Canada will increase a tax on carbon emissions in a push to meet its commitment to fight climate change, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced on Friday, drawing mixed reactions from politicians, environmental advocates and rights groups.
In a news conference in Ottawa, Trudeau said that Ottawa plans to gradually increase a federal tax on carbon emissions to approximately $133 a tonne (170 Canadian dollars) by 2030. The tax is currently set at about $24 (30 Canadian dollars) a tonne.
“The cleaner your economy, the faster and stronger it will grow. There is no time to waste,” Trudeau told reporters.
Trudeau said the measures would help Canada meet its Paris climate accord target of a 30 percent cut in 2005 greenhouse gas emissions by 2030. The plan also includes additional investments in clean energy projects, among other measures.