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Paul Kearns

Director, Privy Council Office (PCO)1 communications in the past year

Lobbied by

International Institute for Sustainable Development

2

Strengthening and enacting federal regulations on greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts from the oil and gas sector and other economic sectors Support for the National Adaptation Planning Global Network from Global Affairs Canada of $10 million over 4 years (2021-2025). Established in December 2014, the NAP Global Network works with developing countries to advance adaptation planning and action. This is done through: • South-South peer learning and exchange • Technical assistance on NAP development and implementation • Enhanced bilateral support to adaptation • Knowledge production and communications Support for the IISD Experimental Lakes Area from Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans of $12.5 million in 2021. These 58 lakes and their watersheds in northwestern Ontario are the only place where scientists can manipulate whole lakes to collect data from all levels of the ecosystem and understand how it all interacts. This support would go towards: • maintaining the most comprehensive open dataset on freshwater research in the world, making substantive contributions to science and public understanding of Canada's freshwater resources; • building a new public engagement center and replacing aging diesel infrastructure with solar power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 330,000 kg/year; and • increasing Canada’s cutting-edge water science on climate change, plastics and pharmaceuticals. Federal budget and spending – providing resources for climate and environmental initiatives, including clean energy; aligning federal spending with climate objectives Climate change and energy policy – strengthening current government climate change policies, and implementation and strengthening of the Emissions Reduction Plan

Support for the National Adaptation Planning Global Network from Global Affairs Canada of $10 million over 4 years (2021-2025). Established in December 2014, the NAP Global Network works with developing countries to advance adaptation planning and action. This is done through: • South-South peer learning and exchange • Technical assistance on NAP development and implementation • Enhanced bilateral support to adaptation • Knowledge production and communications Support for the IISD Experimental Lakes Area from Environment and Climate Change Canada and the Department of Fisheries and Oceans of $12.5 million in 2021. These 58 lakes and their watersheds in northwestern Ontario are the only place where scientists can manipulate whole lakes to collect data from all levels of the ecosystem and understand how it all interacts. This support would go towards: • maintaining the most comprehensive open dataset on freshwater research in the world, making substantive contributions to science and public understanding of Canada's freshwater resources; • building a new public engagement center and replacing aging diesel infrastructure with solar power to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 330,000 kg/year; and • increasing Canada’s cutting-edge water science on climate change, plastics and pharmaceuticals. Strengthening and enacting federal regulations on greenhouse gas emissions and environmental impacts from the oil and gas sector and other economic sectors Federal budget and spending – providing resources for climate and environmental initiatives, including clean energy; aligning federal spending with climate objectives Climate change and energy policy – strengthening current government climate change policies, and implementation and strengthening of the Emissions Reduction Plan

National Electricity Roundtable

2

Focus will be on electrification and decarbonization policies and the impact on the energy/electricity sector. Areas include: Smart Renewables and Electrification Pathways. Focus will be on electrification and decarbonization policies and the impact on the energy/electricity sector. Areas include: Investment Tax Credit. Focus will be on electrification and decarbonization policies and the impact on the energy/electricity sector. Areas include: input into the Canada Electricity Advisory Council. Focus will be on electrification and decarbonization policies and the impact on the energy/electricity sector. Areas include: Canadian Electricity Regulation.

