Opinion
The prime minister is winning the carbon pricing fight, he shouldn’t back down now
By Dale Marshall December 9, 2019
Canadians voted for climate action in the last election. The prime minister needs to continue to vigorously defend the policy he ran on and won.
Regardless of the political math, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, pictured Nov. 20, 2019, may feel that he needs to allow weaker systems in all three provinces, in the interest of federal-provincial harmony. But for the country, that will mean less effective climate policies, higher carbon emissions, and provincial unfairness.
The Hill Times photograph by Andrew Meade
Over the coming weeks, the federal government will have to make big decisions that will determine just how effective Canada’s carbon price will be at reducing emissions. Alberta, Ontario, and New Brunswick have all proposed weaker carbon pricing systems for their industrial emitters and are now asking the feds to allow them to implement those weaker standards.
Related Stories
Explore, analyze, understand
Spinning History: A Witness to Harper’s Canada and 21st Century choices
An unvarnished look at the Harper years and what lies ahead for Canadians
Get the book
An unvarnished look at the Harper years and what lies ahead for Canadians
Get the book
2018 Guide to Lobbyist Gifting Rules
The 2018 Guide to Lobbyist Gifting Rules is the essential resource for your work on federal issues.
Get the book
The 2018 Guide to Lobbyist Gifting Rules is the essential resource for your work on federal issues.
Get the book
Related Policy Briefings
Agriculture Policy Briefing
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Environment
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Energy
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Short and informative analyses on policy challenges that bring background and recommendations to policymakers, journalists and the general public.
Read policy briefing
Politics This Morning
Your email has been added. An email has been sent to your address, please click the link inside of it to confirm your subscription.
Throne Speech’s climate promises draws mixed reviews, with NDP saying it’s a rehash of old pledges
The Throne Speech promised action on climate change like the country has never seen before, but some experts and politicians are skeptical the Liberal government can deliver. Former PM Turner was a ‘living legend,’ ‘a great defender of Parliament,’ say politicos
While the conditions for Liberal longevity might not have been ripe, Liberal strategist Charles Bird says late former prime minister John Turner came to the leadership when 'he was already something of a living legend.'Foreign policy focus in new session should be on China, U.S., and human rights, say Parliamentarians
'The No. 1 [foreign policy] priority is our relationship with the United States,' says Independent Senator Peter Boehm as the U.S. presidential election quickly approaches. Political parties reach last-minute deal to temporarily change House rules for hybrid Commons, electronic voting
The rule changes includes a sunset clause, with the terms expiring Dec. 11. ‘Whatever it takes’: Trudeau says austerity not an option in the face of staggering job losses, health crisis
The speech did not promise a full-fledged budget, but said an update to the feds’ COVID-19 Economic Response plan would be coming this fall.‘I wrote this memoir from the heart’: former Supreme Court chief justice wins Shaughnessy Cohen Prize for memoir, Truth Be Told, a ‘unique and tantalizing glimpse’ into top court
'Writing this book has brought me close to Canadians and the wonder of our national diversity. This prize is the icing on the amazing cake that has been my life': former Supreme Court chief justice Beverley McLachlin.Presidential election could change course on unilateral tariff use, but Canada-U.S. trade tensions will remain: experts
If Joe Biden wins the U.S. presidency, he will be constrained in the use of unilateral tariffs, say experts, while Donald Trump's re-election may leave Canada once again targeted by national security tariffs. COVID-19 containment, economic recovery expected to drive fall lobbying
Lobbyists will also be keeping an eye on progress on the government's backlog of big-ticket legislation and regulatory reforms this session.Parties close to agreement on voting plan, Parliament return, but committees prove sticking point, says Bloc MP
The Standing Orders have to be amended to allow MPs to vote remotely, and according to Bloc deputy House leader Christine Normandin, there’s agreement among parties for those changes to be made temporary.Trending Stories
