Speaking at a press conference in Manitoba, Justin Trudeau said provinces can offer alternatives to the carbon tax as long as they achieve the exact same results.
“But as I’ve said multiple times, provinces are free to move forward on their own pricing systems as long as they hit the same levels and the same outcomes that are in place across the country,” Trudeau said.
“BC and Quebec have had their own pricing system in place,” Trudeau continued. “It’s important that it not be free to pollute anywhere in the country… But every province is open to put forward an equivalent plan, and that’s what I’m happy to work on with the premier here and with anyone right across the country.”
Unfortunately, given that the carbon tax has had absolutely zero impact on the environment and seems to only be a punishment for the sin of driving, the only thing that could replicate this monumental failure of a policy would be the same policy.
What Premiers have said about the carbon tax and alternatives
As Newfoundland Premier Andrew Furey put it in his letter calling for an emergency meeting on the carbon tax, “Today, a gas-powered truck drives fishing gear to the wharf in a rural Newfoundland and Labrador community. After April 1, there will be an additional carbon tax, but that same truck still must drive fisihing gear to the wharf. There are no alternatives available. So, the key intent of this policy, to lower emissions, is not being achieved at this time.”
Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe has also commented on the possibility of replacing the carbon tax with an alternative that achieves the same results in the past but decided against it because anything akin to the carbon tax would hurt his constituents just as bad.
Of course, though, besides Trudeau’s offer to implement an alternative that does the same thing as the carbon tax, there is another option.
As several Premiers have suggested following the latest hike, we can have an election and see what Canadians really think of Trudeau and his carbon tax.
