OTTAWA — Isabelle Turcotte, federal policy director at the Pembina Institute, made the following statement in response to the scheduled increase of the federal carbon price going into effect today:
“Today’s scheduled increase of the national price on pollution from $20 to $30 a tonne is a positive signal to investors. By staying the course on its climate agenda as we navigate the crisis caused by COVID-19, Canada is offering much-needed certainty for investors and long-term incentives and flexibility for industry and consumers to move toward low-carbon options.
“That investment certainty and incentivization of low-carbon options is essential to the future resilience of the Canadian economy as the world strives to decarbonize to limit warming to 1.5 degrees Celsius. We need to ensure the choices we make in one global crisis don’t exacerbate another. Decisions made today will impact our well being for decades to come, define our competitiveness in a decarbonizing global market, and insulate our workers against future disruption. Maintaining a strong carbon price helps achieve this — and the design of the federal program protects families by putting more money in their pockets by returning revenues via income tax returns, while effectively lowering carbon emissions.
“A price on pollution is the cheapest way to reduce harmful air pollution and carbon emissions and is integral to any plan to build a strong economy.”
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Contact
Kelly O’Connor
Associate communications director
416-220-8804
Background
Recommendations: Green Stimulus (March 2020)
Report: Winning on Climate: Action plan for a decarbonized Canadian economy (December 2019)
Reacts: The national price on pollution will bring health and economic benefits to Canadians (October 2018)
Infographic: How a price on pollution reduces emissions
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. Learn more: www.pembina.org
