In 2008, British Columbia created North America’s first carbon tax applying to the purchase and use of fossil fuels. The economy reacted well to this and the real GDP grew more than 17%, while net emissions declined by 4.7%.More recently in 2016, Justin Trudeau, the 23rd and current Prime Minister of Canada, signed the Paris Agreement on Climate Change. Trudeau was welcomed into office in 2015 with all the Canadian citizens knowing his desire to fight climate change. However, as of April 1, 2018, there are changes to the original carbon tax plan and Trudeau is facing backlash on all sides of the climate change argument.
The implementation of the carbon tax has not made more significant changes in Canada’s emission profile and people who are anti-carbon tax say that all it truly does is “pinch household budgets and enrich governments.” Many workers in the oil industry see Trudeau’s plan as a “cash grab” that allows the government to gain more money while the people lose it. Buy a number of Canadians remain very wary of climate change and believe that the carbon tax has played an essential role in lowering emissions.
At his talk at Humber College, Trudeau stated, “Starting next year, it will no longer be free to pollute anywhere in Canada.” Going even further, he declared that putting a price on pollution provides an incentive not only for individuals, but also for businesses to be proactive in finding ways to reduce their emissions. There are rebates in place to make certain that families do not struggle financially from a tax that’s intended simply to help the environment. Whether or not Trudeau remains in power come the next election cycle is certainly a way Canadian citizens will be able see what the majority opinion is on this tax. •
