road back from Paris is critical for Canadian carbon pricing policies

Statement: Road Back from Paris is Critical for Canadian Carbon Pricing Policies

Today, Monday November 23, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau meets with First Ministers to discuss Canada’s climate change strategy one week before the Paris Climate Summit. This meeting comes one day after the unveiling of Alberta’s climate strategy, which includes an economy-wide carbon price of $30/tonne by 2018.

Statement from Chris Ragan: Alberta’s Carbon Price Step in Right Direction

“Alberta’s historic climate announcement demonstrates increased provincial commitment to market mechanisms for reducing greenhouse gas emissions. It is a step in the right direction toward stronger policy. However, important questions remain around how revenue will be used, how issues of fairness and business competitiveness will be addressed, and how policy will ramp up to achieve deeper emissions reductions post 2018. ”

“The hard work for Alberta, Ontario and other provinces truly begins on the road back from Paris. No matter what commitments are made at the COP, we should expect an uneven climate policy landscape globally and across Canada for some time. That means carefully addressing the issue of competitiveness for Canadian industries, and working through the details that matter to get these policies right at home.”

Commissioners available for comment

Ecofiscal Commissioners across the country are available for comment and analysis on provincial carbon pricing and business competitiveness issues as First Ministers and the Prime Minister prepare for the Paris COP.

Chris Ragan, Ecofiscal Chair and former special advisor, Bank of Canada
Elizabeth Beale, Former President and CEO, Atlantic Provinces Economic Council
Paul Boothe, Richard Ivey School of Business, former DM, Environment
Mel Cappe, University of Toronto School of Public Policy, former Clerk of the Privy Council
Glen Hodgson, Chief Economist, Conference Board of Canada
Paul Lanoie, HEC Montreal
Nancy Olewiler, Simon Frasier University, School of Public Policy