was a key partner in regulatory legislation passed by the Liberal government at the end of the last century.
Full disclosure: he was my parliamentary secretary, and was the main reason why we were able build opposition support for tough legislation in four key areas.
As a team, we created the commissioner for the environment and sustainable development, attached to the Office of the Auditor General. We also introduced the strongest environmental assessment legislation in the world.
He personally spearheaded toxic substances legislation, which prompted every factory in the country to modify emissions or face regulatory consequences.
Lincoln also helped to establish the Pest Management Regulatory Agency under the authority of Health Canada.
That involved battling Agriculture Canada, as it did not want to give up authority on fertilizer approval.
Lincoln worked closely with former minister and House Environment Committee chair Charles Caccia and myself to beef up the regulatory side.
Several of those regulations are now being reviewed in the name of speed.
The fight against greenhouse gases must minimize pesticide use. Up to five per cent of greenhouse gas emissions come from fertilizers.
Carney got elected with broad support from the environmental community. He had a stellar reputation as an environmental leader in the business community, as founding member of the Glasgow Financial Alliance for Net Zero.
But since Carney’s time in government has been focused on getting results, the green shine is beginning to dull.
Last week was a wonderful chance to reminisce about Lincoln’s influence on public policy.
He is widely respected in Quebec as a minister who gave up his post when the Liberal government decided to limit anglophone rights with the introduction of Bill 178.
Lincoln is not afraid to call a spade a spade. At 97 years of age, he is still a regular contributor to the Montreal Gazette on environmental and language issues. Green Party leader Elizabeth May attended the lunch in his honour, and lauded his environmental contribution.
The current House Speaker started on Parliament Hill as Lincoln’s assistant, and they have stayed in close touch ever since.
Lincoln can be a port in a storm, providing valuable advice. He understands that saving the planet is not just about protecting natural spaces.
It involves thoughtful, rigorous enforcement of regulations designed to protect Canadians and reduce our production of greenhouse gases.
Fast-tracking projects has definitely been the priority.
But weakening regulations, ranging from pesticide approvals to project environmental assessments, risks tarnishing his well-earned reputation as an environmental advocate.
Net zero cannot be achieved solely by wilderness protection. It also involves regulating predatory human pollution.
Sheila Copps is a former Jean Chrétien-era cabinet minister and a former deputy prime minister. Follow her on Twitter at @Sheila_Copps.