O’Toole touts ‘innovative’ carbon pricing plan and pledges to work with provinces

Sep 15, 2021 | 9:17 AM

SAGUENAY, Que. — Erin O’Toole appears open to letting provinces decide whether they want to be part of the Conservative carbon pricing plan or stick with the Liberal one.

The Tory leader has faced criticism from within his own tent for promising a Conservative carbon price on fuel after campaigning during his leadership race to scrap the plan introduced by the Liberals.

O’Toole has said that under his system, the money consumers spend on gas would be sent to personal savings accounts they could then use to make green purchases.

The party hasn’t detailed the cost of its proposed loyalty rewards-style program, or how it would track people’s carbon consumption and their points-based shopping. 

O’Toole told The Toronto Star he sees his system as an “alternative” to the federal carbon price, and he said it would be up to provinces like Ontario that currently pay that price to decide whether to make the switch. 

The Conservative leader today touted his plan as being “innovative” and pledged to work with provinces on ways to reduce greenhouse gas emissions without fighting with premiers.

This report by The Canadian Press was first published Sept. 15, 2021.

The Canadian Press