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Or sign-in if you have an account.Climate activist Sophia Mathur speaks during a news conference about plans to hold the federal government legally accountable for its climate policies, in Ottawa on Tuesday, June 16, 2026. Photo by HYUNGCHEOL PARK/PostmediaThree young women and two environmental groups on Tuesday filed a lawsuit against the Canadian government seeking to force it to develop an action plan to meet its key climate goals.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Enjoy the latest local, national and international news.Exclusive articles by Conrad Black, Barbara Kay and others. Plus, special edition NP Platformed and First Reading newsletters and virtual events.Unlimited online access to National Post.National Post ePaper, an electronic replica of the print edition to view on any device, share and comment on.Daily puzzles including the New York Times Crossword.Support local journalism.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one account.Share your thoughts and join the conversation in the comments.Enjoy additional articles per month.Get email updates from your favourite authors.Create an account or sign in to continue with your reading experience.Access articles from across Canada with one accountShare your thoughts and join the conversation in the commentsEnjoy additional articles per monthGet email updates from your favourite authorsSign In or Create an AccountorThe lawsuit comes as Prime Minister Mark Carney’s government shifts Canada’s climate and energy priorities, rolling back key environmental policies while advancing major energy and infrastructure projects to reduce dependence on the United States.Announcing the lawsuit, plaintiff Shirley Barnea, a university student from Quebec, said authorities had an obligation to build a sustainable future for younger generations.Get a dash of perspective along with the trending news of the day in a very readable format.By signing up you consent to receive the above newsletter from Postmedia Network Inc.A welcome email is on its way. If you don't see it, please check your junk folder.The next issue of NP Posted will soon be in your inbox.We encountered an issue signing you up. Please try again“Young people deserve a sustainable economy, good green jobs and a government with a credible plan to get us there,” Barnea told a news conference.Five years ago under prime minister Justin Trudeau, the federal government had set a target of slashing total carbon emissions by 40-45 per cent below 2005 levels by 2030, but Carney has acknowledged the country is unlikely to meet them.The legal action aims to compel the government “to chart a credible, up-to-date course of action” and “to protect Canadians from the worsening impacts of climate change,” according to a statement from the Canadian Association of Physicians for the Environment (CAPE), which is also a party to the lawsuit.Sophia Mathur, a fellow plaintiff from Ontario, added: “My generation’s first decade on this planet will have been marked by wildfire seasons, floods, heat waves, and constant warnings from scientists that the window for action is closing.”“Over the last year, we have watched the Carney government weaken, delay and repeal Canada’s key climate policies,” said Charlie Hatt, Climate Director at Equal Justice, which is bringing the challenge alongside the three plaintiffs.Since taking office in March 2025, Carney has rolled back several environmental measures, including a carbon tax for individuals and an emissions cap for the oil and gas sector.Carney has argued that Canada must strengthen its economic resilience in response to trade tensions with the United States under President Donald Trump, including by accelerating major energy and infrastructure projects that his government says are in the national interest.The filing describes climate change as an “existential threat,” noting that Canada is warming at roughly twice the global rate, while temperatures in its north are rising nearly three times faster, according to the court documents reviewed by AFP.“The federal government made a promise, a legal commitment, to meet its climate targets,” said Mathur, the plaintiff. “Now it must keep its word.”The government is also set to face trial in October in a separate case alleging that the previous Trudeau administration’s response to climate change violated the rights of young Canadians.A broader wave of climate litigation is seeking to hold governments accountable for their climate policies in countries including Germany, the Netherlands and France.Our website is the place for the latest breaking news, exclusive scoops, longreads and provocative commentary. 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