A federal cabinet minister from this province says it is going to be messy trying to reach the goal of net zero emissions from fossil fuels.

Ottawa has come under fire for pausing the carbon tax on oil used for home heat, a move which largely favours Atlantic Canada but which has caused other provinces to cry foul. They wish to see the exemption apply to other forms of fuel, such as natural gas. One province, Saskatchewan, is even threatening not to collect the tax.

Minister Seamus O’Regan, whose old portfolio was natural resources, says the carbon tax structure is fair as it is. They had to beef up the rebate and give homeowners more time to switch from oil to electricity because they did not have as many takers as they had expected.

He says this is the most challenging issue for Canada right now and it is going to get messy. O’Regan says we are attempting to get to net zero without hitting people in the pocketbook.