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432-00385 (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 Environment and Climate Change

Signed by (Minister or Parliamentary Secretary): The Honourable JONATHAN WILKINSON

In December 2020, the Government of Canada published A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, Canada’s strengthened climate plan of federal policies, programs and $15 billion in investmentsto build a stronger, cleaner, more resilient and inclusive economy. It builds on the 2016 Pan-Canadian Framework on Clean Growth and Climate Change, and aims to continue to transition Canada towards a clean, prosperous economy. It does this through five pillars: cutting energy waste; making clean, affordable transportation and power available in every community; continuing to ensure pollution isn’t free and households get more money back; building Canada’s clean industrial advantage; and embracing the power of nature to support healthier families and more resilient communities.

The Government of Canada introduced a price on carbon pollution across Canada in 2019. Under A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy, the Government proposed to continue to put a price on carbon pollution increasing by $15 per tonne per year, starting in 2023, rising to $170 per tonne of carbon pollution in 2030. The increasing price will make cleaner options more affordable and discourage pollution-intensive investments. A longer price trajectory will also allow businesses and individuals to plan ahead, providing predictability for longer-term investments and growing the market for cleaner solutions in Canada.

The Government remains committed to making sure that carbon pricing continues to work for families. Going forward, the federal carbon price will continue to be revenue neutral, and the Government of Canada remains committed to helping households make investments to increase energy efficiency and further reduce emissions.

Once fully implemented, A Healthy Environment and a Healthy Economy will enable Canada to exceed its current 2030 greenhouse gas reduction target.

The proposed Canadian Net-Zero Emissions Accountability Act, introduced in Parliament on November 19, 2020, will also formalize Canada’s target to achieve net-zero emissions by the year 2050, and establish a series of interim emissions reduction targets at 5-year milestones toward that goal. It will also require a series of plans and reports to support accountability and transparency, and help ensure that Canada reaches all of it milestones on the way towards 2050.

 

 

Presented to the House of Commons
Greg Fergus (Hull—Aylmer)
December 9, 2020 (Petition No. 432-00385)
Government response tabled
January 25, 2021
Photo - Greg Fergus
Hull—Aylmer
Liberal Caucus
Quebec

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