Justin Trudeau, premiers seek to unify Canada's message on climate change
With a first ministers meeting set to take place in Ottawa today just one week before the start of the Paris climate talks, a number of premiers are reminding Justin Trudeau he's not swooping in at the 11th hour to save the day.
In fact, some are voicing concern the new prime minister may "fiddle around" with plans already in place.
Environment Minister Catherine McKenna reiterated a key Liberal campaign pledge on Friday: "We promise to provide national leadership to take action on climate change, put a price on carbon and reduce carbon pollution," she told attendees of the Canada 2020 conference on Friday.
Earlier in the day, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard reminded journalists at the same conference that the provinces have been showing leadership on this file for years.
"I am very happy to be working with the federal government and colleagues around the table, but let's resist the temptation to start from scratch."
Cap and trade
Quebec and Ontario formally joined with California this year to participate in a cap-and-trade market. That's where jurisdictions put quotas on emissions and companies that wish to exceed theirs must purchase credits from companies not fully utilizing theirs. The intention is to create a financial penalty for emissions-intensive companies and a corresponding reward for those finding more environmentally friendly ways of doing business.
Carbon Tax
On Sunday, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley announced her province would introduce a carbon tax. Starting in 2017, the price will be $20 a tonne of carbon emissions, rising to $30 a tonne in 2018.
That cost will be borne by industry and consumers alike.
"This is the day we stop denying there is a problem and this is the day we do our part," Notley said as part of her announcement outlining how Albertans will pay for and benefit from the policy.
British Columbia introduced a carbon tax in 2008, and that province's premier, Christy Clark, hopes the federal government isn't going to now start "fiddling around" with it.
"We have what the World Bank says is the most effective carbon pricing anywhere in the world," she said in an interview with CBC News.
Justin Trudeau, premiers seek to unify Canada's message on climate change - Politics - CBC News
With a first ministers meeting set to take place in Ottawa today just one week before the start of the Paris climate talks, a number of premiers are reminding Justin Trudeau he's not swooping in at the 11th hour to save the day.
In fact, some are voicing concern the new prime minister may "fiddle around" with plans already in place.
Environment Minister Catherine McKenna reiterated a key Liberal campaign pledge on Friday: "We promise to provide national leadership to take action on climate change, put a price on carbon and reduce carbon pollution," she told attendees of the Canada 2020 conference on Friday.
Earlier in the day, Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard reminded journalists at the same conference that the provinces have been showing leadership on this file for years.
"I am very happy to be working with the federal government and colleagues around the table, but let's resist the temptation to start from scratch."
Cap and trade
Quebec and Ontario formally joined with California this year to participate in a cap-and-trade market. That's where jurisdictions put quotas on emissions and companies that wish to exceed theirs must purchase credits from companies not fully utilizing theirs. The intention is to create a financial penalty for emissions-intensive companies and a corresponding reward for those finding more environmentally friendly ways of doing business.
Carbon Tax
On Sunday, Alberta Premier Rachel Notley announced her province would introduce a carbon tax. Starting in 2017, the price will be $20 a tonne of carbon emissions, rising to $30 a tonne in 2018.
That cost will be borne by industry and consumers alike.
"This is the day we stop denying there is a problem and this is the day we do our part," Notley said as part of her announcement outlining how Albertans will pay for and benefit from the policy.
British Columbia introduced a carbon tax in 2008, and that province's premier, Christy Clark, hopes the federal government isn't going to now start "fiddling around" with it.
"We have what the World Bank says is the most effective carbon pricing anywhere in the world," she said in an interview with CBC News.
Justin Trudeau, premiers seek to unify Canada's message on climate change - Politics - CBC News
