Province punts 2 major decisions in new climate action plan
Gallant government won't say if New Brunswick will impose a carbon tax or adopt a cap-and-trade system
By Jacques Poitras, CBC News
Posted: Dec 07, 2016 9:46 AM AT
Premier Brian Gallant had his entire cabinet behind him as
he unveiled the province's new climate change action plan on Wednesday.
(Jacques Poitras/CBC)
| ||||
The New Brunswick government has unveiled its climate change
action plan but is putting off two major decisions that could carry
heavy political risks.
The plan released Wednesday morning accepts a legislative
committee's recommendation to put a price on carbon, but doesn't say
what form it will take.
"The one where we do ask for a bit more time to make sure that we get it right is how we are going to put a carbon-pricing mechanism in place here in New Brunswick that helps our economy and our efforts to combat climate change," Premier Brian Gallant said at a news conference.
The two main options are a carbon tax and a cap-and-trade regime for emissions. That would see emitters who exceed the cap buy credits from emitters who stay below the limit, a system that would limit overall emissions.
In fact, the plan hedges on the committee's suggested phase-out target of 2030.
It says the government will set that date "if adequate support can be found to minimize impacts on energy costs and the local economy."
But it also raises the possibility of stretching out the coal phase-out to 2040 through an agreement with the federal government.
The Trudeau government is requiring a 2030 phase-out, but other provinces, including Nova Scotia, have negotiated deals with Ottawa that let them burn coal longer if they make equivalent emission reductions elsewhere.
The all-party committee of MLAs recommended the phase-out of all fossil fuels, which would include coal and natural gas.
The plan includes a goal to reduce carbon emissions to 35 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030. That's at the lower end of the 35-45 per cent range adopted by the conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers.
The committee had recommended the government choose 40 per cent as the target.
PC environment critic Brian Kierstead told the legislature "everybody wants to do their part" in reducing emissions, but he said New Brunswick deserves recognition for reductions that have already happened over the last decade.
He called on Gallant to strike a deal with Ottawa that takes those reductions into account. "We are hoping he will stand up for New Brunswickers," Kierstead said.
While the opposition PCs signed on to most of the recommendations in the committee report, they opposed the idea of a carbon tax — though Kierstead told reporters it might be more acceptable if other taxes were cut by the same amount at the same time.
"The one where we do ask for a bit more time to make sure that we get it right is how we are going to put a carbon-pricing mechanism in place here in New Brunswick that helps our economy and our efforts to combat climate change," Premier Brian Gallant said at a news conference.
The two main options are a carbon tax and a cap-and-trade regime for emissions. That would see emitters who exceed the cap buy credits from emitters who stay below the limit, a system that would limit overall emissions.
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In fact, the plan hedges on the committee's suggested phase-out target of 2030.
It says the government will set that date "if adequate support can be found to minimize impacts on energy costs and the local economy."
But it also raises the possibility of stretching out the coal phase-out to 2040 through an agreement with the federal government.
The Trudeau government is requiring a 2030 phase-out, but other provinces, including Nova Scotia, have negotiated deals with Ottawa that let them burn coal longer if they make equivalent emission reductions elsewhere.
The all-party committee of MLAs recommended the phase-out of all fossil fuels, which would include coal and natural gas.
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The plan includes a goal to reduce carbon emissions to 35 per cent below 1990 levels by 2030. That's at the lower end of the 35-45 per cent range adopted by the conference of New England Governors and Eastern Canadian Premiers.
The committee had recommended the government choose 40 per cent as the target.
PC environment critic Brian Kierstead told the legislature "everybody wants to do their part" in reducing emissions, but he said New Brunswick deserves recognition for reductions that have already happened over the last decade.
He called on Gallant to strike a deal with Ottawa that takes those reductions into account. "We are hoping he will stand up for New Brunswickers," Kierstead said.
While the opposition PCs signed on to most of the recommendations in the committee report, they opposed the idea of a carbon tax — though Kierstead told reporters it might be more acceptable if other taxes were cut by the same amount at the same time.
Green party praise
Green party Leader David Coon was emotional when he praised on the plan in the legislature.
David Coon lauds climate plan2:24
"It gives hope to our young people," Coon said, his voice cracking, "hope that is really positive."
Louise Comeau of the Conservation Council of New Brunswick also applauded the plan, which she said is on a par with those of other provinces.
"This plan rests with the best in the country," she said. "It is very good — if it's fully implemented and that of course is what our work needs to do."
Many of the decisions in the plan are commitments to do a lot of talking about climate change, including:
- Creating a cabinet committee on climate change to "oversee" implementation of the plan.
