New NB plans to pledge to fight Ottawa's carbon pricing plan

FREDERICTON – The new Conservative Premier of New Brunswick said he would honor his promise to fight Ottawa's carbon pricing plan, but wanted all the facts before taking action.

Just after his first meeting with his new cabinet on Saturday morning, Blaine Higgs told reporters that he had already met with federal Intergovernmental Affairs Minister Dominic LeBlanc the day before.

Higgs said he intended to hear a presentation on the federal carbon pricing system.

"We want to fully understand the situation as it is proposed by the federal government," he said.

"Now, that does not prevent my cooperation … with other provinces from fighting the carbon tax," he said. "It's my intention, that's what I ran and that's what I will continue to do. But I always work knowing all the facts.

Higgs was sworn in as Prime Minister Friday, a week after the Liberal government's defeat of Brian Gallant in a vote of confidence.

The previous government was also opposed to a carbon tax. Former Environment Minister Andrew Harvey said this "defies the logic" in the province.

Ottawa has asked all provinces to set a minimum price of $ 20 per tonne of emissions by January 1.

The federal government recently detailed a plan to impose a carbon tax in Saskatchewan, Manitoba, Ontario and New Brunswick – the four provinces that refused to comply. Ottawa plans to reimburse the carbon tax to residents of these provinces.

At the press conference Saturday, Mr Higgs said he was determined to join his counterparts in the fight against the federal plan. He said he had spoken with Ontario Premier Doug Ford earlier this week and planned to meet him, along with other opponents of the Ottawa plan, face to face. .

"I have always said that we do not need more taxes to keep up with our programs," he said, adding that he had learned that New Brunswick products were the national standard. "We are achieving this goal and we will do it by 2030."

He added that the carbon pricing plan could put New Brunswick at a disadvantage.

"I say it, be it a carbon tax, in any aspect of our economy, we can not be at a disadvantage compared to those with whom we compete."