EDMONTON – Jason Kenney says he is disappointed with the Supreme Court of Canada ruling that the federal government has the right to levy a carbon tax on provinces.
Kenney says his government will now consider its options, but the guiding principle will be to impose the least cost and hardship on consumers and Alberta industries.
Alberta was one of the provinces challenging the federal carbon tax, arguing that the levy is an intolerable intrusion on the right of provinces to develop their natural resources.
But the high court ruled that climate change is a critical threat and Canada cannot effectively combat it if each province goes its own way on greenhouse gas emissions.
Kenney says Alberta has been a North American leader in taxing large greenhouse gas emitters.
His government cancelled Alberta’s own carbon tax plan in 2019, prompting Ottawa to put its levy in place in 2020. 29dk2902l