Achi news desk-
The federal leader of the New Democrats insists his party’s position on carbon pricing will remain unchanged.
But Jagmeet Singh refuses to say specifically whether he supports Canadians having to pay that on consumer goods like gasoline.
Singh met with reporters today for the first time since a speech last week created confusion about the NDP’s position on the federal fuel consumer levy.
In it, Singh sings the praises of “affordable, low-carbon options” and vows “not to penalize people” who can’t change how they heat their homes or get to work.
He later said he tries to highlight initiatives with the biggest impact, such as methane regulations or a carbon price on industrial emitters.
Singh added that he doesn’t want working Canadians to feel like they are carrying the burden.
The apparent change in tone appears to have even stunned Prime Minister Justin Trudeau, who last week admitted he didn’t understand the NDP’s position.
Trudeau noted that Singh is facing “political pressure” from the Conservative prime ministers and Conservative leader Pierre Poiliber, who want to repeal the policy.
The NDP later released a statement insisting it supports a “consumer carbon price.”
But when asked to clarify today, Singh said only that the party’s voting record made it clear that it supported a “price on pollution”.
This report by The Canadian Press was first published on April 15, 2024.
