{"id":82164,"date":"2026-03-25T15:16:20","date_gmt":"2026-03-25T19:16:20","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/?p=82164"},"modified":"2026-03-25T15:16:20","modified_gmt":"2026-03-25T19:16:20","slug":"canada-and-alberta-reach-agreement-in-principle-on-methane-equivalency","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/index.php\/2026\/03\/25\/canada-and-alberta-reach-agreement-in-principle-on-methane-equivalency\/","title":{"rendered":"Canada and Alberta reach agreement-in-principle on methane equivalency"},"content":{"rendered":"<p>March 25, 2026<br \/>\nOttawa, Ontario<\/p>\n<p>The world is changing rapidly. In response, Canada is transforming its economy to be more resilient, competitive, and prepared for a low-carbon future. A key part of this effort is reducing emissions from the oil and gas sector and ensuring Canadian energy remains a reliable and responsible choice in global markets. By working with provinces and territories, Canada is cutting pollution, driving innovation, and supporting high-paying careers \u2013 strengthening its position as a global energy leader.<\/p>\n<p>Methane has a warming impact far greater than carbon dioxide, and lowering Canada\u2019s methane emissions is an essential and cost-effective way of reducing greenhouse gases without impacting production. Furthermore, it is an essential part of our plan to strengthen Canada\u2019s position in global energy markets, as global customers prioritise low-carbon oil and gas.<\/p>\n<p>That is why, today, the Government of Canada and the Government of Alberta announced an\u00a0agreement-in-principle to lower emissions of methane in the oil and gas sector. Building on the November\u00a02025\u00a0Canada-Alberta Memorandum of Understanding (MOU), this new agreement includes the objective of reducing methane emissions by 75% below 2014 levels by 2035 in Alberta.<\/p>\n<p>Under the proposed framework, Alberta would implement a performance-based approach that combines regulations, offset credits, and targeted investments. Canada therefore intends to continue to work with Alberta to develop an equivalency agreement under the <em>Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999<\/em>, whereby federal methane regulations would be stood down in Alberta, provided that the necessary equivalent emissions reductions are realised.<\/p>\n<p>The agreement-in-principle commits to:<\/p>\n<ul>\n<li>Develop an outcome-based equivalency agreement with a pathway to the 2035 emissions reduction target.<\/li>\n<li>Use an independent, jointly selected third party to conduct methane modelling and assess emissions reductions.<\/li>\n<li>Enhance transparency through published information on covered emission sources and Alberta\u2019s approach to reducing methane emissions.<\/li>\n<li>Take corrective action if reductions are not achieved as expected.<\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p>Once Alberta and Canada arrive at an equivalency agreement, it will undergo a 60-day consultation period, with the goal of finalising it by the end of the year and implementing it no later than January\u00a01, 2027, for a 10-year period, subject to legislative amendments. Alberta\u2019s existing equivalency agreement will remain in place until the new agreement is finalised.<\/p>\n<p>Reducing methane emissions by the oil and gas sector is one of the most effective ways to achieve near-term climate benefits. Canada\u2019s enhanced methane regulations also reduce air pollutant emissions, which means cleaner air for Canadians living near oil and gas activities. This agreement will provide regulatory certainty while supporting innovation and emissions reductions across the sector.<\/p>\n<p>Canada and Alberta continue to make good progress on all the elements of the MOU. This work will extend over the coming weeks to ensure it is done right. Both governments are focused on moving forward as quickly as possible to provide certainty.<\/p>\n<p>Together, we are building a stronger, more sustainable, more independent Canadian economy. At this pivotal moment, federal-provincial cooperation is enabling practical, outcome-based approaches that provide regulatory certainty and support growth, innovation, and emissions reductions across the energy sector.<\/p>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cCanada is strongest when we work together. By partnering with Alberta on a methane equivalency agreement, we will cut emissions while ensuring we protect Canadian jobs and build a more competitive and resilient energy sector. This is how we build a stronger, more sustainable, and more independent Canadian economy \u2013 by driving innovation, reducing pollution, and positioning Canada as the world\u2019s supplier of choice for responsibly produced energy.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"footer\">\u2014 The Rt. Hon. Mark Carney, Prime Minister of Canada<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cAlbertans have long known that responsible energy development and strong environmental performance go hand in hand. This agreement reflects that approach, keeps decision-making here in Alberta, and builds on a system that is already delivering results. We will keep lowering emissions while supporting the energy sector that drives our province forward.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"footer\">\u2014 The Hon. Danielle Smith, Premier of Alberta<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cStrong partnerships with provinces and territories are essential to building a sustainable and competitive Canada. Through this new agreement, Canada and Alberta are taking steps to reduce methane emissions with clear, measurable actions that also strengthen the energy sector. By working together, we are taking real steps to protect the environment, to create good jobs, and to reinforce Canada\u2019s global reputation as a reliable and responsible energy producer.\u201d<\/p>\n<p>\u2014\u00a0The Hon. Dominic LeBlanc, President of the King\u2019s Privy Council for Canada and Minister responsible for Canada-U.S. Trade, Intergovernmental Affairs, Internal Trade and One Canadian Economy<\/p><\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cMethane reductions are some of the fastest, most cost-effective ways to protect our environment while growing our energy sector so we can deliver energy security for Canada and our allies. This agreement-in-principle with Alberta shows the Team Canada approach in action, provides clarity and flexibility for producers, and reinforces Canada\u2019s reputation as a responsible energy superpower.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"footer\">\u2014 The Hon. Tim Hodgson, Minister of Energy and Natural Resources<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n<blockquote><p>\u201cThe\u00a0Canada-Alberta\u00a0agreement-in-principle\u00a0builds\u00a0on a history of successful federal-provincial collaboration on methane.\u00a0A new equivalency agreement with Alberta will\u00a0provide certainty for investors, strengthen competitiveness,\u00a0support\u00a0good jobs, and drive investment in clean energy and technology. This agreement\u00a0demonstrates\u00a0a strong continued\u00a0collaboration between the governments of Canada and\u00a0Alberta\u00a0on oil and gas emissions reductions,\u00a0which is\u00a0key to building a prosperous and responsible energy future for all Canadians.\u201d<\/p>\n<p class=\"footer\">\u2014 The Hon. Julie Aviva Dabrusin, Minister of the Environment, Climate Change and Nature<\/p>\n<\/blockquote>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>March 25, 2026 Ottawa, Ontario The world is changing rapidly. In response, Canada is transforming its economy to be more resilient, competitive, and prepared for a low-carbon future. A key part of this effort is reducing emissions from the oil and gas sector and ensuring Canadian energy remains a reliable and responsible choice in global &#8230;<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":69448,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"footnotes":""},"categories":[39],"tags":[],"class_list":["post-82164","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-federal"],"publishpress_future_action":{"enabled":false,"date":"2026-04-23 03:14:51","action":"change-status","newStatus":"draft","terms":[],"taxonomy":"category","extraData":[]},"publishpress_future_workflow_manual_trigger":{"enabledWorkflows":[]},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82164","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/1"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=82164"}],"version-history":[{"count":1,"href":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82164\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":82165,"href":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/82164\/revisions\/82165"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/69448"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=82164"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=82164"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/wawa-news.com\/index.php\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=82164"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}