Canada’s unnecessary carbon tax detour

The climate threat is too important to allow any discipline to mislead us. Carbon taxes are not essential. We need to reduce GHG emissions at a good pace and it’s likely easier if we don’t waste money. Let’s focus on advancing and defending the policies that have a better chance politically.

The oilsands in Fort McMurray, Alta. Canada can achieve zero GHG emissions with regulations alone, and not all regulations are as costly as economists may claim, writes Mark Jaccard. The Hill Times photograph by Jake Wright

Opinion

BY MARK JACCARD

March 10, 2025

Canada’s Ecofiscal Commission was created in 2014 to promote fiscal policies to achieve environmental goals, notably carbon taxes, to reduce greenhouse gas emissions. The endeavour seemed laudable. Economists say carbon taxes are the cheapest way to prevent climate change,...

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