Équiterre’s reaction to the 2026 federal budget

OTTAWA, November 5, 2026 – Équiterre is critical of the climate roadmap proposed in the 2026 federal budget, calling it a collection of recycled announcements that fail to make up for the government’s numerous environmental rollbacks.

“It will take more than a cover page featuring high-voltage power lines and a Quebec slogan from the 1960s to restore the government's lost environmental credibility,” stated Marc-André Viau, Équiterre’s Director of Government Relations.

Nothing new

For Équiterre, there’s nothing surprising in the 2026 federal budget, but merely repackaged old news. There are only a few new fiscal measures for the environment, and very little to directly tackle the cost-of-living crisis that has been exacerbated by the effects of climate change.

“Transportation is now the second largest household expense after housing. At a time when Canadians are struggling to make ends meet, the government is choosing to invest in our dependence on cars, rather than offsetting the $5-billion cut to public transit from the previous budget,” noted Viau.

Heading in the wrong direction

For Équiterre, the underfunding of public transit is just one example among many that highlight how the Carney government is moving in the wrong direction.

Rather than investing massively in renewable energy to deliver on its electrification strategy, the federal government is pouring $43 billion into a pipeline and into energy solutions that support keeping coal-fired plants, natural gas facilities, and nuclear power plants running.

Out of touch with the priorities of Canadians

Weakening environmental protections to cater to industry interests will not help resolve the problems stemming from the rising cost of living and the ongoing trade war with the United States.

Climate change is damaging infrastructure, driving up insurance costs, and draining the coffers of municipalities that are adapting to this new reality.

^{Équiterre's offices are located on Indigenous lands that have not been ceded by treaty, which we now call Montreal and Quebec City. We recognize that Indigenous peoples have protected their territories since immemorial times and have used their traditional knowledge to guard the lands and waters. We are grateful to live on these lands and are committed to continuing our efforts to protect them. Read more »}