Friday, May 30, 2025
By Colin Isaacs
Following an election campaign in which the environment scarcely made any appearance at all the Speech from the Throne to kick off Canada’s 45th Parliament represented a welcome reappearance of the issue that many Environment Journal readers will regard as critical to human survival. But environment made only a minimal appearance in the Throne Speech, details on how the commitments will be delivered were lacking, and creative new approaches that combine environment and economy, approaches that are so important if we are to avoid a recurrence of the carbon tax debacle, were totally lacking. There was not even a hint of sustainable development, let alone circular economy, despite the fact that both King Charles III and Prime Minister Mark Carney are known to be familiar with both approaches. Still, beggars cannot be choosers and environmental advocates will have to do for now with the crumbs that are thrown their way.
The Throne Speech is almost entirely written by the government for the Monarch to read and it is intended to be a plan for the newly opening session of Parliament. Queen Elizabeth was the first monarch to read a Canadian throne speech nearly 70 years ago. The presence of King Charles III this year, during this tumultuous time of tariff turmoil with the U.S. made it an especially meaningful and historic moment for Canada.
Sessions typically last for one to two and a half years so the Speech should include enough policy proposals to keep Parliament busy for that period of time. Hopefully the Government will awaken to the need for a more comprehensive environment policy plan if it is to achieve a restoration of its global environmental leadership position. If not we will likely find that many of those with whom we wish to develop robust trade programs have no wish to deal with countries which are not adequately protecting their habitats, species, and environments.
“When Canadians come together, Canada builds things that last,” said King Charles III, whose presence in the Senate sent a message to the U.S. administration that Canada is not an American state in waiting. The speech highlighted the distinct history of Canada, the unique culture, and potential for a clean energy future.
“By removing these barriers that have held back our economy, we will unleash a new era of growth that will ensure we don’t just survive ongoing trade wars, but emerge from them stronger than ever. It will enable Canada to become the world’s leading energy superpower in both clean and conventional energy. To build an industrial strategy that will make Canada more globally competitive, while fighting climate change. To build hundreds of thousands of good careers in the skilled trades. And to build Canada into the world’s leading hub for science and innovation.”
King Charles III with Prime Minister Mark Carney on May 26, 2025. Credit: Government of Canada/Mark Carney/X
Mentions of hopefully imminent and positive environmental policies and programs in the 2025 Speech from the Throne include:
- While the world faces unprecedented challenges, generating uncertainties across the continents with regards to peace and stability, economics, and climate change, your communities have the skills and determination to bring a wealth of solutions.
- The Government will protect more of Canada’s nature than ever before through the creation of new national parks, national urban parks, marine protected areas, and other conservation initiatives.
The following proposals contained in the Speech could have positive or negative environmental impacts and no explanation is provided as to how the former will be the preferred path for Canada:
- Given the pace of change and the scale of opportunities, speed is of the essence. Through the creation of a new Major Federal Project Office, the time needed to approve a project will be reduced from five years to two; all while upholding Canada’s world‑leading environmental standards and its constitutional obligations to Indigenous Peoples.
- By removing these barriers that have held back our economy, the government will enable Canada to become the world’s leading energy superpower in both clean and conventional energy. To build an industrial strategy that will make Canada more globally competitive, while fighting climate change.
- A series of measures will help double the rate of home building while creating an entirely new housing industry by using Canadian technology, Canadian skilled workers, and Canadian lumber.
- The introduction of measures to deliver affordable homes by creating Build Canada Homes. This mission‑driven organization will act to accelerate the development of new affordable housing. It will invest in the growth of the prefabricated and modular housing industry.
- The protection of Canada’s sovereignty and natural resources by rebuilding, rearming, and reinvesting in the Canadian Armed Forces. The government will boost Canada’s defence industry by joining ReArm Europe, to invest in transatlantic security with Canada’s European partners. And it will invest to strengthen its presence in the North, which is an integral part of Canada, as this region faces new threats.
- The Indigenous Loan Guarantee Program will be doubled from $5 billion to $10 billion to enable more Indigenous communities to become owners of major projects.
The full text of the Speech from the Throne 2025 is available here. The video is available here.
Colin Isaacs is a chemist with practical experience in administration, municipal council, the Ontario Legislature, a major environmental group, and, for the past three decades, as an adviser to business and government. He is one of the pioneers in promoting the concept of sustainable development for business in Canada and has written extensively on the topic in the popular press and for environment and business platforms.
Featured image credit: Getty Images
