Canadian industry urges Carney cabinet to drive transition with 'ambition and action'

Canadian industry came out united in its support for the federal cabinet named Tuesday by Liberal Prime Minister Mark Carney. But for sectors ranging from renewable energy to cleantech and EVs, leaders of business advocacy bodies said the government's “ambition” must be closely followed by “action” if Canada’s energy transition is to get back on track. 

Topics top-of-mind for industry associations included finalizing the clean economy investment tax credit – drafted last year but in limbo since parliament was prorogued in March – building nationwide energy infrastructure; removing interprovincial trade barriers; streamlining project regulatory frameworks; and restarting a struggling EV strategy. 

Carney, speaking to reporters after his cabinet was announced, said: "We will reinforce bridges across labour, business and civil society, and together, we will advance the nation-building investments that will support the core mission of this government, which is to create the strongest economy in the G7, an economy that works for everyone."

His government would take "immediate action with immediate legislation" to fast-track major investments that "contribute to building one Canadian economy out of 13 [provincial and territorial ones]," Carney said.

Renewable energy roll-out

Fernando Melo, federal director of policy and government affairs at the Canadian Renewable Energy Association, which represents almost 350 companies in the wind, solar and energy storage sectors, said the government must first ensure the clean economy tax credit is “finalized and improved.”

“These improvements range from making it easier for [clean energy sector companies] to know what a prevailing wage in an area is – so that they can ensure they are paying their teams correctly – to the creation of a domestic content adder for the [investment tax credits] that would help developers buy Canadian and stimulate investments in Canada,” he said. 

Melo said he's keeping an eye on the promised First and Last Mile Fund and One Project, One Review policies which aim to accelerate the development of major energy and mining plays across the country.

These "crucial" programs would help harness new energy resources and build transmission infrastructure “to get electricity from its point of generation to where it is needed," he said.

Cleantech catalysts

Lynn Cote, executive director of the Canadian Cleantech Alliance, which advocates for the country’s cleantech sector, echoed Melo’s view on the importance of finalizing the clean economy investment tax credit, establishing one oversight body to coordinate federal permitting practices, and easing interprovincial regulatory burdens. 

She said using Canada’s Venture Capital Catalyst Initiative to provide more early-stage access to capital for “energy transition innovators” would be a key win for the sector because it would enshrine practices such as the “Buy Canadian" procurement of clean technologies.

Charge up EV supply chain

On the same day that Honda paused its $15 billion plan to develop an electric vehicle (EV) supply chain in Ontario due to “changing market conditions” from slowing EV sales and US auto tariffs, Matthew Fortier, CEO of Accelerate ZEV, said the new cabinet must move fast to stabilize the auto sector, which employs 125,000 workers. 

“It will be vital for new ministers to work closely with Canadian industry to fast-forward our critical minerals and materials sectors, our battery sector and double-down on innovation in globally significant industries like batteries and EVs,” said Fortier, whose business development body supports Canada’s zero-emission vehicle ambitions.

“This is an enormous opportunity for Canada to advance big projects [in these sectors]."

Going big on green building

The Liberal plan to double Canada’s current rate of residential construction over the next decade to 500,000 homes a year – the country’s biggest building campaign since the Second World War – was a chance for the new government to “pivot in shaping a more sustainable, resilient and affordable future for all Canadians.” 

Thomas Mueller, CEO of the Canada Green Build Council (CAGBC), a national sustainable construction body, said: "As Canada advances its economic and housing goals, this cabinet's leadership will be critical in delivering long-lasting and sustainable solutions [including] support for the adoption of high-performing green buildings, [and] driving innovation in Canada’s building sector."

The head of the influential Business Council of Canada, Goldy Hyder, said Ottawa needed to show “ambition and action” to accelerate approvals for trade and energy infrastructure projects and eliminate interprovincial barriers if it wants to build “a stronger, more competitive” Canada through the energy transition.

“With new leadership comes fresh opportunity – but also immediate responsibility,” Hyder said.

Marty Warren, national director of the United Steel Workers union representing 225,000 workers in Canada, said the new cabinet must put in place “a forward-looking industrial strategy and policies to protect and create good union jobs, [and] invest in domestic manufacturing and infrastructure” in the face of damaging US tariffs. 

“This is not the time for symbolic gestures. The government must respond with real investments, stronger trade enforcement, and clear support for Canadian industries and workers,” Warren said. He called for stronger domestic procurement rules that prioritize Canadian-made materials and support unionized labour, along with investments in infrastructure and strategic industries.