Prime Minister Justin Trudeau pushes aside what he calls “short-term thinking” politicians and defends his government’s deeply divisive policies as more premiers call on the federal government to reverse future increases in the federal carbon tax did.
“My job is not to be popular, but my job is not to be popular,” Trudeau said with a smile at a news conference in Calgary on Wednesday.
“My job is to do the right thing for Canada now and to do the right thing for Canadians a generation from now.”
His trip to Alberta to meet with Premier Daniel Smith, one of the most vocal opponents of the federal carbon pricing system, comes as most premiers have urged the government to abolish the system or until inflation subsides. The move comes amid calls for the hike scheduled for April 1 to be suspended.
He also faced attacks from Conservative Leader Pierre Poièvre, who said he would force multiple votes in parliament next week to block what he called “Trudeau’s April Fool’s tax hike.” There is.
“Prime Minister Trudeau faces a local revolt,” he said in a statement Wednesday. “But Prime Minister Trudeau won’t listen.”
Prime Minister Trudeau showed no signs of bowing to pressure from the prime minister or Mr. Poièvre.
“It’s easy for politicians with short-term thinking to say, ‘Oh, let’s get rid of the price.’ “We’re not talking about the fact that we’re going to abolish it,” he said.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, speaking in Calgary, said “short-term thinking politicians” are rallying against the Liberal government’s pollution costs.
Carbon prices are set to rise from $65 to $80 per tonne early next month.
This federal policy, which includes both a tax on fossil fuels and a rebate paid directly to households, was introduced by the Liberal government in 2019 to encourage people and businesses to reduce fossil fuel consumption and transition to greener fuels. It is designed as a financial incentive to encourage form of energy.
Canadians living in the eight provinces subject to the federal carbon tax receive quarterly rebate payments that vary by province and household size.
the federal government says 80% of households get more money back in rebates Rather than them paying a carbon tax directly.
“These are the checks that the Conservative government and the Tories are trying to take away from the people,” Trudeau said.
“This is also a way to fight climate change, promote innovation and better technology, and put more money into the pockets of Canadians across the country.”
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On Tuesday, Liberal Newfoundland Premier Andrew Furey wrote in an open letter to the premier that while his government is making “significant investments in environmental sustainability,” the planned increase would leave residents with no financial impact. He said the burden will further increase.
Nova Scotia Premier Tim Houston also sent a letter to Trudeau urging him to “repeat the carbon tax before it causes further financial damage.”
So far, New Brunswick, Prince Edward Island, Saskatchewan — It says it will no longer send money owed to pay for the carbon price of natural gas, as required by law. —Alberta, Ontario, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland and Labrador have also called on Trudeau to suspend or cancel future increases.
British Columbia, Quebec, and the Northwest Territories follow their own carbon pricing mechanisms that meet federal standards and are exempt from the federal program.
Early Wednesday morning, Mr. Smith and Mr. Trudeau shook hands for cameras ahead of their meeting. While Smith thanked the federal government for pushing ahead with the Trans Mountain pipeline expansion, he said there are still major differences between Alberta and Ottawa.
“Areas where we don’t really see eye to eye [is] It’s a carbon tax,” Smith said.
“Seven Prime Ministers have indicated that we need to pause on April 1, so I’m very hopeful that some solution can be found on that.” [and] Address the issue of affordability. ”
The government has already made concessions on the plan. In the fall, in the face of pressure from within his caucus from Atlantic MPs, Prime Minister Trudeau announced his government would waive household heating oil for three years.
Prime Minister Trudeau said the moratorium is intended to give rural Canadians time to switch to alternative power sources, such as electric heat pumps, but excludes other exceptions.
“There will never be any further cuts or suspensions in the price of pollution,” Prime Minister Trudeau said in October.
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Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe said his government won’t submit any money owed for a carbon price on natural gas. He argued the move was a protest against the City of Ottawa’s decision to exempt heating oil from taxation, even though it is an energy source used by most households in the province.
Failure to file carbon tax reports or pay amounts owed can result in consequences including fines and imprisonment.
“You can opt out of the Charter of Rights and Freedoms by using the notwithstanding clause, but you can’t opt out of the Federation. You can’t opt out of Canada,” Trudeau said.
“We are a country of laws, a country of rules and responsibility, and we expect our people to obey the laws.”
Asked in Calgary about Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe’s threat not to comply with the federal carbon pricing law, Prime Minister Justin Trudeau said provinces can choose to use the provision if they wish, but “You can’t opt out of Canada.”
