Federal government sends mixed messages on how provinces can price carbon
OTTAWA — Nova Scotia Premier Stephen McNeil is pointing to differing messages coming from the federal Liberal government over what constitutes a price on carbon.
The Trudeau government has promised to negotiate a pan-Canadian climate plan this fall with the provinces and territories in order to put Canada on track to meet its international Paris accord commitments.
In advance of a full meeting of all the environment ministers a week from Monday in Montreal, federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna has said a national carbon price is coming as part of the plan — and that only a carbon tax or cap-and-trade system are considered acceptable pricing options.
“There are two ways you can price carbon,” said McKenna said last week in New York, where she was attending United Nations meetings. “There’s a cap-and-trade and there is a carbon tax.”