Canada is already expecting a significant economic costs associated with the climate impact from rising greenhouse has (GHG) emission. However, surprisingly, most provinces of Canada, including BC are not anticipating to achieving the existing emission-reductions targets for 2020. Delaying the action to reduce the emission gas will bring higher future costs for Canadians.

Canada’s total greenhouse gas emission in 2015 were 722 megatons (MT) of carbon dioxide equivalent (CO₂ eq), or 18% (111 Mt CO₂ eq) above the 1990 emissions of 611 Mt CO₂ eq. Annual emissions steadily increased during the first 10 years of this period, fluctuated between 2000 and 2008, dropped in 2009, and gradually increased thereafter. 

Canada’s emissions growth between 1990 to 2015 was cause primarily by increased emissions from mining and upstream oil and gas production as well as transport. On the other hand, the reduction from 2005 to 2015 was primarily due to reduction of emission from public electricity and heat production utilities.

The line chart shows Canada’s national greenhouse gas emissions in megatons of carbon dioxide equivalent from 1990 to 2015.

Canada has taken its step forward to fight against climate change. One of the recognizing action Canada is undertaking is pricing carbon pollution, which is known to be the most effective, transparent, and efficient policy approaches to reduce emissions. 

As delaying such policy action will highly cost Canadians in the future, it is important that ALL Canadian provinces take action to reduce the GHG emission.

Here are some key facts and figures published by the Government of Canada. 

• Jurisdictions will choose a system: they can put a direct price on carbon pollution or they can adopt a cap-and-trade system.
• Pricing will be based on GHG emissions and applied to a common and broad set of sources to ensure effectiveness and minimize interprovincial competitiveness impacts.
• Revenues collected stay with the province or territory of origin.
• The provinces and territories decide how to use this money. For example, they can give it back to families, build rapid transit, or support small businesses that will innovate and create good jobs for Canadians.
• In provinces and territories with a direct price on carbon pollution, the price will start at a minimum of $10 per tonne in 2018, rising by $10 each year to $50 per tonne in 2022.
• The Government of Canada will provide a pricing system for provinces and territories that do not adopt one of the two systems by 2018.
• The approach will be reviewed in 2022 to confirm the path forward. 

https://www.canada.ca/en/services/environment/weather/climatechange/climate-action/pricing-carbon-pollution.html