Ottawa, ON – The Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and the Official Opposition, issued the following statement on the Supreme Court of Canada’s ruling on the Liberal Carbon Tax:
 
“Canada’s Conservatives will repeal Justin Trudeau’s Carbon Tax. We will protect the environment and fight the reality of climate change, but we won't do it by making the poorest pay more.
 
“The Supreme Court recognized that policies related to emission reduction touch on federal and provincial jurisdiction. Conservatives prefer a collaborative approach to tackling climate change to make progress while also helping maintain a strong economy.
 
“After promising not to, Justin Trudeau tripled the Carbon Tax, jeopardizing hundreds of thousands of jobs. Under Trudeau, Canada’s unemployment rate is among the highest in the G-7 and we are experiencing the worst economic growth since the great depression. It’s impossible to understand why Trudeau would choose now, of all times, to put Canadians out of work.
 
“The Supreme Court highlighted the risk of carbon leakage between provinces. The same risk of leakage of jobs and investment exists between Canada and the United States.
 
“Canada’s Conservatives will put forward a clear and comprehensive climate plan focused on reducing emissions, but we won’t do it on the backs of the poorest and working Canadians.
 
“Our relentless focus will remain on securing jobs, securing the economy, and securing our future.”

Ottawa, ON — The Hon. Erin O’Toole, Leader of Canada’s Conservatives and the Official Opposition, today released the following statement addressing reports that President-elect Joe Biden will cancel the Keystone XL pipeline extension:

“If true, this move will devastate thousands of Canadian families who have already been badly hurt by the economic crisis. We need a recovery for all Canadians, in every part of Canada, in every sector – including energy. Keystone XL is a project of national significance that supports countless workers on both sides of the border.

“At a time when both countries need to focus on job creation, and strengthened bilateral relations, I call on the Prime Minister to immediately reach out to the incoming U.S. administration to stop this from happening and stand up for working Canadians across Canada. I also call upon the incoming U.S. administration to meet with our Prime Minister and affected workers prior to making this decision.”

Ottawa, ON – Dan Albas, Conservative Shadow Minister for Environment and Climate Change, released the following statement regarding Justin Trudeau’s plan to triple the Carbon Tax:

“Fighting climate change at home and around the world is an important goal that takes work. Canadians agree on the importance of protecting our environment and natural spaces, and it is an issue that our Party and Leader are passionate about.

“It’s shameful that the Liberals failed to properly consult provinces on their plan raise the Carbon Tax. The environment is an area of shared jurisdiction and Canada’s Conservatives will respect the jurisdiction of the provinces and territories by scrapping Trudeau’s Carbon Tax. If provinces want to use market mechanisms, other forms of carbon pricing, or regulatory measures, that is up to them.

“This week, Conservatives put forward a motion to stop the Liberals from raising taxes during the pandemic. Not only did the Liberals vote against our motion, but they are now raising the Carbon Tax even higher. This increase will mean that Canadians will pay more for groceries, home heating, and add up to 37.57 cents per litre to the cost of gas.

“The Trudeau Liberals promised that they wouldn’t raise the Carbon Tax, but that is exactly what they are doing today. This is just another example of the Trudeau Liberals promising one thing to get elected, and then breaking their promise when they no longer need your vote.

“Conservatives know that we must preserve our shared environment for future generations without sacrificing the jobs Canadians need today or damaging the economic engine that helps fund our vital social programs.”

New transnational project to generate economic and social benefits across the country

A new Conservative government will create a national corridor to carry Canadian energy and resources from coast to coast, Conservative Leader Andrew Scheer announced today.

“It’s time for a government that understands we’re in this together, that Canada works better when we work together,” Scheer said. “A new National Energy Corridor will create jobs and opportunities while uniting Canadians in our shared potential and prosperity.”

A National Energy Corridor will generate economic and social benefits for the entire country by moving oil, gas, hydroelectricity, telecommunications, and potentially accommodating other linear infrastructure. With a single corridor, industry wouldn’t need to submit complicated proposals for every new project.

A single coast-to-coast corridor would:

• minimize environmental impacts
• lower the costs of environmental assessments without sacrificing quality
• increase certainty for investors
• get critical projects built
• and create good-paying jobs.

A new Conservative government will appoint a blue-ribbon task force to provide recommendations within six months of its establishment on how to proceed. The government would then begin to work with the provinces and Indigenous peoples – who would both share in the prosperity this project would provide – to realize this vital coast-to-coast link.

“As Canadians, we need to start dreaming big again, and we need to start dreaming together,” said Scheer. “We need to start building a stronger, more united country worthy of those who came before us and that our children and grandchildren deserve.”

Today’s announcement is part of Andrew Scheer’s plan to create jobs for Canadians across the country and help you get ahead. 

• Scrap the Trudeau Carbon Tax, lowering the cost of everyday essentials like gas, groceries and home heating.
• Introduce the Universal Tax Cut, saving a couple earning average salaries $850.
• Take the GST off home heating costs, saving your family $107 every year.
• Introduce the Green Public Transit Tax Credit, saving a family of four who take transit up to $1,000.
• Make maternity benefits tax-free, putting up to $4,000 back in the pockets of new parents.
• Introduce the Children’s Fitness Tax Credit, allowing parents to claim up to $1,000 for sports activities.
• Introduce the Children’s Arts and Learning Tax Credit, letting parents claim up to $500 for arts and learning programs.
• Expand the Age Credit, benefiting the lowest income Canadians the most and giving a senior couple up to $300.
• Boost government-matching to RESPs by 50 per cent, helping parents get more for their kids’ education.
• Introduce the Green Home Renovation Tax Credit, putting up to $3,800 back in the pockets of Canadians for green home improvements.

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