Deputy Prime Minister Chrystia Freeland told reporters that the federal government will not be pausing their incoming clean fuel regulations despite Liberal Premier Andrew Furey requesting a suspension on Tuesday.
On August 15, Newfounland and Labrador Premier Andrew Furey wrote a letter to Prime Minister Justin Trudeau asking the federal government put a pause on the recently announced clean fuel regulations and scale back their increase of the carbon tax.
On Tuesday, Freeland visited the province to tour Pattern Energy’s hydrogen production and exportation facility and spoke with reporters.
When asked if there was a chance that pause could happen, she replied by saying that she takes the Premier’s concerns “very seriously” but that the “climate transition is an opportunity for our country that is something that, if we embrace, and we are, is a tremendous source for jobs for today and for the future.”
Furey said that while he shares the goal of addressing climate change he remains concerned that these regulations would have a “detrimental and disproportionate impact” on people living in Newfoundland in Labrador.
The fuel regulations in combination with the carbon tax are increasing not only the cost of gas and diesel but also the price of everyday goods at a time when the country is already facing record high inflation.
Furey has asked the federal government to consider how the inflation spike and new climate policies are affecting people’s welfare, saying that an orderly energy transition “depends on it.”
Freeland said that while the cost of living is a real concern for the people in the province, she believes climate action incentive payments will make a difference.
Both Saskatchewan and Alberta’s premiers have vowed not to implement the new regulations calling them “unrealistic” and “completely unnecessary.”
“Trudeau’s net-zero electricity regulations are unaffordable, unrealistic and unconstitutional. They will drive electricity rates through the roof and leave Saskatchewan with an unreliable power supply. Our government will not let the federal government do that to the Saskatchewan people,” wrote Saskatchewan Priemere Scott Moe on X earlier this month.
Alberta Premier Danille Smith concurred with Moe, writing, “I couldn’t agree more with Premier Scott Moe. Ottawa’s unrealistic net-zero targets and recent escalation is completely unnecessary. It’s time for the feds to face reality and work with us on pragmatic solutions,” tweeted Smith.
