Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has announced that, if elected, he will repeal the entire carbon tax, including that which targeted industry.
His plan contrasts with Prime Minister Mark Carney’s move to end only the consumer carbon tax on March 14, leaving existing charges on steel, aluminum, natural gas, food production, concrete, and other sectors in place.
During a press conference on Monday, Poilievre explained that, if elected, his government would "repeal the entire carbon tax, including the federal backstop that requires provinces impose industrial taxes."
"There will be no taxes on consumers, no taxes on Canadian industries," he added. "Instead, provinces will continue to have the freedom to address this issue how they like."
The Conservative leader claimed Carney will impose a "shadow carbon tax," arguing that such a move could encourage major industries to relocate to the United States, potentially harming Canadian jobs and raising costs for consumers.
Poilievre maintained that abolishing all carbon taxes would relieve financial strain on businesses and families, while supporting domestic investment.
Although Carney cancelled the consumer portion, households will still receive their rebate cheques at the end of March.
"Poilievre is right to oppose the hidden industrial carbon tax that makes everything more expensive and costs Canada jobs," said Franco Terrazzano, Federal Director of Canadian Taxpayers Federation.
"Canadian businesses are already struggling to survive massive tariffs and hidden industrial carbon taxes make them even less competitive. A carbon tax is a carbon tax is a carbon tax, and Canadians can’t afford to keep paying more to fuel up their cars, heat their homes and buy groceries."
Both leaders assert their approaches balance economic growth with environmental concerns, setting the stage for a high-profile debate over Canada’s carbon tax in the next federal election.
