Canada’s three Northern premiers remain united in their stance against carbon pricing.
In a joint press release issued Thursday, the premiers of Yukon, the Northwest Territories and Nunavut reiterated that the implementation of a carbon tax would negatively impact the quality of life in the North.
Darrell Pasloski, Bob McLeod and Peter Taptuna also said climate change goals shouldn’t negatively impact the cost of living, undermine food security or threaten emerging economies.
Read: Northern MP candidates clash over carbon tax, cost of living
“A carbon tax doesn’t work in the North,” said Yukon Premier Darrell Pasloski, who’s hosting delegates from across the country as part of this week’s Council of the Federation.
“Instead of imposing a made-in-the-South tax on Northerners, Canada should work collaboratively with the territories to help us implement climate solutions that reflect the realities of Northern communities.”
All three territorial premiers argue that climate change is having a disproportionate effect on northern communities and that their residents are paying for it.
Because of that, they’re calling for more detailed economic assessments before any national initiatives pertaining to climate change are implemented.
“A national carbon pricing strategy could not be viable in the NWT unless it alleviates or compensates for the high cost of living and doing business in the North,” said NWT Premier Bob McLeod.
“Until there are economically-viable alternatives, carbon pricing mechanisms will not significantly reduce greenhouse gas emissions in the NWT.”
Respecting regional differences could prove difficult as Environment Minister Catherine McKenna develops a pricing scheme for carbon pollution as part of a reduction strategy later this year.
This year’s Council of the Federation is the first to be hosted by one of Canada’s three territories.
Premiers will spend the rest of the week in Haines Junction and Whitehorse talking about everything from internal trade to missing and murdered indigenous women.
