THE YOUTH PERSPECTIVE
The Dilemma of the Canadian Carbon Tax
It’s painfully evident that the world as we know it is undergoing a climate crisis. Changing weather patterns, shrinking glaciers, rising sea levels, and the endangerment of animal species are just the beginning of this ongoing dilemma. As global governments scramble to reduce the human impact on greenhouse gases, Canada has become one of many nations to adopt a federally imposed carbon tax.
This system of pollution pricing ensures that fuel producers and unsustainable companies pay a designated amount for each tonne of emissions from the burning of carbon-based fuels. The fee typically increases (slowly) over time in the hopes that populaces and industries have time to adjust and adopt more eco-friendly practices.
Since its implementation in 2008, British Columbia has proven to be successful with North America’s first broadbased carbon tax. Between the years 2007 and 2016, provincial real GDP grew by 19%, while net emissions had decreased by 3.7%. On a national level, estimates show that greenhouse gas emissions could be reduced by up to 60 million tonnes in 2020 if the status quo continues.
Both the implementation of carbon taxes and cap-andtrade legislation have been championed by the Liberal Party leader Justin Trudeau, as well as vehemently opposed by prominent Conservatives such as Andrew Scheer who see the enactments as a “cash grab.” The expensiveness of command and control regulations are nothing new. Recent carbon tax hikes in Western Europe have all been met with deadly protests from populist political forces such as the yellow vests movement, the likes of which has had membership spread worldwide.
Despite its blessings, as long as the financial lifestyles of working class citizens are burdened, it’s difficult to imagine many ordinary people coming to support such a policy. Day by day, more innovative solutions arise, such as the usage of carbon capture sequestration or the technological development of green markets.
The carbon tax is a wellintended policy with as many benefits as drawbacks, and is a topic that will certainly be on the minds of many young Canadians during the 2019 federal election.