Statement from Minister Silver on the federal consumer carbon pricing program

Minister of Finance Sandy Silver has issued the following statement: 

“All candidates in the federal Liberal leadership race – one of whom will serve as Canada’s next Prime Minister – have stated their intention to end, freeze or significantly change the consumer carbon price in Canada. 

“The leaders of the Conservative Party of Canada and the federal New Democratic Party have also stated their intent to end or significantly change the federal carbon pricing mechanism, indicating that it is highly unlikely that a carbon price will be in place following the next federal election.

“Given that the end of the federal carbon price means the Yukon will no longer receive revenues to sustain our made-in-Yukon carbon rebate program, I have written to the federal government and asked them to work closely with the territory to ensure a systematic wind down of the program in the Yukon and a cancellation of the planned April 1, 2025, carbon levy increase.

“Our carbon rebate programs were developed in good faith, in partnership with Canada and the territories, to address northern challenges. 

“The Government of Yukon is calling for immediate discussions with federal officials to plan for these changes and ensure that Yukoners are not left behind as Canada shifts its approach to fighting climate change.”