Michael Bernstein

Executive Director

Michael Bernstein is the executive director of Clean Prosperity, a Canadian non-profit that works toward practical climate solutions that reduce emissions and grow the economy.

Michael is also the chair of the advisory board for Carbon Removal Canada, a policy non-profit that works to grow the carbon dioxide removal sector in Canada. In 2023, Michael was appointed to the Canadian government’s Net-Zero Advisory Body. In addition, Michael is vice-chair of Canada’s Carbon Competitiveness Commission, and was the co-chair of the Carbon Management Working Group at the Public Policy Forum from 2020-2022.

Michael is an economist by training. He is an advisor to elected leaders across the political spectrum, and a frequent commentator on climate policy. He was named on The Hill Times’ Top 100 Lobbyists List for 2021. He was also selected as a Clean50 Honouree in 2023 for his work advancing Canadian climate policy.

Michael joined Clean Prosperity in 2018. His career has spanned business, management consulting, international development, and politics.

Prior to Clean Prosperity, Michael was the CEO of Mama Earth Organics, a small business that delivered organic produce from local farms to families around the Greater Toronto Area. He worked directly with dozens of farmers and saw first-hand the effects climate change was having on the farms he worked with. As a father of two young kids, he’s also very concerned about the future that we’re leaving to the next generation.

Before working in the local food sector, Michael was a business management consultant at McKinsey & Company, where he advised Fortune 500 companies, institutional investors, and governments on key strategic and business issues. He also worked with InvestEco Capital to set up an advisory service that offered support to companies in the sustainable food sector.

Michael holds a Master’s in Public Administration from the Harvard University Kennedy School of Government, and a B.A. in Economics from Yale University.

When he’s not working on climate change, you can find him building Lego airplanes with his kids or doing his best karaoke impression of Vanilla Ice.

Connect with Michael

Twitter: @bernstein_micha

Linkedin: Michael’s profile

Media enquiries: media@cleanprosperity.ca

Resources

Michael’s headshot (16MB JPEG, 3024×4032)

Short bio: Michael Bernstein is the executive director of Clean Prosperity, a Canadian non-profit that works toward practical climate solutions that reduce emissions and grow the economy. He also co-founded Carbon Removal Canada, an initiative that advances policies to scale up Canada’s carbon removal sector, and chairs the organization’s advisory board. Michael is a member of the Canadian government’s Net-Zero Advisory Body, and a member of the C.D. Howe Institute’s Energy Policy Council.

Watch Michael discussing how Canada can compete for low-carbon investment on BNN Bloomberg with Amanda Lang (March 31, 2023)

 

 

Selected Writing

Capital Power’s big carbon capture project is on hold – it’s a sign that we have to work even harder on decarbonizing Canadian industry (Globe and Mail, 8 May 2024)

Where to now from COP28? Historic summit missed half the problem (Globe and Mail, 31 December 2023)

How to secure Canada’s low-carbon advantage in the global clean energy race (Hill Times, 23 March 2023)

Canada should try to profit from the U.S. transition to a low-carbon economy (Globe and Mail, 12 October 2022)

Alberta must address the looming risk of an unstable carbon market (Globe and Mail, 29 September 2022)

Rejecting carbon capture risks increasing emissions. Here's why (National Observer, 25 January 2022)

Think O'Toole’s carbon price hurt him? It didn’t (Hill Times, 4 October 2021)

To meet its climate goals while remaining competitive, Canada needs a scheme to levy a charge on the carbon content of imports (Toronto Star, 29 August 2021)

A voter’s guide to climate action (Global News, 26 August 2021)

There's a missing tool in our fight against climate change (National Observer, 19 July 2021)

Canada can win the cleantech sweepstakes (The Hub, 6 June 2021)

Could there be a silver lining to Doug Ford’s carbon tax loss? (Toronto Star, 26 March 2021)

How Erin O’Toole can resolve his climate dilemma (Hill Times, 1 January 2021)

A climate plan that works for the planet and the oil and gas sector (Hill Times, 23 November 2020)

Biden’s climate plan poses risks for Canada – here’s how we should respond (Globe and Mail, 11 November 2020)

Conservatives can do carbon pricing. Just ask Boris Johnson. (iPolitics, 26 October 2020)

Doug Ford could win by losing his legal fight against the carbon tax (National Observer, 25 September 2020)

Canada can’t achieve climate goals without supercharging carbon removal (Policy Options, 31 August 2020)

The most important climate change policy that no one’s talking about (Hill Times, 12 August 2020; also on cleanprosperity.ca)

Poll shows climate change sunk Scheer — and could cost Ford (Toronto Star, 29 October 2019)

Is carbon tax the answer to Canada’s climate-change woes? (Maclean’s, 23 September 2019)

