Premier Andrew Furey is standing firm with his call for a pause to the federal carbon tax increase due to come into effect on Monday, all while Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has written premiers asking for potential alternatives to the tax.
The letter, sent on Tuesday, states the federal government has always been open to working with the provinces and territories to establish their own carbon pricing systems, provided that they are “credible” and meet or exceed national benchmarks.
Furey says officials will reflect on the PM’s letter, but notes the last time this province proposed an alternative it was met with “incredible resistance” from Ottawa.
“I was told that in no uncertain terms that if we did not comply — and I had serious concerns as you know, writing these letters for three years about how it would work from a fiscal and economic perspective, but more importantly from an environmental perspective — I was told it had to be in, it had to be done, and if it didn’t comply with them, then they weren’t interested.”
Meanwhile, Trudeau gave a fiery response when asked by reporters if he’s willing to meet with premiers to discuss their concerns about the carbon tax and coming increase.
Trudeau says he has sat down with every premier over the last few years, and singled out Conservative premiers for “not telling the truth” when it comes to the financial impacts of the tax.
“Conservative premiers in general would rather complain and attack and mislead Canadians for narrow political gain because of an idealogical objection toward fighting climate change, but also an unwillingness to recognize that we are putting more money back in the pockets of Canadians with rebate cheques that Pierre Poilievre wants to take away from Canadians,” he said.
Trudeau reiterated any province that wants to put forth their own plan is more than welcome.
The increase, set to take effect on Monday, will see the tax on fuel increase from about 14 to 17 cents per litre.
Increases are scheduled to take place annually until 2030 when the pollution tax is set to reach $170 per tonne.
