Guilbeault and Officials Disagree on Carbon Tax Emissions Impact Numbers

May 22, 2024 TruthUSA

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault informed MPs that the carbon tax had led to a decrease in emissions of almost 3 percent in a particular year, although department officials stated that the actual figure was closer to 1 percent.

Speaking at the House of Commons environment committee on May 21, Mr. Guilbeault mentioned that the carbon pricing had resulted in emission reductions of 5 megatons in 2018, 14 megatons in 2019, 17 megatons in 2020, 18 megatons in 2021, 19 megatons in 2022, and 24 megatons in 2023.

According to his department, Canada’s total greenhouse gas emissions were 708 megatons in 2022, suggesting that the carbon tax had reduced emissions by 2.68 percent.

Conservative MP Dan Mazier expressed confusion regarding the data presented, as Mr. Guilbeault had previously stated that Ottawa does not measure the impact of federal carbon pricing.

Mr. Mazier inquired about the source of the figures and whether they were inclusive of other factors.

Mr. Guilbeault clarified, stating, “The numbers I provided are specifically related to carbon pricing and were sourced from our department’s inventory report.”

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John Moffet, assistant deputy minister at Environment Canada, provided clarification by explaining that the 3 percent reduction in total emissions included contributions from carbon pricing, accounting for a third of the reduction.

Mr. Moffet elaborated, stating, “One third of the reductions are attributed to carbon pricing, so it’s not that carbon pricing alone achieved 3 percent of reductions. Carbon pricing contributed to a third of the total reductions.”

Tory MP Michael Kram questioned Mr. Moffet about whether the carbon tax was estimated to be responsible for only 1 percent of the total emissions reduction. Mr. Moffet responded, “To date.”

Mr. Guilbeault previously informed the committee that carbon pricing “will help achieve one-third of Canada’s emission reduction by 2030.”

The Epoch Times reached out to Environment Canada for further clarification but did not receive a response.

Mr. Kram raised concerns about alternate technological innovations that could potentially reduce total emissions by 1 percent at a lower cost to consumers.

Lawrence Hanson, associate deputy minister at Environment Canada, explained that the carbon tax is not a form of spending that can be redirected elsewhere and is largely revenue neutral, with funds being returned in various ways to set a price signal.

The Conservatives have been urging the Liberal government to eliminate the carbon tax or implement temporary relief measures due to affordability issues.

The Liberals argue that eight out of ten households benefit more from the carbon tax through rebates, while the Tories contend that overall, eight out of ten households are worse off because of it.

Parliamentary Budget Officer Yves Giroux assessed that if the broader economic impacts of the carbon tax are not considered, then the Liberals are correct. However, when factoring in the broader impacts, the Tories are correct, as he previously stated to The Epoch Times.

The federal fuel charge in most provinces increased from $65 per tonne of carbon dioxide equivalent to $80 per tonne on April 1, resulting in over 17 cents per liter of gasoline being added.

The Liberal government aims to raise this charge to $170 per tonne by 2030, which would add over 37 cents to a liter of gasoline.

Mr. Mazier questioned Mr. Guilbeault about any discussions regarding raising the fuel charge beyond $170.

“At present, no such decision has been made,” responded the minister. When pressed further, Mr. Guilbeault confirmed that there have been no talks on the matter.

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