Ontario Premier Doug Ford sent a letter to the Ontario Liberal Caucus Chair, James Maloney, urging all Liberal MPs in the province to speak up for their constituents and persuade Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to further backtrack on his carbon tax scheme.
Ford is one of several Premiers including Albertan Premier Smith and Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe to slam the Trudeau Government’s recent backtrack on the carbon tax, stating that it primarily only benefits Atlantic Canadians.
“Your government’s decision to cut the carbon tax on home heating oil is a step in the right direction,” Ford said, “However, when costs are up everywhere, it’s only fair that every Canadian be provided some relief right now, no matter where they live.”
Ford added that the federal Liberals should also remove the carbon tax from natural gas on home heating.
“Last week, Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development, said that your Atlantic caucus colleagues pushed for the removal of the carbon tax from home heating oil and that to receive similar carve-outs, provinces should elect more Liberal members.”
Ford continued, “With nearly half of the entire Liberal caucus being from Ontario, it’s time for you to do the same …”
Carbon tax “pause”
Trudeau maintains that the specific carve-out to home heating oil was done because it’s more harmful to the environment than those who heat their homes with alternative means such as natural gas.
The federal Conservatives claim that Trudeau only made the concession because Liberal MPs from Atlantic Canada begged him to do it, while his polling numbers in the region were taking a massive hit.
NDPs surprising announcement
Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre has proposed to scrap the entire carbon tax but will propose a motion on Monday to stop taxing Canadians on “all forms of home heating.”
On Thursday, NDP House Leader Peter Julian made a surprise announcement, stating that his party would be supporting the Conservative’s motion.
Julian further said Trudeau’s very specific backtrack was done in haste and isn’t fair to Canadians who don’t use home heating oil.
