Mark Carney, Liberal Party leadership candidate and former central banker, is under fire for failing to provide a clear position on the federal carbon tax, a contentious issue in the leadership race.
The Canadian Taxpayers Federation (CTF) is calling on Carney to clarify whether he would scrap the tax if elected as prime minister.
“Taxpayers have one simple question for anyone who wants to be prime minister: Will you scrap the carbon tax?” said Franco Terrazzano, CTF Federal Director.
“Carney is running on his economic expertise as a central banker, but his response on the carbon tax didn’t provide any clarity beyond a vague suggestion he’s working on a replacement scheme.”
During his campaign launch, Carney hinted at potential changes to the policy but did not specify whether he would eliminate it.
“If you are going to take out the carbon tax, we should replace it with something that is at least, if not more, effective,” Carney said.
“Perception may be that it takes out more than the rebate provides, but reality is different, and Canadians will miss that money, so you need a comprehensive approach.”
Other leadership contenders have been more definitive. Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland stated in an interview with CP24 that she would implement “no more consumer-facing carbon tax.”
Meanwhile, former House Leader Karina Gould said she would retain the carbon tax but pledged to “immediately cancel the increase to the price on pollution ahead of April 1.”
The carbon tax is set to rise on April 1, with prices increasing to 21 cents per litre of gasoline, 25 cents per litre of diesel, and 18 cents per cubic metre of natural gas.
“Canadians know what Prime Minister Justin Trudeau thinks, Canadians know what Conservative Party Leader Pierre Poilievre thinks, and Canadians know what Freeland and Gould think,” said Kris Sims, CTF Alberta Director.
“The only person who wants to be prime minister and hasn’t given a clear answer on the carbon tax is Carney.”
The CTF emphasized that affordability is a key issue for Canadians and that any serious leadership candidate must take a definitive stance.
“Anyone who wants to be a credible candidate for prime minister owes Canadians a crystal-clear answer to this question: Will you scrap the carbon tax?” said Sims.
