Saskatchewan Premier Scott Moe blames the federal government’s climate policies for plunging Canadians into rising inflation rates and unaffordability.
In a year-end interview with Brian Zinchuk for the energy-focused outlet Pipeline Online, Moe accused the federal Liberals of being out of touch with reality and took a swing at the carbon tax specifically for accelerating inflation.
“You can ignore reality for a period of time and we see our federal government do that in many of their decisions. You can’t ignore the consequences of reality and we’re seeing that with much of the inflation that we’re experiencing as individuals and families. We fuel up our vehicle, when we go to the grocery store, when we go to the hardware store, it all can be traced back largely to an increase in the cost of fuel which was designed in the policy by this federal government,” Moe told the outlet.
“(The carbon tax) is pushing up the inflationary aspects of life that families and households are facing across this nation thereby pushing up our interest rates.”
The Saskatchewan premier also called the Liberal government out on the proposed Clean Electricity Regulations which will require the province to have an emission-free grid by the year 2035.
“Even if we desperately wanted it to, it still isn’t going to happen by 2035, it’ll cost $18 billion more and it isn’t possible. You won’t get there,” said Moe.
Earlier this year Moe outlined his administration’s intention to eliminate the carbon tax on natural gas heating.
This decision comes in response to the federal government’s recent announcement of a three-year suspension of carbon pricing for oil heating.
Prime Minister Justin Trudeau declared a temporary halt on the federal surcharge for oil heating in rural areas where it serves as the exclusive heating option.
Trudeau’s announcement prompted various provincial leaders, including Moe, to advocate for a similar pause in their regions for residences utilizing natural gas heating.
