Canada Failing to Put Climate Change Plans in Action

When Justin Trudeau swept into power in 2015, he pledged to make fighting climate change a top priority for his government.
Three years later, Canada’s prime minister is on the defensive, scrambling to both revive his party’s unravelling climate strategy as a growing number of provinces refuse to participate in national carbon tax – and to temper frustrations over his government’s continued investment in the fossil fuel industry.
“From the beginning, [the government] decided they were going to try to thread the needle on the need for climate policy and fossil fuel resource development. They even made the two interdependent,” said Matthew Hoffman, a political science professor at Toronto’s Munk School of Global Affairs.
But on the surface, the strategy appears to be quickly falling apart.
Related: What if Canada had spent $200bn on wind energy instead of oil?
Trudeau’s political foes have already seized on the carbon tax in anticipation of the upcoming federal election – still a full year away – but the prime minister has shown no signs of backing down.
“Pollution should not be free anywhere across this country,” he said last week.
The political infighting comes as the UN’s intergovernmental panel on climate change warned that drastic changes are needed to offset the impacts of global climate change.
As part of a strategy to reduce Canada’s emissions, provinces are required to introduce a tax of at least $20 per tonne on emissions from January 2019, with increments of $10 each year until 2022.
In provinces which fail to produce an adequate carbon pricing plan, the federal government would implement its own tax, or ‘backstop’–.
Last week, Manitoba became fifth provinceto publicly opt out of carbon pricing, arguing that its own plans to combat climate change were sufficient.
Saskatchewan, which still relies heavily on coal for its power, has called the carbon tax a “ransom note”.
In Ontario, Canada’s most populous province, rightwing premier Doug Ford has vowed to rally opposition to the measure, which he described as “the worst tax ever”.
Alberta, home to the country’s oil sands, announced it would leave the plan after the federal government failed to push through construction of the Trans Mountain expansion pipeline built – a project Alberta argued was critical to its economy.
“Until the federal government gets its act together, Alberta is pulling out of the federal climate plan,” said Premier Rachel Notley in August. “And let’s be clear, without Alberta, that plan isn’t worth the paper it’s written on.”
Only two provinces, British Columbia and Quebec, have signalled a willingness to remain in some form of carbon pricing agreement.
When the original agreement was laid out, many of the provinces had Liberal politicians in power. Now, a conservative wave across the country has changed the party in power – and the political calculus.
Construction on the Kinder Morgan pipeline was halted over the summer.Photograph: Ben Nelms/Reuters
“This is a political move by the provinces. It’s conservatives wanting to give the Liberals a black eye,” said Nelson Wiseman, a professor of Canadian studies at the University of Toronto. “If you ask people, ‘Should the government do something about climate change?’ they’ll say yes. If you ask them, ‘Are you prepared to pay higher taxes?’ they’ll say no.”
The recent stumbles, however, could end up being a benefit for Trudeau, argued Mark Cameron, director Clean Prosperity, an environmental thinktank.
“If anything, this may end up making the carbon price backstop more effective,” he said. “Instead of one or two provinces that are going to be falling under it, there will be four or five. You’ll be getting a more coherent national carbon pricing system.”
Carbon taxes are supposed to be revenue neutral, meaning any increase a person pays are offset elsewhere. With its own carbon tax, the federal government could circumvent antagonistic provincial governments and deliver cheques – as high as $600 per year– to individual households. “The [upcoming federal] election is going to be in October,” said Wiseman. “Imagine, in July, people start getting cheques in the mail!”
Experts agree that any plan to fight the tax is likely a losing battle: courts have repeatedly affirmed the right of the government to impose a tax on provinces. “Whether that court victory leads to political victory is another question all together, said Hoffman. “[Trudeau’s] got to build popular support for this.”
As he grapples with carbon pricing, Trudeau is also engaged in a delicate task of placating his environmental supporters over frustrations that oil development is detrimental to emissions reductions.
Related: Hellfire: this is what our future looks like under climate change
Construction on the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, which the government purchased from Texas-based Kinder Morgan, was halted over the summer by a federal court order, largely the result of inadequate consultations with indigenous communities.
The government remains committed to pushing the pipeline through – and recently hired a retired supreme court justice to buttress its consultations with First Nations.
“The idea that the environment and the economy are not opposing goals, is a great framing,” said Hoffman. “But it’s tough to do when you’re framing the economy not as a transformed economy in a low-carbon world, but as further exploitation of fossil fuel resources.”

