Subhead:The consumer tax is expected to be replaced with a comparable charge on industrial emitters, which will ultimately be passed on to consumers.#
Prime Minister designate Mark Carney scrapped the consumer carbon tax Friday afternoon during his first meeting with cabinet ministers. He signed an order-in-council to make the change official, reported the Canadian Press.
Though Carney has long endorsed the carbon tax, he has taken a different stance since launching his Liberal leadership bid. In his first speech as prime minister-designate, he promised to “immediately eliminate the divisive consumer carbon tax on families, farmers, and small and medium-sized businesses.”
That followed vague promises spanning months to reduce the tax burden on Canadians, who will receive one final carbon rebate next month.
The unpopular levy has been a target of Conservative attacks on the Liberals, as well as internal criticism from the Liberal caucus.
Liberal MP Adam van Koeverden, the parliamentary secretary for the environment, acknowledged the policy has become “divisive” and “toxic”.
“It’s just become a huge distraction,” said van Koeverden. “Unfortunately, you know, it sucks up all the oxygen in the room in a conversation. There are other ways we can reduce emissions and fight climate change that aren’t so divisive and toxic.”
