Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutchings said in an interview that Western Canada can benefit from carbon tax pauses like Atlantic Canada received by electing more Liberal MPs.

Hutchings’ comment come just after Prime Minister Justin Trudeau backtracked on the carbon tax in a way that affects mostly Atlantic Canada. Trudeau announced that home heating oil — which a disproportionate number Atlantic Canadians use — would be exempt from the carbon tax for the next three years. 

Trudeau also promised to double the carbon tax rebate program for Canadians living in rural areas, and he introduced a pilot project in Atlantic Canada that offers financial incentives to households that switch to electric heat pumps.

Asked how other provinces could be so lucky to avoid paying the Liberals’ carbon tax, Hutchings said “That’s a discussion that we’ll have down the road when we know that this one is working, but I can tell you Atlantic Caucus was vocal with what they’ve heard from their constituents, and perhaps they need to elect more Liberals in the Prairies so that we can have that conversation as well.” 

In other words, Hutchings claims that Canadians just need to vote for her party to get special preference like Atlantic Canada got — implying that she doesn’t listen to what MPs from parties other than her own have to say. 

Panic Mode

Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has said numerous times that he would cut all of the carbon taxes permanently, so Hutchings’ ultimatum could fall on deaf ears.

Poilievre further said Trudeau’s carbon tax backtrack shows he’s “in total panic mode,” given the Liberal Party’s polling numbers have been in a freefall for a few months, and the Conservatives would likely win a majority government if an election were held today.