Carbon price is a ‘tough political battle,’ minister says ahead of hike

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault says the carbon price remains a “tough political battle” as the controversial decision to keep raising the price is set to kick in on Monday.

Guilbeault told The West Block host Mercedes Stephenson that the increase does more financial good than harm for average Canadians, and is necessary to solve climate change.

“We have a plan that is balanced, that is asking big polluters to do more — way more — than Canadians, but Canadians also have a contribution. We all have a role to play,” he said.

The minister also recognized that many are struggling to make ends meet due to the rising cost of living, but he emphasized that low income and middle class Canadians will get the money from the carbon price increase back in their pockets.

“If we remove carbon pricing from the equation for individuals, people — eight out of 10 Canadian families will be worse off economically. They will have less money in their bank account if we do that,” he said.

Canada’s 2030 Emission Reductions Plan aims to reduce the country’s pollution by at least 40 per cent by 2030. Guilbeault said that large industrial polluters pay for about three quarters of that target, while Canadian individuals cover the remainder.

When asked by Stephenson why individuals should bear any financial responsibility at all, Guilbeault said “it’s a balancing act.”

“What people pay at the pump and on their energy bill is about 10 per cent. But 10 per cent is not nothing. If I was to remove a part of the plan that represents 10 per cent of our pollution cut, how do I make up for it?” he said.

Guilbeault added that if Canada transfers more of that balance onto big emitters, it runs the risk of being less globally competitive.

“If we put too much