Manitoba Selects Constitutional Law Expert for Legal Opinion on Carbon Pricing

August 3, 2017

The Manitoba government has asked Dr. Bryan Schwartz (S.J.D., LL.M, LL.B), a constitutional law expert at the University of Manitoba, to provide a legal opinion on the federal government’s authority to implement a carbon pricing regime in Manitoba, Justice Minister Heather Stefanson announced today.

“Dr. Schwartz is a well-known Manitoban expert on constitutional law who will provide a legal opinion to help guide our government in its development of a made-in-Manitoba climate and carbon pricing plan,” said Stefanson. “Our government looks forward to receiving his assessment as we seek clarity in this fundamentally important matter.”

Schwartz will provide a legal opinion on the constitutionality of the federal government’s proposed carbon pricing benchmark and backstop proposals. He will also consider the authority of the province to assert its own made-in-Manitoba plan.  His report will be made public this fall.

Schwartz is a renowned scholar and national expert in constitutional, trade and labour laws, serving as chair of the constitutional section of the Canadian Bar Association. He has advised the governments of Canada, Manitoba, Saskatchewan and Yukon in the past and has also been an advisor to the Assembly of First Nations.

The terms of reference for the legal opinion are attached.  Schwa

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