It was only because of COVID-19 that Canada saw reductions in greenhouse gases, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault..But Guilbeault said he didn’t know what portion of reductions was due to his climate change program or the recession..“We know 2020 because of the pandemic is an anomaly,” Guilbeault testified at the Commons environment committee on Tuesday..“I have not spoken at great length about the 2020 emissions reduction numbers that we’ve seen in the last inventory.”.Blacklock's Reporter said the environment department in an April 15 summary of its National Inventory Report 1990-2020 said the COVID-19 recession marked a decrease in emissions. Guilbeault in a statement at the time called the figures encouraging..“We can see that Canada is moving in the right direction,” he said..Guilbeault acknowledged the recession was a factor..“What was a result of the economic slowdown that was obviously a result of the pandemic and what was a result of measures that we have been deploying in Canada over the last few years?” he asked..“What the experts tell me is that it is very difficult to discern what comes from the plan and what would be more pandemic related.”.“If the plan is that to get an 8.9% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that we get a 5.4% contraction in GDP, you would agree with me that is not a great plan,” said Conservative MP Kyle Seeback (Dufferin-Caledon, Ont.)..“We make no such linkages,” replied Guilbeault..National emissions fell 9% from 738 million tonnes to 672 million tonnes. Reductions included an 11% decline in factory emissions “partially attributable to plants that closed,” a 17% cut in transport emissions “linked to a decrease in the vehicle kilometres traveled” with travel bans, and a 44% cut in jet fuel emissions due to the collapse of air travel..Guilbeault said he remained committed to the carbon tax but would not say if the current fee schedule is sufficient. Cabinet originally capped the tax at $50 per tonne, the equivalent of 12¢ a litre on gasoline, then raised the cap to $170 per tonne by 2030..“The carbon tax is clearly hurting Canadians,” said Conservative MP Dan Mazier (Dauphin-Swan River, Man.). “Can you promise Canadians today your government will not raise the carbon tax above $170 a tonne after 2030? I want a yes or no answer.”.“We have made a commitment all the way to 2030,” replied Guilbeault. “We have made no commitment as to what happens after 2030.”.The higher $170 per tonne charge is the equivalent of a total 27¢ more per litre of propane, 34¢ per cubic metre of natural gas, 40¢ more per litre of gasoline, 44¢ for aviation fuel and an extra 47¢ per litre for diesel.
It was only because of COVID-19 that Canada saw reductions in greenhouse gases, says Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault..But Guilbeault said he didn’t know what portion of reductions was due to his climate change program or the recession..“We know 2020 because of the pandemic is an anomaly,” Guilbeault testified at the Commons environment committee on Tuesday..“I have not spoken at great length about the 2020 emissions reduction numbers that we’ve seen in the last inventory.”.Blacklock's Reporter said the environment department in an April 15 summary of its National Inventory Report 1990-2020 said the COVID-19 recession marked a decrease in emissions. Guilbeault in a statement at the time called the figures encouraging..“We can see that Canada is moving in the right direction,” he said..Guilbeault acknowledged the recession was a factor..“What was a result of the economic slowdown that was obviously a result of the pandemic and what was a result of measures that we have been deploying in Canada over the last few years?” he asked..“What the experts tell me is that it is very difficult to discern what comes from the plan and what would be more pandemic related.”.“If the plan is that to get an 8.9% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions that we get a 5.4% contraction in GDP, you would agree with me that is not a great plan,” said Conservative MP Kyle Seeback (Dufferin-Caledon, Ont.)..“We make no such linkages,” replied Guilbeault..National emissions fell 9% from 738 million tonnes to 672 million tonnes. Reductions included an 11% decline in factory emissions “partially attributable to plants that closed,” a 17% cut in transport emissions “linked to a decrease in the vehicle kilometres traveled” with travel bans, and a 44% cut in jet fuel emissions due to the collapse of air travel..Guilbeault said he remained committed to the carbon tax but would not say if the current fee schedule is sufficient. Cabinet originally capped the tax at $50 per tonne, the equivalent of 12¢ a litre on gasoline, then raised the cap to $170 per tonne by 2030..“The carbon tax is clearly hurting Canadians,” said Conservative MP Dan Mazier (Dauphin-Swan River, Man.). “Can you promise Canadians today your government will not raise the carbon tax above $170 a tonne after 2030? I want a yes or no answer.”.“We have made a commitment all the way to 2030,” replied Guilbeault. “We have made no commitment as to what happens after 2030.”.The higher $170 per tonne charge is the equivalent of a total 27¢ more per litre of propane, 34¢ per cubic metre of natural gas, 40¢ more per litre of gasoline, 44¢ for aviation fuel and an extra 47¢ per litre for diesel.