carbon pricing

Wednesday November 8, 2023

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Wednesday November 8, 2023

Pierre Poilievre’s Climate Strategy: More Rhetoric Than Real Solutions

July 22, 2023

Pierre Poilievre, the Conservative leader, might be adept at crafting catchy slogans like “Ax the Tax,” but his energy and climate proposals fall notably short in addressing Canada’s commitments to the Paris Agreement and the urgent need to combat climate change. His staunch opposition to carbon pricing, while championing a plan focused on technological advancements and the expansion of certain energy projects, raises serious doubts about its efficacy and long-term impact.

In his pursuit to dismantle the carbon tax, Poilievre champions an alternative approach emphasizing technology-driven solutions. He touts small modular nuclear reactors, hydroelectric dams, and tidal wave power as the key to an emissions-free energy future. However, his strategy lacks a comprehensive roadmap to meet Canada’s Paris Agreement targets or effectively combat the escalating climate crisis.

News: NDP-backed Conservative motion to expand carbon tax carve-out to all home heating defeated in the House 

March 23, 2021

Poilievre’s ambiguous stance on the Paris Agreement’s 2030 targets, coupled with his criticism of Trudeau’s carbon tax efforts, lacks a concrete alternative to address the pressing need for immediate and aggressive climate action. His reliance on technology as a panacea fails to acknowledge the urgency of transitioning away from fossil fuels. This neglect of substantial measures, such as wind and solar power, in favor of bolstering oil and gas production, reveals a lack of alignment with globally recognized climate objectives.

While the cost of carbon pricing may become more noticeable for Canadians, it remains a crucial mechanism to steer individual decisions towards greener alternatives, as exemplified by the surge in electric vehicle sales. However, Poilievre’s adamance against carbon pricing as a deterrent for burning fossil fuels overlooks its effectiveness in reducing transportation emissions, especially evident in the latest figures.

Moreover, his proposal to expedite project approvals without a clear framework on safety and environmental standards raises concerns about potential trade-offs for expedited progress.

September 23, 2014

Poilievre’s plan mirrors a concerning trend within the Conservative Party’s approach to climate change. While there’s acknowledgment of the issue’s reality, the proposed strategies lack the necessary depth and feasibility to tackle the impending climate crisis effectively. His continued dismissal of carbon pricing and heavy reliance on fossil fuel expansion in an era demanding a swift transition to renewable energy casts serious doubt on the Conservative Party’s commitment to genuine climate action.

Opinion:  Where are Pierre Poilievre’s climate change policies?

As Canada stands on the brink of surpassing critical climate thresholds, Poilievre’s strategy falls short of addressing the imminent catastrophic consequences forecasted by experts, such as rising sea levels, extreme weather events, and the loss of Arctic ice.

July 29, 2023

With global temperatures escalating and the urgency to mitigate climate change growing more pressing, Poilievre’s proposition of technology over taxes appears more as a political ploy than a sincere effort to combat the impending climate catastrophe. Canadians should scrutinize these proposals, demanding a more comprehensive and robust climate strategy from political leaders rather than empty rhetoric and slogans.

Ultimately, the looming question remains: Can Poilievre’s proposed plan truly deliver on Canada’s obligations to combat climate change and meet international commitments? It seems, for now, the answer remains elusive and doubtful. (AI)
September 27, 2023 – What can we do to continue our progress to decarbonization?  Spotlight by Fady Jameel.

Saturday November 4, 2023

Canada's Environment Minister, Steven Guilbeault, faces internal conflict within the Liberal government due to a sudden policy reversal on climate change, particularly the exemption for home-heating oil in Atlantic Canada, sparking criticism and raising concerns about the coherence and consistency of the government's climate policies.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday November 4, 2023

The Frustration of Steven Guilbeault, Once an Activist, Now a Minister Facing Carbon Tax Flip-Flops

October 28, 2021

Steven Guilbeault, Canada’s Environment Minister, faces a perplexing shift within the Liberal government, causing internal conflict with his former activist stance on climate change. The recent about-face in policy decisions appears to be a move aimed at reviving plummeting polls, especially in Atlantic Canada. Guilbeault, who once championed climate change causes, may find himself increasingly frustrated by the governmental reversals he’s now a part of.

