We work hard to provide for our families — to give our kids clean air to breathe, safe water to drink, and a shot at a strong future. But that future is at risk if we let industrial polluters off the hook. Letting the biggest polluters avoid paying for the mess they create passes the bill to our kids and grandkids. That’s a betrayal.

If we want to be good ancestors, we must ask polluting industries to take responsibility. Industrial pollution pricing is one way we can make that happen — by ensuring that those who profit from pollution also help pay for its cleanup and solutions.

Canada’s long-term prosperity depends on smart, fair climate policy. Industrial pollution pricing is a proven tool to reduce emissions, drive innovation, and level the playing field. That’s why it’s supported by a broad range of economists, business leaders, and even major industrial players themselves — because it creates certainty, drives cleaner production, and keeps Canada competitive in a global market shifting toward low-carbon technologies.

Weakening or eliminating these policies may seem politically convenient, but it would undermine the economic stability we’ve worked hard to build — especially for future generations who will bear the rising costs of climate damage.

Imagine telling your grandchild: “Sorry — we knew this pollution was causing wildfires, floods, and costly damage, but we let the big polluters off the hook because it seemed easier.” That’s not the legacy most of us want to leave behind.

Paying for industrial pollution now helps prevent more expensive damage later — and sends a clear message to our kids: we won't let you down.

No one wants to be the person who makes a mess and walks away from it. But when we let big polluters operate for free while families and small businesses pick up the tab, that’s exactly what happens.

Paying for industrial pollution isn’t punishment — it’s a responsibility. The same responsibility we teach our kids: if you make a mess, you help clean it up. Letting big companies off the hook for this responsibility betrays our kids and future generations, forcing them to pay dearly for pollution that industry dumps for free.

Boomers, Gen Xers, and older Millennials have seen firsthand how Canadian families, industries, and governments can rise to big challenges. Industrial pollution pricing is one more way to meet this moment — with resolve, fairness, and foresight.

By asking industries to pay their fair share, we protect the health of our planet, the strength of our economy, and the well-being of future generations. That’s a legacy we can all be proud of.

We all know that destructive fires, floods, droughts and storms are imposing new costs on families, and ratcheting up the climate bill for Canada as a whole. Effective policies that reduce carbon pollution — like the industrial carbon tax — are one way to get these costs under control now, before it’s too late. Our kids can’t afford to wait any longer for us to take real action to reduce the unpaid bills we’re running out on.

High-polluting countries like Canada that fail to take serious action are increasingly at risk of being held financially responsible for the damage they help create. International law has already affirmed that such inaction is “wrongful,” exposing us to enormous compensation and mitigation costs down the road. We can head off this risk — and protect the future prosperity of our children and grandchildren — by upholding and strengthening our industrial pollution pricing policies today.

Canada’s industrial carbon price is designed to charge major polluters only for the emissions they don’t reduce, while rewarding clean innovation. Companies that cut emissions more than required can sell excess credits, turning responsibility into revenue.

The real economic risk isn’t from the carbon price, it’s from climate inaction. Wildfires, floods, droughts, and extreme heat already cost Canadians billions. Without a price on pollution, these costs will keep rising. Our economy - especially sectors like agriculture, construction, and insurance - will keep taking the hit.

Canada’s industrial carbon price isn’t too high — it’s too low. That means we’re missing out on pollution cuts we could achieve. It also sends mixed signals to businesses trying to invest in cleaner technologies, and puts us at risk of facing carbon border tariffs from countries that are moving faster. In the long run, that could hurt Canadian jobs and our place in global markets.

The smart move is to strengthen carbon pricing, eliminate subsidies to high-emitting sectors, and reinvest in technologies that lower emissions and create jobs. Let’s reward the industries building the future — not the ones holding it back.

This myth has been thoroughly debunked. Studies from around the world, and here in Canada, show that carbon pricing works — especially for industry, where large emissions reductions can be achieved with relatively modest price signals.

Carbon pricing isn't just a revenue tool. It shifts the economics of decision-making, so it’s more profitable to pollute less. The goal isn’t to raise money — it’s to lower pollution. And it’s working. Don’t let misleading headlines distract from the evidence.

Canada's industrial pollution price includes built-in protections against something called carbon leakage — which is when big polluters move their emissions (and their jobs) to countries with weaker climate rules. These built-in protections against unfair competition from jurisdictions and businesses that aren't addressing climate risks are what make our industrial carbon pricing policy smarter and stronger, not weaker.

We don’t ask our kids to do what’s right only when others do. Why should we ask less of ourselves, or our industries?

Canada is one of the highest per-capita polluters in the world. While we may not produce the largest share of global emissions overall, our economic capacity and historical responsibility are significant. Taking meaningful action — including through industrial pricing — is how we earn the credibility to push others to act, too.

Just like Canadians cleaned up acid rain and phased out leaded gasoline, we can lead on industrial carbon pricing — and inspire international momentum. Doing nothing while pointing fingers is not leadership. And it’s not the legacy we want to leave behind.

Three-quarters of Canadians agree that politicians betray our kids when they propose to eliminate carbon pricing, because it forces young people to pay even more dearly down the road for the messes we leave behind. Support for pollution pricing is consistent across Canada, including among voters for each major political party.

Half of Canadians support the industrial carbon price. And more than 70% want the federal government to do more to address climate change, adapt to the risks it is creating, and protect nature.

Canadians are committed to leaving a proud legacy for their kids, grandkids and future generations. They know a key part of this is making sure those who follow get to enjoy things many older folks could take for granted – like summers without smoke, winters with snow and ice, or living forests instead of charred remains. Paying for our pollution will help us get there.