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431-00149 (Taxation)

Paper petition

Original language of petition: French

PETITION TO THE HOUSE OF COMMONS IN PARLIAMENT ASSEMBLED

We, the undersigned, citizens of Canada, respectfully request that the House of Commons seriously consider the following:

WHEREAS Canada has set a national price on carbon that binds all provinces based on gradually increasing minimum charges. This is an important step toward helping Canada make the transition to clean energy;

WHEREAS Canada has committed to raising the price for only five years, making it difficult for Canadian businesses to plan ahead;

WHEREAS a five-year commitment and a price of $50 per tonne of carbon is not sufficient to meet Canada's goal of reducing greenhouse gas emissions by 30% from 2005 levels by 2030;

WHEREAS some sectors of the economy do not have to pay the full price of the carbon tax. A full charge at the wellhead and import entry point in all provinces will reduce Canada's greenhouse gas emissions as efficiently as possible, while providing powerful incentives to invest in the clean energy economy;

WHEREAS Canada should encourage jurisdictions that do not impose a carbon tax to put a price on carbon to help position our economy on a level playing field with the global market; and

WHEREAS low- and middle-income Canadians are already overtaxed.

THEREFORE, we, the petitioners, call upon the House of Commons to take concrete action so that Canada can significantly reduce its greenhouse gas emissions and become a world leader in the clean energy economy. By gradually increasing the carbon tax to at least $150 by 2030, ensuring full coverage and imposing border tax adjustments, we will ensure a strong, diversified and competitive economy and encourage other countries to follow Canada's lead. Protecting low- and middle-income Canadians from the rising price of carbon by redistributing 100% of the income equitably to Canadians through dividend cheques will ensure transparency and allow Canadians to understand where the carbon tax is going.

Response by the Minister of Finance

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): Mr. Sean Fraser

The Government of Canada has been working with provinces, territories, and Indigenous Peoples, to implement the Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change. This plan outlines over 50 concrete measures to reduce carbon pollution, help us adapt and become more resilient to the impacts of a changing climate, spur clean technology solutions, and create good jobs that contribute to a stronger economy. The Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change provides a foundation and positions Canada on a path to meet its 2030 targets and achieve net zero by 2050.

Pricing carbon pollution is an essential part of this plan. It is the most effective way to reduce greenhouse gas emissions and stimulate investments in clean innovation. A price on carbon pollution creates incentives for individuals, households, and businesses to choose cleaner options.

The federal carbon pollution pricing system is not about raising revenues. It is about recognizing that pollution has a cost, empowering Canadians, and encouraging cleaner growth and a more sustainable future. All direct proceeds from carbon pollution pricing under the federal system will be returned to the jurisdiction in which they were generated.

Provincial and territorial governments that have committed to addressing climate change by voluntarily adopting the federal system will receive these proceeds directly from the federal government and can decide on how to use them.

For provinces that have not committed to pricing carbon pollution (Ontario, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Alberta), the federal government will return the bulk of direct proceeds from the fuel charge directly to individuals and families in the form of tax-free Climate Action Incentive payments. Most households in those provinces will receive more in Climate Action Incentive payments than the increased costs they incur from the federal carbon pollution pricing system. Returning proceeds from carbon pollution pricing mitigates the financial impact on families while maintaining the incentive to pollute less.

In the Pan-Canadian Framework, the Government committed to work with provinces and territories to review the path forward on carbon pollution pricing in 2022. The review will inform the path forward, and help ensure that carbon pollution pricing is fair and effective across Canada.

Presented to the House of Commons
Francis Drouin (Glengarry—Prescott—Russell)
March 11, 2020 (Petition No. 431-00149)
Government response tabled
May 25, 2020
Photo - Francis Drouin
Glengarry—Prescott—Russell
Liberal Caucus
Ontario

Only validated signatures are counted towards the total number of signatures.