Opinion: SK, ON rejection of carbon pricing "deeply irresponsible"

Isabelle Turcotte of the Pembina Institute says she is disappointed that the Ontario and Saskatchewan governments walked away from the opportunity to design carbon pricing policies.

Pembina Institute reacts to the joint statement from Ontario and Saskatchewan on carbon pricing

This article was published on the Pembina Institute blog on July 19, 2018.

OTTAWA — Isabelle Turcotte, interim federal policy director at the Pembina Institute, made the following comment in response to the joint statement released today from Ontario and Saskatchewan.

“It is deeply irresponsible of the Saskatchewan and Ontario governments to reject carbon pricing. Canadians expect their governments to address climate change, one of the most serious issues facing us today. It is a failure of leadership to reject the most cost effective way to reduce pollution. This move undermines Canada’s obligations to do its fair share to protect our communities from a changing climate.

“It is also disappointing to see Ontario and Saskatchewan walk away from the opportunity to design carbon pricing policies that work best for their unique economic realities and walk away from the global trends towards low carbon economies. This is outdated thinking and a step backwards.

“Carbon pricing reduces carbon pollution and is compatible with economic growth. This has been proven most recently in California. With the cap-and-trade carbon pricing system in place, the state reached their 2020 carbon pollution reduction goal four years ahead of schedule – a reduction of 13 per cent from the 2004 peak, while the economy grew by 26 per cent in the same period.

“Legal experts have been clear, including legal advice sought by the Government of Manitoba, that the federal government has the authority to apply a price on carbon. The expected outcome of the legal challenges announced today will simply be nothing more than a waste of taxpayers money and a delay in action to protect communities and improve the health and livability of these provinces.

“Ontario’s choice to abandon an effective system and cancel the funding that came with the system’s revenue is costing Ontarians and included programs that support school repairs, social housing and helped home owners save money through rebates and energy savings.”