Liberal leadership hopeful Clark says she would scrap carbon tax, denies Conservative membership
Former British Columbia premier Christy Clark has announced her intentions to run for the federal Liberal leadership and potentially become the next Prime Minister of Canada. In an interview with CBC Radio’s The House, Clark asserted that she would eliminate the federal carbon tax, a key environmental policy implemented by Prime Minister Justin Trudeau’s government.
Clark, who has been dubbed “carbon tax Clark” and the “carbon tax queen” by Conservative Leader Pierre Poilievre, defended her position on the carbon tax. While she maintained the B.C. carbon tax introduced by her predecessor, Gordon Campbell, she froze the price at $30 per tonne in 2012 during her tenure as premier. In contrast, the current federal levy stands at $80 per tonne and is slated to increase to $95 in April.
The former premier emphasized that a carbon tax is not the sole solution to combatting climate change and advocated for exploring a range of alternative measures. She expressed her commitment to evaluating different tools while ensuring they do not impede economic growth.
In response to allegations of her involvement with the Conservative Party, Clark denied ever being a member, despite endorsing former Quebec premier Jean Charest’s bid for the party’s leadership in 2022. Clark clarified that she did not formally join the party or cast a ballot, refuting claims made by the Conservative Party that she had purchased a membership through Charest’s campaign.
Despite conflicting reports and evidence presented by the Conservative Party, Clark adamantly maintained that she never held a membership or participated in the party’s leadership race. She challenged the party to provide concrete proof of her alleged membership, casting doubt on the validity of their claims.
The Liberal Party is gearing up to announce its new leader on March 9, with Clark poised to throw her hat into the ring. As she navigates the political landscape and vies for the party leadership, Clark’s stance on key issues like the carbon tax will undoubtedly shape her campaign platform and influence her bid for the country’s top political office.
