Toronto's environment plan: $23M fund, carbon tax, trees, and bikes, 1990

In 1990, the City of Toronto was concerned about the greenhouse effect and it wanted to take steps to limit damage to the environment. Councillors also wanted to advocate for a tax on carbon.

"Today, the city became the first in the world to approve a blueprint to protect the atmosphere," the CBC's Eve Savory told viewers on The National on Jan. 30, 1990. "The goal: Cut carbon dioxide emissions by 20 per cent by the year 2005."

Savory said the city planned to create a $23-million atmospheric fund, but city councillors knew that wouldn't be enough funding to accomplish its goals.

"The city will be lobbying the province and the federal government to establish a 10 per cent tax — a carbon tax — on every litre and pound of fossil fuel Canadians burn." Coun. Tony O'Donohue admitted that such measures would be "painful," but he said they were necessary.

➤ See more on CBC's Digital Archives


➤ Subscribe:



---


About CBC:
Welcome to the official YouTube channel for CBC, Canada’s public broadcaster. CBC is dedicated to creating content with original voices that inspire and entertain. Watch sneak peeks and trailers, behind the scenes footage, original web series, digital-exclusives and more.

Connect with CBC Online:
Twitter:
Facebook:
Instagram:


---


We encourage thoughtful comments and respectful discussion. Before commenting, please review our community guidelines:

Jack Layton,1990,first environmental plan,carbon tax,toronto,greenhouse effect,bike lanes,cbc,digital archives,