Manitoba has a ‘strong case’ to review carbon price in province: Kinew | 24CA News
Manitoba Premier Wab Kinew says that it’s time to take one other take a look at how the federal carbon value, popularly often called the carbon tax, is utilized in his province.
“I think that there’s an argument that Manitoba is maybe one of the strongest cases you could make, that the price on carbon should be revisited in our jurisdiction,” Kinew informed The West Block host Mercedes Stephenson in an interview that aired on Jan. 7.
“It’s definitely something that I know Manitobans would like to see some help with. We’ve put a lot of hard work in over the past five decades to build a low carbon electricity grid. We’ve paid the down payment on that mortgage. We’re in a position to have a low carbon economy going forward into the future.”
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has repeatedly stated there might be no extra carve-outs to the federal carbon value after placing a three-year freeze on the levy for house heating oil in October.
It’s a transfer different premiers say disproportionately advantages Atlantic Canada, the place the next proportion of residents use heating oil in comparison with different provinces.
Since the announcement, Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has instructed Crown utility SaskEnergy to cease gathering the carbon value on house heating. In the Northwest Territories, Premier R.J. Simpson has referred to as for a carbon value exemption for the territory’s residents, citing the excessive price of residing.
Manitoba is one in every of 10 provinces and territories the place the federal gasoline cost is utilized. Only B.C., the Northwest Territories and Quebec have air pollution pricing plans that fulfill federal necessities.
The Keystone Province can be one in every of solely three jurisdictions in Canada the place the federal air pollution value applies to each gasoline and trade. Manitoba is joined by Yukon and Nunavut on this.
The Manitoba authorities paused its provincial gasoline tax in the beginning of the 12 months. The pause will final six months and saves drivers about 14 cents per litre on the pumps.
“I think our province has a really strong case to make that during this time where we’re dealing with inflation, we’re dealing with the cost of living, that we should get some consideration, we should get a little bit of help,” Kinew informed Stephenson.
According to Manitoba Hydro, 97 per cent of the province’s electrical energy is generated by hydroelectricity. However, 60 per cent of house heating is finished with the carbon emitting pure gasoline.
Kinew says that his authorities is working with Ottawa on organising a warmth pump program to assist low-income Canadians carry the heating supply to their houses, which the premier says will assist the province obtain its inexperienced objectives.
“We have a credible path to net zero,” Kinew stated. “And as a result, I do think that, you know, it’s time that we take a look at that price on carbon here in Manitoba.”
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