Trudeau defends carbon tax, praises Atlantic Loop at St. FX

ANTIGONISH, NS — Prime Minister Justin Trudeau used a speech at St. Francis Xavier University on Monday to tout the Atlantic Loop and the carbon tax as future drivers of business investment in the economy of Atlantic Canada.

Trudeau’s opening address at the inaugural Atlantic Economic Forum hosted by the university’s Brian Mulroney Institute of Government. run counter to the Nova Scotia government’s position on both.

“Volkswagen did a good job of researching all of North America and one of the reasons they came here was because, in their mission to build clean cars, they make sure their production uses clean electricity,” Trudeau said of the company, which the parliamentary budget official was expected to receive an estimated $16.3 billion in government grants in exchange for building a plant in southwestern Ontario.

“We want such investments to come to Atlantic Canada as well. This is what our commitment to building the Atlantic Loop is all about.”

Late last week, the federal government leaked to the Canadian press that the province was frustrating its efforts to sign an agreement this summer that could allow construction of the Atlantic Loop by 2030.

The unnamed source claimed that the FBI wanted to “invest” $4.5 billion to subsidize the $6.1 billion cost of expanding connections between the Atlantic provinces to Quebec to allow green energy imports from the latter.

“Just think about it; the East Coast could be a clean energy powerhouse,” Trudeau said.

“And we want to help you make this happen. As it is not only the fastest and most cost-effective way to get rid of coal, it will also ensure that the Atlantic region has enough power to meet the growing demand for electricity.”

Prime Minister Tim Houston was quick to point out on Friday that the federal government’s “investment” would have to be paid back and that Nova Scotians would eventually pay to build electrical infrastructure in Quebec.

“Given the current state of discussions with the Federal Government and how they are approaching this, I think it would be fair to say that I believe there are currently more cost-effective methods of achieving our regulatory goals than the Atlantic Loop. .” Houston said this Thursday after a cabinet meeting.

Houston said while the Atlantic Loop would make it easier for the county to comply with legislation requiring it to get rid of coal by 2030, the FBI’s offer is not financially viable for taxpayers.

Trudeau also praised the carbon tax, which, when it goes into effect on July 1, will add about 14 cents per gallon to the price of gasoline at the pump. The tax will increase annually to a maximum of $170 per ton by 2030 (about 37.43 cents per liter for gasoline and 45.45 cents for diesel).

“We have a plan to grow a competitive economy with great jobs here and across the country,” Trudeau said.

“It uses strong tax incentives, targeted investments and a predictable price for pollution that returns money to families. People here will get their first discount in a few weeks.”

The carbon tax also ensures that Nova Scotians receive quarterly rebate checks to offset the added cost of the price on carbon. The amount depends on household size and income, but the average family of four with two adults and two children receives quarterly payments of $248.

The federal government states that most Nova Scotia residents will receive more rebates than they pay in the carbon tax. The provincial government has opposed it, arguing that they will not and that it will ultimately add to the already high inflation and the inability of many Nova Scotians to keep up with their bills.

Trudeau pointed to Canada with the fastest-growing population growth in the G7 and second-fastest economic growth as evidence of the success of his administration’s policies.

He ended his speech with what could be construed as a jab at Conservative leader Pierre Pollievre, who has been persistent in his attacks on Trudeau for his refusal to launch a public inquiry into Chinese interference in Canadian elections.

“There seem to be two kinds of politicians these days,” Trudeau said, “those who want to burn things down and those, more like Brian Mulroney was, who want to build things. Our government has always been and always will be focused on how we can invest in people and in the future of their communities.

“And that’s what we will continue to do every day to grow the Atlantic Canadian economy, ensure that every region of the country is thriving and build an economy that works for all Canadians.”