Canada Is Positioning Itself as a Global Hub for Carbon Removal: Takeaways from Convening the CDR Industry in Ottawa
Melissa Hillier
Canada has the building blocks to become a global leader in carbon dioxide removal, and momentum is building.
This was the backdrop during the Carbon Business Council’s in-person convening of our Canada Working Group in Ottawa. Over two packed days, companies representing the breadth of carbon dioxide removal pathways, alongside buyers and ecosystem partners, met with senior decision-makers across government to share a unified vision for Canada’s emerging carbon removal industry.
One message came through consistently. Policymakers value coordination within the CDR sector. Several officials noted how impactful it was to see the industry speaking with one voice. Discussions went beyond introductory briefings, into substantive conversations about scientific rigor, community participation, environmental safeguards, and economic opportunity.
Canada’s CDR Advantage
Canada is uniquely positioned to capture a meaningful share of the global carbon removal market. The country combines abundant low-carbon energy, world-class technical expertise, leading research institutions, and natural resources that include forests, coastlines, agricultural lands, mining capacity, and significant geological storage potential. Together, these advantages create strong conditions for project development and long-term industry growth.
Early policy leadership is reinforcing that potential. Investment tax credits are already influencing where projects are being built, and Canada’s procurement program will help to demonstrate market demand. These signals matter. They attract investment, accelerate commercialization, and position Canada as a credible place to scale carbon removal solutions.
To support this progress, the Carbon Business Council convened their Canada-focused Working Group and published a Policy Primer outlining a roadmap for building a thriving domestic carbon removal ecosystem that connects clearly to Canada’s broader priorities, including economic growth, export diversification, industrial competitiveness, and regional development.
Aligning With Federal Priorities
During the meetings in Ottawa, the Working Group advanced a focused set of priorities designed to support scale while aligning with federal objectives, including:
Unlocking access to international credit markets
Supporting commercialization and project scale-up, including through the CCUS Investment Tax Credit
Demonstrating demand for a range of CDR pathways through procurement
These priorities resonated across departments, agencies, and institutions. There was strong interest in how carbon removal can support innovation, attract capital, and contribute to Canada’s long-term economic strategy.
We were pleased to host Senator Colin Deacon, a longstanding advocate for carbon removal in Canada, for an engaging breakfast discussion on the recently released Senate committee report on marine carbon dioxide removal. His insights reflected how far the policy conversation has advanced.
The visit concluded with an evening reception attended by Members of Parliament, during which the Parliamentary Secretary for Energy and Natural Resources Corey Hogan recognized the leadership emerging across the Canadian carbon removal ecosystem and encouraged continued engagement between industry and government.
Our time in Ottawa was an opportunity to connect not only with key decision-makers, but also with the broader ecosystem and with each other. Building a new industry requires coordination, trust, and sustained collaboration.
Even outside formal meetings, discussions continued. Some members braved the Canadian cold to skate on the Rideau Canal and sample Ottawa’s signature BeaverTails, reinforcing that progress is built as much through relationships as through policy.
Looking Ahead
Canada has real momentum in carbon removal. The opportunity now is to build on it thoughtfully and deliberately.
Over the coming months, the Working Group will continue engaging policymakers, strengthening collaboration across pathways, and advancing policies that support responsible scale. That includes ensuring projects are grounded in rigorous science, strong community engagement, and clear economic value for Canadians.
Public support provides a strong foundation. Recent polling shows that 81% of Canadians consider carbon removals essential to building a strong future for the country.
With a coordinated voice and growing ecosystem alignment, Canada is well positioned to help shape the global carbon removal economy. The Carbon Business Council’s Canada Working Group looks forward to continuing this work in partnership with policymakers and stakeholders across the country.
