Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault told MPs on a parliamentary committee that carbon pricing is estimated to have reduced emissions by nearly 3 percent, while one of his officials says the carbon tax was responsible for around 1 percent in reductions.
Mr. Guilbeault was asked to provide data on reductions attributed to the carbon tax during his testimony at the House of Commons environment committee on May 21. He initially said the reduction amounted to 19 megatons in 2022.
Mr. Mazier asked how the figures had been obtained and whether the numbers “are combined with a bunch of other stuff.”
“The numbers that I gave you are specifically related to the carbon pricing,” said Mr. Guilbeault, noting the numbers were sourced from his department’s inventory report.
John Moffet, assistant deputy minister at Environment Canada, sought to clarify the matter with the committee. He said that 3 percent is the reduction in total emissions, while carbon pricing contributed to a third of that total.
“One third of those reductions are attributable to carbon pricing, so it’s not that carbon pricing has only achieved 3 percent of reductions. Carbon pricing has contributed to a third of total reductions,” he said.
Tory MP Michael Kram asked Mr. Moffet whether this means the carbon tax is estimated to contribute to only 1 percent of total emissions reduction. “To date,” answered Mr. Moffet.
Mr. Moffet, however, mentioned “carbon pricing,” whereas Mr. Kram was speaking about the “carbon tax.”
The Epoch Times reached out to Environment Canada for clarification on the matter.
Spokesperson Samantha Bayard confirmed the modelling figure of 19 megatons in emissions reduction attributed to carbon pricing implemented in federal, provincial and territorial climate plans. Mr. Moffet’s claim, however, was not addressed.
‘Revenue Neutral’
Following the 1 percent figure provided by Mr. Moffet, Mr. Kram questioned whether other measures would give taxpayers more value for money when it comes to combatting emissions.“If our total emissions have only been reduced by 1 percent as a result of the carbon tax, I can’t help but think: aren’t there other technological innovations out there that could be achieved at much less cost to consumers to reduce total emissions by that 1 percent?” asked Mr. Kram.
Lawrence Hanson, associate deputy minister at Environment Canada, said the question assumes that the carbon tax is a form of spending that could be redirected elsewhere.
“The carbon price is something that is charged, and then largely revenue neutral, where the funding is actually returned in various different ways setting a price signal,” he said.
Conservatives have been pushing the Liberal government to drop the carbon tax or introduce temporary relief measures amid an affordability crunch.
The Liberals assert that eight out of ten households get more back from the carbon tax through rebates, whereas the Tories say that overall eight out of ten households are worse off because of it.
The Liberal government seeks to raise it to $170 per tonne by 2030, which would add over 37 cents to a litre of gasoline.
Mr. Mazier asked Mr. Guilbeault whether his government has discussed raising the fuel charge beyond $170.
“There’s been no such determination made at this point,” said the minister. When pressed, Mr. Guilbeault said there have been no conversations on the matter.
