Manitoba premier noncommittal on carbon tax in response to federal plan

WINNIPEG – Manitoba Premier Brian Pallister is ruling out a cap-and-trade system in his province as part of a national strategy to reduce emissions, but he’s not definitive on a possible carbon tax.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has given the provinces until 2018 to either institute a cap-and-trade approach or set a carbon price of at least $10 a tonne.

Pallister says any federal plan should recognize that Manitoba has already moved toward cleaner energy through hydro developments and other projects, and is not a major source of emissions.

Ontario and Quebec are developing a cap-and-trade system, but Pallister says he in not interested.

As for carbon pricing and possible tax increases, Pallister isn’t ruling anything out.

He says a plan will be developed to help the environment without hurting economic growth.

“We’re working very hard on a plan that I think will excite Manitobans, work, have us do our part and not damage our economy in the process,” Pallister said Monday.

“One-size-fits-all isn’t going to work in this country … and I look forward to further discussion with the federal government on this issue.”