Three young women and two environmental organisations have filed a lawsuit against the Canadian government, seeking to compel it to develop a concrete action plan to meet its climate commitments.
The case was filed on Tuesday amid growing concerns over Canada’s shifting climate and energy policies under Prime Minister Mark Carney, who has rolled back several environmental measures while prioritising major energy and infrastructure development.
The plaintiffs argue that the government has a legal and moral obligation to protect future generations from the worsening impacts of climate change and to implement credible strategies to meet its emissions targets.
“Young people deserve a sustainable economy, good green jobs and a government with a credible plan to get us there,” said Shirley Barnea, a university student from Quebec and one of the plaintiffs.
Canada had previously committed under former Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 40 to 45 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030. However, the current administration has acknowledged that the country is unlikely to meet those targets.
The Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), one of the organisations involved in the lawsuit, said the legal action aims to force the government “to chart a credible, up-to-date course of action” and protect citizens from escalating climate risks.
Another plaintiff, Sophia Mathur from Ontario, cited increasing climate-related disasters such as wildfires, floods, and heatwaves as evidence of the urgency of action.
“My generation’s first decade on this planet will have been marked by wildfire seasons, floods, heat waves, and constant warnings from scientists that the window for action is closing,” she said.
Environmental advocates argue that recent policy changes, including the removal of carbon taxes for individuals and the lifting of emissions caps for the oil and gas sector, have weakened Canada’s climate framework.
Climate Director Charlie Hatt of Equal Justice, which is supporting the case, said the government had “weakened, delayed and repealed” key climate policies over the past year.
Since taking office in March 2025, Prime Minister Carney has argued that Canada must strengthen its economic resilience amid global trade tensions and accelerate energy projects deemed vital to national interests.
Legal filings describe climate change as an “existential threat,” noting that Canada is warming at roughly twice the global average, with its northern regions experiencing even faster temperature increases.
The plaintiffs are asking the court to compel the federal government to create a “credible, up-to-date course of action” aligned with its climate obligations.
The case adds to a growing wave of climate litigation globally, where courts in countries including Germany, the Netherlands, and France are being used to challenge government climate policies.
Canada is also scheduled to face another climate-related trial in October over allegations that previous government responses violated the rights of young citizens.
