Nixon: Carbon tax increases an ‘attack on Alberta’s economy and jurisdiction’

Dec 12, 2020 | 11:10 AM

EDMONTON – Alberta’s parks and environment minister says the federal government’s plan to meet its climate change commitments is an attack on Alberta’s economy and jurisdiction.

“The prime minister continues to impose his “Ottawa knows best” attitude on Alberta at a time when Albertans can least afford it,” said Jason Nixon Friday afternoon.

Earlier on Friday, the federal government released a $15-billion plan to meet its climate change commitments. The centrepiece of it is increases in the price of carbon.

It is to increase by $10 a tonne until it reaches $50 per tonne in 2022. The increases will then get steeper – $15 a tonne per year – and by 2030 the price will be $170 tonne.

Nixon says Alberta’s government fully supports taking action on climate change and emission management. But, he says, this action must be taken “in a way that attracts investment, maintains competitiveness and does not strand and stress out job creators.”

Nixon called the federal carbon tax an unconstitutional tax grab that the province will continue to fight at the supreme court.

(CHAT News Today)

by Chris Brown