NDP leader not saying if ‘fair’ carbon price includes levy on gasoline

Federal NDP Leader Jagmeet Singh did not answer on Monday when asked by reporters whether his party’s climate policy would include a carbon price on gasoline after saying he wants a more “fair” deal for working people.

“Our position on fighting the climate crisis has not changed. We believe absolutely in a price on pollution, but we also believe the price has to be fair, and right now the Liberals are not making a fair plan. They’re saying big polluters get bigger and bigger profits and working class people get nothing. That is wrong,” Singh said ahead of question period.

However, specifics of that plan are less clear. Singh was asked at least nine times by reporters if his vision of a fairer plan includes a carbon price on gasoline.

Singh did not clearly answer.

When pressed by reporters, Singh said to look at the NDP’s voting record on the issue.

This comes after the NDP voted along with a non-binding Conservative motion last week that Prime Minister Justin Trudeau host a televised meeting with the premiers to talk about the recent carbon price increase and possible alternatives.

The NDP have previously voted against the government on carbon pricing items, including legislation to grant farmers an exemption for the levy for using natural gas to dry grain.

This legislation, C-234, has passed the Senate with amendments and was sent back to the House of Commons in December.

Prior to last week’s vote, NDP environment critic Laurel Collins said that the Liberals are treating the carbon price as the “be-all-end-all” of climate policy.

At a Thursday speech at the Broadbent Progress Summit, Singh said that they cannot rely on free market mechanisms like the carbon price to be the main driver in combatting climate change, adding that