Carbon tax would be good for N.B. economy, says environmental law professor

Stewart Elgie, a professor at the University of Ottawa, thinks New Brunswick will benefit from starting acarbon tax to offset the cost of fossil fuel emissions while reinvesting it into green infrastructure.

Elgie isthe associate director of the university'sInstitute of the Environment, and was founder and managing lawyer of theSierra Legal Defence Fund.

"We don't pay the cost,we impose the cost on society for free, so putting a price on carbon is like seeing a real bill for the cost of fossil fuels," said Elgie.

He argued carbon emissions have a large impact on society saying it affects health care andbusiness in addition tothe major storm events.

Elgie feels the revenue gained from a carbon tax couldbe reinvested to stimulate growth.

"Basically it's cheaper to hire another human being in B.C. and it is more expensive to pollute," said Elgie.

Over time we should move to more and more money going back into people's pockets.- Stewart Elgie, law professor

He said governments should take the British Columbia approach and start a small tax on carbon emissions.

Elgie said B.C.'s model addssix toseven cents to gasoline prices, but isn't breaking the consumer.

"We've looked at the data by sector and there is absolutely no evidence that the carbon tax has had a negative effect on the economy, if anything it's had a slightly positive effect on the economy."

He advocates governments use the tax revenueto cut taxes in other areas.

"Over time we should move to more and more money going back into people's pockets and into income tax cuts."

Another key element for Elgie isan investment ininfrastructure that is ready for a greener world.

Information Morning - Fredericton11:28Stewart Elgie - Carbon Pricing

Taxing carbon without killing the economy. Ottawa wants it done but smaller provinces are hedging. We ask how carbon pricing is being done elsewhere and what it might mean for NB.

Carbon pricing revenuecould be re-invested into transit infrastructure includingrefueling stations for electriccars.

It would also create employment opportunities.

"Making an investment now to put in a physical platform for a new economy...creates jobs for people building that structure," saidElgie.