The effects of the carbon tax on improving lives across the country will be one of the main topics discussed by provincial and territorial premiers at a meeting in Halifax on Monday.
There will be at least one notable absentee: François Legault. The Prime Minister of Quebec announced that he will not be present at this meeting due to “a scheduling conflict,” his press secretary, Ewan Sauves, told The Canadian Press on Friday. Monday, November 6 is also a strike day in Quebec.
This topic gained importance when Prime Minister Justin Trudeau announced a temporary exemption for heating oil in October. The Liberals defended the measure by arguing it was intended to ensure low-income Canadians had the time and funds to upgrade to electric heat pumps.
The measure will only be applied in the 10 provinces and territories where the federal carbon tax is in effect. It will not be in Quebec, British Columbia and the Northwest Territories which have their own taxation system.
Already present in Halifax, British Columbia Premier David Eby said this choice was unfair.
PHOTO ETHAN CAIRNS, CANADIAN PRESS ARCHIVES
David Eby, Premier of British Columbia
I don’t blame Atlantic Canadians for having managed to exempt heating oil and no longer have to pay a big bill every time they have it delivered. But I am unhappy that the population of British Columbia living in the same conditions does not have the opportunity to also obtain a heat pump.
David Eby, Premier of British Columbia
In a press release, Ontario Premier Doug Ford railed against the carbon tax, urging the federal government to “do the right thing” and eliminate it across the country.
“The time has come for the federal government to work with the provinces to beat inflation,” he said. This includes being fair to all Canadians, no matter how well they heat their homes. People are struggling to make ends meet and everyone deserves a truce. »
Among other topics expected to be on the agenda: reform of Canada’s bail system, health care and Alberta’s desire to withdraw from the Canada Pension Plan.
The Premier of Nova Scotia and host of the meeting, Tim Houston, had already announced that health was the main item on the agenda. He indicated that one of his priorities was the recruitment of health professionals. Should the provinces compete in this area?
Mr. Houston said he had asked his health ministry to stop recruiting in other provinces. “The rest of the planet is pretty big. There are several qualified people,” he said.