QUEBEC CITY, Que. — The provinces of Ontario and Quebec are expected to announce today a new carbon cap-and-trade system which would allow polluters to purchase carbon credits from companies that produce low amounts of greenhouse gas emissions.

It’s not immediately clear how transportation will fit into the equation, although there’s the possibility that ‘green’ fleets may be able to generate revenue by selling credits to industrial polluters under the scheme.

The plan was leaked to major newspapers today. Federal Environment Minister John Baird appeared on Global National last night to criticize the plan, which does not align with federal initiatives.

“The Ontario-Quebec regime has no regulations for the big polluters, so this is all about more talk and less action,” Baird told Global National. “The Quebec plan and Ontario plan are demonstrably weaker than ours; they’re going to let the big polluters off the hook.”

The joint plan is the latest indication that Ontario and Quebec are taking steps to align themselves through various legislative initiatives. Both provinces have also endorsed legislation that would mechanically limit truck speeds to 105 km/h.