View From the Legislature

While there are many divisive issues it seems these days in politics in Canada and around the world, top among them is the future of the carbon tax. Introduced by the federal Liberal government in 2018, it was sold to Canadians as a way to both change consumption behavior and a mechanism to fight climate change.

Significant policy changes only last however if they have broad and enduring support from the electorate. And from the beginning, the carbon tax has been a tough sell for the federal Liberals. It was described at its inception as a plan that would take money from Canadians through the increased cost of gas and food for example, and then return that money to them in the way of rebate cheques or other measures introduced by provinces. Canadians immediately were suspicious and confused by a plan that had the government taking money from them, and then returning it to them several months later.

Confusion quickly grew into frustration as it became clear that the cost of the carbon tax was more than was coming back to Canadians. Canadians were also not seeing evidence of how the carbon tax was impacting the fight on climate change. That became especially true in the fall of last year when the Trudeau government decided to create an exemption from the carbon tax for those who heat their homes with home heating oil. This essentially only benefited those who live in Atlantic Canada, where this method of heating is most prevalent.

After years of defending the carbon tax, it was difficult to believe that this move wasn’t motivated by the low polling numbers the federal Liberal government is experiencing in Atlantic Canada. All uncertainty was erased when a prominent Liberal Member of Parliament went on national television to declare that if western Canada had elected more Liberals, they too may have received a carbon tax exemption on home heating.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe was quick to see the unfairness in the federal Liberal carve out for Atlantic Canada and directed SaskEnergy to stop collecting carbon tax on all forms of home heating in that province as of January 1st of this year.

It is clear that the Trudeau carbon tax has become a mess. Overwhelmingly in polls Canadians do not support it and, policy that is overwhelmingly not supported by the electorate, is unlikely to have a long survival rate. And through all of this the new Manitoba NDP government has struggled to find a position.

Three separate times in the past few months they have expressed support for the Trudeau initiatives on carbon taxes, and three separate times they have expressed opposition. Yet what is clear is they have taken no decisive action to oppose the carbon tax or to stop collecting it like Saskatchewan.

Manitoba produces among the most desirable energy in Canada. It is reliable, renewable, clean and affordable. Further investments into Manitoba Hydro are needed and important. That is the case that needs to be made clear to the federal government and it will require the Manitoba NDP taking a clear position on the carbon tax. Canadians and Manitobans have overwhelmingly expressed where they stand on this issue. It is time for the Manitoba NDP to do the same.