adplus-dvertising
Connect with us

Politics

Enbridge wades into gas tax politics | Canada's National Observer: Climate News – Canada's National Observer

Published

 on


Enbridge says a planned survey of Ontario customers requesting feedback on heat pumps versus new gas hookups should be rejected because the federal carbon price could be repealed.

“As Canada draws closer to the next federal election on or before Oct. 20, 2025, the Conservative Party of Canada — which has been leading most federal election opinion polls since mid-2023 — opposes a federally imposed carbon tax or cap-and-trade system, including the current federal carbon charge,” Enbridge told the Ontario Energy Board (OEB) regulator on Jan. 18.

Enbridge has applied to the OEB to expand its gas grid across the province in communities like Bobcaygeon, Sanford, Eganville and Neustadt. Hearings into the expansion plans began over a year ago and are ongoing.

Since the hearings began, the survival of the carbon price, a key plank of the reigning federal Liberal party’s climate policy, has been seriously jeopardized. Since its adoption in 2019, it has been under fire from Conservatives, but as cost-of-living issues become more important to voters, it is now under immense pressure from the right-wing and beyond.

At the hearings, Enbridge noted that since the federal government paused the carbon price on home heating oil in November, several premiers have begun calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government to remove the carbon price on all forms of home heating, which includes gas. Enbridge even cites Saskatchewan’s decision to break federal law by not collecting the carbon price from customers as evidence the policy is under threat.

Enbridge has filed its own evidence with the regulator showing demand for gas is growing, but not everyone finds the evidence credible.

That’s why climate advocacy group Environmental Defence wants to inform residents about the environmental and cost benefits of heat pumps versus gas hookups and collect feedback to provide the regulator with customer preference information that doesn’t come from Enbridge.

But the gas giant is arguing the proposed survey should be inadmissible because Environmental Defence didn’t say it would inform customers about the possibility the carbon price could be repealed. If that happens, it would slightly change the cost-benefit analysis of customers switching to heat pumps, Enbridge stated.

In a letter to the OEB, Kent Elson on behalf of Environmental Defence said the group would like to retain a public opinion research firm to carry out community surveys to “gauge the likely number of [gas] connections and to test the survey and customer connection forecast evidence submitted by Enbridge.” That potential survey would offer residents more information, include annual costs of having gas versus heat pumps, and ask customers their likelihood of switching between sources.

“It’s unfortunate that Enbridge seems to be banking on a repeal of carbon pricing, and that they don’t want a survey out there that talks up the benefits of heat pumps, both from an economic perspective and an environmental perspective.” #onpoli

“By providing the survey respondents with accurate and unbiased information, we believe the survey would produce much more robust results on which to estimate the number of customers that are likely to connect to the gas system,” Elson wrote. “In the very least, it would provide the OEB with a different perspective from Enbridge’s.”

Despite the Trudeau government repeatedly stating there will be no further exemptions on the carbon price, Enbridge doesn’t buy it.

“There exists real political and public policy risk regarding the federal carbon charge, as changes relating to its application have already transpired and more changes are possible,” Enbridge wrote.

Because Environmental Defence didn’t say it planned to alert customers to these political risks, Enbridge argues the survey would be biased against gas. But evidence before the regulator contradicts Enbridge’s claims. Even without a carbon price on gas, heat pumps are already more affordable than gas over the life of the equipment.

Enbridge did not return a request for comment.

Environmental Defence programs director Keith Brooks told Canada’s National Observer it appears Enbridge is “pursuing any and all means to be able to continue to expand its gas network and hook up new customers to gas.”

“It’s unfortunate that Enbridge seems to be banking on a repeal of carbon pricing and that they don’t want a survey out there that talks up the benefits of heat pumps, both from an economic perspective and an environmental perspective,” he said.

The regulatory skirmish comes as Enbridge attempts to gain approval for a multibillion-dollar expansion plan to be paid for by existing customers through higher gas rates.

