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4. How much revenue will it raise and where will it go?

Estimates suggests that proposed system will add anywhere to $1 billion to $2 billion a year to Ontario’s coffers. Wynne said this money will be “reinvested” to either in green projects and businesses, transit and other eco-friendly ideas. A government spokesperson said it has yet to be determined whether that money will flow into general revenues, which could pay for anything from salaries to new schools, or if it will be “siloed” away. Whatever the final plan is, the Liberals promise where that money goes and how it will be spent will be transparent.

5. How is it different from a carbon tax?

B.C. implemented a revenue-neutral carbon tax in 2008. That means everything from gas to businesses who emit paid a bit more in taxes, but anything the province took in, it gave back through other tax cuts or rebates. The purpose is to change behaviour not raise revenue, though there are revenue-generating carbon taxes that do both. Some estimates suggest B.C.’s taxes have reduced fossil fuel use (not just gas for your car) by over 17 per cent since 2008, though other studies have questioned whether it had any effect at all.

6. Are there other models?

Instead of a strict carbon tax, some jurisdictions — like Alberta — target the heaviest polluters with taxes set against how much they emit each year. When Alberta imposed its greenhouse-gas emissions regime in 2007, it was the first province to legislate greenhouse-gas emissions from large companies. Some say Alberta should go further, but no one expects the parties in the oil-rich province to suggest that in the middle of an election.