This election, which party platforms make the grade on carbon pollution cuts? (National Observer, 11 October 2019)

Selected Media Appearances

Print

Oilsands dealmaker warns many CEOs wary of taking on pricing risk in carbon capture deal (Financial Post, 29 October 2024)

Carbon capture rollout lags as industry, Ottawa at odds over who shoulders risk (Canadian Press, 4 June 2024)

Pierre Poilievre says he’ll ‘axe the carbon tax’ for consumers — but when it comes to the pricing system for Canadian industries, he won’t say (Toronto Star, 23 May 2024)

New Pathways Alliance executive chair says carbon capture network nears 'end of runway', but not there yet (Calgary Herald, 14 May 2024)

GST, HST on Ottawa’s carbon price could raise billions over next seven years, budget watchdog says (Globe and Mail, 22 February 2024)

Justin Trudeau claims eight out of 10 Canadian households get more back from rebates than they pay in carbon pricing. Is that true? (Toronto Star, 22 February, 2024)

Federal government scales back carbon tax rebates for small businesses (Canadian Press, 20 February, 2024)

Carbon pricing, a political battlehorse in 2024 (Canadian Press, 31 December 2023)

Canada’s heated political conflict over carbon pricing to continue into 2024 (Canadian Press, 31 December 2023)

Ottawa spending $200m on carbon capture facility just north of Demmitt near BC border (CJDTV, 21 December 2023)

Canada Growth Fund announces first deal for carbon capture in Alberta – and signals how it plans to back up carbon pricing (Globe and Mail, 20 December 2023)

Entropy, Calgary-based carbon capture company, agrees to first-ever carbon contract for difference with feds (Calgary Herald, 20 December 2023)

Feds sign $200M carbon contract for Calgary-based Entropy (Canadian Press, 20 December 2023)

Feds set aside $7B from Canada Growth Fund for carbon-price contract guarantees (Canadian Press, 21 November 2023)

Canada to begin financing carbon capture, says it will ramp up contracts for difference (Reuters, 21 November 2023)

Carbon Removal Canada’s First Report Shows The Country’s Potential In Scaling CDR (Carbon Herald, 9 November 2023)

Canada's energy minister defends carbon tax carve-out for heating oil (Reuters, 6 November 2023)

Ottawa under pressure to bet big on its own carbon pricing system as industry warns of lost investments (Globe and Mail, 21 September 2023)

Tories’ ‘axe the tax’ messaging ignores success of B.C. policy and misunderstands ‘basics of climate change,’ says NDP critic Cannings (Hill Times, 30 August 2023)

Battery plants or bust: Why some think Ottawa's $30-billion EV bet puts Canada on the wrong track (Financial Post, 4 August 2023)

Canada has gone big to match U.S. clean-tech subsidies, report finds – but not big enough (Globe and Mail, 18 July 2023)

'Everything was hunky dory ... until the Inflation Reduction Act': Canada's industrial policy stumbles in Windsor (Financial Post, 26 May 2023)

Dawn of a new automotive era in Canada? (Canadian Auto Dealer, 26 April 2023)

Canada's financial support for clean energy compares favourably to U.S: TD Bank (Financial Post, 24 April 2023)

Ottawa has yet to pay carbon-pricing rebates to small businesses, but says they’re coming (Globe and Mail, 5 April 2023)

Carbon price and rebates rising Saturday in Ontario, Prairies (Globe and Mail, 30 March 2023)

Timelines key as federal budget promises billions for green transition (Financial Post, 29 March 2023)

Canada offers C$35 bln green tax credits but still trails generous US incentives (Reuters, 28 March 2023)

‘Bonanza of debt’ or ‘significant support’? Here’s what prominent people are saying about the 2023 federal budget (Toronto Star, 28 March 2023)

Freeland’s budget cuts ‘close to the line’ in balancing targeted investment with fiscal restraint: economist (Hill Times, 28 March 2023)

Federal budget’s clean tax credits try to ensure Joe Biden doesn’t outgreen Canada (Toronto Star, 28 March 2023)

Canada steps up clean tech investments in budget to compete with US (Reuters, 28 March 2023)

Federal government outlines $83B in clean economy tax credits in bid to compete with U.S. incentives (CTV News, 28 March 2023)

Canada Aims to Catch Up to US With Deficit-Swelling Green Bet (Bloomberg, 28 March 2023)

Budget 2023: Industry lining up for carrots as Ottawa prepares to accelerate the green transition (Financial Post, 27 March 2023)

Exclusive: Canada budget sees contracts for difference for large clean-tech projects -source (Reuters, 27 March 2023)

Clean electricity grid, new tax credits will be among highlights of federal budget (CTV News, 23 March 2023)

