Chiefs of Ontario Call Trudeau’s Carbon Tax ‘Discriminatory,’ File Judicial Review

The chiefs say Ottawa has failed to meet with them despite repeated attempts to initiate dialogue, and denied their request for a carbon tax exemption.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau makes an announcement about the carbon tax during a news conference in Ottawa on Oct. 26, 2023. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

First Nations chiefs in Ontario are asking a court to review the federal government’s “discriminatory” and “anti-reconciliatory” carbon price system, claiming Ottawa has “refused” to negotiate with them.

The Chiefs of Ontario, which represents more than 130 First Nations across the province, has filed an application for judicial review in Federal Court, saying the carbon pricing system has a “disproportionate impact on First Nations and their members.”