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Twin_Moose said:

I seen all the progressive policies have been jettisoned

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OTTAWA — Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer has dropped some breadcrumbs for what his eventual climate plan will look like, saying he believes Canada can reduce global emissions rather than domestic — and without a carbon tax.
Scheer took shots at the Liberal government's plan to impose a carbon price on recalcitrant provinces during an interview with CBC Radio's Michael Enright on Sunday, framing the environmental policy proposal as a tax issue.
"Don't tell Canadians that you've got an environmental plan and that's it's really just in fact a new taxation tool," Scheer said.
The Conservative leader also dismissed the work of Yale professor William Nordhaus, whose research shows a carbon tax to be an effective means of lowering emissions.
"There's no correlation between reductions of emissions and what the Liberals are proposing," Scheer said.
Nordhaus was awarded the Nobel Prize for economics this month for his work on carbon pricing.
Scheer and his MPs have maintained a price on carbon would stifle Canadian industries and make businesses less competitive with international-based competitors operating in jurisdictions without an equivalent tax.
"Are we better off if we displace jobs and investments to other countries and global emissions go up? I say no," Scheer said. "Let's bring that production here and have less emissions globally because we can make things more efficiently and cleaner."
Scheer did not commit to support the Paris Agreement, the international climate pledge signed by 194 countries in 2016 to limit global warming, even though Tories voted in 2017 to implement the accord. The Conservative plan is still being finalized and "all will become clear" in the future, he said.
'I don't know what that means'
Shy of explicit details, the Conservative leader has previously stated in vague terms that the party's alternative to the government's climate plan would be more internationally minded.
"It will speak to Canada's targets," Scheer said of his draft climate plan. The answer prompted host Enright to quip, "I don't know what that means."
The Conservative leader didn't offer a substantial answer and shifted the focus to knocking the Liberal government's plan for failing to meet Paris targets. The party's policy will be "well-documented and comprehensive," Scheer said.
Also on Sunday, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau appeared on popular Quebec program "Tout Le Monde En Parle" and criticized the opposition for failing to share their environmental plan to curb carbon emissions.
Trudeau has been grilled by the NDP for failing to raise emissions targets previously set by the Conservative government under Stephen Harper. The prime minister told the studio audience in Montreal that bumping targets would make a negligible difference.
"Even if Canada stopped everything tomorrow, and the other countries didn't have any solutions, it wouldn't make a big difference," he said in French. Trudeau contrasted the Liberals against the Conservatives, suggesting a price on pollution is better than offering no ideas on the environment.
One party has a plan to counter climate change, and another party has no interest, he said, adding he hopes Canadians will make the right choice come election time.

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Twin_Moose said:

Andrew Scheer Says He Supports Reducing Global Emissions Rather Than Domestic

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The government of Saskatchewan has taken an important step in putting their climate change plan into action next year. Environment Minister Dustin Duncan tabled necessary legislation to implement industry performance standards.
In addition to performance standards, The Management and Reduction of Greenhouse Gases Amendment Act, Bill 132, will provide the regulatory framework for heavy emitters contributing to a green technology fund, purchasing performance credits and carbon offset credits.

