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Saskatchewan election candidate questions: carbon tax

In the days leading up to the provincial election on Monday, April 4th, we will be publishing the answers to questions posed by 106-1 The Goat to the candidates running in the Lloydminster riding. The responses are listed in alphabetical order and are unedited. They have not been fact-checked and The Goat is not responsible for any errors or inaccuracies.

 

Q: Alberta is facing a carbon tax, which affects its main industry. Where does your party stand on the idea of implementing a carbon tax for Saskatchewan and in what ways does your party seek to lower emissions/make environmentally-friendly changes?

 

Lisa Grant, Saskatchewan Green Party

Candidate did not provide responses.

 

Michelle Oleksyn, New Democratic Party of Saskatchewan

A: We owe it to future generations to be responsible stewards of our environment, and to leave behind a healthy and vibrant planet and economy. It is vital that we take seriously our obligation to environmental protection and regulation.

An NDP government will:

  • Aim to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 80% below 2004 levels by 2050. This would be obtained via a three pronged approach of clean energy investment, improvements to efficiency, and conservation.
  • We would legislate a target of at least 50% renewable energy by 2030, and a target of 800MW of savings by 2050.
  • Establish a Saskatchewan Green Innovation Technology Fund
  • Renew the EnerGuide for Houses
  • Update the building code to improve energy efficiency for new builds

Lastly, we would set up a carbon levy for major emitters, the proceeds of which will be invested in the Green Innovation Technology Fund. As a result, the levy goes directly into funding ways to reduce emissions for those who are paying the levy, and is revenue neutral for the government and at no cost to consumers.

 

Dolores Patayken, Saskatchewan Liberals

Candidate did not provide responses.

 

Colleen Young, Saskatchewan Party

A: A re-elected Sask. Party will not introduce a carbon tax. The Sask. Party is committed to ensuring environmental sustainability for future generations. Saskatchewan’s Climate Change Plan is designed to reduce GHG emissions through innovative low-carbon technologies. The Boundary Dam3 Carbon Capture and Sequestration project was introduced to support further GHG emission reductions. Sask. Power has committed to a target of generating 50 percent of power through renewable resources such as wind and solar power, biomass, geothermal and hydro by 2030. The BD3 project, when fully operational, will reduce emissions by 90% through the capture of 1-million tonnes of CO2 annually – the equivalent of taking 250,000 cars off the road!

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