EDF Statement regarding the release of a draft equivalency agreement between Environment and Climate Change Canada and Saskatchewan on oil and gas methane emissions

Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) recently released a draft equivalency agreement for oil and gas methane emissions in Saskatchewan. If made-at-home provincial regulations are likely to meet comparable emission reduction goals as the federal government’s, the Minister can grant an equivalency agreement as a way to prevent redundancy and improve overall outcomes. The newly proposed agreement compares Saskatchewan’s current methane regulations to the existing federal regulations that seek to reduce national emissions by 40-45% by 2025. 

"Saskatchewan’s methane rules don’t reflect that best practices in methane management and won't achieve the dramatic emissions reductions we sorely need to slow global warming. Research shows that Saskatchewan’s gas industry is by far the most polluting in Canada. The province allows at least 16% of its gas to escape into the atmosphere, while companies have pledged to reduce leakage to .2%.

The federal government has an opportunity to rein in Saskatchewan’s methane pollution, but this will only be achieved with strong regulations that require improved leak inspections, the prohibition of flaring, accurate measurement, transparent reporting, and accountability. Measurement is essential for ensuring regulations work and provides regulators with the information they need to design policy. 

We strongly support the federal government’s climate leadership as seen in its commitment to reduce methane emissions by 75%. We hope to see an equivalency agreement that can enable this outcome."

• Ari Pottens, Senior Campaign Manager, Canada