Yes to Paris Agreement, no to carbon tax, say Nunavut leaders

Nunavutleaders say they're happy Canada has ratified the Paris Agreement on climate change, but they're not on board with all of the federal government's plans for tackling greenhouse gas emissions.

"We contribute very little to the greenhouse gas emissions," says NunavutPremier Peter Taptuna. "It's 0.1 per cent of the emissions of the nation."

Taptuna says Nunavut doesn't need taxesto lower emissions, adding that the territory wants no part inthe Prime Minister's carbon tax plan, announced on Monday.

What it needs, he says, is assistance in modernizing its diesel generators.

The Paris Agreement's opens doors for that kind of climate adaptation assistance with a $100 billion green fund, saysTaptuna.

"We look forward to having our federal partners assist us in that when it comes to adaptability."

Shift from just economy

Canada's Inuit organization agrees with Taptuna,sayingthat a tax on carbon would have serious implications for Inuit struggling with fragile economies and the high cost of living.

"There's concerns about implementing policies or levies for carbon pricing when we don't have the infrastructure," says Natan Obed,president of Inuit Tapiriit Kanatami.

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"The overarching concern that Inuit have is our full participation in the decision making about Canada's actions in relationto climate change," he adds.

Obed says some provinces seem to be pushing the federal government to keep Indigenous organizations on the sidelines.

"At this point in time it seems as though there's still politics being played to minimize the role that Indigenous representative organizations play within this larger discussion," he says.

New incentive for renewable energy

The director of WWF-Canada's Arctic Program says he's hopeful that the Paris Agreement "lays the foundation for even deeper decarbonization."

Paul Crowley says the answer for Canada's remote Arctic communities is investment in habitat-friendly renewable energy.

"We know that we can move to renewables in an economic way," he adds.

He admits that acarbon tax will mean higher costs for some things in a region plagued by poverty. But he's not averse to the idea, saying it can also generate new funds.

"I hope that it is at the very least revenue neutral and allows us as territories to put our money towards investments that are better for the environment and moves us quickly to the path of renewable energy."

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