Minister Says West Should Elect More Liberals If They Want Voices Heard on Carbon Tax Policy

Rural Economic Development Minister Gudie Hutchings says the Atlantic caucus was vocal with what they’ve heard from their constituents over the summer.

Gudie Hutchings, Minister of Rural Economic Development and Minister responsible for the Atlantic Canada Opportunities Agency, speaks on Parliament Hill in Ottawa on March 27, 2023. The Canadian Press/Sean Kilpatrick

The federal rural economic development minister says if the provinces in Western Canada want to have more input into the federal government’s carbon policies, they should elect more Liberal MPs like Atlantic Canada.

Prime Minister Justin Trudeau on Oct. 26 announced a three-year pause, beginning Nov. 9, on the carbon tax on heating oil in all jurisdictions where the federal charge on fossil fuels is in effect.