Prime Minister Justin Trudeau understands that the price on pollution is increasing, but he stresses that so too is the Canada Carbon Rebate, with April 15th being the next round of rebate cheques.

He explains that carbon pricing was only to be a federal backstop. Provinces were invited to come up with their own solutions which would be equal to reducing the same amount of carbon emissions, and so far British Columbia, Quebec and Northwest Territories have done so. B.C. does have a carbon tax, but the provincial government administers it on behalf of the federal government and B.C. has had a carbon tax since 2008.

Trudeau understands that the carbon pricing, or as it is more commonly known, the carbon tax, can make it challenging for Canadians, as opposed to incentivizing the big emitters and that’s why there are rebates for individuals and families. The goal, he says, is to fight climate change.

The Prime Minister suggests Conservative leaders are making “political hay” out of the issue. As an example, he says, “Pierre Poilievre and the Conservatives are actually getting in the way of delivering the doubling of the rural top up across the country. We committed to double the rural top up for the Canada Carbon Rebate from 10 to 20 per cent but that is being blocked by the Conservatives.” Trudeau believes that all the Premiers complaining about the price on pollution but not coming forward with alternatives are just playing politics.