READ MORE: Saskatchewan unveils climate change plan; will not submit to Ottawa for assessment

“These amendments are an important step in fulfilling our government’s promise to reduce emissions and make Saskatchewan more resilient to the impacts of climate change,” Duncan said. “We already have an effective plan, and we are proceeding with industrial performance standards and compliance options in 2019 – especially with the federal government’s recognition of Prairie Resilience.”
When unveiling the framework for the federal price on emissions, Ottawa said that sectors covered under Prairie Resilience will only have to comply with those regulations.
However, since power generation and energy pipelines were not included, those sectors will be regulated under the federal standards come Jan. 1, 2019.
Bill 132 will also oversee several administrative steps of Prairie Resilience, including a requirement for heavy emitters to register with the province.
All emitters pumping out over 10,000 tonnes of carbon annually will have to track their emissions. Those with emissions over 25,000 tonnes will have to comply with performance standards.
The minister said that emitters under the 25,000 tonnes threshold may want to voluntarily comply earlier if they anticipate their emissions growing. This would allow them to access the technology fund or start earning performance credits ahead of time.
Duncan first unveiled these performance standards at the end of August, with a stamp of approval from several industry groups.
These amendments build off legislation that was passed in 2009 to establish a technology fund for heavy emitters. However, the legislation was never implemented.
The opposition NDP have been calling for the legislation to be implemented for years. Opposition Leader Ryan Meili said they have not yet had time to properly go over these new amendments.
"The government's actually had nine years to put it in place and take action. They've chosen not to. Now there's pressure to move quickly," Meili said.
"We will certainly have a good look at what the amendments are and decide whether or not it's close enough to the original that we're happy with it and it can go quickly. If there are real concerns that we have, we will debate them."

READ MORE: Economy, healthcare and climate change – Sask. gov’t leaders lay out session priorities

The province touts Prairie Resilience as a climate plan that has achievable emission reduction targets, without implementing an economy-wide price on pollution.
The federal government plans on imposing a carbon tax on Saskatchewan next year. In addition to the price on power and energy generation, there will be a price on fuel that takes effect April 1, 2019. That price is expected to add 4.42 cents per litre to the price of gas in the first year.

READ MORE: Liberals say 90% of carbon tax will be given to Canadians in rebate

The federal plan will see carbon pollution priced at $10 per tonne next year, adding $10 annually until reaching $50 per tonne in 2022.
The province does have a legal challenge on this tax before Saskatchewan’s Court of Appeal. Justice Minister Don Morgan anticipates the case will be heard in the spring, but doesn’t anticipate a final decision until sometime in 2020.

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Twin_Moose said:

Looks like Sask. is taking much larger steps on change with the support of business, this should win the Carbon tax lawsuit, and real change not like what the PM is forcing on us, a money grab.

Sask. environment minister introduces climate change plan legislation

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EagleSmack said:

Canada's goals well below what's needed to stop catastrophic climate change: UN
It's over Johnny... IT'S OVER!

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spilledthebeer said:

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Actually I believe Saskatchewan buys most of its power from Manitoba- which as some very substantial hydro electric generators on rivers feeding into Hudson`s Bay......

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petros said:

If our trees and crops counted the entire world would owe us for air purification.

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petros said:

Bait and switch. Upping the GST would kill any Govt's popularity but a Carbon (not CO2 but C) Tax is acceptable.

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Ron in Regina said:

Sorry folks, I was so choked at a news story I heard
about on the radio that above I didn't even quote
what I was arguing against.

http://www.surreynowleader.com/news...re-to-bring-in-a-carbon-tax-will-harm-others/

The federal government argues it has jurisdiction
to impose a carbon tax in Saskatchewan because
climate change is a matter of national concern.

In written arguments filed with Saskatchewan’s
Court of Appeal this week, Ottawa says a failure
by one province to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions will hurt the rest of the country.

“Failure by one province to reduce GHG
(greenhouse gas) emissions will harm other
provinces and territories, harm Canada’s
relations with other countries, and impede
international efforts to mitigate climate change,”
the factum says.

Blah blah blah....& more at the LINK....

