Ontario Premier Doug Ford unveiled a legislative proposal that would protect the province from a carbon tax — even if the federal Conservatives win the 2025 election and scrap the tax at the national level.
The proposal aims to mandate a referendum for any future provincial government’s attempt to implement a carbon tax.
“This new law will guarantee that no provincial government can force a costly carbon tax on the people of Ontario without ensuring their voices are heard loud and clear,” stated Ford.
He said that Ontario Liberal leader Bonnie Crombie is “the queen of carbon tax” due to her time spent as a federal Liberal MP, and highlighted Crombie’s record on tax increases during her tenure as Mississauga’s mayor.
The Premier articulated this move as a safeguard for Ontarians against the financial strains of potential provincial carbon taxes.
“This tax, all carbon tax schemes. They’re awful. They take money out of people’s pockets. They raise prices at the gas pump. They increase the cost of groceries and your home heating bills, They increase the cost of absolutely everything,” he said.
The proposed legislation is slated for introduction next week.
Ford’s proposed legislation could be 2026 campaign focus
Reporters at the announcement expressed confusion and asked “Why now?” given that this provincial legislation wouldn’t change the fact that Ontarians would still have to pay the Trudeau Liberals’ federal carbon tax.
Ford said the decision is to give Ontarians a voice should a provincial government ever try to impose a carbon tax.
Ontario’s next provincial election is slated for 2026, closely following the federal election in October 2025. Current polls suggest a significant lead for the federal Conservatives, who have committed to eliminating the carbon tax immediately upon taking office.
This potential change sets a strategic backdrop for Premier Doug Ford’s government. With the federal carbon tax possibly abolished shortly before Ontario’s 2026 election, Ford has an opportunity to spotlight the carbon tax issue. He can campaign on the premise, and even ask her directly during a debate, that a Liberal government under Bonnie Crombie might overturn his proposed legislation.
