The Council of Atlantic Premiers has written an open letter to federal Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault expressing their concern over more increases to the federal government’s carbon tax.

The letter, written by Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston on behalf of all four Atlantic Premiers, expresses their deep concern “about the affordability impacts of carbon pricing on households in our region.”

He goes on to outline that “almost 40 per cent of Atlantic Canadians experience energy poverty”—the highest rate in the country.

He says an increase in carbon pricing, “will amplify the inflationary pressures” currently felt in the region and any discussion on carbon pricing should be focused on mitigating those effects.

Premier Andrew Furey says Newfoundland and Labrador does not support additional increases to carbon pricing at this time.

Furey Statement

“Our government does not support additional increases to carbon pricing at this time, and we support an Atlantic Canadian approach to this issue. The market has increased fuel prices so much that the desired effect of carbon price increases has already been realized, and it is putting considerable strain on Newfoundlanders and Labradorians. We are doing our part to fight climate change in Newfoundland and Labrador, through hydroelectricity, the development of green hydrogen, management of greenhouse gas emission legislation, and performance standards in our offshore oil industry. “