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Ron in Regina said:

Sorry folks, I was so choked at a news story I heard
about on the radio that above I didn't even quote
what I was arguing against.
http://www.surreynowleader.com/news...re-to-bring-in-a-carbon-tax-will-harm-others/
The federal government argues it has jurisdiction
to impose a carbon tax in Saskatchewan because
climate change is a matter of national concern.

In written arguments filed with Saskatchewan’s
Court of Appeal this week, Ottawa says a failure
by one province to reduce greenhouse gas
emissions will hurt the rest of the country.
“Failure by one province to reduce GHG
(greenhouse gas) emissions will harm other
provinces and territories, harm Canada’s
relations with other countries, and impede
international efforts to mitigate climate change,”
the factum says.
Blah blah blah....& more at the LINK....

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"Failure by one province to reduce GHG (greenhouse gas) emissions will harm other provinces and territories, harm Canada's relations with other countries, and impede international efforts to mitigate climate change," the factum says.
Saskatchewan has asked the court to rule whether the federal government's plan to force a carbon tax on the province is constitutional.
The province believes its own climate change plan, which doesn't include a carbon tax, is enough to reduce emissions.
Premier Scott Moe said he feels confident in the challenge despite Ottawa's factum and doesn't believe the province is hurting the rest of Canada.
"Whether or not the federal government has the ability to tax one jurisdiction or one province, we don't agree with that," he said. "The constitution, we believe, doesn't agree with that."
Ottawa contends that there is no constitutional requirement for federal laws to operate equally throughout Canada.
The factum says emissions in Saskatchewan have increased by 10.9 per cent since 2005 and accounted for 10.8 per cent of the country's emissions in 2016.
The case won't be heard in court until at least the spring.
"We have a plan for a healthy environment and a stronger economy," federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna said in a statement. "Because, at the end of the day, it's what we owe to our kids and grandkids."
Ontario has joined Saskatchewan's case as an intervener while also filing its own legal challenge.
Ottawa argues in the factum that the law isn't an intrusion into provincial jurisdiction. It says the act implements the "polluter pays" principle which is "firmly entrenched in environment law in Canada."
Keith Stewart, a spokesman for Greenpeace, said Ottawa is arguing that climate change is such a big deal for Canada as a whole that not allowing the federal government to bring in a carbon tax would affect it constitutional authority to provide peace, order and good government.
"If Saskatchewan wants to try and challenge that, they're pretty much going to have to try and deny the evidence presented by the intergovernmental panel on climate change, which every country in the world has signed on to," Stewart said.
Amir Attaran, a law professor at the Ecojustice Environment Law Clinic at the University of Ottawa, said Saskatchewan made a mistake by not acknowledging that the federal and provincial governments can co-operate to solve a problem such as climate change.
"That is, I think, going to kill them," he said.
The federal government had asked all provinces to put a minimum price on carbon emissions of $20 a tonne by Jan. 1.
Last week, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau detailed a plan to charge a carbon tax in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick — the four provinces that have refused to comply.
Ottawa plans to rebate the carbon tax money to residents of those provinces. It's estimated the average household payment in Saskatchewan will be $598.
Opposition NDP Leader Ryan Meili said the province hasn't displayed anything solid so far with its climate strategy.
"To date we haven't seen any strong evidence that there's a great deal of hope for the case," Meili said.
On Tuesday, Saskatchewan introduced its own climate change law, which would amend current legislation.
Under the proposal, large emitters would be required to register with the province and could receive credits for reaching targets.

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MHz said:

How many more years of coal left? On site geothermal will ease the load, NG when 90% of the coal has been used. Offshore hydro on both coasts (underwater wind farm) could be done using off the shelf parts except a new prop will be needed.


'Browns gas' can neutralize atomic waste, what would it do to the ash left behind.

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spilledthebeer said:

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POOR MHz!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
The laws of economics and physics are so very easy to manipulate in his home world of Erehwon!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
MHz has told us he was an engineer in working life........yet all his "solutions" to so many things involve mind bending and economy breaking Rube Goldberg devices that always suck up more cash and energy than they would ever produce!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

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