Pierre Poilievre to visit N.B. and N.S. this weekend with carbon tax top of mind

Federal Conservative leader Pierre Poilievre will make stops in New Brunswick and Nova Scotia this weekend as part of his “Axe the Tax” movement to push back against Canada’s carbon pricing plan.

Canada’s carbon price is set to increase next month despite several premiers – including the four in Atlantic Canada – asking Ottawa for a pause.

Environment Minister Steven Guilbeault told reporters during a news conference in Bridgewater, N.S., Thursday that carbon pricing is needed due to the threat of climate change.

“Those who say we should pause the price on pollution will never talk about the fact that it’s the most effective way to reduce pollution,” he said. “So if we pause that, what are we going to do?”

Halifax, are you ready to spike the hike & axe the tax on April 1st? Join us this Sunday to send Trudeau a message.

RSVP now: https://t.co/9ue2GgoEnr pic.twitter.com/5GYfinWELz

— Pierre Poilievre (@PierrePoilievre) <a href=«https://twitter.com/PierrePoilievre/status/1767632315906240929?ref_src=» https:>March 12, 2024

Next month’s increase will add roughly three cents per litre to the cost of gas at the pumps, which critics argue will further strain people during the cost-of-living crisis.

The federal Conservatives have criticized carbon pricing for much of its existence, with Poilievre promising to remove it if the party forms the government in the next election.

Poilievre’s Maritime stops this weekend include “Axe the Tax” rallies in Fredericton on Saturday and Halifax on Sunday.

Dalhousie University political science professor Lori Turnbull said Poilievre has been successful with his messaging on social media, though she isn’t sure how much the carbon pricing pushback will resonate with Atlantic voters.

“I don’t think the