The Federal Cabinet announced Tuesday that it has approved the expansion of the Trans Mountain pipeline from Alberta to Vancouver that would add 590,000 barrels of daily shipping capacity, a 15 per cent boost to Western Canada’s current 4 million. The project would still need to get local building permits, as well as overcome some legal challenges.

Canadians for Clean Prosperity has long held the position that Canada can build pipelines and still curb emissions. The key way to do this is through a gradually rising carbon tax and rebate. With a carbon tax, the costs of carbon emissions from the oil and gas sector can be fully costed and the money returned back to families and businesses. This allows us to get past the gridlocked debate that pits those wanting no more pipelines against those who are cast as not caring about the environment.

Canadians for Clean Prosperity believes that a clean environment can and must be reconciled with a strong and competitive economy.

Although the projected emissions effects for the Transmountain project are small, they can’t be ignored. Canada must do its part to reduce emissions and to mitigate the effect of those emissions that we cannot avoid. Putting a price on carbon is the most effective way to achieve that goal.

“Canadians want a strong energy sector and serious action on climate change,” said Michael Bernstein, Executive Director, Canadians for Clean Prosperity. “A carbon tax and rebate gives Canadians what they want – allowing us to do our part to curb carbon emissions, without compromising the economy.”

For more information:

Mollie Anderson
manderson@cleanprosperity.ca
6478232155