Made-in-Nova Scotia Plan Better than Carbon Tax
Premier Tim Houston is calling on the federal government to park plans to impose carbon pricing that could see gas prices rise by up to 14 cents per litre.
The Province has submitted a made-in-Nova Scotia solution for reducing greenhouse gas emissions to the Government of Canada. It is based on the legislated goals in the Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act.
“Our made-in-Nova Scotia plan has some of the most aggressive benchmarks in the country and will show results,” Premier Houston said today, August 19. “We’re asking the federal government to hold us accountable for our goals and timelines. If we can’t meet them, then I will accept that a carbon tax is necessary.”
Nova Scotia’s plan would reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 17 per cent, far exceeding the federal carbon tax reductions of two per cent. The federal government’s carbon tax approach would add more than $2,000 in annual costs to the average Nova Scotian’s household in 2025 and more than $3,000 in 2030. With the Nova Scotia solution, costs would be less than $500 per household in 2030.
“Nova Scotia is already a national leader in reducing carbon emissions and fighting climate change. We can achieve our ambitious GHG targets without a punishing federal carbon tax,” said Premier Houston. “We have an opportunity to lead the way in the fight against climate change. We are asking the federal government to park the carbon tax so we can make history together.”
Quotes:
“Nova Scotia is proud of our leadership in response to climate change, GHG reductions and our vision to create a clean energy future – and we have legislated our commitment in these areas. We have proven that we can make significant GHG reductions and make our communities more energy efficient, without needing a carbon tax, and we will continue to contribute more than our fair share to national climate change action. We are asking the federal government to work with us to discuss the art of the possible and support our leadership. I am confident that by working together, Nova Scotia and Canada can lead real change that will get us to net-zero, drive innovation in the energy and efficiency sectors and create a better, and more affordable, future for Canadians and Nova Scotians.”
– Timothy Halman, Minister of Environment and Climate Change
“We are protecting ratepayers as we move toward renewable energy and transform how electricity is delivered in Nova Scotia. We’re also investing millions to help Nova Scotians make their homes, businesses and vehicles energy efficient. These are made-in-Nova Scotia solutions to fight climate change that also help Nova Scotians cope with the cost of living.”
– Tory Rushton, Minister of Natural Resources and Renewables
Additional Resources:
Environmental Goals and Climate Change Reduction Act: https://nslegislature.ca/sites/default/files/legc/statutes/environmental%20goals%20and%20climate%20change%20reduction.pdf
Nova Scotia’s submission to Government of Canada: https://novascotia.ca/better-than-carbon-tax/docs/submission.pdf