Mr. Taylor's commentary takes issue with our op-ed highlighting that the four provinces with carbon pollution pricing outperformed the rest of Canada economically. But he doesn't dispute this fact.
He also suggests my Pembina Institute co-author and I "don't believe taxes affect consumer behaviour or business decisions." That's plain wrong, or we wouldn't have bothered to underline the benefits of a policy that does just this.
Clearly, it makes sense to put a price on something we don't want (i.e. pollution) and use the revenue for something we do want (e.g. lowering other taxes to help businesses and families). The most efficient way to curb carbon pollution is to price it.
An effective price on pollution encourages investment in more efficient, lower-emissions technologies and industries. This, in turn, helps secure Canada's prosperity as the world continues to transition to a low-carbon economy.
Maximilian Kniewasser
Director, B.C. Climate Policy Program, Pembina Institute
The Brooks Bulletin (Alberta) published this letter to the editor on February 27, 2018 (page A4).
