A federal Liberal candidate admitted during a rural Ontario all-candidates debate that she couldn’t “unequivocally” say that her party would not reintroduce a consumer carbon tax.
Liberal candidate for Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, Lorna Jean Edmonds, refused to rule out the return of the carbon tax when pressed on the matter.
Edmonds was quoted by the local outlet The Recorder & Times.
“I’m not going to unequivocally say that we won’t see a carbon tax again,” said Edmonds. “I don’t believe we will in the short term, particularly not in the next four years.”
Edmonds’ comments are fueling concern among voters already alienated from the Liberals for causing years of rising fuel and other costs due to the carbon tax.
The comment was met with disapproving murmurs from the audience and was sharply contrasted by Conservative incumbent Michael Barrett, who used the opportunity to reinforce his party’s position.
“Only Conservatives have committed to eliminating the carbon tax for everyone, forever,” Barrett said. “The Liberal candidate just said she won’t say if we will never see a carbon tax again. Well, there’s your answer.”
Liberal Leader Mark Carney had previously reduced the consumer portion of the carbon tax to 0$, while keeping the industrial carbon tax in place.
A recent poll conducted by Leger found that 70 per cent of Canadians agreed that the industrial carbon tax led to higher prices for consumers.
Meanwhile, Paul Lancione, the NDP candidate, doubled down on his party’s support for carbon pricing, stating: “All 25 NDP MPs supported Bill C-234, despite the fact that the Liberals all voted against it.”
A federal Liberal candidate admitted during a rural Ontario all-candidates debate that she couldn’t “unequivocally” say that her party would not reintroduce a consumer carbon tax.
Liberal candidate for Leeds–Grenville–Thousand Islands and Rideau Lakes, Lorna Jean Edmonds, refused to rule out the return of the carbon tax when pressed on the matter.
Edmonds was quoted by the local outlet The Recorder & Times.
“I’m not going to unequivocally say that we won’t see a carbon tax again,” said Edmonds. “I don’t believe we will in the short term, particularly not in the next four years.”
Edmonds’ comments are fueling concern among voters already alienated from the Liberals for causing years of rising fuel and other costs due to the carbon tax.
The comment was met with disapproving murmurs from the audience and was sharply contrasted by Conservative incumbent Michael Barrett, who used the opportunity to reinforce his party’s position.
“Only Conservatives have committed to eliminating the carbon tax for everyone, forever,” Barrett said. “The Liberal candidate just said she won’t say if we will never see a carbon tax again. Well, there’s your answer.”
Liberal Leader Mark Carney had previously reduced the consumer portion of the carbon tax to 0$, while keeping the industrial carbon tax in place
A recent poll conducted by Leger found that 70 per cent of Canadians agreed that the industrial carbon tax led to higher prices for consumers.
Meanwhile, Paul Lancione, the NDP candidate, doubled down on his party’s support for carbon pricing, stating: “All 25 NDP MPs supported Bill C-234, despite the fact that the Liberals all voted against it.”