Supporters wait to see Pierre Poilievre, the federal Conservative candidate for leadership, arrive at an anticarbon tax rally in Ottawa on 31 March.PATRICK DOYLE/The Canadian Press
Two high-profile candidates are running for the federal Conservatives leadership race. Jean Charest released an environmental plan and Pierre Poilievre said he would consider reviving some of the energy projects that were stopped by the Liberal government.
Former Quebec Premier, Mr. Charest promised to repeal the federal carbon taxes and replace them with an industrial carbon price in order to reduce carbon emissions. His plan also includes a pledge to speed up approvals for infrastructure projects that will lead to emissions reductions.
Overall, Charest stated that his plan would achieve or exceed a 30% reduction in greenhouse gas emissions by 2030 and net zero by 2050.
Meanwhile, Mr. Poilievre stated that he would, as prime minister review energy projects that he believes have been unfairly blocked in the Liberal government and approve them if they are up to several standards.
Mr. Poilievre said that projects must be safe for environment and generate paycheques for Canadians. He also stated that they should displace dirty energy from dictatorships abroad. Consultation with First Nations will also be conducted.
Mr. Poilievre claimed that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau has abandoned the Energy East pipeline, Northern Gateway project, and GNL Quebec projects, and that Mr. Trudeau does not support LNG development on Newfoundland.
According to the Ottawa-area MP, there were 18 natural resource projects when Trudeau took office. But, only one of them is currently being constructed.
He stated that he would revive the GNL Quebecs nergie Saguenay Project, which proposed the construction a natural gas pipeline between northern Ontario and Quebec City. A plant would have been constructed to liquefy the gas to be loaded onto ships for shipment overseas.
Ottawa and Quebec eventually resisted the project due to a combination of environmental and social concerns.
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Mr. Charest was quoted by Mr. Poilievre as saying that the former Quebec premier enacted an carbon tax in power and increased taxes. I don’t believe anyone can trust what he says, as he is doing the exact opposite to what he did when he was Liberal premier for Quebec not so long back.
After a career that included roles in federal politics including those as a cabinet minister under Progressive Conservative prime minsters Kim Campbell, Brian Mulroney, and Kim Campbell, Mr. Charest served as Quebec premier from 2003 through 2012.
The Charest campaign responded to Mr. Poilievres criticism by issuing a statement.
We took the time for consultation with Conservatives for Clean Growth, as well other industry groups. It stated that the Trudeau Consumer carbon tax is a credible option.
I look forward learning more about Mr. Poilievres plans for tackling climate change and environmental outcomes.
When Mr. Poilievre was asked about the release his own climate change strategy, he said it would be available well before the next elections. However, he did not answer media questions about releasing it during the leadership race that ends Sept. 10.
Stewart Elgie, an economist and professor at the University of Ottawa, who is also the director of the Institute of the Environment said that Mr. Charest had developed a credible plan for climate change, while Mr. Poilievre’s ideas are flawed.
Prof. Elgie stated, “To kill climate laws is not a strategy for climate change or smart economic planning.” The world is moving towards a low-carbon economy, regardless of whether Mr. Poilievre wishes it.
Prof. Elgie said that he liked the Charest Plan’s proposal to take the harmonized sale tax off low-carbon products, such as heat pumps, electric vehicles and high-efficiency Windows. He said that it was creative and beneficial for consumers.
He also noted that Charest’s record as federal environment minister and premier, who signed onto agreements on sustainable growth at the 1992 United Nations Conference on Environment and Development (also known as the Rio de Janeiro Earth Summit), shows a genuine commitment towards climate change and building a clean economic system. He stated that actions speak louder then plans.
Professor Elgie refuted the suggestion that Mr. Charest introduced a carbon tax. He pointed out that he had a cap-and-trade approach to emissions.
Another note: Mr. Poilievre was also asked about unifying his party after a campaign in which there have been sharp attacks between his team members and rivals like Mr. Charest or Brampton Mayor Patrick Brown. He cited freedom as a key theme in his pitch for Conservative support.
He stated that he would unite the party around freedom and noted that different factions within the Conservative Party seek different degrees of freedom. He said that freedom is the most important unifying feature in our Conservative movement.
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