Gérard Deltell, the Conservative Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change,  unleashed a scathing critique of the Trudeau government’s recent move to impose electricity regulations.

In a statement, Deltell accused the Liberal administration’s priorities as being disconnected from the genuine struggles of Canadians, particularly those grappling with the relentless cost-of-living crisis.

“A memo from his minister’s own department confirmed that this ideological agenda will significantly ‘increase the costs’ of utility bills that Canadians have to pay every month. Some estimates suggest that the cost of the Liberal plan could be up to $1.7 trillion. Canadians just can’t afford Justin Trudeau anymore,” Deltell stated. 

By 2030, the Trudeau Liberals’ Emissions Reduction Plan would require a 42% reduction from 2019 levels of energy sector emissions.

Deltell didn’t shy away from highlighting instances where the Trudeau government appears to have hindered initiatives aimed at reducing emissions. 

As an example, he cited the Sustainable Marine tidal power project in Nova Scotia, which encountered bureaucratic barriers.

“It’s becoming increasingly evident that this government’s approach is rendering essentials like electricity inaccessible to those who need it the most,” Deltell remarked. 

“While Canadians struggle to keep up with rising costs, Trudeau’s administration continues to make life even more unaffordable.”

The environment critic also asserted that a Conservative government would prioritize both affordability and environmental responsibility by leveraging technology to curtail emissions — without shackling citizens with exorbitant utility bills. 

Liberal climate change minister Steven Guilbeault has hinted at criminally prosecuting premiers who fail to comply with Trudeau’s emissions reduction policies.

“Come get me,” Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe retorted at the time.