Trucking association prefers carbon tax in climate change battle

The select committee on climate changemade its fourth stop in Moncton on Tuesday, hearing ideas from economists, environmentalists, green builders, and the Atlantic Provinces Trucking Association (APTA).

Jean-Marc Picard,executive director of the APTA,said he made a point of presenting his ideas, because the trucking industry is understandably tied to climate change discussions.

Industrial and transportation emissions two of the largest sources of greenhouse gasses increased in New Brunswick in 2015.

"Every province is talking about it, it's inevitable that there's going to be something, we're not sure what it's going to look like but we wanted to make sure that they understood the impact on the industry," said Picard.

There are only so many options when it comes to addressing climate change Picard added,and he has a clear favourite.

"We prefer a carbon tax, it's more transparent, more controllable from a government standpoint and from our industry standpoint, I think it's the easiest and most efficient method."

But Picard said if the tax is put in place, he'd like the money to stay within the trucking industry.

"We'd like to keep it revenue neutral so the money can be reinvested back in the industry so we can purchase the technology to reduce fuel consumption."

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One step Picard said some trucking companies have already taken is installing skirts on trailers.

"Obviously there's a price attached to that but they can reduce fuel consumption by 5%, single wide tires as well, you can see those savings or fuel reduction up to 10% for a single tire."

MLA for Memramcook and Tantramar, Bernard LeBlanc is one of the members of the committee. He said the trucking industry is making efforts to reduce costs and green house gas emissions.

"They're already ...trying to save fuel, they know they have to do that, so it's a good start-up."

But he added, like anything, incentives give industry and people a reason to make change.

"We have to give people the initiative to do it."

Picard hopes his suggestions are taken into consideration.

"We're a major contributor to the GDP in New Brunswick, we employ thousands and thousands of people."

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The committee is meeting again on Wednesday in Sackville, with more stops scheduled for Fredericton and Saint John.

Bernard LeBlanc said a finished report will be delivered to the Legislative Assembly no later than October 15.