EDMONTON — Duncan Kenyon, Alberta Regional Director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to Bill 1:
“With the tabling of Bill 1 to repeal the Climate Leadership Act, the Alberta government is cutting existing jobs, stunting innovation, removing financial benefits for small- and medium-size businesses, families and communities, and is allowing greenhouse gas emissions to continue to increase. The government has yet to produce a plan that will make up for these losses and build on previous progress.
“With provincial carbon pricing, and other measures, Alberta was on track to reduce its emissions by 51 megatonnes per year in 2030. But with the latest data showing that emissions from oil and gas production are still expected to rise, it’s clear the province needs to do more, not less.
“In the meantime, all Albertans are continuing to pay the price of climate change, including more unpredictable, volatile weather and poorer air quality. In addition, the province will waste taxpayers’ money fighting a losing battle in the courts. This is a step backwards for Albertans.”
Quick facts
- Alberta’s economy-wide price on pollution helped create thousands of jobs for Albertans.
- Proceeds from the carbon levy are being used to finance widespread public transit infrastructure in both Edmonton and Calgary.
- Proceeds from the carbon levy were reinvested in the Indigenous Climate Leadership Initiative, providing 65 Indigenous communities with more than $50 million in funding for local projects, including energy efficiency, investment in renewables and access to training for employment in a green economy
- Proceeds from the carbon levy were reinvested to help drive sustainability initiatives in more than 300 communities across Alberta, such as upgrading and retrofitting recreation centres, fire halls, RCMP buildings, town offices, curling rinks and public pools.
Contact
Michelle Bartleman (English / français)
Communications Lead, Alberta (Edmonton)
587-588-5744
Kurt Archer
Communications Lead, Alberta (Calgary)
587-585-4522
Background
Report: Pricing Carbon Pollution in Alberta
Publication: Where the money goes: How revenue from carbon taxes drives change without hurting Albertans
FAQs: The Alberta Climate FAQ Series: Carbon Pricing
About the Pembina Institute
The Pembina Institute is a non-profit think-tank that advocates for strong, effective policies to support Canada’s clean energy transition. We have offices in Vancouver, Calgary, Edmonton, Ottawa and Toronto.