MarketStep Consulting

Ontario Power Generation

2

- Re - the Fisheries Act encouraging regulatory reform, harmonization and equivalencies amongst the regulators to reduce duplication and encourage more efficient use of resources while continuing to manage risk of existing OPG operations as it relates to fish and fish habitat. - Re - Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act with regard to language, timing and liability limit, insurance requirements and to make it compatible with the Convention of Supplementary Compensation. - Regulatory Framework for Industrial Greenhouse Gas Emissions in Canada in respect to controlling greenhouse gas and conventional air pollutant emissions in the electricity sector including advocating for a role of nuclear energy in meeting targets Regulatory approach to prohibit asbestos and products containing asbestos including advocating for reasonable timeframe to phase out all asbestos containing products. - Regulations to reduce Green House Gas (GHG) emissions from the electricity sector’s fossil fuel-fired electricity generation units, advocating the role that existing and uprated natural gas plants play in the electricity market and seeking compliance flexibility for thermal units burning gas to provide grid reliability due to regulation. Advocating for the development of low-emitting Nuclear, Hydroelectric and Hydrogen Developments in meeting targets. Regulations regarding requirements and guidance for managing fitness for duty of workers in relation to alcohol and drug use and abuse at high-security sites. Regulations regarding polychlorinated biphenyls (PCB). - Re - Federal Waterways with respect to developing tangible actions for and improved policy and practical business practices among infrastructure and operators. - Partnership discussions with Canadian Commercial Corporation. Investment discussions with Canada Infrastructure Bank and Canada Growth Fund Inc. Issues pertaining to federal legislation, policies and programs with respect to OPG's existing nuclear operations or new nuclear opportunities including small modular reactors (SMRs). Issues pertaining to federal legislation, policies and programs with respect to hydrogen. Issues pertaining to federal legislation, policies and programs related to energy storage facilities. Issues pertaining to federal legislation, policies, programs, and permits and other approvals affecting OPG’s current operations as well as other potential opportunities including in the areas of new generation development and/or other economic opportunities including electrification, as well as to support collaboration and partnership between Indigenous communities and OPG. - In respect to the Protection of Electricity Critical Infrastructure in Canada, including expediting background checks for prospective employees and contractors, changes to the Criminal Code of Canada relating to "Interference with Electricity Critical Infrastructure" (copper wire theft), "Priority Access for Electricity Critical Infrastructure Personnel to receive Vaccinations and Antivirals" and priority access to "Telecommunications Spectrum". - Energy policy and the role of Nuclear in regards to Atomic Energy of Canada Limited (AECL) restructuring. Discussion on subjects related to the MOU signed by Canada and the ITER (International Thermonuclear Experimental Reactor) to help identify the precise domains in which Canadian suppliers could export expertise and technologies on a commercial basis to the ITER Project and OPG’s interest in leading and acting as an agent for the cooperation with ITER. - Changes to the Impact Assessment Act or implementing regulations, including towards achievement of improved alignment with the ongoing licensing process for nuclear facilities under the Nuclear Safety and Control Act. - Changes to the Canada Labour Code as they apply to nuclear new build activities in respect to allowing coordination between provincial and federal labour requirements Approach to electricity used as a transportation fuel within the Fed

AquaAction

1

Canada Water Agency; policies and funding to support start-ups and scale-ups in the water tech sector.

Bruce Power

1

Nuclear Waste Management: Policies, legislation and regulatory frameworks related to the long term management, interim storage, transportation and governance of used nuclear fuel and low and intermediate level radioactive waste. Canadian Nuclear Laboratories (CNL): Federal policies, governance and program considerations related to Canadian Nuclear Laboratories, including nuclear research and development, isotope production, reactor refurbishment, waste management innovation and new nuclear technologies. Nuclear Safety, Environmental & Liability Frameworks: Legislation and regulations governing the safety, licensing, operation and environmental oversight of nuclear facilities, including the Canadian Nuclear Safety and Control Act, the Nuclear Liability and Compensation Act, the Fisheries Act, the Species at Risk Act, and associated regulations. International Trade & Nuclear Exports: Trade, export and international cooperation policies affecting Canadian nuclear technologies, services and fuels, including export financing, international agreements and strategic trade alignment. Workforce, Skills & Labour Availability: Immigration, training, apprenticeship and skilled trades policies and programs supporting major nuclear projects and long term workforce sustainability. Emergency Management & National Defence: Policies, legislation and intergovernmental frameworks related to nuclear emergency preparedness, public safety, national defence, and federal provincial coordination. Science, Research & Medical Isotopes: Federal science, research and innovation policies and programs related to nuclear research and development, technology innovation, and the production and supply of medical isotopes, including collaboration with industry, research institutions and Indigenous partners. Indigenous Partnership & Reconciliation: Federal policies, programs and frameworks related to Indigenous consultation, participation, equity ownership, economic reconciliation, capacity building and long term partnerships in the nuclear and clean energy sectors. Impact Assessment & Federal Permitting: Legislative and regulatory matters related to the Impact Assessment Act and the Canadian Environmental Assessment Act, including federal review processes, permitting requirements, timelines, and coordination for nuclear life extension, refurbishment and new nuclear projects. Federal Fiscal Measures: Taxation, fiscal policy and financial measures administered by the Department of Finance, including clean energy investment tax credits, capital cost allowance, pension related policies, and other federal fiscal measures relevant to major infrastructure and energy projects. New Nuclear Development & Supply Chains: Policies, programs and regulatory considerations related to the development, deployment, financing and operation of new nuclear facilities, including nuclear fuel supply, uranium and conversion services, domestic manufacturing capacity, critical supply chains, and clean energy industrial development. Clean Electricity, Electrification & Energy Security: Policies, programs and regulatory frameworks related to clean electricity, electrification and energy security, including the role of nuclear energy in Canada’s net-zero objectives, emissions-free baseload electricity, grid readiness, electrification initiatives, and energy affordability and reliability.

