Open Letter on Carbon Pricing READ

Ontario

Jun 28 2019

Summary of Ontario Court Decision on the Federal Carbon Pricing Law

by
Climate and Energy

The Ontario Court of Appeal ruled that the federal Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (GGPPA) is constitutionally valid.  Parliament has the authority to set minimum national standards to reduce Greenhouse Gas emissions under its “National Concern” power – a branch of the Peace, Order and Good Government (POGG) power in the Constitution. 4 of the […]

Nov 29 2018

Up in the Air: A look at Ontario’s new climate policy

by , and
Climate and Energy

After coming to power, Ontario’s Progressive Conservative government got right to work on climate policy. Over the last six months, they’ve dismantled the province’s cap-and-trade program, loosened the province’s emissions targets, and taken the federal government to court over the carbon-pricing backstop; all the while, we were told a new plan was coming. Today, the PCs unveiled […]

Jun 22 2018

If not carbon pricing in Ontario – which works well – then what, Mr. Ford?

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Climate and Energy

by Dale Beugin, Don Drummond, Glen Hodgson and Mel Cappe We’d like to correct the record on some of the myths and misunderstandings surrounding carbon pricing. The economic evidence clearly contradicts some of the recent rhetoric coming from Ontario. In short: Carbon pricing works. Carbon pricing is cheaper than any other policy option. And getting […]

Jun 21 2018

Can Ontario hit its targets without carbon pricing?

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Climate and Energy Pollution

Ontario’s new government plans to dismantle the provincial cap-and-trade system and resist the federal backstop, essentially opposing carbon pricing in all forms. Though he hasn’t provided details, the premier-designate says he will “come down heavy on polluters.” Let’s take his statement seriously. What would a real plan to decarbonize Ontario look like—without a price on […]

Doug Ford victory speech after Ontario election. Ford plans to get rid of Ontario's cap-and-trade (carbon pricing) system (that he refers to as a carbon tax).
Jun 8 2018

Tread Carefully: Ontario’s cap-and-trade system meets a fork in the road

by and
Climate and Energy Pollution

Ontario elected a new government yesterday, and as far as carbon pricing is concerned, change is afoot. The province’s cap-and-trade system is working well, but the incoming Progressive Conservatives have signaled their discontent with the status quo. In this blog, we’ll look at their options—everything from leaving the WCI entirely to changing how auction revenues […]

Nov 15 2017

Smooth transitions: Shifting from cap-and-trade to a carbon tax

by and
Climate and Energy

by Dale Beugin, Blake Shaffer, and Trevor Tombe Members of Ontario’s PC Party have voted strongly in favour of replacing the province’s current cap-and-trade system with a federally administered carbon tax. There would be important pros and cons for such a transition, should the PCs come to power in 2018, and should they follow through […]

© Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission