Prime Minister Justin Trudeau continued his defence of the federal carbon tax amid growing opposition from the public and provincial premiers including Andrew Furey.

Trudeau responded to questions on the policy at a housing announcement in Nova Scotia yesterday.

Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre yesterday wrote the PM asking him to convene an emergency meeting of provincial and territorial leaders to discuss the carbon tax. Poilievre says included in the discussion should be a willingness for the provinces to opt-out of the federal carbon tax and “pursue other responsible ideas for lowering emissions without taxes.”

Trudeau, speaking over protesters outside yesterday’s housing announcement, says the provinces are welcome to opt out.

“Any province has been welcome, for years now, to put forward a plan that meets the federal targets.”

Meanwhile, Premier Andrew Furey told VOCM News yesterday the PM’s letter was the first time he’s heard that the feds are open to new discussions.

That said, when the province proposed their own system, without discussions with the feds, several years ago it was denied. Furey believes for it to work this time, both sides need to be at the table otherwise it will be the same result. He likens it to him going to his kids and asking them to propose alternative bedtimes, but at the end of the day it is still going to be 9:30.

But why a tax? Trudeau says the Supreme Court ruled on that matter some time ago.

“With the Supreme Court judgement it is clear that there needs to be a price on pollution right across the country. Any jurisdiction can develop a sufficiently stringent and rigorous plan that meets the federal benchmark and we will gladly let them do it, but for now, the federal plan that puts more money in the pockets of Canadians, and fights climate change extremely efficiently, is what’s going to be in place.”