Premiers are confident the advent of new leadership in Ottawa and Alberta will allow Canada to shed its global reputation as an environmental pariah. So while Rachel Notley’s new plan is great and well received and a nice middle ground, expect the last pat on her back to come from the $36.1 billion Imperial Oil company. Let’s hope the outcome for Canada is more specific and less flowery than the outcome of this week’s first ministers meeting.
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They were told global warming is “unequivocal” and is affecting Canadians across the country, including thawing permafrost in the North, melting of Artic sea ice and rising sea levels, eroding water quality, longer and more severe droughts and heat waves, larger number of wildfires, and crumbling infrastructure due to severe weather events.
The new policy says provincial legislation will set a limit of 100 million tonnes per year on oilsands carbon emissions.
“Canadians understand that we need concrete action”.
“I think this was always understood, that looking at whether we had an appropriate carbon price was absolutely one of the things that would be part of the climate change strategy”.
ExxonMobil-controlled Imperial Oil (TSX:IMO, Forum) would like you to know that its profit margin is more important than the air you breathe, and it doesn’t care if it’s the only one saying so, you darn hippies.
“As we prepare for Paris and to present a constructive and national front to the world, we need to be mindful of that fact”.
The Star wrote that this news is a boost for Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who is going to attend the International Climate summit next week in Paris.
Prominent members of both Big Oil and the environmental movement have given their blessing to Alberta’s sweeping new climate change plan. It was a historic moment.
The carbon-intensive oilsands are the third-largest proven oil reserves in the world but also the fastest-growing source of greenhouse gas emissions in Canada. This adds Alberta to the list of BC, Ontario and Quebec who are using some form of carbon pricing to combat climate change.
“This is the day we stop denying there is an issue and this is the day when we start doing our part”, said Notley in a report by the National Observer. The province estimates the carbon tax will amount to roughly $470 in increased heating, electricity and transportation costs for an average household in 2018.
But it was a 24-slide power point presentation given by two climate scientists that brought the break with the Harper era into sharp relief.
Clark said Canada has a “story to tell” about success fighting climate change and the COP 21 summit is “a chance to reset the brand”. But unlike in B.C., where carbon tax on gasoline, natural gas and other fuels is automatically returned through reductions in personal and business income tax, Notley’s government plans to spend much of the money.
Emissions have inched upwards across other prairie provinces as well. Alberta will also phase out coal power plants in the province by 2030.
Out of Canada’s 10 provinces, Alberta is the biggest source of greenhouse gas emissions by far.
What we witnessed Sunday in Alberta falls into another category of leadership altogether. “Canada is going to be a strong and positive actor on the world stage, including in Paris”.
Wildrose Leader Brian Jean said Notley should call it what it is – a straight-up tax.
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“Essentially we’re trying to correct a bad behaviour and so the easiest way to do it is to change the price”, said Winter.
