Canada at the climate talks

The plan also includes economy-wide carbon pricing, which Alberta will phase in over a two-year period, charging $20 per metric ton in January 2017 and $30 per metric ton in January 2018.

The Wildrose Party put out a statement Monday denouncing the tax, saying that it would raise the price of everything and put jobs at risk. That, rather than Paris, is the real challenge Canada faces in finally doing its share to cool an over-heated planet.

“Its not a disaster to the economy, especially at that level.”. But Couillard, whose province has already made considerable headway reducing emissions, said measures taken by provinces in the past must be rewarded too.

Wynne also said there were more questions than answers about the federal government’s Syrian refugees resettlement plan – the other main topic on the agenda – but that she looked forward to hearing more on Tuesday.

Whittingham said many senior company executives have accepted, in part due to lower global oil prices, that they must reduce their carbon footprint as well as high production and energy costs in order to be more successful.

Notley said her plan will “de-escalate” the rhetoric about Alberta’s oil sands.

For example, by 2018, gasoline will carry a charge worth roughly 7 cents a litre. Homeowners would pay about $470 more per year for all energy costs under such a tax. The plan cycles this money back to residents through rebates and other grants instead of a tax cut.

The new initiative plans to introduce new programs created to improve energy efficiency and spur innovation.

Mitchelmore, who is stepping down from her role at year-end, called the Alberta announcement “historic” and said it makes her proud to be Canadian. The proceeds from this will be used to fund much-needed infrastructure and a large amount will be returned to Albertans in the form of tax breaks.

One thing the regulations will have an impact on, of course, is the work of lawyers.

And the point of the tax is to make people take on the cost of their carbon pollution, Moore said. They started with a climate science briefing before going behind closed doors for dinner and discussion.

Monday’s meeting is to begin with a presentation by climate scientists, aimed at persuading Canadians the government is acting on the advice of experts.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall said his province needs to do a better job fighting climate change, “but we can’t forget the economy”. Quebec and Ontario have developed a system of cap and trade, British Columbia has a carbon tax and Alberta will now have a mixture of both systems.

The panel’s report also shows proposed carbon levies rising every year to 2030, when the recommended carbon price would be $100 per tonne.

These are the same oilsands, of course, that were to have supplied the 850,000 barrel per day Keystone XL pipeline from Alberta to Texas – a highly controversial project that US President Barack Obama scuppered, when he announced earlier this month that it “would not serve the national interest of the United States”. Unfortunately, that emissions policy was more symbolism than a meaningful reduction in greenhouse gas emissions. The Alberta government has responded to protect the health of all Albertans, particularly those who suffer from respiratory disease, such as asthma.