Prime Minister Justin Trudeau says Premier Andrew Furey’s pushback against the carbon tax, and looming increase, is political posturing.

Furey railed against the tax before and since its introduction last year, saying it’s an extra financial burden for those already struggling to make ends meet.

In a letter to Trudeau last Monday, the premier implored him to pause the planned 23 per cent increase on April 1, “at least until inflation stabilizes, interest rates lower, and related economic pressures on the cost of living sufficiently cool.”

Trudeau has refused to do so, and on Friday was asked whether Furey is one of the “short-term thinkers” the prime minister has called out in the past.

“I think Mr. Furey is continuing to bow to political pressure,” Trudeau told reporters in Montreal, saying the focus on the tax, instead of the rebate, is unfair.

“I think Canadians in Newfoundland and Labrador and right across the country expect their governments to do the right thing, and the right thing right now is not just fighting climate change and spurring innovation for the future. It’s about being there to support Canadians during this affordability crisis.”

Trudeau repeatedly referred to the carbon rebate cheques which he insists amount to more than Canadians are dishing out for the carbon tax.

“It provides 80 per cent of Canadians with more money than they pay in terms of the price on pollution. It’s basic math, and we’re going to continue to be there with the Canada carbon rebate.”

Meanwhile, a letter from Opposition Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre says the carbon pricing system set up by Trudeau is an imposition on the provinces that requires them to accept an ever-increasing tax.

The letter was addressed to British Columbia Premier David Eby, asking him to join the fight against the federal carbon price increase.

Eby dismissed the letter saying B.C. would end up with less money returned to the province if it accepted Poilievre’s “baloney factory” request.