Candidates discussion on carbon tax goes tonight

Tonight from 6:30-9:30 p.m., members of Citizens’ Climate Lobby, Coalition for a Liveable Sudbury and the Sustainable Earth Club will co-host a candidates “discussion” on carbon pricing, followed by a viewing of a carbon pricing forum live from Toronto moderated by Stephen Lewis.

The event is entitled World Changing Conversations, and will be held at Cambrian College Open Studio, 93 Cedar St.,Unit 303.

“Candidates in the byelection have been invited to come share their views on how urgent the climate crisis is and what carbon pricing policy they would champion at Queens Park and why?” says a release announcing the event. “This is not a debate, just an informal 10-minute discussion with our moderator, Gerry Labelle, one-on-one.

“Alternatively, candidates can submit written answers and we will read their answers at the event.”

Candidates in the Feb. 5 byelection will discuss carbon pricing until 7:30 p.m., then everyone in attendance will watch a carbon pricing forum with carbon pricing experts moderated by Stephen Lewis live from Toronto.

While the Progressive Conservatives opposed a carbon tax, the governing Liberals have hinted that they are considering implementing one.

According to the news release, 73 countries, 11 regional governments and more than 1,000 businesses and investors “support clean energy through pricing carbon pollution. In total, these leaders represent 52 per cent of global GDP, 54 per cent of global greenhouse gas emissions and almost half the world’s population.

“Canada, at the federal level, is currently not part of this global majority that has embraced carbon pricing – whereas Quebec and British Columbia are in the carbon pricing camp.”