Newfoundland premier says Trudeau has shown 'willingness' to carbon tax alternatives

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey says the prime minister has 'shown a willingness to alternatives' to the controversial federal carbon pricing system.

Newfoundland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey says the prime minister has "shown a willingness to alternatives" to the controversial federal carbon pricing system.

In an interview on CTV News Channel's Power Play with Vassy Kapelos, Furey said he's "look(ing) forward" to a response from the federal government, as he works to develop an alternative to the carbon tax, which he said will be a "made-in-Newfoundland-and-Labrador solution" to fight climate change.

"I will say that the prime minister has shown a willingness to alternatives to the backstop," he said. "So I'm happy, and our government is working hard right now to show that Newfoundland and Labrador can meet its targets without a carbon tax."

"We will meet our targets without a carbon tax," he added.

Furey — the last remaining Liberal premier — publicly butted heads with Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in March, when he sent a letter calling on the federal government to pause April's carbon tax hike until inflation and interest rates stabilize.

In response, Trudeau accused the Newfoundland and Labrador premier of bowing to "political pressure" on the issue.

"We've expressed our opposition to the carbon tax, really, since I became premier," Furey told Kapelos. "So it's not bowing to political pressure. This has been our position all along."