Carbon price increase is ‘inhumane,’ Alberta premier tells committee

Alberta Premier Danielle Smith says the upcoming federal carbon price increase is “inhumane.”

“The so-called solution of the federal government is to increase the carbon tax on something that is life or death for Albertans in the extreme cold of winter,” Smith told the House of Commons operations committee.

“I will say that is inhumane. It begs the question, how far will this government go to make life even more difficult and expensive?”

In January, a polar vortex brought -40 C temperatures to Alberta, with wind chill making it feel like -50.

Smith went on to call for a similar carbon price pause for all home heating methods, as was put in place by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau in October for home heating oil — a move critics say disproportionately benefits Atlantic Canada.

Both Smith and New Brunswick Premier Blaine Higgs appeared before the committee at the invitation of Conservative chair Kelly McCauley, saying that because the carbon price deals with a fiscal policy, it’s appropriate to have this discussion in the estimates study.

On April 1, the carbon price will increase from $65 per tonne to $80. This means the federal fuel price of gasoline will climb from $0.14 to almost $0.18 per litre.

Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe appeared at the committee on Wednesday.

Liberal, NDP and Bloc Quebecois members questioned the move, and voted in favour of a motion to block the chair from calling meetings and bringing forward witnesses without prior consultation.

Ontario Liberal MP Irek Kusmierczyk said these meetings amount to a political stunt, in line with the Conservative push against Monday’s increase.

Higgs argues that instead of having a carbon price, Canada should focus on exporting more natural gas to displace coal power