FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Ottawa, ON: October 3, 2016 — Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) is encouraged by the spirit of Prime Minister Trudeau’s announcement of a carbon price as a central pillar of Canada’s climate action plan, but laments that the established pricing levels will do little to meaningfully reduce Canadian GHG emissions.
As Prime Minister Trudeau opened debate on Canadian ratification of the Paris Agreement today, he spoke eloquently about the need for Canada to play a role in global efforts to address climate change. He recognized the impacts of climate change around the world. He spoke about the legacy that we will leave for our children. And, he announced that the Government of Canada plans to introduce a national price on carbon in 2018. Initially set at $10 per tonne, the carbon price is said to rise $10 per year to reach $50 per tonne in 2022.
“It sounded so promising,” said senior policy analyst Karri Munn-Venn, “until Prime Minister Trudeau named his numbers. At $10 per tonne, a price on carbon does very little to impact GHG emissions. Even at $50 per tonne, we’re only just beginning to achieve intended emissions reductions.”
CPJ has called for a coordinated carbon tax of at least $30/tonne CO2 eq to be implemented immediately, with planned regular increases to at least $160 by 2030.
Even at these levels, in order to effectively reduce Canadian GHG emissions, carbon pricing must be part of a larger suite of policies including – but not limited to – direct regulation of the oil and gas sectors in the short and medium term.
“People of faith from across Canada have made it clear that they support bold action to address climate change,” says Munn-Venn. “What’s more, they are ready and willing to make personal sacrifices in order to serve the common good.”
These concerned citizens have expressed support for an ambitious Canadian climate action plan that establishes a new greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions reduction target and contributes equitably to limiting global warming to 1.5°C over pre-industrial levels. They expressed a willingness to make changes to their own lifestyles in order to reduce GHG emissions, while also begin keenly aware that far-reaching government action is needed.
Today’s announcement demonstrates the government’s firm acknowledgement of integral role of carbon pricing in Canada’s climate action plan. Sadly, however, the level at which this price is to be set means that Canada will continue to fall short of our modest climate commitments.
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For more information, contact Brad Wassink at brad@cpj.ca or 613-232-0275 x. 225.
Citizens for Public Justice (CPJ) is a national organization of members inspired by faith to act for justice in Canadian public policy.
