The rise and fall of the carbon tax, explained

We’re launching The Narwhal’s video work in 2025 with a deep dive into a tax — err, price — that was supposed to be here to stay

The carbon tax wasn’t supposed to be this controversial. So why are seemingly all Canadian politicians now disavowing it?

I spoke with climate investigations reporter Carl Meyer about the origin story of the carbon pricing system, its purpose in curbing emissions and the difference between the consumer and industrial price. Then, I caught up with Ontario reporter Fatima Syed to make sense of what our leaders are saying about it right now. 

Oh, and what are the consequences if the price on carbon disappears completely? Watch the video below.

This video is the first of many more to come for our team at The Narwhal. Want to make sure you don’t miss our latest work? Subscribe to our channel on YouTube and follow us on TikTok

Video source notes

Corresponding time stampSource
00:57The Guardian: Just 100 companies responsible for 71% of global emissions, study says
01:45The Narwhal: What on earth just happened with B.C.’s carbon tax?
02:59Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act
03:12Greenhouse Gas Pollution Pricing Act — Fuel Charge Regulations
03:21Canada Revenue Agency: fuel charge rates
03:47Government of Canada: Output-Based Pricing System regulations
03:53Government of Canada: Output-Based Pricing System overview
04:11Government of Canada: quantification guidance for the Output-Based Pricing System regulations
04:25Canada Revenue Agency: Canada Carbon Rebate (CCR) for individuals
05:06Government of Canada: Fuel Charge Proceeds Fund for Indigenous governments
05:08Government of Canada: Canada Carbon Rebate rural top-up, 2024 and 2025
05:39Government of Canada: Output-Based Pricing System Proceeds Fund
06:02The Narwhal: Here’s where Canada’s new prime minister stands on the future of oil and gas
08:20Canadian Climate Institute: Industrial carbon pricing the top driver of emissions reductions, new analysis shows

Another year of keeping a close watch
Here at The Narwhal, we don’t use profit, awards or pageviews to measure success. The thing that matters most is real-world impact — evidence that our reporting influenced citizens to hold power to account and pushed policymakers to do better.

And in 2024, our stories were raised in parliaments across the country and cited by citizens in their petitions and letters to politicians.

In Alberta, our reporting revealed Premier Danielle Smith made false statements about the controversial renewables pause. In Manitoba, we proved that officials failed to formally inspect a leaky pipeline for years. And our investigations on a leaked recording of TC Energy executives were called “the most important Canadian political story of the year.”

We’d like to thank you for paying attention. And if you’re able to donate anything at all to help us keep doing this work in 2025 — which will bring a whole lot we can’t predict — thank you so very much.

Will you help us hold the powerful accountable in the year to come by giving what you can today?
Another year of keeping a close watch
Here at The Narwhal, we don’t use profit, awards or pageviews to measure success. The thing that matters most is real-world impact — evidence that our reporting influenced citizens to hold power to account and pushed policymakers to do better.

And in 2024, our stories were raised in parliaments across the country and cited by citizens in their petitions and letters to politicians.

In Alberta, our reporting revealed Premier Danielle Smith made false statements about the controversial renewables pause. In Manitoba, we proved that officials failed to formally inspect a leaky pipeline for years. And our investigations on a leaked recording of TC Energy executives were called “the most important Canadian political story of the year.”

We’d like to thank you for paying attention. And if you’re able to donate anything at all to help us keep doing this work in 2025 — which will bring a whole lot we can’t predict — thank you so very much.

Will you help us hold the powerful accountable in the year to come by giving what you can today?

L. Manuel Baechlin
Manuel Baechlin is The Narwhal’s new video producer, where he is working with the editorial and audience teams to translate complex stories into compe...

In my community of Moose Factory, the clean water crisis never really ends

Get the inside scoop on The Narwhal’s environment and climate reporting by signing up for our free newsletter. When I visited my reserve, Moose Factory,...

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With headlines blaring about tariffs, a trade war and a 51st state, it can be easy to feel helpless. Here’s where I see hope: The Narwhal is reporting doggedly on issues surrounding the natural world in Canada that feel so under threat today — including the autonomy and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples. It’s why I’m a member — and why I hope you’ll be one of 400 readers who joins me this April. Sign up now and receive a Narwhal tote bag as a gift of thanks! — Tanya Talaga, journalist, author and recent Narwhal board chair
Will you be part of the solution?
Circular headshot of Tanya Talaga.
With headlines blaring about tariffs, a trade war and a 51st state, it can be easy to feel helpless. Here’s where I see hope: The Narwhal is reporting doggedly on issues surrounding the natural world in Canada that feel so under threat today — including the autonomy and sovereignty of Indigenous Peoples. It’s why I’m a member — and why I hope you’ll be one of 400 readers who joins me this April. — Tanya Talaga, journalist, author and recent Narwhal board chair
Will you be part of the solution?
Circular headshot of Tanya Talaga.