Energy minister 'committed' to consumer carbon tax as he considers Liberal leadership
CTV
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says he would be 'committed' to the consumer carbon tax should he become Liberal leader and prime minister, despite the policy’s unpopularity.
Energy and Natural Resources Minister Jonathan Wilkinson says he would be “committed” to the consumer carbon tax should he become Liberal leader and prime minister, despite the policy’s unpopularity.
“The consumer portion of the carbon price, I will continue to make the argument to Canadians that, actually, it enhances our ability to address climate change, and it does so in a manner that's affordable,” Wilkinson said in an interview with CTV’s Power Play on Wednesday.
As Liberal MPs were meeting in Ottawa on Wednesday to discuss the party’s upcoming leadership race following Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s resignation, Wilkinson confirmed that he is considering a run for the job.
“I have had a range of caucus and cabinet colleagues who have come to me and asked me to consider running and in that context, I am considering it,” Wilkinson told host Vassy Kapelos. “I've been having conversations with lots of folks. I think it's time that we had a prime minister and a leader of the Liberal party that's a little bit more focused on the economy and on business.”
Wilkinson says he is waiting for leadership race rules to be announced – including what the entrance fee might be – before deciding whether to officially enter his hat into the ring.
“It's important to ensure that there is sufficient support, not only in caucus, but with organizers across the country, to make it reasonable to think that you will be competitive in that race,” Wilkinson said.
The consumer carbon tax came into effect in 2019 under the Trudeau government and has grown to be unpopular amongst Canadians. The Conservatives – who have pledged to “axe the tax” – have used the policy to attack Liberals for years. The tax has also received significant pushback from most premiers, including Liberal Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey, and some Liberal MPs have even expressed that it might be time to reconsider the policy.
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