Canadian Hydrogen Association

1

Engaging the government of Canada in conversations about integrating hydrogen into Canada’s trade diversification agenda, including exploring opportunities in emerging markets and supporting infrastructure that enables domestic and international hydrogen adoption. Engage the government of Canada in conversations regarding the development and implementation of the Clean Hydrogen Tax Credit Communicating with government regarding the adoption of hydrogen and hydrogen fuel technologies, carbon pricing, and policies encouraging reduction in CO2 emissions.

Canadian Natural Resources

1

Transportation of Dangerous Goods Regulation and discussions around transportation as it relates to the oil and gas industry Sustainable Finance and Environment, Social, Governance (ESG) considerations for investment decisions. Support for the Clean Resource Innovation Network (CRIN) to advance research to build upon existing expertise in the development of clean and affordable energy. Support for industry due to impact of COVID-19 pandemic on oil and natural gas sector, including access to COVID rapid tests, regulatory requirements, liability, methane, liquidity, technology/innovation/infrastructure funding, wage subsidy, funding for student and new graduate positions. Species at Risk Act with regard to conservation initiatives to protect species and their habitats Seeking creation of a provincial pilot program to enable companies to purchase COVID rapid tests. Impact Assessment Act as it relates to approvals and impact assessments for major oil and gas projects. Duty to consult Indigenous communities as it relates to oil and gas projects, including implementation of the United Nations Declaration on the Rights of Indigenous Peoples. Discussions on climate change regulations and policies that may be directed at oil sands, refining, and gas processing. This includes methane, Clean Fuels Standard and net zero. Canadian policy support related to international market access for oil and gas. Canadian Environmental Protection Act with respect to the regulatory framework for greenhouse gas emissions and criteria for air contaminants and air pollutant regulations Canadian Energy Regulator as it relates to regulatory oversight of upstream interprovincial pipelines. Allow immediate deductibility of capital costs for tax purposes in the year in which they occur, to be applied broadly across the economy in a manner that aligns with similar tax reforms in the US.

Capital Power

1

General advocacy related to the development of power generation projects in Canada, including natural gas-fired generation, wind, solar, battery storage and small modular reactors. Advocacy related to the development of large-scale data centre projects in Canada. Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act – greenhouse gas regulations, carbon pricing and emissions policies for electricity generation. Funding for technology development, Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS) projects, small modular reactors (SMR), clean technology, clean hydrogen, and other decarbonization projects through the Clean Energy Fund, investment tax credit policy, and all other applicable funding sources and mechanisms. Federal programs or support for low or zero emitting sources of electricity generation and other electricity decarbonization initiatives, including but not limited to: wind, solar, Carbon Capture, Utilization and Storage (CCUS), carbon conversion, direct air capture, small modular reactors (SMR), hydrogen, and energy storage. Federal programs, policies or supports for inter-provincial electricity transmission. Federal climate plans, policies, and pathways to economy-wide net-zero by 2050. Advocacy with respect to development of the Clean Electricity Regulations, Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan, and other policies, programs, and enabling regulation in support of achieving a net-zero electricity sector by 2035. Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act – development of five-year emissions-reduction targets and emissions-reduction plans to achieve each target, including Canada’s 2030 Emissions Reduction Plan. Advocacy regarding "Legislative Proposals Relating to the Income Tax Act and the Income Tax Regulations" - specifically proposals related to the Carbon Capture Utilization and Storage (CCUS) Investment Tax Credit (ITC), Clean Technology ITC, and ITC-related labour requirements.

