Canadian Sustainability Standards Board Fails Canadians
Calgary – Catherine Brownlee, President of the Alberta Enterprise Group (AEG), made the following statement in response to the Canadian Sustainability Standards Board (CSSB) newly released sustainability and climate disclosure standards:
“We are disappointed that the CSSB seems to have conducted consultations with no regard for those that took the time to submit as part of the consultation process. This is a sham. The only changes made were to extend the relief of compliance by an additional year from what was proposed in the standards. It would seem there was never an intent to consider substantially modifing the standards for the Canadian context aside from extending the dates of compliance. It is shocking that none of the recommendations from the majority of stakeholder responses were included in the published standards.”
CALGARY – Earlier this week, the Alberta Enterprise Group (AEG) and the Independent Contractors and Businesses Association (ICBA) jointly filed a constitutional challenge against the federal government, over its new ‘Greenwashing’ law which unreasonably restricts free speech.
The challenge, filed in the Court of King’s Bench of Alberta, targets sections 236 and 239 of Bill C-59, the Fall Economic Statement Implementation Act, 2023, which amended the Competition Act in ways that severely limit the business community’s ability to discuss environmental impacts. These provisions impose unreasonable restrictions on the dissemination of truthful and fair-minded information, striking at the heart of free expression and open debate in Canada.
After extensive consultation with our members, we must convey that we are in firm disagreement with CSDS 1and CSDS 2 as they are expected to bring about increased costs and uncertainties for businesses, particularly SMEs, with limited advantages for larger corporations, investors, or consumers. We must point out that these standards also contradict the values of a free market system by influencing investor choices and directing capital flows in a manner inconsistent with free enterprise.
I am picking up some chatter within certain circles in Alberta and Canada that the UK’s net-zero framework is a plan to emulate. This position is ostensibly informed by an invitation-only whirlwind tour of handpicked UK net-zero projects and initiatives attended by a group of Canadians. My fellow Canadians were duly impressed by what they were shown and came away, after a few days, with the idea that the people and industries are united in a “Team UK” approach. There were several key “takeaways” from the tour but the top three included: an aggressive net-zero timeline that “everybody appears to be on board with”; the UK has a new type of increased decarbonized industrial production guided and driven by government industrial planning; and a serious concern with energy security.
In the autumn of 2022, on your behalf, AEG opposed federal bill C-235 “An Act respecting the building of a green economy in the Prairies”. AEG stood up for Alberta’s businesses by arguing that not only was the bill undermining areas of provincial jurisdiction but also that it was likely the bill would add to rather than alleviate the regulatory burden or costs of compliance of the numerous federal green regulations and programmes already being implemented in the Prairies.
Each day, Canadians invest in the future of Canada, betting on our potential for growth and prosperity for all. We dedicate our time, our creativity, and our money, believing that the ultimate investment is in the growth of our country and the futures of our young people.
The Alberta Enterprise Group (AEG) appreciates the opportunity to offer comments and feedback on the Federal Plastics Registry consultation. Our members believe this is an unnecessary initiative that will not only introduce another layer of stifling regulation and red tape but will also have negative impacts on the environment and human health.
AEG strongly opposes Bill C-372, the Fossil Fuel Advertising Act, tabled in Parliament by NDP Member of Parliament from Timmins-James Bay, Mr. Charlie Angus. The Bill proposes to prohibit the advertisement of Canadian oil, gas, and coal. Advertising in the Bill is loosely and broadly defined to include any demonstration of the positive aspects of using oil and gas even if it is verifiable fact, such as the positive economic contribution to Canada’s economy and benefits towards Indigenous reconciliation. Penalties for violation of the Bill include fines upwards of $1.5 million or jail time.
In 2007 a group of business leaders banded together to create an ambitious new business advocacy organization. The mandate of the group was to make Alberta a better place to live and do business, thereby creating long-term and unprecedented prosperity for every Albertan.
The Alberta Enterprise Group (AEG) appreciates the opportunity to offer comments and feedback on the Regulatory Framework for and Oil and Gas Sector Greenhouse Gas Emission Cap. Our members believe
this framework is not fair, equitable, nor is it in the national interest; it should not be implemented.