Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson said premiers calling on the government to halt planned increases in carbon tax were wrong.
In an interview broadcast on Sunday rosemary burton liveMr Wilkinson defended the federal government’s landmark climate policy amid growing calls from local leaders to delay or completely cancel the impending April 1 tax hike.
“Based on the facts, the seven prime ministers are completely wrong,” Mr Wilkinson told guest presenter David Common.
Wilkinson’s comments continue defense of the carbon tax on affordability grounds by federal officials, including Prime Minister Justin Trudeau. They argue that repealing or suspending the carbon tax would harm more people than it would help by reducing rebates.
State premiers across the country are protesting the latest tax increase, which would raise the tax from $65 to $80 per tonne.the federal government refutes this 8 out of 10 Canadians You can receive more rebates than you pay in taxes.
Wilkinson said Sunday the government needs to do more to convince Canadians of the benefits of the policy.
“I think we need to do a better job of communicating the affordable aspects of pollution, because pollution is what makes life more affordable,” he said.
The carbon tax has been a main target of attack for Conservative Leader Pierre Poièvre, who held a “spike the hike” event in Saint John, New Brunswick, on Friday and called for a vote this week to introduce a carbon tax. highlighted two upcoming parliamentary motions. Tax increases and widespread tax repeal.
Part of the disagreement between the two parties stems from a Congressional Budget Office report two years ago that examined the impact of a tax peak in 2030. Two models are shown. Liberals point out that the fiscal analysis included in the report shows that: While most families would benefit from this policy, the Conservatives used a broader economic model that demonstrated negative economic impacts that depressed Canadians’ economic well-being.
Local opposition
In another interview rosemary burton live On Sunday’s broadcast, Ontario Finance Minister Peter Bethlenfalvy said the Ontario government supports the fight against climate change, but cost of living issues are top of mind.
“Now is not the time for new tax increases,” he told Common magazine.
“Our message now is either suspend taxes or cut taxes. There are different ways to get to net zero.”
Saskatchewan has been at the forefront of the province’s anti-tax fight, refusing to exempt natural gas used to heat homes from a carbon tax in defiance of federal law.
“Our view is that if the prime minister believes that lowering the carbon tax and reducing rebates for Atlantic Canadians means there will be a net positive in terms of affordability for those residents. , the economics should certainly apply to Saskatchewan,” said SaskEnergy Minister Dustin Duncan.
“Obviously there’s going to be consequences,” Wilkinson said Sunday.
What those results will be is “currently under active debate,” he added.
“I don’t know how [Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe] Given what he’s done, I hope that people who live within his state’s borders will respect the laws that he passed through Congress.”