The federal government’s decision to offer carbon tax relief to Atlantic Canadians has raised the ire of Renfrew-Nipissing-Pembroke MP Cheryl Gallant.
In a recent exchange with Energy Minister Johnathan Wilkinson in the House of Commons, she accused Prime Minister Justin Trudeau of treating some Canadians as “more equal” than others.
The Liberals recently put a three-year pause on the tax to Atlantic Canadians who heat their homes with oil but have vowed that other exemptions won’t be made.
In an interview with MyBarrysBayNow.com, Gallant re-affirmed her long-held stance that no Canadian should pay a carbon tax, as she believes it’s only driving up the cost of living. Furthermore, she believes the Atlantic Canada pause will just divide the nation.
“The Prime Minister simply isn’t worth the cost to national unity,” she says. “We’re asking the Liberals to listen to the leader of the Opposition, to bring in legislation today to axe the tax on all forms of home heating for all Canadians.”
Gallant says she believes Atlantic Canadians are getting the break, because the Liberals have many seats there and see the region as important in their re-election bid.
Wilkinson defended the decision in the House, saying the Atlantic Canada pause is to deal with a “particularly acute issue” as it deploys technology to get homeowners there less reliant on oil.