Federal environment minister rejects Nova Scotia’s plan to avoid carbon tax
HALIFAX — Canada’s environment minister has rejected a proposed plan by the Nova Scotia government to avoid the federal carbon tax.
In a letter to Premier Tim Houston dated Aug. 29, Steven Guilbeault noted that Nova Scotia’s plan doesn’t put a price on carbon pollution, adding that his department remains open to “alternate proposals” that meet the federal government’s approach.
“As it does not mention to put a price on carbon pollution, I can confirm that it does not meet the Pan-Canadian Approach to Carbon Pollution Pricing for 2023—2030,” Guilbeault wrote. “You are proposing to end Nova Scotia’s cap-and-trade system, with no replacement that would put a price on pollution.”
Guilbeault said the federal government is committed to ensuring that the same carbon pricing incentives to reduce emissions are in place in Nova Scotia and across Canada.
“The federal carbon pollution pricing system will be applied in provinces and territories that request it or that do not implement a system that aligns with the common minimum national stringency criteria,” the minister said.
The new federal carbon tax will increase the price of carbon by $15 per tonne in 2023, and then rise again every year until it reaches $170 per tonne in 2030. …[Read More]