Three Atlantic provinces will be subject to the federal consumption-based carbon pricing system next summer.
Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault was expected to announce Tuesday that a federal review has determined that provincial carbon pricing systems in Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island and New Scotland would no longer meet federal standards next year.
Under the federal system, residents of these provinces will receive rebate checks from Ottawa every three months to offset the pricing.
The three provinces had implemented their own pricing regime since the national strategy took effect in 2019. But those provincial systems would not meet national standards next year, after the national strategy came into effect. stricter federal carbon pricing rules.
By July 2023, only Quebec, New Brunswick and British Columbia will have provincial carbon pricing systems for individuals and businesses that will have lower emission levels.
The pricing program for large emitters will only apply in Manitoba and Prince Edward Island, since Saskatchewan decided to include natural gas pipelines and power plants in its provincial regime.
Tuesday’s announcement suggests political battles are settled between Ottawa and the provinces over whether pollution from big industry should come at a cost. On the other hand, the debate remains open on “consumption” carbon pricing for individuals.
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