Whitehorse Daily Star

Image title

Photo by Vince Fedoroff

EXPRESSING HER VIEWS – B.C. Premier Christy Clark (centre) speaks to reporters this morning in Whitehorse. She is flanked by Quebec Premier Philippe Couillard and Ontario Premier Kathleen Wynne.

Image title

Photo by Vince Fedoroff

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall

Premiers continue to sort out differences

After a second day of talks, Canada’s premiers still don’t see eye-to-eye on carbon pricing, and continue to disagree over details of an agreement on internal trade.

By Sidney Cohen on July 22, 2016

After a second day of talks, Canada’s premiers still don’t see eye-to-eye on carbon pricing, and continue to disagree over details of an agreement on internal trade.

In addition to these two major issues, health care funding, disaster management and climate change were also on the agenda for today.

Some headway was made on Thursday, day two of Council of the Federation meetings in Whitehorse.

At the suggestion of Premier Darrell Pasloski, the premiers agreed to undertake a trade mission to Europe in 2017.

It would be a way to show that they value business relationships with both the European Union and the United Kingdom.

On behalf of all the premiers, Pasloski wrote a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking him to counter U.S. senators’ “unfair and inaccurate allegations” that Canadian lumber production is unfairly subsidized.

For this reason, the senators said, Canadian producers should have access to a smaller share of the U.S. market.

Pasloski urged the prime minister to work toward a new deal on softwood lumber that would maximize access to the U.S. market for Canadian lumber producers.

The premiers called on the federal government to expand immigration opportunities for skilled workers, and for greater funding of education, workplace and language training for newcomers and refugees.

They are also urging the federal government to increase the amount it contributes to flood, fire and other kinds of disaster relief, and to quickly reimburse the upfront costs after a disaster hits.

Discussions about some of the more contentious issues were saved for today, the results of which were not available before press time early this afternoon.

Pasloski remains resolute in his opposition to a carbon tax in the Yukon. Such a charge, he said, would effectively double up on taxes applied to goods shipped up from B.C., where a carbon tax is already in place.

“Our resolve is strong in the three northern territories because we know that putting a price on carbon will make the three northern territories an even more expensive place to live,” he said on Thursday.

Saskatchewan Premier Brad Wall was onside. He said a carbon tax would harm the energy sector at a time when it’s already hurting due to the low price of oil.

“A carbon tax by definition will have a disproportionate impact on the energy sector because it’s obviously a source of carbon emissions, to a certain extent,” he said this morning.

“Now is not the time for that – not for Canadians, not for the energy sector, not for our economy – and we’ll make that case as clear as we can to the federal government and our partners at the provincial-territorial table.”

Christy Clark, the premier of B.C., acknowledged the disproportionate impact of climate change on the North.

She said a carbon tax could have a similarly unequal effect on the Yukon’s economy.

“The irony is for the territories, the impact of climate change is felt the hardest, is being felt the most, and at the same time, the impact of a carbon pricing scheme could be the most difficult for them,” Clark said.

She said “there’s some merit” to Pasloski’s contention that a carbon tax in the North would repeat carbon taxes already attached to goods coming north from the provinces.

“The rest of Canadians need to pull up our socks and think about how we’re going to support our North, that we all share, without really harming economies here, because it is a very, very different economy in Yukon than in British Columbia.”

B.C. has a $30-per-tonne tax on carbon that is revenue-neutral, meaning the tax increase is offset by tax reductions in other areas.

The province also offers “Climate Action Tax Credits” to low-income individuals and families as a way to ease the burden of higher prices at the pumps.

Despite Clark’s conciliatory remarks, she did say she sees a need for “consistency across the country” when it comes to carbon pricing.

Trudeau has said that his government wants to see some form of carbon pricing across the country, but will give some leeway to the provinces and territories to develop their own policies.

Meanwhile, Pasloski and Clark both expressed the urgency to strike an internal trade deal in light of threats to the North American Free Trade Agreement coming from American politicians.

U.S. Republican presidential candidate Donald Trump told the New York Times this week he is prepared to do away with the agreement between his country, Canada and Mexico if he is not able to broker better terms for the U.S.

Presumptive Democratic nominee Hillary Clinton has not taken a clear position on the Trans-Pacific Partnership, which Canada signed.

“I’m really concerned about the protectionist messages that we’re hearing from south of the border in the United States, from both presidential candidates,” said Pasloski.

“Now more than ever, we need to really work hard at ensuring that we’re creating the best opportunity for freer trade in our country.”

Clark echoed Pasloski’s sentiments today.

