'How far can P.E.I. go?': Economist questions carbon tax demand

Putting a price on carbon or establishing a cap and trade system, as Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is demanding for the provinces, is not necessarily a good idea for P.E.I., says the head of the Atlantic Provinces Economic Council.

• P.E.I. still considering carbon tax, premier says

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APEC president Finn Poschmann told CBC's Island Morning the prime minister's plan does not take into account what provinces have already done the Island has already made significantreductions in carbon emissions and what more they can do.

"The question is how far can P.E.I. go? What can Islanders do next?" said Poschmann.

You're not going to be powering an Island potato harvester with aPriuscar.- Finn Poschmann

"The Island depends heavily on the sea and the soil. And to be simple about it, you're not going to be powering an Island potato harvester with a Prius car."

Poschmann said if a carbon tax is introduced, a revenue neutral tax would be preferable.

Following Trudeau's announcement,PremierWadeMacLauchlansaid the province will wait until after it releases a new energy strategy and climate change mitigation planto come up with a carbon emission reduction strategy.

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