VANCOUVER - A patchwork of carbon taxes and greenhouse gas rules across the country isn't a good solution to Canada's environmental woes, the federal finance minister says.
Jim Flaherty said Monday the country needs to work toward a common set of regulations aimed at reducing greenhouse gas emissions.
"Generally speaking, the consensus I would say is that it is desirable in Canada not to have multiple regulators in various areas of the economy,'' the minister said.
Flaherty said the auto sector in particular is concerned that multiple regulators would mean different environmental standards on imports in different areas of the country or for vehicles manufactured in Canada.
"All that does is drive up costs to the consumer, ultimately, without any overall benefit. So what we need to do is co-ordinate and co-operate within the federation, within the Canadian economic union to work toward a common set of regulations,'' he said.
"We've urged the provinces to get together on this with the government of Canada and to practice co-operative federalism so that we can work together on it and accomplish the goal.''
Flaherty has pushed for more central regulations in many industries, including a so-far unsuccessful bid to see the creation of a national securities regulator.
Quebec became the first jurisdiction in Canada to put in place a green tax on carbon fuels in its last budget, to help finance the province's plan to reduce greenhouse gases, something that Flaherty has criticized.
The plan was created to help Quebec reach its Kyoto protocol targets, which is to reduce greenhouse gas emissions to 1990 levels by 2012.
B.C. Finance Minister Carole Taylor has also said her officials are looking at whether to introduce a carbon tax aimed at curbing greenhouse gas emissions.
Economics and business professors from the University of British Columbia, Simon Fraser University, the University of Victoria and the University of Northern British Columbia have recommended to Taylor a revenue-neutral carbon tax for the next budget.
They argue a carbon tax is better than regulatory caps on greenhouse gas emissions because it allows everyone -- citizens and businesses alike -- to adjust in ways that work for them
Flaherty was in the Vancouver suburb of North Vancouver, B.C., to meet with British Columbian business leaders while preparing this year's federal budget.
The minister also launched Monday an online consultation process inviting people to provide input into the development of budget.
Ottawa is asking for input on several questions including what steps the government should take to ensure that Canada can with the aging population; what policies should be implemented to help industries facing special challenges; and what should Ottawa do to help the Canadian economy remain internationally competitive.
Last year, nearly 8,000 Canadians participated in the online consultation process.
