The Trudeau Era to the Present · Term 4

Environment & Climate Change

Canada's role in international climate agreements and domestic policy.

About This Topic

The environment and climate change have become central issues in Canadian politics and identity. This topic explores Canada's role in international climate agreements, from the 1997 Kyoto Protocol to the 2015 Paris Agreement, and the ongoing struggle to balance economic growth with environmental protection. Students examine the specific challenges Canada faces as a major resource exporter, particularly in the oil and gas sector, and the debate over carbon pricing and pipeline construction.

The curriculum also highlights the leadership of Indigenous communities in environmental activism and their role as stewards of the land. Students investigate how climate change is disproportionately affecting Canada's North and the traditional ways of life of Indigenous peoples. This topic benefits from collaborative problem-solving and structured discussions about the 'energy transition.' Students grasp the complexity of climate policy faster through peer-led investigations into the different provincial and federal approaches and by reflecting on their own roles in a sustainable future.

Learning Objectives

• Analyze the evolution of Canada's commitments to international climate agreements, from Kyoto to Paris.
• Explain the fundamental tension between Canada's resource-based economy and its environmental protection goals.
• Evaluate the effectiveness of federal and provincial climate policies in achieving emission reduction targets.
• Critique the role of Indigenous leadership in advocating for environmental justice and climate action.
• Synthesize information to propose solutions for Canada's energy transition.

Before You Start

Canada's Economic Foundations

Why: Students need to understand the historical and current importance of natural resources to Canada's economy to grasp the conflict with environmental protection.

Federalism and Provincial Powers

Why: Understanding the division of powers between federal and provincial governments is essential for analyzing the complexities of domestic climate policy implementation.

Introduction to Global Politics

Why: A basic understanding of international relations and organizations is needed to comprehend Canada's role in global climate agreements.

Key Vocabulary

Carbon Pricing	A strategy to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by making polluters pay for their emissions, either through a carbon tax or a cap-and-trade system.
Nationally Determined Contributions (NDCs)	The climate action plans submitted by countries under the Paris Agreement, outlining their targets for reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
Energy Transition	The global shift from fossil fuels to renewable energy sources, aiming to mitigate climate change and create a sustainable energy system.
Resource Extraction	The process of mining, drilling, or harvesting natural resources such as oil, gas, minerals, and timber, which are significant to Canada's economy.
Environmental Stewardship	The responsible use and protection of the natural environment through conservation and sustainable practices, often a core value for Indigenous communities.

Active Learning Ideas

Simulation Game: The Climate Summit

Students act as representatives from different provinces, Indigenous nations, and industry groups. They must negotiate a national climate plan that meets international targets while considering the economic needs of different regions, experiencing the difficulty of balancing competing interests.

⏱ 60 min·Whole Class

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Inquiry Circle: Indigenous Stewardship

In small groups, students research a specific Indigenous-led environmental project (e.g., the Indigenous Guardians program or a protest against a pipeline). They discuss how traditional knowledge and Indigenous rights are being used to protect the environment.

⏱ 45 min·Small Groups

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Think-Pair-Share: The Carbon Tax Debate

Students read the main arguments for and against a carbon tax. They discuss with a partner whether they think this is an effective way to reduce emissions and what the impact is on the average Canadian family.

⏱ 25 min·Pairs

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Real-World Connections

Environmental consultants in Calgary, Alberta, work with energy companies to assess the environmental impact of new pipeline projects and develop mitigation strategies, balancing economic development with ecological concerns.

Indigenous leaders from the Dene Nation in the Northwest Territories are actively involved in land use planning and advocating for renewable energy projects, drawing on traditional knowledge to protect their territories from climate change impacts.

Policy analysts at Environment and Climate Change Canada in Gatineau, Quebec, track Canada's progress on meeting its Paris Agreement targets and advise on the development of new federal climate policies, such as the carbon pricing framework.

Watch Out for These Misconceptions

Common Misconception

Climate change is only a problem for the future.

What to Teach Instead

Climate change is already having significant impacts in Canada, including more frequent wildfires, flooding, and the melting of permafrost in the North. Using a 'Current Impacts' map helps students see that the environment is a pressing issue today.

Common Misconception

Protecting the environment always means losing jobs.

What to Teach Instead

The 'green economy' is a rapidly growing sector that offers many new opportunities in renewable energy, technology, and conservation. Peer research into 'green jobs' helps students see the potential for an energy transition that supports both the environment and the economy.

Assessment Ideas

Discussion Prompt

Facilitate a Socratic seminar using the key questions. Begin by asking: 'How has Canada's approach to climate change agreements changed since the Kyoto Protocol?' Guide students to connect policy shifts with economic realities and international pressure.

Quick Check

Present students with a short news clip or article about a recent climate-related event in Canada (e.g., a new carbon tax announcement, a protest against resource development). Ask them to identify one resource extraction challenge and one climate policy response mentioned in the clip.

Exit Ticket

On an index card, ask students to write: 'One specific action Canada has taken to address climate change' and 'One reason why balancing resource extraction and environmental protection is difficult in Canada.'

Frequently Asked Questions

What is Canada's position on the Paris Agreement?

Canada is a signatory to the Paris Agreement and has committed to reducing its greenhouse gas emissions by 40-45% below 2005 levels by 2030, with the goal of reaching 'net-zero' emissions by 2050.

Why is the oil sands a controversial issue in Canada?

The oil sands are a major source of economic wealth and jobs, especially for Alberta. However, they are also a significant source of greenhouse gas emissions and have a major impact on the local environment and Indigenous lands, leading to a deep national divide over their future.

How is climate change affecting the Canadian North?

The Arctic is warming at three times the global average, leading to the rapid melting of sea ice and permafrost. This affects traditional hunting and travel for Inuit and Northern communities and has major implications for global sea levels and weather patterns.

How can active learning help students understand climate change policy?

Active learning strategies, such as simulating a climate summit and investigating Indigenous stewardship, help students understand the political, economic, and ethical dimensions of the environmental debate. By engaging with the different interests and the real-world impacts, students move beyond seeing climate change as just a 'science topic' to seeing it as a complex social challenge that requires collective action. This hands-on approach fosters a deeper sense of environmental responsibility and civic engagement.