“The climate plan proposed by Erin O’Toole today is a significant step in the right direction for the Conservative Party of Canada and for climate action,” said Clean Prosperity Executive Director Michael Bernstein. “All major political parties in Canada now agree that carbon pricing should be at the heart of any climate plan.”

“While reducing the consumer carbon price makes it less efficient, the Conservative plan presents a credible path to meeting Canada’s 2030 Paris targets.”

“The climate plan proposed by Erin O’Toole today is a significant step in the right direction for the Conservative Party of Canada and for climate action,” said Clean Prosperity Executive Director Michael Bernstein.

“On a positive note, the plan makes clear that carbon pricing is a critical tool for decarbonizing our economy. Not only does it maintain a strong pricing signal in the industrial sector of up to $170/tonne, it also includes a consumer carbon price. With this plan, Mr. O’Toole has moved the Conservative Party past its opposition to consumer carbon pricing.”

“On a less positive note, the plan swaps out the current federal carbon tax for a lower carbon price that will do less to incentivize emissions reductions, and then supplements it with a set of regulations that are more costly. It would be better for Canadians if Mr. O’Toole would allow the carbon price to rise past $50/tonne.” 

“Though I have not yet seen the detailed modelling, it appears that Mr. O’Toole now has a plan to meet Canada’s emissions reduction targets under the Paris Agreement, and that’s an important step.”

“But while he’s moved to where the puck is now, he’ll need to get to where the puck is heading. Many countries, including Canada, are expected to announce 2030 targets that go well beyond Paris. All political leaders, including Mr. O’Toole, would be wise to consider ramping up their ambitions further.”

For more information: media@cleanprosperity.ca