- Requiring ministers to consider the climate impact of all decisions.
- Developing "energy management plans" for government departments so the government can be "carbon-neutral" by 2030, including by expanding the use of electric vehicles.
- Teaching students in provincial schools about climate change.
- Reporting to the legislature every year on progress.
- Develop climate change adaptation and mitigation plans.
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And what, EXACTLY, will this or any other provincial or federal tax do to 'stop' climate change?
Answer: absolutely nothing, zip, zero, zilch, nada.
Canada's, let alone New Brunswick's, contribution to those 'nasty', 'evil' greenhouse gas emissions is insignificant.
And to the scientifically and mathematically challenged - which includes ALL members of the Cult of Anthropogenic Climate Change - "not significant" means nothing, nothing at all.
So, given the FACT that eliminating even ALL of Canada's greenhouse gas emission will contribute and accomplish NOTHING - a scientific and mathematical FACT - why are we impoverishing our citizens, hurting our economy, destroying competitiveness, and putting Canada at a dangerous disadvantage?
We do not have over 1,500 coal-fired plants, with hundreds more being built, like China.
We do not have hundred-fold increases in two-stroke motor vehicles, like India.
We do not have lax or non-existent pollution regulations like most of the Third World.
We DO have a large, cold country, populated with many fuel-efficient vehicles adhering to stringent pollution laws, with strong anti-pollution guidelines (except in some provincial capitals), with plenty of hydro power and huge stands of CO2 absorbing forests.
So again, why are we impoverishing our citizens, hurting our economy, destroying competitiveness, and putting Canada at a dangerous disadvantage?
Political correctness, gullibility from scientific ignorance or just plain stupidity?
Answer: absolutely nothing, zip, zero, zilch, nada.
Canada's, let alone New Brunswick's, contribution to those 'nasty', 'evil' greenhouse gas emissions is insignificant.
And to the scientifically and mathematically challenged - which includes ALL members of the Cult of Anthropogenic Climate Change - "not significant" means nothing, nothing at all.
So, given the FACT that eliminating even ALL of Canada's greenhouse gas emission will contribute and accomplish NOTHING - a scientific and mathematical FACT - why are we impoverishing our citizens, hurting our economy, destroying competitiveness, and putting Canada at a dangerous disadvantage?
We do not have over 1,500 coal-fired plants, with hundreds more being built, like China.
We do not have hundred-fold increases in two-stroke motor vehicles, like India.
We do not have lax or non-existent pollution regulations like most of the Third World.
We DO have a large, cold country, populated with many fuel-efficient vehicles adhering to stringent pollution laws, with strong anti-pollution guidelines (except in some provincial capitals), with plenty of hydro power and huge stands of CO2 absorbing forests.
So again, why are we impoverishing our citizens, hurting our economy, destroying competitiveness, and putting Canada at a dangerous disadvantage?
Political correctness, gullibility from scientific ignorance or just plain stupidity?
Rick James
@Ray Peters I remember back
in teh 90's when people used to gripe about recycling...."what does it
matter if me as one person recycles?" they would say..
Freddy Rose
@Ray Peters
"Political correctness, gullibility from scientific ignorance or just plain stupidity?"
I would suggest it is greed. This is another way that the powers-that-be can take money from the middle and lower classes and channel it to the 1%.
The Shell CEO states it quite clearly in this article. "Give us the carbon tax money!"
"Shell wants to make sure that the competitiveness of the energy sector is protected, by returning some of the carbon tax revenue to companies that have proven that they are managing their greenhouse gas emissions."
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/shell-canada-crothers-carbon-tax-oilpatch-1.3866261
"Political correctness, gullibility from scientific ignorance or just plain stupidity?"
I would suggest it is greed. This is another way that the powers-that-be can take money from the middle and lower classes and channel it to the 1%.
The Shell CEO states it quite clearly in this article. "Give us the carbon tax money!"
"Shell wants to make sure that the competitiveness of the energy sector is protected, by returning some of the carbon tax revenue to companies that have proven that they are managing their greenhouse gas emissions."
http://www.cbc.ca/news/business/shell-canada-crothers-carbon-tax-oilpatch-1.3866261
Shawn McShane
@Ray Peters Globaliesation
creates a variety of negative effects on the environment. The main
sources of CO2 emissions and pollution involve industrial production
(factories), deforestation (Irving) etc. Transportation which is needed by globalization is the main factor of
CO2 emissions. Goods have to be shipped. 15 cargo ships produce as much
pollution as every car on the planet. So charging a carbon tax 'looks'
like they are doing something. It is all about the optics, it is all
fake. If they really cared we wouldn't have all these trade deals, we
would produce goods at home
Natalie Jameson
@Freddy Rose I think that's
what scares me the most about Wall finally implementing a carbon tax.