Industrial policy is back in vogue in push for Canada to win on green economy (Financial Post, 22 March 2023)

Trudeau set to pick a lane in green-incentive race against Biden (Bloomberg, 21 March 2023)

Canada doesn't want 'tit-for-tat' with US on green transition (Reuters, 7 March 2023)

Climate group urges Freeland to adopt ‘low-hanging fruit’ policies in budget’s response to U.S. Inflation Reduction Act (Hill Times, 3 March 2023)

'It's a stark difference': Even Canadian cleantech companies are rushing to the U.S. for Biden's climate subsidies (Financial Post, 28 February 2023)

The U.S. aims to be a global cleantech superpower. How can Canada keep up? (Globe and Mail, 21 February 2023)

Michael shares thoughts on the Technology Innovation and Emissions Reduction Regulation (TIER) (Globe and Mail, 16 January 2023)

Michael comments on the government's shift away from using carbon pricing as the main driver of climate action (Toronto Star, 22 November 2022)

Michael suggests ways the government can respond to US climate action (Hill Times, 17 November 2022)

Michael says Poilievre's support for technology is an important piece of the puzzle (National Post, 27 September 2022)

Michael discusses Poilievre's climate plan (Canadian Press, 8 September 2022)

Michael finds that inflation is making climate action a tougher sell (CBC, 23 July 2022)

Michael suggests government give Canadians relief without changing climate policies (Canadian Press, 6 July 2022)

Michael says Charest plan moves the ball forward (Toronto Star, 26 April 2022)

Michael says Charest has a credible plan (National Post, 26 April 2022)

Michael believes Charest plan can meet 30% target (CBC, 26 April 2022)

Michael reviews Charest's climate plan (Canadian Press, 26 April 2022)

Michael says carbon capture is essential for helping Canada achieve its climate goals (Global News, 7 April 2022)

Q&A with Michael on federal emissions targets (Hill Times, 4 April 2022)

Michael wonders how the federal budget will address carbon capture (National Post, 4 April 2022)

Michael says small business isn't getting a fair share of the proceeds of the federal fuel charge (Globe and Mail, 1 April 2022)

Michael says says investors aren’t moving their money to climate action as quickly as needed (Canadian Press, 30 March 2022)

Michael argues Liberal climate plan raises the bar (Toronto Star, 29 March 2022)

Michael critiques PBO carbon-pricing study (Globe and Mail, 24 March 2022)

Michael on Ukraine war's influence on climate politics (Toronto Star, 14 March 2022)

Michael says future of Conservative climate policy isn't clear (Canadian Press, 4 March 2022)

Michael sees carbon pricing policy in jeopardy (Canadian Press, 4 February 2022)

Michael calls COP26 an encouraging step forward (CTV News, 16 November 2021)

Michael foresees high expectations of new government ministers (Toronto Star, 30 October 2021)

Michael expects little new at COP26 (National Post, 29 October 2021)

Michael puts a price tag on Ottawa's climate strategy (Globe and Mail, 29 October 2021)

Michael says O'Toole's climate plan was modestly helpful in appealing to voters (National Post, 29 September 2021)

Michael finds O'Toole's carbon pricing flexibility encouraging (Canadian Press, 15 September 2021)

Michael applauds the Liberal platform’s focus on green initiatives (Globe and Mail, 1 September 2021)

Michael on election climate platforms (Toronto Star, 30 August 2021)

Michael encourages the Liberals to release independent modelling of their climate plan (Canadian Press, 29 August 2021)

Michael says O'Toole's 30% emissions cut would be a step backwards (Canadian Press, 27 August 2021)

Michael on the economic impacts of fighting climate change (Toronto Star, 23 August 2021)

Michael looks ahead to the federal election (Toronto Star, 18 August 2021)

Michael talks about O'Toole's new carbon pricing plan (Canadian Press, 17 May 2021)

Michael on Canada's new 40-45% emissions-reduction target (Canadian Press, 22 April 2021)

Michael on the Biden climate summit (Canadian Press, 21 April 2021)

Michael notes that all federal parties now support carbon pricing (Globe and Mail, 15 April 2021)

Michael calls the O'Toole climate plan "credible" (Toronto Star, 15 April 2021)

Michael applauds Erin O'Toole's decision to adopt carbon pricing (National Post, 15 April 2021)

Michael on impact of Supreme Court carbon tax case on conservative premiers (Toronto Star, 24 March 2021)

Michael comments on the Supreme Court carbon tax case (National Post, 23 March 2021)

Michael talks about Conservative carbon pricing (National Post, 17 February 2021)

Michael comments on impact of carbon tax on farmers (National Post, 15 December 2020)

Michael quoted in an article about the government's decision to increase the carbon tax (Toronto Star, 11 December 2020)