“As Canadians, we are taking a grave risk if we decide that we don’t want to trade internally,” she said.

“If there is ever a time that Canada needs to come together and have free trade inside our own country, it must be now, when Americans are making noises like that.”

Premier Kathleen Wynne of Ontario said this morning that she too hopes an internal trade agreement can be reached in Whitehorse, but that there are still a few “pesky hills” to climb before the premiers can ratify a deal.

See related coverage throughout today’s local news section.

Comments (11)

Up 0 Down 0

Josey Wales on Jul 29, 2016 at 12:19 am

Oh man....really? Ol' dosey indeedlydo , huffin' a bong there were ya?
Your post implies you have perused a few of mine, did you really think I Josey would be as daft to think that crazy nut Wynne is a CPC as in a con?
she most certainly is a Con, as in con artist, poster girl for the PC Crusade.

Long story longer...what the dude above you said!
Geez people, can you believe that...as if OJW is that stupid?
"Never...neverever"

Up 0 Down 0

Free trade on gas prices! on Jul 28, 2016 at 10:58 pm

With this agreement for free trade between provinces and territories will there be an adjustment in the colluded price we now suffer? Two days ago in Grande Praire at Costco's 88cents/liter. One day ago at Walmart Corner station $1.18/liter. That's 30 cents/liter difference. Something smells.

Up 1 Down 0

north_of_60 on Jul 28, 2016 at 4:14 pm

It would appear that some are not aware that PC often means Politically Correct.

Up 0 Down 1

Ol' Dosey on Jul 27, 2016 at 7:02 pm

It would appear that some of our most astute posters are not aware that Kathleen Wynne is a Liberal. No matter, carry on in your bliss.

Up 5 Down 6

Josey Wales on Jul 25, 2016 at 12:56 am

PSG...yeah that insanity that is Wynne and her government is something alright. She defines why the PC Crusade should cease, is an absolute tyrant with her agenda...she is very dangerous.
As a sidebar, never have I seen one who better resembles a Mad Magazine character than that zealot.
Glad I was outta town when the circus of fools came through...dumbo sans mind you.

Up 2 Down 2

Josey Wales on Jul 25, 2016 at 12:44 am

Ummm Paz...that was one of the funniest posts I've read in a longtime.
Besides being damn funny you are near correct.
Please...carry on.

Up 6 Down 3

ProScience Greenie on Jul 23, 2016 at 3:03 pm

They definitely do not walk the walk OJW as they sure have big carbon footprints and champagne tastes. All on our dime and they still want more money from us. And yes indeed they sure do act like nobles. Robber barons is a more accurate term.

Sure hope none of Wynne's bad craziness of insanely wasting billions of tax dollars doesn't rub off on our politicians here as they are bad enough already.

Up 14 Down 2

Paz on Jul 23, 2016 at 1:57 pm

This is great news for the Yukon! We'll finally have a level playing field to flog our number one export.....which is what again? Empty beer cans?

Up 10 Down 1

Gordon on Jul 23, 2016 at 2:05 am

Just apply section 121 of the Constitution Act of 1867 and free trade from province to province will happen.

Up 11 Down 2

June Jackson on Jul 22, 2016 at 11:18 pm

and... the governments are going to sock it to us with another tax...the big companies generating environmental distress get away scot free (witness the clean up costs of mines in the Yukon) and get huge tax breaks to do something about their environmental exhaust.. while middle class, yet again, takes a tax hit.

Canada's carbon foot print compared to the rest of the world...
https://www.ec.gc.ca/indicateurs-indicators/default.asp?lang=en&n=54C061B5-1

Please take a look.. this gives an easy to ready picture of where Canada stands in the world... 1.6%.. China 24.5.
The Canadian governments need money...

Up 13 Down 7

Josey Wales on Jul 22, 2016 at 10:47 pm

Gee how odd how they all seem to agree on a trip to where Europe used to be, but argue over how to tax the air we suck....I mean planet saving carbon tax.
Also odd why the cannot use the net and have a meeting via the web?
The big cheese must have had to admit....his office could not stream?
Between power outages and our stellar giggabillity I guess it is easier to fly everyone and their team up here?
Rent cars and drive those same cars around, attend a few meetings...mow down on some snacks...
To come here and nag us about "carbon"?
Canada's nobles....what a bunch of fools.

Add your comments or reply via Twitter @whitehorsestar

In order to encourage thoughtful and responsible discussion, website comments will not be visible until a moderator approves them. Please add comments judiciously and refrain from maligning any individual or institution. Read about our user comment and privacy policies.

Your name and email address are required before your comment is posted. Otherwise, your comment will not be posted.