Edmonton: Alberta Premier Danielle Smith has expressed reservations about eliminating the consumer carbon tax, stating she wants a clear plan for the industrial levy before making a decision.
Smith’s comments come as discussions intensify over Canada’s carbon pricing policies. She specifically questioned how former Bank of Canada governor Mark Carney, a key advocate of climate policies, plans to handle carbon taxation for the oil and gas sector. “We need clarity on how much Carney is going to punish our energy industry,” Smith said.
The Alberta government has long opposed federal carbon pricing but has maintained its own industrial levy, which charges major polluters based on emissions. While some provinces push for scrapping the consumer carbon tax to ease financial pressure on households, Smith insists that any changes must include a well-defined strategy for industrial emissions.
Critics argue that Alberta’s resistance to carbon pricing could slow Canada’s transition to a greener economy. However, Smith and industry leaders maintain that a balanced approach is needed to protect jobs and economic growth while addressing environmental concerns.
As debates continue, Ottawa has yet to respond to Smith’s demands for more clarity on the future of industrial carbon levies in Canada.