Prime Minister Justin Trudeau stood his ground on Wednesday amidst mounting pressure from premiers to abandon the planned April 1 hike to the consumer carbon levy. Addressing concerns about affordability and climate change, Trudeau emphasized the necessity of balancing both priorities.
“My responsibility isn’t about seeking popularity,” Trudeau remarked, pausing briefly before adding with a wry smile, “though it certainly doesn’t hurt.”
“My duty is to make decisions that benefit Canada today and ensure a prosperous future for Canadians for generations to come.”
Trudeau made these remarks during a press briefing in Calgary following a meeting with Alberta Premier Danielle Smith, their first encounter since last summer. Smith, along with six other premiers, has urged Trudeau to scrap the proposed 23% increase, citing the financial strain on households.
Opposition Leader Pierre Poilievre has also vehemently opposed the levy, announcing plans to initiate multiple parliamentary votes next week to block the hike.
Trudeau emphasized the importance of addressing climate change promptly, cautioning against postponing action to future administrations and condemning short-term thinking in politics. He defended the carbon levy as a market-based solution, asserting that pricing carbon is more effective than heavy-handed government interventions like regulations and subsidies.
Reflecting on widespread opposition to the carbon levy, Trudeau remarked, “Why the resistance? It’s a question we all need to ponder,” during an unrelated announcement regarding the government’s dental care program.
Trudeau stressed the importance of market mechanisms, such as the carbon price, in reducing greenhouse gas emissions, advocating for accountability among polluters to bear the costs of their actions.
Acknowledging concerns about affordability, Trudeau highlighted measures in place to mitigate the impact on lower-income individuals, including escalating rebates. For instance, the average family of four in Alberta stands to receive $1,800 annually.
Despite opposition calls to halt the carbon levy increase, Trudeau reaffirmed the government’s commitment to environmental action, emphasizing the importance of tackling climate change.
As Canada prepares for the carbon price to escalate to $85 per tonne on April 1, several provinces, including Alberta, Nova Scotia, New Brunswick, Newfoundland and Labrador, Prince Edward Island, Ontario, and Saskatchewan, have voiced their opposition.
Premiers Andrew Furey of Newfoundland and Labrador, Tim Houston of Nova Scotia, and Dennis King of Prince Edward Island have written to Trudeau, urging a reconsideration of the carbon levy hike in light of economic pressures and inflation concerns.