Environment

Poor Implementation Undermines Carbon Tax Efficiency in Canada

— May 4, 2017

Poor Implementation Undermines Carbon Tax Efficiency in Canada finds that the theoretical benefits of carbon taxes and cap-and-trade schemes—that they can lower emissions and improve the economy at the same time—are negated by poor implementation such as layering these schemes on top of, instead of replacing existing regulations.

Canada's Air Quality Since 1970: An Environmental Success Story

— Apr 20, 2017

Canada's Air Quality Since 1970: An Environmental Success Story finds that levels of four major air pollutants—ground-level ozone, sulphur dioxide, nitrogen dioxide and carbon monoxide—have all fallen substantially since the 1970s despite significant population and economic growth and increased energy usage over the same time.

Did the Coal Phase-out Reduce Ontario Air Pollution?

— Jan 17, 2017

Did the Coal Phase-out Reduce Ontario Air Pollution finds that the coal phase-out produced only a small reduction in fine particulates, a common measure of air pollution, and in Toronto and Hamilton, the reduction was statistically insignificant. In fact, had the province completed its modernization of the coal-fired plants, instead of shutting them down, fine particulate reductions of the same size could have been achieved at a much lower cost.

The Principle of Targeting in Energy and Environmental Policy

— May 28, 2015

The Principle of Targeting in Energy and Environmental Policy spotlights the effectiveness of energy and environmental regulations implemented by governments throughout Canada in recent years. While championing the economic principle of ‘targeting’, the study finds that many of the applied regulations – such as bans on plastics bags, prohibitions against 100-watt incandescent light bulbs, household appliance standards and ethanol blending mandates – are inefficient, costly and do little to improve the environment.

Climate Policy Implications of the Hiatus in Global Warming

— Oct 2, 2014

Policy-makers should carefully consider the implications of the pause or “hiatus” in global warming when crafting climate policy, concludes a new study by Ross McKitrick. The study, Climate Policy Implications of the Hiatus in Global Warming, spotlights the warming hiatus, and what it means for public policy in Canada and around the world.

Recent Environment Commentaries and Blog Posts

It’s time for Canada to reassess its climate policy

Kenneth P. Green, Elmira Aliakbari

Less regulation in the U.S. will lower American business costs and help create more U.S. jobs.

NDP-Green carbon tax hikes likely won’t be revenue neutral

Charles Lammam, Taylor Jackson

The B.C. NDP plans to use new carbon tax revenues for increased government spending and “climate change solutions.”

Ontario cap-and-trade—high cost, little environmental benefit

Kenneth P. Green, Elmira Aliakbari

Appeared in the Toronto Sun, June 4, 2017

By subsidizing wind and solar power, the government undercuts its own policy.

Canada and the U.S. now stand on opposite sides of climate policy

Kenneth P. Green

As the United States cuts climate regulations, Canada pours them on.

The reality of Canada’s ‘renewable revolution’

Kenneth P. Green

Canada’s non-hydro renewables start from a very low baseline of both capacity and generation.

Green/NDP pact poses further challenges to B.C. energy production

Kenneth P. Green

Both the NDP and Greens oppose the Kinder Morgan Trans Mountain pipeline expansion.

Trump eyes withdrawal from Paris climate agreement

Kenneth P. Green

The United States likely won’t mirror Canada’s climate policies.

Canada’s air quality dramatically improved despite increased energy use

Ross McKitrick, Elmira Aliakbari

Concentrations of ground-level ozone have also decreased.

Canada’s carbon pricing—bait and switch

Kenneth P. Green, Ross McKitrick

Appeared in The Hill, May 14, 2017

It seems that governments in Canada have no intention of getting carbon pricing right.

B.C. election spawns uncertain future for resource and environmental policy

Kenneth P. Green

The B.C. NDP wants to raise the province’s carbon tax to $50 per tonne.

Research Experts

Elmira Aliakbari

Senior Economist, Fraser Institute
Pierre Desrochers

Associate Professor of Geography, University of Toronto
Glenn Fox

Professor of Agricultural Economics and Business, University of Guelph
Kenneth P. Green

Senior Director, Center for Natural Resource Studies, Fraser Institute
Ross McKitrick

Professor of Economics, University of Guelph
Cornelis "Kees" van Kooten

Professor of Economics, University of Victoria
Joel Wood

Associate Professor of Economics, Thompson Rivers University

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Environment

Poor Implementation Undermines Carbon Tax Efficiency in Canada

Canada's Air Quality Since 1970: An Environmental Success Story

Did the Coal Phase-out Reduce Ontario Air Pollution?

The Principle of Targeting in Energy and Environmental Policy

Climate Policy Implications of the Hiatus in Global Warming

Research Experts