Environmental Defence Canada

1

Advising on the climate, environmental, and economic risks of new bitumen pipelines and related fossil fuel industry expansion, and seeking to mitigate harms. Seeking to stop proposal changes to Impact Assessment Act, Fisheries Act and Species at Risk Act that the federal government released a spring 2026 discussion paper concerning proposed changes to the IAA, Fisheries Act and SARA that would significantly weaken protection of environment and human health Seeking that the federal government deny changes to the Tripartite Agreement, and therefore not enable a process toward expanding the Toronto Island Airport to accommodate jets. Supporting the federal government's plans and financial support for decarbonizing steel production in Canada. Seeking Cabinet Emergency Order to protect the critical habitat of piping plover at Wasaga Beach Supporting the federal government in its negotiation of a strong international treaty on plastic pollution. Supporting federal action establishing a Federal Plastics Registry requiring producers to report annually on the quantity and types of plastic they place on the Canadian market, how it moves through the economy, and how it is managed at its end-of-life. Advising on the climate impacts of existing or proposed LNG projects, as well as the global business environment for LNG, and seeking to mitigate harms. Advising on the environmental impacts of projects enabled by Bill C-5 and seeking to mitigate harms. Environmental and industrial strategy approaches to reducing waste and material inputs Seeking a strengthening of the Output-based pricing system intended to make polluters pay Supporting the implementation, under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, of Clean Electricity Regulations to mitigate climate change and build a low carbon future. Supporting stronger regulations under the Fisheries Act on Oil Sands Mining Effluent Release. Supporting investment in systems for reuse and refill as an alternative to single-use packaging. Supporting a Climate-Aligned Finance Act, that would include enforcing science-based targets and holding financial institutions accountable to them. Federal Budget - providing resources for environmental initiatives, including climate change, public transit, renewable energy, climate finance accountability, investment in water and wastewater infrastructure, pollution abatement and enforcement, economic transition, sustainable jobs, aligning federal spending with climate objectives and restricting resources for fossil fuels. Rouge National Urban Park expansion involving the former Pickering Airport lands. Supporting the strengthening of current and future federal government emission reduction targets. Ensure a green investments Taxonomy does not include fossil fuels. Advancing climate transition plans across the economy, requiring federally regulated financial institutions and large companies to develop and implement plans that align their business with the goals of the Paris Agreement. Supporting federal action to protect communities and ecosystems from local impacts in the oil sands, including from seeping oil sands process water. Supporting the establishment, under the Canada Consumer Product Safety Act (CCPSA), of regulations requiring disclosure, and prohibitions, restrictions, or container requirements for certain human health hazards of concern (HHHOCs) in consumer chemical products. Supporting the establishment of the Canada Public Transit Fund and negotiated infrastructure funding agreements with provinces, territories, and cities, where the federal government would establish land-use standards near federally funded transit stations, establish zero-emission bus procurement requirements and expand operations funding to increase transit service levels. Supporting the establishment, under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, of regulations to address plastic pollution. Supporting the establishment, under the Canadian Environmental Protection Act, of reg

GEPR Energy Canada

1

Support from the Scientific Research and Experimental Development (SR&ED) tax incentives, Strategic Innovation Fund, and Sustainable Development Technologies Canada. Discussing with the federal government how to access these incentive programs to support our manufacturing, research, and development activities in Canada. Oil & Gas Sector Emissions Caps. Discussing the role of different technology such as carbon capture, hydrogen, small modular reactors, and electrification to reduce emissions from the oil and gas sector. Multilateral & Bilateral International Trade policies & programs, regarding international trade including Canada/US relations. Discussing cross-border trade and how to facilitate the free flow of goods and services between Canada and the U.S. as outlined under the North American trade agreement. Finance Canada’s Annual Budget. In particular, discussion regarding Canada’s fiscal framework to incentivize the deployment of energy infrastructure projects to increase power generation and reduce emissions. Finance and monetary policies, regarding support for non-bank financial institutions. In particular, how finance and monetary policies can better incentivize investment in Canada’s energy sector and project development. Climate change policy. Initiatives by the federal government to design climate change policy that would enable Canada’s energy transition, particularly for the electricity sector or to decarbonize the oil and gas and industrial sectors. This includes the Emissions Reduction Plan and the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. Clean Technology Manufacturing Investment Tax Credit. Discuss expanding the eligibility to manufacturing of grid equipment as well as previously used manufacturing equipment. Clean Technology and Clean Electricity Investment Tax Credit. Discuss the role of new technologies and refurbishments to be included as eligible property as part of these policy designs. Clean Hydrogen Investment Tax Credit. Discuss the interaction between the hydrogen investment tax credit and its interaction with other investment tax credits or federal government incentive programs as well as equipment required to support clean hydrogen production in Canada. Clean Electricity Regulations. Discussing regulation design to maintain a pathway for the abated use of natural-gas fired power generation through carbon capture or high blends of hydrogen and alternative fuels under Canada’s Net-Zero Grid by 2035 policy efforts. Carbon Capture, Sequestration, and Utilization Tax Credit. Discussing a fully refundable investment tax credit that is applicable to all sectors and aspects of the value chain for carbon capture projects.

Recent activity

Feb 26, 2025
Eric Chassard contacted Paul Kearns on behalf of Bruce Power
Feb 12, 2025
Nov 1, 2024
Oct 8, 2024
Feb 28, 2024
Feb 23, 2024
Feb 20, 2024
Jan 30, 2024
Sep 15, 2023
Jun 21, 2023
Jun 14, 2023
Avik Dey contacted Paul Kearns on behalf of Capital Power
Jun 7, 2023
May 3, 2023
Feb 8, 2023