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CAC welcomes B.C. government’s action on carbon tax

World Cement,


The Cement Association of Canada (CAC) has welcomed the government of British Columbia’s (B.C.) ‘efforts to improve the province’s carbon tax’.

At present, the B.C. carbon tax applies to cement produced domestically, while cement imported from the US and Asia is exempt. The region’s cement industry has been working with the government and other stakeholders for several years in order to find a ‘win-win solution to protecting jobs, economic development, and the environment’. On 17 February, B.C. Finance Minister Michael de Jong announced the 2015 Budget, which includes the provision of ‘transitional incentives over three years to encourage the B.C. cement industry to adopt cleaner fuels and further lower emission intensity’.

“B.C. produces some of the highest quality and lowest GHG cement in the world so the change makes sense both for the environment and for the province’s continued economic prosperity,” said CAC President and CEO, Michael McSweeney. “B.C. cement is a strategic commodity – and a key component of concrete, which is essential to the implementation of the government’s ambitious plan for infrastructure and LNG development.”

Bob Cooper, Vice President, Lafarge Western Canada, added: “This incentive will help level the playing field for domestic producers of cement. It assists our company to ensure good jobs stay in and continue to be created in British Columbia. Our competitiveness has been threatened by imports for the past five years and the move by the B.C. government will also ensure B.C. has a long-term and secure local supply of made-in-B.C. cement.”

“Our industry is committed to reducing our carbon footprint, and this change will allow it to remain competitive while we move towards lower carbon fuels and other sustainable technologies,” commented Pat Heale, Vice President at Lehigh Hanson. “Beyond having the positive effect of supporting innovation in our domestic cement industry, the change will contribute to reducing greenhouse gas emissions in two ways: by decreasing emissions from the transportation of cement from distant offshore locations and by creating a more level playing field for domestically produced low carbon cement, which lowers GHGs by up to 10% compared to cement commonly manufactured abroad.”


Adapted from press release by

Read the article online at: https://www.worldcement.com/the-americas/18022015/cac-welcomes-bc-government-action-on-carbon-tax-362/

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