Trudeau touts embattled carbon levy to global audience, says it faces misinformation

Trudeau acknowledged pushback to the policy, but he said it's being fueled by what he called propaganda ... that affordability issues and fighting climate change are in opposition.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau is defending his embattled carbon-pricing program on the world stage, and he argues that misinformation is threatening environmental progress.

Trudeau arrived today in Brazil for the G20 leaders summit, and addressed a conference held by the anti-poverty group Global Citizen.

He touted Canada’s consumer carbon levy, arguing it is among the world’s strongest but “an easy political target” in Canada.

Trudeau acknowledged pushback to the policy, but he said it is being fuelled by what he called propaganda and misinformation that affordability is in contrast with fighting climate change.

He said his Liberal party has already won three elections on carbon pricing as an issue, and he said the policy is “very much in question” for the next election.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has vowed to cancel the policy, pushing for a “carbon-tax election” to bring down the cost of living.

Trudeau made the comments at a panel themed around Canada’s hosting of the G7 summit next year, though Trudeau did not speak to that looming initiative.

Before the event, his office said the remarks would discuss “the economic case for climate action and Canada’s climate finance and international assistance” policies for the G7 presidency.