Ottawa signs $1.69 million ad contract to promote Carney's climate strategy
Environment Canada hired EssenceMediacom for a campaign promoting the Climate Competitiveness Strategy, and the record lists one bid and no detail on what the ads contain.
Environment and Climate Change Canada has signed an advertising contract worth up to $1,685,533.50 for a campaign promoting the Carney government's Climate Competitiveness Strategy, according to the federal proactive disclosure of contracts.
The contract with GroupM Canada Inc., doing business as EssenceMediacom, was signed June 2, 2026 and runs to March 31, 2027. The record describes the work as "Advertising services", with the comments "The Canada's Climate Competitiveness Strategy (CCS)" and "CCS Campaign", and nothing more about what the campaign contains. It was awarded through Public Services and Procurement Canada by selective tendering on a lowest-price basis, and the record lists one bid.
The strategy was released as part of the Budget 2025 package and announced in a government release dated November 9, 2025. The release lists measures including "strengthening industrial carbon pricing", expanding clean economy tax credits and "mobilising capital for the transition to net-zero", and quotes Environment Minister Julie Dabrusin saying Canada has a choice between leading the energy transition and getting "left behind".
Rebel News's own coverage at the time said the plan aims to catalyze around $1 trillion in public and private investment over five years, and reported Energy Minister Tim Hodgson saying "There's a global race to net-zero by 2050."
GroupM's EssenceMediacom entities hold much of the federal media-buying business. The same quarter's disclosures show advertising contracts for Parks Canada ($2,857,128.75, to EssenceMediacom Canada ULC), Employment and Social Development Canada ($2,171,159) and Veterans Affairs ($2,034,000 and $1,939,512), as well as a sole-sourced $5,543,509 advertising contract from Public Services and Procurement Canada.
Sheila Gunn Reid
Chief Reporter
Sheila Gunn Reid is the Editor-in-Chief, Alberta Bureau Chief, member of the board of directors, and host of The Gunn Show at Rebel News. Sheila also serves as President of the Independent Press Gallery of Canada. A mother of three and longtime conservative activist, Sheila is the author of bestselling books, including her most recent release, Independence Blueprint: What Alberta Can Learn From Quebec.
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