On Parliament Hill

Recently, Justin Trudeau announced that the Liberal Government will impose a massive new carbon tax that will cost everyday working people and their families thousands of dollars each year.

The Prime Minister has tried to label this as “carbon pricing”. But make no mistake, this is a carbon TAX. He even admitted as much when he himself inadvertently referred to it as a carbon “TAX” last Wednesday in the House of Commons.

While there is bipartisan support for the climate targets first proposed by Prime Minister Harper, a massive carbon tax grab on Canadians will not achieve Canada’s climate change goals. Imposing a punishing new tax while holding back approval on job-creating pipeline projects shows how misplaced this government’s priorities are when it comes to jobs and economic growth.

The Liberal Government knows that it’s easy to cut emissions by killing jobs and shutting down industries. But that is a very dangerous path forward. Under the previous Conservative Government, greenhouse gas emissions went DOWN, something many other countries around the world were unable to do. And we were able to accomplish this WHILE growing the economy and creating jobs. We did it the right way.

Justin Trudeau’s new direction is not sitting well with the provinces either. He promised a new-era of cooperative federalism, but upon hearing of the Prime Ministers surprise announcement, Environment Ministers from Saskatchewan, Nova Scotia and Newfoundland felt they had no choice but to walk out of important climate meetings. Instead of fostering an environment of cooperation, Mr. Trudeau has decided to use a sledge hammer approach to force provinces and territories to bend to his will.

Ideas like the carbon tax might stem from good intentions, but the consequences would likely be devastating for our businesses, farmers and Canadian families.