The following is a joint statement from environmental organizations dated March 20, 2024. Diet deliberation on carbon tax:
Canadians are suffering from a cost of living crisis. Rising prices for energy, food, housing and transportation, along with record wildfires, flooding and storms, are impacting virtually every household in the country from the warmest year on record.
We are not fooled. Some federal politicians and many prime ministers shamelessly exploit Canadians' real economic pain for political gain. Climate policy has nothing to do with the hardships facing Canadians, yet these politicians ignore the real causes of the cost of living crisis and carbon price scapegoating. It is clear that the debate and vote in Congress this week to freeze long-planned carbon price increases is part of a concerted effort to dismantle more than just carbon pricing. It is part of an ideologically driven effort to limit carbon prices. All climate action.
This attack is aimed at undermining not just this policy, but Canada's entire climate change plan, and is aimed at undermining not just this policy, but Canada's entire climate change plan, in order to make it affordable for everyday Canadians so that multinational oil and gas companies can continue to pollute with no consequences. This means that they will be forced to pay for both lower prices and the climate crisis.
Climate policy cannot be sacrificed to the whims of political leaders who want to put the interests of big oil companies ahead of the needs of Canadians. The federal government must not only draw the line at carbon pricing and other climate change initiatives, but also work to ensure that it does its part to protect Canadians from the impacts of climate change and puts money back into Canadians' pockets. Needs to be strengthened.
Recent opposition to the planned carbon price hike just the latest A coordinated effort by fossil fuel companies and less developed countries to block climate action at the expense of Canadians' well-being. False and misleading claims that a carbon tax worsens affordability disadvantages low- and middle-income Canadians who stand to gain the most from a carbon tax through quarterly rebates, and They face the greatest risks from an increase in extreme events such as fires, floods and forest fires. Drought.
The truth is Inflation is caused by multiple factors This includes real estate speculation and price gouging by monopolies and industries such as oil and gas.and These fossil fuel companies are raking in excessive profits while fighting every attempt to hold them accountable..
All levels of government must work together constructively to tackle climate change and the affordability crisis simultaneously. Rather than trying to roll back key climate measures, all political parties and governments need to work together on policies that address both crises together, including:
Importantly, Canada's approach to addressing climate change and affordability must not undermine the inherent and treaty rights of Indigenous Peoples, which are recognized under both international and domestic law. Federal policies, including carbon pricing, must be developed and implemented in a manner that respects fundamental rights. Indigenous title, sovereignty and decision-making authority.
A carbon price would serve as an important price signal for consumers and businesses, while giving back more to the majority of Canadians than they paid for. Many Canadians have become dependent on quarterly rebates to meet their basic needs. The government should move forward with the planned April 1 increase in the carbon tax, which would also increase rebate payments that benefit eight in 10 Canadians. At the same time, carbon pricing is just one tool in the climate policy toolbox, with complementary climate policies and affordable packages so Canadians don't have to choose between well-being and a safe climate. must be accompanied by
Governments across the country need to oppose the cynical use of carbon pricing to conveniently distract from the real culprits. For Canadians to get through this difficult period, Canadians must increase their Policies must be adopted that provide concrete and immediate support to address the rise in poverty.
Signer:
Climate Action Network-Réseau action climat Canada
canadian environmental defense
greenpeace canada
equitale
Canadian Association of Environmental Physicians
David Suzuki Foundation
eco justice
West Coast Environmental Law Association
destination zero