Manitoba to develop provincial carbon pricing system, minister says

Federal Environment Minister Catherine McKenna expressed optimism about a national approach to fighting climate change after meeting with her Manitoba counterpart.

McKenna says she would like to see carbon pricing across the country and recognizes that provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia and others are taking different approaches.

• Environment Minister Catherine McKenna talks climate change in Winnipeg

McKenna met for about one hour with Manitoba Sustainable Development Minister Cathy Cox, a member of the province's new Progressive Conservative government that won the April 19 provincial election.

Cox says Manitoba will develop its own carbon pricing system after public consultations, and would not say whether it would be a new energy tax or some other mechanism.

Cox says human activity has had a "big" impact on climate change, but stopped short of saying it has been the biggest factor.