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"A Prius can't pull a combine"

Local officials are voicing their opposition to a federally-implemented carbon tax. On Oct.
Local officials are voicing their opposition to the proposed federal carbon tax.
Local officials are voicing their opposition to the proposed federal carbon tax.

Local officials are voicing their opposition to a federally-implemented carbon tax.

On Oct. 3, the federal government announced the proposal of Pan-Canadian pricing on carbon pollution, which would see all Canadian jurisdictions implement carbon pricing by 2018.

The federal government has proposed the pricing as a way of helping the country meet its target gas emissions of 30 per cent below the levels of 2005, by 2022.

"Pricing pollution is one of the most efficient ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions, and to simulate innovation," said Catherine McKenna, Minister of Environment and Climate Change.

Currently, 80 per cent of Canadians are living in a province that has already implemented a price on carbon, the government wants to "continue the trend and cover the final 20 per cent."

Lakeland MP Shannon Stubbs strongly opposes the proposed carbon pricing, and said, "It's not about environmental stewardship, it is not about emissions reduction, it is not about clean air, it's a cash grab, and it's a revenue generator for government."

Bonnyville-Cold Lake MLA Scott Cyr said now is not the time to be imposing more taxes, and emphasized on his concern for unemployed residents in Alberta.

"It is time for the Government of Canada to act on this issue. Albertans have contributed very generously for many years to national initiatives designed to help other regions address economic challenges," said Alberta Premier Rachel Notley. "What we are asking for now is that our landlock be broken, in one direction or another, so that we can get back on our feet."

When in full force, the federal carbon pricing could cost families about $2,600 per year, which does not include any carbon tax put in place by the provincial government.

"I think it is kicking energy-based provinces while they are down," said Stubbs, adding it will be particularly harmful to those living in rural, remote and northern communities.

"This will increase the cost of living for all Canadians, and will increase the cost of everything for everyone in every corner of this country, while disproportionately harming rural and remote energy-based communities and provinces."

Stubbs used farmers as an example, and how they are reliant on fuel to run their equipment.

"A Prius can't pull a combine. So the politicians who are promoting carbon taxes say things like, buy a fuel efficient vehicle, or take the bus, or walk more, or bike more, but this reflects the serious rural and urban divide, because that's just not feasible."

The cost for federal carbon pricing would depend on whether it is business or household gas emissions. For businesses, the cost could be greater because of the amount of energy they use. This in turn could increase the price of daily goods and services.

"The problem is, businesses tend to pass these expenses onto the consumers, and that just means more costs in our day to day living," Cyr said.

For example, a trucking company may be required to charge more because of the addition of federal carbon pricing. This would then affect the cost to deliver goods such as groceries to stores, and the stores would be required to increase their prices in order to meet increased costs.

Provinces and territories have two options in terms of implementing the carbon pricing. They can either put a direct price on carbon pollution, or they can adopt a cap-and-trade system.

The proposed pricing on carbon pollution starts at $10 per tonne in 2018, rising by $10 per year until 2022, when it should reach $50 per tonne.

Provinces that choose a cap-and-trade system would be required to reduce the number of greenhouse gas emission permits made to businesses, and reduce the total number of permits every year until they have reached a target greenhouse gas emissions cut that is in line with or greater than that of the federal government.

Should Alberta implement the carbon tax by 2018, a pricing system would be provided by the federal government.

Any revenues from the carbon pricing would be used as the province sees fit, something Cyr believes doesn't make the pill any easier to swallow. However, should the tax be implemented, he would like to see it be revenue neutral, so for every dollar brought in by the carbon tax, the province would meet by reducing the tax somewhere else.

"That seems to be the direction a lot of provinces are going in," he said, adding by doing this provinces are still getting their point across, without the financial burden to families and businesses.

Alberta's Official Opposition leader Brian Jean, said the Wildrose will campaign on repealing the province's current carbon tax, and do not support the carbon pricing being proposed by the federal government.

"The reality is, families in Alberta need a break. Raising taxes and making life more expensive is not a solution," he continued.

Notley claims she cannot support a federal carbon tax unless a plan is put in place by the federal government to construct a pipeline that will help move Alberta's oil out of province.

Cyr said he is disappointed by Notley's comment, and believes tying the two together is alarming.

Jean agreed, "Premier Notley should not be offering any support for this plan, period. Tying a single pipeline approval to taxation sets a dangerous precedent."

The tax would be reviewed in 2022 in order to ensure it has been effective in terms of lowering gas emissions across the country.

Stubbs compared the proposed federal pricing to the tax implemented in British Columbia, which has not shown a considerable reduction in fuel emissions since its implementation in 2008.

"The carbon tax has lead to no significant decreases in gasoline purchases at all... We have a made in Canada example that is held up by these components, as proof, which has shown us the very opposite, that having a carbon tax did not result in reduced emissions."

Currently, the province of BC's tax is frozen at $30 per tonne, a number BC Premier Christy Clark claims will remain the same despite the province's Climate Leadership Team's recommendation to increase the cost by $10 starting 2018.

In May, the Alberta government announced the introduction of Bill 20, which will implement a cost on carbon starting Jan. 1, 2017.

Through this bill, Alberta families will be paying an additional $70 to $105 per year. Sixty six per cent of those living in the province will receive partial rebates from the government.

Cyr said the tax could cost the average family about $1,000 by 2018, and should a federal tax be in place, families could see an overall cost on carbon to a tune of about $3,600.

Stubbs has started up an online petition, as she believes Canadians aren't in favour of the federal proposal, and invites anyone who is opposed to sign the petition posted on her website shannonstubbsmp.ca.

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