Our federation is built on the constitutional principle that the provinces have the better understanding of local circumstances to make policies that are best suited to the needs of their citizens
While the New Democratic government of BC
continues to jack up the carbon taxes British Columbians pay, next door the government
of Alberta is opposed to any interference by the federal government in what it,
and several others provinces infer, is incursion into provincial maters.
On Friday, Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, issued the following statement on Alberta’s reference to the Alberta Court of Appeal:
On Friday, Doug Schweitzer, Minister of Justice and Solicitor General, issued the following statement on Alberta’s reference to the Alberta Court of Appeal:
“The Government of Alberta will be filing
our factum at the Alberta Court of Appeal to challenge the constitutionality of
the imposition of a federal carbon tax on Albertans and defend Alberta’s
constitutional right to make policy best suited to the needs of our province.
This factum provides our full legal argument and full fact scenario so our
Court of Appeal can hear and make a decision based on the unique evidence we
present.
“With this action, we are not only
fulfilling our commitment to create jobs, growth and economic diversification,
but we are also arguing that Ottawa’s unilateral imposition of a carbon tax on
Albertans constitutes unprecedented federal interference with our
constitutional authority to manage affairs within our own jurisdiction.
In BC,
many have argued that the carbon tax first imposed by the Liberal government of
the day, was little more than another way to increase revenues for the
government., While it was initially ‘revenue neutral' (many would argue otherwise) the Carbon Tax is now without doubt
generating a cash surplus (above and beyond its’ alleged neutrality, to simply
push forward its’ agenda of ever increasing government interference in our
lives from cradle to grave.
“Allowing this unprecedented overreach
would effectively amend the constitution to expand the power of the federal
government to allow it to further interfere in provincial affairs and dictate
our policy decisions. Provincial authority and the practical ability to
regulate the entities and activities that produce greenhouse gases are
undisputed as a matter of constitutional law. The factum we are filing includes
our government’s comprehensive plan to regulate industrial emitters, as well as
the fact that Alberta has been a proud leader for over a decade in the
regulation of greenhouse gases, which was always seen to be clearly listed as a
provincial responsibility under the constitution.
The April 2019 carbon tax rate in British
Columbia increased from $35 per tonne, to $40 per tonne. Translated by the type of fuel used, the carbon tax
works out to:
Gasoline ... 8.89 centers / lire
Diesel (light fuel oil) ... 10.23 cents / litre
Natural Gas ... 7.60 cents per litre
Gasoline ... 8.89 centers / lire
Diesel (light fuel oil) ... 10.23 cents / litre
Natural Gas ... 7.60 cents per litre
“Our federation is built on the
constitutional principle that the provinces have the better understanding of
local circumstances to make policies that are best suited to the needs of their
citizens. This week, I met with the ministers of justice and legal teams
of like-minded provinces fighting this unprecedented federal overreach. Each of
the provinces are unique with different economies, different demographics and
different geographies, among other unique attributes. That is why our
constitution was structured to give provinces the right to tailor our own
programs at the provincial level to deal with greenhouse gas emissions instead
of Ottawa’s imposition of a one-size-fits-all carbon tax that is all economic
pain with no environmental gain.
“Quebec has also recognized this unwanted
federal intrusion and is intervening in Saskatchewan’s appeal to the Supreme
Court of Canada. Even though the federal government has endorsed their
regulatory regime, Quebec is notably arguing that it is a province’s own right
to make such decisions according to local circumstances. Provinces are
perfectly capable of finding local solutions to address climate change without
the heavy-handed intrusion of Ottawa. We are proud to work with our coalition
of allies on this point that includes the majority of provinces representing
the vast majority of Canadians against this overreach by the federal government.
BC’s Carbon tax WILL BE increased a further $5 /
tonne next year, and then again by another $5 in 20201 – taking it to $50 / tonne. It should be noted that this is a five-fold
increase from the initial $10 it started at, just a decade ago
“Our constitution is not based on 'Ottawa
knows best'. It is based on the principle that the provinces are best situated
to make policy decisions for their own citizens.
“Our government has been clear: we will
use every legal tool at our disposal to fight the federal carbon tax and stand
up for the rights of Albertans. We will never be apologetic when defending our
province’s interests. We will never relent in promoting jobs. And we will
never be passive when championing our economy.
“Alberta has a strong and proud history of
advancing our province’s rights and I am proud that our government will
continue that legacy by defending our interests in court.”
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