Preamble
Whereas climate change represents an unprecedented and existential threat to people in Canada and around the world;
Whereas extreme weather events, such as the 2021 heat dome in British Columbia, are already proving deadly in Canada and, according to Health Canada, they are expected to increase in frequency and magnitude due to climate change;
Whereas, in 2023, Canada experienced the worst wildfire season ever recorded as the country exceeded the largest area ever burned in a year, totaling more than 7.9 million hectares;
Whereas the Government of Canada has made international climate commitments to drastically reduce fossil fuel consumption and to reach carbon neutrality by 2050, which requires the timely phase-out of fossil fuels;
Whereas the protection of the environment is a valid use of the federal criminal law power;
Whereas air pollution caused by fossil fuels leads to millions of premature deaths globally, including tens of thousands of premature deaths in Canada alone, and is a major cause of cancer, respiratory illness, adverse pregnancy outcomes, children’s diseases and cardiovascular symptoms;
Whereas fossil fuel production and consumption has resulted in a national public health crisis of substantial and pressing concern, in a way that is similar to the public health crisis caused by tobacco consumption;
Whereas, in 1989, Parliament restricted tobacco advertising and sponsorship to reduce tobacco use to respond to that public health crisis;
Whereas, in the context of a climate emergency, fossil fuel advertising sends a confusing and contradictory message about the need to urgently end Canada’s reliance on fossil fuels;
