Ontario and Quebec Premiers Still Committed to Cap and Trade by 2012

Climate change, and in particular cap and trade, was one of the two major topics of discussion in the second Joint meeting of Ontario and Quebec Cabinets held September 11, 2009. The other major topic was the economy.

The news release issued by the Ontario government states:

The Premiers also moved forward on developing a cap-and-trade system to help reduce greenhouse gas emissions and combat climate change. Ontario and Quebec are committed to implementing a cap-and-trade system in step with North American partners and compatible with a U.S. national program likely to be ready by 2012.

Building on the Memorandum of Understanding (MOU) signed in June of 2008 that expressed the intention to move forward jointly on a cap-and-trade system, Ontario and Quebec have both passed enabling legislation to allow a cap-and-trade system in each jurisdiction. The Regulations that will implement the system have yet to be released. Both provinces have also acknowledged the importance of ensuring provincial systems are compatible with international ones and will be present at the United Nations Climate Change Conference in Copenhagen this December.

In a news conference held September 10, 2009 the Premiers expressed concern over news that the federal government’s plan may disadvantage certain regions. Although details have not been released on the federal plan, the Primers expressed the intention to ensure Ontario and Quebec, with their manufacturing base, are not disadvantaged in relation to the other, energy producing provinces.

Although the Premiers applauded developments from Ottawa, such as the federal governments recent support of a cap-and-trade system, they acknowledged that Ottawa’s insistence on using 2006 as a baseyear for emissions is problematic vis-à-vis international standards.

It’s reassuring to see the provinces are continuing to discuss how they can work together on this important issue. I can’t help but wonder whether the concern expressed in their news conference may signal the intention to spar with Ottawa if the rules that eventually come from the federal government are not both, in line with international standards and non-discriminatory.

with reporting and picture from the Canadian Press. for more information see: story from The Toronto Star and CTV News