OTTAWA NDP parliamentary leader Don Davies is calling on the Competition Bureau to investigate whether federal government advertising promoting clean energy infrastructure could breach Canada’s rules against greenwashing.
The Competition Bureau defines greenwashing as environmental claims about a product, service or practice that are false, misleading or cannot be properly substantiated.
In a letter to the bureau, Davies points to comments made by Prime Minister Mark Carney in a video published June 30 and argues they could raise questions about the environmental claims made in government advertising.
The video, titled “Forward Guidance: Canada’s Energy Future,” features Carney discussing changes to Canada’s climate policies. He said the previous climate plan introduced under former prime minister Justin Trudeau had become too expensive and divisive, while arguing that the new approach includes significant investment in renewable energy and would reduce emissions over the longer term.
At the same time, Carney acknowledged that Canada’s emissions are expected to increase in the near term as a result of his government’s policies.
Since taking office in March 2025, Carney has eliminated the consumer carbon price and changed the way the industrial carbon price will operate. His government has also abandoned an emissions cap on oil and gas production and signed an agreement with Alberta that includes federal support for a proposed bitumen pipeline to the West Coast.
“This is a clear acknowledgment that the business activity referenced in this advertisement will increase, not lower, Canada’s emissions,” Davies wrote in his letter.
A second video released by Environment and Climate Change Canada on June 30 is also part of the NDP’s complaint. The 30-second advertisement features wind turbines and solar panels and promotes the idea that Canada will build a “cleaner future.”
Davies argues that government advertising making environmental claims of this nature must be supported by evidence under Canada’s greenwashing legislation.
He contends that Carney’s acknowledgment that emissions will rise in the coming years, combined with the possibility of public funding being used to support a proposed oil pipeline through Alberta and British Columbia, warrants an investigation under the legislation.
Canada’s greenwashing rules were initially introduced under former prime minister Justin Trudeau. Carney’s government later amended the legislation, reducing the burden of proof required to substantiate environmental claims and removing the ability of third parties, including environmental organizations, to formally request greenwashing investigations.
Davies says government-funded advertising should be held to the same standard expected of private companies.
“Canadians expect that taxpayer-funded advertising will provide accurate and objective information that promotes legitimate public policy objectives, rather than serving as a vehicle for political messaging and misinformation,” Davies wrote.
He added that claims made in government advertising should meet the same evidentiary requirements imposed by the law on private businesses.
The Canadian Press has contacted the Competition Bureau and the environment minister for comment. No response had been received at the time of publication.