Last month, the regulator ordered that developers pay upfront for the cost of new gas infrastructure rather than putting customers on the hook, as a way to protect ratepayers through the energy transition. But the day after that ruling, Ontario Energy Minister Todd Smith pledged to throw his government’s weight behind reversing the order in a move experts told Canada’s National Observer would push up the cost of building new homes.

Adblock test (Why?)

728x90x4

Source link

Politics

‘Disgraceful:’ N.S. Tory leader slams school’s request that military remove uniform

Published

 on

 

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston says it’s “disgraceful and demeaning” that a Halifax-area school would request that service members not wear military uniforms to its Remembrance Day ceremony.

Houston’s comments were part of a chorus of criticism levelled at the school — Sackville Heights Elementary — whose administration decided to back away from the plan after the outcry.

A November newsletter from the school in Middle Sackville, N.S., invited Armed Forces members to attend its ceremony but asked that all attendees arrive in civilian attire to “maintain a welcoming environment for all.”

Houston, who is currently running for re-election, accused the school’s leaders of “disgracing themselves while demeaning the people who protect our country” in a post on the social media platform X Thursday night.

“If the people behind this decision had a shred of the courage that our veterans have, this cowardly and insulting idea would have been rejected immediately,” Houston’s post read. There were also several calls for resignations within the school’s administration attached to Houston’s post.

In an email to families Thursday night, the school’s principal, Rachael Webster, apologized and welcomed military family members to attend “in the attire that makes them most comfortable.”

“I recognize this request has caused harm and I am deeply sorry,” Webster’s email read, adding later that the school has the “utmost respect for what the uniform represents.”

Webster said the initial request was out of concern for some students who come from countries experiencing conflict and who she said expressed discomfort with images of war, including military uniforms.

Her email said any students who have concerns about seeing Armed Forces members in uniform can be accommodated in a way that makes them feel safe, but she provided no further details in the message.

Webster did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

At a news conference Friday, Houston said he’s glad the initial request was reversed but said he is still concerned.

“I can’t actually fathom how a decision like that was made,” Houston told reporters Friday, adding that he grew up moving between military bases around the country while his father was in the Armed Forces.

“My story of growing up in a military family is not unique in our province. The tradition of service is something so many of us share,” he said.

“Saying ‘lest we forget’ is a solemn promise to the fallen. It’s our commitment to those that continue to serve and our commitment that we will pass on our respects to the next generation.”

Liberal Leader Zach Churchill also said he’s happy with the school’s decision to allow uniformed Armed Forces members to attend the ceremony, but he said he didn’t think it was fair to question the intentions of those behind the original decision.

“We need to have them (uniforms) on display at Remembrance Day,” he said. “Not only are we celebrating (veterans) … we’re also commemorating our dead who gave the greatest sacrifice for our country and for the freedoms we have.”

NDP Leader Claudia Chender said that while Remembrance Day is an important occasion to honour veterans and current service members’ sacrifices, she said she hopes Houston wasn’t taking advantage of the decision to “play politics with this solemn occasion for his own political gain.”

“I hope Tim Houston reached out to the principal of the school before making a public statement,” she said in a statement.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Source link

Continue Reading

Politics

Saskatchewan NDP’s Beck holds first caucus meeting after election, outlines plans

Published

 on

 

REGINA – Saskatchewan Opposition NDP Leader Carla Beck says she wants to prove to residents her party is the government in waiting as she heads into the incoming legislative session.

Beck held her first caucus meeting with 27 members, nearly double than what she had before the Oct. 28 election but short of the 31 required to form a majority in the 61-seat legislature.

She says her priorities will be health care and cost-of-living issues.

Beck says people need affordability help right now and will press Premier Scott Moe’s Saskatchewan Party government to cut the gas tax and the provincial sales tax on children’s clothing and some grocery items.

Beck’s NDP is Saskatchewan’s largest Opposition in nearly two decades after sweeping Regina and winning all but one seat in Saskatoon.

The Saskatchewan Party won 34 seats, retaining its hold on all of the rural ridings and smaller cities.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 8, 2024.

The Canadian Press. All rights reserved.

