Clean Energy Canada | For most Canadians, carbon pricing is a money-saver
March 31, 2020

OTTAWA — Sarah Petrevan, policy director at Clean Energy Canada, made the following statement regarding the annual increase to the federal price on pollution:

“Let’s be crystal clear: Canada’s price on pollution gives money back to Canadians in the form of a tax rebate. With the federal Climate Action Incentive, most families will receive a tax rebate worth more than what they’ll pay for carbon pollution this year. The Parliamentary Budget Officer found this is especially true for low-income Canadians.

“Given that many of us are driving less right now, it’s likely that Canadians will similarly pay less than previously projected. In short: Canada’s revenue-neutral carbon price is still discouraging pollution by putting a price on it, while redistributing that collected money to Canadian families. Increasing the price on pollution as scheduled does not change that equation—it just means a bigger net rebate this year.

“And yet the misinformation campaign continues. The voices opposing pricing pollution today are the same ones that opposed it last year. Now is not the time for opportunism—now is the time for solutions. Now, more than ever, is a reminder that it costs less to be proactive than it does to be reactive.”

Sarah Petrevan is available for interviews.

KEY FACTS

• For the second year in a row, the Parliamentary Budget Officer’s review of the federal carbon pricing system concluded that because of the Climate Action Incentive rebate, “most households will receive higher transfers than amounts paid in fuel charges” and “The net benefits are broadly progressive by income group. That is, lower income households will receive larger net transfers than higher income households.”
• Exposure to air pollution can increase the likelihood of heart disease, chronic respiratory diseases, and diabetes.
• A 2003 study on the severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) virus found that in regions with moderate air pollution, patients were 84% more likely to die relative to those living in regions with low air pollution.

The European Public Health Alliance is urging governments to prioritize reductions in air pollution to help the most vulnerable fight respiratory infections.

Resources

Poll | Broad support for a range of policies—including carbon pricing—to help reduce emissions and fight climate change