SCOC SAYS CARBON PRICE IS CONSTITUTIONAL

OTTAWA — The Supreme Court of Canada says the federal carbon price is entirely constitutional.

Chief Justice Richard Wagner says in the written ruling,  "The undisputed existence of a threat to the future of humanity cannot be ignored,” he wrote.

 Justice Suzanne Cote dissented in part, agreeing climate change is an issue of national concern but taking issue with the power the federal cabinet gave itself to adjust the law’s scope, including which fuels the price would apply to.

Justices Malcolm Rowe and Russell Brown dissented with the entire decision, arguing Canada had not shown that climate change reaches the level of national concern. They objected that the precedent the majority’s decision sets would allow Ottawa to set minimum national standards in all areas of provincial jurisdiction.