EDMONTON – Before striking down the federal carbon tax as unconstitutional, the Alberta Court of Appeal has ordered climate change to only occur within provincial borders according to how each province regulates it.
“The actions of this potentially catastrophic atmospheric phenomenon intrudes on powers granted to provinces under Section 92 of the constitution,” ruled Chief Justice Catherine Fraser writing for the majority. “The provinces have jurisdiction over natural resources and therefore the ability to regulate their own climates like a car owner has the ability to adjust their vehicle’s climate control without federal interference.”
The court requested that any flood, heat wave or other deadly consequence of climate change must be halted at provincial boundaries or will be declared unconstitutional.
Devastating wildfires will need permission from a neighbouring jurisdiction to cross boundaries, which can be negotiated through an Internal Agreement on Fires where additional levies may be applied per flame.
“If a province chooses to do nothing about climate change, the atmospheric results will remain contained within their 62 mile high climate containment fences,” said Justice Thomas Wakeling in a separate decision. “Provinces have the responsibility of closing the door behind them when any citizens want to travel beyond the borders so no climate change will escape to another jurisdiction.”