A month ago, Guilbeault adamantly stood by the federal mandate for a net-zero power grid by 2035, dismissing requests from Alberta for an extended timeline. This firm stance faced opposition from Alberta’s Environment Minister, Rebecca Schulz, and Premier Danielle Smith, who vocally criticized the Clean Electricity Regulations (CER) as impractical and disconnected from reality, potentially leading to blackouts in a province heavily reliant on natural gas.

Analysis: Playing defence on the carbon tax has put Trudeau’s Liberals on the defensive  

February 3, 2023

Guilbeault, defending the federal regulation, emphasized the necessity to avoid exceptions for provinces, highlighting the importance of a unified approach across the federation. However, the subsequent announcement of an exemption for home-heating oil in Atlantic Canada saw a complete reversal from the federal government’s firm stance. This shift provoked further demands from other provinces, including Saskatchewan and Alberta, for similar exemptions in their regions.

The stark contrast between Guilbeault’s initial commitment and the recent exemptions, particularly for home-heating oil, suggests a significant departure from the consistent climate-focused policies he once advocated for. The exemptions raised concerns about the logical inconsistency and fairness of the carbon tax application. This move has left the Liberals in a defensive position, contradicting their previous arguments about the carbon tax rebate.

The internal discord within the Liberal government and the public critique underscore the complexity of policy implementation and the pressure faced by the Liberals to address concerns in Atlantic Canada. Despite the ongoing debates and mounting pressure for additional exemptions, Guilbeault maintains a resolute stance against further carve-outs as long as he holds the environment minister position.

Opinion: Trudeau’s new carbon pricing rules are really a not so subtle bribe  

The federal government, led by Justin Trudeau, is making changes to its climate policy, which primarily benefit Atlantic Canada. These changes include increased rural rebates and exemptions for home heating oil from the carbon tax. This has generated mixed reactions and debates.

October 28, 2023

The Liberals’ strategy to navigate the current political storm remains unclear. While attempting to address concerns in Atlantic Canada, the exemptions granted may have inadvertently compounded the challenges faced by the government, inviting criticism and intensifying the existing political turbulence.

Ultimately, the government’s recent decisions seem to have created more complexities than resolutions, fostering doubts about the coherence and consistency of their climate policy agenda. As Guilbeault, once an advocate, grapples with these policy shifts, the government faces an uphill battle to justify their recent actions while maintaining the integrity of their climate initiatives. (AI)

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro. If you’re creative, give illustration a try:

 

Saturday October 28, 2023

The federal government, led by Justin Trudeau, is making changes to its climate policy, which primarily benefit Atlantic Canada. These changes include increased rural rebates and exemptions for home heating oil from the carbon tax. This has generated mixed reactions and debates.

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday October 28, 2023

Trudeau’s Climate Policy Reversal: A Veiled Political Move

June 9, 2023

In recent announcements, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has presented significant changes to his government’s climate policy, with a particular focus on Atlantic Canada. While these changes are framed as responses to the cost of living crisis and environmental concerns, they raise questions about Trudeau’s underlying motives and political strategy.

Trudeau’s decision to increase rural rebates on carbon pricing and exempt home heating oil from the carbon levy, while also piloting a new rebate program for lower-income households to switch to heat pumps, has been met with both support and skepticism. While the Prime Minister portrays these changes as “enhancing” climate policy, many observers see a different narrative unfolding.

News: Ottawa exempting home heating oil from carbon tax for 3 years, Trudeau says  

These policy reversals come just a year after the government voted against a Conservative motion to remove carbon pricing on home heating fuel. The sudden shift is undoubtedly influenced by the significant backlash against the carbon levy in Atlantic Canada, where opinion polls show the Conservatives gaining a double-digit lead over the Liberals. The timing of these changes, only after the next election, raises suspicions about their true motivation.

April 21, 2021

While the exemption on home heating oil may provide relief to Atlantic Canadians, it is hard to overlook the underlying political calculations. Critics, including Western premiers and the NDP, accuse the government of regional favoritism, with the Atlantic Premiers stating that these changes fall short of addressing their concerns adequately. Trudeau’s emphasis on “low-hanging fruits” and the argument that home heating oil is worse for the environment raise questions about whether these decisions are primarily a political maneuver.

