Carbon price increase causing ‘worry,’ premiers say, urging pause
Global News
Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey wants the carbon pricing increase for April paused, with Ontario Premier Doug Ford and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe endorsing it.
Newfoundland and Labrador Liberal Premier Andrew Furey is calling on the federal government to put a pause on its planned increase of its carbon pricing plan next month, and at least two other premiers are voicing their support.
In a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau posted on X, Furey said that while his government is “deeply invested” in environmental sustainability, the increase set for April 1 “is causing understandable worry as people consider how they will manage the mounting financial strain.”
Furey’s call is the latest facing the federal Liberals as the hike on its federal carbon price, which applies in provinces and territories without their own plans that meet established federal criteria, is set to add 3.5 cents per litre to the cost of gas and four cents on diesel.
Currently, the federal carbon backstop is set at $65 per tonne, increasing to $80 per tonne on April 1. The minimum levy will more than double by the end of the current annual increase schedule, hitting $170 per tonne by 2030.
Ontario Progressive Conservative Premier Doug Ford and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe, who leads the conservative Saskatchewan Party, both signalled their endorsements for Furey’s call in reposting the letter to their own X accounts.
“People across Canada are hurting right now from the high cost of living,” Ford wrote. “The federal government needs to put a stop to the carbon tax.”
Both Ford and Moe have previously opposed the pricing plan, with the former announcing last month a planned law to require any future provincial government to put a new carbon pricing program to a referendum.
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