National

Singh says NDP drafting climate plan, won't say if it'll include consumer carbon tax

Darpan News Desk The Canadian Press, 12 Sep, 2024 01:29 PM

NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh won't say whether he would keep the consumer carbon price if his party forms government at the next election.

Speaking to reporters in Montreal on Thursday, Singh criticized both the Liberals and the Conservatives over their approaches to fighting climate change.

"We want to see an approach to fighting the climate crisis where it doesn't put the burden on the backs of working people, where big polluters have to pay their fair share," he said.

"And so we've been working on a plan, and we'll be releasing our plan, our vision for how we can do that in a stronger way, in the coming months."

Singh’s noncommittal position on the carbon tax comes as the NDP tries frame itself as a credible alternative to the Conservatives in the next federal election.

Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre has promised to end the carbon tax brought in by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's Liberal government, blaming it for adding to the rising cost of living. People in jurisdictions where the federal carbon price is in place receive rebates.

Singh on Thursday accused Poilievre of not wanting to fight climate change at all.

He also blamed the Liberals for pitting workers against each other by exempting home heating oil from the carbon price. That change disproportionately helps people in Atlantic Canada, where home heating oil is popular.

When Canadians stand together, there's nothing that can stop us.

United we can stop Conservative cuts.

Together, we can take on the corporations gouging you and your loved ones.

Corporations have had their governments. It's the people's time. pic.twitter.com/zvKr3BFFM3
— Jagmeet Singh (@theJagmeetSingh) September 12, 2024

The NDP have previously supported the Liberals' consumer carbon price.

Economists are widely in favour of carbon pricing, arguing it is the most cost effective way to reduce emissions.

Thursday marked the last day of the NDP caucus retreat ahead of the return of the House of Commons on Sept .16.

New Democrats are gearing up for a return to a minority Parliament after ending the supply-and-confidence agreement with the Liberals.

Prev Next

MORE National ARTICLES

Critical incident involving RCMP, B.C. Premier David Eby says

British Columbia Premier David Eby says there's been a critical incident involving RCMP in the Metro Vancouver suburb of Coquitlam. A witness on the scene says she saw an officer with a bloody leg and a tourniquet above the wound.

Critical incident involving RCMP, B.C. Premier David Eby says

White House rejects reports of tension with Canada over India interference allegation

The White House is pushing back against reports that Canada-U.S. relations are straining under Prime Minister Justin Trudeau's seismic allegation that the government of India was involved in the killing of a Canadian citizen. National Security Adviser Jake Sullivan says the U.S. shares Canada's "deep concerns" and denies any suggestion of a wedge between the two countries.

White House rejects reports of tension with Canada over India interference allegation

First days of autumn expected to be cool and damp over most of British Columbia

Much of British Columbia will welcome the first week of fall with wet, cool conditions after enduring a summer of drought. Autumn officially begins at 11:50 p.m. Pacific time on Friday and Environment Canada forecasts show clouds and showers are expected to sweep across the south coast within hours of the autumnal equinox.

First days of autumn expected to be cool and damp over most of British Columbia

Woman assaulted in Coquitlam

R-C-M-P in Coquitlam say a man has been charged following an attack on a woman walking along a popular urban trail in that Metro Vancouver city. Police say a 32-year-old man was charged with separate counts of assault with a weapon and assault by choking related to the September 7th attack.

Woman assaulted in Coquitlam

B.C. First Nation research finds 158 child deaths at four facilities

An investigation into unmarked graves and missing children by British Columbia’s Sto:lo Nation has revealed at least 158 deaths, most of them at a hospital. Researchers with the nation say archival documents from three residential schools and a First Nation hospital show most of the children reportedly died of disease, some of accidents, while other causes of death are unknown.

B.C. First Nation research finds 158 child deaths at four facilities

One arrested in LGBTQ rally

Vancouver police say one person was briefly taken into custody yesterday during protests and counter-protests related to including sexual orientation and gender identity supports in B-C schools. Police say the arrest happened during a confrontation between opposing groups but they say there were no significant public safety issues.