Carbon tax tiff: PM Trudeau accuses Premier Furey of bowing to 'political pressure'

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing of Liberal Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey of bowing to 'political pressure' in coming out against the looming carbon tax price increase.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is accusing of Liberal Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey of bowing to "political pressure" in coming out against the looming carbon tax price increase.

Speaking in Montreal, CTV News asked Trudeau about his comment earlier in the week that political leaders in Canada who are against the federal government's price on pollution are "short-term thinker politicians" and whether he thought that moniker also applied to Furey. 

Furey sent the prime minister a letter this week calling on Trudeau to pause next month's carbon tax hike until inflation and interest rates stabilize and cost of living concerns "sufficiently cool."

April's tax increase to $80 from $65 per tonne of carbon emissions is part of a series of hikes, with a coinciding increase to the national rebate plan.

"I think Mr. Furey is continuing to bow to political pressure," Trudeau said.

"I think Canadians in Newfoundland and Labrador, and right across the country, expect their governments to do the right thing, and the right thing right now is not just fighting climate change," the prime minister continued.

"It's about being there to support Canadians during this affordability crisis and the Canada Carbon Rebate helps out 80 per cent of Canadians with more money than they pay in terms of a price on pollution."