Now is Not the Time to Abandon Carbon Pricing
OTTAWA – The Trudeau Liberals must treat the climate crisis as the emergency it is. The inconsistent messaging on climate policy since 2015 has led to a state of confusion in our approach to addressing this critical issue.
In 2015 Trudeau proclaimed “Canada is Back!” but our country remains the weakest climate performer in the G7. Trudeau’s target – 40% below 2005 by 2030 – falls short from the Americans’, and we are not on track to meet it. Canada’s claim to climate “leadership” was further compromised by buying the Kinder Morgan pipeline, and then funding it, as the cost to taxpayers ballooned to over $30 billion. The Liberals promised to end fossil fuel subsidies, then increased subsidies through billions for a failed technology – carbon capture and storage.
“It doesn’t make sense for this government to weaken their already insufficient climate policy while leaving tens of billions in subsidies and tax breaks to the oil industry in place,” said Mike Morrice, MP for Kitchener Centre. “A more responsible government would have long ago followed proposals like what I’ve brought forward to generate $4.2 billion for climate solutions and affordability measures for Canadians by applying the windfall profit tax to oil and gas companies.”
Many in the last few days claim it is unfair to leave the carbon price on natural gas for home heating, based on the assumption that natural gas is a more climate-friendly choice than oil. That is only true if you look at the emissions from burning. Natural gas is mostly fracked, a process that releases vast amounts of methane, a very powerful greenhouse gas.
“The Trudeau Liberals are now facing the consequences of their policy inconsistencies,” said Elizabeth May, Green Party Leader. “While carbon pricing works to reduce emissions from vehicles and large industries, the best strategy by far to reduce GHG emissions from homes is to maximize energy efficiency, and increase the affordability of retrofits and heat pumps. We don’t want to see the end of carbon pricing. It is the one thing the Liberals almost got right. But it’s never too late to cancel the TMX!”
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For more information or to arrange an interview :
Fabrice Lachance Nové
Press secretary
514-463-0021