Conservative Party of Canada (CPC) leadership candidate Jean Charest has vowed to recoup the Liberal government’s carbon price for the consumer and eliminate the federal portion of the Harmonized Sales Tax (HST) on cheap purchases. carbon emission.
He also vowed to stick to a less ambitious goal of reducing the country’s greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions by 2030 if he wins the leadership election on Sept. 10. It suggests paying the price of carbon within the framework of the -industry emitting a greater focus on industrial emissions.
Carbon has a price, and we chose to go the way of large emitterssaid Mr. Charest, a former Quebec premier, in an interview Monday. This is the approach I believe will be most effective.
The plan shared with The Canadian Press does not contain any details on the amount.
If he becomes prime minister, the Conservative leadership candidate will not meet the target set by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau under a United Nations climate agreement, which would reduce greenhouse effect gas emissions by 40% to 45%. % from 2005 to 2030 levels.
Mr. Charest will stick to the 30% goal set by former Conservative Prime Minister Stephen Harper, which he described as more achievable and realistic.
” We’ve watched this film, I don’t know how many times, of goal setting and frustration. “
Jean Charest aims to respect the jurisdiction of the provinces to decide on the best way to reduce their emissions, noting the differences between Quebec, for example, which has a lot of hydroelectric energy, and Alberta, where the economy is linked to oil. and gas.
It makes sense to accommodate different approaches, due to different factsdid he declare.
The HST of Jean Charest’s sights
To encourage Canadians to reduce their own carbon footprint, Jean Charest’s plan proposes to eliminate the federal portion of HST in purchases such as electric vehicles, appliances EnergyStar and high efficiency windows. It is up to the provinces to reduce their own share of HST.
Stewart Elgie, director of the University of Ottawa’s Institute of the Environment, presented Jean Charest’s plan, found it credible. He added that the track record of Mr. Charest in government makes him the most contender in the race.
Stewart Elgie said he liked the proposal to remove the HST low-carbon products, which he said will help consumers.
” The main weakness of the plan [de Jean Charest] will not have a carbon price for consumers, who will therefore need to use other tools to achieve these emission reductions. “
I prefer to put a carbon price on industrial emissions. It would be better if this price would be applied to all showsdid he declare.
Mr. Charest is also committed to deploying tax credits for carbon extraction and storage technologies and for carbon dioxide removal facilities.
The application of carbon tariffs at the border is also in his plan.
A major issue for Conservatives
One of the most popular cries of loyal Conservatives, many of whom come from Saskatchewan and Alberta, is the abolition of the carbon tax. They say it is ineffective and punitive for families.
Another candidate for Conservative Party leadership, Pierre Poilievre, has already vowed to do so. He previously attacked Mr. Charest for his support for carbon pricing and suggested that his opponent, who has not yet presented his climate plan until now, is in favor of the measures imposed by Prime Minister Trudeau.
Former Conservative Party leader Erin O’Toole found herself in hot water with her caucus and full party membership last year after they were surprised by the passage of a carbon tax on properties . consumption, such as fuel, then campaigned as a leadership candidate to repeal the Liberal carbon tax.
Source: Radio-Canada
