Clean Electricity Regulations (CER)

Canada’s Clean Electricity Regulations (CER), finalised in December 2024, are a cornerstone of the federal strategy to achieve a netzero electricity system by 2050. Developed under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, 1999, the Regulations set performance standards for fossilfuelfired electricity generation from 2035 onwards. They aim to enable deep greenhouse gas reductions while safeguarding affordability and grid reliability across diverse provincial and territorial contexts.

To assess potential impacts, Environment and Climate Change Canada (ECCC) combined inhouse modelling with independent analysis using NATEM and other tools. The scenarios explored the evolution of the electricity system with and without the CER, considering different electrification pathways, technology deployment options, and demand growth assumptions. The modelling examined potential implications for electricity costs, investment needs, and sectorwide emissions reductions, providing insights to inform both federal policy design and provincial planning strategies.

Developed through extensive engagement with utilities, provinces, Indigenous groups, industry, researchers, and the public, the CER was informed by a broad understanding of Canada’s regional diversity and energy system realities. NATEM’s panCanadian scope allowed the analysis to capture interprovincial differences in resource availability, technology adoption, and demand growth, helping ensure the Regulations are both ambitious and adaptable to varied local conditions.