Instead of returning it to the ones hardest hit, that he'll give it to
the oil companies
Shawn McShane
@Natalie Jameson Saskatchewan
premier's promise to launch constitutional challenge against federal
government over carbon tax...Wall's threat of taking Ottawa to court to
protect his Crown corporations from a carbon tax contains no baloney.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/baloney-meter-brad-wall-carbon-tax-1.3699134
http://www.cbc.ca/news/politics/baloney-meter-brad-wall-carbon-tax-1.3699134
Fred Brewer
@Ray Peters
You are correct that we cannot STOP climate change. It will be with us for centuries. The best we can do is to mitigate it and slow it down. Everyone must do their part regardless of the individual impact.
Using your logic there is no point in voting since your vote is only one of millions in a federal election. Each and every vote matters a great deal and so does each and every effort to mitigate climate change, no matter the size of the effort.
You are correct that we cannot STOP climate change. It will be with us for centuries. The best we can do is to mitigate it and slow it down. Everyone must do their part regardless of the individual impact.
Using your logic there is no point in voting since your vote is only one of millions in a federal election. Each and every vote matters a great deal and so does each and every effort to mitigate climate change, no matter the size of the effort.
Shawn McShane
@Fred Brewer So if we are
very serious about climate change why isn't the government slowing down
globaliesation? Why do they push trade deals? Why do they make it easy
to offshore jobs overseas and have no penalties to ship the products
back? The tanker pollution is huge. Why do they just penalize the tax
payer? Doesn't seem to matter who we vote for does it. None work for
us. They work for the corporation. Buying local, producing local is
the common sense approach...if you really believe in climate change that
is.
Shawn McShane
@Shawn McShane If our
government truly believed in climate change they wouldn't be bringing in
400,000 immigrants per year...if they truly believed in climate change.
They don't, it is a facade. Globaliesation would stop as well. It is
much cleaner to produce products at home and avoid the shipping
pollution, the risk of oil spills, the sewage dumped. Think about it.
What causes more pollution me going to the local store to buy local or
me going to the big store an hour away to buy goods from away?
Dan Stephan
@Ray Peters Stopping Climate
change will go down as the biggest scam in human history. Not so much
to do with the climate changing but the fact that some scientists and
politicians think they can control it with taxes .They can not.
ross macdonald
@Rick James good point. If
only it were like the recycling program. We don't pay a recycling tax.
We pay other taxes ie property ect. and no one generally is against
improving the quality of the air and pollution. The biggest challenge we have is not knowing exactly how much Carbon tax
will we the average CDN pay? and can they pay? this is another tax and
where and who does it go to? and exactly what is the plan to use the
money received and to reduce GHS? Is it for technology advances like
Saskatchewan is already working on. There is a tax neutral or cap and
trade which is a pure tax grab.Why is there going to be variations of
it? The assumption if we tax people they will do less and create less
GHG and meet emissions also means slowing the economy as people have
less to spend and will reconsider doing more like taking vacations. We
have hydro rates up 50% in Ontario over the past few years and projected
to go up another 50% in the next few years along with a CAP and TRADE
tax and the largest debt of any non Federal gov't in NA over 312B. Does
this really sound like this is for the good of the people? Cost of
creating clean hydro has been reduced by approximately 50% but rates are
up. Ask seniors and people who are worried to turn on heat. Why can't
even copy the BC model to make people feel somewhat fairly treated. So
recycling is good, lowering GHG is good, but there are better more fair
ways
4 days ago
David Raymond Amos
@Ray Peters Good for you. I
am glad to see more folks speaking up at last. Trust that I
wholeheartedly concur but if I say too much CBC block me but I will make
a stab at it anyway.
In a nutshell methinks this climate change nonsense created by the sneaky Wannabe Prez Al Gore and his many cohorts is just exactly that, nonsense.
However the Green Meanies, the Liebranos and the rest of the Fake Left aka the NDP love the fact that the Yankee spin doctor has been a raging success because they have created a brand new tax source that will also raise the prices on most things as well so they can tax even more more more.
In a nutshell methinks this climate change nonsense created by the sneaky Wannabe Prez Al Gore and his many cohorts is just exactly that, nonsense.
However the Green Meanies, the Liebranos and the rest of the Fake Left aka the NDP love the fact that the Yankee spin doctor has been a raging success because they have created a brand new tax source that will also raise the prices on most things as well so they can tax even more more more.
