John Rustad has called on David Eby and the BC NDP to go all the way and axe not just the consumer carbon tax, but its industrial sibling as well.
The BC Conservative leader's comments come following the introduction of Bill 8, which will, if passed, eliminate the consumer carbon tax.
"The premier's done an amazing flip-flop on BC's carbon tax," Rustad said during Question Period on Monday. "Last year when the premier was asked by Pierre Poilievre to join seven other premiers in axing this tax, this premier responded by saying he's living in a 'baloney factory.' Now this premier has capitulated on his strongly-held personal beliefs due to political pressure from common sense Conservatives."
The BC Conservative leader called Eby's performance "worthy of an Oscar," and asked if he will "add a double backflip to his routine" and eliminate the industrial carbon tax.
Eby responded by pointing out that the tax was introduced and passed by the BC Liberals, and that Rustad himself voted in favour of it seven times.
"That was before he made his own realization that climate change is a hoax," the premier continued. "He wants to let big polluters off the hook because he doesn't think climate change is real ... We can't trust him in terms of growing an economy that is low carbon and ready for the future."
Rustad doubled down on his claim that axing the industrial carbon tax would result in benefits for all British Columbians.
"This premier ... has finally come to the realization that the Conservatives were right all along," he said, "but the reality is, our industry is struggling. People don't want to invest in this province. People are being driven out of this province."
Rustad called the carbon tax a "job killer," and again urged Eby to do away with the whole thing.
Eby pointed out that BC has the cleanest products in the world, then steered the conversation towards Donald Trump and the need to unite against American aggression.