Michael quoted in an article about Canada's 2030 climate targets (Toronto Star, 8 December 2020)

Michael quoted in an article about the impact of Joe Biden's election on Canada's climate policy (Toronto Star, 13 November 2020)

Michael quoted in an article about carbon border adjustments (Globe and Mail, 19 October 2020)

Michael quoted in a story about the Conservatives’ direction on climate policy (National Observer, 15 September 2020)

Michael featured in article by John Ivison on Scheer’s climate plan (BNN, 21 October 2019)

TV

Michael discusses how Canada can compete for low-carbon investment (Bloomberg, 31 March 2023)

Michael considers the future of Canada's hydrogen sector (CTV News, 23 August 2022)

Michael comments on the economic impact of the carbon tax and rebate (Global News, 14 July 2022)

Michael addresses the Environment Commissioner's report (CTV Power Play, 26 April 2022)

Michael joins the panel to discuss Canada's climate targets (CTV Question Period, 3 January 2022)

Michael discusses the outcomes of COP26 with Akshay Tandon (CTV News, 14 November 2021)

Michael reviews the parties' climate platforms (Primetime Politics on CPAC, 30 August 2021)

Michael on Canada's new 40-45% emissions-reduction target (CTV News, 22 April 2021)

Michael discusses the Supreme Court carbon tax decision (CTV News, 25 March 2021)

Michael interviewed about the Liberal government's climate plan (The National on CBC, 11 December 2020)

Michael joins BNN’s Amanda Lang to discuss climate & the 2019 election (BNN, October 21, 2019)

Michael grades the climate policies of each political party on The Agenda (The Agenda on TVOntario, 10 October 2019)

Michael joins BNN’s Amanda Lang to discuss the business case for climate action (BNN, September 27, 2019)

Michael talks climate policy with Mercedes Stephenson on the West Block (The West Block on Global News, 1 September 2019)

Michael talks to Global’s Farah Nasser about the Ontario climate plan (Global News at 5:30, 4 June 2019)

Radio

Michael discusses COP 28 (City News, 13 December, 2023)

Michael discusses the current challenges posed by carbon price uncertainty, the opportunities for a Carbon Contracts for Difference (CCfD) regime in Canada, and what this means for large emitters (The Sustainability Agenda, by CIBC Capital Markets, 14 September 2023)

Michael speaks about a new report by Clean Prosperity and the Transition Accelerator that find gaps in low-carbon investment incentives between the US and Canada (The Vassy Kapelos Show, 19 July 2023)

Michael breaks down what's in the Inflation Reduction Act, what it means for Canada, and why he thinks Canada needs to develop its own clean industrial strategy that's tailored for our strengths (Free Lunch by the Peak, 18 April 2023)

Michael shares his reactions and recommendations and reflects on the cleantech investment landscape in Canada vs. the US (Pipelines and Turbines, 14 April 2023)

Michael speaks about what lies ahead for Canada's economy as it seeks to reduce carbon emissions (Down to Business Podcast, 1 March 2023)

Michael speaks on how Canada's energy subsidies stack up next to the US' (Energi Talks with Markham Hislop, 24 February 2023)

Michael speaks with Rob Snow about the state of Canada's hydrogen sector (The Rob Snow Show on CityNews Ottawa, 23 August 2022)

Michael reports on Canadians' attitudes to climate action (The Evan Solomon Show on 580 CFRA, 18 July 2022)

Michael talks to Laura Lynch about why the carbon capture investment tax credit matters (What On Earth with Laura Lynch on CBC radio, 10 April 2022)

Michael joins Rob Snow to discuss the federal government's 2030 climate plan (The Rob Snow Show on CityNews Ottawa, 30 March 2022)

Michael discusses the government's plan to cut oil and gas emissions with Evan Solomon (The Evan Solomon Show on 580 CFRA, 29 March 2022)

Michael talks to Evan Solomon about COP26 (The Evan Solomon Show on 580 CFRA, 2 November 2021)

Michael tells Evan Solomon that the Liberal climate plan can achieve the 2030 target (The Evan Solomon Show on 580 CFRA, 28 October 2021)

Michael and Rob Snow discuss the future of climate policy (The Rob Snow Show on CityNews Ottawa, 20 September 2021)

Michael talks to Rob Snow about the Conservative climate plan (The Rob Snow Show on CityNews Ottawa, 18 August 2021)

Michael talks to Evan Solomon about Canada's new 40-45% emissions-reduction target (The Evan Solomon Show on 580 CFRA, 22 April 2021)

Michael discusses carbon management (What On Earth with Laura Lynch on CBC radio, 17 January 2021)

Michael discusses the Scheer climate plan with Evan Solomon (Newstalk 1010, 11 July 2019)