The lack of transparency in the government’s release of cost breakdowns for these changes only adds to the skepticism surrounding their motives. While Trudeau assures that the rural rebate increase falls within the “existing envelope” of revenues, concerns linger about the impact on businesses and the overall effectiveness of these policies in reducing emissions.

News: Poilievre pans Trudeau’s carbon pricing pivot, Liberals pitch pause as ‘great news’  

August 24, 2022

It’s also worth noting that the government’s decision to exempt home heating oil and not other heating fuels like natural gas creates an imbalance in how these policies affect different households. Trudeau’s explanation that they are focusing on the transition from oil to heat pumps does little to quell concerns about regional bias.

The timing of these changes, just before the Conservative Leader’s “axe the tax rally,” adds another layer to the political intrigue. Critics argue that Trudeau’s motive is to secure voter support, especially in Atlantic Canada, rather than genuinely addressing climate issues or the cost of living crisis.

In conclusion, while the government’s policy changes may bring some relief to Atlantic Canada, they also raise questions about the true motives behind these decisions. The lack of transparency, regional inconsistencies, and their political timing cast doubt on whether they genuinely serve the interests of Canadians or are primarily a strategic move to regain support in a region where it has been slipping away. (AI)

From sketch to finish, see the current way Graeme completes an editorial cartoon using an iPencil, the Procreate app, and a couple of cheats on an iPad Pro. If you’re creative, give illustration a try:

 

Saturday March 27, 2021

Editorial Cartoon by Graeme MacKay, The Hamilton Spectator – Saturday March 27, 2021

Week in Review: Stuck things

Crews are working to clear a traffic jam at Egypt’s Suez Canal, the world’s busiest trade route, after the massive container ship “Ever Given” ran aground. Global News explains what this could mean for oil prices. 

March 23, 2021

Meanwhile, Conservative Leader Erin O’Toole is sticking with his long-standing view that a federal carbon price is not the way to tackle the growing threat of climate change across the country, following a decision by the Supreme Court of Canada authorizing its constitutionality.

In an interview on CTV News Channel’s Power Play on Thursday, O’Toole said his approach would focus instead on partnering with provinces and bolstering the economy to get emissions down, though he didn’t provide exact details about how doing so would achieve his stated goal.

“The court said what we all know — that climate change is real and it’s important for us to have a serious approach,” he said.

May 14, 2019

“I want to have a plan that Canada can meet its targets. I’ve also said I’d like to see a net-zero approach plan, a made-in-Canada net-zero approach plan over the longer term, which is the 2050 timeline, but to do it without taxing people. As I said the carbon tax impacts our competitiveness and it hurts people in the margins the most. I think it’s backwards to be honest.”

In a 6-3 decision, the top court decided on Thursday that a price on pollution is entirely constitutional and that Ottawa has a right to set minimum pricing standards for greenhouse gas emissions in the provinces.

May 27, 2017

“The undisputed existence of a threat to the future of humanity cannot be ignored,” wrote Chief Justice Richard Wagner.

The case brings a legal end to a years-long battle between Ottawa and many provinces over the carbon price, and prompted Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe to start looking at a homegrown carbon-pricing mechanism and Alberta Premier Jason Kenney to nudge open the door to doing so too.

Saskatchewan, Ontario and Alberta challenged the Liberal government’s 2018 Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act in court, arguing it was a federal overreach into provincial jurisdiction over everything from taxes and the environment to natural-resource development.

O’Toole said his party would target large emitters of greenhouse gas emissions and respect the individual carbon reducing frameworks already in place in some provinces.

During the party’s policy convention over the weekend, delegates notably voted against a resolution that would have included the line “climate change is real” in the party’s official policy document.

Environment Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said the Supreme Court’s decision on carbon pricing is a “good day for Canada.”

“Read the academic literature, go talk to an economist. They will tell you it’s the most efficient and effective way to reduce emissions and to incentivize innovation,” he told Power Play. (CTV)

“That cargo ship wedged in the Suez Canal may be a disaster for international trade, but it’s been a boon for political cartoonists. And it being an international incident, lots of people get to chip in, like Canadian Graeme Mackay, who likens it to the Conservative Party’s environmental stance”