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The History of Environment in Canada

An extensive archive of Canada's environmental history organized into an interactive timeline that spans the last 150 years.

Subject: Cleantech & Renewable Energy

1963

Cascades Inc. Produces First Recycled Paper

Cascades Inc. began producing the first recycled paper in Québec, marking a significant step toward sustainable manufacturing in Canada. By using recycled fibers, Cascades not only reduced the reliance on virgin materials but also set a precedent for environmentally conscious …

1963

1980

National Energy Program (NEP)

Introduced by Prime Minister Pierre Trudeau’s Liberal government on October 28, 1980, the National Energy Program (NEP) aimed to achieve Canadian energy independence, increase Canadian ownership of the oil industry, and redistribute wealth from non-renewable resources. The policy, implemented after …

1980

1984

Environmental Defence, Green Energy Act Alliance, The Green Energy and Economy Act

Environmental Defence is a Canadian environmental organization, founded in 1984. Its areas of education and research include toxic chemicals, urban sprawl, oil sands, global warming, water quality, and endangered species. Environmental Defence was part of the founding of the Green …

1984

1987

National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE)

The National Round Table on the Environment and the Economy (NRTEE) was created by Canada’s Progressive Conservative Party in response to the 1987 UN document Our Common Future. The NRTEE aimed to sustain Canada’s prosperity without depleting resources for future …

1987

2008

Carbon Tax

British Columbia implemented a carbon tax in 2008, the first jurisdiction in North America to do so. The tax applies to fossil fuels used for transportation, heating, and electricity, while reducing personal and corporate income taxes by a similar amount. …

2008

2014

Last Ontario Coal-Fired Power Plant

Ontario closed its last coal-fired power plant.

2014

2017

Energy East Pipeline Project Cancelled

TransCanada canceled its Energy East pipeline project, which would have transported crude oil from Alberta and Saskatchewan to refineries in Québec and New Brunswick for export. The company attributed the cancellation to changing market conditions and delays in the National …

2017

2017

The Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA)

Launched in 2017 at the UN Climate Change Conference, the Powering Past Coal Alliance (PPCA) aims to accelerate clean growth and climate protection by phasing out coal-fired electricity. Founded by Canada and the United Kingdom, the PPCA has grown to …

2017

2018

Coal-fired electricity

Canada announced final regulations to phase-out traditional coal-fired electricity by 2030. Canada also published final greenhouse gas regulations for natural gas-fired electricity. By phasing out coal-fired electricity early, Canada strives to have 90 per cent of electricity from non-emitting sources …

2018

2025

WW2, Energy use

During the Second World War, the federal government implemented energy conservation programs targeted mainly at female consumers in an effort to control Canadian energy use. The purpose, however, was not to reduce the overall consumption of energy in the country …

2025