Poilievre uses P.E.I. visit to slam carbon tax, promise relief from high price of living

Pierre Poilievre says that if his Conservative Party forms the federal government after the next election, he will introduce measures to bring down the costs of low-carbon energy alternatives rather than impose surcharges on fossil fuels as Justin Trudeau's Liberals have done.

That's one of the topics the federal Conservative leader addressed Wednesday during a visit to Prince Edward Island.   

Poilievre criticized the federal Liberal government's carbon tax, which he said is increasing the pain of inflation, especially in rural parts of the country where people need to use gas- and diesel-powered cars and trucks. 

He also addressed the rising cost of heating fuel and groceries, which has had strong impacts in Atlantic provinces like Prince Edward Island, where almost all consumer goods must be trucked in.

Poilievre said rather than raising the costs of "traditional energy," his party plans to create incentives for companies to lower the costs of low-carbon energy alternatives, such as nuclear power, carbon capture and tidal power.

"Look out at these roads here. These people need to drive vehicles," he said, gesturing to traffic going by on the road next to the Charlottetown gas station where he held his news conference.

"If you're coming into Charlottetown from Cavendish, you can't do it by transit."

He also mocked Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland for her recent comment that people could choose to use bicycles rather than cars in some cases. She was visiting Prince Edward Island at the time. 

In an interview with CBC News: Compass, Poilievre said a Conservative government would take a number of measures to address the rising cost of living. They would include placing a cap on government spending, removing red tape to let farmers grow more food, and building more affordable housing.

"I worry about the seniors who will have to choose between eating and heating," he said.

Poilievre said he would give local governments incentives to "get out of the way, free up land and speed up permits" to build more houses.

The Official Opposition leader's visit to the Island comes just days before Justin Trudeau's federal Liberal cabinet starts a three-day summer retreat in P.E.I.

In response to a question from a reporter at the news conference, Poilievre said he's "open" to the idea of reducing the Confederation Bridge toll as Premier Dennis King has proposed.

The bridge connects P.E.I. and New Brunswick, and King has said Islanders shouldn't have to pay more than $20 to use it. The current toll, charged only when leaving the Island, is $50.25 for an average two-axle vehicle.