David Raymond Amos
@David Raymond Amos P.S. Just in case CBC allows me to comment this time.
Please don't get me wrong I ain't saying there ain't a change in the weather. I just saying mankind didn't do it. methinks Mother Nature is just going through another cycle. However if we quit mowing down the forests they would recover fix the CO2 problem for us but methane would still be a problem. Perhaps if we rid ourselves of many stale old farts in Parliament and the Legislatures it would not make much difference to the upper atmosphere but certainly relieve the atmosphere within important places so the other questionable political people and their legions of bureaucrats would be less distracted and actually get to work and fix democracy for us before we all get too old to care anymore..
Please don't get me wrong I ain't saying there ain't a change in the weather. I just saying mankind didn't do it. methinks Mother Nature is just going through another cycle. However if we quit mowing down the forests they would recover fix the CO2 problem for us but methane would still be a problem. Perhaps if we rid ourselves of many stale old farts in Parliament and the Legislatures it would not make much difference to the upper atmosphere but certainly relieve the atmosphere within important places so the other questionable political people and their legions of bureaucrats would be less distracted and actually get to work and fix democracy for us before we all get too old to care anymore..
Shawn McShane
When is Health Minister
Victor Boudreau going to be punted from any involvement with the Parlee
Beach contamination issue because of his investment in a proposed
campground nearby?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/victor-boudreau-parlee-beach-recuse-1.3884262
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/victor-boudreau-parlee-beach-recuse-1.3884262
Freddy Rose
@Shawn McShane
"When is Health Minister Victor Boudreau going to be punted . . ."
Never. He was one of the primary architects of the Atcon fiasco, and yet, he was re-elected.
We get the government we deserve. So, to the people who voted for him, thanks for nothing.
"When is Health Minister Victor Boudreau going to be punted . . ."
Never. He was one of the primary architects of the Atcon fiasco, and yet, he was re-elected.
We get the government we deserve. So, to the people who voted for him, thanks for nothing.
Mario Doucet
@Shawn McShane
Conflict of interest, plain and simple, AKA fraud.
Conflict of interest, plain and simple, AKA fraud.
John Jude
@Shawn McShane
When will the rest of New Brunswick wake up and vote for the Greens, or a different party?
Coon is the only competant and trustworthy person that was elected.
When will the rest of New Brunswick wake up and vote for the Greens, or a different party?
Coon is the only competant and trustworthy person that was elected.
Shawn McShane
@Mario Doucet New > New
Brunswick's first integrity commissioner appointed by premier...Do you
suppose he will do anything about the Boudreau Conflict of interest?
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/integrity-commissioner-named-1.3885165
http://www.cbc.ca/news/canada/new-brunswick/integrity-commissioner-named-1.3885165
4 days ago
@Shawn McShane ROFL!!!!
When I read that "Integrity" commissioner. They must have a special dictionary.
When I read that "Integrity" commissioner. They must have a special dictionary.
David Raymond Amos
@Shawn McShane Good Question Good Luck getting an answer
David Raymond Amos
@Elisabeth Green Methinks if
you read the definition of Integrity in Black's Law please know that was
written by the Dark Side of the Force
David Raymond Amos
@Elisabeth Green Methinks
engineers know the true meaning of the word Integrity or else airplanes,
bridges and buildings etc would not stand the test of time and many of
us would suffer.
However politicians and lawyers employ the term all the time in their rhetoric yet they could care less what the word means as just as long as it helps them succeed in their greedy personal pursuit of filthy lucre. Hence we all suffer. N'esy Pas?
However politicians and lawyers employ the term all the time in their rhetoric yet they could care less what the word means as just as long as it helps them succeed in their greedy personal pursuit of filthy lucre. Hence we all suffer. N'esy Pas?
David Jessop
Politically correct stupidity!!! appears to be all this liberal government is capable of.
We could shut Canada down completely and not effect global warming one iota. China, India Russia and the USA contribute 80% of greenhouse gasses. They are the only ones who can do enough to change anything. Can you spell Tax grab...AGAIN!!!
We could shut Canada down completely and not effect global warming one iota. China, India Russia and the USA contribute 80% of greenhouse gasses. They are the only ones who can do enough to change anything. Can you spell Tax grab...AGAIN!!!
David Raymond Amos
@David Jessop Well I will do my best.and try.
Tax grab...AGAIN!!!
How did I do?
Tax grab...AGAIN!!!
How did I do?
Harold Fitzgerald
It would appear that the
Gallant Liberals have learned absolutely nothing from the disastrous
energy mistakes the Wynne Liberal's have made in energy pricing in
Ontario. Gallant should be fighting Trudeau tooth and nail to stop any
kind of carbon tax. Gallant needs to stand up for New Brunswickers or
step down
@Harold Fitzgerald
I vote for " step down " !!!!! Now !!!!
