This morning, in a 6-3 landmark decision, the Supreme Court of Canada ruled that the federal carbon pricing law, within the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act (Act) is constitutional. The majority of Justices found that global warming causes harm beyond provincial boundaries and therefore is a matter of national concern under the “peace, order & good government” clause of the constitution.
This ruling is on appeals from the court of appeals for Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan.
Breakdown of Decision
- Found the Act Constitutional (Majority): Chief Justice Richard Wagner and Justices: Abella, Moldaver, Karakatsanis, Martin and Kasirer
- Dissenting in part: Justice Côtê
- Dissenting in full: Justices Brown and Rowe
Of Note
In the Case in Brief from the Supreme Court of Canada it stated that the ruling found the expression “carbon tax” is frequently used to describe the pricing of carbon emission and is inaccurate. The majority found that carbon pricing “has nothing to do with the concept of taxation, as understood from a constitutional context.” Therefore, the majority “concluded that the fuel and excess emission charges imposed by the Act were constitutionally valid regulatory charges and not taxes.”
The majority also found that the Act only applies where provincial or territorial pricing system are not strict enough to reduce global warming and therefore the decision meets the balance between federal and provincial powers.
Alberta’s Response from Premier Jason Kenney
Shortly after the decision was released, Alberta Premier Jason Kenney spoke and released a formal statement. In it he said that “We are obviously disappointed with that decision. The Supreme Court ignored the Alberta Court of Appeal’s warning and discovered a new federal power that erodes provincial jurisdiction and undermines our constitutional system.” Premier Kenney went on to say that he and his government will do “… everything in our power to minimize costs on Albertans, and on our trade-exposed industries that must compete globally, while ensuring that we continue to responsibly reduce emissions in our province.” Finally, Premier Kenney ended with a thank you to Ontario, Quebec, Saskatchewan, Manitoba and New Brunswick who supported Alberta’s case.
Background
In 2018 the federal government passed the Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act. The law required provinces and territories to implement carbon gas pricing systems by January 1, 2019 or adopt one imposed by the federal government.
Alberta, Ontario and Saskatchewan challenged the constitutionality of the Act by referring the legislation to their respective courts of appeal. Ontario and Saskatchewan’s courts of appeal found the Act constitutional, the Alberta court of appeal found it unconstitutional.
The question for the Supreme Court was whether the federal government had the authority to pass such a law that puts a price on carbon.
Related Links
- Supreme Court of Canada – Case in Brief
- Minister Jonathan Wilkinson’s – News Conference
- Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s – News Conference
- Alberta Premier Jason Kenney’s – Statement
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