Source link

Continue Reading

Politics

Nova Scotia election: Liberals say province’s immigration levels are too high

Published

 on

 

HALIFAX – Nova Scotia‘s growing population was the subject of debate on Day 12 of the provincial election campaign, with Liberal Leader Zach Churchill arguing immigration levels must be reduced until the province can provide enough housing and health-care services.

Churchill said Thursday a plan by the incumbent Progressive Conservatives to double the province’s population to two million people by the year 2060 is unrealistic and unsustainable.

“That’s a big leap and it’s making life harder for people who live here, (including ) young people looking for a place to live and seniors looking to downsize,” he told a news conference at his campaign headquarters in Halifax.

Anticipating that his call for less immigration might provoke protests from the immigrant community, Churchill was careful to note that he is among the third generation of a family that moved to Nova Scotia from Lebanon.

“I know the value of immigration, the importance of it to our province. We have been built on the backs of an immigrant population. But we just need to do it in a responsible way.”

The Liberal leader said Tim Houston’s Tories, who are seeking a second term in office, have made a mistake by exceeding immigration targets set by the province’s Department of Labour and Immigration. Churchill said a Liberal government would abide by the department’s targets.

In the most recent fiscal year, the government welcomed almost 12,000 immigrants through its nominee program, exceeding the department’s limit by more than 4,000, he said. The numbers aren’t huge, but the increase won’t help ease the province’s shortages in housing and doctors, and the increased strain on its infrastructure, including roads, schools and cellphone networks, Churchill said.

“(The Immigration Department) has done the hard work on this,” he said. “They know where the labour gaps are, and they know what growth is sustainable.”

In response, Houston said his commitment to double the population was a “stretch goal.” And he said the province had long struggled with a declining population before that trend was recently reversed.

“The only immigration that can come into this province at this time is if they are a skilled trade worker or a health-care worker,” Houston said. “The population has grown by two per cent a year, actually quite similar growth to what we experienced under the Liberal government before us.”

Still, Houston said he’s heard Nova Scotians’ concerns about population growth, and he then pivoted to criticize Prime Minister Justin Trudeau for trying to send 6,000 asylum seekers to Nova Scotia, an assertion the federal government has denied.

Churchill said Houston’s claim about asylum seekers was shameful.

“It’s smoke and mirrors,” the Liberal leader said. “He is overshooting his own department’s numbers for sustainable population growth and yet he is trying to blame this on asylum seekers … who aren’t even here.”

In September, federal Immigration Minister Marc Miller said there is no plan to send any asylum seekers to the province without compensation or the consent of the premier. He said the 6,000 number was an “aspirational” figure based on models that reflect each province’s population.

In Halifax, NDP Leader Claudia Chender said it’s clear Nova Scotia needs more doctors, nurses and skilled trades people.

“Immigration has been and always will be a part of the Nova Scotia story, but we need to build as we grow,” Chender said. “This is why we have been pushing the Houston government to build more affordable housing.”

Chender was in a Halifax cafe on Thursday when she promised her party would remove the province’s portion of the harmonized sales tax from all grocery, cellphone and internet bills if elected to govern on Nov. 26. The tax would also be removed from the sale and installation of heat pumps.

“Our focus is on helping people to afford their lives,” Chender told reporters. “We know there are certain things that you can’t live without: food, internet and a phone …. So we know this will have the single biggest impact.”

The party estimates the measure would save the average Nova Scotia family about $1,300 a year.

“That’s a lot more than a one or two per cent HST cut,” Chender said, referring to the Progressive Conservative pledge to reduce the tax by one percentage point and the Liberal promise to trim it by two percentage points.

Elsewhere on the campaign trail, Houston announced that a Progressive Conservative government would make parking free at all Nova Scotia hospitals and health-care centres. The promise was also made by the Liberals in their election platform released Monday.

“Free parking may not seem like a big deal to some, but … the parking, especially for people working at the facilities, can add up to hundreds of dollars,” the premier told a news conference at his campaign headquarters in Halifax.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 7, 2024.

— With files from Keith Doucette in Halifax

Source link

Continue Reading

Trending