Skip to main content

Premiers unite to call on Ottawa to make carbon pricing fair for all Canadians

Nova Scotia Prermier Tim Houston speaks to media during the closing news conference at the Council of the Federation Canadian premiers meeting in Winnipeg on Wed. July 12, 2023. Photo by: The Canadian Press/John Woods

Support strong Canadian climate journalism for 2025

Help us raise $150,000 by December 31. Can we count on your support?
Goal: $150k
$40k

HALIFAX — Almost all of Canada's premiers presented a rare unified front today as they took turns saying Ottawa's recent changes to its carbon pricing measures were unfair to the country.

Premiers from across Canada, except Quebec, released a statement after a meeting in Halifax, calling on Prime Minister Justin Trudeau to ensure that federal policies, like carbon pricing, are delivered in an equitable way.

Last week, Trudeau announced his government would pause for three years the carbon price on home heating oil to make it easier for users of that fuel to switch to electric heat pumps.

But the move immediately drew criticism from premiers in Western Canada, where few residents and businesses use home heating oil.

The nine premiers today rallied around the idea that Ottawa's move treated Canadians differently at a time when the entire country is struggling with an affordability crisis.

A rare show of unity from Canadian premiers calling on the federal government to make carbon tax on home heating fair for all Canadians. #cdnpoli #CarbonTax

They also called on Trudeau to convene an in-person first ministers meeting, something that hasn't happened since 2018 despite repeated requests from the provinces.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Nov. 6, 2023.

The Canadian Press

Comments