Federal Carbon Tax Lands in Alberta

The federal carbon tax came online in Alberta on Wednesday. That means it'll cost more to fill vehicles and also heat homes.

 

For those still using coal to heat their homes, the price of a load of coal was pretty much-doubled thanks to the carbon tax. Still, the federal government says the average Alberta family will see a yearly rebate of more than 800 dollars.

 

On Tuesday, Provincial Justice Minister Doug Schweitzer told reporters, the UCP government isn't done with its fight against the tax.

 

"The federal carbon tax strips provinces of constitutional power over their own economies, natural resources, industries and the day-to-day activities of their residents.  The federal government will say their benchmark only sets a minimum standard, but once they are given the power to set standards in areas of provincial jurisdiction, those standards could continue to change without warning. By defending Albertans in court, we are fulfilling our commitment to creating jobs and economic opportunity."

 

The new tax also applies to the fuel used for grain dryers, but Federal Ag Minister Bibeau says she's still open to the idea of an exemption for fuel, like propane, used in drying grain.

Video: Finding a Balance of Innovation and Regulation - Dr. Peter Facchini

Regulations help markets and industry exist on level playing fields, keeping consumers safe and innovation from going too far. However, incredibly strict regulations can stunt innovation and cause entire industries to wither away. Dr. Peter James Facchini brings his perspective on how existing regulations have slowed the advancement of medical developments within Canada. Given the international concern of opium poppy’s illicit potential, Health Canada must abide by this global policy. But with modern technology pushing the development of many pharmaceuticals to being grown via fermentation, is it time to reconsider the rules?

Dr. Peter James Facchini leads research into the metabolic biochemistry in opium poppy at the University of Calgary. For more than 30 years, his work has contributed to the increased availability of benzylisoquinoline alkaloid biosynthetic genes to assist in the creation of morphine for pharmaceutical use. Dr. Facchini completed his B.Sc. and Ph.D. in Biological Sciences at the University of Toronto before completing Postdoctoral Fellowships in Biochemistry at the University of Kentucky in 1992 & Université de Montréal in 1995.