I vote for " step down " !!!!! Now !!!!
David Raymond Amos
@Harold Fitzgerald Gobal
warming me arse CBC says its snowing in Hawaii Perhaps our tourist
Premier Mr Gallant should take another vacation in order to enjoy a
white Xmass by a volcano that spews lots of co2 and more hot wind than
possibly even he and his cohorts do.
EH CBC? This is your news today not mine.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/hawaii-snow-1.3880857
EH CBC? This is your news today not mine.
http://www.cbc.ca/news/world/hawaii-snow-1.3880857
Tim Leslie
A price on carbon but no idea what or how to tax
Phasing out coal but no idea when or how to do it
Continued use of Natural Gas, but no idea where or how to get it
Another Liberal "Plan to make a Plan" with more layers of bureaucracy and no tangible outcomes.
Phasing out coal but no idea when or how to do it
Continued use of Natural Gas, but no idea where or how to get it
Another Liberal "Plan to make a Plan" with more layers of bureaucracy and no tangible outcomes.
Jeff LeBlanc
@Tim Leslie ...you're acting
like the Conservatives would somehow do better. Face it...Irving runs
the show no matter who is in power
Ben Smith
Liberals and their addiction to new taxes. What's new?
David Raymond Amos
@Ben Smith Methinks its High
Time to create a new political party based on a very well known
engineering principal known as KISS.
Perhaps ordinary folks who don't consider politicking a profession can fix things very simply while the questionable pros continue to pretend that provincial affairs are too complicated for most folks to understand. Need I say what the profession politicians can KISS?
Perhaps ordinary folks who don't consider politicking a profession can fix things very simply while the questionable pros continue to pretend that provincial affairs are too complicated for most folks to understand. Need I say what the profession politicians can KISS?
Mario Doucet
More excuses in order to implement another tax scam, ask Dominic he actually governs NB.
David Raymond Amos
@Mario Doucet C'est Vrai
Hank Hanrattay
Typical Liberal lip service! Irving will dictate to any sitting NB government on what to do anyway!
Jeff LeBlanc
@Hank Hanrattay then how is it "Liberal" lip service considering that the Conservatives would also bow down to Irving?
Hank Hanrattay
@Jeff LeBlanc Because Liberals are known to lie and deceive on a grand scale!
Mike Archibald
@Hank Hanrattay LOL, as
opposed to conservatives? Come on, how about Alward's "we have the
toughest regulations on the continent" for a province that had almost no
regulations.
Jeff LeBlanc
@Hank Hanrattay...to imply that the Conservatives don't is funny to me
David Raymond Amos
@Mike Archibald Oh My My
Mikey. Why are you laughing? You know as well as I that we the people of
this "have not" province have not grown up enough to be trusted with
our own Constitution yet.
Hence we have to rely on the Federal one overseen by your hero Trudeau "The Younger" Correct?
Hence we have to rely on the Federal one overseen by your hero Trudeau "The Younger" Correct?
David Raymond Amos
@Hank Hanrattay WOW after
blocking my comments yesterday CBC turns around and allowed every one
that I posted about this "news" article to be viewed at closing time?
Go figure EH Premier Gallant, Mr Higgs and Mr Coon?
Go figure EH Premier Gallant, Mr Higgs and Mr Coon?
Dave Lane
Hahaha all this while
supporting 1.1million barrels of 3rd grade muck to be shipped through NB
and out the Bay of Fundy PER DAY ???? This is a blatant contradiction
and will destroy the Bay of Fundy. Gallant doesn't get it. Anyone who is
ra ra ra about this leaking pipe and the Bay full of tanker traffic, is
also a proponent of climate damage for cash, versus climate action for
health and life. Pathetic lip service at best.
Dan Stephan
@Bob Ols Dave is anti Alberta and likes Saudi oil better a real Canadian.
@Dave Lane so bring oil in on
Saudi tankers? vs create jobs for the CDN economy and hopefully bring
it in at a lower cost so Canadians in the east? And nothing stopping a
thorough review of the environmental issues involved.
Murray Brown
I can't help thinking that if
the Irving's paid their fair share of taxes governments wouldn't need
to invent newfangled taxes (such as on Carbon and Sugar) to squeeze even
more money out of taxpayers pockets.... Just saying. BTW - The
Irving's are all in favour of a new Carbon tax... That's rather telling,
isn't it?
David Raymond Amos
@Murray Brown Yes Sir
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