Made in Manitoba Climate and Green Plan better than Trudeau’s plan
Climate change is real, and Manitoba is feeling the impacts – from flooding to extreme weather to melting ice roads. Doing nothing on climate change is not an option. And doing nothing in the face of a federal threat to impose a $50 carbon tax on Manitobans is not an option either.
Our government has introduced the Manitoba Climate and Green Plan, which has a much lower cost to Manitobans. It’s a made-in-Manitoba plan that will support our province’s economy and sustain our environment for future generations. Built on the strategic pillars of climate, jobs, water and nature, it supports our vision to make Manitoba the cleanest, greenest and most climate-resilient province in Canada.
Our plan has a made-in-Manitoba carbon price of $25 per tonne beginning in 2018 – a low and level price that respects our province’s clean energy investments, supports our economy and actually reduces emissions. Under our plan, Manitoba’s carbon price will be half the $50 per tonne tax mandated by Ottawa and will give our province the second-lowest carbon price in Canada by 2022.
Our price will also save Manitoba families and businesses more than $260 million compared to the federal carbon tax over the next five years, while saving an average Manitoba household $245 during the same period. As well, carbon revenues will be recycled back to households and families through direct rebates and tax relief.
If we say no to our made-in-Manitoba plan, we will get Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s much higher carbon tax. The federal government’s carbon tax plan does not respect the massive hydro nvestments Manitobans have made, decade after decade, to build one of the world’s cleanest electricity systems. Our Manitoba Climate and Green Plan was developed through more than a year of consultations with environmental, business and other expert stakeholders, and it understands our province is already a leader in clean energy.
Our Climate and Green Plan is based on Manitoba needs and priorities. It projects cumulative emissions to drop by more than one megatonne over the next five years – 80,000 tonnes more than through the federal carbon tax. It also encourages low carbon economy jobs through green infrastructure, clean technology, innovation financing, and skills and training.
Our Manitoba plan further includes exemptions for agricultural emissions, while the carbon levy will not apply to farmers’ marked fuels. Moreover, it sets out initiatives to protect wetlands and watersheds, water quality, wild species and habitats.
Manitobans are invited to give their views on our Climate and Green Plan through an online survey at www.ManitobaClimateGreenPlan.ca until Nov. 30.
The Manitoba Climate and Green Plan costs less and reduces more than Ottawa’s carbon tax, and builds a prosperous lowcarbon economy while putting Manitoba first. It’s better for the
environment, better for the economy and will make a difference today for a better Manitoba tomorrow.
Greg Nesbitt is the MLA for the Riding Mountain constituency.
He can be reached at 204-759-3313, toll free 1-844-877-7767 or by email at gregnesbittmla@mymts.net.Made in Manitoba Climate and Green Plan better than Trudeau’s plan